St. Louis City No Smoking: Up in Smoke

St. Louis City Health and Human Services Committee burns the proposal is less time than it takes to enjoy a cigar.

Nice to see long time BOWLING HOOD friend Steve Conway stand up to this.

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/political-fix/political-fix/2009/09/at-city-hall-surprise-move-sidelines-smoking-ban-bill-once-again

Bulletin: St. Louis City Committee Revives No Smoking Law Proposal

BOWLING HOOD has learned the St. Louis Board of Alderman Health and Human Services committee this morning at 11:30 a.m. will revive the no smoking ban. 28th Ward Alderwoman Lyda Krewson is scheduled to address the committee.

It's believed that her new proposal would be similar to the proposal on the St. Louis County ballot November 3rd, exempting casinos and some bars.

The proposal if passed by the alderman and signed by the Mayor would affect Epiphany, Moolah and Flamingo Lanes.

Tournament Twitter Sept. 25

A reminder about some tournaments this weekend:

Gran Prix seniors bowl at Imperial Lanes, 10 a.m. start (practice at 9:50 a.m). Congrats to Tony Yarborough and Tom Patton for this doubles win last weekend at Hazelwood.

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Olivette Lanes has a 6 game sweeper Sunday starting at 2:30 p.m. Cost is $30.00. Pots and brackets being offered.

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Congrats to Joe LaBotte at Herrin Bowl. This Sunday is their 100th Sunday Classic tournament. Joe, say hi to everyone for me.

Their web site is www.herrinbowl.com

SEPTEMBER 27TH - 100TH SUNDAY CLASSIC TOURNAMENT - ADDED MONEY AVAILABLE, $500 GUARANTEED FIRST PLACE (SPONSORED BY REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS)

• ESTIMATED PRIZE FUND W/ 40 BOWLERS: 1. $500.00, 2. $250.00, 3. $200.00, 4. $170.00, 5. $150.00, 6. $100.00, 7. $90.00, 8. $85.00, 9. $80.00, 10. $75.00
• REGULAR SINGLES EVENT: BOWL 6 GAMES, CUT TO THE TOP 5. #1 QUALIFIER GETS A BYE INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH. #2-#5 ARE BRACKETS WITH ONE GAME MATCHES UNTIL THE FINALS. SUNDAY CLASSIC MEMBERS ENTRY FEE PREPAID IS $55.00, $60.00 THE DAY OF. NEW NON-MEMBER ENTRY FEE FOR THE REMAINING SEASON FOR REGULAR EVENTS $65.00. MEMBERSHIP FOR 2009 IF JOINING IS $25.00. BY JOINING, IT GIVES YOU A CHANCE TO QUALIFY FOR THE BOWLER OF THE YEAR AND SUNDAY CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP END OF THE YEAR EVENTS.
• CONGRATS MATTHEW LABOTTE, AUGUST SUNDAY CLASSIC SHOOTOUT CHAMPION. THIS WAS HIS 4TH SUNDAY CLASSIC WIN ALL-TIME.
• $5 300 POT AVAILABLE (CHANGE STARTING IN AUGUST), $130.00 CARRYOVER (1/2 AVAILABLE EACH EVENT)
• SIDEPOTS, SCRATCH DIVISION, 45 & OLDER POT AVAILABLE
• CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK AND JOIN OUR GROUP, SUNDAY CLASSIC BOWLING TOURNAMENT

JOSEPH LaBOTTE

SUNDAY CLASSIC TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

• Cell # (618)694-9122
• Herrin Bowl (618)942-4091

Pro Shop & Ball News from IBPSIA for Sept. 23

IBPSIA Net News Flash - September 22, 2009

DEADLINES LOOMING

> If you are interested in applying for one of the four IBPSIA Board of Director positions opening up Jan. 1, 2010, be sure to get your application to Ginny@IBPSIA.com by this Friday, Sept. 25.

> Only one opening left in the last HOTS class for 2009. Master Instructor Art McKee will be holding this class at the pro shop in the National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Oct. 2-4. Contact Ginny@IBPSIA.com by Friday, Sept. 25 to register.

> If you are running short of your needed 24 current CEUs to stay on the Active list as a Certified Technician, you can quickly catch up by attending the Mid-America BowlFest in Dubuque, IA, Sept. 27-30 with 3 seminars offering 2 IBPSIA CEUs each or East Coast Bowling Centers Convention in Atlantic City, Nov. 1-4 where there are 8 seminars to choose from that offer 2 CEUs each. To register, go to www.BPAA.com and select "Meetings & Events".

There are also 8 CEUs offered for those taking the BPAA's Management School for Bowling Centers offered Nov. 15-20 at the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas. Get more information HERE.

Note: Look for the logo on the door signs and complete the box on the Speaker Evaluations to get your credits.

> Lane #1 has a new ball arriving first week of Oct. called the Red Death Massacre. The Massacre Red Death isn't like the original Chainsaw Massacre, it's much worse!! Instead of just killing pins instantly, the Red Death tortures the pins with strike after strike. Color: red/black, solid Hybrid coverstock, 2000 Grit Abralon, backend 90%.

> AMF Hype (Reactive & Urethane versions), Brunswick C System 2.5, Storm Reign, and Seismic's Epicenter and Solaris Requiem. Find out how they tested in Bowling This Month's October Ball Talk reviews.

> THE USBC has entered into a partnership with Alamo Rent A Car, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental, designed to provide USBC members with savings and benefits on their future car rental needs. The program benefits include: up to 20 percent off standard rental rates, promotional coupons for additional savings, free upgrades and other offers. Alamo, Enterprise and National each offer unique and varied discounts and savings for USBC members. To learn more, members should visit Bowl.com/memberrewards.

> Are you wearing your new IBPSIA shirt? CLICK HERE to see the picture of the navy with white polo and T- shirts or to download an order form to get yours today!.

> The IBPSIA Classifieds are a great way to fill a postion or get one - and posting a Web help wanted ad is easy. Just click Career Opportunities on the IBPSIA Web site to begin your search.

> Remember, back issues of IBPSIA's monthly Merchandising Trends newsletter are online. Go to IBPSIA Home Page and log in.

Cops Pick Bad Time For Bowling

BOWLING HOOD urges police officers to bowl. Have fun, but schedule during off hours.

BARTOW, Fla. — A Florida sheriff says he is embarrassed that investigators from a narcotics task force were caught on camera playing a video game while searching a convicted drug dealer's house.

Video obtained by WFLA-TV in Tampa shows several officers enthusiastically playing a Nintendo Wii bowling game after the task force entered the house to execute a search warrant.




Sheriff Grady Judd from Polk County said Tuesday the incident is being reviewed and disciplinary action will be taken if necessary.

A motion-sensitive video camera on a computer in the house recorded the officers, who came from several agencies including the sheriff's department. Convicted drug dealer Michael DiFalco was already in custody at the time. His lawyer declined to comment on the video.

Information from: The Ledger, http://www.theledger.com

Simon Sez

WHEN FORCES ARE BEYOND CONTROL: Apologies for this being sent late, due to a Internet line outage this weekend. After two-and-a-half years of no problems, the averages caught up with me.

Just as they do in bowling.

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How 'bout Bo Burton's interview with the USBC?

BO: If you're going to bowl me 30 games you're going to lose. I was the best conditioned athlete on tour, everyone knows that. Nobody was close.

How come none of these guys showed up for that big-money sweeper the PBA was trying to put on? You know, all these big blowhards. I guarantee you Bo Burton would have showed up. But I don't think they would have been bowling with their own money. If they had to come up with $20,000 out of their checkbook, not from anyone else, that's a different story, and that's how I bowled. I bowled for my own money.

If you missed it, parts 1 and 2 are below. Bo knows. Bo knows bowling. It's 2009. Gotta be blunt if you want people to pay attention. The interview would have had more impact had the USBC videotaped it.

