League Bowling Not As Strong As It Use To Be

Bowling proprietors at the Northeast Bowling Proprietors convention last week in Atlantic City made strong comments that league bowling, once the foundation of all bowling center, is not as strong as it use to be.
Leagues once comprised more than 80 percent of the business but now the national average is about 50 percent.
Several bowling proprietors made note open play not acconts for 55 percent of their business while league bring in 45 percent of their business.
Statistics released at the convention pointed out that many bowling establishments have closed down and others are for sale.
Some of the reasons given centers around costs of bowling compared to what it use to be and others say they can made better use of their buildings that can produce a higher income.
The once popular family run bowling centers are becming a thing of the past as any of the new bowling centers being built today are called family entertainment centers which include, golf driving ranges, simulated indoor golf machines which offer league play, dart rooms for dart leagues, pool rooms for pool leagues, horseshoe pitching pits for indoor leagues, health clubs, restaurants and nightclubs.
Other comments heard at the convention say that bowling has fallen on hard economic times and many private owned existing bowling establishments are being bought up by large bowling corporations.
Proprietors and bowling experts at the convention said that with the decrease in league play in order to stay in business they had had to get more creative.
Progressive bowling centers have turned to booking corporate outings, birthday parties and cosmis bowling with loud music and flashing lights that attracts younger bowlers.
Along with the birthday parties which include bowling, rental shoes, pizza, soda and cake proprietors note that it is very important to also provide good service becasue proprietors don't want someone to come into their lanes who is not a bowler and have a bad experience.
A number of proprietors clearly said that bowling centers must be kept clean and maintenance on their pinsetters is a must. Machine breakdons especially during league play is the fastest way to lose league bowlers.
Proprietors stressed courteous and friendly customer service is a must in the success of bowling lane operations today.

The Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This week the tip is for all bowlers to trly to assist you on how to best use the ots and arrows on the approach as target aids.
When preparing to execute a bowling shot, whether it is a strike or spare, you must be prepared to understand the path down the lane you intend your bowling ball to take. With this in mind, when stepping on the approach you should have a focal point (the point from which the ball will roll off your hand in the direction you intend it to go) picked out.
If you throw a hook ball, you will be rolling the ball toward the intended break point--the spot on the lane you expect your ball to change direction. If you are rolling the ball straight, the pocket or the pin/pins will be your intended target.
The tip: look at your intended target and bring your eys back to the spot on the lane that you are most comfortable looking at whether it be the dots or an arrow. To play the modern game, the sooner the ball comes off your hand the better. If you are looking at an arrow and tend to throw or hit up on the ball instead of rolling it off your hand, bring your eys more toweard the dots.
If you are a bowler that tends to play more across the boards with a lot of rotation, your focal point should be as far right (or left) as in between the lanes to get the ball to the correct break point.
If you play a straighter game with a small hook, your correct focal point may be toward the three pin Remember.....there is no substitute for making a good shot. If you combine good shots with good thinking, your scores will increase.
Mike Luongo is technically certified through IBPSIA as a Pro Shop Operator and Teacher. He is also a Silver Level Coach with the USBC and is also the Northeast Technical Advisor for the Morich Bowlng Ball Company (Morich Enterprises, Inc.) Mike is a member of the Brunswick Pro Shop Staff. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 341-1694 or via e-mail at mikespro@warwick.net

Ed's Outlook

High averages and hjigh scoring has mesmerized bowlers to the point that it doesn't pay them to venture outside of their homes lanes.
With 220 plus averages the enticement (if there is any) of entering handicap tournaments is like throwing money down the drain.
But for so many leagues and bowling establishments today it all all comes down to loving that familiar "house shot" when in reality bowlers should really venture ut and suggest that leagues either set up the "sport condition" but when this is suggested to some of those not for real nigh average bowlers you don't very often get a favorable response.
If these so called "easy house shot" high average bowlers want to see how truly good they are then they sould try bowling in other then their easy 10-board "house shot."
This is when reality sets in and it always separates the men from the boys and its a good experience but is can also be very lhumbling.
The insatiable desire for high scores by many egomaniacs is the source which equals a big problem. Unfortunately, pride in performance is sorely lacking in those whose egos surpass the significance of true achievement. This is the type of bowler who places constant pressure on the proprietor for easier scoring that, in effect evokes and summons USBC officials to take corrective steps for the maintenance of purity and morality for the sport.
Bowling is a grea family sport.....the industry itself is one big happy family....but we must all be concerned with this problem.
This column is written by Bowling Highlights Columnist and Consultant to the professional sport of bowling Ed Townsend. Ed is also president of the Norteast 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 Scores

