Merry Christmas Is The Correct Saying
The baby in a manger.....the chorus of angels......the group of
stunned shepherds.......the bright star.....the wise men......a
stable.....a Savior......these are God moments and Christmas is full of
them.
It's that time of year again. Time to say "Merry Christmas".
We live in a greatly diverse country, so checkered with individuality
that anyone can celebrate what they want, when they want and how they
want to.
So it is perfectly understandable why saying "Merry Christmas"
instead of "Happy Holidays" is the preferred choice of holiday greetings
by Christians. Then of course
comes the standard acceptance of saying,..... look it's a Christmas
Tree.....it is not a Holiday tree.......it is a Christmas Tree and
Christians throughout the world this month are not celebrating the birth
of a Holiday.....they are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Many community tree
lighting events during the month of December have been just that
.....tree lighting events.......they are trying to be "politically
correct" instead of displaying the real meaning of Christmas for
Christians.......which of course is the Nativity Scene.
In the commercial market some retailers avoid any mention of
Christmas and even some merchants banned employees from using the
greeting "Merry Christmas." A strong backlash against some large
retailers brought them to their knees when sales dropped and
their policies changed to adding Christmas to their advertising and
their employees greeting customers with Merry Christmas.
We are in the
full-swing of the Christmas season .....and I think the last time I
looked on the Calendar it does say that December 25 is Christmas.
Also the last time I looked I believe that Christmas is a national
holiday but who knows the way things are going that someone or some
organization will petition our government to remove this date as a
national holiday.
We certainly do not have anything against the Christmas tree and
lighting ceremonies that include this tree and the lighting of the
Menorah which is a major part of the Jewish Chanukah holidays.
One of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith is the menorah and
this religious symbol is a symbol of the nation of Israel and their
mission to be "a light unto the nations," (Isaiah 42.6).
But, again, why do we not see The Nativity Scene included in our many
ceremonies. The Nativity Scene displaying the birth of Jesus Christ
is the true symbol for Christians during the Christmas season.
Community tree lighting ceremonies censor this Christian symbol as a part of what is called "insensitive to the many people of different faiths."
Recent surveys shows
that a majority of Americans want us to say "Merry Christmas" and that
69 percent of us prefer the traditional greeting over a generic "happy
holidays." which garnered a mere 23 percent of the vote.
We are proud to say "Merry Christmas" and believe its time to
repair the damage that has been done by groups and organizations to take
"Christ" out of Christmas.
So I say to each and everyone of you......have a Merry CHRISTmas and may God Bless you.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
BOWLING HIGHLIGHTS COLUMN
Fans Can Wager On PBA Championships
Oddsmakers are working to establish the early favorite in the upcoming Rolltech Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) World Championship.
It's the second year that bowling fans of legal gambling age will be able to wager on the outcome of this championship through sports book venues in Las Vegas and Reno.
This championship is the crown jewel of the GEICO World Series of Bowling VII presented by Silver Legacy will be the season's first major championship and it will include the first live prime-time telecast of a PBA Tour event in 14 years when the stepladder finals get underway.
Reno properties offering World Championship wagering include the Silver Legacy and Circus Legacy. Las Vagas properites offering this wagering include Aria, Bellagio, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York New York.
Wagers may be placed in person at any of the properties' sports book locations.
PBA Staff, contractors and World Series participants (members and non-members) are prohibited from making wagers on the event.
The opening line odds for wagering on the World Championship were established by Jay Rood, Vice President of Race and Sports for MGM Resorts for MGM Resorts International based on performances in past PBA World Championships and PBA Tour competition in recent years.
The focal point of the World Championship will be the PBA Tour's ultimate test of versatility and endurance, both physical and mental. The five players who quality for the ESPN stepladder finals will survive a total of 66 games of qualifying and round-robin match play bowled on the PBA's Cheetah, Viper, Chameleon, Scorpion and World Championship lane conditions.
Between the time match plan concludes and before the stepladder finals begin , MGM Resorts International will post a new line so that wagers can be placed for the five players who qualify for the stepladder finals.
Bowling fans can keep tabs on all the action leading up to the stepladder finals by watching live comprehensive coverage of all preliminary rounds via PBA's online bowling channel, Xtra Frame.
Ed's Outlook
As noted in our lead story gambling continues as part of the PBA World Championship.
This is the second year for the World Championship and adds more spice to a highly competitive sport like bowling's World Championship.
It this a good idea? It will be interesting to see if this legalized gambling will have any real effect on how the professional bowlers react to having bowling fans placing bets on their bowling abilities.
It seems that every time you turn around a new casino is opened and the push is on to allow more and more gambling on sports competition.
At first glance bowling seems like a natural....you can bet on teams and individuals, but what negative factors now will take place and in what light will professional bowlers be placed in when they step on the lane to roll a money making important shot.
Bowling rules evolved over the years to insure that equipment meets rigid specifications and all competitions have strict rules.
History has proven that legal gambling on bowling has never been a goal of many.
Bowling Comment
By Mike Luongo
Instead of a tip this week I'm addressing the subject of gambling and bowling that Ed has written about in the lead story for this weeks column.
This is a discussion that has gone on at times for many years. Personally, I have been very outspoken on this subject as if putting bowling on the board is the only way to save the sport long term.
We only have a certain amount of truly die-hard fans that study the game and understand bowling balls, lanes and the physical game.
The best way to look at this is to compare it to the NFL. The average "fan" has no understanding of the game of football and how it is played at all. The popularity is due to gambling.
The interest can come from legal gambling, office pools, illegal bookmakers taking bets and the fantasy side. People like action as a diversion to everyday pressures of life. The growth of casinos proves that the big fancy buildings would not be built if people did not frequent them. Online gambling is also popular in places that it is legal.
