BOWLING HIGHLIGHTS

                  

BRUNSWICK HELPING TO GROW THE SPORT

    If amateur and youth bowlers want to learn the correct way to bowl the Brunswick PBA "Mini Camp" program is a great opportunity.
  This instruction program rolled into Pat Tarsio Lanes in Newburgh April 2 along with professional and PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III and professionals Sean Rash, Jason Sterner, Ryan Ciminelli,  Tom Smallwood and Brunswick's PBA Tour Representative and Product Specialist Chuck Gardner.
   Twenty-nine youth and adult league amateur bowlers signed up and paid the basic tuition fee of $225 or the ball upgrade package price of $350 where they received their choice of a Brunswick or DV8 bowling bowling ball.
  Sponsors of this "Mini Camp" was the Hudson Valley Bowling Supply Pro-Shop owned and managed by Karen and Steve Beam and Pete Garrison.
  The camp consisted of  a seven-hour program including lane play instruction, video instruction,  ball layout information, autographs and pictures with the pros and lunch.
  Basics introduced by Parker Bohn III prior to on lane instructions included the importance of before bowling exercise of the wrist and arms, squatting, bending and touching your toes or your knees and leaning against the ball return for stretching out your legs and body.
  Additionally bowlers learned how to establish a solid foundation at the foul line, the push away and being on the right step for final delivery.
  Brunswick Rep and Product Specialist Chuck Gardner, a former professional bowler, in an exclusive interview with us noted he has been a tour rep since 2002 as that was his last year on tour as a bowler as a result of nine knee surgeries.
  Chuck then joined Columbia Industries as a coach and worked with professionals Wes Malott, Chris Barnes and  Bill O'Neill.
  When Columbia was sold to Ebonite Gardner left and joined the Brunswick staff and has been with them for eight years.
  Chuck pointed out that the Brunswick "Mini Camp" program is the "brainchild of Parker Bohn III, Sean Rash and myself."
  "We put this together to bring to bowlers the awareness of just getting better because we believe the reason people quit bowling is because they don't improve and get better at this sport," Gardner said.
  Chuck pointed out that "if we can touch 600 to 800 people a year doing these camps and if we can make a difference touching that many people it's so worth it for us."
  The Brunswick ball rep acknowledged the fact that the bowling industry and league bowling had dropped dramatically and was going in a very bad direction the past several years "but it has now leveled out and in the past two years high performance ball sales are actually up so I think we have seen the worst and I feel bowling is on a tread to get better."
  Gardner strongly feels that "if more professional bowlers and people who make a difference in the industry would take a little initiative and start giving back a little bit and doing the right thing I really think we can turn the whole sport around."
  "This is what we at Brunswick wants to do.....to give back," Chuck said.
  Stressing the fact that what he is doing is not easy, Chuck said he put in 140,000 miles last year flying and slept in a motel 265 nights. He acknowledged he is now 56 and intends to retire at the age of 60 to his home in Charlotte, NC.
  When asked where Brunswick stands in sales of equipment Gardner didn't hesitate in saying "we're second to Storm and they are doing a great job selling a lot of bowling balls as they are  on TV every week and have the biggest pro staff on tour but we are a little more grass roots oriented whereby we sponsor local tournaments,  sponsor leagues and we do these camps so it's just a different way of approaching it."
  PHOTOS OF THIS EVENT ARE SEEN AT THE END OF THIS COLUMN.

Ed's Outlook

  What a great time we had spending several hours with the Brunswick "Mini Camp" staff at Newburgh last week.
  The opportunity we use to have of bowling, chatting or socializing with the PBA professionals at the many tour stops in Latham, Cheektowaga and Long Island in New York and in Norwich, Conn. and at the Carolier Lanes in New Jersey are now just fond memories as the only pro tour stop now in the Northeast is USBC Open at Carolier Lanes and that takes place on alternating years.
  We've been friends of Parker and Leslie Bohn for a number of years now and my wife Shirley was the recipient of a nice hug and kiss from Parker at Newburgh last week. The Bohn family are down to earth nice people and Shirley and I and grandson Rodney remember well spending time with them in their travel home parked in back of the Thruway Lanes in  Cheektowaga.
  We miss those days of being able to get close to the bowlers.....like the night we spent socializing with Norm Duke at Cheektowaga..... but according to the pros attending the Newburgh "Mini Camp" some changes might be coming down the pike as a result of the PBA League competition that took place in a small 12-lane bowling center in Portland, Maine.
  The atmosphere in Maine was unique, with fans cheering loudly and music blaring in the background throughout the competition and the pros loved the high level of enthusiasm.
  "Great and we want to do this more often," the pros last week told us. Parker Bohn III said, "it was electrifying to the max...we use to bowl in an arena in Erie, Pa. with 4,000 noisy fans but that was nothing compared to this,"Bohn said.
  The 12-lane Maine bowling center might signal a change in attitude by the Professional Bowlers Association with this center being converted into a two-lane arena for the PBA league team competition and the pros we talked with last week said they loved "the fun-loving crowd of bowling fans who cheered non-stop throughout the team matches."
  Wes Malott and his teammates also embraced the non-stop roar of the crowd, saying, "who wouldn't like it...it's a little different kind of atmosphere but we could get used to it."
  It would do the sport well to see some PBA events scheduled in small bowling centers...let's cross our fingers on this one.

