Bowling Highlights Column 1-8-10

USBC To Roll Our 3 New Oil Patterns

For the past several months, the United States Bowling Congress Equipment Specifications and Certifications team has been testing the new USBC Red, White and Blue patterns, newly created “house” oil patterns designed to present bowlers with conditions of varying difficulty as they progress from beginning bowlers to USBC Sport Bowling members.
To date, the results of all field tests have fallen in line with USBC’s intended and predicted ranges regarding scoring pace and equity to bowlers of all styles; nevertheless, USBC was looking for a higher level of affirmation regarding the Red, White and Blue patterns. That’s just what it got during the Pepsi Red, White and Blue Open presented by the USBC, which was held Dec. 7-13 at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kan.
During that event, USBC analyzed the scores of the 24 bowlers that advanced to match play because those players rolled 16 games on each of the three oil patterns, Red, White and Blue. This group, which featured both right-handed and left-handed bowlers of varying bowling styles, was tracked in order to determine whether the Red, White and Blue patterns displayed the same difficulty typical league bowlers experienced – Red being the least challenging, Blue being the most challenging – and whether or not that difficulty was distributed equitably.
“Interestingly, the PBA players scored higher on the White pattern than on the Red,” said Neil Stremmel, USBC Vice President – National Governing Body. “This was not a surprise because the extreme wall on the Red pattern that helps average bowlers can actually hurt elite players by causing their balls to over- and under-react. Still, in a typical league setting, our data shows Red will be the highest scoring of the three patterns.
“But what was truly encouraging about this event was the fairness the three patterns showed to all bowlers. Just look at the TV finalists. You have two lefties (Patrick Allen and Mike Scroggins) and four righties (Walter Ray Williams Jr., Mike Machuga, Michael Fagan and Wayne Garber) that represent every style – straight players, high-rev players and everything in between. That just goes to show that nobody is shut out on these patterns. Players of all styles can succeed, and that is exactly what we expected to see.”
The USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications team also expected high scores, which it got as the five-day tournament featured several bowlers averaging in excess of 240 as well as a Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour-record 31 perfect games.
“The scores were very high, but people need to realize the Red, White and Blue patterns are house patterns, not USBC Sport Bowling or PBA patterns,” USBC Technical Director Steve Kloempken said. “Even the USBC Blue pattern, which is the hardest of the three, is a great deal less challenging than what the PBA pros bowl on week in and week out. Remember, these are the best bowlers in the world. They routinely average 220 or better on most of their patterns, so it really isn’t surprising to see them average 10-20 pins higher on the Red, White and Blue house patterns.”
If the results of current tests continue to fall in line, USBC will finalize the initial testing process and move forward by gathering data at select city and state tournaments this spring. Currently, USBC is still on track for a Fall 2010 roll out of these new patterns.

The Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This week the tip if for all bowlers to truly assist you on how to b est use the dots 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, simply 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 eyes back so 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 eyes more toward the dots.
If you are a bowler that tends to play more across the boards with a lot of traction, 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 3-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 Master Instructor. He is also a Silver Level Coach with the USBC and is a Sales Advisor and Special Events Coordinator 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 341-1694 or vie e-mail at mikespro@warwick.net

PBA

The Pepsi Red, White and Blue Open presented by the United States Bowling Congress will be this Sunday's (January 10) PBA event.
This tournament was previously taped on December 13 at Northrock Lanes, Wichita, Kan. and will air on ESPN at 1 p.m. ET.

Local Scores

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men's league include a 279, 268, 768 by Jaryl Scott, Vinnie Collura 257, 234, 692, Donald Durland 265, 226, 704, James VanAken 236, 232, 685, John Hoffmann 225, 258, 705, John Fischer 226, Jo Jo VanKeuren 232, 268, 667, Jon Wilhelm 622, Frank Scuderi 243, 623, Roy Sweeney 226, 611, Eddie Lake 266, 670, Rick Lake 622, Lloyd Bridges 227, 615, James Frost 622, Frank Amore 603, Robert Sze 230, 608, Kort Wheeler 234, 238, 692, Steven Rivera 228, 661, Mal Press 258, 672, Cory VanKeuren 245, 258, 701.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league Carena Collura 201, 540, Carol MacAdam 183, Pat Mulhern 613, Vinnie Collura 256, 258, 707, Linda Robinson 182, Lisa Cartwright 524, Matt Cooper 254, Andrea Grossman 205, 214, 594, Russ Keesler 233, 614, Crystal Price 205, 245, 606, Fran Kaiser 180, 222, 568, Daniel VanAken 234, 640, Debbie Durland 236, 206, 620, Mal Press 628, Jon Wilhelm 234, 645, Donald Durland 229, 623, Ed Guthrie 256, 236, 675, Mary Lee Williams 189, 516, Joan Lake 199, 194, 222, 615, Shane Cunningham 266, 623, Kevin Stackhouse 235, John Hoffmann 278, 248, 258, 784, Eddie Lake 236, 665, Robert Nicholson 266, Donna DuBois 202, 195, 541.
In the Wednesday Men's league George VanAken Jr. 630, Kenny Atkins 231, 650, Kenneth Hopkins 244, 613, Craig Wilhelm 226, Kevin Stackhouse 653, John Lopez 225, Dave Porter Jr. 228, George Battle Jr. 259, Allan Jones 245, 235, 672, Paul Durland 227, Dale Sonnenschein 258, 661, Josh Strang 247, 633, John Hoffmann 268, 235, 248, 751, Jody Farquhar 235, Tim McIntyre 243, 247, 236, 726, Michael Travis 245, 630, Vincent Degraw 601, Troy Morris 247, Eddie Lake 268, 233, 225, 726, Gregory Fallon 226, 277, 684, Matt Fallon 233, 622, Jon Wilhelm 605.

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Wednesday Men's Independent league included a 236 by Tom Anderson, Dave Benedict 226, Mike Bowker 243, 625, Cody Conway 246, 600, Jim Dibble 237, 606, Dylan Green 252, 615, Paul Ignatovich 253, 227, 683, Rob Johnson 259, 264, 745, Pat Kille 246, 244, 234, 724, Jerry Kulakosky 258, 662, Donnie Marino 266, 268, 278, 812, Josh Milucky 265, 687Mitch Persbacker 242, Charlie Reichenbaugh 236, Josh Rice 238, Sam Rowe 234, 653, Jonathon Wayne 228, 233, 648, Hank Whitmore 609, Zuke Wormuth 253, 672, Ken Wormuth 257, Jay Wormuth 237, 645, Tony Wright 269, 230, 670.
In the Sunday Afternoon Mixed Fun league Marty Haeussler 243, 246, 704, Don Marino 622, Rick Mills 226, Fred Shakelton 231.

Beechwood Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Ladies league include a 183 by Wendy Adams, Tracey Puerschner 179, Karen Borowski 167, Diane Staves 177, 160, Barbara Cady 174.
In the Tuesday Ladies league Debbie Loughrey 165, 440. Lillian Zieres 164, 448 Rebecca Rhodes 443.

This column is written by Ed Townsend, a public relations consultant to the amateur and professional sport of bowling and to several bowling writers associations. If you have a topic that would make good reading or have league and tournament scores and information, Ed can be reached at 439-8177, vie e-mail at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com and by fax at 230-8674. For a more expanded version of the bowling column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com