High Average Honors in 2006-07 Go To John Hoffmann

The "Little Lefty" has added new honors to an already illustrious bowling career.
The 2006-2007 "Average Book" of the Tri-County NY United Stated Bowling Congress (USBC) lists Monticello bowler John Hoffmann the high average bowler with a 229 in the Kiamesha Lanes Tuesday Firefighters league.
The average book also gives him 223 averages in both the Monday Men's league and the Wednesday Men's league, both at Kiamesha Lanes.
The 66-year-old lefty got his nickname from Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour bowler Tommy Delutz Jr.as Hoffmann bowled professionally from 1990 through 1993 in the Northeast Regional Professional Bowlers Association tour and bowled with Delutz and Ryan Shafter, Bob Learn, Teata Semiz, Danny Wiseman, Pete Couture and Vince Mazzanti Jr.
Delutz at a PBA tour stop in Buffalo in November of 2007 while in discussion with this columnist said he remembers John Hoffmann well and referred to John as the "Little Lefty."
John also won the 2007 Tri-County NY USBC Men's Senior championship held this past spring in Warwick.
Retired and living in the South Woods Road area of the Town of Thompson, Hoffmann has 20 career 300 games.
Bowling for some 51 years, John in November of 2006 put together in three separate leagues over a week's time a 252 average for nine games of bowling on three separate sets of lanes, scoring series of 795, 721 and 750 which combined for a 2,266 pin count and the nine-game average of 252.
This smooth rolling lefty has also recorded several 800 plus series.
And even though it's early in the 2007-2008 season Hoffmann just this past week scored a 703 in the Monday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes with a high game of 267, , a 736 in the Tuesday Mixed league at Kiamesha Lanes with a high game 289 and a 738 in the Wednesday Businessmen's league at Callicoon Lanes with a high game of 268 for a total pinfall of 2,177 and a nine game average of 242.
Hoffmann is the anchor bowler for the Sullivan County Democrat team in the Wednesday Businessmen's league at Callicoon Lanes and also bowls for Coldwell Banker in the Monday Men's league and the IAPOTH team in the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league, both at Kiamesha Lanes.
A great teacher of the game Hoffmann is heading up the teaching staff for the new Saturday Morning Youth leagues at Callicoon Lanes.

Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This week's tip will help you understand correct shoulder alignment when throwing your strike ball and making spares.
When throwing a bowling ball, the shoulders should not necessarily be straight (perpendicular) in relation to the lane. Instead, they should be aligned straight to the target mark you are trying to hit. this is called pro setting the angle of the shoulders.
There are three rules regarding shoulder alignment:
1. When playing straight down the boards, your shoulders should be straight in relation to the lane.
2. When making shots to the right of the head pin, open your shoulders in relation to the lane.
3. When making shots to the left of the head pin, close your shoulders in relation to the lane.
Doing this is easy if you imagine that there is a three-foot arrow poised on the right shoulder ( or left shoulder if you are left handed). Simply point the arrow at the target and the angle will automatically be correct.
Note: Your arm swing should never change, instead, adjust the angle of the shoulders so that your arm swing is in line with the target.
Mike Logo is technically certified through BOSNIA as a Pro-Shop Operator and Teacher. He is also a Silver Level Coach with the US BC and is also the Northeast Advisor for the Norwich Bowling Ball Company (Norwich Enterprises, Inc.). Mike is also a member of the Brunswick Pro Shop Staff. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by calling 341-1694 or by sending an e-mail to mikes pro@warwick.net