Pittsburgh & LA  X
Win Team Events

  The HotelPlanner.com Pittsburgh Jack Rabbits and Wheaties L.A. X won semifinal matches in the PBA League Elias Cup playoffs seen on ESPN last Sunday afternoon and bowled at Bayside Bowl in Portland, Maine.
  With their victories they will join the Brooklyn Styles and the Silver Lake Atom Splitters in the semifinal round this Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN.
  Both of these best of two-game matches ended in 1-1 ties, forcing the one-ball roll-offs which were both decided by a single pin.
  Team bowlers on the Pittsburgh Jack Rabbits include Wes Malott, Dan MacLelland, Ryan Ciminelli, Walter Ray Williams and Bryon Smith.
  L.A. X bowlers include Jason Belmonte, Stuart Williams, Martin Larsen, Patrick Allen and Andres Gomez.

  Ed Townsend, a PR consultant to 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, 845-866-0333, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column at http://bght.blogspot.com  We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

  Due to the length of our feature story and pictures Mike Luongo's bowling tip was held over for next week's column.

Local Scores
(compiled by Ed Townsend)

Beechwood Lanes

Monday Ladies

  Diane Staves 172, Diane Conroy 158, Barbara Cady 166, Nicole Herbert 150, Janet Bertholf 156, 215, 507, Trish Ellmauer 152.

Callicoon Kristal Lanes

Mon. Hortonville Ladies

  The Affordable Home Improvement team are the 2014-15 league champions. Team members include Heidi Schick, Dawn Roemer, Kim Doty and Mardette Wilcox.
  Individual league scores include Jane Benson 154, 194, Pat Peters 165, 179, Opal Hocker 166, Barbara Pingel 157, Judy Mohn 180, 163, Dawn Roemer 156, 162, Mardette Wilcox 201, 233, 566, Marty Bogdanowitz 156, Joann Bowers 156, 162, Kirsten Sherwood 159, 168, 172, Charlene Meola 163, 162, Sue Naughton 192, 172, 510, Kelly Gombita 165, 194, Lillian Zieres 188, 164, 176, 528, Debbie Loughrey 165, 169, 152.

Tues. Del. Valley Men's

  League champions for the 2014-15 league season is the Lawn Dr team consisting of Roy Holmquist, Chris Berner, Bob Cady, Dean Shattuck and Dave Graham.
  Individual league scores include Samii Markao 191, Bob Head 184, 183, Joey Gager 183, 214, Gregg Burton 213, 190, Erik Burton 212, Eric Kubenick 190, Mark Yewchuck 222, 184, Bruce Rutledge 201, Jonathan Heinle 186, 225, Gary Maas 196, Jamie Grier 181, Bill Meyer 184, 192, Chris Marston 186, 255, 210, 651, Kurt Buddenhagen 186, 180, Joe Meyer 189, 199, Troy Paruki 189, Mike Sorge 182, Eugene Fulton 185, Jim Kautz 194, 211, Chris Berner 244, 190, Bob Cady 187, 224, 220, 631, Dean Shattuck 223, 224, 224, 671, Ed Leroy 180, 210, Kris Rasmussen 183, 213, Kory Keesler 192, 206, Cima Bue 194, 233, Wally Warren 191, 200, Albert Tyles 200, 212, Jackie Brockner 196.

 Kiamesha Lanes

 Monday Men's

  Rob Sez 226, 254, 658, Matt Fallon 639, Kyle Mathews 235, 243, 672, Eddie Lake 246, 225, 664, Rick Lake 258, 642, Jaryl Scott 232, 632, Vinny Collura 235, 257, 709, Donny Durland 252, 699, John Fischer 247, 227, 687, Jon Wilhelm 247, 225, 682, Tim Minton 226, 235, 672, Lloyd Bridges 249, 256, 268, 773, George Baggatta 634, Kenny Atkins 227, 263, 704, Michael Amore 601, John Hoffmann 259, 235, 709, John Lopez 233, 230, 642, Shane Conner 280, 702, Mike Weiner 235, 612, Jason Jones Sr. 227, Pedro Agapito III a 259, 267, 268, 794, Kevin Stackhouse 246, 634, Walt Edwards 235, 225, 666, Michael Scuderi 624, Michael Travis 249, 264, 700, Vincent DeGraw 236, 226, 644, Jim Piontek 256, 656, Gary North 651, Charlie Tuttle 236, 238, 643, Keith Smith 243, 659, Larry Berens 234, 633, Francisco Martinez 238, 603, Jody  Farquhar 233, Al Caycho 236, 606.

