May 2008

     In case you’ve been in Siberia for a few weeks and haven’t heard, there’s a new word making the rounds at local bowling centers and around the nation. The word is Hambone which is being anointed as the catchword for four strikes in a row. Since we’ve always used Turkey to indicate three strikes in a row, we might as well cut the porkers some slack by calling four strikes a Hambone. Also, along this line, some folks are calling five strikes in a row a Yahtzee. If this keeps up, pretty soon the language on the lanes will rival that of  Internet chat rooms.

     A few bowlers (Nine I think) mastered the game so well that they shot perfect 900 series. That’s about as hard to do as winning the lottery and probably more stressful. On the other hand, a 900 series in 9-pin/no tap does come around once in a while. On April 17th at Mockingbird Lanes, Terry Nelson had a 9-pin/no tap 900 almost on the books but after 32 strikes, a poorly thrown ball left a wide-open split and his first open. He then struck out for an 863 series. Adding insult to injury, he didn’t win the tournament. Someone with more handicap took home the big money. Bummer!!

     While the name Nelson is being mentioned, Dave Nelson of Omaha, just had a 1 1/2 page write up on the USBC Web site. Dave, who lost one leg in a traffic accident several years ago and now uses a prosthetic leg, was cited as one who has overcome adversity to excel on the lanes. There are many bowlers in the Omaha area that will certainly attest to that.  It was my good fortune to be inducted into the Greater Omaha Bowling Hall of Fame with Dave in 1998. Now, I think the Nebraska Bowling Hall of Fame should be the next step for this man who has inspired so many to just knock off their gripes and bowl the best they can. You’ll see Dave at the National Veterans Wheelchair games in Omaha and Council Bluffs during late July. Many volunteers will be needed to help out with this world-class event.

Flat gutters down by the pin deck, have a range of 2 3/8” to 2 5/8”  in depth. Now an expert writing in a major bowling magazine has decided that the answer to high scores in bowling, is to lower the flat gutter depth. He states that it’s a cheap and easy way to solve the high scoring problem. (Read - leave

more 7 & 10 pins standing). He may be right on lowering the scores but he’s way off base on the “cheap and easy” part. Just ask any lane mechanic how cheap and easy it will be. 

     The USBC Board has decided to postpone any changes in the bowlers awards program for one year and has promised to review the “once in a lifetime” proposal during that time. The awards program currently in effect will continue during the 2008/09 bowling season.

     The state of Texas has awarded USBC $693,00.00 to help with the relocation from Greendale, WI to Arlington, TX. The USBC and the BPAA plan to integrate their operations at Arlington and eventually create an International Bowling Campus - whatever that is.

     A couple of Nebraska bowlers looking good at the USBC Open Tournament in Albuquerque, are Mark McKenzie from Fremont, with a 11-in-a-row 290 and Jason Price from Grand Island who as this is written, leads the Regular Division with a 817 series.

     The 2008 Nebraska State Bowling Jamboree will be held at the New World Inn and Conference Center in Columbus, NE July 25/27. Never heard of the Jamboree? It’s an annual get together of bowlers from all over the state, who meet to discuss problems and be up dated by a USBC representative on up coming changes and events associated with sanctioned bowling. On Saturday evening, Jamboree attendees will have an awards dinner honoring those being inducted into the State Bowling Hall of Fame and youth bowlers who have distinguished themselves by exceptional bowling during the past year. Omaha’s John Haney will be inducted into the HOF this year. John is exceptionally qualified in both skill and service. Give John a “high five” the next time you see him.

     Word on the street - watch out for chili peppers while at the USBC Open in Albuquerque. They are on many items of food and when eaten, can reach a heat level close to that of a blowtorch.

Max Hanson, long time CEO of the Cat Houses organization, was laid to rest on Monday, April 21st. Our thoughts and sympathy are with his family during this difficult time.

April 2008

     The Nebraska USBC Women’s Bowling Tournament in Kearney, was the site of some record-breaking scores the weekend of March 15/16. To start the big weekend, Shelley West from Omaha shot the first 300 score every recorded in the tournament and then followed up with a nine game All Events score of 2096, to break the state Division 1 record. Then along came Linda Coppock from Council Bluffs, who put together an 1886 All Events score that set a new Division 2 state record. Someday these records may be broken but it’s not going to be easy.

     The Greater Omaha Bowling Hall of Fame will induct five into it’s ranks the evening of April 5^th at the Papio Bowl banquet room in Papillion. Sylvia Griffey and Brenda Stevens will be inducted on the ladies side and Steve Dahlberg, Joe Leonard and John Lieber will go in for the men. All five of these inductees have records of outstanding service to the bowling community along with excellent records on the lanes. They certainly deserve their place in the sun. Tickets are $25 at all bowling centers.

