1-10-14 Bowling Highlights

FRIDAY, 1-10-14 BOWLING HIGHLIGHTS

What Is The Fate Of The PBA?

  When organizations make a budget and fail to meet revenue projections there always comes a bit of uncertainty as to the future growth or even the continued existence of that organization.

  Such has been the case for the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) the past several years and the severe changes they have had to make to keep their heads above the water, 

  Some five years ago the PBA stopped a majority of their tour events which was popular both with the bowlers and the many bowling fans who enjoyed traveling to see the top bowlers in the world compete.

  The PBA instead introduced their World Series Of Bowling and during the early fall months held seven of their championship events at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas where the events are taped by ESPN for presentation starting in December. 

  Both bowling fans and many of the professional bowlers have expressed their displeasure with this format but the PBA said it was too expensive traveling from city to city.

  We personally miss traveling to Latham, Cheektowaga, Long Island, Norwich, Conn. and Baltimore, Md. for PBA tour events and now only have one venue, the Masters which is held at the Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick, NJ.

  Now expense cuts have been forced upon the PBA and changes they adopted included eliminating the Indianapolis competition that included the Tournament of Champions (TOC) and the PBA League Elias Cup Finals and moving the TOC to the already scheduled Detroit competition in January and the Elias Cup Finals to North Brunswick, NJ the night of Sunday, Feb. 23, the TV finals date of the USBC Masters.

  This move saved the organization a couple hundred thousand dollars of production expenses.

  These moves also affected PBA League prize money while the USBC Masters Championship in New Jersey, Feb. 17-23 has not been impacted by the cuts.

  The fate of the Summer Swing, which is tied to a CBS Sports Network contract that has two years left on it, appears to be up in the air and if revenue can't be raised for it then it could be cut.

  The PBA has made it very clear that the 2014 Wold Series of Bowling is definitely on for this coming fall at South Point in Las Vegas.

  The changes in the PBA League teams schedule and new format does effect some of the credibility of this competition.

  Could all of these major changes bring the PBA another step closer to the grave for this organization?

  The PBA is clearly struggling and they are fighting for survival......but so is the sport of bowling....this next year will be interesting. 

Ed's Outlook

  One of the major changes in United States Bowling Congress (USBC) league competition has been the introduction by many bowling establishments of short-season leagues.

  These leagues consisting of 16 sessions (weeks) or fewer are continually gaining in popularity because bowlers consider the 32 to 36 weeks of league bowling as just too long as leagues start in early September and end in late April or early May. 

  Bowling establishments are also seeing the same amount of league bowlers for the same amount of weeks as under the older format.

  With the gaining popularity of the short season beginning on March 1 bowlers competing in short-season leagues, 16 weeks or fewer, can purchase USBC sanctions at $10 (not including state and local association fees).

  That's half the full-season cost and enables bowlers to compete in local, state and national tournaments.

Barrett Wins PBA

World Championship

  England's Dom Barrett became the second international player ever to win the PBA World Championship, defeating Sean Rash, 238-235 in the ESPN title match aired December 29.

  This was the fifth and final PBA Tour Championship event this season  held as part of the PBA World Series of Bowling V.

Ed Townsend, a PR Consultant  for the sport of bowling, writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league scores,  tournament information, score a 300 game or 800 series, or even score your age, call Ed at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's pictures at http://bght.blogspot.com. We are also on Facebook and Twitter. 

Bowling Tip

By Mike Luongo

  How many times to you end up out of balance at the foul like when delivering a bowling ball.

  This week our tip will help with this problem.

  If you find yourself unable to finish your delivery in a strong balanced position, it may be a result of your follow through.

  It is important that when you follow through on your delivery, you do not reach out with your arm, but up with your follow through. 

  The reason?

  If you reach out, the weight of the ball will pull your upper body forward and may cause you to lose your balance. If you reach up, you can stay planted in a strong, solid position to deliver your bowling ball with accuracy and leverage.

  Mike Luongo is a certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor, USBC Silver Level Coach and an Advisor-Special Events assistant with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. Have a question, call him at 435-720-7939 or email at mikel@stormbowling.com 

Local Scores

(compiled by Ed Townsend)

Callicoon Kristal Bowl

Mon. Hortonville Ladies

  Sue Naughton 165, 169, Lillian Zieres 189, 162, 171, 522, Pat Peters 183, 166, Rebecca Rhodes 151, Joyce Brooks 161, Debbie Loughrey 161, 208, 514, Deedee Schrader 163, Judy Mohn 175, Dawn Roemer 150.

Fox Bowling Center

Friday Mixed Couples

  Andy Bullis 246, 279, 749, Crystal Ellis 210, 522, Dana McGraw 224, 187, 184, 595, Dan Wormuth 247, 269, 738, Jeremy Wormuth 278, 632.

Saturday Youth

  Bantam league Nathaniel Hendrickson 103, Devin Lester 104, Anton Leonard 119, Billy Gilmore 103, Breaunna Gilmore 112, Bethany Brown 115, 116, Emily Brown 101, Mckenzy Brown 101, Brenna Gleim 130, 116, Junior league Katrina Lester 166, Kristy Capel 159, Brooke Rosengrant 166. 

Sunday Mixed Fun

  Brenna Gleim (youth girls) 109, 131, 124, Beth Gleim 187, 514, Marty Haeussler  240, 234, 647, Reva Jones 182, 220, 185, 587, Donnie Marino 246, 237, 686, Garry Mills 235, Savanna Mills (youth girls) 189, 137, 136, 462. 

Kiamesha Lanes

Monday Men's

 Kyle Giordano 239, 664, Alex Fallon 232, 658, Frank Eichenlaub 258, 236, 699, Keith Smith 235, 258, 243, 736, Dave Graham 278, 712, Mike Amore 247, Armen Murad 225, 654, Francisco Martinez 621, Jody Farquhar 227, 614, Al Caycho 256, 225, 654, Brett Budd 252, 665, Charlie Tuttle 238, Tim McIntyre 257, 660, Josh Strang 600, Jim VanAken 622, Eddie Lake 237, 633, Rick Lake 258, 247, 236, 741, Shane Connor 259, 677, Dan Ricco 226, 238, 641, Mike Weiner 234, 231, 626, Greg Fallon 239, 660, Vinnie Collura 266, 704, Don Durland 226, 289, 255, 770, Rudy Belanchia 267, 664, John Fischer 227, 245, 257, 729, Jon Wilhelm 246, 232, 689, Kevin Stackhouse 650, John Hoffmann 246, 245, 678, Pedro Agapito 244, 257, 724, Walt Edwards 609, AC Patel 226, 232, 679, Todd Houghtaling 236, 616, Kenny Atkins 244, 604, Larry Whipple 229, 227, 232, 688. 

Thursday Ladies

  Lisa Cartwright 234, Mary Lee Williams 205, 212, 209, 626, Monica Morris 201, Audrey Woolard 184, 193, 199, 576, Denise Collins 180, Kelly Shattuck 186, Valerie Fersch 202, 187, Pat Shuart 187, Karen Gabriel 203, Pat Gibson 198, Debbie Polin 194, Trasey Barres 191.