I bowl with brother Neil at St. Charles. Maybe I'll do a sitdown with him and see if he can out-blunt his older bro.

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I think Bo's most amazing feat was the hurt he put on others at the '84 tour stop at Weber's when he set the 4-game record later beaten by Bob Learn. Since we can never get enough Bo Burton, here's this week's bonus clip of him in his heyday - very rare and early footage of the 17-time tour winner. Love the Buddy Holly look.



THANK YOU: To Gary Voss and Ted Krygiel for inviting me to speak to the St. Louis Bowling Proprietors Association meeting this Tuesday at Hazelwood Bowl. The topic will be how they can work to defeat the no smoking referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot. It's that important and my advice and consult will be valuable for centers adhd the group. Proprietors - show up! Time is approaching fast for action.

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On the subject of HAZELWOOD BOWL, it was nice to see D'Marco Farr do his show from there Thursday night. Remember the days when sports figures actually bowled? Musial, Schoendiest? In KC, Lenny "the legend" Dawson, Bobby Bell and Buck Buchanan bowled leagues. Retired pitcher John Burkett has bowled well in competitive events. Perhaps more will particiapte when they see the value of competition and camaderie.

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Too many deaths in the news lately. Dick Hoover's passing the other day means fewer PBA charter members around. Guys I know who say him said he could crank it with the best of 'em. And he bowled here for OUR HOMETOWN FALSTAFFers. Amazing that he won the All Star (now the U.S. Open) at 16! That's a record that probably won't be broken. I could be wrong, with today's nuclear balls. Tiger won adult majors at that age, the U.S. Open. But Hoover bowled against the best of everybody bowling.

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So I was -74 last weekend at St. Clair. My balls had the Swine Flu. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it, LOL. Joe Nolan, are you reading this after Oasis? Travis Hendrixson finished 3rd. See what happens after you spend a week in the hospital and quit smoking?

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I debated whether or not to write a separate article about the Press Radio TV League at Olivette Lanes. Yeah, I'm biased because I bowl it. But there is a bit of history to the league.

It is one of the oldest leagues west of the Mississippi River, over 60 years old. It was started as the league for newspaper people, before the influence of radio and television. Scheduled at noon, the league was perfect for the morning Globe Democrat staffers who bowled before they went to work and for the afternoon Post Dispatch (yes Melissa Robinson, the Post at one time was an afternoon paper!) staff who bowled after they were done with work.

Longtime Post Dispatch bowling writer John Archibald bowled in it for 60 seasons, from '49-'08. I was proud to have me on his team last year and wish him the best.

However, the league needs one team and two bowlers. The Press Radio TV bowls each Monday at Olivette beginning at noon. If you don't work during the noon hour (Lenny Koch, that's you!) and want to bowl a fun league, contact me or Melissa (olivettelanes@gmail.com).

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Two Sunday's tournaments today remembered Dave Harmon. The Gran Prix Doubles at Hazelwood was officially named the Dave Harmon Doubles tournament. And the Roll for the Dough at Kingpin in Bridgeton will donate part of entry fees to Dave's family to offset expenses.

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On the subject of Kingpin, they've gotten into the Facebook world. Subscribe at Kingpin Lanes Facebook group.

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Shannon Pluhowksy. Best Women's Bowler in the world. Period.

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That's it for today. Look for part 2 this week to catch up.

VIDEO: Rams Broadcaster D'Marco Farr Radio Show at Hazelwood Bowl

Hazelwood Bowl this year will host the D'Marco Farr Rams Radio Show each Thursday at 7pm. Last night was the debut:

TOURNAMENT TWITTERS

I hate that term Twitter, vowed never to subscribe to it, seemed just weird. But the guy who invented it is from St. Louis (really!) so I back hometowners making a difference. I'll let you know when the twitter account is up and running.

FROM REYNOLD BLONDIN AT GRAN PRIX:

BOWLERS - I WILL PERSONALLY DONATE $ 300 TO THE FIRST 300 BOWLED. IF THERE ARE NO 300'S BOWLED THEN IT WILL BE ADDED TO THE PRIZE LIST FUND. For the upcoming season the Gran Prix Tour will be using patterns created by the GPT Lane conditioning committee. We are excited to create a scoring environment that transcends sport and house bowling patterns. Our goal for this season is to have a median score of 205-210 with the tournament leaders averaging between 225-230. I am working with experts in lane conditioning and am very excited about what we will offer this season. Our next tournament of the season is at Hazelwood Bowl on September 20th on GPT Pattern TARA.

Editor note: This is a Over50/Under 50 doubles event, The Dave Harmon Memorial Doubles.

This pattern is a wider, yet shorter version of Hazelwood's house shot. TARA should be able to be attacked from multiple angles due to the distance of 38ft. TARA applies oil in the inside part of the lane on the forward run, and a flatter overlay on the return.

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Also this Sunday, Roll for the Dough at King Pin Lanes (Bridgeton). A portion of the tournament entry fee will be donated to the family of Dave Harmon.

Last weekend:

700 Club at St. Clair:

1 Tristian Choat 1287
2 Charlie Johnson 1253
3 (tie) John Flanagan 1233
Travis Hendrixson 1233

Roll for the Dough at Bel Air:

1. J.R. Raymond 1366
2. Dick Dube 1330
3. Jeremy Boyer 1308
4. Jason Timmermann 1303
5. Joe Nolan 1295

PBA Charter Member Dick Hoover Dies

For a time, Mr. Hoover lived in St. Louis

Courtesy of the PBA:

Dick Hoover, the man credited with planting the seed of an idea that led to the creation of the Professional Bowlers Association, has died. He was 79.

Hoover, the first to win two American Bowling Congress Masters titles in 1956 and 1957, was a guest on a radio show hosted by Akron, Ohio, attorney Eddie Elias shortly after winning his second Masters title and explained to Elias that there was no professional “league” available to bowlers. Some say that conversation prompted Elias to pursue the idea of rallying bowlers to join a professional tournament organization.

Hoover won three PBA titles, including the Masters, but he had established his reputation as a young bowler. His 847, bowled at age 16, was a record at the time for teenagers. In 1950, he became the youngest bowler to win the sport’s most prestigious event at the time, the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America All Star.

During the golden era of team bowling, Hoover moved to St. Louis for a time to bowl anchor for the Falstaffs, a team that included fellow United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famers Billy Welu, Harry Smith and Glenn Allison. He helped the Falstaffs with the ABC Tournament Classic Team title in 1964, and he teamed with Allison to win Classic Doubles in 1962 – the year he also won his only PBA Tour title in Baltimore.

In addition to his two Masters titles, Hoover finished second once, third twice and fifth in other Masters, and in addition to three ABC Classic Division titles, he had nine other ABC Championships top 10 finishes. He was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 1974.

Hoover owned and operated Dick Hoover’s Lanes in Brunswick, Ohio. He was married (Joan) with two sons and two daughters.

No other details regarding cause of death or services were immediately available.

Do Something Nice for Cancer Research - Buy a Jeff Carter Bowling Ball

Jeff Carter for years has raised money for cancer research.
He has several balls for sale toward that cause.

http://www.jeffcarterbowling.com/BallPhotoGallery.html

Chicago USBC Manager Stewart Passes Away

Roger Stewart, long time fixture in Chicago bowling administration, died recently. His obituary can be seen in the Chicago Sun Times.

Bo Burton Candid Interview: Part 2

COURTESY USBC MEDIA

We conclude our two-part interview with PBA Hall of Famer Bo Burton today as Burton shares more great stories from his life in bowling, including memories of former PBA Tour stars such as Joe Berardi or Dave Ferraro, the time he returned to bowling in 2003 to avenge the loss his son endured in local action matches in his hometown of Stuart, Fla., the night he won $17,000 in a single night of action bowling in St. Louis, and many more great memories.

