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.