SIMON SEZ: A New USBC Record?

THREE'S A CROWD: Last Thursday in the Businessman's league at Show Me Lanes, Dale Butler, Joe Nolan and Don Griffin all shot 300 games - in the same game.

Until a couple of months ago, it would have been easy to find out if this was a USBC for the most 300 games thrown in one game by a team. But since the inception of the new USBC website, the record link was removed.

Does anyone have a good memory? Do you know of any team that had three 300 games in the same game? If so, let Bowling Hood know.

GOOD JOE: It was only the first 300 game in the past week for Nolan. He opened the Gran Prix Over/Under Doubles Tournament with one and has two so far in the Masters traveling league. Not bad for two months work! And to think he was "retired" for a bit before returning this fall.

NOW, BACK TO THE USBC: I like the look of their new website and the features are particularly good. What I don't like are the lack of a link to USBC records and forum management. Prior to the change, anyone could post messages freely in the forums and often times, the discussion was spirited and for the most part positive.

Since the change, all messages are screened for approval before posting. In America, we can express our feelings freely without reprisal, as long as they are reasonable. Many forums do moderate for content and remove that which is libelous or slanderous and that's fine. But the USBC has restricted its forum too much. And it shows with the number of postings much fewer than before.

You have to register your USBC membership number when logging into the forum. Our membership means we own the forum. And from some of the messages Bowling Hood has seen posted, they want the forums opened up the way they were before the website change.

Bowling - anything - is better when there is inclusion rather than exclusion.

LAST WEEK TO BUY HALL OF FAME DINNER TICKETS: The annual St. Louis USBC Hall of Fame Dinner is Sunday November 1, but the deadline to order tickets is Sunday October 25.

The 2008-09 Inductees: Superior Performance Male –Thomas Shucart, Meritorious Service to Youth Bowling,- Thomas Dawson.

Our scholarship winners include Brandon Monroe, Jennifer Wesley, Theresa Mullineaux, and Ryan Moyie. And the St Louis USBC Male Bowler of the Year is Donald Griffin, and the Female Youth Bowler of the Year is Stephanie Bergman.

Ticket prices are $32.00 and tickets may be ordered individually or by tables of eight (8).


Unfortunately, Dave Harmon won't be there. The prominent bowler and St. Louis USBC Director died of cancer last month.

Remember Dave in two ways - one, you can donate Dave's favorite charity by contacting Reynold Blondin of Gran Prix Tours. He has raised more than $600 so far and those who donate receive the commemorative bowling shirt iron-on decal shown to the left. You can contact Reynold through his website using the link above or donate the next time you enter a Gran Prix event.

I'll be there - you should be too,.

PBA BACK ON TV: Sunday, ESPN, check your local listing for time. Year 9 of the Microsoft boys regime. Difference this year, most of the shows the next few weeks were taped in Detroit. I didn't follow who won them, don't really care. Anyone who does know who won them all either has a good memory or needs a hobby. Enjoy, they're always fun to watch.

BLAST FROM THE PAST: After sitting next to the Hall of Famer Ray Bluth recently at a St. Louis USBC meeting, I looked all over for Ray Bluth bowling video. Unfortunately, I couldn't find one of him in action on tour or with the famed Budweiser team.

But I was able to find a video of him in an Ebonite commercial from 1968. Yes, bowling balls were advertised - and this one is a minute long! Black and white films too. Very retro. ]