SIMON SEZ: Moehrle retires, USBC approved Bumper Bowling Awards

One thing tremendously under the radar in St. Louis is the fact that one of our hometowners is a USBC board member.

Steve Moehrle has elected not to run for another term on the board. The accounting professor at UMSL who is an accomplished bowler himself with a 220 average in the Press Radio TV league at Olivette Lanes, tells Bowling Hood he wants to spend more time with his family and may consider a similar office several years from now.

Steve leaves the board at the same time the tenure of another leader with St. Louis roots steps down. Jeff Boje's term as USBC President ends this year although he will remain on the board as the immediate Past President.

Also, the USBC has changed the way it processes and elects board members.

Locally, the St. Louis USBC meeting is Saturday April 17 at Tropicana Lanes, beginning at 1 p.m. The main order of business that day will be to elect new officers. One of the positions to be filled is the board position formerly held by the late Dave Harmon.

Go to St. Louis USBC for more association information.

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USBC Board approves bumper bowling awards, high school memberships


By Mark Miller
USBC Communications

Special achievement awards for youth competing in bumper bowling leagues and a new membership product for high school bowlers were recently approved by the United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors.

Bumper bowling league competitors rolling 50, 75 and 100 games and/or 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 series are immediately eligible to earn Bowlopolis emblems in those categories. These awards can be earned regardless of the bowler's bumper league average and will continue to be earned on the same progressive merit basis.

"Since USBC does not recognize bumper league averages, our youngest members were not eligible to earn youth awards," said USBC Director of Youth Development Brian Graham. "This meant the only way they could obtain an award was through our purchasable awards program.

"To address this disparity and provide a consistent youth awards benefit to our youngest members, we proposed to extend the eligibility for the Bowlopolis-themed youth awards to participants in certified bumper bowling programs without the average requirement."

The new USBC High School membership, which becomes effective Aug. 1, is available to those interscholastic high school bowlers who are not USBC Youth members. Bowlers may apply for the membership any time during the current interscholastic schedule. The cost for the new High School membership will be $5.

"Many bowlers on high school teams do not bowl in USBC leagues so this gives them a way to become connected to USBC," said USBC High School Manager Breanne Eoff. "This membership will allow acceptance of all games bowled by that individual during the current season in recognized interscholastic competitions between two or more schools toward the establishment of a USBC official average."

The USBC High School membership will provide the following benefits:

* USBC Youth membership card

* USBC official average

* Eligible to bowl in USBC-certified tournaments when qualified

* Eligible to apply for USBC scholarships

* Eligible for nomination to the Dexter USBC High School All-American team

Membership and final average processing will utilize the Youth Online Membership processing system with the member being responsible for collection of average and award data and providing that to the processor. Membership eligibility is extended to all recognized interscholastic competitions.

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The PBA Midwest Regional Senior tournament schedule is ramping up again. This weekend's stop is one of the favorites in recent years at Short Stop (formerly New North) Lanes in Taylorville, Il. This is where Dick Weber won in 2003 giving him titles in 6 decades, the only individual professional athlete that's ever accomplished that feat.

There are still a few openings left - contact regional director Rich Weber at (636) 233 4304 or email him at rich.weber@pba.com.

Harry Sullins leads the points race by a commanding 21,000 over Dale Traber - Gregg Getzlow of St. Charles, winner of last summer's event in Springfield, Il. is having a strong year and is 7th on the list. Tom Carter, who underwent hernia surgery a month ago, is not on the roster at Taylorville, but this week returned to PBA experience league action - shooting a 300 game and 790 series. No word if the surgeons did additional tweaks on Tom for his bowling game! Nice shooting Tom.

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The St. Louis USBC Open is underway, action starting last weekend at Pacific, this weekend is the final weekend, Bowling Hood will provide results when available.

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