Bowling Highlights Column 2-20-09

Bowlers Must Unite--Say No To Tax On Bowling

Bowlers could very well be faced with a sales tax on their favorite sport if Gov. David Paterson's proposed budget passes.
Some have tabbed the proposed new tax "a tax on fun."
The tax would even go as far as having New Yorkers pay sales taxes on rounds of golf, concerts, movies and live theater.
The proposed tax would change the definition of "amusement" in the state tax code to include more kinds of fun and would result in taxes being charged to swimming pools, amusements parks, bowling alleys, horse race tracks, circuses and boxing and wrestling matches.
The tax would include the state charge of 4 percent and local taxes (the amount your country charges) and this would be added onto the state tax and the county governments will not have the option to drop the sales tax on amusement.
The state of course protects itself here by saying that the proposed tax would not apply to government owned parks, pools or the state fair. Non-profit groups, such as the YMCA, would be exempt, but a for-profit health club would be taxed.
If the state legislature approves the budget with this new tax proposal it would take effect June 1.
The reference numbers for this proposed legislation is Budget Bill AB. 160 and S. 60.
This bill is definitely anti-small business and the sales tax would be disproportionately distributed upon low, moderate and fix income citizens and would further be unevenly distributed to league bowlers who bowl in a regular 32, ,34 or 35 week season.
The governor and state legislators appear to not understand that bowling is a great recreational and competitive activity for all ages and that bowling centers are the heart of the community, often sponsoring charity fundraisers, providing scholarships for youth bowlers, hosting and supporting high school and in some areas college bowling teams and hold local food drives and D.A.R.E. programs.
Write, call, fax or email your state legislator and remind them that bowling is a great sport and one of the few that you and your family can still afford......tell them that if they want your support next time they run for office they must spare us from a sales tax on bowling.
Bowlers......its time to let Governor Patterson, Assembly member Aileen M. Gunther and State Senator John J. Bonacic know that bowlers cannot afford this type of "fun" tax.
Each and every league secretary and president is being asked to write a short letter stating league bowlers opposition to this proposed tax.
The New York State Bowling Proprietors Association has send a packet of materials to all bowling centers asking each bowling proprietor to conduct a bowler opposition card campaign, to put posters up, to make direct contact with legislators and to have league officers send personal letters to the legislators.
Priscilla Zonneville, president of the NYS USBC Women's Bowling Association issued the following statement to NYS local association presidents and association managers:
"Twenty years ago, NYS proposed a tax on the sport of bowling and with the efforts of the association leaders, league members and proprietors, it was defeated. 2009 has brought a new governor who again wants to tax our sport. Bowling centers across New York have received postcards for bowlers to fill out discouraging the proposed tax. We need your assistance as leaders to check at your local bowling centers to make sure this is happening.We hope you will comply with letters to politicians in your area. You may also want to comment on how a tax will be disproportionately distributed upon low, moderate and fixed income citizens, it would be unevenly distributed to league bowlers who bowl 35 weeks and it would generate a loss of bowlers and ultimately a loss of money to the state. Bowling has lost many members over the past 20 years and that drop is continuing due to rising costs."
Call the Governor at 518-474-8390 or go to New York State on the Internet and email the governor at www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html , call Assembly member Gunther at 845-794-5807 or email her at gunthera@assembly.state.ny.us and call Senator Bonacic at 845-344-3311 or go to the New York State Senate Members page and find the senators name and you can email him there.

Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: One of our previous tips was designed to help you achieve the correct body position to properly execute a bowling shot and be able to repeat it.
This week, we will cover the release....information that will help bowlers on all levels.
A properly executed release is possibly one of the most misunderstood parts of a bowling shot. Most bowlers tend to muscle the ball through the release zone, either accelerating or decelerating on the downswing. The proper release for all bowlers, (whether you are a six-year-old with a conventional grip or an accomplished bowler with many years experience), can be executed by letting gravity bring the ball from the top of your swing through the release zone with no interference from your arm or shoulder muscles.
If your ball fits properly, the gravity will take it off your hand at the right time providing your body is in the proper position.
Any rotation on the ball should come from your hand only, not your arm. Using the proper technique will allow you to get as much rotation on the ball as desired. Note, however, if your ball does not fit properly, it will require excessive grip pressure to hold on to which will make the release harder to execute.
Gravity can be your best friend or worst enemy depending on how you use it.
Mike Luongo is technically certified through IBPSIA as a Pro Shop Operator and Master Instructor. He is also a Silver Level Coach with the USBC and is also the Northeast Regional Sales Manager with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-341-1694 or via email at mikespro@warwick.net

