CHINA HAS 10 IN WSOB

GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling VIII Notebook

CHINA’S BACK WITH RECORD GROUP OF 10 PLAYERS

For the third year, “graduates” of China’s Longmarch Pioneers League have returned to the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling. This year’s record group of 10 players includes three traditional right handers, two lefties and five players who use the “spinner” technique with very light bowling balls, a technique that is popular in Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and a few other Asian Rim nations. It’s the largest group of “spinner” technicians ever to bowl in PBA competition.

After making its debut with six bowlers in 2014 and seven last year, China continues to pursue its first “casher.” But the players who have qualified through the “Pioneers” program created by Longmarch Bowling President Frank Zhao continue to make progress and Zhao is making sure Chinese bowling fans are constantly updated by feeding them video and audio reports on social media on a daily basis. As a demonstration of the progress China is making, Zhiyong Wang averaged 224.5 in the Cheetah round to finish in 26th place – missing the cut to the match play elimination rounds by finishing two pins behind PBA legend Walter Ray Williams Jr.

In order to earn trips to the WSOB, Chinese players have to earn their PBA memberships through Zhao’s Longmarch Pioneers League, establishing minimum 200 averages, and then they had to finish among the leaders in a national qualifying event.

Once again accompanying the delegation is Guotai Shi, who is Vice Chairman of the Chinese Bowling Association.

2016 WSOB “ANIMAL PATTERN” PRIMER

Since its inception in Detroit in 2009, the essence of the World Series has been a variety of “animal pattern” which not only offer PBA Tour titles, but serve as qualifying stages culminating with the PBA World Championship. In order to win the PBA World Championship, players must demonstrate a high level of consistency across the different challenges the “animal patterns” present.

While oiling patterns on bowling lanes are normally invisible, the PBA helped fans get a visual picture of the differences in playing conditions when it introduced blue dyed oil for televised WSOB events in 2013. The “blue oil” lanes have remained a part of PBA’s televised events ever since.

Another major advance in understanding the challenges of bowling came when the PBA gave those varying oiling patterns names. Thus the so-called animal patterns were born, and fans can now relate to the playing surface involved simply by referring to the animal pattern name and knowing peculiar features are involved with that particular oiling pattern. This year’s patterns are the Cheetah, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark. The Shark, making its first WSOB appearance since 2011, replaces the Viper to give this year’s World Series a different challenge than they faced in 2015. Here’s a brief look at the 2016 animal patterns:

The Cheetah: PBA’s description says “A cheetah may look harmless, but this speedster has a dangerous side. So does this pattern - with a fast scoring pace and play near the gutter, there's no room for error.” The Cheetah involves applying oil on the lane to a distance of 35 feet. Past WSOB Cheetah champions include Norm Duke (2009), Eugene McCune (2010), Bill O’Neill (2012), Wes Malott (2013), Anthony Pepe (2014) and Parker Bohn III (2015). The Cheetah was not part of the 2011 WSOB.

The Chameleon: “Chameleons change color to outsmart their enemies. To excel on this pattern, bowlers must be versatile in many styles of play.” The Chameleon pattern involves oiling to a distance of 43 feet. Past WSOB Chameleon champions include Bill O’Neill (2009), Scott Norton (2010), Jason Belmonte (2011), Scott Norton (2012), Ryan Ciminelli (2013), Mika Koivuniemi (2014) and Jesper Svensson (2015).

The Scorpion: “A scorpion is dangerous and unpredictable, like this pattern. If you can't find the right groove on the lanes, you'll be stung!” The Scorpion pattern involves oiling to a distance of 47 feet. Past WSOB Scorpion champions include Mike DeVaney (2009), non-member Yong-Jin Gu (2010), Dom Barrett (2011), Tom Daugherty (2012), Tom Smallwood (2013), Michael Haugen Jr. (2014) and Jon Van Hees (2015).