Once professional bowling goes on the board in casinos, bookmakers will pick up on it and it will explode in popularity. The decline in bowling started with the popularity of casinos if people want to check history. The gamblers hung out in bowling centers (many who did not even bowl) to bet on all of the action bowling going on.
Looking back and having bowled in that environment, we had no idea at the time how much money was being bet on our matches.Many who do not bowl and have no interest in doing so will participate.
One interesting thing is that bowlers will now be under the microscope as "funny" things can happen to turn a match (fouls, missed easy spares) and with that their integrity challenged. Again, look at the history of other sports.
The comments above are my own and in no way have anything to do with Storm Bowling as a company or anyone in the organization. I have no idea what the official "company" position is on this subject.
Oddsmakers are working to establish the early favorite in the upcoming Rolltech Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) World Championship.
It's the second year that bowling fans of legal gambling age will be able to wager on the outcome of this championship through sports book venues in Las Vegas and Reno.
This championship is the crown jewel of the GEICO World Series of Bowling VII presented by Silver Legacy will be the season's first major championship and it will include the first live prime-time telecast of a PBA Tour event in 14 years when the stepladder finals get underway.
Reno properties offering World Championship wagering include the Silver Legacy and Circus Legacy. Las Vagas properites offering this wagering include Aria, Bellagio, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York New York.
Wagers may be placed in person at any of the properties' sports book locations.
PBA Staff, contractors and World Series participants (members and non-members) are prohibited from making wagers on the event.
The opening line odds for wagering on the World Championship were established by Jay Rood, Vice President of Race and Sports for MGM Resorts for MGM Resorts International based on performances in past PBA World Championships and PBA Tour competition in recent years.
The focal point of the World Championship will be the PBA Tour's ultimate test of versatility and endurance, both physical and mental. The five players who quality for the ESPN stepladder finals will survive a total of 66 games of qualifying and round-robin match play bowled on the PBA's Cheetah, Viper, Chameleon, Scorpion and World Championship lane conditions.
Between the time match plan concludes and before the stepladder finals begin , MGM Resorts International will post a new line so that wagers can be placed for the five players who qualify for the stepladder finals.
Bowling fans can keep tabs on all the action leading up to the stepladder finals by watching live comprehensive coverage of all preliminary rounds via PBA's online bowling channel, Xtra Frame.
Ed's Outlook
As noted in our lead story gambling continues as part of the PBA World Championship.
This is the second year for the World Championship and adds more spice to a highly competitive sport like bowling's World Championship.
It this a good idea? It will be interesting to see if this legalized gambling will have any real effect on how the professional bowlers react to having bowling fans placing bets on their bowling abilities.
It seems that every time you turn around a new casino is opened and the push is on to allow more and more gambling on sports competition.
At first glance bowling seems like a natural....you can bet on teams and individuals, but what negative factors now will take place and in what light will professional bowlers be placed in when they step on the lane to roll a money making important shot.
Bowling rules evolved over the years to insure that equipment meets rigid specifications and all competitions have strict rules.
History has proven that legal gambling on bowling has never been a goal of many.
Bowling Comment
By Mike Luongo
Instead of a tip this week I'm addressing the subject of gambling and bowling that Ed has written about in the lead story for this weeks column.
This is a discussion that has gone on at times for many years. Personally, I have been very outspoken on this subject as if putting bowling on the board is the only way to save the sport long term.
We only have a certain amount of truly die-hard fans that study the game and understand bowling balls, lanes and the physical game.
The best way to look at this is to compare it to the NFL. The average "fan" has no understanding of the game of football and how it is played at all. The popularity is due to gambling.
The interest can come from legal gambling, office pools, illegal bookmakers taking bets and the fantasy side. People like action as a diversion to everyday pressures of life. The growth of casinos proves that the big fancy buildings would not be built if people did not frequent them. Online gambling is also popular in places that it is legal.
Once professional bowling goes on the board in casinos, bookmakers will pick up on it and it will explode in popularity. The decline in bowling started with the popularity of casinos if people want to check history. The gamblers hung out in bowling centers (many who did not even bowl) to bet on all of the action bowling going on.
Looking back and having bowled in that environment, we had no idea at the time how much money was being bet on our matches.Many who do not bowl and have no interest in doing so will participate.
One interesting thing is that bowlers will now be under the microscope as "funny" things can happen to turn a match (fouls, missed easy spares) and with that their integrity challenged. Again, look at the history of other sports.
The comments above are my own and in no way have anything to do with Storm Bowling as a company or anyone in the organization. I have no idea what the official "company" position is on this subject.
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, email at mikel@stormbowling.com
Local Scores
Beechwood Lanes
Mon. Villa Roma Ladies League
Danielle Meyer 178, Beth Schumacher 150, Tracy Puerschner 155, 161, 166, Diane Conroy 152, Lindsey Bauer 162.
Callicoon Kristal Bowl
Mon. Hortonville Ladies League
Darlene Mantzourate 152, 193, Joann Wright 161, 157, Sue Naughton 170, 168, 160, Kelly Gombita 170, Lillian Zieres 170, 166, 169, 505, Chris Burr 162, Eleanor Glassel 153, Debbie Loughrey 153, Virginia Connel 154, 151, Pat Peters 181, 164, 168, 513, Judy Mohn 150, 169, Kim Doty 187, 157, Mardette Wilcox 156, 164.
Wednesday Fun
Rich Thony 202, 189, Tim Sykes 223, 186, Mardette Wilcox 172, 218, 171, 561, Scott McGowan 201, Johnny Glassel 185, Bobby Glassel 188, Hoppe Hubert 191, 182, Jack Diehl 228, Craig Stewart 182, Roger Widmann 190, John Fischer 238, Kory Keesler 185.