Tues. Mixed Firefighters

  Trasey Barres 221, 204, 207, 632, Mary Lee Williams 181, 182, 185, 548, Wendy Swan 180, 192, 534, Karen Martin 193, 182, 531, Carena Collura 516, Joan Lake 180, 183, 502, Heather Dobell 185, Regina Minena 203, John Hoffmann 279, 268, 245, 792, Jaryl Scott 235, 279, 227, 741, Laresko Niifa 256, 246, 670, Russ Keesler 234, 669, Pedro Agapito III a 240, 226, 651, George Baggatta 632, Edward Walsh 242, 614, George Kelley 606, Frank Amore 605.

 Thursday Ladies

  Joan Lake 191, 200, Liz Stubits 180, 190, Sherry Larid 190, 202, Lisa Cartwright 193, 182, Lynn Winters 189, Connie Beach 193, Maureen Hopper 248, Karen Martin 206, Valerie Fersch 204, Barbara Merton 194, Liz Burgio 184, Trasey Barres 201, 195, Debbie Polin 224, 213, 184, 621, Audrey Woolard 181, Cindy Short 195, T. Tuttle 182, Cara Nicholson 204, 183, Monica Lane 204.

 
PHOTOS TAKEN AT THE BRUNSWICK "MINI CAMP" AT PAT TARSIO LANES IN NEWBURGH APRIL 2.

 

                                                    

 
Professional PBA tour players and Hudson Valley Bowling Supply Pro  Shop Staff owners taking part in the April 2 Brunswick "Mini Camp" program at Pat Tarsio Lanes included, from the left, PBA player Sean Rash, Pro-Shop owner Karen Beam.  Pro-Shop owner Pete Garrison, PBA player Jason Sterner, PBA player Ryan Ciminelli, PBA Tour Rep and former professional bowler Chuck Gardner, Pro-Shop owner Steve Beam, PBA player Tom Smallwood, PBA player and Hall of Fame member Parker Bohn III and Pro-Shop staff member Steve Marsh.

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PBA Professional and Hall of Fame member Parker Bohn III along with Brunswick PBA Tour Rep Chuck Gardner shows bowlers  some of the exercise methods that should be performed before starting to bowl.
                                          
                                                        

Brunswick PBA Tour Rep and Product Specialist Chuck Gardner examines a bowling ball for ball layout information. 

                 

                                                      

                                                             

                                                             

  

                                      
                                                                                   

                                                               

                     

                                                                           

                                 

                                                                             

                                                                                 

                                                                             

                                                                                  

                                                                                     

                                                                            

                                                                                     

                                                                               

BOWLING HIGHLIGHTS

Durland Flirts With 900 Series

                                                                

  Twenty-six year-old Wurtsboro bowler Donald Durland has been flirting this past year with scoring three 300 games in a row for a 900 series....... the ultimate dream of every kegler who steps out on the lanes. 
  Donald is considered by many bowling experts as one of the premier men bowlers in the Tri-State area and last summer while bowling at Pat Tarsio Lanes in Newburgh he scored his highest 800 plus series with games of 270, 299, 280 for a 849.
  On the night of March 23 in the Monday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes what better way to start thinking about a 900 series than to blast the maples for a 300 in the first game.
  Settling into the second game with three strikes in a row a perfect pocket hit results in a 7-10 split in the fourth frame as Donald then strikes out for a 266.
  The third game was also looking good for Durland as he posted seven strikes in a row before getting hit with a stone seven pin in the eighth. (A stone 7 pin hit is a solid in the pocket strike ball that does not carry the 7 pin).
  Durland struck out from the eighth frame on for a 279 and a 845 series, missing that perfect 900 series by 55 pins.
  The 845 was bowled on lanes 13 & 14 using a Storm Crossover bowling ball.
  He presently carries a 233 average in the Monday Men's league.  
  Donald bowls Monday night with team mates Jaryl Scott, Paul Durland and Vinnie Collura.
  Durland's excellent performance on the lanes is presently resulting in a 242 in  the Kiamesha Lanes  Wednesday Men's league and a 227 average as a sub Tuesday in a Kingston league.
  Donald opened the 300 bowling club this season at Kiamesha Lanes by recording the first perfect game on the Monday Men's first league night for the 2013-14 season.
  He recorded his first-ever 300 game during the 2005-06 season as a youth bowler in the Saturday Morning Youth leagues at Kiamesha Lanes.
  His steady growth over the past several years has given him interest in competing in Professional Bowling Association regional tournaments and he did this year bowl in one Major PBA event..
  Donald is part of the famed Durland bowling family as his mother Debbie is one of the premier women bowlers in the Tri-County area and his father Paul and younger brother James maintain the high Durland family bowling standards.
  Bowling since the age of five, Donald has been bowling for 23 years. He is single and is employed by the Post Office department as a city carrier assistant.

