I seem to always find stuff I've never noticed before. Jeffco Bowling Association has a website, www.jcbaonline.com/.
I used to bowl at Quonset Lanes in the mid-1980's and enjoyed it very much.
Monday, August 31, 2009
International Bowling Hall of Fame Has New Executive Director
Courtesy of USBC media:
ARLINGTON, TX - The International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame (IBM/HF) has hired Bill Supper to become its executive director. A long-time industry executive, Supper has had stints with Ebonite International, Storm Bowling Products and Columbia 300, and currently is the deputy executive director of the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America. He also serves as the executive director of the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA), as well as the Billiard and Bowling Institute of America (BBIA).
"I am honored, humbled and thrilled to be named the executive director of our crown jewel," Supper said. "The idea of coming to office during this time in building a new museum and hall of fame is quite an opportunity."
Jerry Baltz, the long-time executive director of the IBM/HF, retired on July 31. Supper will assume his new duties on September 1. Jim Baltz, the curator of the museum for the past seven years, has agreed to remain on board at least through the opening of the museum, which is scheduled for January 25, 2010, during the Bowling Summit in Arlington.
The IBM/HF also has added Lori Tessmar, president of sales and marketing for Turbo Accessories, to its board of trustees. Tessmar has served on other boards in the industry, and was the first female president, representing bowling, of the BBIA. She currently serves as a director on the advisory board for IBPSIA.
The IBM/HF elections resulted in officers and executive committee members in familiar roles:
- Pat Ciniello, Chairman and President (President, QubicaAMF Worldwide LLC) - Keith Hamilton, Vice-Chairman and Vice-President (President, Luby Publishing, Inc.) - Terry Brenneman, Treasurer (President, Bowling Supply) - Bob Gudorf, Secretary (Vice-President, Classic Products Corp.) - Wally Hall, at-large (Hall Bowling Investments) - Bill Chrisman, at-large (Owner, Storm Bowling Products) - Elaine Hagen, at large (USBC Hall of Fame; replaces Ted Baer, whose term on board expired)
Win A Car at the 2010 USBC Open in Reno
Bowl in Reno next year? You can win a car!
Who needs a Washington car stimulus?
Who needs a Washington car stimulus?
New USBC Youth Membership Changes
If you are involved with youth bowling in a supervisory position, you'll need to read the USBC Youth Membership Changes as soon as possible since your leagues will be starting soon.
I found this Q & A with USBC regarding dues rather interesting:
Q: How can USBC approve a dues increase on the youth without a convention vote, but the adult increase must be approved by the delegates?
A: Youth dues, along with youth awards, league and tournament rules are under the authority of the USBC Board in accordance with Article VIII of the USBC National Bylaws.
Q: Why is USBC proposing a delay for any dues increase for the adults due to the economy, but establishing a dues increase this year for the youth?
A: The decision making process that is in place for youth matters through the USBC Bylaws allows for an efficient and expedited process to address significant issues. Without the immediate implementation of these programs and the dues increase to support them, USBC believes the continued slide of USBC Youth membership will continue at an unacceptable drastic rate.
I found this Q & A with USBC regarding dues rather interesting:
Q: How can USBC approve a dues increase on the youth without a convention vote, but the adult increase must be approved by the delegates?
A: Youth dues, along with youth awards, league and tournament rules are under the authority of the USBC Board in accordance with Article VIII of the USBC National Bylaws.
Q: Why is USBC proposing a delay for any dues increase for the adults due to the economy, but establishing a dues increase this year for the youth?
A: The decision making process that is in place for youth matters through the USBC Bylaws allows for an efficient and expedited process to address significant issues. Without the immediate implementation of these programs and the dues increase to support them, USBC believes the continued slide of USBC Youth membership will continue at an unacceptable drastic rate.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday Simon Sez
Well, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley threw a great curve ball Friday by approving the no smoking proposal for voters despite his claim this summer it's unfair to the county if surrounding jurisdictions will continue to allow smoking.
So here's the political skinny why he changed his tune. It's a win-win for him. If voters approve no smoking, he can say, I let the voters have their say. If it's defeated, he can say, see, I told you so!
For those keeping score, yes, Mr. Dooley is up for re-election next year. Now are you surprised at his about-face?
Bill Hannegan makes a very interesting point that some businesses that already have banned smoking will lose business. In his blog, Keep St. Louis Free, he writes that if smoking is banned for restaurant and bar competitors, their customers have another choice to spend their money.
Bill is a very sharp person. He's the grandson of Postmaster General Robert Hannegan, who served in that role during President Truman's administration. Astute minds will remember Robert Hannegan was actually referenced in the Miracle on
BOWLING HOOD has a critic. That’s fine. I was a media critic for the Suburban Journals from 1987-89. I know who he is but won't disclose his name. He wonders why Pete Weber is germane to the Summer Madness prize fund story. Well, he bowled in the league. He and his teammates are affected. He's one of the five biggest names today in the game. When he shows up, where he's at is under the microscope. You'd think league officers would realize that. Duh! Yep, all league bowlers were affected. And I'm on their side to get their money. But Pete's a name. Why do you think is E!, TMZ, etc. are watched? Yes Don Griffin, you are right. Big names sell. Late KMOX VP/GM Bob Hyland preached that everyday. No wonder the station had the highest audience share of any major/large market station during his tenure.
On the subject of prize funds, checks for the USBC tournament have been mailed.
BOWLING HOOD promises to publish more USBC news that affects you. The latest is the new ball specifications that go into affect next summer. What you have in your bag on the day the new rule goes into effect will be ok. But no ball lasts forever. So study the new specs and if you don't know what an RG (radius of gyration) is or dynamics of ball surface and how they affect your ball motion, ask your pro shop or a certified USBC instructor.
I'm curious - is anyone following the PBA tournaments in
Does anyone have any information how Hall of Fame bowling writer John Archibald is doing? The retired St. Louis Post Dispatch bowling writer was felled by a stroke in February. He was my team captain in the Press Radio TV league at Olivette Lanes. I enjoyed bowling with him and hearing bowling and journalism stories. His work was always featured monthly in The Bowling News and was a must-read.
Congratulations to Randy Rau who finished 13th at the PBA Senior Dick Weber Open in Lansing, Mi. He’s 43rd on the points list bowling 8 tournaments this year, which is a pretty good accomplishment. He’s ahead of Hall of Famer Dave Soutar who bowled in two more events than Randy. His average during the tour season 209.49,. 47th on the list.
Wayne Webb leads the Sr. Tour in points and earnings. The great ones always endure. The final Senior event begins tomorrow in
Heard that Hazelwood Bowl will be hosting the D’Marco Farr Rams Show on ESPN 101 on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. Let’s see if he promotes bowling on his weekday afternoon show. We know Jerome Bettis would.
Good news for the Hoinke Tournament. Western Bowl in
Remember the days of RedBird Lanes in
Today starts National Bowling Week. Next Saturday is National Bowling Day. BPAA centers that day will let you bowl your first game for free. The goal is to set a world record for most games bowled in one day. That number is 548,721. Now you know why ESPN has dozens of stat keepers. Trivia is everything.
Got some bowling news for the HOOD? Send it in. We’ve reached 2,000 hits our first month. My thanks to you for reading.
Dirty Summer Madness League Prize Fund Update
BOWLING HOOD is learning more details regarding the charge of a prize fund shortage in the Derrty Summer Madness league at AMF Strike and Spare Lanes.
A league captain who was at the meeting after bowling on the last night says the prize fund is short $4,300 and that calls to league secretary Maurice Gray have not been returned. The captain estimates each team was shortchanged about $120.
There is a report that Gray has been unavailable to deal with the issue due to a death in the family. But the source tells Bowling Hood that an employee of AMF who was active in league planning knew of the issues throughout the summer that have been reported and did nothing to resolve the matter. Sources said calls to the league president also have not been returned to them.
No league meeting was conducted Thursday as earlier reported. However, the USBC rules require them to be notified within 15 days that their rules may have been broken. A league captain requested an officers meeting Thursday which was within the 15 day time period. He has notified the USBC and St. Louis USBC such a meeting regarding his complaint wasn't conducted at his request.
The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) and the St. Louis USBC have not yet investigated the matter because the rules require league officers to meet if requested. Under the USBC chapter Losses and Claims, league members made the required notification within 15 days. Sources said the league did not obtain a free bond from the USBC to cover the prize fund. Even if they had, it appears the USBC timelines were not met and that only half of the missing funds would be covered if such an insurance policy existed.
USBC rule 115b requires leagues to hold a meeting to charge individuals with failure to pay league fees. USBC rule 117a requires the league's prize fund be approved by the league's board before the 5th week. And USBC rule 102c requires the league president to verify each month and must report to the USBC national office the amount of prize fund shortages.
So far, the best information we have obtained regarding the President of the league is identified only as "B.J.".
The league was named Derrty Summer Madness for its connection to rap artist Nelly's company Derrty Entertainment. Some who bowled in the league are connected to the company which promised $1,500 in added money to be used for a league tournament. Sources said the the tournament was not conducted. No word if the $1,500 added money was paid to the league for the name rights.
The earlier report that Jeff Carter and Johnny Petraglia bowled as substitutes was incorrect. The two were in attendance one league night while Bowl Expo was being held at Strike and Spare.
To summarize, a high prize fund league shorted league bowlers. It's apparent a lot of USBC rules and regulations were broken. And calls to league officers to resolve the matter are being ignored.
As they say in the reporting business, this story has legs.
A league captain who was at the meeting after bowling on the last night says the prize fund is short $4,300 and that calls to league secretary Maurice Gray have not been returned. The captain estimates each team was shortchanged about $120.
There is a report that Gray has been unavailable to deal with the issue due to a death in the family. But the source tells Bowling Hood that an employee of AMF who was active in league planning knew of the issues throughout the summer that have been reported and did nothing to resolve the matter. Sources said calls to the league president also have not been returned to them.
No league meeting was conducted Thursday as earlier reported. However, the USBC rules require them to be notified within 15 days that their rules may have been broken. A league captain requested an officers meeting Thursday which was within the 15 day time period. He has notified the USBC and St. Louis USBC such a meeting regarding his complaint wasn't conducted at his request.
The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) and the St. Louis USBC have not yet investigated the matter because the rules require league officers to meet if requested. Under the USBC chapter Losses and Claims, league members made the required notification within 15 days. Sources said the league did not obtain a free bond from the USBC to cover the prize fund. Even if they had, it appears the USBC timelines were not met and that only half of the missing funds would be covered if such an insurance policy existed.
USBC rule 115b requires leagues to hold a meeting to charge individuals with failure to pay league fees. USBC rule 117a requires the league's prize fund be approved by the league's board before the 5th week. And USBC rule 102c requires the league president to verify each month and must report to the USBC national office the amount of prize fund shortages.