Kiamesha Lanes
Monday Men's
Jason Jones Sr. 247, Jason Jones Jr. 600, Russell Bivins 279, 649, Kyle Matthews 226, 645, Jim Piontek 254, 606, Josh Strang 630, Pedro Agapito 226, 245, 674, Jaryl Scott 235, 247, 668, Vinny Collura 235, 619, Donny Durland 229, 247, 683, Dan Ricco 236, 613, Mike Weiner 235, 641, Ryan Lepke 228, David Graham 225, 226, 675, Gene Smith 254, 238, 639, Arthur Stevens 229, 625, Lloyd Bridges 268, 236, 687, Jon Wilhelm 237, 246, 696, Robert Feeney Sr. 629, John Lopez 244, 613, James VanAken 245, 689, Jody Farquhar 259, 681, John Hoffmann 611, Robert Stewart 600.
Tues. Mixed Firefighters
Kevin Stackhouse 234, 267, 690, Eddie Lake 279, 228, 278, 785, Kyle Vanwolde 653, Bob Yakin Jr. 234, Trasey Barres 244, 197, 608, Larry Whipple 225, 661, Peter Scannell 239, Charlie Tuttle 240, 232, 634, Tom Belgiovene 231, 639, Steve Belgiovene 610, Kyle Giordano 225, 290, 757, Rob Kessler 237, John Hoffmann 237, 659, Leanne Mangabang 216, 501, Christie Graham 227, 196, 185, 608, Mary Lee Williams 210, 561, Andrea Grossman 186, 511, Joan Lake 180, 188, 190, 558, Liz Stubits 190, Dave Graham 654.
Thursday Ladies
Lisa Cartwright 525, Trasey Barres 210, 552, Barb Merton 190, 191, 536, Connie McKenley 189, 189, 529, Loretta VanAken 192, 204, 214, 610, Liz Stubits 505, Christie Graham 191, Debbie Heins 181, Shirley Bowens 200, 516, Dottie Cox 212, 216, 182, 610.
Friday Mixed
Lauren Blume 190, 198, 540, Doris Castro 504, Julie Chen 187, 218, 523, Angie Desmond 181, 195, 523, MaryAnn Drobysh-Berens 204, 185, 529, Katie Hacker 199, 190, 550, Joan Lake 207, 196, 211, 614, Loretta VanAken 181, 188, 541, Eddie Lake 279, 258, 753, Ryan Lepke 602, Tito Santiago 256, 607, Bill Schubert 235, 233, 673, Keith Smith 227, 630, Kevin Stackhouse 234, 643, James VanAken 266, 682, Larry Whipple 231, 613.
Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the sport of bowling and brings over 60-years of sports journalism experience in writing and compiling the information for this column. If you have league or tournament information, score a 300 game or 800 series, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and Ed's Photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.
Local Scores
Beechwood Lanes
Mon. Villa Roma Ladies League
Danielle Meyer 178, Beth Schumacher 150, Tracy Puerschner 155, 161, 166, Diane Conroy 152, Lindsey Bauer 162.
Callicoon Kristal Bowl
Mon. Hortonville Ladies League
Darlene Mantzourate 152, 193, Joann Wright 161, 157, Sue Naughton 170, 168, 160, Kelly Gombita 170, Lillian Zieres 170, 166, 169, 505, Chris Burr 162, Eleanor Glassel 153, Debbie Loughrey 153, Virginia Connel 154, 151, Pat Peters 181, 164, 168, 513, Judy Mohn 150, 169, Kim Doty 187, 157, Mardette Wilcox 156, 164.
Wednesday Fun
Rich Thony 202, 189, Tim Sykes 223, 186, Mardette Wilcox 172, 218, 171, 561, Scott McGowan 201, Johnny Glassel 185, Bobby Glassel 188, Hoppe Hubert 191, 182, Jack Diehl 228, Craig Stewart 182, Roger Widmann 190, John Fischer 238, Kory Keesler 185.
Kiamesha Lanes
Monday Men's
Jason Jones Sr. 247, Jason Jones Jr. 600, Russell Bivins 279, 649, Kyle Matthews 226, 645, Jim Piontek 254, 606, Josh Strang 630, Pedro Agapito 226, 245, 674, Jaryl Scott 235, 247, 668, Vinny Collura 235, 619, Donny Durland 229, 247, 683, Dan Ricco 236, 613, Mike Weiner 235, 641, Ryan Lepke 228, David Graham 225, 226, 675, Gene Smith 254, 238, 639, Arthur Stevens 229, 625, Lloyd Bridges 268, 236, 687, Jon Wilhelm 237, 246, 696, Robert Feeney Sr. 629, John Lopez 244, 613, James VanAken 245, 689, Jody Farquhar 259, 681, John Hoffmann 611, Robert Stewart 600.
Tues. Mixed Firefighters
Kevin Stackhouse 234, 267, 690, Eddie Lake 279, 228, 278, 785, Kyle Vanwolde 653, Bob Yakin Jr. 234, Trasey Barres 244, 197, 608, Larry Whipple 225, 661, Peter Scannell 239, Charlie Tuttle 240, 232, 634, Tom Belgiovene 231, 639, Steve Belgiovene 610, Kyle Giordano 225, 290, 757, Rob Kessler 237, John Hoffmann 237, 659, Leanne Mangabang 216, 501, Christie Graham 227, 196, 185, 608, Mary Lee Williams 210, 561, Andrea Grossman 186, 511, Joan Lake 180, 188, 190, 558, Liz Stubits 190, Dave Graham 654.