Brooklyn Styles &
Silver Lake Advance

  The state of Maine hosted for the first time in  Professional Bowlers Association history a tour stop in their state when the  PBA League competition aired last Sunday on ESPN.
  With a sold-out crowd cheering loudly (except when Pete Weber bowled), the Concrete Software Brooklyn Styles and Bass Pro Shops Silver Lake Splitters each won a one-ball sudden-death roll off to advance to the semifinal round of the PBA League Elias Cup playoffs.
  The atmosphere in Maine was unique for professional bowling, with fans cheering loudly and music blaring in the background throughout the competition....the bowlers seemed to love the high level of enthusiasm.
  This PBA event took place in Bayside Bowl in Portland,Maine, a 12-lane bowling center converted into a two-lane arena for the PBA League competition.
  In the first match, the 2013 Elias Cup champion GEICO New York City WTT KingPins, anchorfed by PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber, struggled to a 182-171 victory over the Styles in a game marred by four missed single-pin spares.
  The Styles found the pocket in game two winning 247-148 and sent the match into sudden-death with Parker Bohn III rolling a strike to beat Weber's nine-count.
  The second match saw the Bass Pro Shops winning the first game 192-179, losing the second match 265-205 and in the sudden-death playoff  the Atom Splitters' anchor Rhino Page left the 4-7 on his first shot and Atom Splitters Dick Allen left only a 10 pin for the 9-8 win.
  The Brooklyn Styles team consists of Sean Rash, Tom Smallwood, Parker Bohn III, Jason Sterner and Osku Palermaa.
  Silver Lake team members include Chris Barnes, Mika Koivuniemi, Tom Daugherty, Dick Allen and Craig Nidiffer.
  The third and fourth quarterfinal matches will air Sunday on ESPN at 3:30 p.m.

Ed's Outlook

  While writing about Donald Durland and his attempts at scoring a 900 series it should be made known that scoring a 900 series does not always guarantee that it will be approved by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).
  In reaching back into our memory banks we remember when Glenn Allison recorded a 900 series (3 three hundred games in a row during one three game match) and received national attention for rolling a perfect series at LaHabra Bowl in LaHabra, California on July 1, 1982.
  USBC's predecessor organization, the American Bowling Congress (ABC) after inspection of the lanes, did not approve the series because of non-complying lane conditions at that time.
  Allison's score would have been the first perfect series in history had it been approved.
  ABC's decision was litigated before the United State District Court, Central District of California, which upheld the ABC's determination in all respects.
  But being that the bowling community is very passionate about this issue it persuaded the USBC to re-consider Allison's award.
  They reviewed the documents.....and guess what......the USBC determined that they can't turn back the  hands of time and change the rules that were set in 1982.
  ABC  rules for approving sanctioned award scores in 1982 were significantly different than current USBC rules so we don't understand why the USBC even considered hearing the issue again.....a true waist of everyone's time and effort.

  Ed Townsend, a PR consultant to the sport of bowling, writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league scores, tournament information, bowl a 300 game of 800 series, or even bowl your age, call Ed at 845-439-8177 or 845-866-0333, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's photos at http://bght.blogspot.com  We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

  Do you find yourself unable to finish your delivery in a strong balanced position?
  We offer this week's tip for any bowler who ends up out of balance  at the foul line while delivering your bowling ball.
  Out of balance may be a result of your follow through.
  It is very important that when you follow through on your delivery you do not reach out with your arm but reach up with your follow through.
  Bowlers who reach out find that the weight of the ball will pull their upper body forward and may cause them to lose their balance.
  If you reach up you stay planted in a strong solid position and are able 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)

Kiamesha Lanes

Tues. Mixed Firefighters

  Trasey Barres 212, 203, 584, Cara Nicholson 181, 197, 547, Mary Lee Williams 213, 541, Linda Schaefer 180, 181, 530, Andrea Grossman 180, 202, 528, Christie Graham 186, 198, 526, Kat Cronk 202, 521, Joan Lake 514, Charlie Tuttle 258, 227, 235, 720, Jaryl Scott 262, 235, 706, John Hoffmann 248, 248, 703, Kevin Stackhouse 246, 235, 678, Pedro Agapito III a 237m 234, 652, Shane Cunningham 276, 648, George Kelley 239, 636, Neil Bell Jr. 634, Russ Keesler 245, 623, Jason Jones Sr. 620, Laresko Niifa 236, Ed Guthrie 237, Eddie Walsh 226.