So far, the best information we have obtained regarding the President of the league is identified only as "B.J.".
The league was named Derrty Summer Madness for its connection to rap artist Nelly's company Derrty Entertainment. Some who bowled in the league are connected to the company which promised $1,500 in added money to be used for a league tournament. Sources said the the tournament was not conducted. No word if the $1,500 added money was paid to the league for the name rights.
The earlier report that Jeff Carter and Johnny Petraglia bowled as substitutes was incorrect. The two were in attendance one league night while Bowl Expo was being held at Strike and Spare.
To summarize, a high prize fund league shorted league bowlers. It's apparent a lot of USBC rules and regulations were broken. And calls to league officers to resolve the matter are being ignored.
As they say in the reporting business, this story has legs.
JEFF BOJE': UNCENSORED
When in town, he wasn't seen on TV...
He wasn't heard on radio...
You didn't read about him in the newspaper
Only BOWLING HOOD interviewed USBC President and BPAA Director Jeff Boje'.
He wasn't heard on radio...
You didn't read about him in the newspaper
Only BOWLING HOOD interviewed USBC President and BPAA Director Jeff Boje'.
Dooley Does About Face, No Smoking Vote awaits Nov. 3 Ballot
In an about face, St. Louis County Executive Charles Dooley signed a bill Friday that will allow county voters to decide Nov. 3 whether or not to ban smoking in public places, if a judge will waive the deadline missed earlier this week by the Council.
Dooley, a former smoker, said there are pros and cons in the bill and that it should be up to voters to decide.
"This is not a perfect bill, but at the same time, I recognize as well that people should have the opportunity to vote on this important health issue," Dooley said. "The people of St. Louis County deserve to be heard at the polls."
Earlier this summer, he indicated he was not in favor of a smoking ban in St. Louis County if adjacent jurisdictions permitted it to lure bar and restaurant customers.
Opposition to the bill continues from the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and American Heart Association. All are objecting to exemptions in the proposal for casinos, bars whose liquor sales top 75 percent of revenue, and Lambert Airport.
Bill Hannegan, the organizer of Keep St. Louis Free was quoted in the St. Louis Post Dispatch on the reaction from the bowling community.
Dooley, a former smoker, said there are pros and cons in the bill and that it should be up to voters to decide.
"This is not a perfect bill, but at the same time, I recognize as well that people should have the opportunity to vote on this important health issue," Dooley said. "The people of St. Louis County deserve to be heard at the polls."
Earlier this summer, he indicated he was not in favor of a smoking ban in St. Louis County if adjacent jurisdictions permitted it to lure bar and restaurant customers.
Opposition to the bill continues from the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and American Heart Association. All are objecting to exemptions in the proposal for casinos, bars whose liquor sales top 75 percent of revenue, and Lambert Airport.
Bill Hannegan, the organizer of Keep St. Louis Free was quoted in the St. Louis Post Dispatch on the reaction from the bowling community.
Friday, August 28, 2009
URGENT: St. Louis County No Smoking Bill May Be Vetoed This Morning
St. Louis County Executive Charles Dooley will announce at 10 a.m. today whether or not he will veto a no smoking bill passed Tuesday by the Council.
He is on record saying he prefers a statewide ban on smoking so that adjoining counties don't have the advantage of luring smokers to their businesses which allow smoking.
By law, Dooley has until Monday to make a veto decision. If he does, it's expected the proposal will be dead. The Council could enforce the bill with an override vote that require five yes votes out of the seven members. The three Council votes that passed the bill were all 4-3 and it's not expected that any of the no voters will cross over for an override attempt.
He is on record saying he prefers a statewide ban on smoking so that adjoining counties don't have the advantage of luring smokers to their businesses which allow smoking.
By law, Dooley has until Monday to make a veto decision. If he does, it's expected the proposal will be dead. The Council could enforce the bill with an override vote that require five yes votes out of the seven members. The three Council votes that passed the bill were all 4-3 and it's not expected that any of the no voters will cross over for an override attempt.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
High Prize Summer League Under Fire For $$$ Shortage
In a few hours, approximately 100 bowlers in the Derrty Summer Madness league at Strike and Spare lanes in St. Louis will be demanding their full share of prize money that is reportedly $2,000 short.
One of those league members affected is PBA touring player Pete Weber who fielded a team. PBA tour member Jeff Carter and PBA Hall of Fame bowler Johnny Petraglia bowled in the league as substitutes.
The league ended two weeks ago with anger and fights that resulted in at least 6 St. Louis County police officers called to the center. Those in attendance said no arrests were made.
Bowlers tell BOWLING HOOD the league ended at about 9 p.m. that night. League officers then went into seclusion for two hours. At that time, league secretary Maurice Gray called the 32 team captains in one by one to tell them the prize fund was short.
BOWLING HOOD learned the prize for the first place team is short $500. Other bowlers are complaining about questionable expenses such as nearly $700 for printing and a request that night by Gray for the secretary fee to be deducted from each team's prize even though $640 was collected the first night of bowling.
Another complaint was that the prize fund was not voted on by league members until the 8th week which violates USBC rules requiring it to be done before the 6th week. Other complaints include some teams were allowed to bowl even though there league fees were past the two week deadline for payment. One bowler believes some teams paid nothing into the prize fund.
League members have been called to the center tonight to receive prize money. One bowler said he is considering filing a criminal complaint with St. Louis County detectives if the prize fund is not paid in full.
The league name is connected to well-known rap music performer Nelly. His company Derrty Entertainment produces music and concerts but also manufacturers the energy drink Pimp Juice and the women's clothing line Apple Bottom. Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes, Jr. was an early organizer and bowled in the league. Sources said he did not bowl in the league the past two years and had no involvement in the current complaints.
Bowlers have called St. Louis USBC executive director Dale Bohn with their complaints. St. Louis USBC President Jim Mooney has contacted BOWLING HOOD by email regarding the story but phone contact to obtain additional information has yet to be made.
One of those league members affected is PBA touring player Pete Weber who fielded a team. PBA tour member Jeff Carter and PBA Hall of Fame bowler Johnny Petraglia bowled in the league as substitutes.
The league ended two weeks ago with anger and fights that resulted in at least 6 St. Louis County police officers called to the center. Those in attendance said no arrests were made.
Bowlers tell BOWLING HOOD the league ended at about 9 p.m. that night. League officers then went into seclusion for two hours. At that time, league secretary Maurice Gray called the 32 team captains in one by one to tell them the prize fund was short.
BOWLING HOOD learned the prize for the first place team is short $500. Other bowlers are complaining about questionable expenses such as nearly $700 for printing and a request that night by Gray for the secretary fee to be deducted from each team's prize even though $640 was collected the first night of bowling.
Another complaint was that the prize fund was not voted on by league members until the 8th week which violates USBC rules requiring it to be done before the 6th week. Other complaints include some teams were allowed to bowl even though there league fees were past the two week deadline for payment. One bowler believes some teams paid nothing into the prize fund.
League members have been called to the center tonight to receive prize money. One bowler said he is considering filing a criminal complaint with St. Louis County detectives if the prize fund is not paid in full.
The league name is connected to well-known rap music performer Nelly. His company Derrty Entertainment produces music and concerts but also manufacturers the energy drink Pimp Juice and the women's clothing line Apple Bottom. Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes, Jr. was an early organizer and bowled in the league. Sources said he did not bowl in the league the past two years and had no involvement in the current complaints.
Bowlers have called St. Louis USBC executive director Dale Bohn with their complaints. St. Louis USBC President Jim Mooney has contacted BOWLING HOOD by email regarding the story but phone contact to obtain additional information has yet to be made.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Two Steps Remain for St. Louis County No Smoking Proposal
There was no fanfare, little drama, and the St. Louis County Council's preliminary votes were unchanged when the no smoking proposal was finalized Tuesday night.
The Council with a 4-3 vote finalize a proposal for county voters on Nov. 3 to say yes or no about smoking in some public places. Bowling centers and bars would be affected if approved, but exemptions remain for casinos, bars with little food business and Lambert airport.
The Council with a 4-3 vote finalize a proposal for county voters on Nov. 3 to say yes or no about smoking in some public places. Bowling centers and bars would be affected if approved, but exemptions remain for casinos, bars with little food business and Lambert airport.
But two obstacles remain. The Council must get a judge's approval to put the proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot because they missed the election notification deadline. But even that isn't enough. County Executive Charles Dooley has until Monday to veto the bill.
And Dooley is on record saying he may do that. Not that he's in favor or smoking, but that the St. Louis City, St. Charles, Franklin, and Jefferson Counties would be havens for smokers to go since they don't have no smoking laws and have no such legislation pending before them. Dooley says he favors a statewide ban.
As expected, the area's restaurant and bar association spoke in opposition to the proposal. But what might get voters to defeat this is opposition from groups you wouldn't expect to oppose no smoking legislation:
The American Lung Assocation
GASP - (Missouri) Group Against Smoking Pollution
The American Heart Association
The American Cancer Society
They oppose the current proposal for voters because of the exemptions, wanting all or nothing. We all know why casinos are getting the exemption (Harrah's at present, River City when it opens next year) - the tax revenue it generates for the County.
But one astute proprietor noted how much power the casinos have over these Lords of the Council: No casino rep ever appeared at the three Council meetings to speak on this matter. They're getting their exemption quid pro quo (for those of you who were educated by the St. Louis Public School System in the past 20 years, it means, you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours).
BOWLING HOOD learned that Councilman Quinn voted in favor of no smoking despite the fact that his law practice is on retainer with a county bowling proprietor who opposes the proposal, and that Quinn has not returned calls or emails to that proprietor.
I guess you can't influence some votes. Too bad Quinn forgot that this proprietor is a county voter. If Quinn couldn't talk because of the business relationship, he certainly should have talked to this person as a tax paying voter.
As a matter of fact, Councilwoman Wasinger didn't return my email. She won't get my vote if she decides to run in 2010.
By next Monday, we'll see if a County Judge approves it for the ballot or if Charlie Dooley vetoes it. Bowling Hood will let you know.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tuesday Twitters
BOWLING HOOD hears from a good source that a summer league in St. Louis County ended its season with $5,000 missing from the prize fund. Reportedly, the league officers hid for two hours on the last night during league play before telling team captains. A fight broke out, cops were called. I promise to get to the bottom of this one!
###
BOWLING HOOD is back after bowling in the Petersen tournament at AMF Hoffman Estates in suburban Chicago. Result, 1410, the cash cut is 1492 as posted at the site. As always, I enjoyed bowling with PBA regional champ Darwin Skrzynecki and wife Diana, and seeing old friends, squad sponsor and 1983 PBA Rookie of the Year Toby Contreras and 2003 Super Hoinke champ Pete Fitzgeral.