Bo, you yourself made history during your days as an ABC broadcaster when you won the US Open in 1978. What do you remember about winning that major championship?

BB: I remember that I was lucky to win it and to even make the show. I think something weird happened in the final position round game where I beat Marshall Holman after he missed a spare or something and then I am on TV and I said "I just have to go to my number one shot and just go with that" and I started striking and found the line. Back then when lanes were tough on TV or anywhere, when you found a line it was an advantage because the lanes didn't change much.

But I deserved to win. In 1966 I led the U.S. Open by a zillion pins. They broke it into two divisions, the American League and the National League, and I led my division by about 900 pins or something. Strampe was behind me but Dick Weber led the other division although he was behind Strampe. All of a sudden they decide to come up with a TV show and they pick Weber who won his division even though it should have been Strampe, and now we're in Lansing, Mich. and it's 11 degrees below zero outside and we didn't get any practice balls because they were running late on TV. Weber jumped out to a lead but I almost caught him, I lost 688 to 685. I deserved to win that by so much it was unbelievable. My Dad used to say "You know, you just keep going there and sooner or later there's a reciprocity in every sport and in life." And you know I should have won that one and I backed into the one in 1978, so it was just due for 1966.

And of course Bo you replaced the great Billy Welu when you came on board with ABC. What is Billy Welu's legacy in the sport?

BB: Well Welu was just a terrific guy. He had the voice, the brains, he molded Schenkel in a way. He kind of molded the tour and the professionalism of it. Whether people liked it or not, I thought it was great. His close association with the late Bill Taylor, and using a lot of his philosophy to say how difficult the tour was, and it was at that time. I mean even for the announcers. Billy had a terrific advantage compared to these announcers today, having to explain things like how to make the 2-4-5. There were no 250s. The scores were not low all the time, but there was a lot more to talk about. Billy had the charisma and he had the brains, and everybody liked Billy. I knew Billy very well. It was ironic that I got Billy's job because Billy and I were always friends from the get-go. Billy would loan me his car. He had a new Cadillac every year, and he would loan it to me to drive on tour. He would fly from tournament to tournament and I would drive between them. I knew Billy very well, I bowled a lot with Billy and had a lot of respect for Billy. Just a world-class guy.

I saw some names on the roster of the TOC that hadn't been involved with the tour in quite some time, which brings to mind the names of great bowlers from the past that seem to have dropped off the face of the bowling world. I would just like to get your thoughts on some of those forgotten names. How about Joe Berardi - what are your memories of covering his brief but amazing career on tour?

BB: Well, you know, Joe had some of the most fortuitous titles in history. I mean the guy throws a Brooklyn to win his first championship. Berardi was a tough cookie too, he was a little like Limongello. He had those "tough teeth" as Salvino would call it. He took advantage of his breaks, and you know he was a solid bowler. Berardi could have been as good as he wanted to be, but I don't know he lived some surreptitious private life that has always been rumored about and just kind of fell off the map but he was definitely a solid player when he was on tour.

Another great bowler whose time in the PBA spotlight seemed even shorter was Bob Vespi. What do you remember about Vespi's career and his ABC telecast appearances?

BB: Well, Vespi, you know, I liked him. He was great for television, he would go on television and be all you know 'I'm the man! I'm the guy to beat!' He was a good player and through a terrific bowling ball, but he just lacked versatility. He needed oil and once they start making the lanes a little drier or you had to throw it harder or a straight shot. You know you could say the same for a guy like Steve Hoskins. You give him his meat and he was tough. But versatility, I can't give him high marks for that. But Vespi was a fun guy.

You hear a lot of amazing action bowling stories about matches between Vespi and Rudy Kasimakis to this day.

BB: Well, I know Rudy pretty well but he's, you know, he's just an average bowler. When you bowl a game and you shot 220 and you win and 130 and you lose you're exactly even. It's not different in golf or anything else. You have match play in golf where you get a triple bogie and it's just one hole you lost. But Kasimakis obviously never made it.

Lastly Bo I know that Dave Ferraro was on the TOC roster and actually finished in the top 30 with something like a 223 average for the event--what are your most vivid memories of Ferraro's career and many telecast appearances over the years?

BB: Well Ferraro is a really good bowler. I spent a lot of time with Dave. In fact, I am the one who got Dave working out in gyms. At the Tournament of Champions his wife came up to me and she is in really nice shape as she closes in on 50, and she thanked me for introducing him to physical fitness. Now Ferraro's a sharp guy. He came into a bowling business with his family, they owned bowling centers. Just like Dave Husted. When you go from a PBA tour to where you're making maybe $150,00 a year and the tour is not getting any better especially in the mid 1990s when it started struggling, and you can walk into a family bowling center and become a multi-millionaire, there's just no choice. But Dave Husted still bowls good and so does Ferraro.
You know, there was a choice of business. Believe it or not I was quitting too and I said that in 1978 when I bought out my Dad in the bowling business. If it weren't for the television money I was making I would have quit the tour too. That was the only thing keeping me out there. You know, when you're in your mid-30s and there is no pension plan and no health plan, you know, you say 'Enough is enough' and you have to go for what's best for your family. The same can be said of Dave Husted or Wayne Zahn, I could go down a long list of players who made the same choice. Mike Aulby is the same way.

Well, Bo, legend has it that in addition to your tour success you were one heck of an action bowler and actually put yourself through school as a kid with money you made in bowling matches. How much truth is there to that?

BB: Well, yeah. I bowled anybody, anyplace, anytime. And there was action on tour when I started on tour. Limongello and I used to bowl action when he was around. The action on the PBA tour quit when they started doing lane conditions and tricks. Once you started getting unequal oil and trick balls it ruined the action.

When I was in the Army I bowled in every state. When I was stationed in Denver I won a ton of money bowling action there. I bowled a ton of home and home matches, I bowled a lot of games for a lot of money ? more than these guys today, trust me. And I put up my own money. How come none of these guys showed up for that big-money sweeper the PBA was trying to put on? You know, all these big blowhards. I guarantee you Bo Burton would have showed up. But I don't think they would have been bowling with their own money. If they had to come up with $20,000 out of their checkbook, not from anyone else, that's a different story, and that's how I bowled. I bowled for my own money.

So what's the most amount of money you every won bowling a night of action?

BB: In 1962 I won $17,000 one night and that was in between going to St. Louis University and whatnot, but I won $17,000 one night. Basically by 1962 they had barred me from every place in St. Louis, then I started bowling on tour. I used to go to Chicago to a Place called Marzano's. I got on the microphone and I said 'Anybody who wants to bowl action I'll bowl you.' And the guys who were going to bowl action from New York were all sitting around watching me bowl. I bowled everybody all the time, you just couldn't get anymore action on tour.
That's how I got back into bowling at Stuart Lanes here in Florida. My oldest son was bowling league and he came home one night saying he just lost all his money. So I went down there and it was some regional guys that were just better than him. So I started practicing and then one night sometime back in 2003 I was in pretty good shape and they said 'Hey Nelson you gonna bowl?' and I said 'Yeah, Nelson's gonna bowl, but this one is." So I bowled and just whacked them all that night. They figure old guys like me they can wear me out but I just kept getting better. Nobody could last the length with me. If you're going to bowl me 30 games you're going to lose. I was the best conditioned athlete on tour, everyone knows that. Nobody was close. I was closing in on under a five-minute mile running. Look at my record in the All-Stars. I bowled endurance tournaments, 100 games. I bowled another guy in a 100-game match and won, that's 100 games in a row. It takes 24 hours. So, I did my fair share of bowling but the only reason I stayed in the bowling business full time was the telecasts. I enjoyed doing it and it was my profession.

Lastly, Bo, what is Bo Burton up to these days, with bowling and with your pursuits in life?