 Wednesday Men's

  Frank DiCostanzo 227, Paul Durland 245, 620, Donald Durland 236, 290, 225, 751, James Walsh 624, Larry Hicks 225, 621, Tom Belgiovene 243, 678, John Fischer 245, 235, 684, Jon Wilhelm 263, 279, 744, Vinnie Collura 248, 247, 711, Chris Parken 605, Dennis Matthews 225, Charlie Tuttle 225, Kyle Matthews 649, George Baggatta 244, 634, Tim Minton 615, Jason Jones Jr. 236, 664, John Hoffmann 225, 637, Gene Smith 225, 643, Keith  Smith 231, 611, Josh Strang 629, Tom Palmer 249, 623, Pedro Agapito III a 234, 672, Dave Garlinghouse 244, 228, 652, Merrill Conner 225, 605, Russell Bivins 633, Steve Cottam 247, 631, Robert Feeney Sr. 257, 247, 708.

Thursday Ladies

  A real nice 645 series by Debbie Polin off single games 235, 187, 223,  Sherry Laird 181, Lynn Winters 210, Monica Lane 187, Dottie Collins 182, Sue Sakell 202, Trasey Barres 202, Rudy Hoke 182, Karen Gabriel 209, Valerie Fersch 180, 184, Ann Sawyer 186, Joan Lake 192, Connie McKenley 186, Vera Bernhardt 204, 186.

 Callicoon Kristal Bowl
 Mon. Hortonville Ladies

  Pat Peters 163, 155, 159, Deedee Schrader 162, Barbara Pingel 157, 155, Judy Mohn 165, Dawn Roemer 155, Kim Doty 151, 176, Mardette Wilcox 170, 189, 189, 548, Maureen Schlott 155, Joyce Brooks 169, 155, Darlene Mantzourate 158, 156, Joann Bowers 166, Charlene Meola 162, 179, 178, 519, Sue Naughton 151, 196, Linda Mills 150, Kelly Gombita 172, 165, 169, 506, Lillian Zieres 193, 164, 152, 509, Debbie Loughrey 153.

 Tues. Del. Valley Men's

  Samii Markao 215, Bob Head 181, Rick Weigelt 182, Bruce Rutledge 203, John Kline 187, Bob Fix Jr. 193, 193, 196, Mike Aumick 191, 244, Erik Burton 192, 233, Jonathan Heinle 188, Chris Marston 232, 194, Kurt Buddenhagen 191, 200, Joe Meyer 190, 216, Troy Paruki 180, Jim Kautz 214, 203, Dave Graham 265, 200, 627, Chris Berner 198, 223, 221, 642, Bob Cady 212, 210, 180, 602, Dean Shattuck 203, 215, 226, 644, Ed Leroy 181, 180, Mark Schriber 192, 191, Kory Keesler 193, 222, Albert Tyles 202, 189, Jackie Brockner 191.

 


    

B-Mets Cap Spring with Big Comeback in 6-6 Tie

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – The Binghamton Mets scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and closed their spring schedule with a 6-6 tie against the Springfield Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon at the Mets Spring Training complex.
Trailing 6-1, the B-Mets plated five runs in their final turn at bat, highlighted by a two-run triple by outfielder Gilbert Gomez. Maikis De La Cruz tied the game with a sacrifice fly before the Cardinals bullpen finally notched the last out of the game.
On the mound, Robert Gsellman allowed one run over six innings for the B-Mets. Selected by the Mets in the 13^th round of the 2011 draft out of Westchester HS (CA), Gsellman went 10-6 with a 2.55 ERA over 20 starts with the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A) last year.
With their spring schedule complete, the B-Mets will play an intrasquad game on Thursday before logging one final workout on Friday.
The Binghamton Mets are set to open their 24^th season on Thursday, April 9 in Akron against the RubberDucks. The B-Mets home opener on April 16, highlighted by a championship DVD giveaway, is just eight days away. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting BMETS.COM, going to the NYSEG Stadium box office or by calling 723-METS.

BINGHAMTON METS NEWS

B-Mets Media Day Set for Tuesday, April 7

BINGHAMTON, NY – Credentialed members of the local media are invited to NYSEG Stadium on Tuesday, April 7 at 1:00 PM for the Binghamton Mets 2015 Media Day. Fourth-year manager Pedro Lopez, along with his coaching staff and players will be available for this hour-long event.
The team will hold a workout open to the media on the field starting at 2:00 PM, weather permitting.
Members of the press attending the event can report to the NYSEG Stadium home clubhouse on the first-base concourse to pick up their media package. Further inquiries regarding Media Day should be directed to Tim Heiman, B-Mets Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations.