It's a tournament EVERYONE should bowl, no matter your skill level. You'll never complain about an easy house shot again.
###
FUNERAL SERVICES have been announced for PBA Midwest champ Brian Kjergaard who died over the weekend in Waterloo, Ia.
The funeral service has been scheduled for Friday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. at the Chancy Lutheran Church, 2315 Wallace St. in Clinton, Ia.
Visitation for Mr. Krergaard is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27 from 3-8 p.m. at Pape Funeral Home, 2308 Pershing Blvd. in Clinton, Ia.
I'm stunned that the Clinton Herald did not report this story. 30 years ago, I worked my first job out of college in Sterling, Il., 30 miles from Clinton. The Herald then would have had published the information. I would have broadcast it as well.
Times change - not necessarily for the better.
###
Recently, I subbed in the Thursday Businessmen's league at Show Me Lanes. On the left pair was a bowler who looked familiar, but I couldn't place a name.
I finally learned it was Steve Giljum. I hadn't seen him in 21 years so it was no wonder I didn't recognize him.
Astute memories will recall his 1985 second place finish to David Ozio in the Miller Lite Open at Dick Weber Lanes. It was Ozio's first win on route to a Hall of Fame career. It also was the first year for Miller's sponsorship of that stop replacing Rolaids,
a longtime PBA supporter.
But the story of the day was the match between Giljum and Dick Weber. Had the late great one won, he would have been the oldest tour winner at age 55. That record is now held by John Handegard.
Now here's a real whopper of a story for me from that tournament. Also cashing was Joe Groskind, the 1978 PBA rookie of the year. How's that for a blast from the past? Joe and I were tight in the late 70's; he ran the pro shop at Paul Cerniglia's S.I. Bowl in Carterville, Il, just down the road from SIU-Carbondale where I was the coach and captain. Joe was a help to my game. I liked his quirky personality.
Anyone know where Joe is at these days? I'd love to know.
For my money, Steve was one of the five best bowlers in the 1980's out of St. Louis. He doesn't bowl as much now, but when bowling next to him, saw him adjust from 205 opener to shoot 278 and 277.
Good to see you again Steve
###
The St. Louis County Council votes tonight on the no smoking proposal (see below). My interview with Jeff Boje, USBC President and BPAA Board Director, will be posted later today.
###
We all know Jeff Carter's first PBA win was with plastic balls in Denver this year. BOWLING HOOD found out there is a plastic ball tournament coming up at Oasis Lanes in Union, Mo. It's Sunday, Sept. 6 (day before Labor Day), 9 a.m. 12 games, $50 entry fee, $700 added from a local business. Brackets and pots too. I've put this one in my calendar.
###
BOWLING HOOD return-to-fall-league tip: Get your bowling balls cleaned. Take 'em into a pro shop to get the oil taken out. Resurface them if more than 2 years old. But also check out the new stuff coming out. It keeps getting better and better.
###
BOWLING HOOD is back after bowling in the Petersen tournament at AMF Hoffman Estates in suburban Chicago. Result, 1410, the cash cut is 1492 as posted at the site. As always, I enjoyed bowling with PBA regional champ Darwin Skrzynecki and wife Diana, and seeing old friends, squad sponsor and 1983 PBA Rookie of the Year Toby Contreras and 2003 Super Hoinke champ Pete Fitzgeral.
It's a tournament EVERYONE should bowl, no matter your skill level. You'll never complain about an easy house shot again.
###
FUNERAL SERVICES have been announced for PBA Midwest champ Brian Kjergaard who died over the weekend in Waterloo, Ia.
The funeral service has been scheduled for Friday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. at the Chancy Lutheran Church, 2315 Wallace St. in Clinton, Ia.
Visitation for Mr. Krergaard is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27 from 3-8 p.m. at Pape Funeral Home, 2308 Pershing Blvd. in Clinton, Ia.
I'm stunned that the Clinton Herald did not report this story. 30 years ago, I worked my first job out of college in Sterling, Il., 30 miles from Clinton. The Herald then would have had published the information. I would have broadcast it as well.
Times change - not necessarily for the better.
###
Recently, I subbed in the Thursday Businessmen's league at Show Me Lanes. On the left pair was a bowler who looked familiar, but I couldn't place a name.
I finally learned it was Steve Giljum. I hadn't seen him in 21 years so it was no wonder I didn't recognize him.
Astute memories will recall his 1985 second place finish to David Ozio in the Miller Lite Open at Dick Weber Lanes. It was Ozio's first win on route to a Hall of Fame career. It also was the first year for Miller's sponsorship of that stop replacing Rolaids,
a longtime PBA supporter.
But the story of the day was the match between Giljum and Dick Weber. Had the late great one won, he would have been the oldest tour winner at age 55. That record is now held by John Handegard.
Now here's a real whopper of a story for me from that tournament. Also cashing was Joe Groskind, the 1978 PBA rookie of the year. How's that for a blast from the past? Joe and I were tight in the late 70's; he ran the pro shop at Paul Cerniglia's S.I. Bowl in Carterville, Il, just down the road from SIU-Carbondale where I was the coach and captain. Joe was a help to my game. I liked his quirky personality.
Anyone know where Joe is at these days? I'd love to know.
For my money, Steve was one of the five best bowlers in the 1980's out of St. Louis. He doesn't bowl as much now, but when bowling next to him, saw him adjust from 205 opener to shoot 278 and 277.
Good to see you again Steve
###
The St. Louis County Council votes tonight on the no smoking proposal (see below). My interview with Jeff Boje, USBC President and BPAA Board Director, will be posted later today.
###
We all know Jeff Carter's first PBA win was with plastic balls in Denver this year. BOWLING HOOD found out there is a plastic ball tournament coming up at Oasis Lanes in Union, Mo. It's Sunday, Sept. 6 (day before Labor Day), 9 a.m. 12 games, $50 entry fee, $700 added from a local business. Brackets and pots too. I've put this one in my calendar.
###
BOWLING HOOD return-to-fall-league tip: Get your bowling balls cleaned. Take 'em into a pro shop to get the oil taken out. Resurface them if more than 2 years old. But also check out the new stuff coming out. It keeps getting better and better.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
BULLETIN: PBA Midwest Regional Champ Kjergaard Dead at Age 33
Details are just coming in, but BOWLING HOOD has just learned that Brian Kjergaard has died today of an apparent heart attack in Waterloo, Ia.
Mr. Kjergaard was 33 and leaves behind a wife and two children.
He was quickly becoming one of the top players in the PBA Midwest Region, currently ranking third in points behind Tom Hess and Sean Swanson, a 2007 regional points champion. Mr. Kjergaard earlier this year won the PBA regional tournament at Bowl-A-Vard Lanes in Madison, Wi.
Last year at the USBC Open Championship in Albuquerque, Mr. Kjergaard bowled a 13-year career high 2,147 in All Events, placing 6th and shot 746 in singles to place 48th among the nearly 75,000 entries and ended up winning $4,300.
After living for many years in Fulton, Il. he recently relocated to Waterloo to become manager at Cadillac Lanes.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Due to this reporter being out of town for the next two days, updates on this story can be found at Jeff Richgel's site, The 11th Frame.
Mr. Kjergaard was 33 and leaves behind a wife and two children.
He was quickly becoming one of the top players in the PBA Midwest Region, currently ranking third in points behind Tom Hess and Sean Swanson, a 2007 regional points champion. Mr. Kjergaard earlier this year won the PBA regional tournament at Bowl-A-Vard Lanes in Madison, Wi.
Last year at the USBC Open Championship in Albuquerque, Mr. Kjergaard bowled a 13-year career high 2,147 in All Events, placing 6th and shot 746 in singles to place 48th among the nearly 75,000 entries and ended up winning $4,300.
After living for many years in Fulton, Il. he recently relocated to Waterloo to become manager at Cadillac Lanes.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Due to this reporter being out of town for the next two days, updates on this story can be found at Jeff Richgel's site, The 11th Frame.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Bowling Proprietors Protesting St. Louis County No Smoking Proposal
The St. Louis County Council will vote yes or no on August 25 whether or not voters should decide in November if smoking is to be banned in public places, including bowling centers.
The Council at its August 18 meeting voted 4-3 in favor of advancing the proposal bill authored by Councilwoman Barbara Fraser.
Some 25 speakers were allowed nearly an hour of time to speak before the vote, most of them against the measure, including the American Lung Association which objects to the proposal's exemptions that include casinos and smoking rooms at Lambert Airport.
USBC and PBA Hall of Fame legend Ray Bluth spoke for a minute on behalf of his center, Crestwood Bowl.
Ted Krygiel, owner of Olivette Lanes and a longtime board member of the St. Louis and Missouri Bowling Proprietors Association also spoke and gave Council members a copy of a USA Today ad that nearly 70 million people annually bowl in the United States.
The most prominent speaker was Jeff Boje', Board Director for the Bowling Proprietors of America and President of the United States Bowling Congress, speaking from personal experience how the smoking ban in Florida affected him beginning in 2003:
The Council surprised everyone when it didn't suspend it's rules to finalize the proposal Tuesday night, allowing objections by mail and phone calls for another week.
County Executive Charles Dooley heard all the speakers but didn't make a statement regarding the proposal. He has been quoted in the past that he may possibility veto the bill, saying it should be a statewide ban to create a level playing field for all who will be affected instead of certain objections, especially Harrah's casino in Maryland Heights, and the soon-to-opened River City Casino in Lemay.
The Council at its August 18 meeting voted 4-3 in favor of advancing the proposal bill authored by Councilwoman Barbara Fraser.
Some 25 speakers were allowed nearly an hour of time to speak before the vote, most of them against the measure, including the American Lung Association which objects to the proposal's exemptions that include casinos and smoking rooms at Lambert Airport.
USBC and PBA Hall of Fame legend Ray Bluth spoke for a minute on behalf of his center, Crestwood Bowl.
Ted Krygiel, owner of Olivette Lanes and a longtime board member of the St. Louis and Missouri Bowling Proprietors Association also spoke and gave Council members a copy of a USA Today ad that nearly 70 million people annually bowl in the United States.
The most prominent speaker was Jeff Boje', Board Director for the Bowling Proprietors of America and President of the United States Bowling Congress, speaking from personal experience how the smoking ban in Florida affected him beginning in 2003:
The Council surprised everyone when it didn't suspend it's rules to finalize the proposal Tuesday night, allowing objections by mail and phone calls for another week.