Ed's Outlook

Bowling, the fastest-growing high school sport this decade, continued its upward climb in 2006-2007 and moved past ice hockey according to the newest National Federation of State High School Associations.
Along with these statistics it's encouraging to note that youth leagues, which are provided for youths from the ages of 7-18 are also growing.
The United States Bowling Congress (US BC) High School program works to continue this upward trend by guiding all levels of high school bowling, providing rules and instructional opportunities. US BC High School offers a free membership program, which enables coaches to nominate outstanding bowlers to the Dexter/USBC High School All-American team, and provides high-score recognition to student-athletes.
Coaches also receive resource materials such as the USBC Coaches Guidebook and USBC High School Guide.
With all of this in mind we have to scratch our head and question when is there no high school bowling programs in our area. Our local schools should be interested in a bowling program because start-up and maintenance costs are inexpensive.
And......bowling also gives students an opportunity to become involved with their high schools and it lays a foundation for a lifetime sport and helps athletes earn scholarships and bowl in college.
We pat on the back area bowling establishments that encourage youth bowling leagues.
Active youth bowling leagues are available at Liberty Lanes, Kiamesha Lanes, Ellenville Lanes and a new program is about to get underway at Callicoon Lanes.
Many of these youth league offer guidance and instruction by providing rules, instructional opportunities, awards and industry resources to ensure the success of youth bowlers taking part in these programs.
Check out your local bowling establishments for youth bowling activities and we encourage area high schools to get involved with high school bowling programs.
This column is written by Bowling Highlights Columnist and Consultant to the professional sport of bowling Ed Townsend. Ed is also president of the Northeast Bowling Writers Association, If you have a topic that would make good reading or have league scores, standings or tournament information, please call Ed at 845-439-8177 or send an e-mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com Please visit our Web BLOG at http://bght.blogspot.com

Local Bowling Scores

Callicoon Lanes
Route 97, Callicoon NY
845-887-5750

Recent highlight scores in the Wednesday Businessmen's league included a 268, 738 by John Hoffmann.
In the Monday Night Hortonville Ladies league Debra Loughrey scored a 184, Barbara Pingel 201 and Judy Mohn 187.
In the Tuesday Delaware Valley Men's league Jackie Brockner scored a 212, Mark Schriber 210, Joel Turner 204, Tom Schultz 211, Mark Garro 208, Mark Herbert 235, 619, Ken Darling 207, 232, Scott Herbert 202, Mark Hawley 229, 209, Mike Forsblum 204, Brian Starr 234, 204, 619 and Steve Lagoda 201.

Kiamesha Lanes
Route 42, Kiamesha Lake, NY
845-794-5561

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league included a 253, 714 by Robert Yakin Sr., John Hoffmann 257, 694, Russ Keesler 247, 655, George Kelley 247, 632, Donald Durland 631, Larry Berens 629, Kevin Stackhouse 614, Matt Cooper 604, Debbie Durland 189, 202, 210, 601, Dorian Jenningas 191, 212, 566, Linda Schaefer 191, 544, Roberta Yakin 204, 537, Joan Lake 203, 526, Andrea Grossman 200, 519, Debbie Wright 186, Rhonda McClernon 189 and Barbara Yeomans
181.


Bowling Calendar

Oct. 20-21 and 27-28. (27th) Annual New York State USBC Bowling Association Seniors Tournament. Thunderbird Lanes, Syracuse, NY. Five age divisions, must be 55 and up. Applications available on the website members.tripod.com/nysba Information call 315-252-6695. or e-mail spdbowling@aol.com

Nov. 10-11 and 17-18. 17th Annual New York State USBC BA Mixed Bowling Tournament. Thunderbird Lanes, Syracuse, NY. Team 2 men and 2 women, doubles 1 man and 1 woman. Phone 315-252-6695. Website applications available at members.tripod.com/nysba or e-mail spdbowling@aol.com

April 10-June 8. New York State Men's USBC Bowling Association Tournament. Flamingo Bowl, Liverpool, NY. No bowling Mothers Day or Memorial Day weekends. For information call 315-252-6695 or e-mail spdbowling@aol.com

May 10-11. New York State Masters Tournament, Bowl Mor Lanes, Syracuse, NY For information call 315-252-6695 or e-mail spdbowling@aol.com