Media Day Schedule
1:00 PM: Distribution of media credentials, press materials
1:05 PM: Press conference with B-Mets manager Pedro Lopez
1:20 PM: Clubhouse open for individual player interviews
2:00 PM: B-Mets begin preseason workout (open to media)

All media members who have requested and been approved for season-long credentials through the Binghamton Mets can pick up their media passes at the event. In addition, the B-Mets media relations staff will distribute detailed biographies for all players and staff. A final team roster will be issued on Thursday, April 9 to coincide with Opening Day.
The Binghamton Mets open their 24^th season on Thursday in Akron against the RubberDucks. The B-Mets home opener on Thursday, April 16, highlighted by a championship DVD giveaway, is just 13 days away. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting BMETS.COM, going to the NYSEG Stadium box office or by calling 723-METS.
Be sure to follow the B-Mets on their official website (www.bmets.com) or on Facebook, Twitter (@bmets) and SnapChat (binghamtonmets). Fans can also stay up to date with all the action on the field by visiting “B-Mets Buzz” at bmets.mlblogs.com or following Tim Heiman (@TimHeiman) on Twitter.

BINGHAMTON METS

B-Mets Bash Suns in 12-4 Spring Victory

 Five different Binghamton Mets homered in a 12-4 win over the Jacksonville Suns in a spring training game on Wednesday afternoon at the New York Mets facility. Amed Rosario, Michael Conforto, LJ Mazzilli, Dominic Smith and Victor Cruzado all went deep for the B-Mets in their second win of the spring.
Conforto, a 22-year-old outfielder out of Oregon State University, was selected by the Mets in the first round of last year’s draft. The Washington native drove in three runs against the Suns. Conforto made his pro debut with the Brooklyn Cyclones (SS-A), hitting .331 over 42 games in 2014.
Smith, a first-round pick in 2013, compiled a multiple-hit game while Rosario tripled in addition to his home run.
On the mound, 2014 B-Met Gabriel Ynoa allowed two runs over four innings. Domingo Tapia added two scoreless innings of relief.
The B-Mets venture to Jupiter, Florida on Thursday afternoon to take on the Springfield Cardinals.
The Binghamton Mets are set to open their 24^th season on April 9 in Akron against the RubberDucks. The B-Mets home opener on April 16, highlighted by a championship DVD giveaway, is just 21 days away. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting BMETS.COM, going to the NYSEG Stadium box office or by calling 723-METS.
Be sure to follow the B-Mets on their official website (www.bmets.com) or on Facebook, Twitter (@bmets) and SnapChat (binghamtonmets). Fans can also stay up to date with all the action on the field by visiting “B-Mets Buzz” at bmets.mlblogs.com or following Tim Heiman (@TimHeiman) on Twitter.

    

SCRANTON YANKEES

New Raffle to Benefit Ronald McDonald House

50/50 to Split Proceeds with Local Charity

Moosic, Pa. – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) have been a win-win proposition for years. The partnership of the world’s most famous and successful baseball team’s top-tier farm club with outstanding, affordable, family-friendly entertainment has meant victory for all of NEPA. In 2015, add another possible triumph to the list. The team has added a 50/50 raffle with half of the proceeds going to a lucky winner and the other half heading to the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton.

“The people of Northeastern Pennsylvania are so generous and eager to help others,” said Patricia Stella, president of the McDonald’s Association of Northeastern PA and a local owner/operator.  “This season, in partnership with the RailRiders, we encourage fans who attend the games to participate in the 50/50 raffle. The money that is raised will help our Ronald McDonald Houses in Scranton and Danville continue to reach out to the local community and help families with seriously ill children.”

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase during every home game throughout the 2015 season from a roaming seller or at a kiosk located behind home plate on the main concourse. Ticket sales will begin when gates open and close at the end of the seventh inning.

“We appreciate this valuable opportunity to share the mission of the Ronald McDonald House with our community,” said Rich Bradshaw, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Scranton. “Truly it is only through the support of our local community that we are able to help so many families all year round. We are pleased to count the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders as one of our mission supporters and proud to have them as our friends.”

The gross prize amount will be displayed on the main scoreboard throughout the game. The winning number will be posted on the main scoreboard at the conclusion of the eighth inning. To claim the prize, the winning fan will visit University of Scranton Guest Services in the entrance plaza or call 570-969-BALL (2255) for more information.

“We are delighted to partner with the good folks at McDonald’s and the Ronald McDonald House,” said RailRiders interim GM Jeremy Ruby. “We view ourselves as NEPA’s team and hope this effort with half the money helping the local community and the other half creating a very happy and lucky fan in the stands demonstrates our continued efforts in that regard.”