The Shark: “The shark involves a heavy application of oil and is frequently preferred by players who can play the inside part of the lane because abundant oil on the outside part of the lane can lead mistakes into the abyss. Precise shot-making will be rewarded. Miss your target or make an errant release, and you may wind up in the jaws of the beast.” The Shark pattern involves a high-volume application of oil to distance of 43 feet. Past WSOB Shark champions include: Jack Jurek (2009), Osku Palermaa (2010) and Jason Belmonte (2011).

The PBA World Championship: A specific oiling pattern, to a distance of 41 feet, is used for PBA World Championship match play and television final competition. Past WSOB PBA World Champions include: Tom Smallwood (2009), Chris Barnes (2010), Osku Palermaa (2011), Parker Bohn III (2012), Dom Barrett (2013), Mike Fagan (2014) and Gary Faulkner Jr. (2015).

In addition to the distance oil is applied to the lane for each specific animal pattern, the distribution of oil across the lane varies from pattern to pattern, using sophisticated lane maintenance equipment for precise duplication of oil lane to lane. The oil application influences angles of attack, ball speed and numerous other decisions bowlers have to make. Instead of being able to see the oil on the lane – and how it is moved around as each round progresses – professional bowlers read the motion of their bowling balls as they travel down the lane in order to make adjustments.

The variety of playing surfaces challenges combined with the most talented bowlers in the world are reasons why the PBA World Series of Bowling is the greatest event in bowling.

NEXT UP ON XTRA FRAME: RANDY GOES “ONE ON ONE” WITH BARRETT, FAULKNER, RASH

As the PBA continues its extensive coverage of the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling VIII on Xtra Frame, subscribers are getting a chance to meet some of the Tour’s top stars who are featured in a new “One on One with Randy Pedersen” series of interviews.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, Pedersen will chat with Sean Rash, who tells some moose stories, talks about his favorite places to bowl, a growing affinity for wine with help from Johnny Petraglia and more.

Coming on Monday, Dec. 5: Anthony Simonsen talks his early start to bowling, his favorite PBA Tour roommates, dealing with success, miniature golf, why he’d rather eat with bowlers than anyone else and more. On Thursday, Dec. 8: Chris Barnes discusses quick wits and Tommy Jones, his favorite television opponents, bets with Mika Koivuniemi, what he does with any spare time he can find and more. Closing out the series on Monday, Dec. 12: Tom Daugherty chats about his standout 2016 season, his favorite restaurant in the world, his pro shops, one peculiar superstition and more.

If you missed them, the Xtra Frame archives includes conversations with Ryan Ciminelli, Jason Belmonte, Jesper Svensson, Dom Barrett and Gary Faulkner Jr.

Xtra Frame currently is providing exclusive coverage of the animal pattern qualifying rounds, leading into the start of PBA World Championship cashers round and match play coverage Dec. 4-5 when PBA Hall of Famer Marshall Holman will join the Xtra Frame announcing team. Holman will remain in the XF booth through the conclusion of World Series coverage, Dec. 6-8, and will then join ESPN announcers Dave LaMont and Randy Pedersen for the live ESPN telecast of the PBA World Championship on Dec. 11. For the Xtra Frame daily schedule, including air times, visit http://www.pba.com/Live. 

Xtra Frame subscriptions are available in a variety of packages: three-day ($3.99), 30-day ($7.99) and Xtra Frame Season Ticket (a full-year’s coverage at an average cost of $1.25 per week) subscriptions are available by visiting “xtraframe.tv” and clicking on the “subscribe now” link. As a reminder, new monthly or Season Ticket subscribers also are automatically entered into monthly sweepstakes where they have chances to win a new high-performance bowling ball from Brunswick, DV8 or MOTIV.

QUBICA AMF PBA REGIONAL UPDATE: FINDLING WINS IN BEAUMONT

Joe Findling from Mesquite, Texas defeated Mark Williams on Williams’ home lanes Sunday, winning the 15th annual PBA Beaumont Southwest Open at Crossroads Bowling Center with a 218-182 victory over the PBA Hall of Famer. The victory was Findling’s seventh career QubicaAMF PBA Regional title.