Thursday Ladies
Lisa Cartwright 525, Trasey Barres 210, 552, Barb Merton 190, 191, 536, Connie McKenley 189, 189, 529, Loretta VanAken 192, 204, 214, 610, Liz Stubits 505, Christie Graham 191, Debbie Heins 181, Shirley Bowens 200, 516, Dottie Cox 212, 216, 182, 610.
Friday Mixed
Lauren Blume 190, 198, 540, Doris Castro 504, Julie Chen 187, 218, 523, Angie Desmond 181, 195, 523, MaryAnn Drobysh-Berens 204, 185, 529, Katie Hacker 199, 190, 550, Joan Lake 207, 196, 211, 614, Loretta VanAken 181, 188, 541, Eddie Lake 279, 258, 753, Ryan Lepke 602, Tito Santiago 256, 607, Bill Schubert 235, 233, 673, Keith Smith 227, 630, Kevin Stackhouse 234, 643, James VanAken 266, 682, Larry Whipple 231, 613.
Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the sport of bowling and brings over 60-years of sports journalism experience in writing and compiling the information for this column. If you have league or tournament information, score a 300 game or 800 series, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and Ed's Photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.
PBA, PWBA RENEW PARTNERSHIP
PBA, PWBA RENEW PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR 2017
CHICAGO – The Professional Bowlers Association will provide regional competitions and player services, plus live event coverage of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association through Xtra Frame, its online video streaming service, after renewing its strategic partnership agreement with the PWBA.
CHICAGO – The Professional Bowlers Association will provide regional competitions and player services, plus live event coverage of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association through Xtra Frame, its online video streaming service, after renewing its strategic partnership agreement with the PWBA.
The PBA plans to conduct seven “women only” PWBA-PBA regional events in 2017 which will be operated by PBA’s regional managers, will complement the PWBA Tour schedule to provide more competitive opportunities for women bowlers.
“The
PBA is committed to helping build a strong tour and providing regional
events for women bowlers,” PBA Tour CEO and Commissioner Tom Clark said.
“We’re excited to continue showcasing these talented bowlers on Xtra
Frame, and we’re looking forward to another great season.”
The PWBA will utilize Xtra Frame to provide PWBA fans with exclusive live coverage of the tour starting with the 2017 PWBA Sonoma County Open, which kicks off the season April 27-29.
“The
PBA-PWBA partnership is a great example of the bowling industry working
together to build a future for the sport,” United States Bowling
Congress Executive Director Chad Murphy said. “The partnership not only
provides great opportunities for today’s women bowlers, it also gives
youth and collegiate bowlers an aspirational goal.”
The PBA will continue to provide player services, equipment transportation and a mobile pro shop for PWBA Tour members during the season.
The
agreement provides PWBA members the eligibility to bowl in all PBA
events. In 2016, PWBA members earned points in regional competitions,
culminating with the PBA-PWBA Women’s Regional Challenge event that
kicked off the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling VIII in late November.
Missy Parkin of Laguna Hills, Calif., representing the PBA West Region,
defeated Ashly Galante of Palm Harbor, Fla., representing the PBA South
Region, 267-188, to capture the title.
“The
services the PBA provides, such as transport and mobile pro shop, are
important elements in operating a professional tour, and we appreciate
the PBA’s collaboration,” Bowling
Proprietors’ Association of America Executive Director Frank DeSocio
said. “Along with the regional events that will allow more players to
develop their skills, these are all essential parts of building a strong
and successful PWBA Tour.”
Go to XtraFrame.tv to learn more about how to subscribe to Xtra Frame and PBA.com for information on the PBA Regional program.
Visit PWBA.com for the complete 2017 PWBA schedule along with news, player biographies and more.
About the PBA
The
Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is an organization of more than
3,200 of the best bowlers from 27 countries who compete in PBA Tour, PBA
International Tour, QubicaAMF PBA Regional Tour, PWBA/PBA Women’s
Regional and PBA50 Tour events. The PBA is in its 57th consecutive year
of nationally-televised competition, reaching bowling fans around the
world who follow PBA activities through the PBA Network which includes
Xtra Frame, the PBA’s exclusive online bowling channel, ESPN and CBS
Sports Network, and the PBA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. PBA
sponsors include Barbasol, Brunswick, Ebonite International, GEICO,
Grand Casino Hotel and Resort, HotelPlanner.com, MOTIV, 900 Global, PBA
Bowling Challenge Mobile Game, QubicaAMF, Silver Legacy Resort &
Casino, South Point Hotel Casino and Spa, Storm Products and the United
States Bowling Congress, among others. For more information, log on to
www.pba.com.
About the PWBA
The
Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) originally was formed
in 1960. The PWBA Tour has events throughout the country, offering
high-level competition and top prize money for women bowlers. The PWBA
is supported by the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA)
and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).
Monday, December 12, 2016
MAINE-ENDWELL TO HELP PONIES UNVEIL NEW UNIFORMS
Maine-Endwell World Champs to Help Unveil Rumble Ponies New Uniforms
The Binghamton
Rumble Ponies have recruited the Maine-Endwell Little League World
Series Champions to help them unveil their new uniforms on Wednesday,
December 14 at 5:30 PM. The Rumble Ponies invite season ticket holders
to the Maine-Endwell Middle School auditorium to get their first look at
the new jerseys. Doors will open at 5:00 PM for the free event.Four different Rumble Ponies jerseys (home, road, alternate & batting practice) will be sported by members of the Maine-Endwell Little League team in a special presentation.
Rumble Ponies general manager Jim Weed and Maine-Endwell head coach Scott Rush will be available for comment with the media following the show.
The Rumble Ponies will stream the entire event on Facebook Live: (www.facebook.com/RumblePoniesBB)
The Maine-Endwell Little League team captured the hearts of fans in the Southern Tier this summer when they became the first US team since 2011 to win the Little League World Series. The team capped their historic 24-0 run with a victory over South Korea to capture the ultimate title.