Local Scores

Callicoon Lanes

Recent highlight scores from the Monday Hortonville Ladies league include a real nice 583 series with singles games of 187, 199 and 197 by Desiree Rossomondo, Debra Loughrey 212, 524, Debbie Schick 181, 186, Maureen Schlott 201, Rebecca Rhodes 217, 528, Donna Dubois 186 and Lillian Zieres 182.
In the Delaware Valley Men's league Damien Vanluven scored a 200, Jon Duffy 203, Mark Herbert 222, Scott Herbert 231, Jon Wayne 206, 224, 622, Steve Lagoda 202, Tim Ackerman 201, Mark Goda 210, Mike Hubbard 219, Mark Hawley 227, 216, Tom Russell 201, 219 and Bob Cady 217.
In the Wednesday Mixed Businessmen league Dave Maus scored a 200, Phil Jacoby 203, 220, 614, Roger Widmann 225, 209, 614, Paul Minton 224, Dwayne Cabrera 214, Ed Townsend 201, Mark Hawley 224, Joseph Gager 207, Kory Keesler 235, 203, 627 and Tom Russell 217.

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Early Birds Ladies league include a 184-183-530 by Anne Couse, Chris Lamoreaux 503, Nikki Andriano 193, 502, Kathleen Maltese 187 and Diana Miller 181.
In the Wednesday Men's Independent league Mitch Persbacker scored a 233, 200, 220, 653, Ryan Kille 212, 242, 652, Arthur Gately 225. 223. 644, Howie Couse 245, 632, Tony Wright 210, 226, 619, David Thomason 211, 224, 615, Frank Couse 200, 217, 607, James Dibble 210, 202, 604, Brian Drumm 203, 216, 603, Frank Couse Sr. 253, 601, Neil Mosher 223, Lee Stanton 223 and Shawn Tracy 233.
In the Thursday Men's Deposit National league Andrew Bullis scored a 226, 231, 216, 673, Craig Conklin 216, 212, 245, 673, Neil Mosher 208, 238, 630, Jim Valentine 243, 618, Robert Johnson 216, 220, 615, Howard Couse Sr. 213, 205, 613, Bill Gleim 245, John Lanner 220, Al Bullis Jr. 225 and Greg Keesler 244.
In the Friday Mixed Doubles Couples league Daniel Wormuth scored a 223, 259, 673, Scott Ellis 214, 210, 232, 656, Howard Couse 232, 605, Nick Hazen 228, Paul Fritz two 200 games, Carl Davis 241, Mark McGraw 206, Brian Tiffany 203, James Dibble 202, Crystal Ellis 191, 508, Kristina Couse 200, 506, Kathy Smith 503, Janet Ellis 201 and Hope Jones 182.
In the Sunday Afternoon Mixed Fun league Dave Mills scored a 212, 237, 204, 653, Fred Shakelton 246, 213, 629, Ray Cornwell 200, 203, 602, Erwin Haeussler 214 and Julie Cornwell 186.