Findling led qualifying to claim the top berth for the stepladder finals. In the opening match, Williams defeated Andy Patterson of Tyler, Texas, 257-225. He then eliminated Dylan Macon from Lubbock, Texas, 233-214, to advance to the championship match. Then, holding a one-pin lead, Williams opened in the seventh frame and Findling pounced, striking in the ninth and 10th frames to secure the $3,000 first prize.

● The only QubicaAMF PBA Regional activity over the Dec. 2-3 weekend will be the MJK Pro Shop/Knob Hill Eastern Challenge presented by DV8 for non-champions at Knob Hill Country Lanes in Manalapan, N.J.

● For complete QubicaAMF PBA Regional schedules, rules and entry information, visit pba.com, open the “schedules” tab and click on QubicaAMF Regional Tours to find the event(s) in your area. For more information about QubicaAMF, visit www.

RAILRIDERS ANNOUNCE CHANGES

RailRiders Announce Front Office Changes

Longtime Linchpin Ruby Departs, Olerud Elevated

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders’ (Triple-A/New York Yankees) announce that Josh Olerud has been promoted to president.

“Josh has done an incredible job leading the team during the past year and has created an exciting atmosphere for the community and all of our fans to enjoy RailRiders baseball at PNC Field,” said David Abrams, co-managing owner of the RailRiders.

“I’m excited for Josh’s promotion and looking forward to the team’s continued success and growth in NEPA,” said owner Bob Mills. “I have full confidence that he’s completely prepared to lead us into 2017 and beyond.”

The SWB RailRiders also announce that Jeremy Ruby will be leaving the organization for the general manager position with The Pavilion at Montage Mountain. His new position will start on Monday, Dec. 12.

“The last two decades of my life have been intertwined with this team,” said Ruby, who began his baseball front office career as an SWB intern in 1998. “But I got an opportunity that I could not pass up at this time in my life. While it’s bittersweet to exit the baseball lifestyle, I’m supremely excited to join forces with the great folks at Live Nation Entertainment”.

“I can’t thank Jeremy enough for his leadership and friendship,” said Olerud. “He will be deeply missed, but we all certainly understand his decision granted his tremendous new opportunity. We will still be working hard as a team to get ready for the 2017 season and the Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game over the coming months.”

The 2016 Gildan Triple-A National Champion RailRiders open their 2017 home schedule on Monday, April 10 against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies). For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

PBA CHALLENGE EVENTS WINNERS

O’Grady, Williams, Parkin Win PBA Challenge Events to Kick Off

GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling VIII

Eighth annual World Series officially gets underway with animal pattern stages on Tuesday

RENO, Nev. (Sunday, Nov. 27) – Matt O’Grady of Matawan, N.J.; Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Oxford, Fla., and Missy Parkin of  Laguna Hills, Calif., kicked off the GEICO Professional Bowlers Association World Series of Bowling VIII, presented by Silver Legacy Resort and Casino, with victories in the special PBA50 Tour, PBA Regional and PBA-PWBA Women’s Regional Challenge events Sunday at the National Bowling Stadium.

O’Grady, representing the PBA East Region, threw a clutch strike on his first shot in the 10th frame to nip South Region represent Dick Allen of Columbia, S.C., 225-217, handing Allen his first loss in the nine-game PBA Regional Challenge special event.

“I know it doesn’t count as a title, but it sure feels like one to me,” O’Grady said. “Being here on bowling’s biggest stage, live on Xtra Frame, against a stellar field of players who all have a lot more experience than I do feels pretty good. Maybe, at age 30, I’m just hitting my prime a little late.”

Williams, at age 57, survived another in a series of battles with veteran Ron Mohr of Las Vegas, throwing the only double of the match and clinching the 192-187 win with a strike on his first ball in the 10th frame after a pair of costly 10 pins thwarted Mohr again. For the ninth time in 2016, Mohr made a championship round without winning the title.