The jersey unveiling will be another milestone in an already-busy baseball offseason for the Rumble Ponies. The club revealed their new identity last month and announced a $2.5-million stadium upgrade in mid-November.
Be sure to follow the Rumble Ponies on Facebook (facebook.com/RumblePoniesBB) on Twitter (@RumblePoniesBB), and at the team’s official website (BingRP.com) for more team information.
The Rumble Ponies open the 2017 season on the road in New Hampshire on April 6 before celebrating their home opener at NYSEG Stadium on April 13. Tickets for the 2017 season are on sale now.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
RUMBLE PONIES COACHING STAFF
Rumble Ponies Announce Coaching Staff
The
newly-minted Binghamton Rumble Ponies are proud to announce Luis Rojas
will serve as the team’s manager for the 2017 season. Rojas will be
joined by pitching coach Glenn Abbott, hitting coach Luis Natera,
athletic trainer Bob Grimes and new strength and conditioning coach Kory
Wan. Rojas and his staff will kick off the Rumble Ponies’ inaugural
season on April 6.Rojas takes the wheel of the Rumble Ponies after steering the ship for the St. Lucie Mets (High-A) for the previous two seasons. The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native went a combined 142-131 across his two years in the Florida State League. Rojas led the Mets to the postseason in 2016 by winning the South Division second half title.
Following a four-year stint as a coach in the Mets system, Rojas made his managerial debut in the organization with the GCL Mets (R) in 2011. Rojas led the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A) from 2012 to 2014, a three-year stretch that included a South Atlantic League Championship in 2013.
Rojas played seven seasons in the Minor League systems of the Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins and Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals from 1999 to 2005.
The new Rumblers skipper is currently managing the Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. He led Escogido to the DWL title last winter.
Rojas replaces Pedro Lopez, the all-time winningest manager in franchise history. After a five-year stint in the Southern Tier that included three postseason berths, an Eastern League title and his induction into Binghamton’s baseball shrine, Lopez will manage the Las Vegas 51’s (AAA) in 2017.
Abbott returns to the Southern Tier for his sixth year as the Binghamton pitching coach. In 2016, eight players that pitched for Abbott in Binghamton made their Major League debuts. Michael Fulmer, a member of Abbott’s pitching staff in 2014 and 2015, was named the American League Rookie of the Year with the Detroit Tigers.
Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 8th round in 1969, Abbott spent 11 seasons in the Major Leagues as a starting pitcher for the A’s (1973-76), Seattle Mariners (1977-83) and Detroit Tigers (1983-84). Abbott compiled a 62-83 record and amassed a 4.39 ERA in 248 career games (206 starts). On September 28, 1975, he combined with Vida Blue, Paul Linblad and Rollie Fingers in the first four-pitcher no-hitter in MLB history.
This season marks Natera’s 26th with the Mets organization and tenth in the Southern Tier. Under Natera’s watch, Phillip Evans highlighted Binghamton’s offense in 2016 by winning the Eastern League batting title with a .335 batting average.
He has served as a hitting coach at five different levels during that time, including stints with Buffalo (AAA, 2009), St. Lucie (High-A, 2007), Hagerstown (Low-A, 2005-06), Kingsport (Rookie, 2003-04), and Capital City (Low-A, 1999).
Natera served in his native country as coordinator of the Mets’ Dominican Academy in 2001 and 2002. He managed the Dominican Mets (Rookie) in 2002 and skippered the DSL Mets from 1992-1997.
Grimes returns for his second season as the team’s athletic trainer and 29th season overall in professional baseball. Before joining the Mets in 2016, he spent 27 years in the Chicago Cubs organization.
Kory Wan joins the Rumble Ponies after spending last season in the same capacity with St. Lucie. The 2017 season will be his fourth in the Mets system. A 2013 graduate of St. Leo University, Wan has spent time with the Kingsport Mets (R) and Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A).
Be sure to follow the Rumble Ponies on Facebook (facebook.com/RumblePonies) on Twitter (@RumblePoniesBB), and at the team’s official website (BingRP.com) for more team information.
The Rumble Ponies open the 2017 season on the road in New Hampshire on April 6 before celebrating their home opener at NYSEG Stadium on April 13. Tickets for the 2017 season are on sale now.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
HERE & THERE COLUMN
Why Were Folks Surprised ?
Comments made by so many following the large margin of victory that led to the election of Donald Trump included "surprised" and "I don't think anyone had an accurate feel on the pulse of the American voter."
It is very apparent to this columnist that if folks were surprised with election results then they must have been living in the make-believe world or not facing reality.
The pundits and the pollsters continue to express disbelief that they didn't see Donald Trump's victory coming. Well before Trump declared he was running...to the amusement of the liberal media and Washington establishment, who didn't stop laughing until Nov. 8...and long before Hillary Clinton dismissed half of Trump's supporters as "deplorables"....Trump supporters had gotten use to being looked down upon.
The folks on Nov. 8 said they had enough of the smugness and the general attitude of the left which was saying...disagree with us?... you're probably racist, xenophobic, sexist, bigoted or all of the above
Several weeks prior to election day we made our small telephone poll to folks we know in Florida, Ohio, South and North Carolina and while traveling trough the state of Pennsylvania we noticed Trump signs outnumbering Clinton signs by at least a two to one margin.
What we heard in our small poll told me Trump would be a big winner and I expressed that fact to many prior to the elections....yes some local folks thought I was wrong.
What our telephone poll revealed is that folks didn't like race and Trump's alleged racism being pushed by the Democrats and voters didn't support issues like social injustice, race and the environment.
Those who supported Trump's campaign of hope and making America great again responded.