BB: Well I bowl league with my kids, and there's a match play league they have with mostly senior players that I bowl every week. I bowl that and then whatever senior tournaments around here. The last one I won, I beat some young kid I don't know who he was, some regional players. I don't know who he was but I guess he remembers my name. But, bowling has been good to me and good to my family. Bowling will survive, I like the tour and the way they do it these days with Randy and the guys.

Simon Sez: Saturday Sept. 12

Every week, I list thank you's to people that I interract with during the week in bowling. This week's ultimate thank you goes to only one person many will never forget:

Dave Harmon.

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ON TO OTHER STUFF: One of my journalism heroes is Jerry Berger, the retired gossip columnist for the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Now he's back doing what he does best at Berger's Beat. It's been up only a couple of weeks, and already he's written about bowling - but only from the outside:

PINHEADS: St. Louis Sheriff's Deputy Charles Kraft has been accused of threatening a couple with a gun during a dispute about a parking spot at a Shrewsbury bowling alley. His subsequent legal problems in St. Louis County have drawn the support of his friends, including managers in his department and judges. A recent fundraiser to help pay his lawyers was hosted by the St. Louis Sheriff Lt. Ray Harris, and Deputies Charles Russo and Kathy Kraft, sister of Charles. Wonder what the St. Louis County prosecutor thinks about that?

Gee, and I thought the only thing they cared about at the County Building in regards to bowling was ignore bowling proprietors, except for those days of the year they want their property taxes...

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Just a thought and President Obama made a big hullaballoo about health care. I would have loved to hear Dave Harmon's opinions about health care. The message here? Bowling is only a very small part of our lives.

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I enjoyed my trip last Sunday to Oasis Lanes in Union for their Plastic Ball Tournament. The center and staff are very nice. And shortly after we were done, open play filled all 24 lanes.

However, the turnout was abysmal, only 16 entries, for a tournament that had $700 added prize money. The last cash spot paid $150 - for an entry fee of only $50.

I don't want to hear anyone complaining about prize money, etc. for a while. Here was a tourney with added money that had lots of empty entries.

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Speaking of tournaments, don't forget, the 700 club and Roll for the Dough bowl tomorrow. But wait, there's more! Jeff Carter is back home after a little more than a month in Detroit. You think Guzz would be taking a rest? Nah. He hosts his annual Match Play Tournament tomorrow at King Pin Lanes in Springfield, Ill. Belleville's Lee Boudouris is the defending champ.

For more about Jeff's tournament, go to his website, http://www.jeffcarterbowling.com/. You'll also see pictures of pretty bowling balls Jeff uses in PBA tournaments!

Interesting all three tournaments above are in Illinois. I guess Missouri gets the week off.

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The Rams or the US Women's Open tomorrow? I'll be bowling tomorrow first. Then I'll watch the Open. All the bowling finalists are winners. And when the Open telecast is done, I'll watch the Cardinals or Nascar. Now you know how I really feel about the NFL team that plays in St. Louis in the building with the tin roof.

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This month's edition of Craig Mathew's The Bowling News is in St. Louis bowling centers and pro shops. Read his column, which is right on regarding the league featured two weeks ago by Bowling Hood. Incidentally, the news from bowlers in that league has been defeaningly quiet the past 10 days regarding their prize money. Either they got it or they're in the dark. Bowling Hood is in the dark too. Inquiring minds want to know.

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One of my favorite people is Jim Bulinski at Shrewsbury Lanes. In the small world department, Joe Halpin, who was the program director at WIDB radio in Carbondale when I arrived there in 1976, saw on Facebook that I was involved in bowling. So Joe sent this picture taken at Shrewsbury during its inaugural year 50 years ago.

Joe's dad Bill is pictured on the left. Anyone know who the others are in the picture? Send it to at Shrewsbury, jim@shrewsbury-lanes.com or Bowling Hood. BTW, Shrewsbury resumes it's Saturday no-tap tournaments tonight.

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DAVID CALDWELL IS ALIVE AND WELL: Sure Gran Prix Bowling Supply is doing well. But David now is the political activist! He has a website that deals with issues in Creve Coeur, www.crevecoeurvoter.com/. I've been involved in an issue with Delmar Gardens and an office building they want to construct near my house and church. It'll be on the 10 p.m. news Monday, watch and you may see both of us on the tube.

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I don't twitter. But I do Facebook. And so does Crest Bowl. Their chief, Mike Flanagan celebrated his 30th birthday in style, helped by Jodi of course. She reports everyone had a good time and nearly everyone was still standing like a stoned 10 pin at the end of the day...

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FROM FACEBOOK TO JUST PLAIN EMAIL: When will the St. Louis USBC start notifying us by email of upcoming events, meetings and issues that we need to know about? Or the Missouri USBC for that matter? I'm not a member of the Illinois USBC so I don't know if they use mass email or not to update their members. No more of this make bowlers hunt-and-peck for information. Why do you ask us for our email when we pay our dues?

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So Walter Ray Williams, Jr. signed a new ball contract with 900 Global. Someone once said WRW could win throwing a box. Maybe bowling isn't such a poor business. Stone Container, the worldwide leader in corrugated box manufacturing, filed bankruptcy this summer..

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Al Pote in Decatur sent this along about the PBA regional being bowled there later this month:

Decatur's Spare Time Lanes will have another PBA tournament on Sept. 25-27, the Midwest/Central Brunswick Open. The Pro-Am will start on SATURDAY at 6pm, where the entry fee is $20 for adults and $10 for youths. Jason Queen, Pete Weber, Jeff Carter and Steve Jaros are scheduled to compete. There will be Brunswick bowling ball specials. Admission is free and you are all invited! If you have any questions, please reply here to bowlalpo@yahoo.com or call Spare Time Lanes at 217-875-3141.

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DID HE REALLY SAY THAT? From the archives comes this gem I taped from a recent St. Louis County Council meeting on the no-smoking issue. Subject, Robert Haddenhorst, Creve Coeur (Mo.) Councilman (turn up your volume a bit to hear)



And to think, this guy in my Councilman and also attends my church.

Imagine what he would have yelled out at President Obama if he was at his speech this past Wednesday.

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THE NEW AND IMPROVED USBC WEBSITE BOWL.COM: I promised a month ago I would review it again with a Part 2 segment. I'll start now. Fix your forum section. For nearly an entire day this past week, I couldn't log on so I could post a message.

I liked the old www.bowl.com forum better.

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Finally, I close out this week's Simon Sez with a shout to Mike Anderson, publisher, editor, chief bottle washer at www.stlmedia.net. Mike, thanks for the nice nice about this blog on your blog!

Actually, Mike was my inspiration to do this blog on bowling. He's run stlmedia.net for 9 years and it's easily in the top 5 of all such blogs in the country. Since I didn't see anyone doing it here in St. Louis, or anywhere else for that matter, I decided to use Mike's site as my model.

One thing bowlers have with people in the media - most gossip worse than Washington D.C. insiders. Heck, bowlers love to gossip (and complain) about sportswriters and sportscasters. So if you like that kind of stuff and want to know the latest news and trends in St. Louis and national broadcasting, go to Mike's site. He outscoops the Post on broadcast and journalism news. He also has a forum there, and you'll have to register, but it's all good because it's free. And bowlers know about wanting free stuff!

And yes knuckleheads, BOWLING HOOD will soon have a forum.

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THANK YOU: To Carolyn Marty, Jim Bulinski, Joe Halpin, Jonathan Peterlin, Richard Doak, Terry Lines, Gary Voss, Al Pote, Jerry Berger, Don Reed

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Until next Saturday, rip the rack and win lots of jack.

Bowling Returns to TV Sunday with U.S. Women's Open Series

Courtesy of USBC media:

ARLINGTON, Texas - Bowling will make a highly-anticipated return to national television on Sept. 13 as the best women bowlers in the world battle for the title at the 2009 U.S. Women's Open, a USBC event.