“It’s a great opportunity for the PBA50 Tour guys to have an event like this at the end of the season,” Williams said. “I was fortunate Ron didn’t double in the 10th, but I thought I threw some good shots that didn’t carry, too. That’s the challenge of this game. You have to figure out what to do to carry those shots.

“It’s a great confidence-builder to start the World Series,” he added, noting the win doesn’t end his ongoing duel with fellow PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber to become the first PBA player to win a combined 100 PBA Tour, PBA50 Tour, PBA Regional and PBA50 Regional titles. Both have 99.

“No, this wasn’t the 100th title,” Williams said. “It’s a special event. Never had been a PBA title, so it doesn’t count.”

Parkin, bowling with medical approval by her doctor after undergoing surgery nearly six weeks, saved her best game for last, defeating top qualifying and PBA South Region representative Ashly Galante of Palm Harbor, Fla., 267-188, for the PBA-PWBA Women’s Regional Challenge title. After a first-frame spare, Parkin reeled off eight strikes in a row to run away with the $8,000 first prize.

“I changed strategy based on what I was doing in qualifying,” Parkin said. “I overheard the guys say they were playing farther right on the pair of lanes we used for the finals, and I’m perfectly fine with that. I tried it in practice and it was amazing, so I stayed out there.

“I’m really grateful I got cleared to bowl this event,” the PBA West Region representative said. “I’m bummed I can’t bowl the rest of the World Series, but I’m really glad I got to do this one.”

Each of the three Challenge events culminated season-long competition points qualifiers to reach the World Series, and entitled each of the competitors to paid entries into the World Series as well. The Challenge events were covered live, exclusively on PBA’s online video streaming service, Xtra Frame.

The eighth annual WSOB officially gets underway Tuesday with the first of four animal pattern qualifying stages leading into the PBA World Championship that will conclude with live ESPN television coverage on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT). All preliminary qualifying rounds of the Cheetah, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark Championships also will be covered live on Xtra Frame between Tuesday and Thursday, Dec. 8.

PBA-PBA WOMEN’S REGIONAL CHALLENGE

National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nev., Nov. 27

            Championship: Missy Parkin, Laguna Hills, Calif. ($8,000) def. Ashly Galanta, Palm Harbor, Fla. ($4,000), 267-188.

            Final Match Play Standings (after 8 games, including match play bonus pins; top two advanced to championship match): 1, Galante, 7-1, 2,018. 2, Parkin, 4-4, 1,828. 3, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 6-2, 1,777, $1,000. 4, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 5-3, 1,751, $700. 5, Liz Kuhlkin, Rotterdam, N.Y., 4-4, 1,728, $600. 6, April Lord Wittig, Steilacoom, Wash., 4-4, 1,648, $500. 7, Summer Jasmin, Beckley, W.Va., 2-6, 1,538, $400.

PBA50 TOUR CHALLENGE

            Championship: Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla. ($8,000) def. Ron Mohr, Las Vegas ($4,000), 192-187.

            Final Match Play Standings (after 8 games, including match play bonus pins; top two advanced to championship match): 1, Mohr, 7-1, 2,031. 2, Williams, 6-2, 2,012. 3, Bob Learn Jr, Erie, Pa., 4-4, 1,968, $1,000. 4, Lennie Boresch Jr, Kenosha, Wis., 4-4, 1,963, $700. 5, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 3-5, 1,820, $600. 6, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 3-5, 1,797, $500. 7, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 5-3, 1,754, $400.

PBA REGIONAL CHALLENGE

            Championship: Matt O’Grady, Matawan, N.J. ($8,000) def. Dick Allen, Columbia, S.C. ($4,000), 225-217.

            Final Match Play Standings (after 8 games, including match play bonus pins; top two advanced to championship match): 1, Allen, 8-0, 2,202. 2, O'Grady, 4-4, 1,974. 3, Tom Hess, Urbandale, Iowa, 4-4, 1,959, $1,000. 4, Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Ariz., 4-4, 1,944, $700. 5, Shawn Maldonado, Houston, Texas, 5-3, 1,847, $600. 6, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 4-4, 1,825, $500. 7, David Haynes, Las Vegas, 3-5, 1,776, $400.