A political campaign featuring fear mongering tactics was rejected by the folks and voters also rejected corruption and unfair federal policies thus delivering vast power to a maverick political novice who promised to treat working Americans with respect.
Hillary Clinton's incredible record of ethical deficiencies were hard to overcome by those who felt she distorted and mislead at every turn.
Trump's victory can also be credited to voters who saw that the establishment media was woefully out of touch with the folks it's supposed to represent and Trump's election exposed it.
Yes, a lot of people saw it coming ....just not the people who allegedly covered the election. The election was a massive failure for the established media, broadcasters, pollsters, newspapers, consultants and know-nothing TV yakkers who largely live and breathe in New York and Washington.
Simply said, the folks want repeal of ObamaCare, nullification of President Obama's executive orders and memorandum, they support a wall along the border with Mexico, they want deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of crimes, they want cuts in individual and corporate tax rates, they want a better Iran nuclear deal, they want to deregulate energy production and they support negotiations to rewrite trade treaties.
The era of the negative ad died in this election and passion and enthusiasm proved more effective in generating the massive turnout in support of President Elect Trump.
BOWLING HIGHLIGHTS
Agapito Hits 300 & 816
Pedro Agapito III has had a hot hand lately, recording a perfect 300 game on Nov. 15 and following it up on Nov. 22 with an 816 series, both in the Kiamesha Lanes Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league.
The 816 series saw him record singles games of 278, 249, 289 .
The 300 game followed by a 224, 231 and a 756 series was scored on lanes 13-14 using an IQ Tour Pearl bowling ball.
The 22-year-old Monticello bowler has been bowling for 12 years and presently bowls in both the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league and the Monday Men's league, both at Kiamesha Lanes.
Pedro noted that all 12 strikes were in the pocket.
This is his 16th 300 game and his 14th 800 series.
In the Tuesday league he bowls on the Rock HIll Liquor Store team with team mates Kevin Stackhouse, George Dye and Tola Deylii.
He presently maintains a 231 average for all leagues.
Pedro is not married but is engaged to Angela Scott. They have no children.
He is employed at the Crystal Run Village and is a DSP.
Ed's Outlook
Copperfield Bowl in Houston on a Thursday night during the bowling season is where you'll likely run into Sean Osbourn.
But, it was an unexpected guest appearance at the center on a Monday that yielded a record-setting performance for the 24-year-old right-hander, who became the 29th bowler to roll three consecutive 300 games for a 900 series in United States Bowling Congress-certified competition.
Osbourn bowled as a substitute in Copperfield Bowl's early league session, and then was asked to fill in for someone on the late league.
The second half of his evening started with the usual paperwork any bowler must fill out when bowling in new league for the first time, but it ended with additional paperwork he never could have expected.
"I couldn't believe it - I still can't," said Osbourn, who owned four 300 games prior to Monday. "I wasn't shaking at the end, though. I think I was in shock. It's great and crazy, and I can't believe it happened to me. I love bowling and always have, and this is something I'll never forget."
Osbourn's last 300 and 800 came at Copperfield Bowl in September, when he opened the night with 12 consecutive strikes and added games of 258 and 254 for an 812 series, the third 800 of his career.
That experience definitely helped him Monday after his perfect start, despite impossible-to-avoid thoughts of the likelihood of a poor shot or run-ending 10 pin. Neither happened, though, as Osbourn polished off the first perfect set in the Lone Star State, topping the previous mark of 899, shot by Bill Fong of Plano, Texas, in 2010.
"I'd never shot back-to-back 300s or two in the same set, so it was a little unfamiliar, but I just tried to keep it going and keep the shots online," Osbourn said. "I felt the same way at the end of the third game, too. But, I was on my good lane. I tried not to overthink it and just throw the ball."
Osbourn's 36-strike string came in the NFL Fall 2016 short-season league. The trios league kicked off its 14-week season in mid-September and is scheduled to run until Dec. 12.
"It definitely helped being in a trios league, so I didn't have to wait that long and was able to keep my mind focused," said Osbourn, who comes from a family of bowlers and has averaged as high as 230, which came during the 2013-2014 season. "Being that it was the late league and some teams had already left, there weren't that many people around. Those who were left came up to congratulate me, and 5-10 minutes later is when it really started to sink in."
Osbourn had about a week's notice concerning his substitute role in Monday's early league, in which he bowled a less eventful series in the 670s. But, the first session served as a great warm-up and gave him an idea how to attack the oil pattern, even though his record feat would take place on a different pair of lanes.
Osbourn's achievement is pending approval from USBC and would be the 30th USBC-approved 900.
The first USBC-approved 900 occurred Feb. 2, 1997 when Jeremy Sonnenfeld rolled three consecutive perfect games in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo
At certain times during your bowling match slowing down the bowling ball is important.
If you find your bowling ball skidding right past the break point, you are on a lane that has more oil than normal.
The only way to compensate for this situation is to slow down your bowling ball. By slowing down your ball, your ball will have less momentum, therefore gripping earlier and hopefully on its normal break point.
So how do you slow down your bowling ball?
Just like adding more sapped to a ball, we will use our good old buddy, gravity to help. This means holding the ball lower during our approach. Depending on how much speed ou want to take off the ball, your should lower it anywhere from two inches to a foot.
Another good tip to follow here is bending a little at your knees as well.
You will also want to start your approach closer to the foul line.
These ball speed tips will really help your ball speed, but they will take a lot of practice to master.
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, email him at mikel@stormbowling.com
Local Scores
Beechwood Lanes
Mon. Villa Roma Ladies
Diane Staves 150, 169, Diane Conroy 164, Danielle Meyer 160, Trish Ellmauer 190.