The five-part series will air on ESPN on Sundays at 2 p.m. EDT, concluding on Oct. 18, and feature 12 of  the sport's most recognizable faces. The shows will air Sept. 13 and 20 and Oct. 4, 11 and 18. The field includes Team USA members, former professional stars, international standouts, collegiate champions, top amateurs and perhaps the comeback story of the year.



Bowling has been absent from the airwaves since the conclusion of the GEICO PBA Team Shootout, hosted by Six Flags, which ran on ESPN over four weeks in June and July.

The U.S. Women's Open is being shown on ESPN for the third consecutive year and features an exciting new format.

More than 170 competitors battled through 24 grueling games of qualifying Aug. 4-6 at Strike Zone Bowling Center inside the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Henderson, Nev., before the field was cut to the top 48 competitors for 16 additional games. After 40 games, the top 12 advanced to a single-elimination TV bracket.

The 12 players were divided into four sub-brackets, and on each of the first four telecasts, three players will face off for a spot on the final show, which airs on Oct. 11.

Any competitor who rolls a 300 game on one of the first four TV shows will receive a $25,000 bonus, while a perfect game in the semifinals or championship match (the fifth show), will earn $100,000. The TV schedule is subject to change.
TV PAIRINGS

Show 1 (Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. EDT on ESPN)

No. 5 Shalin Zulkifli, Malaysia vs. No. 12 Diandra Asbaty, Chicago
No. 4 Tammy Boomershine, North Ogden, Utah, vs. Zulkifli/Asbaty winner

Show 2 (Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. EDT on ESPN)
No. 6 Shannon Pluhowsky, Phoenix vs. No. 11 Kim Terrell-Kearney, Grand Prairie, Texas
No. 3 Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., vs. Pluhowsky/Terrell-Kearney winner

Show 3 (Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. EDT on ESPN)

No. 7 Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, vs. No. 10 Clara Guerrero, Pflugerville, Texas
No. 2 Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, Texas, vs. Barnes/Guerrero winner
Show 4 (Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. EDT on ESPN)

No. 8 Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., vs. No. 9 Missy Bellinder, Fullerton, Calif.
No. 1 Shannon O'Keefe, Arlington, Texas, vs. Johnson/Bellinder winner

Show 5 (Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. EDT on ESPN)
Semifinals: Show 1 winner vs. Show 4 winner, and Show 2 winner vs. Show 3 winner
Championship: Semifinal winners

A Link to Dave Harmon's Obituary

The Baue Funeral Home did a nice job with the listing's layout pagination, any bowler should check out the nice touch they did with the graphics:

David Harmon's obituary at Baue Funeral Home

And if you'd like to write something about Dave in the guestbook, click here

Hazelwood Bowl Doubles Tourney Saturday Cancelled

This from Carolyn Haupt from her Facebook page:

Due to the passing of Dave Harmon, the Scratch Match Doubles Tournament scheduled for Saturday, September 12th at 11 a.m. at Hazelwood Bowl has been canceled. Thank you for understanding.

Funeral Arrangement for Dave Harmon

Visitation for Dave Harmon will be Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Baue Funeral Home at 3950 W. Clay, off I-70 and Cave Springs Rd.  

 

The funeral is scheduled Saturday at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 5911 S. Hwy 94 in Weldon Springs, at 10 a.m. 

Before the Wednesday night league at Hazelwood Bowl, bowlers paused after practice to hear owner Carolyn Haupt talk about Dave.

 

 

09-09-09

Not a good day in bowling, at least for number theorists....9-9-09.

To be followed by a lot of bowlers tonight after a single pin leave translating it "no, no, no..."

MoRich, Elite Equipment No Longer PBA Compliant

From PBA Midwest Region Director Rich Weber:

"As of September 1, 2009, Elite and MoRich are no longer Product Registered with the PBA. If you are bowling on the Regional Tour, you have 30-days to phase out the equipment and it will become illegal on October 1, 2009. The equipment is illegal effective immediately for the LLPBA Tour."

St. Louis Hall of Fame Bowler Dave Harmon Passes Away

Craig Matthews, publisher of The Bowling News in St. Louis, has let Bowling Hood know that Dave Harmon passed away yesterday after a fight against cancer. 

A 2006 inductee into the Greater St. Louis USBC Hall of Fame and St. Louis Masters League Hall of Fame, Mr. Harmon was a long time bowler who excelled at every level of the game, from performance to leadership, most recently assisting in the hosting of the Missouri State USBC Open in St. Louis this year. 
 
Funeral arrangements are pending.

Pictures courtesy of www.stlmastersbowling.com and Gran Prix Tours 

WRW Joins 900 Global

Reported today in the IBPSIA newsletter which
broke the story.


"Walter Ray Williams Jr. is officially the new newest member of the 900 Global family. Walter started using our products early in the week along with a few others. After matching up well and making a decent run in the World Championship we reached an agreement late last night."

BOWL.COM Interviews Bo Burton, Part One

Our town can never get enough news or share stories about the legends.

Bo Burton is on that select list, and record with bowl.com for an interview that is candid.

It's also welcome commentary from someone who'd been out of the limelight for a few years, and now back in it again with his return to television for USBC marketed events.

Recently PBA Hall of Famer Bo Burton sat down with BOWL.com for an exclusive interview in which he sounds off on the present state of the sport, recalls many legendary moments to which he had a front row seat as a broadcaster with ABC for decades, explains why he should have won the 1966 U.S. Open, and much more. In this first part of our interview series with Burton, he uses his long experience as a bowler and broadcaster to explore the implications of the high-scoring environment that currently pervades the sport, why players whose telecasts he called years ago are still successful on tour today, and recalls the day the great Patty Costello lost $10,000 after refusing to accept 8 pins of handicap in a "Battle of the Sexes" match against him as well as many other great bowling memories.


From the perspective of a broadcaster, Bo, what might be the most significant changes in the way bowling is covered on TV now versus back when you started broadcasting next to Chris Schenkel on ABC?

BB: Tough question. Right off the top of my head I think the expectation of high scores is the biggest difference. Some of the highest-rated shows back in the '70s were low-scoring events. 180-170 and all that. And before scores got so high across bowling people just looked at it as the world's top competitors bowling on a tough lane condition. But a lot of people have just started to presume that you score like that all the time and the scores are just phenomenal. You know, they talk about "tough" tournaments now and say they put down tough lane conditions but then you see guys averaging 228. In my career I don't think I ever averaged 220 or better and lost a tournament in my entire life.

It's the expectation of scores and today it's a strike-a-thon. I don't know that the general public even understands that if a guy shoots 170 on TV, they don't understand what's happening. They did back when we did it.

What can be done to correct the misperception an amateur bowler might have when he sees a star like Chris Barnes for example shoot 180 on TV and thinks that means that he is better than Chris Barnes?

BB: I don't know if you can turn it back because people today are going to bowl on high-scoring shots and somebody is going to average 230 or better and maybe more. In one of these little senior tournaments they have down here in Florida the Pt. St. Lucie area, a guy averaged 246 recently. It's gone, you can't go anywhere and have competitive e scores. And you have to remember that if bowlers have high scores they will go where the highs cores are.

But you know I could average 225 in a local house or 230 when everybody's got two boards. Now if you make it one board I'll still average 225 and half the other guys won't. Make it half a board and I'll still average 225 and the other guys will start complaining because they can't average 200. So if you take good players and put them all in the same category nobody can tell the difference anymore. The scoring is something they need to work on but it's hard to turn the proprietors back. I bowl a league here with my two boys and people just get used to scoring and all of a sudden if you have just a couple of 700s a month and guys are averaging 170 again they're going to go somewhere else where they can have these inflated averages.