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 and 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.

PBA SPARE SHIOTS

PBA Spare Shots

WILL YOUTH MOVEMENT CONTINUE IN 2016 PBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP?

There’s a youth movement going on in today’s PBA Tour and it’s being underscored by the immediate impact young players are making in not just winning PBA Tour events, but by winning majors.

You need to look no further back than last year’s GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling VII presented by Silver Legacy Resort and Casino when 25-year-old Gary Faulkner Jr. of Memphis won the PBA World Championship at the National Bowling Stadium by defeating then-23-year-old EJ Tackett of Huntington, Ind., for his first PBA Tour title.

Faulkner’s win in the 2015 PBA World Championship started a string of the last five majors being won by players age 25 or younger for their first major titles: FireLake PBA Tournament of Champions, Jesper Svensson, 20; USBC Masters, Anthony Simonsen, 19; Barbasol PBA Players Championship, Graham Fach, 23; U.S. Open, Francois Lavoie, 23.

Another name to watch for is Jakob Butturff of Chandler, Ariz., who heads into the WSOB after winning a PBA-record ninth QubicaAMF PBA West Region title Sunday (see details under “QubicaAMF Regional Update” below) and his first two PBA Tour titles earlier in the year.

Faulkner will begin his title defense Monday when the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling VIII presented by Silver Legacy gets underway. It will culminate when the fifth and final major title of the 2016 season is settled when the PBA World Championship finals air live on ESPN on Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT).

In addition to the crown jewel of the WSOB, ESPN will air the finals of five other PBA Tour events on Dec. 18, 24, 25 and Jan. 8 (plus a re-air of the PBA World Championship on New Year’s Day. The finals will be contested on Dec. 10-11 for delayed broadcast. For taping times and ticket information for the Cheetah, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark Championships, plus the U.S. vs. The World finals at the National Bowling Stadium click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pba-geico-wsob-viii-tv-tickets-tickets-28534712092

For a complete listing of ESPN air dates for all WSOB events click on http://www.pba.com/Television.

Xtra Frame, the PBA’s online channel, will provide approximately 100 hours of live coverage of qualifying and match play rounds during the World Series, leading up to the ESPN finals. In addition to daily reports provided by the PBA, many of the competitors in the World Series will provide their personal fans with daily insights into the event. Beginning with PBA World Championship competition on Dec. 4, PBA Hall of Famer Marshall Holman will join the Xtra Frame announce team. For subscription and schedule information click on http://www.xtraframe.tv/#!home

NEXT UP ON XTRA FRAME: RANDY GOES “ONE ON ONE” WITH BARRETT, FAULKNER, RASH

As the PBA heads into its wall-to-wall coverage of the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling VIII on Xtra Frame, subscribers are invited to tune in for a glimpse into the lives of some of the PBA’s personalities who are featured in a new “One on One with Randy Pedersen” series of interviews.

On Thanksgiving day, Pedersen will visit with England’s Dom Barrett who discusses his early bowling obsession and idols, life on the road, a day at home, whether or not Randy is welcome in Dom’s hometown pub and more.

Coming on Monday will be Pedersen’s sit-down chat with 2015 PBA World Champion Gary Faulkner Jr. who talks about his two-handed start to bowling, an addiction to movies, karate, his workout regimen and more.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, Pedersen will chat with Sean Rash, who tells some moose stories, talks about his favorite places to bowl, a growing affinity for wine with help from Johnny Petraglia and more.

Already in the Xtra Frame archives are conversations with Ryan Ciminelli who talks about how he got started, how he revamped his game, his Corvette affinity, personal transformation and more.

Also in the archives, Jason Belmonte  discussed his daily routine, his crush on Jennifer Lawrence, family cuisine, shark cages and more; and 2015 PBA Rookie of the Year Jesper Svensson discusses his expansive hat collection, cuddleball, golf and his unique "scam step."