Callicoon Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Hortonville Ladies league include a 191, 529 for Robin Luckey and Joann Brockner 187.
In the Tuesday Delaware Valley Men's league Albert Tyles scored a 205. Wally Warren 203, Ed LeRoy 207, Mark Garro 209, Kris Rasmussen 204, 244, 619, Charles Rickenback 221 and Jon Duffy 214.
In the Wednesday Mixed Business league Bruce Rutledge scored a 203, Phil Jacobi 223, 202, 613, Shirley Townsend 186, John Fink 217, Ed Townsend 204, Tom Skiff Jr. 214 and John Hoffmann 256.

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlights scores in the Monday Men's league include a 278, 209, 678 by Nate Sanders, David Graham 200, 202, Mary Waichman 211, Danny Ricco 256, 243, 676, Mike Weiner 234, 203, John Hoffmann 247, 257, 689, Walt Edwards 201, 225, 620, Tom Belgiovene 214, Paul Minton 206, 204, 225, 635, Nolan Levine 206, Richard Levine 202, Joe Sofo 204, Mike Mason 254, 235, 200, 689, John Fischer 248, 235, 682, Bill Helms 222, 202, Dean Keesler 202, Chris Marler 204, Paul Durland 208, 203, Donald Durland 216, 213, Mark Wegener 221, 203, 200, 624, Bobby Cooper 246, 212, 622, Al Caycho 266, 201, 664, Jack Moylan 204, 202, James Ratner 220, 606, Frank Scuderi 250, 227, 652, Angel Rodriguez 234, 243, 662, Jaryl Scott 215, 247, 206, 668, Eddie Lake 259, 234, 224, 717 and Rickie Lake 224, 212, 618.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league Ed Guthrie scored a 258, 215, 264, 737, Roy Karpp 233, 258, 681, Matt Cooper 216, 210, 620, Larry Berens 201, 217, 611, John Cascone 217, 209, 609, Kris Gwiozdowski 215, 226, 601, Dale Sonnenschein 202, John Hoffmann 217, George Kelley 201, Tom Hickman 223, Kevin Stackhouse 211, Brian Babcock 221, John Delfino 212, Sandy Lazarowics 217, Debbie Durland 219, 209, 601, Roberta Yakin 191, 189, 551, Joan lake 201, 203, 546 and Donna DuBois 197, 526.
In the Wednesday Men's league Rich Hendricks scored a 204, 206, 203, 613, Mike Weiner 225, Art Eggleton 203, Paul Durland 245, 616, Tom Belgiovene 206, Vinnie Collura 268, 225, 225, 718, Donald Durland 203, 200, Mark Wegener 257, 221, 639, Eddie Lake 214, 201, 212, 627, Roy Sweeney 200, Frank Gerow Jr. 241, 608, Bill Danchak 200, Bob Yakin Jr. 207, George Battle 214, Larry Berens 246, Dean Shattuck 214, 214, 619, Ed Guthrie 225, Al Frangipane 207, 206, 603, Cecil Walters 218, Alpesh C Patel 203, Jay Shore 229, 214, 612, Frank Emmens 202, 211, Shane Conner 216 and Chuck McAllister 213.
In the Thursday Ladies league Hope McKeon scored a 200, 188, 514, Kimberly Peck 186, 526, Mardette Wilcox 216, 236, 608, Valerie Fersh 181, 187, 521, Barbara Neist 189, 193, 551, Debbie Durland 201, 194, 205, 600 and Liz Burgio 191, 508.