I don't know what you can do. I watched Tiger Woods miss a 3-foot putt on TV last week. Now I can make a 3-foot putt. If I make a 3-foot putt and Tiger doesn't am I better than Tiger Woods? Even if you litigate it and have some kind of rule about it nobody would follow it. It's just a difficult situation. The only thing I could think of is if you could have some real heavy pins and put those heavy pins in the local houses. If you had some heavy pins in bowling that the pros could barely knock down, you throw a bad ball and leave a pocket split. The pocket becomes much smaller when the pins get heavier. And I'm not talking 4-pounders. 4 pounds is not enough to stand up to today's bowling balls. You put enough weight in those pins and lower the center of gravity and you're going to bring the scores down.

You experienced the high-scoring problem yourself when you bowled this year's Tournament of Champions and Dave Husted average nearly 250 for the first block but was still just in second place!

BB: I hadn't bowled in a tournament in years and especially on their new animal patterns and I didn't have the right equipment, but the point is today with the lighter pins as soon as a guy starts hitting the pocket with today's balls they strike. Today the pocket is so big, you know, these roll-around light hits where pins come shooting across and knock out the ten-pin. You don't see guys leaving 5-7s or 8-10s. Let me put it this way, until somebody does an experiment and proves me wrong, I'm sticking with my heavier pins theory.

Does it surprise you at all that guys you used to cover with ABC are still grinding it out on tour - people like Norm Duke, Walter Ray or Steve Jaros?

BB: They're not "grinding it out." They're stealing money from young guys that don't know how to bowl. They learned to bowl on wood lanes with rubber balls. In my day, nobody in his 40s could stay with the young guys coming on tour?not Dick Weber, none of them. Look at their records. Back then, you had to learn how to bowl and be strong, work out, bowl with a rubber ball, stuff like that. Today, guys who learned to bowl on wood lanes with rubber balls - Parker Bohn, Walter Ray, Norm Duke - they're almost 50-years-old. They could never exist back in my day. These guys learned to bowl on wood lanes with a rubber ball and equal oil, and all their experience, even when they're older, these young guys can't compete with them. As soon as they quit striking the Dukes and the Walter Rays or Brian Voss or Amleto - the only reason they stay on tour is that they basically can win a tournament here or there.

You hear about older guys being in good shape on tour and all, but you know there were older guys in good shape on tour before. You take guys like Carmen Salvino, he stayed in shape, or Harry Smith, Dick Weber, they couldn't stay competitive as they got older. Today guys like Pete Weber, Mike Scroggins or Duke are taking advantage of the other players' lack of training, lack of ability, lack of experience?I don't know what it is. Look at Dave Soutar, he's still going at it at 70 years old throwing a 13-pound bowling ball, and he is smart enough to read the lanes and the tougher they get the more the game suits him.

In addition to the 50 Greatest Players segments you have also been doing broadcasts for women's events. What interests you in working women's bowling telecasts?

BB: Well, two things. One, I did the US Open for them a couple of years ago and now I do the Clash and the Queens and hopefully I'll do them again next year. But I have dealt with the women for fifty years, I've had them at my charities and all that. Today these women can really bowl. This Title 9 and college scholarships and the new bowling balls have allowed them to carry and shoot scores. And they're in top shape. Take Shannon O'Keefe, here is a young woman who was trying out for the Olympic softball team, Diandra Asbaty, I mean you go on. These young ladies can really bowl and they are so well-educated. When I give them a microphone they're phenomenal. And they had nothing to bowl in, so I just did my best to promote them as far as exhibitions and stuff like that. Today's women bowlers are much better. You have to remember I bowled my first U.S. Open in 1958, so I have seen them all over the years and there were some good bowlers back then but not compared to the crop of ladies we have now. They really can bowl.

Speaking of great women bowlers of the past we lost a great one this year, Patty Costello. What thoughts do you have on her great career?

BB: Well, I bowled with Patty some and she was always kind of quiet. She had a great career. I have one story about her from back in 1977 when CBS had a "Challenge of the Sexes" in all different sports. And this year she was the top woman and I was the top man. We were bowling for $10,000, one game. They had this computer that figured that I was 8 pins better than Patty, so she was going to get 8 pins handicap, and she says "I don't need any handicap, I'll bowl him scratch." Well, I beat her by 5 pins, and she lost $10,000." That is my one true Patty Costello story.

Bo, over your long career as an ABC broadcaster you had a front seat to some of the greatest moments in PBA history, and I would just like to mention some of them here and ask you to share what you remember about your experience covering each event. Let's start with Johnny Petraglia's televised 300 game against Walter Ray in 1994.

BB: Well that was just phenomenal. First of all John is a really close friend of mine, used to stay at my home in St. Louis. He had the key to it and sometimes he would be staying there and I didn't even know it. We are very close, obviously he was in the army and I was in the army. There are a lot of similarities that John and I share. And I knew at the time John was really worried about not so much his career but his mother and father were having health problems and he had children getting ready to go to college. And John, when he sees the chance to win he can take it. Johnny Petraglia is a proven winner. He is not one of these guys that you want to get down to the last couple of balls with. And John just put all that emotion, all that try in there, all that experience and toughness, and he did it. I was proud of him and so was everyone else. It was a great moment, a very touching moment, because I knew down deep what was going on more than the people just watching the telecast.

Speaking of 300 games, how about Pete McCordic's 300 game in 1988?

BB: Well, Pete was such a nice guy knocking on the door so many times and nothing really happened. In that era he was probably the best good bowler that wasn't winning, if there is such a thing. And Pete was such a well-liked guy. Part of his trouble was that he just really seemed to get nervous in those situations, and Pete literally was shaking so much on that last shot I don't know how he threw the ball. It was one of the great shots and greatest performances of actually going through something that I have ever seen. It hit him harder than anybody. We ran it at the opening of the telecast many times, you can't see him shaking on camera but let me tell you, through all the bad breaks and choking or whatever he went through, he summoned it all to do it in that moment and it was a victory for himself. That was just terrific.

Let's go a bit further back to Mark Roth's 7-10 split conversion?

BB: You know, to me that really wasn't a fabulous moment. He just got up there and threw it at the 7-10 like anybody else would and he was fortunate enough that the ten came back out and got the 7. There was no nervousness to that. I don't remember if he needed it to win the game or not, but that 7-10 is like a hole-in-one. Anytime I have had a hole-in-one I wasn't a bit nervous. There is a huge difference between what McCordic did and Mark Roth.

And going even further back Bo what do you remember about the first time Ernie Schlegel appeared on TV as the Bicentennial kid in 1976 in Baltimore - he beat Hardwick and Bobby Jacks before losing to Curt Schmidt on that show.

BB: Yeah I remember him coming up with that stuff but he had had those outfits on before. His wife had been making that stuff for him. She was a pretty sharp gal, and so is Ernie, but Catherine was really the brains behind all that and making him a star. You could find guys with as good or better a record than Ernie that nobody has ever heard of.

He called himself the Bicentennial Kid. Hey, that's just good promotion. You go to wrestling and the wrestlers do it, somebody's got a weird hairdo or something kooky. Now some people didn't like what Ernie did, I think that's tough luck. I praise Ernie for taking the initiative to step out there. He's out there making a living and that's how he did it and it served a point. Look at today's shirts they have today. They weren't the first, Ernie was.

USBC Rejects Record Sports Bowling Series Scores

The United States Bowling Congress as expected has rejected the reported 2 record sports bowling honor scores claimed by a Racine, Wisc. bowler.

journaltimes.com story

Nolan Wins Oasis Plastic Ball Open

So what does Joe Nolan do for an encore after shooting a 780 series using a plastic ball on one lane the whole night?

He goes out three days later and wins the 2nd Annual Oasis Lanes Plastic Ball Open in Union, Mo. Joe shot +280 for the 12 games, winning $400 for first place, with $700 added prize money for the five cashers pictured in the upper right.

Below is some of the action at this year's tournament.

Simon Sez Labor Day Weekend

ROTH, ORF, THE "PETE", BALL COMPANY STAFFING, and THE ANSWER TO "CHEATER" BALLS, IT'S ALL HERE IN THE 'HOOD...