Coming soon to Pedersen’s “One on One” series will be visits with Anthony Simonsen, Chris Barnes and Tom Daugherty.

For fans who want to watch bowling action, Xtra Frame’s comprehensive coverage of the multi-event, two-week showcase of international bowling begins Sunday with the qualifying and championship rounds of the PBA Regional, PBA-PWBA Women’s Regional and PBA50 Challenge events.

Monday is practice day, but Tuesday through Friday, Nov. 29-Dec. 2, will feature exclusive coverage of qualifying rounds in the Cheetah, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark Championships.

A new addition to the XF schedule will be the PBA League Pre-Season Showdown on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. in Reno). Fans will get a sneak-peek at the 2017 PBA League teams as all eight teams participate in a series of Baker format team matches. The opening two-game round will pair teams based on how they finished in 2016. A one-game round robin match play round will then determine the top teams for the one-game Baker finale.

PBA Hall of Famer Marshall Holman will join the Xtra Frame announcing team beginning with competition in the PBA World Championship, Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 4-5. Holman will remain in the XF booth through the conclusion of World Series coverage, Dec. 6-8, and will also join ESPN announcers Dave LaMont and Randy Pedersen for the live ESPN telecast of the PBA World Championship on Dec. 11. For the Xtra Frame daily schedule, including air times, visit http://www.pba.com/Live. 

Xtra Frame subscriptions are available in a variety of packages: three-day ($3.99), 30-day ($7.99) and Xtra Frame Season Ticket (a full-year’s coverage at an average cost of $1.25 per week) subscriptions are available by visiting “xtraframe.tv” and clicking on the “subscribe now” link.

PBA CHAMPION MIKE SHADY ELECTED TO USBC HALL OF FAME

PBA Tour title winner Mike Shady of Fairview, Pa., has been elected to the USBC Hall of Fame in the Outstanding USBC Performance category by the USBC Hall of Fame committee. Shady, 51, won the 1992 PBA Earl Anthony Open, but earned his USBC recognition for an unprecedented run at the USBC Open Championships which includes 2005 Team All-Events and 2011 Regular Team titles.

Shady, the lifetime USBC Open average leader with a mark of 222.28 in 21 appearances, has 13 additional top-10 finishes in addition to his two titles.

The USBC Hall of Fame committee also slated eight bowlers for the Superior Performance national ballot that will be voted on by a panel of USBC Hall of Fame members, USBC Board members and veteran bowling writers. The men’s ballot includes Dave Ferraro of Kingston, N.Y.; David Ozio and Mark Williams of Beaumont, Texas; Randy Pedersen of Clermont, Fla.; Mike Scroggins of Amarillo, Texas; and Danny Wiseman of Baltimore.

The two competitors on the women’s ballot are Marianne DiRupo of Succasunna, N.J., and Tammy Turner of West Palm Beach, Fla.

USBC’s induction ceremony will take place April 26 at the 2017 USBC Convention in Las Vegas.

QUBICA AMF PBA REGIONAL UPDATE: BUTTURFF SETS SINGLE-SEASON REGIONAL RECORD

Jakob Butturff of Chandler, Ariz., continued his dominance in the QubicaAMF PBA West Region Sunday, winning a PBA-record ninth regional title of the year with a 174-pin victory over Chris Warren of Grants Pass, Ore. in the PBA West/Northwest Capital City Open hosted at Strikes Unlimited Lanes in Rocklin, Calif.

With his win, Butturff took sole possession of the PBA record for most regional titles in a single season, breaking his tie with Mike Scroggins of Amarillo, Texas, who won eight times in 1999.

Butturff, a 22-year-old left-hander, posted a 9-3 match play record and 4,842 pinfall total for 20 games to earn the $2,000 first prize. Warren, a six-time PBA Tour title winner, had 4,668 pins including match play bonus pins.