County Executive Charles Dooley heard all the speakers but didn't make a statement regarding the proposal. He has been quoted in the past that he may possibility veto the bill, saying it should be a statewide ban to create a level playing field for all who will be affected instead of certain objections, especially Harrah's casino in Maryland Heights, and the soon-to-opened River City Casino in Lemay.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Who am I and Why do I do Bowling Hood??
Ok, I promised you a story on the St. Louis County no smoking bill vote last night but the end result was so uneventful, I went home and to bed. I go to work at 4 a.m.
Yeah, I'll get to what happened last night later today and there will be video. Bonus video of Hall of Famer Ray Bluth included, you'll want to hear what he had to say.
So why do I do this blog Bowling Hood? Because I love to write. I love to communicate. And I did it all professionally. Newspaper, radio, television, public relations and marketing. There are very few people who've worked full time jobs in all those fields. Some people you see on the tube, hear on the radio or read in the newspaper can only specialize in one thing. I specialize in all of them.
And I was pretty good at it. Won a sportscaster of the year award when I was 23. Won a statewide newscaster, sportscaster and news reporter of the year three years later. All in the same year. No one's ever done that in Illinois history. My proudest award was a 1999 Edward R. Murrow for reporting. I loved reporting. I didn't love being an anchor. I loved being away from the desk. My former boss Dale Forbis in KC told me my work was always better when I didn't set foot in the office. Me, I just think they didn't want my acerbic smart ass attitude to poison the view of life for my collegues.
I didn't always work as a reporter. I took some time off and was a marketing guy for a track in Paducah. Yeah, they have one, small but fun. As soon as I got there, that's when I found out they were broke. Bankrupt. That was the good challenge. Eventually I worked out a deal with the casino across the river for transportation. They'd send us their players, we'd send them ours. We did a few other things. It worked. We got out of bankruptcy. As soon as we did that, it caught the eye of a very famous TV guy who liked it so much he bought us. You may have heard of Merv Griffin. If you're too young and don't know anything about, just remember his name when you watch Wheel of Fortune. He invented it.
I always tried to fly under the radar when I worked, letting my job do my talking. And that's why I don't work in the biz anymore. I was taught by the journalism gods you are NOT the story. Unfortunately, this is the 21st century, and it's now it's all me me me me me me me. And that's why for the most part, what you see, hear and read just plain sucks.
That's why this Internet blogger thingy is great. I can transform myself to what most people want today. Information that's accurate, credible, with an edge and personality. I don't have a boss, I'm my own boss. There are too many rules, regs and agendas in everyday life - PERIOD. And in TV news and the newspaper, those things are killing their business.
If you like what I do, great, if you don't, I don't really care. I got a letter yesterday basically saying if that was my opinion then what I wrote was of non-interest to him. Well boo-friggin-hoo. This person thinks they're one of the most important people in bowling when the truth is that you can count on your fingers and toes the number of average Joe Bowlers who know he has anything to do with bowling. I've seen his work. I'm not impressed.
On the other side, I got a letter from someone I have very high regard. I haven't seen for a while, he's on the road and said he's looking forward to my next article. It works both ways. There was a time I wanted to please everybody. Now I don't care. Hell, there are days I can't even please myself. That makes me human. At least for today. Check with me tomorrow, my answer might be different.
OK, so now your saying God, when does this article end? Hey, I type fast; as soon as it's out of my head its in my fingers. I can still do 60 words a minute.
I decided a earlier this year to write more and bowl less. I write better than I bowl. I've hit the glass ceiling in terms of talent. I won't get any better than I am now unless God or John Jowdy decide to give me lessons. Some people said I should write more. They said I'm a smart guy. That's nice, but I know quite a few people who are Really Smart Guys and Gals. They're my inspiration - what they can't communicate, I'll do for them.
The one reason I'm doing this is to get people off their asses and make a difference. The no smoking meeting at the St. Louis County Council had no average bowlers speaking their mind. All the non-smokers do is bitch about the smoke and the smokers all cry foul after the law is passed. Neither side wants to get involved in the process. That's why I side with proprietors. The guys and gals caught in the middle. The proprietors ought to carry a bat because there are quite a few moonbats out there. When someone bitches about something now, I usually tell 'em go away because they didn't say anything to someone who can do something about it, or they do nothing when there's a process for them to participate.
Hey lazy butts - look at the health care protests. Don't think people make a difference anymore? Crawl out from under the rock, there's life out there. You may have seen it on TV.
Actually, this thing started two years ago. I heard the Bowling Hall of Fame might be moving. Randy Lightfoot and I had the idea to erect a Dick Weber statue at the HOF. I really thought we could get this done and make a big difference. We contacted everyone and everybody who should be interested in the project.
The response we got was deafening.....silence. Letters and calls to city leaders went unanswered. Letters to the sports commission were returned...but never followed up after first contact. State representatives and senators, no reply. Anheuser Busch turned us down for seed money - Dick was an Anheuser Busch employee when making his fame in bowling for Christ's sake! Even AMF, where Dick was on staff for 48 friggin' years turned us down for money.
So when the Hall of Fame moved, I didn't care. It's a good excuse for me to travel to Dallas/Fort Worth where I was born and visit. I'm taking Jeff Boje's offer for a tour.
Hey, my bowling activism has worked in the past. Was on the Kansas City sports commission team that landed the PBA tour stop there in 2002-03. My old friend Roger Twibell from ESPN was on the commission, contacted me to intercede to get two sides together because they wanted a national stop in town, I put 2+2 together and in one week, we had a tournament for two years. Patrick Healey won the first event we put on. Shows that anyone can shine when they put their mind and talent to work.
So you proprietors, when I write something about the marketing of bowling, read carefully. I've been there and done that. In a big way.And some think I'm a way better marketer than a writer. Hey, you've got to be able to communicate to market so they work hand-in-hand. I've got an event in my back pocket that will gross you $6,000 in a day and get you $10,000 in free advertising you never could do on your own. Don't believe me? Try me.
You naysayers who think bowling is dead, it's you who are dead. Dead to thought, dead to ideas, dead to participation, dead to progress. I'm nowhere near death so I participate. You should too.
Enough already! That's it. That's one reason I like this blog thingy. I don't have an editor saying TOO LONG. Besides my writing and thoughts are better than most reality TV because there's a purpose what I put down in words.
Forward this to your friends. Tell 'em reading BOWLING HOOD is better than Internet porn. Because we'll save electrons by not using up a lot of bandwidth.
And in the meantime, we'll have fun with what's important in bowling. I dedicate this column to John Archibald, my Post Dispatch teammate in the Press Radio TV League at Olivette Lanes, and the former longtime bowling writer at the paper. He is cranky and irascible. My kind of guy.
Scott Simon
Bowling Hood
Yeah, I'll get to what happened last night later today and there will be video. Bonus video of Hall of Famer Ray Bluth included, you'll want to hear what he had to say.
So why do I do this blog Bowling Hood? Because I love to write. I love to communicate. And I did it all professionally. Newspaper, radio, television, public relations and marketing. There are very few people who've worked full time jobs in all those fields. Some people you see on the tube, hear on the radio or read in the newspaper can only specialize in one thing. I specialize in all of them.
And I was pretty good at it. Won a sportscaster of the year award when I was 23. Won a statewide newscaster, sportscaster and news reporter of the year three years later. All in the same year. No one's ever done that in Illinois history. My proudest award was a 1999 Edward R. Murrow for reporting. I loved reporting. I didn't love being an anchor. I loved being away from the desk. My former boss Dale Forbis in KC told me my work was always better when I didn't set foot in the office. Me, I just think they didn't want my acerbic smart ass attitude to poison the view of life for my collegues.
I didn't always work as a reporter. I took some time off and was a marketing guy for a track in Paducah. Yeah, they have one, small but fun. As soon as I got there, that's when I found out they were broke. Bankrupt. That was the good challenge. Eventually I worked out a deal with the casino across the river for transportation. They'd send us their players, we'd send them ours. We did a few other things. It worked. We got out of bankruptcy. As soon as we did that, it caught the eye of a very famous TV guy who liked it so much he bought us. You may have heard of Merv Griffin. If you're too young and don't know anything about, just remember his name when you watch Wheel of Fortune. He invented it.
I always tried to fly under the radar when I worked, letting my job do my talking. And that's why I don't work in the biz anymore. I was taught by the journalism gods you are NOT the story. Unfortunately, this is the 21st century, and it's now it's all me me me me me me me. And that's why for the most part, what you see, hear and read just plain sucks.
That's why this Internet blogger thingy is great. I can transform myself to what most people want today. Information that's accurate, credible, with an edge and personality. I don't have a boss, I'm my own boss. There are too many rules, regs and agendas in everyday life - PERIOD. And in TV news and the newspaper, those things are killing their business.
If you like what I do, great, if you don't, I don't really care. I got a letter yesterday basically saying if that was my opinion then what I wrote was of non-interest to him. Well boo-friggin-hoo. This person thinks they're one of the most important people in bowling when the truth is that you can count on your fingers and toes the number of average Joe Bowlers who know he has anything to do with bowling. I've seen his work. I'm not impressed.
On the other side, I got a letter from someone I have very high regard. I haven't seen for a while, he's on the road and said he's looking forward to my next article. It works both ways. There was a time I wanted to please everybody. Now I don't care. Hell, there are days I can't even please myself. That makes me human. At least for today. Check with me tomorrow, my answer might be different.
OK, so now your saying God, when does this article end? Hey, I type fast; as soon as it's out of my head its in my fingers. I can still do 60 words a minute.
I decided a earlier this year to write more and bowl less. I write better than I bowl. I've hit the glass ceiling in terms of talent. I won't get any better than I am now unless God or John Jowdy decide to give me lessons. Some people said I should write more. They said I'm a smart guy. That's nice, but I know quite a few people who are Really Smart Guys and Gals. They're my inspiration - what they can't communicate, I'll do for them.
The one reason I'm doing this is to get people off their asses and make a difference. The no smoking meeting at the St. Louis County Council had no average bowlers speaking their mind. All the non-smokers do is bitch about the smoke and the smokers all cry foul after the law is passed. Neither side wants to get involved in the process. That's why I side with proprietors. The guys and gals caught in the middle. The proprietors ought to carry a bat because there are quite a few moonbats out there. When someone bitches about something now, I usually tell 'em go away because they didn't say anything to someone who can do something about it, or they do nothing when there's a process for them to participate.
Hey lazy butts - look at the health care protests. Don't think people make a difference anymore? Crawl out from under the rock, there's life out there. You may have seen it on TV.
Actually, this thing started two years ago. I heard the Bowling Hall of Fame might be moving. Randy Lightfoot and I had the idea to erect a Dick Weber statue at the HOF. I really thought we could get this done and make a big difference. We contacted everyone and everybody who should be interested in the project.