     As mentioned in two previous articles, the proposed USBC headquarters move to Arlington, TX. has been a hit and miss scenario for several months. Less than one month ago it was still up in the air but at a special USBC Board of Directors meeting in Atlanta on March 4^th, the final decision was made - it’s a go!! The move will begin later this year. Shed a tear for those USBC employees who have worked long and hard for bowling and will now be hung out to dry in the Milwaukee area where if they want to move to Texas, their homes will be hard to sell and if they stay, decent jobs will be hard to find. I work closely with some of these people and know them to be hard working and conscientious..

     In Lakewood, NJ. There’s a small school named Georgian Court University and guess what, somewhere within the bowels of the school there’s an old 19^th century, three lane bowling alley. The lanes were put in by the Brunswick Balke-Collender Company in 1899. This makes it the oldest known American ten-pin bowling center in the world. With the formation of the American Bowling Congress in 1895, playing rules and equipment were standardized, so the lanes at Georgia Courts have the same

measurements as today’s lanes. This year, Brunswick will restore it to the way it was when it was originally built in 1899. Any of you old pinsetters need a job? It’s good to hear a bowling story like this once in awhile.

     While I have no record of Omaha bowling centers being around in 1899, there were at least two in operation in 1901. C.B. Bridenbecker Alleys at 1312 Farnam and the R.W. Clark Alleys at 1315 Harney were up and running. I’m sure no one living today, remembers seeing or bowling in them. Gone but not forgotten.

     The Nebraska USBC will hold it’s annual meeting and election April 6^th at the Holiday Inn on US 281, Grand Island. One vice president, four adult directors and three youth representative directors will be up for election. Formal nominations are already in so anyone deciding now to run for either of these positions must be nominated from the floor. If you missed out this year, there’s always next year.

     Did you see Harry the robotic ball thrower from the USBC testing facility, on the Discovery Channel? It was part of the inventor’s week program the channel periodically puts on. Harry can throw the ball in a number of different ways and speeds and then tell you what the ball did as it rolled and why it left the 10 pin standing. Is the time and money spent on such things at USBC Headquarters really worthwhile? USBC must thing so because Harry will be shipped to Texas to continue his work.

     Can you believe this? I have heard complaints about the shot at the Nebraska USBC Open Tournament in Hastings, being too easy. I bowl there April 26^th so I’ll let you know.

In bowling, triplicate scores come along now and then but how about this one? Rob Bethel bowling at Papio Bowl on March 10^th, rolled a 279 triplicate for a monster 837 series.

     The annual USBC lanes inspection and certification program will begin April 7^th. All lanes in the Omaha, Fremont and North Bend area will be inspected by the Omaha inspection team prior to August 31st. Want to see how these inspections are done? Call me at 734-3693 for an inspection schedule.

March 2008

     If you are a bowler and have access to the Internet, be sure and bring up the Greater Omaha Bowling Association Website (www.bowlomaha.org) and check out what is going on in the Omaha area bowling world. The Website has been up and running for a couple of years but has just been completely re-done by Mike Montgomery, a Website design expert. Look. You will like what you see.

     The world’s largest wheelchair sports event is coming to Omaha July 25-29, 2008. This is the 28^th Annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games and is expected to bring in more than 500 disabled veterans from all 50 states, Great Britain, Puerto Rico and other places. Among the games to be played, is bowling. Mockingbird Lanes in Omaha and Thunderbowl in Council Bluffs are the bowling centers selected for bowling competition. Many volunteers are needed to assist the veterans who acquired wounds in the service of their country but still have the desire and courage to compete in sports like all of us. They deserve and I know they will get all the help we can give them at both bowling centers. When the time comes to volunteer, put your name on the list.

     Plans are well underway for Omaha to host the 2009 Nebraska USBC Women’s Bowling Tournament. Over 5000 women expect to enter the event. Look out casinos! Ladies wait until you see the design for the pullovers that will be on sale. You will be excited.

By now, most of you know that the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) will soon leave Greendale, WI and relocate to Arlington, Texas. It is supposed to cut down on operational costs but they are moving into one of the highest priced real estate markets in the nation. Sale of the present headquarters in Greendale had better bring in some big dollars to cover construction of the new one in Texas. They won’t have to shovel snow but they’re not going to be happy with ice storms and tornado warnings. Hopefully, the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA), which will be next door, or maybe in part of the same building won’t gobble up USBC.