Callicoon Kristal Bowl
Mon. Hortonville Ladies
Marty Bogdanowitz 165, 163, 168, Kelly Gombita 155, 151, Lillian Zieres 181, 167, 155, 503, Chris Burr 182, Debbie Loughrey 152, Robin Luckey 155, 232, 513, Deedee Schrader 155, 154, Barbara Pingel 166, Sharon Cunningham 157, Judy Mohn 169, 152, Heidi Bauer 188, 153, Mardette Wilcox 178, 183.
Wednesday Fun
Brian Brustman 194, 180, Rich Thony 201, Tim Sykes 191, Randy Fisher 197, Tom Gain 198, Scott McGowan 197, Bobby Glassel 187, Hopper Hubert 189, Alby Thony 215, Sami Markao 181, Doug Kautz 201, Roger Widmann 197, 225, 600, Ed Leroy 192.
Kiamesha Lanes
Monday Men's
A real nice 819 series by Donny Durland off single games of 297, 279, 243....he carries a 243 average in this league, Jason Jones Jr. 234, 255, 685, Michael Travis 603, Dan VanAken 225, 620, Pedro Agapito III a 246, 248, 716, Mike Mulligan 233, 620, Dan Ricco 253, 673, Mike Weiner 639, Ryan Lapke 248, 604, Dave Graham 247, 244, 279, 770, Charlie Tuttle 236, 636, Tom Belgiovene 267, 632, Jon Wilhelm 267, 237, 237, 741, Vincent DeGraw 245, 621, Chris Parken 227, Justin Lopez 236, 626, Kyle Matthews 277, 227, 678, Jaryl Scott 225, 246, 662, Vinny Collura 236, 257, 717, Kevin Stackhouse 225, 237, 673, Keith Smith 244, 229, 686, Eddie Lake 227, 225, 657, Rick Lake 637, Ryan Feeney 257, Robert Feeney Sr. 618, Jody Farquhar 236, 649, John Hoffmann 609.
Tues. Mixed Firefighters
Kevin Stackhouse 226, 287, 726, Bob Yakin Jr. 243, 603, Trasey Barres 180, Larry Whipple 226, 631, Carena Collura 500, Dale Sonnenschein 236, 226, 667, Karen Martin 192, Kat Cronk 185, Tom Belgiovene 256, 653, Kyle Giordano 233, 259, 688, Jon Wilhelm 269, 227, 717, John Hoffmann 280, 711, Jody Farquhar 246, 616, Christie Graham 182, 504, Mary Lee Williams 183, 520, Linda Schaefer 183, Joan Lake 184, 192, 514, Keith Smith 227, 237, 676, David Graham 233, 236, 678.
Friday Mixed
Trasey Barres 214, 230, 204, 648, Cathy Carpenter 181, Angie Desmond 203, 227, 599, Paul Berens 245, 604, Donnie Durland 241, 651, Glenn Fraser 226, Eddie Lake 247, 265, 244, 756, Ryan Lepke 231, 279, 237, 747, Christopher Meyer 227, Dan Ricco 243, Bill Schubert 604, Keith Smith 611, Kevin Stackhouse 246, 661, James VanAken 236, 233, 651.
Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the sport of bowling and brings over 60-years of sports journalism experience in writing and compiling the information for this column. If you have league or tournament information, bowl a 300 game or 800 series or even bowl your age, call Ed at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and Ed's photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.
Kiamesha Lanes Tuesday Mixed Firefighters Vice President Shane Cunningham, right, presents the USBC 300 game certificate to Pedro Agapito III.
Pedro Agapito III has had a hot hand lately, recording a perfect 300 game on Nov. 15 and following it up on Nov. 22 with an 816 series, both in the Kiamesha Lanes Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league.
The 816 series saw him record singles games of 278, 249, 289 .
The 300 game followed by a 224, 231 and a 756 series was scored on lanes 13-14 using an IQ Tour Pearl bowling ball.
The 22-year-old Monticello bowler has been bowling for 12 years and presently bowls in both the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league and the Monday Men's league, both at Kiamesha Lanes.
Pedro noted that all 12 strikes were in the pocket.
This is his 16th 300 game and his 14th 800 series.
In the Tuesday league he bowls on the Rock HIll Liquor Store team with team mates Kevin Stackhouse, George Dye and Tola Deylii.
He presently maintains a 231 average for all leagues.
Pedro is not married but is engaged to Angela Scott. They have no children.
He is employed at the Crystal Run Village and is a DSP.
Ed's Outlook
Copperfield Bowl in Houston on a Thursday night during the bowling season is where you'll likely run into Sean Osbourn.
But, it was an unexpected guest appearance at the center on a Monday that yielded a record-setting performance for the 24-year-old right-hander, who became the 29th bowler to roll three consecutive 300 games for a 900 series in United States Bowling Congress-certified competition.
Osbourn bowled as a substitute in Copperfield Bowl's early league session, and then was asked to fill in for someone on the late league.
The second half of his evening started with the usual paperwork any bowler must fill out when bowling in new league for the first time, but it ended with additional paperwork he never could have expected.
"I couldn't believe it - I still can't," said Osbourn, who owned four 300 games prior to Monday. "I wasn't shaking at the end, though. I think I was in shock. It's great and crazy, and I can't believe it happened to me. I love bowling and always have, and this is something I'll never forget."
Osbourn's last 300 and 800 came at Copperfield Bowl in September, when he opened the night with 12 consecutive strikes and added games of 258 and 254 for an 812 series, the third 800 of his career.
That experience definitely helped him Monday after his perfect start, despite impossible-to-avoid thoughts of the likelihood of a poor shot or run-ending 10 pin. Neither happened, though, as Osbourn polished off the first perfect set in the Lone Star State, topping the previous mark of 899, shot by Bill Fong of Plano, Texas, in 2010.