The response we got was deafening.....silence. Letters and calls to city leaders went unanswered. Letters to the sports commission were returned...but never followed up after first contact. State representatives and senators, no reply. Anheuser Busch turned us down for seed money - Dick was an Anheuser Busch employee when making his fame in bowling for Christ's sake! Even AMF, where Dick was on staff for 48 friggin' years turned us down for money.
So when the Hall of Fame moved, I didn't care. It's a good excuse for me to travel to Dallas/Fort Worth where I was born and visit. I'm taking Jeff Boje's offer for a tour.
Hey, my bowling activism has worked in the past. Was on the Kansas City sports commission team that landed the PBA tour stop there in 2002-03. My old friend Roger Twibell from ESPN was on the commission, contacted me to intercede to get two sides together because they wanted a national stop in town, I put 2+2 together and in one week, we had a tournament for two years. Patrick Healey won the first event we put on. Shows that anyone can shine when they put their mind and talent to work.
So you proprietors, when I write something about the marketing of bowling, read carefully. I've been there and done that. In a big way.And some think I'm a way better marketer than a writer. Hey, you've got to be able to communicate to market so they work hand-in-hand. I've got an event in my back pocket that will gross you $6,000 in a day and get you $10,000 in free advertising you never could do on your own. Don't believe me? Try me.
You naysayers who think bowling is dead, it's you who are dead. Dead to thought, dead to ideas, dead to participation, dead to progress. I'm nowhere near death so I participate. You should too.
Enough already! That's it. That's one reason I like this blog thingy. I don't have an editor saying TOO LONG. Besides my writing and thoughts are better than most reality TV because there's a purpose what I put down in words.
Forward this to your friends. Tell 'em reading BOWLING HOOD is better than Internet porn. Because we'll save electrons by not using up a lot of bandwidth.
And in the meantime, we'll have fun with what's important in bowling. I dedicate this column to John Archibald, my Post Dispatch teammate in the Press Radio TV League at Olivette Lanes, and the former longtime bowling writer at the paper. He is cranky and irascible. My kind of guy.
Scott Simon
Bowling Hood
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Cook Becomes First Woman to Shoot 300 at Concord Lanes
Congratulations from BOWLING HOOD to Ranita Cook.
On June 11, she became the first woman to bowl a 300 game at Concord Lanes
Good things take time, the center is celebrating its 50 year anniversary.
Even more amazing - she bowled it on a non-house shot, doing it in the PBA Experience League.
Correction: The league is a two-ball challenge format, but it was not bowled on a PBA condition.
Most likely, Pro Shop Manager Dale Butler laid it out and drilled this ball, a Track Kinetic Pearl.
Boje' in St. Louis Tonight
BOWLING HOOD confirms USBC President and Board Chairman Jeff Boje' is on route to St. Louis. He is attending the St. Louis County Council meeting which will vote whether or not to put a No Smoking initiative on the Nov. 3 ballot.
He also se
rves as a Board Director with the Bowling Proprietors Association of America.
BOWLING HOOD will videotape the meeting and will post sound bytes as time permits.
He also se
rves as a Board Director with the Bowling Proprietors Association of America.BOWLING HOOD will videotape the meeting and will post sound bytes as time permits.
ESPN 2 Signs TV Deal with USBC
Bowling on television took another step forward after ESPN 2 inked a deal with the USBC to televise top events starting next spring.
Events covered in the deal include the USBC's Queens, Intercollegiate Team Championships and U.S. Women's Open tournaments. Finals will get live coverage instead of tape replays and Bowling's Clash of Champions which this year aired on CBS moves over as well.
The schedule in 2010:
April 28 - USBC Queens
May 5 - USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships
May 8 - Bowling's Clash of Champions
May 12 - U.S. Women's Open
The news comes at a time when the PBA chose to save money for the 2009-10 season by tape delaying about a half-dozen tournaments for the fall half of the schedule.
Events covered in the deal include the USBC's Queens, Intercollegiate Team Championships and U.S. Women's Open tournaments. Finals will get live coverage instead of tape replays and Bowling's Clash of Champions which this year aired on CBS moves over as well.
The schedule in 2010:
April 28 - USBC Queens
May 5 - USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships
May 8 - Bowling's Clash of Champions
May 12 - U.S. Women's Open
The news comes at a time when the PBA chose to save money for the 2009-10 season by tape delaying about a half-dozen tournaments for the fall half of the schedule.
No Smoking Laws Create Cancer for Business
Anti-smoking laws probably are good for health but they create cancer for business and some of them die as a result.
It's as blunt as I can make it. No Smoking laws never increase customer count or revenue.
The St. Louis County Council makes its anti-smoking intention
tonight, 6:00 p.m. at the County Building in Clayton. They have to vote because there's a deadline that requires it to be done tonight for a special election vote on November 3rd.
There's not much more new material can write on this issue before the meeting. The only thing I'll share is there is a person in Illinois, higher up on the bowling food chain, in a position of authority, who is in favor of any anti-smoking bill.
And when asked by BOWLING HOOD if he believed in fewer customers and less revenue for bowling center owners, he replied "yep."
OK, he believes in the health issue, nothing wrong with that. But the anti-smoking crowd never takes this into consideration: The stress increase on business owners and employees who fear going out of business or lose their job.
Doesn't stress lead to heart problems? I've heard it does.
The anti-smoking crowd isn't concerned about you and I. They like the power grab, the control, the thrill of "We can tell you where to go and what to do." They probably like Obama's health care reform too. Only thing, it's not about health care - we already have the best in the world - it's about who pays for it.
This issue isn't about health. It's about property rights. And too many people act like they own the joint. Like I have written before, if it's so great, open up your own no-smoking business. You'll be rich!
I've written every Council member and County Executive Charlie Dooley, urging them to exempt bowling centers from the bill. Bowling should be rewarded with an exemption - more than any other industry, it polices itself better on this issue. Many bowling centers have no-smoking days and times. Not many restaurants or bars can make that claim.
So we don't need a law. Businesses can ban it if they choose.
I'll make business property rights more a priority than health issues. Because if there's no business, there's no job or income, so what difference does perfect health make at that point?
My handicap is that the bill will be vetoed by Mr. Dooley and that the Council won't have the five votes out of seven required to overide, and thus, the proposal is dead.
I'll be at tonight's meeting and will have a full report complete with video.
It's as blunt as I can make it. No Smoking laws never increase customer count or revenue.
The St. Louis County Council makes its anti-smoking intention
tonight, 6:00 p.m. at the County Building in Clayton. They have to vote because there's a deadline that requires it to be done tonight for a special election vote on November 3rd. There's not much more new material can write on this issue before the meeting. The only thing I'll share is there is a person in Illinois, higher up on the bowling food chain, in a position of authority, who is in favor of any anti-smoking bill.
And when asked by BOWLING HOOD if he believed in fewer customers and less revenue for bowling center owners, he replied "yep."
OK, he believes in the health issue, nothing wrong with that. But the anti-smoking crowd never takes this into consideration: The stress increase on business owners and employees who fear going out of business or lose their job.
Doesn't stress lead to heart problems? I've heard it does.
The anti-smoking crowd isn't concerned about you and I. They like the power grab, the control, the thrill of "We can tell you where to go and what to do." They probably like Obama's health care reform too. Only thing, it's not about health care - we already have the best in the world - it's about who pays for it.
This issue isn't about health. It's about property rights. And too many people act like they own the joint. Like I have written before, if it's so great, open up your own no-smoking business. You'll be rich!
I've written every Council member and County Executive Charlie Dooley, urging them to exempt bowling centers from the bill. Bowling should be rewarded with an exemption - more than any other industry, it polices itself better on this issue. Many bowling centers have no-smoking days and times. Not many restaurants or bars can make that claim.
So we don't need a law. Businesses can ban it if they choose.
I'll make business property rights more a priority than health issues. Because if there's no business, there's no job or income, so what difference does perfect health make at that point?
My handicap is that the bill will be vetoed by Mr. Dooley and that the Council won't have the five votes out of seven required to overide, and thus, the proposal is dead.
I'll be at tonight's meeting and will have a full report complete with video.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Simon Sez Week of August 17th
OK, enough is enough. This column isn't about me. It's about bowling
So start sending your news, tips, rumors, gossip, even bowl porn to 'da Hood! We appreciate it. Sign up on the site and comment wherever, whatever you wish.
###
The St. Louis County Council votes tomorrow night on the no smoking referendum.
DID YOU KNOW? Blue Springs and Springfield have no smoking laws...but have exempted bowling centers.
Tom Shucart and Jeff Boje' - your argument just got stronger because there's proof it's being done elsewhere.
###
Speaking of Jeff Boje', I still haven't heard anything from the USBC about interviewing on camera tomorrow. They're probably dismissing me as some kind of kook. Well here's a message to them (and another PR department or staffer). Dead tree journalism is just about dead. Electron journalism has lost its charge.
Web journalism - it's here and not going anywhere.
###
Nice turnout yesterday at the Gran Prix tournament at Crest Bowl. 55 entries. And it wasn't a typical lame house shot. Made you make shots. In case you hadn't heard, Reynold Blondin lowered the entry fee to $85. Good work Mr. Blondin, was glad to be there, not glad about my 9th game meltdown....
###
I can say the USBC awards change from patches to refrigerator magnets is getting a response from members. Mostly laughter.
###
Next Sunday (the 23rd), TONS of bowling in St. Louis. Senior Gran Prix www.granprixtours.com, 700 Club, and Roll for the Dough.
Three tournaments in one day. To the tournament directors, read this carefully: I like you guys and I bowl your tournaments; unfortunately I won't be bowling any of them this weekend because I'll be in Chicago torturing myself at the Peterson Classic.
But there is a LOT of grumbling among bowlers. "Can't these guys get together for a better schedule" is the #1 complaint.
Bowlers do make a lot of comments to me that go through one ear and out the other because they are groundless or off topic. But they are right about this.
Remember - They don't care who was before whom or how long. As a tournament director/organization - the bowling world doesn't revolve around you.
A bowler can't be in two places at the same time. Be grateful they turn out strong - other cities don't see this amount of participation. Don't take it for granted. It's just as hard to keep a customer as it to recruit one.
###
The HOOD hears the Post Dispatch may be getting back into bowling journalism. Most likely it will be online. We welcome them to bandwith journalism. Please folks, no more complaints about no scores or stories in the paper. Don't be complaining about high school coverage in the paper. This is 2009, not 1979. Times change - move on.
###
I'm going to get the PBA Xtra Frame package to watch bowling online. I'm like others, extremely skeptical of buying things online. So Terry at Trio Bowlers Supply at Hazelwood Bowl gave me a looksee. I liked it. Better than reality show crap, except for COPS - the only real reality show.