Have a good Labor Day weekend if you can. But this is a era where everyone knows at least one friend or former colleague out of work. To celebrate the worker this year, think about those folks and try to help with encouragement and job opening tips when you find them.

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I finally figured out why I wasn't following the PBA tournaments the past month in Detroit. My mind had been conditioned for the tour to start in late October-early November. Starting in August wasn't on my radar screen. How about yours? BTW, Springfield's Jeff Carter nearly made it to the finals of the PBA World Championship, one of the biggies. Lost to current Player of the Year Wes Malott, 4-1.

Tour TV starts Oct. 25, although the Geico team championship is slated for Sept. 20, on ESPN.

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A MARK ROTH UPDATE: Bowling Hood got a lot of response to the letter story earlier this week and stunned some people didn't know he suffered a crippling stroke.

His story touches hundreds of thousand of people. Now you can help, with the purchase of a Mark Roth ball:

PBA and ontheballbowling.com team up for Roth.

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Get ready. The USBC bowling ball specifications are changing July 1, 2010. From the USBC:


The USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Committee has adopted a new specification for all bowling balls approved for competition on or after July 1, 2010. The new specification will raise the allowable lower-limit radius of gyration (RG) measurement to 2.460 inches up from 2.430 inches.


Raising the lower-limit RG specification will delay and weaken overall ball motion, thereby decreasing the amount of inherent aggressiveness bowling ball manufacturers can infuse into their bowling ball product lines.


This specification change, and others that have been recently adopted, which include Surface Roughness – Ra, lane surface hardness and lane conditioner viscosity, is aimed at reestablishing player skill as an equally if not more important factor than technology in determining bowling ball motion.


“Our sport incorporates a multitude of variables relating from the ball to the bowler to the lane and beyond. This new RG specification should be supported by league and tournament players alike because it is another step that USBC is taking to bring results back in line with player performance,” USBC Technical Director Steve Kloempken said. “We will continue addressing this issue and investigating possible specification changes until we get back to the point where player skill is as important as, if not more important than, technology in determining success on the lanes.”


The realization that a new lower-limit RG specification was needed came about after USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications team members conducted exhaustive analysis of the Ball Motion Study, a two-year, joint research venture conducted by USBC in cooperation with bowling ball manufacturers.


The study, which can be read in its entirety on USBC’s bowl.com Web site, examined and ranked how 18 different variables affect bowling ball motion. The study was completed in March 2008. Since that time, the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Committee has evaluated the results and used the findings to establish and/or modify specifications limiting a bowling ball’s Surface Roughness - Ra and, now, lower-limit RG standard.


All bowling balls approved before the deadline will be grandfathered in under the current RG specifications, making them legal for future USBC-certified competition. The specification change will only apply to balls approved on or after July 1, 2010.


“One of the important things to consider is how research and this new specification benefits our members,” Kloempken said. “Between 2005 and 2008, we gathered critical knowledge and data from the Ball Motion Study. Using that data to modify current specifications like this is critical to educate our members and uphold the credibility of the sport. It is all done in an ongoing effort to balance player skill and technology, and you as a USBC member are a part of it.”

Pro Shops - better start educating your customers now , especially the ones that say I want the ball to do this. Because they're going to be in for a shock after the change. And they're going to say it's your fault the ball doesn't hook as much, hit as strong, etc., even when you and I know it's not your fault.

On the other hand, I don't want to hear any pro shops telling customers you have to get new balls because the specs have changed. Current equipment is still legal after the change. But I presume lane dressings will change to accomodate the new specs so current balls on conditions made for the new era might be too strong. Looks like the transition will mean we'll be carrying the new and old into centers for a couple of years.

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Hey, interested in becoming a ball manufacturer staff member? I found this interesting. Visionary Bowling Products will put you on staff - for a price.

I find this akin to being Sam's Club or Costco member. Pay an annual fee, get merchandise at a discount. I don't see anything wrong with it. Innovative marketing by the folks at Visionary.

Here's VBP President James Wonder's letter to pro shops.

However, if you bowl PBA tournaments, their equipment cannot be used.

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Joe Nolan. Bowled 300 the first week of the Masters at West County Lanes. Video courtesy of www.stlmastersbowling.com
 
Added another one shortly after at Show Me Lanes. Thursday night, 780. No big deal, right?

He did it using a plastic ball for every strike shot on lane 18 and resin reactive on lane 17. 

Think you're talented? Could you shoot 600 for 3 games using a plastic ball on one lane and reactive on the other? Try bowling The Petersen Classic first before trying it.  

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While on the subject of "The Pete", Our Town's Rich Orf is tied for 9th with a 1,584, Mike Flanagan 43rd with a 1,526, Ned Hendrixson 52nd with a 1,519, John Brockland tied for 59th with a 1,510, former Lindenwood national champ Brian Valenta (now back in Lockport, Il.) is 71st with a 1,505, Jen Ridilla in 76th with a 1,500, and Tom Partl, Jr. is tied for 86th at 1,495. 

Each will win $950.  

Hendrixson's squad is in 5th, good for $500 if it holds up, Rich Orf's team is 2nd, and stands to win $1,500, Rich's best 4 games out of 8 is in 8th place for $300, and he's in 5th place all events (team and doubles score) for $225. 

Brother Steve Orf's Group A 185+ squad is in 2nd place standing to cash $2.720. 

In the Petersen's Lumberjack Challenge, Steve Solovic with a 1,000 on the nose is in 3rd for $1,000. On the women's side, Amy Probst is in 2nd, good for $300 while Ned's daughter Beja is in 5th place for $75. 

My arm hurts thinking about this. Tristan Choat leads the 20 game Lumberjack, a $500 winner. Isn't it nice to be young and strong?

Winnings are projected, based on entries. Great showing from the Bi-State. It was weird bowling the Pete on synthetic lanes. Yep, it's the 21st century!

As you can see, it pays to bowl The Petersen, in more ways than one.

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Answer to my question last week about former St. Louis Post Dispatch bowling writer John Archibald. He is home and resting. We wish him well.

And good to see Travis Hendrixson back on the lanes. Hospitalized a couple of weeks ago, back yesterday at DuBowl Lanes for the noon Seniors with a 675.

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This week's BOWLING thank yous: Rich Orf, Chris Jung and Joe Nolan.

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QUESTION for pro shops in the area. Looking for an experienced staffer? I have someone who is looking for work. He's very good, dependable, you will not be disappointed. Email me at SimonSezPBA@gmail.com for info on him.

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Got a story or news for the BOWLING HOOD? Send 'em in, SimonSezPBA@gmail.com.

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Today concludes National Bowling Week. Strike Ten Entertainment is trying to set a Guiness Book of World Records for most games bowled one day in the U.S. The number is about 530,000. It's raining here in the 'Loo. Don't know if that'll keep people at home.

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CHALLENGE TO YOU: I went to West County Lanes last night for their Sport Shot 9-pin no tap. I like a challenging condition. Apparently others either don't, or were tied up with Labor Day weekend vacation. It was cancelled.

BOWLING HOOD thinks this is a terrific extension of the PBA experience league. A great idea from Gary Voss. Step up and challenge your talent.

PBA World Series Update: Weber, Carter, Rau

The PBA World Championship in Detroit is wrapping up today to determine the finalist for the taped show in December. 

Pete Weber made the cut but lost in the round of 40, 4-0 to Chris Johnson of Texas. 

Eugene McCune beat two-hander Jason Belmonte, 4-0. 

Springfield's Jeff Carter beat Lonnie Waliczek, 4-1.

Steve Rogers from Kankakee, who won his first PBA regional title in Cahokia a few years ago, is back on tour and beat Mike Wolfe 4-0. 

In the PBA Senior World Championship, Belleville's Randy Rau made the last cash spot, finishing 36th. 

Follow the round of 8 at www.pba.com.

Labor Day Weekend Action Info

Sometimes holiday weekends don't have much in terms of bowling "action."