In his second year as a PBA member, Butturff also has won two PBA Tour titles in 2016 (PBA Xtra

Frame Lubbock Sports Open in Texas in June and PBA Xtra Frame South Point Las Vegas Open in October), and he has earned more than $22,000 in regional competition alone.

In the companion PBA50 event, presented by DV8, Genesis and Mongoose, Joe Petrovich of Tracy, Calif., went 10-0 and knocked down 4,269 total pins for his first PBA50 West Region title 24 years.

● Jimmy Jean of Kathleen, Ga., defeated Gary Morgan of Atlanta, Ga., 275-175, 236-213 in the best-of-three-game title match to win his second QubicaAMF PBA South Region title in the PBA50 Gastonia Southern Open presented by Brunswick at Liberty Lanes in Gastonia, N.C., Sunday. Jean also earned $2,000.

In the best-of-three semifinal round, Jean defeated Keith Lesko of Indian Land, S.C., 228-200, 178-220, 191-189, while Morgan eliminated Gary Shultis of Levittown, N.Y., 234-206, 181-224, 202-196.

● Amateur Andrew Anderson of Holly, Mich., defeated Matt Zasowski of Towanda, N.Y., 2-1, in the best-of-three-game title match to win the PBA La-Z-Boy Central Challenge at Monroe Sport Center in Monroe, Mich., Sunday. Anderson, who earned $2,000, won his first QubicaAMF PBA Regional event, but he was not awarded a PBA title since he is a non-member.

● The QubicaAMF PBA Regional Tour’s Thanksgiving weekend schedule begins with the Japan Region’s Phoenix Rays Wolf Open at PBA Fuji Bowl in Iruma, Japan. The only tournament in the U.S. will be the Beaumont Southwest Open at Crossroads Bowling Center in Beaumont, Texas, Nov. 25-27.

 

● Heading into the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling VIII in Reno, the QubicaAMF PBA East Region will host the MJK Pro Shop/Knob Hill Eastern Challenge presented by DV8 for non-champions at Knob Hill Country Lanes in Manalapan, N.J., over the Dec. 2-3 weekend.

● For complete QubicaAMF PBA Regional schedules, rules and entry information, visit pba.com, open the “schedules” tab and click on QubicaAMF Regional Tours to find the event(s) in your area. For more information about QubicaAMF, visit www.qubicaamf.com or, for social media posts, visit http://bit.ly/QAMFSponsorship1.

QUICK NOTES:

● The entry of Isaac Russell of Malaysia brings the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling VIII country count to record 23 different nations. More than 50 international players in the field will represent Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, The Philippines, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, Venezuela and the United States.

FORMER COMMISSIONER TO HALL OF FAME

Former Commissioner Mark Gerberich Elected to PBA Hall of Fame

Voting panel to consider Goebel, Hoskins, Scroggins in Superior Performance category

CHICAGO (Nov. 23, 2016) – Mark Gerberich, who led the Professional Bowlers Association through its most turbulent years prior to the sale of the organization to ex-Microsoft executives Chris Peters, Mike Slade and Rob Glaser, has been elected to the PBA Hall of Fame for his service to the sport.

Gerberich, who joined the PBA staff after graduating from St. John’s University with a degree in sports management in 1983, started as PBA membership services director and rose through a variety of positions before being named PBA Commissioner in 1996. For the next four years, Gerberich tried to overcome issues of declining television and sponsorship revenues  with a series of innovative programs, but faced with nearly impossible odds, negotiated the sale of the organization to the Peters-led group in 2000.

“All of the clichés apply, but I was shocked,” Gerberich said in learning of his election from PBA CEO and Commissioner Tom Clark. “I never went to work for PBA dreaming of being in the hall of fame one day, but it’s really nice that people appreciate what you did. For me, it was a team thing. We had an awesome group.

“It’s exciting,” he added. “I’d been on the ballot before. It’s very difficult for these committees to vote, thinking about how many deserving people there are across generations. The question always is, how do you differentiate between people like that? I was kind of shocked. I didn’t even know the election was going on.”

