The Midsummer 2021 season (as it will be referred to on this site, so that it will have an abbreviation different from that of the previous Spring season) is now underway, with four teams entering the 8-week competition for the coveted, nonexistent championship trophy and the prize payouts of exactly nothing.

While much sandbagging learning curve adjusting from wood to synthetic lanes keeping scores down, JoAnne Barber, no longer the lone woman, picked up this week's high game (144) and series (365) for the women, while Matthew Taylor earned this week's high game (213) and series (544) for the men. Read on for all the rest of the details!

First up, on lanes 11 & 12: With what turned out to be closely-matched team strength, Team 1 kept grabbing (and occasionally cupping) the balls of Team 2 (who claims to have a team name but has yet to make it official). Propelled by the skills of Matthew Taylor with his 544 series, Team 1 split the series with Team 2. Aaron Barber, with his 532 series and for "some bizarre reason" the worst 10th frame in game 3 in his career, called the shots for Team 2 as they matched their opponent in wins. Team 1 enters our new world in 3rd place, while Team 2 gets rolling in 2nd.

Meanwhile on lanes 13 & 14: Team 3 hung out with their pals on Team 4 With extra motivation generated by #1 Power Ranked and #1 Head-to-Head James Tott and his 538 series, Team 3 collected 3 wins against Team 4. Meanwhile Dustin Schmeltz with his 541 series took charge of Team 4 despite his team notching only a single win. Team 3 leaves the gate in 1st place, while Team 4 starts off with 4th.

Remember, if you are on a team of 3, you are absolutely welcome to add a 4th bowler at any time up until (and including) week 5!

Bowlers who flashed their boobs to get let into The 200 Club include: Aaron Barber (205), Dustin Schmeltz (207), and Matthew Taylor (213)

In this week's Tournament of Champions brackets: James Tott routed Division 1, while LaReash Bridges creamed Division 2. In terms of overall points: James Tott tops Division 1; and LaReash Bridges is in the driver's seat in Division 2.

NEXT WEEK:

• First, on lanes 11&12, 1st-place Team 3 (hcp 20) will throw some gutter balls with 3rd-place Team 1. Team 3 is expected to roll a little low and lose the series but avoid getting swept; while Team 1 is forecast to drop their average a bit even as they enjoy their victories.
• Them on lanes 13&14, 4th-place Team 4 (hcp 105) will face 2nd-place Team 2. Team 4 is predicted to maintain their current strength as they get swept; while Team 2 is anticipated to drop their average a bit even as they rack up a sweep.

^*(Remember, the predicted results above are based on mathematical extrapolations and can be changed by all sorts of factors. If you don't like how your team's results are predicted, you and your teammates have the power to prove the math wrong!)

THIS WEEK'S MVB No one Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER James Tott Runner Up: Aaron Barber	#1 H2H BOWLER James Tott Runner Up: AJ Hofmann
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "Oh crap, that's right, we're all vaccinated now." Scott Murdock, while getting turkey humped for the first time since March 2020.