     At an April 5^th awards dinner in the party room at Papio Bowl, the Greater Omaha Bowling Hall of Fame will induct five new members into it‘s roll of championship bowlers and meritorious service workers. Tickets will be $25.00 per person and will include an all you can eat buffet with the awards and dancing to follow. Tickets will be available at all bowling centers and the Center Mall bowling office. An event you won’t want to miss.

     Who would you say is the best bowler in Omaha and whom would you pick to be on the All City first and second teams for men and women? If you have a nominee backed up by statistics, I am sure Dean Martin and his Omaha All City Team Committee would like to hear from you. Contact Dean by calling the bowling office at the Center Mall. Winners are to be announced at the April 5^th Hall of Fame dinner.

     Speaking of Hall of Fames, Omaha own, John Haney is a strong contender to be selected for induction into the Nebraska State Bowling Hall of Fame in July of this year. John has paid his dues in both categories of skill and service so he should be a sure winner when the selection committee meets.

     Watching the professional bowlers bowl in the PBA Tournament at Thunder Alley was great fun. Scores were fantastic but from the best bowlers in the world, we expected that. It was a little disappointing, however, to see the anger and bad attitude displayed by one or two of the bowlers but since they depend on winning tournaments for a living, it’s somewhat understandable. For us ordinary league bowlers, it was a good feeling to see that even the best sometimes get big splits and miss single pins. Maybe we are not as bad as we thought we were. Our thanks go to the Thunder Alley owners and staff for bringing us this spectacular event. From where I sat, it looked like a smooth operation.

     The 43rd annual Senior Mixed Tournament went off without a hitch weekends of February 9/10 & 16/17 at Kelley’s North Bowl. Winners were notified and checks sent out. Our thanks go to the Senior Tournament Committee and North Bowl owner Pat Haines and his staff for another great tournament. If you are 55 or better don’t miss the 44^th one next February.

February 2008

For senior bowlers (Age 55+) Kelley’s North Bowl is the place to be in February. The 43^rd Annual Omaha Mixed Senior Tournament will be there Feb. 9/10 and 16/17. Entry closing date was January 31; however; by paying a late fee you can still enter after that date. All USBC sanctioned seniors are eligible. Bowlers do not have to bowl in a senior league to be eligible.

The 40^th Annual Ladies Memorial Tournament is at Western Bowl, Sunday, February 10^th. The tournament is in remembrance of all GOABA deceased women bowlers and is a scratch event bowled over 8 lanes (4 Games). Entries close at 10 AM the day of the tournament. Cost is $10 with optional side events and door prizes. Call Val (451-7336) or Cindy (322-7663) for entry forms and details.

The greatest bowlers in the world will bowl in the PBA tournament at Elkhorn’s Thunder Alley Feb. 13 thru 17. Bowling center manager Brenda Stevens has supervised three of these pro events at Thunder Bowl, so you can expect a well-run tournament. There will be special events for bowlers of all ages with seniors receiving a $10 discount off all regular adult prices. For information, schedules or tickets call (402) 905-2695 (Ext. 117).

February is “Bowl for the Cure” month. Since 2000, bowlers have raised more than $6 million for the fight against breast cancer. A search of the Internet failed to turn up any tournament or other registered “Bowl for the Cure” fundraiser in the Fremont, Omaha, Council Bluffs or Lincoln area. Why not? It’s a good cause.

USBC promises that the 2008 Annual Meeting in Kansas City will be something special. It will be interesting to see what they are talking about. Place and date for the year 2009 meeting is TBA. Hopefully, the news will be out soon because national delegates are picked one year ahead of the meeting. It’s hard to get volunteers without knowing when or where they are going.

Do you have Monday mornings off during the summer? If so, the Lanes Inspection and Certification Team can use you to help inspect bowling lanes. It’s volunteer work that you’ll enjoy while learning things about bowling lanes that will make your games more enjoyable. It usually takes about two hours per week. Paul (551-4007) or Ted (734-3693) can furnish details.

If you are a young girl just graduated or graduating from high school with 175 or higher bowling average, why not check out a bowling scholarship at UNL? Give coach Bill Straub a call at (402) 472-0404. There are no scholarships for boys. As this is written, the National Ten Pin Coaches Association rates the UNL women’s team #1 in the nation.

Only four Nebraskans have ever been inducted into the National Bowling Hall of Fame. They are Margaret Higley (1969), Gertrude Rishling (1972), William Hall (1994) and Henry Dunning (1996). All are deceased. We should have more but there’s always a large backlog of nominations and the USBC HOF committee is a tough group to deal with.

