BOWLING HIGHLIGHTS

                                      Expect Raucous Crowds In Maine

  For the only Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) event on the East Coast this year the PBA expects the same rousing, raucous crowds when it returns to Bayside Bowl in Portland Maine March 30-April 6.
  Under normal PBA televised events bowling crowds are quite and respectful when bowlers get up to the line to bowl but this wasn't the case last year in the PBA league competition when raucous crowds let it all hang out with their cheering, hooting and music playing and to the surprise of many the PBA professional bowlers encouraged it and enjoyed it.
  A number of PBA professionals we talked to about the event felt that the outrageously fun filled team event was a good thing for bowling and put the crowd right into the competition.
  The draft to fill rosters for 2016 was completed in December.
  The eight-team PBA league will compete in two days of team competition on April 2 and 3 for delayed telecast over a span of four consecutive Sundays,April 17-May 8 on ESPN.
  All four PBA league shows will air at 1 p.m. ET.
  The remaining days of competition at Maine, April 4-6 will be the PBA Xtra Frame Maine Shootout which is individual competition.
  Team competition will remain the same as 2015 with preliminary rounds featuring the Baker-format elimination matches leading to the Elias Cup Finals which will be decided by points earned in singles, doubles, trio and Baker team matches.
  The PBA's return to Portland will include a day of practice and pro-am activity when Maine adult, youth and senior league bowlers will have a chance to bowl with the stars of the PBA, followed by two days of the Baker-format team competition.
  Other factors that make this Professional Bowlers Association event so much different then others is that this PBA event is being housed in a converted warehouse with 12 lanes , a bar, a stage with a performance venue and live music and an what pro bowlers have told us is an "awesome atmosphere" not seen at other large 48-lane bowling complexes.
  We have been told that Bayside Bowl has exposed brick walls, an open feel, cool lighting, custom woodwork benches and tables and it makes one start to think is this something new for professional bowling events?
  The good news reported out of Baside Bowl is that they are building 8 more lanes in 2016, now sure if these will be up and available for this April PBA event.
  How this event landed in such a small venue is something we are attempting to find out because the PBA always said it needed at least 48-lanes for their competition events.
  And once again we repeat.... the professional bowlers and ball reps we have talked to say they just love Bayside Bowl and its rousing, raucous atmosphere.
  This event sounds so interesting and unique that we might consider stopping by and covering this event live and in person.

                                                      Ed's Outlook

  Sponsorship's are the lifeblood of bowling events and the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) has picked three big sponsorship's for their 2016 tour.
  DV8 and Motiv bowling balls and accessories will have their brands showcased on the PWBA's tour in 2016.
  Pepsi has been named the official soft drink of the 2016 PWBA Tour and an official sponsor.
  Nationwide will be the official insurance sponsor of the tour and is part of a new sponsorship with the PWBA and will be the title sponsor of the Nationwide PWBA Sonoma County Open in Rohnert Park, California set for May 5-8.
  As an official sponsor these three will be featured throughout the PWBA Tour season on CBS Sports Network.

  Ed Townsend is a PR Consultant for the Sport of Bowling and compiles the information for this column. If you have league scores, tournament information, score a 300 game or 800 series call Ed at 845-439-8177, 845-866-0333 or email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com, fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and Ed's photos online at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

                                                                      The Bowling Tip
                                                                 By Mike Luongo

  The past two weeks we have been talking about the importance of the mental part of the game of bowling.
  We keep stressing the mental bowling skills and how to achieve them using years of practice that will allow you to mentally propare yourself to play the best game that you possibly can.
  Mental preparation before competition can be complex but with practice your game will soar with success.
  Truly thinking about the developing your mental game when practicing and in real play is a great way to improve your game.
  Key reminder here..... your body only does what your brain tells it to do.
  The hard part for some exceptional bowlers is actually the self criticism. As a good bowler you are judged much more than the guy or gal who just doesn't care about how they bowl.
  The mental bowling skills can become a double edged sword sometimes.
  Say you have a bad shot....remember..... don't distress over this small blunder....just brush it off and forget about it.
  The total Psychology of your play can be a never-ending list of affirmations and having a game plan always works.
  Bowling without a good idea of what you need to visualize is just bowling.
  Bowling to sharpen and hone your skills is championship bowling.
  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

                                                            Beechwood Lanes
                                
                                                        Mon. Villa Roma Ladies

  Jamie Bertholf 158, Janet Bertholf 150, Nicole Hubert 162, Diane Staves 154, Lois Erdman 209, Beth Schumacher 170, Tracy Puerschner 181, 158, 166, 505, Danielle Meyer 181, 170.

