Thanks for the advice. I haven't let one slip yet, so maybe I'm just being overly cautious using the backstop. I plan on trying a few different gloves--right now, my Craftsman mechanics gloves seem to work well for all events I've been practicing.

I hope to compete before the summer is completely blown, but with the knee still not completely out of rehab, I don't want to rush. I have a good heavy duty brace (think football "O" lineman style)--this may take until next year--ugh--hate to think of that, but then again, it would give me a year to practice and work on form.

Maybe I'm just getting to be an old codger, but I figure that if I keep in shape and focus on form, then distance and height will take care of themselves.

-Pete