Nominations are always needed for both the Omaha and the Nebraska Bowling Halls of Fame. For Omaha, turn nominations in at the bowling association office in the Center Mall. For the state, mail them to Terry Keck, 5800 Rodeo Circle, Lincoln, NE 68523. Nomination letters or forms don’t have to be neat or pretty - just readable. List accomplishments and why you think the individual is worthy of induction into a Bowling Hall of Fame.

Our next US Bowler magazine is due in early February. USBC says it will be large and full of good information. If you have moved since filling out your league card last fall, you may not get the magazine so be sure to let Paul or Barb (551-4007) know your new address.

Have you seen the bowling movie: The Big Lebowski? If so, in the first scene, did you notice the ball that picked up a 7 - 10 split was a different color from the one the bowler threw?

USBC says there are less 292s shot than any other score. They have names of only 25 people on their list of sanctioned 292s. If you have had a sanctioned 292 or ever get one, let USBC know.

January 2008

     Have you heard of the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) “Registered Volunteer Program”?     Probably not because it applies to youth bowling programs and not the general run of adult bowlers. This is a national program that will require background screening of all individuals 18 or over, who work with youth bowlers or who hold positions of authority or supervision over USBC youth programs and events. It’s purpose is to remove and/or discourage those who might do harm to children, from participating in USBC youth bowling programs. Some of those who must be screened are youth coaches, adult secretaries of  youth leagues, youth committee members, youth bowling program volunteers, bowling center proprietors and some bowling center workers. For more information on this important program, check with your local bowling center or contact the Omaha bowling association (551-4007). On line, go to registeredvolunteers@bowl.com.  

     Detroit site of the 2008 women’s national championship tournament, has the most sanctioned bowlers in the United States and the largest bowling association in the world. Take plenty money ladies, it also has three Las Vegas style downtown casinos. Don’t have anyone to bowl with in Detroit? Then bowl on a Friendship Squad. Officials (800-414-Bowl, Ext.3173) can set you up in team, doubles and singles as you desire.

     For the men, it’s back to Albuquerque, NM for the national tournament. Many of you have been there before and can attest to a wide range of attractions that range from world class caves, cliff dwellings, mountain ranges, desert life and a UFO museum close by at Roswell.

     One thing the second trip to Albuquerque certainly points out - there’s big money in national bowling tournaments. Cities that have had national tournaments, almost always try to get one back as soon as possible. They easily bring over a hundred million dollars into the local economy. It’s worth the effort and monetary layout to get a national tournament in any city. To bad we can’t get one in Omaha. With our outstanding food, lodging, entertainment and yes, the casinos across the river, it would be the biggest single moneymaker ever in this area.

     With Thunder Alley and Thunder Bowl under the same enthusiastic management, someday the women’s national tournament may come to the Omaha/Council Bluffs area but the men‘s national would have to be at the QWest center and considering the length of the tournament, that would never fly. 

Did you know that Joe Louis, the “Brown Bomber” of boxing was a bowler and that at one time, he was part owner of Paradise Lanes in Detroit? Now you know.

     In the 2006/2007 bowling season, 51,557 perfect games were bowled and approved by USBC.  Seems like the game is easy doesn’t it? Actually that number was down from 57,212 the previous season. The number of 800 series was also down. USBC says high average bowlers switching over to tough sports leagues probably accounted for the decline.

     Have you tried fried pickles or fried Twinkies at a snack bar? Many bowling centers across the nation are offering such unique items on their snack bar menus. Gives a little relief from the old hamburger, hot dog and French fries routine and that’s good. One of the top money making snack bar items has got to be plain old coffee. With a cup costing close to a dollar on the average and refills about half that, coffee must be nearing the same status as silver and gold. How many teaspoons of coffee are in a gallon can?

     Night time and weekend Glo-Bowling has been a boon to the financial bottom line in many bowling centers; however, it seems to always bring out one or two showoffs who like to demonstrate that they can do such things as throw a 16 pound ball 40 feet down the lanes before it touches the lane surface. They don’t see and don’t care about damage the ball does when it hits. They also don’t understand why they are usually asked to leave the bowling center and not come back.

     Many of us have seen a ball go between the 4 and 10 pins (Baby Split) and not take down the pins but have you seen the ball hit both pins and not take down either pin? Bowling in the Thursday Seniors League at Mockingbird Lanes, Rom Turek made this amazing shot. None of the bowlers who saw the shot had ever seen both pins hit but not go down. Wish we had a replay of that shot.