                                                   Callicoon Kristal Bowl

                                                                     Mon. Hortonville Ladies

  Marty Bogdanowitz 151, Charlene Meola 155, Kelly Gombita 163, 153, Lillian Zieres 172, 150, 172, Debbie Loughrey  163, Robin Lucky 188, Virginia Connel 153, Barbara Pingel 157, Judy Mohn 176, 157, Florence Good 157, Kristin Emmett 169.      

                                                          Tues. Del. Valley Men's

  Dean Shattuck 212, 242, 628, Kory Keesler 200, 212, 190, 602, Jim Kautz 227, 186, 204, 617, Ed Leroy 180, 190, 183, Bob Cady 202, 207, Russ Keesler 188, 185, Bill Meyer 212, Kurt Buddenhagen 212, Chris Marston 216, Troy Paruki 199, 200, Nick Mootz 234, Jeff Neidert 182, Jonathan Heinle 198, Wally Warren 191, Dale Steffens 200.

                                                             Wednesday Men's

  Bobby Fix Jr. 235, 233, 644, Brian Brustman 183, 182, Brian Kitson 192, John Kline 189, 184, Rich Thony 203, Mike Aumick 198, Rick Leaden 191, Steve Mutter 181, 183, Randy Fischer 189, Tom Gain 188, Johnny Glassel 186, Bobby Glassel 212, 203, John Diehl 202, 212, Hopper Hubert 190, Alby Thony 188, Mark Yewchuck 224, Joel Turner 202, Sami Markao 188, Doug Kautz 182, Roger Widmann 185, 182.  

                                                                  Kiamsesha Lanes

                                                                         Monday Men's

  Rodney DeGrote Jr. 235, 240, 235, 710, Keith Smith 624, Charlie Tuttle 244, 679, David Graham 257, 637, Kenny Atkins 269, 717, Larry Whipple 622, George Baggatta 225, 632, Justin Lopez 255, 602, Rick Lake 227, 625, Corey Williams Jr. 617, Josh Strang 257, 644, Jason Jones Jr. 277, 677, Justin Holland 256, 634, Pedro Agapito III a 257, 238, 708, Kevin Stackhouse 232, 259, 252, 743, Ronald Totten 245, 673, Vinny Scuderi 225, Frank Scuderi 225, 242, 633, Jaryl Scott 247, 646, Vinnie Collura 227, 235, 664, Donny Durland 236, 236, 688, Lloyd Bridges 226, 611, Tom Belgiovene 226, 636, Rudy Belanchia 228, 244, 642, James VanAken 244, 648, Rob Sze 242, 628, Mike Weiner 233, 635, Rich Feeney 226, Ryan Feeney 606, Robert Feeney Sr. 632, Jody Farquhar 603, John Hoffmann 227, 228, 635.

                                                            Tues. Mixed Firefighters

  Robert Nicholson 230, Edward Walsh 249, 668, Charlie Tuttle 248, 644, Andrea Grossman 199, 209, 571, Wendy Swan 205, 548, Pedro Agapito III a 233, 237, 234, 704, Ed Guthrie 235, 601, John Hoffmann 225, Karen Martin 203, 539, Niel Bell 246, Liz Stubits 199, 533, Debbie Polin 202, 198, 222, 622, Trasey Barres 188, 508, Larry Whipple 235, 226, 683, Christie Graham 190, 201, 551, Carena Collura 184, 193, 234, 611, Stanley Gilmore 245, 603.

                                                              Wednesday Men's

  Justin Lopez 225, 234, 649, Lawrence Whipple 235, 269, 716, Dave Graham 225, 234, 226, 685, Pedro Agapito III a 234, 244, 255, 733, Richard Bradford 257, 618, Jon Wilhelm 612, Kyle Giordano 244, 245, 684, Chris Parken 249, 665, Charles Tuttle 269, 674, Kyle Matthews 225, 621, Merrill Conner 234, 660, Carlos Torres 237, 613, Robert Stewart 228, 615, Gene Smith 225, 631, Russell Bivins 601.

                                                                   Thursday Ladies

  Sarah Durland 182, 190, 213, 585, Kearstin DeGraw 187, Debbie Polin 221, Audrey Woolard 184, Shirley Bowens 187, 234, Dottie Cox 206, Mary Chicko 187, Ann Sawyer 233, Mary Jane Conklin 182, Joan Lake 201, Barbara Merton 199, Connie McKenley 183, Pat Shuart 209, Debbie Heins 181, Trasey Barres 204, 189, Maureen Hopper 181, Valerie Mott 183, Sherry Laird 207, Lisa Cartwright 186, Cara Nicholson 193, 188.