###
I started league last week. Before August 15th. What's next, year-round leagues?
###
One of my teammates at Friday Seniors at DuBowl is Wayne Adkisson. He turned 90 last Friday. I think he's one the 5 best over 80 bowlers in the city. He still works the who lane for a good shot. Last year, he had 3 190 games and had a high series of 583.
First game this year, 173, nearly doubles his age. Game three, transition gets him.
8 splits in a row. Wayne a great guy, he laughed it off - I told him it might be the record for the country this year. Even with all those splits, his 91 score beat his age.
Let's see you try that.
###
For my money, Jen Donohue is the best female bowler in the region. I've always like here game but I got to see it up close and personal last Wednesday. Game 3 of the PBAX at Chesterfield. I'm pretty nervous, she opened with 490 after 2 on the Viper. I have to work twice as hard as she does for me even to be close to her in the game. I make a big move left to start, it works, Jen got eaten up with carry down, leaving 3 straight 10 pins. I win 243-223 but if we bowled 10 times, she'd win 8 of 'em, she's that good.
If you are somewhat rich and reading this - sponsor her. She's good enough to be in the PBA women's series.
###
Randy Lightfoot's recruiting is slipping. Mike Wedemeier is going to bowl for Missouri Baptist. Who even knew Mo Bap had a team?
###
St. Louis well represented at the Peterson Classic: Rich Orf, Mike Flanagan, Ned Hendrixson Sr., Jenn Ridilla, all over 1,500, all will cash, and I hear Ned's daughter has the high game on lanes 3-4, that pays $250 if it holds up.
If you don't bowl the "Pete", you ain't a bowler.
###
Food for thought: Isn't this year 9 of the PBA's 5-year plan?
SimonSez
The Bowling Hood
So start sending your news, tips, rumors, gossip, even bowl porn to 'da Hood! We appreciate it. Sign up on the site and comment wherever, whatever you wish.
###
The St. Louis County Council votes tomorrow night on the no smoking referendum.
DID YOU KNOW? Blue Springs and Springfield have no smoking laws...but have exempted bowling centers.
Tom Shucart and Jeff Boje' - your argument just got stronger because there's proof it's being done elsewhere.
###
Speaking of Jeff Boje', I still haven't heard anything from the USBC about interviewing on camera tomorrow. They're probably dismissing me as some kind of kook. Well here's a message to them (and another PR department or staffer). Dead tree journalism is just about dead. Electron journalism has lost its charge.
Web journalism - it's here and not going anywhere.
###
Nice turnout yesterday at the Gran Prix tournament at Crest Bowl. 55 entries. And it wasn't a typical lame house shot. Made you make shots. In case you hadn't heard, Reynold Blondin lowered the entry fee to $85. Good work Mr. Blondin, was glad to be there, not glad about my 9th game meltdown....
###
I can say the USBC awards change from patches to refrigerator magnets is getting a response from members. Mostly laughter.
###
Next Sunday (the 23rd), TONS of bowling in St. Louis. Senior Gran Prix www.granprixtours.com, 700 Club, and Roll for the Dough.
Three tournaments in one day. To the tournament directors, read this carefully: I like you guys and I bowl your tournaments; unfortunately I won't be bowling any of them this weekend because I'll be in Chicago torturing myself at the Peterson Classic.
But there is a LOT of grumbling among bowlers. "Can't these guys get together for a better schedule" is the #1 complaint.
Bowlers do make a lot of comments to me that go through one ear and out the other because they are groundless or off topic. But they are right about this.
Remember - They don't care who was before whom or how long. As a tournament director/organization - the bowling world doesn't revolve around you.
A bowler can't be in two places at the same time. Be grateful they turn out strong - other cities don't see this amount of participation. Don't take it for granted. It's just as hard to keep a customer as it to recruit one.
###
The HOOD hears the Post Dispatch may be getting back into bowling journalism. Most likely it will be online. We welcome them to bandwith journalism. Please folks, no more complaints about no scores or stories in the paper. Don't be complaining about high school coverage in the paper. This is 2009, not 1979. Times change - move on.
###
I'm going to get the PBA Xtra Frame package to watch bowling online. I'm like others, extremely skeptical of buying things online. So Terry at Trio Bowlers Supply at Hazelwood Bowl gave me a looksee. I liked it. Better than reality show crap, except for COPS - the only real reality show.
###
I started league last week. Before August 15th. What's next, year-round leagues?
###
One of my teammates at Friday Seniors at DuBowl is Wayne Adkisson. He turned 90 last Friday. I think he's one the 5 best over 80 bowlers in the city. He still works the who lane for a good shot. Last year, he had 3 190 games and had a high series of 583.
First game this year, 173, nearly doubles his age. Game three, transition gets him.
8 splits in a row. Wayne a great guy, he laughed it off - I told him it might be the record for the country this year. Even with all those splits, his 91 score beat his age.
Let's see you try that.
###
For my money, Jen Donohue is the best female bowler in the region. I've always like here game but I got to see it up close and personal last Wednesday. Game 3 of the PBAX at Chesterfield. I'm pretty nervous, she opened with 490 after 2 on the Viper. I have to work twice as hard as she does for me even to be close to her in the game. I make a big move left to start, it works, Jen got eaten up with carry down, leaving 3 straight 10 pins. I win 243-223 but if we bowled 10 times, she'd win 8 of 'em, she's that good.
If you are somewhat rich and reading this - sponsor her. She's good enough to be in the PBA women's series.
###
Randy Lightfoot's recruiting is slipping. Mike Wedemeier is going to bowl for Missouri Baptist. Who even knew Mo Bap had a team?
###
St. Louis well represented at the Peterson Classic: Rich Orf, Mike Flanagan, Ned Hendrixson Sr., Jenn Ridilla, all over 1,500, all will cash, and I hear Ned's daughter has the high game on lanes 3-4, that pays $250 if it holds up.
If you don't bowl the "Pete", you ain't a bowler.
###
Food for thought: Isn't this year 9 of the PBA's 5-year plan?
SimonSez
The Bowling Hood
Friday, August 14, 2009
EXCLUSIVE: Boje' Scheduled for St. Louis Appearance Tuesday
BOWLING HOOD has learned United States Bowling Congress (USBC) President and Board Chairman Jeff Boje' has scheduled a trip to St. Louis next Tuesday to meet with proprietors on the same day the St. Louis County Council will vote on a bill if voters on November 3rd in a special election will decide whether or not to ban smoking in public places, including bowling centers.
Boje' owns Sunset Lanes in Marlborough and also is a member of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA) Board of Directors. Sources close to the no smoking issue say he is expected to attend the Council meeting and speak in behalf of the county bowling centers who oppose the bill.
An email sent yesterday to the communications staff at the USBC seeking confirmation of Boje's appearance has not received a reply.
BOWLING HOOD also has learned that Hazelwood Bowl proprietor Tom Shucart was voted to be the new President of the Greater St. Louis Bowling Proprietors Association. He replaces Ted Krygiel of Olivette Lanes who will remain active with the organization. His last public appearance in behalf of bowling proprietors was August 4th when he appeared before the County Council in opposition to the bill sponsored by Councilwoman Barbara Fraser (D-University City).
The council's vote Tuesday on the no-smoking proposal also includes exemptions for casinos, bars that have more than 75 percent of total revenue from alcohol sales, and Lambert St. Louis International Airport. The current bill could be amended again but the final version must be passed by the council before August 25th to comply with state law for special elections.
No estimate has been given by the county clerk or the county election board how much a special election will cost taxpayers.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Dear Pete Weber, Some of Your Friends Need Help
Dear Pete,
I know you are busy bowling against the best in the world as the 2009-10 season is underway. But I wanted to write and let you know about something going on here in your hometown that is causing quite a ruckus.
You see, the St. Louis County Council next Tuesday is going to vote on a referendum bill that would decide whether or not to let voters in November ban smoking in public places.
That includes every bowling center in St. Louis County. And I assume that most of the proprietors are friends of yours after so many years in the game. After all, your dad was one of them for a long time too.
The culprit for this no-smoking push is a councilwoman named Barbara Fraser. She's from University City. The only bowling center I know of in her town is Pinup Bowl in Delmar. Nice place, owner Joe Edwards is a great guy, don't know if she's ever been there.Anyway, she introduced the measure a couple of weeks ago and as expected there were lots of people at the council meeting, for and against it. The council voted in favor to consider Fraser's proposal.
Now here's where it gets goofy. It's not really a no-smoking proposal. That's because there are some places that may get to allow their customers to smoke. Some of those places are St. Louis County casinos.
Now, I don't know if you've ever been to one, but we've got a nice one not far from your home. It's Harrah's, in Maryland Heights and provides a lot of fun for people.
But the owners said if smoking was banned, they'd lose business, and in return, the county would lose tax revenue. People would lose their jobs too they say. The folks at Harrah's have a lot of clout. Their big wigs donate a lot of money to political candidates. Money talked, and the more the council talked, the more they said, "Ok, let's let people to continue smoking at Harrah's."
By the way, we're getting a new casino in the county. It's called River City Casino, down by Lemay. My guess is those big wig folks put the strong arm on the council too.
Anyway Pete, enough about gambling, you're focused on bowling issues.
Oh, I almost forgot; there's another proposed exemption. Lambert St. Louis International Airport. Yep, that's a place everyone where everyone wants to smoke. At least that's the explanation by the airport director, Richard Hrabko, trying to soothe the nerves of travelers to the Gateway City.
OK, I'll admit as a smoker, that when I land after a three-hour flight, I rush to the nearest place to smoke, so it's really not a bad proposal.
Ted Krygiel at Olivette Lanes asked me, "Doesn't a bowling league last three hours? How come we aren't being exempted?" Ted's been fighting this battle for a few years so he knows the score, just like you do when you're back's against the wall in the tenth frame, which is where proprietors are today, less than a week before the council vote.
You know what Pete, he's right! Why aren't we exempted? After all, wouldn't it be an inconvenience to have to take off bowling shoes to go outside to smoke, then put them back on again?
And I don't know if you are into the "green" movement, but most leagues are bowled in the winter. The constant opening of doors would let heat out and thus a bowling center heating furnace would have to burn more natural gas to keep it nice and warm. Won't that anger the green activists if no smoking inside caused more smoke outside at power plants to produce energy and heat to bowling centers?
Across the state, they banned smoking in Kansas City. So what did Vicki Bowman of Gladstone Bowl do? She commissioned a study about the effect. And guess what? Centers that had to ban smoking lost business! And not just in Kansas City, but she found out business decreased across the country!
So let me get this straight. Governments want to ban smoking but they see these reports that it hurts business. I don't get it, do you? I don't think anyone does.