Oasis Lanes in Union (Mo.) has a plastic ball tournament Sunday, the details to the right. After bowling the Peterson two weeks ago, I'm ready!

There are events in St. Louis, and you can always find them at Don Schulte's http://www.stlbowl.info/. Remember it's a .info domain, not com or net.

If you like to travel, Jeff Barnett has another holiday sweeper on Labor Day at Sterling Bowl in suburban Kansas City. The flyer is to the right, and Jeff has a facebook page for these tournaments.

Outdoor Bowling in the Big Apple Highlights National Bowling Week

Well, if the weather's going to cooperate, why not bowl outdoors?

Fox News caught up with BPAA President Jim Sturm earlier this week, and a 12 year-old champ showed 'em how to knock 'em down. 

 

A Letter From Mark and Denise Roth

For those who didn't know, PBA Hall of Famer Mark Roth suffered a stroke earlier this year. The Bowling Foundation has established the Mark Roth Support Fund. 


Letter courtesy of Jeff Richgels The 11th Frame Blog 
& Jim Goodwin's Stars & Strikes


August 31, 2009

Dear Bowling Family,

First, an update: Mark is home, and working hard at rehab. He is holding his own, and on a good day can walk approximately 300 feet at a time. (with the assistance of a tripod walking device) He uses an ankle brace for his left ankle to hold his foot in place as he walks. (He still has little or no use of his left ankle- without the brace it is difficult to walk) Nothing more with his left arm/hand as yet...small movements at best; but every little movement - is a wonderful thing! It truly is the small things in life that count the most.

Time has passed by so quickly. It is almost Fall; just the other day (May 31st) it seemed we were waiting for Summer. Mark was still enjoying and talking about the ceremony in which he was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in Reno - the first part of May. We were all packed for the Vegas tournament - which we ultimately didn't make. It's a strange feeling to be seeing fall items in the stores because we can't really remember summer this year... It's a vague memory.

Every day & night the past few months were spent in the hospital or rehab with Mark - and for the life of me- thinking back - when I did go home during that time, I couldn't tell you what the weather was like on any given day. Summer 2009 has gotten away from us, but we look towards the up coming seasons with much hope of brighter tomorrows.

At certain times during this past few months we would wonder, 'is this just a bad dream? or is this real?' - then leaving that thought behind - because it was too mind-boggling to try and come to the harsh reality of what this would actually mean long term. We had enough to do with just getting through each day. We were going through the motions, but putting the emotions aside until we were in a better place to be able to face them. We had to do what we had to do at the time.

Mark was so physically weak, but trying so very hard to move his left side (with everything he had) for even the slightest of movements; being wheeled in and out for yet and still another test, and trying to find something he could eat as the stroke affected his swallowing. He could only eat mechanical soft foods for the first month. No fries! No burgers!... just thickened liquids. Everyone who knows Mark knows how much he loves his fries - and how difficult the "no fries" period had to have been for him . . . (lol).

Needless to say he lost 15 lbs. very quickly! (but has managed to regain a few pounds to date) As for me - I was tired - very hurt- and sad to see Mark in such a bad place, I had many conversations with God . . . still do. I stayed in" shock mode," and did what I could to support Mark and make him comfortable.

However, a couple of weeks ago, the shock of it all wore off, and reality hit! Mark was released from inpatient rehab and came home. Reality hit us square in the face... this is real! We were scared -what now? - Can we do this? Life as we knew it had forever changed; things will never be the same.

A few days into being home- the flood gates opened up - even to hear the guys were back out on the summer tour - and just knowing that Mark may never ever be able to be out there bowling again - was a very painful reality. It seemed unbearable. But moving forward - Mark continues with such determination, and moves through his difficult days like the Champ that he is. At 58, Mark is too young not to have a chance at continued rehab, and to try to make as much of a recovery as he possibly can. He is committed, and is amazingly determined as only Mark Roth would be. He'll need rehab for the rest of his life - Rehab he wouldn't be able to continue if it weren't for all of your help. Thank you for all of the tournaments that have already taken place, and for all of the up- coming tournaments. Thanks for coming together to help give Mark a fighting chance.

Although we have many, many, many more miles in our journey, we are very thankful for the progress Mark has made. We are so very thankful for our friends, the entire Bowling community, (Mark's extended family for 40 years) family, and fans . . . without them we wouldn't have the strength and help we need to carry on. The song "Carry on" by Kansas - Mark's song to help him get pumped up before bowling when he was out on Tour; the same song that was played for him at the USBC Hall of Fame Induction this past May. And every time his cell phone rings - it's sings out -"Carry on my way ward son -there will be peace when you are done." His song has taken on new meaning today."

We have So many thank you's to go out. . .we've sent many. . .but have so many people yet to thank. Some people we don't even know how to reach. And, how do you say thank you when thank you just doesn't seem like enough? We'd like to thank some CLOSE and very SPECIAL FRIENDS - Lifelong friends Johnny Petraglia, Parker Bohn, Judy Soutar, Kurt Harz, Bobby Rogers, Chris Monroy, Ray Shackelford, Jerry Francomano, Mark Wagoner, (Goober), Marshall Holman, Danny Wiseman, Hal Farber, Don Corcoine, Neil and Nicole Feincold, Dave Juric, Rose Johnson, Joan Gurney. . . I don't think you guys realize what great strength you've given to Mark and I through your prayers, calls, cards, flowers, raffles, tournaments, donations, "words of encouragement" and "just checking in with us every few days - just to let us know you are out there - and you care". You kept us going through the darkest of hours- and for that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You held us up - and you probably don't even realize just how much your help has impacted our lives. You guys are all Angels.

Many, many thanks to a friend -Kurt Harz -from Brunswick for the donation of the Mark Roth image bowling balls to be raffled off at the various tournaments. Your generosity is over whelming..
Stan Kodish, take a bow - and a Standing O to you our friend! Thank you, a million times - thank you . . . thank you . .thank you. There will be a place for you in heaven.

A huge and heart felt thank you to Troy Greisen and everyone at The Bowling Foundation; All of our good friends at the PBA, USBC . . . Mark Sabintine- PBA Lane Man, Mike Tryniski at Lake View Lanes, Bob Johnson and Jim Dressel and everyone at Bowler's Journal, Bowling Writers, Friends - Jim and CJ Goodwin at Stars and Strikes, Senior Bowlers and Stops -Thanks to the Centers for helping Johnny P. with Mark Roth Ball raffles. Thank you to all of regular tour guys, Nick Melnikoff -Bowler's Paradise thank you. Thank you for all the Newspaper Articles, Press Releases, etc. Thank you to all of the centers that have run or will be running tournaments.

A big thank you to all of the Doctors at St Joseph's and University Hospital, Syracuse, NY, all of the rehab facilities, especially St. Luke's Heath Services in Oswego, NY. You guys are wonderful! Thanks for going the extra mile! Many thanks to Dan Markind for all of your kind help.

And Thank you to all of the Fans and for the fan mail! You are the greatest!

The outpouring to Mark from people all over the world has been amazingly touching. People felt a great loss in hearing the news of Mark's paralysis. Most of the fans have let Mark know that he has been a Hero and inspiration in their lives for many year s- and he always will be. Devastation is the word used by fans most often as they wrote. The news truly shook many people. I told Mark ,"I feel for your fans". . . they are in pain...they are really feeling it.

A very special thank you to Kirk Von Krueger and Fred Schreyer of the PBA along with all of our friends at the PBA, for all of the prayers, well wishes, cards, flowers . . .it mean so much. Thank you for naming the up coming PBA Plastic Ball Tournament in March the Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship. It is truly an honor- Mark is really proud, and happy he's here to enjoy it.

Thank you to our family... thanks for being there. We love you.

If there is anyone we've failed to mention . . . Please know we thank you.

You are ALL truly amazing people!

We Love You All,
Mark and Denise Roth