The RailRiders’ 2015 season begins on Thursday, April 9 when the club hosts the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals). For season ticket information or to book a ballpark group outing, call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

- SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! -

    

BOWLING HIGHLIGHTS

   PBA League Bowling Returns

  A four-week series of Professional Bowling Association (PBA) League competition returns to ESPN Sunday, March 29 at 5 p.m.
  The PBA league consists of eight all-star teams who will battle it out for the Elias Cup Finals that will air on ESPN April 19 at 1 p.m.
  All PBA league competition will take place at Bayside Bowl in Portland, Maine.
  The PBA's first national tour visit to Maine will be an extended fan-oriented weekend hosted by an upscale bowling facility, beginning with an opportunity  for grassroots bowlers to bowl alongside the world's greatest bowlers in a special pro-am event.
  The weekend is also dominated by practice sessions for individuals and teams, giving fans and the new media a chance to meet players for autographs, photos and interviews.
  Competition officially gets underway Saturday with two PBA League quarterfinal round elimination matches.
  PBA League elimination matches will be the best-of-two-game  Baker format matches.
  The Elias Cup is named in honor of PBA founder Eddie Elias.
  The Maine Shootout will also be a part of action available exclusively to Xtra Frame subscribers.
  For those who may not be familiary with the "Baker format" used in PBA League competition, here's some basic information.
  The Baker format was created by American Bowling Congress Secretary-Treasurer  Frank Baker in the 1950's to provide a fast-paced, exciting way to present team bowling on television, rather than traditional team competition which took an hour to bowl one game.
  The Baker fomat requires each member of a five-man team to bowl two frames.....the leadoff bowler bowls the first and sixth frames, the No. 2 player in the lineup bowls the second and seventh frames and the anchor bowler is responsible for the fifth and 10th frames.
  This format has proven to be much faster and requires exceptional team work.
  In the PBA League's "best of two games" matches, if the teams each win one game, the match is settled by a dramatic one-ball sudden-death roll-off.

  Ed's Outlook

*  A quick reminder that Callicoon Kristal Bowl will be hosting the Steve Lagoda Scholarship Fund Tournament this Saturday and Sunday.
  Bowlers are urged to come out and support a great cause in memory of a great guy.
  The event is a scratch-no-tap four person team competition. Entry fee is $100 per team with cash prizes for the top three teams.
*  A number of Brunswick's top professional bowlers will be conducting a "Mini Camp" from 2-9 p.m. April 2 at Pat Tasio Lanes in Newburgh.
    The "Mini Camp" program will include instruction programs on lane play and ball layout involving Brunswick/DV8 staff members.
  PBA professionals on hand include Parker Bohn III, Sean Rash, Tom Smallwood, Jason Sterner, Ryan Ciminelli and ball rep Chuck Gardner.
  The basic tuition fee is $225....an additional upgrade fee includes a Brunswick/DV8 ball.
  To reserve a spot contact Sean Rash at 316-250-2980 or call the pro shop at 845-554-9709.

Ed Townsend, a PR Consultant to 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 bowl your age, call Ed at 845-439-8177, 845-866-0333, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205, 4474. View this column at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

  Bowling Tip
  By Mike Luongo

  The tip this week is for right handed bowlers.
  One of bowling's great sources of frustration is leaving the 10 pin.
  It's typically the hardest single-pin spare to pick up, and often remains standing after what seemed to be a perfect strike ball.
  Fortunately, the fix is not overly complicated.
  It's easy to attribute a standing 10 pin to bad luck, and from time to time, it may be true.
  If you're consistently leaving the 10 pin, something is obviously off. Most likely its your entry angle.
  When you're knocking down every pin but the a 10, your either coming in light (the 3 pin hit the back of the 6, pushing it in front of the 10), or you are hitting it heavy (the 3 pin hits the front of the 6, sending it to the back of the 10).
  While bowling, take note of what the 3 and 6 pins are doing, if you see the 6 missing in front of the 10, you're coming in light, and if you see it hitting behind , you're coming in heavy.
  If you are coming in light you need to get your ball our of the oil sooner, which will let it come into the pocket stronger and with a better angle.
  If you are coming in heavy move one-half to 2 boards right on the approach but keep your same target.
  Mike Luongo is a certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor, USBC Silver Level Coach and an Advisor-Speical 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
                                          
Monday Ladies

  Diane Conroy 150, Lois Erdman 172, 161, Beth Schumacher 186, Dot McCormack 189, Janet Bertholf 170, 171, Julie Yewchuck 150, 155, Jodi Gulli 178, 154.