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men's league include a 238, 604 by Nate Sanders, Willy Bartley 214, David Graham 201, 267, 630, Lloyd Bridges 211, 259, 645, Chuck McAllister 202, 214, 602, Keith Smith 218, John Fischer 218, 607, Bill Helms 204, 212, Steve Rivera 216, Brian Mirino 221, Wayne Pirnos 212, Kevin Stackhouse 223, 221, 617, Mike Mulligan 223, 212, 625, Roy Sweeney 223, Mike Weiner 234, Jim VanAken 214, Jason Jones 221, John Hoffmann 232, 237, 644, Rudy Belanchia 232, 246, 217, 695, Peter Mitro 204, 242, 620, Keith Shaddock 203, Nolan Levine 205, Frank Amore 223, Tim Bilyeu221, 227, 278, 726, Harrison Cherry 200, Joey Smith 202, 206, Robert Hamilton 216, 236, 645, Donald Durland 260, 628, Jaryl Scott 200, Mark Wegener 238, 225, 658, Tim McIntyre 203, 228, Al Caycho 200, 205, Jack Moylan 200, 239, 621, Rob Sze 223, James Ratner 212, 213, 622, Kort Wheeler 245, 215, 634, Angel Rodriguez 238, 277, 203, 718, Eddie Lake 204, 258, 268, 730, Rick Lake 211 and Paul Curry 216.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league Cara Nicholson scored a 180, Pat Mulhern 224, 561, Matt Cooper 217, Ed Guthrie 201, 208, 600, John Cascone 206, Cecil Walters 201, 202, Mary Lee Williams 193, 193, 562, Joan Lake 233, 532, Dorian Jennings 186, 537, Jack Rustic 204, George Kelley 202, Barbara Yeomans 186, 212, 181, 579, Donna DuBois 191, Cliff Starr 200, Dale Sonnenschein 213, John Fischer 248, John Hoffmann 233, 236, 227, 696, Debbie Durland 202, 513, Larry Berens 236, Andrea Grossman 191, 540, Lisa Cartwright 194, Stan Gilmore 252 and Todd Telesky 215, 207.
In the Wednesday Men's league Donald Durland scored a 219, Matthew Fallon 203, 247, 631, Richard Bradford 202, 225, 212, 639, Jon Wilhelm 215, 207, Jerry DiGioia 211, Jody Farquhar 202, Tim McIntyre 235, 232, 226, 693, Vincent Scuderi 255, 612, George Battle Jr. 201, 213, Frank Muller Jr. 211, 223, 609, Larry Berens 213, 200, 610, Dean Shattuck 225, Art Eggleton 201, John Hoffmann 216, Tom Belgiovene 234, Vinnie Collura 247, 233, Rich Hendricks 225, 601, Al Caycho 214, 245, 638, Eugene Morton 226, Eddie Lake 267, 279, 235, 781, Shaun Lyons 226, 205, 601, Anthony Atkins 235, Tim Minton 217, 237, 614, Wayne Atkins 233, Chris Magie 222, David Porter Jr. 213, William Danchak 257, Frank DiCostanzo 235, 224, 626, Rick Lake 202 and Frank Scuderi 244.
In the Thursday Ladies league Rita Burdick scored a 187, Barbara Durbak 190, 502, April Aldrich 183, Sue Vazquez 217, 553, Valerie Fersch 185, Mari Jane Conklin 197, Joan Lake 183, 504 and Joyce Haring 180, 502.
In the Saturday Morning Youth leagues, in the Pee Wees division A. Edwards scored a 60, R. Schreiber 83, G. VanAken 88, E. Jones 93 and C. Jones 72. In the Bantams division S. Patel scored a 112, 122. In the Preps division S. Patel scored a 96, R. Patel 110, 133, M. Hope 136 and N. Scudari 79. In the Jr/Mjrs division A. Bock scored a 121, S. Patel 173, C. Israel 141, S. Comfort 98, 109, M. Brown 111, M. Scuderi 179, 199, P. Agapito III a 233, N. Price 194, S. Deitchman 202, 196, 207, C. Ciliberto 126, 107, E. Walsh 210, J. Durland 219. 221, J. Friedman 141, K. Gessman 143, M. Edwards 133, 145, 171 and B. Fraser 117.

This column is written by Ed Townsend, a professional consultant to the professional sport of bowling. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Tri-County NY USBC where he serves as Chairman of the Publicity Committee. If you have a topic that you believe would make good reading or have league scores or tournament information, Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177 or by sending an email to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com For a much more expanded version of our bowling column visit our Web site at http://bght.blogspot.com