Well, the proprietors have a fighting chance to get this defeated because big names are stepping up. They have a friend in St. Louis County Executive Charles Dooley - sort of. He's against the ban for now. And if the council passes it, he can veto what they do, and it would be a bit harder for them to override his decision.
A big name in bowling is going to weigh in as well. I can't reveal who it is until later this evening, but this person has a lot of clout in bowling and will tell the council how it's hurt the bowling business in other states.
Pete, the last big name that can step up and help our proprietors is you. You are the face of bowling in the St. Louis metro area. When you talk, people listen. If you write, it's even better.
Your councilwoman is Kathleen Kelly Burkett. And guess what? She chairs the county's health committee. One councilman wanted her committee to handle the matter. Ms. Fraser said no way! You can let Ms. Burkett know that this isn't how we do things in America. After all, if you were bowling and there was a rules dispute, you'd want a review, right? Well this proposal deserves one as well.
But she might not know who you are. But Charlie Dooley does. He's a sports fan. Who knows, maybe you can also direct him to a league he can join. Our centers need all the business they can get, especially with this threat of losing business.
And we don't have to ask them to vote down the proposal altogether. Why not ask them to exempt us like they want to do for casinos, bars that primarily sell alcohol, and oh yes, we can't forget about the airport!
OK, there was a lot of intended tongue-in-cheek style in my letter to you. I have to explain it because there are some people who don't have a sense of humor. Just look at the Tea Party gang at health care forums.
But I wrote it this way to get your attention. Because it is a serious matter.
How serious? Ask yourself this question. Your dad was a proprietor. What would he do about this?
Good luck this season,
Your fan and friend,
The Bowling Hood
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
My Salute to Ted Krygiel of Olivette Lanes - The No Smoking Update
Today, I salute Ted Krygiel, owner of Olivette Lanes and President of the St. Louis Bowling Proprietors Association.
As you will see below in an article I posted last week, the St. Louis County Council is considering a bill to put on the November ballot a referendum asking voters whether or not smoking should be banned in public locations such as bars and restaurants.
County Council to vote on No Smoking Bill Tuesday August 18th
The public hearing was held last Tuesday and Ted spoke out for the bowling proprietors and is officially recorded in the St. Louis County Council Journal.
As a long time political reporter, I am learning from sources that the bill's sponsor is doing it to gain political notoriety.
Councilwoman Barbara Fraser has announced she is running in 2010 for the Missouri State Senate seat now held by Joan Bray who cannot run again due to term limits. Bray, the former St. Louis Post Dispatch reporter, was a very good representative for her district. I disagreed with her nearly every issue but I respected her because she did things above board.
The same cannot be said for Fraser.
She introduced this no-smoking referendum for the Council agenda before writing it.
Fraser needs to ramrod no smoking this year.
Because...if passed in November, it won't be implemented until next year...at a time when she will be campaigning for the State Senate - and the perfect timing for her to list "look what I did, I banned smoking" to her resume.
Yep, she wants to pad her politico resume on the backs of business owners which include bowling proprietors.
BOWLING HOOD urges you to write to the Council members whose email address links are listed in the original article from last week.
BOWLING HOOD urges you to pressure the following Council people:
Wassinger
Quinn
Stenger
BOWLING HOOD is stunned Wassinger and Quinn support this. They are Republicans and I don't know any Republicans in favor of punishing business owners. Quinn's arm must be twisted - he has considerable clout because of his tenure on the Council.
BOWLING HOOD considers Stenger a political lightweight. Rod Blagojevich could have been Stenger's opponent last year. He must know he's a lightweight - Stenger had to hire a public relations firm to prop him up. It's pretty obvious he can't impress citizens based on his voting record.
BOWLING HOOD urges you to write these Council representatives and County Executive Charles Dooley to oppose this bill even if you don't live in St. Louis County.
If you live in a non-smoking state, your letters would be extremely helpful. You've seen the loss of business in your states. Let them know what they'll cause.
The bowling business has leveled off. They now have a baseline from which to operate. This would change their baseline - cost them business - and for many, cause them to go from a profit to a loss. I know one center that could easily close if this passes.
This bill is a joke. They're going to exclude casinos, bars that primarily sell alcohol and get this - allow people to smoke at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
You're seeing what people are doing about the proposed health care reform. Do something now for your bowling proprietors.
As you will see below in an article I posted last week, the St. Louis County Council is considering a bill to put on the November ballot a referendum asking voters whether or not smoking should be banned in public locations such as bars and restaurants.
County Council to vote on No Smoking Bill Tuesday August 18th
The public hearing was held last Tuesday and Ted spoke out for the bowling proprietors and is officially recorded in the St. Louis County Council Journal.
As a long time political reporter, I am learning from sources that the bill's sponsor is doing it to gain political notoriety.
Councilwoman Barbara Fraser has announced she is running in 2010 for the Missouri State Senate seat now held by Joan Bray who cannot run again due to term limits. Bray, the former St. Louis Post Dispatch reporter, was a very good representative for her district. I disagreed with her nearly every issue but I respected her because she did things above board.
The same cannot be said for Fraser.
She introduced this no-smoking referendum for the Council agenda before writing it.
Fraser needs to ramrod no smoking this year.
Because...if passed in November, it won't be implemented until next year...at a time when she will be campaigning for the State Senate - and the perfect timing for her to list "look what I did, I banned smoking" to her resume.
Yep, she wants to pad her politico resume on the backs of business owners which include bowling proprietors.
BOWLING HOOD urges you to write to the Council members whose email address links are listed in the original article from last week.
BOWLING HOOD urges you to pressure the following Council people:
Wassinger
Quinn
Stenger
BOWLING HOOD is stunned Wassinger and Quinn support this. They are Republicans and I don't know any Republicans in favor of punishing business owners. Quinn's arm must be twisted - he has considerable clout because of his tenure on the Council.
BOWLING HOOD considers Stenger a political lightweight. Rod Blagojevich could have been Stenger's opponent last year. He must know he's a lightweight - Stenger had to hire a public relations firm to prop him up. It's pretty obvious he can't impress citizens based on his voting record.
BOWLING HOOD urges you to write these Council representatives and County Executive Charles Dooley to oppose this bill even if you don't live in St. Louis County.
If you live in a non-smoking state, your letters would be extremely helpful. You've seen the loss of business in your states. Let them know what they'll cause.
The bowling business has leveled off. They now have a baseline from which to operate. This would change their baseline - cost them business - and for many, cause them to go from a profit to a loss. I know one center that could easily close if this passes.
This bill is a joke. They're going to exclude casinos, bars that primarily sell alcohol and get this - allow people to smoke at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
You're seeing what people are doing about the proposed health care reform. Do something now for your bowling proprietors.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tuesday Tidbits
Just some short tidbits:
The 2009-10 Masters traveling league season begins tonight at West County Lanes. Start time, 7 p.m. 8 men and 8 women teams traveling around the area each Tuesday.
The league promises events for league bowlers displaced when the Master's is at their center, but provided no details about them.
Sorry to see Mike Wedemeier not bowling the Masters. For my money, he's the best bowler in the St. Louis region.
http://www.stlmastersbowling.com/
###
John Brown from Dexter, Mo. won the PBA non-winners regional at St. Charles Lanes this past weekend. Don't know him, never seen him bowl, but congratulations. Jeremy Boyer and Kurt Thompson were the highest local finishers, 7th and 8th place, $650 each.
PBA St. Charles non-winner regional results
###
The Greater St. Louis Bowling Association Hall of Fame banquet is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, presumably at the Viking Lodge, Lindbergh and Watson.
http://www.stlusbc.org/
###
Our Town's Steve Wunderlich, Director of Membership Development/Sport Bowling for the United States Bowling Congress, is the current featured Q&A on The Phantom Radio Show.
Phantom Radio with Steve Wunderlich
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Congratulations to Don Griffin and Kevin Toebben for their election to the Missouri Bowling Hall of Fame; Gary Voss for the Missouri BPA Pioneer award; and to Bill Uthoff, Local Association Male Bowler of the Year.
http://www.mousbc.org/
###
Gary Voss came up with a new twist to 9-pin no tap tournaments. Put 'em on a sport pattern! 6 games, $30, every Friday night, 7:30pm.
http://www.westcountylanes.com/
###
League bowlers who only shoot on a house shot: Check out Craig Matthews column in this month's The Bowling News, now available at area centers and pro shops.
He's right.
###
After winning his first PBA Senior Regional in Springfield, Illinois, Gregg Getzlow followed up by making the cut at the PBA Sr. Regional last week in suburban Chicago. Tim Behrendt is bowling the PBA TQR's in Detroit, 47th on the Chameleon, 13th on the Viper.
http://www.pba.com/
###
The 2009 USBC Open Championship is history. Keith Jeffrey was the highest all-events total from the region, 125th place finish with a 2024, winning $1,090. For the 2009 USBC Women's Championship, unless I missed it, no one from the metro made the leaderboard in the Classic Division. I'm suprised.
http://www.bowl.com/
###
Kenny Strode is back on KFNS 590 AM tonight at 8pm with Kegler's Korner. Don't have a lineup for his show.
www.kfns.com
Friday, August 7, 2009
Update on No Smoking Proposal for St. Louis County
I could have titled this How Government Screws Up Again!
As you read in my previous entry a couple of days ago, there is a push in St. Louis County to ban smoking in public places.
Bowling centers will be affected.
It would be too lengthy to explain the mish-mash the Council perpetrated on us. The St. Louis Post Dispatch story in this morning's paper tells what's new - but even the story is a mish-mash:
St. Louis County Council to revote No Smoking proposal August 18th
From this chair, they may have screwed this up so badly that it probably won't make the November ballot.
But if you want to chime in with your opinion, here are the people you need to write to express whether or not you are for or against. Bowling Hood hopes you are against it. The average bowling center loses between 10-20 percent of its business because of smoking bans. And for many of them, it meant the difference between making money and losing money.
Again, why do we need such a law? Centers can ban smoking if they choose without a law - and many have scheduled no smoking days and times.
Write these folks - it'll be a change of pace from Health Care Reform!
County Executive Charles Dooley - On the record, against the no smoking ban. But could change his mind - he's up for election next year.
St. Louis Council Council Members:
The No Smoking Bill Sponsor: Barbara Fraser
Hazel Erby
Kathleen Burkett
Colleen Wasinger
Michael O'Mara
Steve Stenger
Greg Quinn
As you read in my previous entry a couple of days ago, there is a push in St. Louis County to ban smoking in public places.
Bowling centers will be affected.