Kiamesha Lanes

Monday Men's

  Pedro Agapito III a 629, Frank Amore 600, Kenny Atkins 255, 658, George Baggatta 267, 653, Lloyd Bridges 258, 225, 697, Vinnie Collura 237, 236, 669, Shane Conner 619, Paul Durland 247, 234, 235, 716, Walt Edwards 256, 644, Matt Fallon 256, 628, John Fischer 225, 621, Dave Graham 227, 236, 667, John Hoffmann 230, 229, 675, Todd Houghtaling 237, 630, Eddie Lake 258, 279, 739, Rick Lake 268, 665, Kyle Matthews 237, 655, Michael Mulligan 258, 653, Gary North 275, 670, Jim Piontek 634, Jaryl Scott 252, 289, 759, Michael Scuderi 245, 259, 728, Vincent Scuderi 621, Keith Smith 234, 664, Kevin Stackhouse 233, 664, Ronald Totten 647, Timothy Totten 255, 225, 695, Michael Travis 247, 226, 696, Charlie Tuttle 236, 612, James VanAken 234, 661, Mike Weiner 225, Larry Whipple a nice 200 triplicate for a 600 series.

Tues. Mixed Firefighters

  Kevin Stackhouse 237, 247, 242, 726, Larry Whipple 259, 256, 718, Neil Bell Jr. 256, 240, 700, Peter Scannell 246, 654, John Hoffmann 256, 648, Jason Jones Jr. 233, 648, Pedro Agapito III a 245, 648, Shane Cunningham 230, 645, Eddie Walsh 226, 643, Jaryl Scott 622, Stan Gilmore 227, Trasey Barres 194, 208, 206, 608, Joann Ruggiero 182, 202, 554, Joan Lake 200, 190, 547, Linda Schaefer 523, Carena Collura 515, Mary Lee Williams 514, Andrea Grossman 201, 504, Karen Martin 182, Wendy Swan 205, Elizabeth Wayman 197.

 Thursday Ladies

  Liz Burgio 205, Connie McKenley 181, Franny Kaiser 188, Mary Lee Williams 183, Pat Gibson 194, Debbie Polin 213, 190, Lisa Cartwright 182, Lynn Winters 191, Liz Stubits 198, Monica Lane 223, Shirley Bowens 182, Dottie Collins 212, Cara Nicholson 207, Trasey Barres 194, Joan Lake 191, Kelly Shattuck 192, 216.

 Friday Mixed

  Trasey Barres 257, 213, 195, 665, Jessica Behnke 194, Larry Berens 225, 237, 655, Paul Berens 231, Vera Bernhardt 208, 507, Orshii Boldiis 246, 653,  Christopher Castro 237, Doris Castro 185, MaryAnn Drobysh-Berens 191, 534, Nancy Fraser 189, David Graham 249, 660, John Hoffmann 236, 248, 236, 720, Greg Kuchar 235, Joan Lake 195, 512, Ryan Lepke 255, 664, Laura Palmer 199, 181, 521, Tom Palmer 228, 255, 653, Linda Schaefer 181, 506, Kevin Stackhouse 235, 225, 655, Robert Sze 245, 264, 236, 746, Tammy Sze 194, 523, Charlie Tuttle 234, 243, 246, 723, Larry Whipple 237, 259, 675, Mary Lee Williams 222, 193, 573.

Callicoon Kristal Bowl

 Mon. Hortonville Ladies

  Jane Benson 169, Pat Peters 168, Opal Hocker 182, Barbara Pingel 169, Judy Mohn 179, 169, Marty Bogdanowitz 162, Joyce Brooks 177, 150, Charlene Meola 157, Lillian Zieres 201, 165, 186, 552, Debbie Loughrey 155, 179, 165.

Tues. Del. Valley Men's

  Samii Markao 216, 185, Bob Head 183, 189, 184, Rick Weigelt 214, Hopper Hubert 267, Roger Widmann 202, 190, 193, Dan Brown 200, Mark Yewchuck 213, 205, Jonathan Heinle 208, Gary Maas 183, 192, Chris Marston 199, Kurt Buddenhagen 191, Joe Meyer 202, 209, Mike Sorge 198, 181, Jim Kautz 198, 204, Eugene Fulton 221, Mike Gieger 201, 202, 220, 623, Dave Graham 220, 226, 235, 681, Chris Berner 210, Bob Cady 215, 222, 612, Dean Shattuck 187, 223, 204, 614, Ed Leroy 191, Mark Schriber 193, Kory Keesler 201, 203, 219, 623, Wally Warren 211, Albert Tyles 226, 211, Jackie Brockner 222.

 Wednesday Men's

  John Diehl 18, 192, Hopper Hubert 180, 213, 183, Jack Diehl 202, 212, 213, 627, Alby Thony 194, 199, Mark Yewchuck 205, 198, 194, Ben Highhouse 209, 184, Bob Fix Jr. 212, 201, Steve Mutter 269, 181, 603, Randy Fischer 202, 255, 218, 675, Brian Brustman 182, John Kline 197, 201, 202, 600, Rich Thony 204, Tim Sykes 182, 224, Rick Franke 214, Johnny Glassel 180, 189, 190, Robert Glassel 180, 191, 212.