Gerberich will be inducted during the PBA Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort in Shawnee, Okla., as part of FireLake PBA Tournament of Champions week. Three candidates in the Superior Performance category – Bryan Goebel, Steve Hoskins and Mike Scroggins – are also under consideration for induction. Voting by a panel of veteran bowling industry journalists and PBA Hall of Famers will be conducted in the weeks ahead. PBA’s 2016 Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and other award winners also will be recognized in Shawnee.

Gerberich, who was elected by the 12-member PBA Hall of Fame Committee, attended college for two years before quitting to try to decide what he wanted to do with his life. He decided he wanted to become an athletic director and searched for schools that offered such a program, ultimately settling on St. John’s “because they had a bowling team.”

In 1983, someone – Gerberich isn’t sure who – mentioned his name to the PBA. He was invited to interview and landed the membership services position under then-Commissioner Joe Antenora. “I was just an entry level guy, but I was the happiest guy in the world,” Gerberich said.

He succeeded Lyle Zikes as PBA Director of Operations in 1988 and became Deputy Commissioner under new Commissioner Mike Connor in 1992. When Connor retired in 1996, Gerberich took the top post.

“I was pretty naïve,” he said. “At that point the PBA was a shell of its former self. History is great because in hindsight, you can always say what went wrong. But the reality is, in 1991 the PBA got $200,000 per show (in rights’ fee revenue from ABC-TV), and in 1992, we got $50,000 a show. With 16 shows, we were short $2.4 million in revenue. Then you try to survive, which we did for about 10 years.”

During his tenure, Gerberich introduced the most extensive series of arena finals in PBA history, including staging the largest live-audience event in bowling history when 7,212 fans attended the 1996 U.S. Open at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena. He orchestrated the first outdoor final in New York City’s Bryant Park in 1999, and he negotiated the PBA’s first umbrella sponsorship with Brunswick’s Jack Reichert in 1997 that provided invaluable funding for the organization.

Gerberich still lives in Akron where he currently is involved in sporting goods retail sales and marketing, covering the Midwest region.

He will be the 32nd inductee into the PBA Hall of Fame for meritorious service.

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.

HERE & THERE COLUMN

An  Automated Strike Zone? 

  The 2016 World Series was outstanding and game seven  will stand out as one of the best....a questionable pitching change by Chicago's manager has been the hot topic.
  The World Series showed baseball fans where the real strike zone is.
  Baseball fans got the true picture of the baseball strike zone with television showing the zone and where the ball is pitched.
  This entire discussion all comes down to today's baseball standards that balls and strikes are presently all judged by the eyes of the home plate umpire.
  The umpire......everyone's favorite punching bag and scapegoat where the deck has always been stacked against umpires and, to be fair, it is built into the very nature of the game of baseball.
  With today's baseball's telecasts we all get to see whether the pitched ball is a ball or strike with the little box to the left on your TV screen  showing the exact location of the pitch.
  Some Independent baseball leagues have been testing using a computer to call balls and strikes thus taking the human element out of baseball.
  This is of course the same technology used by Major League Baseball television broadcasts.
  There are many in the sport that have been pushing for a computerized strike zone for years....just like instant replay was.
  For better or worse, the role of the umpire is slowly diminishing, just look at the method now used by managers who dispute the call of any umpire and the call is reviewed by an umpire crew in New York who then make the call.
  The advancement of technology almost demands that, because we can, we should get every call on the field correct.......and that includes balls and strikes.
  With Pitch F/X in every ball park now, it's not only evaluating players but it's also evaluating the boys in blue.
  We've reached a point where every single pitch called behind the plate can instantly be determined to be right or wrong.
  This all is relatively new....it's scary, and it's also unfair. After all, umpires are human and to expect them to call a game perfectly every time is ludicrous but they are now being held to an impossible standard by players and fans alike and something has to give.
  Baseball will not be able to withstand the outside pressure of people demanding a perfectly officiated game and could very well see somewhere down the road an automated strike zone.