It would be too lengthy to explain the mish-mash the Council perpetrated on us. The St. Louis Post Dispatch story in this morning's paper tells what's new - but even the story is a mish-mash:
St. Louis County Council to revote No Smoking proposal August 18th
From this chair, they may have screwed this up so badly that it probably won't make the November ballot.
But if you want to chime in with your opinion, here are the people you need to write to express whether or not you are for or against. Bowling Hood hopes you are against it. The average bowling center loses between 10-20 percent of its business because of smoking bans. And for many of them, it meant the difference between making money and losing money.
Again, why do we need such a law? Centers can ban smoking if they choose without a law - and many have scheduled no smoking days and times.
Write these folks - it'll be a change of pace from Health Care Reform!
County Executive Charles Dooley - On the record, against the no smoking ban. But could change his mind - he's up for election next year.
St. Louis Council Council Members:
The No Smoking Bill Sponsor: Barbara Fraser
Hazel Erby
Kathleen Burkett
Colleen Wasinger
Michael O'Mara
Steve Stenger
Greg Quinn
Dear PBA - Consider Free Admission
The PBA season is underway.
However, if you are unaware of the new model, a lot of bowling is being conducted in Detroit for the next month or so before being televised later this fall.
As an avid bowler, the description of me made the other night by Don Griffin and Ken "Iggy" Strode on their KFNS Kegler's Korner radio show, I have no problem with the delay. I'll watch any kind of bowling to get insight into mechanics, balls used, and other things that will help my game.
But as a former television manager, I do have a problem with it. The current television makeup of PBA shows comes from avid bowlers and if the PBA is going to dramatically increase their audience, they'll have to reach casual-to-average bowlers. Forget trying to reach non-bowlers. That's another issue for another column.
The reason I'm addressing television is because the PBA spends a lot of time explaining why they do what they do for television.
Here's how television works...today. The average person wants it now and they want it live. This is the Internet era, that has nearly made television news obsolete. The audience for live television sports has been in flux for several years. This model doesn't work if the PBA wants to get a 1.0 Nielsen Survey Index share - about 1.2 million U.S. homes. A 1.0 share is that important for the PBA. Television ratings just look better with a number in front of the fraction.
I am sympathetic to the PBA. I want them to succeed. I like their "out-of-the-box" attitude. And I understand why they are doing several events in Detroit for airing later this fall - it's cheaper for them to do - and it saves bowlers the expense of city-to-city travel.
But the PBA needs to really assess "Is what we are doing enough?"
This morning, I read a great story by David Nicklaus, the long-time business writer for the St. Louis Post Dispatch. It's about the American Drag Racing League. Until today, I'd never heard of the organization. Then again, I'm not a drag racing fan.
But I do know there are hundreds of thousand of drag racing fans across the country. And the ADRL is reaching them in a big way after just three years in business.
How? Free tickets.
The National Guard sponsors NASCAR. The Guard buys time on NFL telecasts. Bowling's excuse has always been, "Well, they're bigger sports with a bigger reach that we have."
The National Guard now sponsors the American Drag Racing League. That's big.
The PBA events in Detroit are featuring Thunderbowl's arena for the finals. It can accommodate about 750 people and it's the stadium venue the PBA wanted.
My question - will every final be a sellout? It should, given Detroit's passion for bowling. And if so, great. If not - maybe they need to look at the ADRL's business platform. It seems to be working in drag racing.
Bowling no longer can make excuses. The ADRL is doing what the PBA has been trying to do since 2000 - and they've done it in only three years.
My next column - why the PBA needs to dump ESPN - and the replacement network ready to say "yes."
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Reviewing The New Bowl.com - Part One
If you haven't been to the site this week, the new www.bowl.com has been launched.
Because hand-shake change is a process, I decided to wait a couple of days before making my assessment of it's positives and negatives.
For those who don't know, bowl.com is administered by the United States Bowling Congress, the game's sanctioning body.
And they're under the microscope (or at least should be) of 2 million bowling members.
"The new BOWL.com will become the number Internet destination in the sport of bowling, allowing us to connect with bowlers and fans like never before. Additionally, it will serve as the foundation for many of USBC's core business functions as we move forward," USBC Vice President of Communications Pete Treadwell said.
OK, a lot of braggadocio which is to be expected. But as a reviewer of websites, I look for one thing that must be at the top of the list for changed sites.
Easy navigation after the change. And the reason why is simple. People are creatures of habit. Most people do things repetitively. And after many years, those of us in bowling have come to navigate www.bowl.com in a certain manner.
How much will that change with the new layout? Here goes.
The main layout above the fold (in Internet terms, the first visual before a scroll-down) is good. The "gateway box" underneath the masthead has that television screen aspect ratio which I like and the tool bar features the priorities and organized them properly from left to right.
The tool bar font and contrast needs to be enhanced since the front page background is dark blue.
The page length fully scrolled is appropriate; not too long, not too short.
I like the news window in the right column above the fold and the light color contrast to the rest of the page makes it stand out well.
With that, there are some front page issues they should change:
One - Get rid of the ad banner above the masthead (the title of a Internet site or newspaper). The primary reason we go to the site is to read news and get information. Some of us buy items online, but it's not the priority each time we visit. Ad banners above the masthead produce a cluttered look. Drop it down underneath the gateway box and before the features section OR put in in the right column with the other ads. It'll provide a nice section break and still give people the opportunity an easy method to click-and-buy.
Remember where the Search For item such as associations, your membership information, etc. was located on the old site? On top in the left column. The new site? On top, in the right column.
Again, this is a site where people go to get information. Most of the people that visit www.bowl.com are the stakeholders of the organization, the most important asset of the USBC. We read from right-to-left and priority should be the first thing one sees - on the left. Move this Search For drop down box to the upper right column. The drop down box is a much more user friendly than the old sight.
However, there is a new feature on this page that I like a lot; a social website tool box gateway to branded sites such as You Tube, MySpace, Friend Feed and others. Once you select one, you'll be taken to the USBC-created GrowTheSport site on that social page. A smart move.
But I'm not really wild about the name. GrowTheSport? Major missing piece - what sport? This is the Internet and the one constant for highly successful sites is a creative name that is remembered by viewers and even better if it becomes part of a person's vocabulary. Everyone knows Google - did you know the name was created some 50 years ago by a mathematician who created a number with a digit followed by 100 zeros? He asked his young son what it looked like, and the kid said it looked like a GOOGLE.
The rest is history. History won't remember the mathematician but it will remember how powerful Google is in our everyday life. And that's what the USBC needed to do with this brand name. I have at least three brand names that have never been registered with the word bowling in it. I won't disclose them here. I was a pretty good brand creator after 30 years in the media and I get paid for my exceptional brain work. Who knows, I may just register those three names myself and see if anyone bites on 'em.
Getting back to the main elements of the page: The tool bars for the features box and the featured bowlers boxes are too small and cramped and don't match up with the box's aspect ratio. Make them larger and make them stand out more.
By the way, in feature bowlers, no tab for PBA exempt players or those in the women's series? C'mon on! More people follow the PBA than Team USA, college, high school, etc.
In conclusion, I like the bowl.com front page. Much better than the old site. Get's a B grade from me. Could be better, but I've seen much worse.
Good job USBC - but think about the changes I recommended. They make sense - for a reason.
Because hand-shake change is a process, I decided to wait a couple of days before making my assessment of it's positives and negatives.
For those who don't know, bowl.com is administered by the United States Bowling Congress, the game's sanctioning body.
And they're under the microscope (or at least should be) of 2 million bowling members.
"The new BOWL.com will become the number Internet destination in the sport of bowling, allowing us to connect with bowlers and fans like never before. Additionally, it will serve as the foundation for many of USBC's core business functions as we move forward," USBC Vice President of Communications Pete Treadwell said.
OK, a lot of braggadocio which is to be expected. But as a reviewer of websites, I look for one thing that must be at the top of the list for changed sites.
Easy navigation after the change. And the reason why is simple. People are creatures of habit. Most people do things repetitively. And after many years, those of us in bowling have come to navigate www.bowl.com in a certain manner.
How much will that change with the new layout? Here goes.
The main layout above the fold (in Internet terms, the first visual before a scroll-down) is good. The "gateway box" underneath the masthead has that television screen aspect ratio which I like and the tool bar features the priorities and organized them properly from left to right.
The tool bar font and contrast needs to be enhanced since the front page background is dark blue.
The page length fully scrolled is appropriate; not too long, not too short.
I like the news window in the right column above the fold and the light color contrast to the rest of the page makes it stand out well.
With that, there are some front page issues they should change:
One - Get rid of the ad banner above the masthead (the title of a Internet site or newspaper). The primary reason we go to the site is to read news and get information. Some of us buy items online, but it's not the priority each time we visit. Ad banners above the masthead produce a cluttered look. Drop it down underneath the gateway box and before the features section OR put in in the right column with the other ads. It'll provide a nice section break and still give people the opportunity an easy method to click-and-buy.
Remember where the Search For item such as associations, your membership information, etc. was located on the old site? On top in the left column. The new site? On top, in the right column.
Again, this is a site where people go to get information. Most of the people that visit www.bowl.com are the stakeholders of the organization, the most important asset of the USBC. We read from right-to-left and priority should be the first thing one sees - on the left. Move this Search For drop down box to the upper right column. The drop down box is a much more user friendly than the old sight.
However, there is a new feature on this page that I like a lot; a social website tool box gateway to branded sites such as You Tube, MySpace, Friend Feed and others. Once you select one, you'll be taken to the USBC-created GrowTheSport site on that social page. A smart move.
But I'm not really wild about the name. GrowTheSport? Major missing piece - what sport? This is the Internet and the one constant for highly successful sites is a creative name that is remembered by viewers and even better if it becomes part of a person's vocabulary. Everyone knows Google - did you know the name was created some 50 years ago by a mathematician who created a number with a digit followed by 100 zeros? He asked his young son what it looked like, and the kid said it looked like a GOOGLE.
The rest is history. History won't remember the mathematician but it will remember how powerful Google is in our everyday life. And that's what the USBC needed to do with this brand name. I have at least three brand names that have never been registered with the word bowling in it. I won't disclose them here. I was a pretty good brand creator after 30 years in the media and I get paid for my exceptional brain work. Who knows, I may just register those three names myself and see if anyone bites on 'em.
Getting back to the main elements of the page: The tool bars for the features box and the featured bowlers boxes are too small and cramped and don't match up with the box's aspect ratio. Make them larger and make them stand out more.
By the way, in feature bowlers, no tab for PBA exempt players or those in the women's series? C'mon on! More people follow the PBA than Team USA, college, high school, etc.
In conclusion, I like the bowl.com front page. Much better than the old site. Get's a B grade from me. Could be better, but I've seen much worse.
Good job USBC - but think about the changes I recommended. They make sense - for a reason.
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