"I'd never shot back-to-back 300s or two in the same set, so it was a little unfamiliar, but I just tried to keep it going and keep the shots online," Osbourn said. "I felt the same way at the end of the third game, too. But, I was on my good lane. I tried not to overthink it and just throw the ball."
Osbourn's 36-strike string came in the NFL Fall 2016 short-season league. The trios league kicked off its 14-week season in mid-September and is scheduled to run until Dec. 12.
"It definitely helped being in a trios league, so I didn't have to wait that long and was able to keep my mind focused," said Osbourn, who comes from a family of bowlers and has averaged as high as 230, which came during the 2013-2014 season. "Being that it was the late league and some teams had already left, there weren't that many people around. Those who were left came up to congratulate me, and 5-10 minutes later is when it really started to sink in."
Osbourn had about a week's notice concerning his substitute role in Monday's early league, in which he bowled a less eventful series in the 670s. But, the first session served as a great warm-up and gave him an idea how to attack the oil pattern, even though his record feat would take place on a different pair of lanes.
Osbourn's achievement is pending approval from USBC and would be the 30th USBC-approved 900.
The first USBC-approved 900 occurred Feb. 2, 1997 when Jeremy Sonnenfeld rolled three consecutive perfect games in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo
At certain times during your bowling match slowing down the bowling ball is important.
If you find your bowling ball skidding right past the break point, you are on a lane that has more oil than normal.
The only way to compensate for this situation is to slow down your bowling ball. By slowing down your ball, your ball will have less momentum, therefore gripping earlier and hopefully on its normal break point.
So how do you slow down your bowling ball?
Just like adding more sapped to a ball, we will use our good old buddy, gravity to help. This means holding the ball lower during our approach. Depending on how much speed ou want to take off the ball, your should lower it anywhere from two inches to a foot.
Another good tip to follow here is bending a little at your knees as well.
You will also want to start your approach closer to the foul line.
These ball speed tips will really help your ball speed, but they will take a lot of practice to master.
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, email him at mikel@stormbowling.com
Local Scores
Beechwood Lanes
Mon. Villa Roma Ladies
Diane Staves 150, 169, Diane Conroy 164, Danielle Meyer 160, Trish Ellmauer 190.
Callicoon Kristal Bowl
Mon. Hortonville Ladies
Marty Bogdanowitz 165, 163, 168, Kelly Gombita 155, 151, Lillian Zieres 181, 167, 155, 503, Chris Burr 182, Debbie Loughrey 152, Robin Luckey 155, 232, 513, Deedee Schrader 155, 154, Barbara Pingel 166, Sharon Cunningham 157, Judy Mohn 169, 152, Heidi Bauer 188, 153, Mardette Wilcox 178, 183.
Wednesday Fun
Brian Brustman 194, 180, Rich Thony 201, Tim Sykes 191, Randy Fisher 197, Tom Gain 198, Scott McGowan 197, Bobby Glassel 187, Hopper Hubert 189, Alby Thony 215, Sami Markao 181, Doug Kautz 201, Roger Widmann 197, 225, 600, Ed Leroy 192.
Kiamesha Lanes
Monday Men's
A real nice 819 series by Donny Durland off single games of 297, 279, 243....he carries a 243 average in this league, Jason Jones Jr. 234, 255, 685, Michael Travis 603, Dan VanAken 225, 620, Pedro Agapito III a 246, 248, 716, Mike Mulligan 233, 620, Dan Ricco 253, 673, Mike Weiner 639, Ryan Lapke 248, 604, Dave Graham 247, 244, 279, 770, Charlie Tuttle 236, 636, Tom Belgiovene 267, 632, Jon Wilhelm 267, 237, 237, 741, Vincent DeGraw 245, 621, Chris Parken 227, Justin Lopez 236, 626, Kyle Matthews 277, 227, 678, Jaryl Scott 225, 246, 662, Vinny Collura 236, 257, 717, Kevin Stackhouse 225, 237, 673, Keith Smith 244, 229, 686, Eddie Lake 227, 225, 657, Rick Lake 637, Ryan Feeney 257, Robert Feeney Sr. 618, Jody Farquhar 236, 649, John Hoffmann 609.
Tues. Mixed Firefighters
Kevin Stackhouse 226, 287, 726, Bob Yakin Jr. 243, 603, Trasey Barres 180, Larry Whipple 226, 631, Carena Collura 500, Dale Sonnenschein 236, 226, 667, Karen Martin 192, Kat Cronk 185, Tom Belgiovene 256, 653, Kyle Giordano 233, 259, 688, Jon Wilhelm 269, 227, 717, John Hoffmann 280, 711, Jody Farquhar 246, 616, Christie Graham 182, 504, Mary Lee Williams 183, 520, Linda Schaefer 183, Joan Lake 184, 192, 514, Keith Smith 227, 237, 676, David Graham 233, 236, 678.
Friday Mixed
Trasey Barres 214, 230, 204, 648, Cathy Carpenter 181, Angie Desmond 203, 227, 599, Paul Berens 245, 604, Donnie Durland 241, 651, Glenn Fraser 226, Eddie Lake 247, 265, 244, 756, Ryan Lepke 231, 279, 237, 747, Christopher Meyer 227, Dan Ricco 243, Bill Schubert 604, Keith Smith 611, Kevin Stackhouse 246, 661, James VanAken 236, 233, 651.
Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the sport of bowling and brings over 60-years of sports journalism experience in writing and compiling the information for this column. If you have league or tournament information, bowl a 300 game or 800 series or even bowl your age, call Ed at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and Ed's photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.
Kiamesha Lanes Tuesday Mixed Firefighters Vice President Shane Cunningham, right, presents the USBC 300 game certificate to Pedro Agapito III.
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