To sanction or not sanction?
It’s a question that leagues struggle with. Their bowlers are just looking for a night out and feel it’s just another annoying fee that they don’t want to pay for.
So, when USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy recently tried to explain on the Bowl.com website why a dues increase to $20 annually assures bowling’s future, it raises a few eyebrows and begs a question.
It’s no secret that I’m personally not a huge fan of bowling’s governing body. I believe the directors before Murphy have left the sport in shambles and the future shows few signs of improvement. But Murphy has his own spin on things.
“In a world where ‘What’s in it for me?’ reigns supreme, it’s tough for people to be a part of something that is bigger than ourselves,” Murphy said.
He said he continues to preach that the dues increase will secure a future for the sport. I believe the opposite will happen and membership will continue to decline.
To that point, it’s always been my policy that unsanctioned leagues are no more than organized open bowling and I don’t recognize their scores. But with the rise in the amount of leagues not sanctioning — and in the same breath I question the USBC values — does that make me a hypocrite?
Maybe it’s a sign that I’m getting too old for this, like Bob Seger once sang: “Call me a relic, call me what you will. Say I’m old-fashioned, say I’m over the hill.”
One example is just this week I had to tell Warren Lanes manager John Quick that Ed Mackiewicz’s huge series in the ShopRite league didn’t count. Mackiewicz had thrown back-to-back 300s, and a 236 to boot. It was his first 300 since 1994, but because the league isn’t sanctioned, it didn’t count.
But don’t tell that to Mackiewicz.
Ramsey cards 825 at Warren
It took six months before Bryan Ramsey eclipsed the 800 mark at Warren Lanes and nearly toppled his career-best set back in September 2010.
Ramsey struck for an 825 in the Merchants league on games of 279, 249 and 299. He holds an 834 in the same circuit, which included a 300 in the final game of that match.
Bad back can’t break 1st perfect game
The last time Jeff Bosak saw an 800 series at the National Sokols was April 1996 in the Lehigh Valley Clubmen’s league, when he tallied an 815. Fast-forward two decades later and the reputed king of the now-defunct Bethlehem Panthers found the groove at the south side Bethlehem club and finished with the same score. The 1994 Express-Times Bowler of the Year banked games of 289 and 279 before finishing up with 257.
Anthony Johnston collected a pair of 800s last week. The lefty used a 289 game for an 805 along with a 279-802 series at Oakwood. Joining Johnston was Dane Schwarz using a pair of 270s, resulting in an 804 set.
The week’s lone perfect game came from Easton Hall of Famer Don Gudzinas Jr. who strung 12 straight in the same league as Ramsey at Warren.
Nicole Knittle put up the women’s only 700 of the week as she rallied from a 214 start, adding games of 278 and 233 for a 725 at Oakwood.
No doubt the stars of the season are all in the Junior girls division, and last week six more 600s were added. They were led by Katie Winch, who nabbed a 686 at Oakwood, followed by Kelsie Mannon with 659, Jenna Henderson 652 and Paige Piombino with 621.
Town & Country saw a pair of girls topping 600 as Chloe O’Donnell continues her strong campaign. Last week she added 646 to her resume, while Aspyn Chisesi tapped the Bethlehem Center for a 617.
Dave Goodman is a freelance writer who covers bowling. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
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