Howard "Pete" Peterson, Columnist
Another week in which bowling leagues were cancelled, this time weather with ice-covered roads rather than holiday chores was the reason.
Mike Hall bowled 717/269 at White Oak Lanes and posted the area’s top men’s league score for the week. Paul Pryor was next, rolling 642/225.
At The Bowler, Eric Bittner and Darren Durbin were the leaders scoring 711/255 and 709/254, respectively.
Bill Kyle was highest at Wilson Lanes rolling a big 280 game and 706 set. John Corbin was next high bowling 682/247.
Shawn Opel bowled 661/236 for the week’s high at Sherwood Lanes. Butch Young was next rolling 646/236.
The PBA Experience League at White Oaks reported Mike Brobst with the top score of 717/247. Chad Gable and Lou Spataro were next. Gable bowled 665/246 and Spataro rolled 616/212.
Missy Yates was the area’s top lady bowler, rolling 602/214 at The Bowler. Reesa Allwine was next scoring 564/201.
Alice Monahan bowled 580/214 at Sherwood Lanes followed by Tanya Ritchey with 484/172.
Jean Shoemaker’s 560/211 was the ladies’ high for the week at Wilson Lanes. Kim Hannas was next rolling 538/194.
At White Oak Lanes, Vicki Coughlin and Mary Paul were the top ladies. Coughlin bowled 553/193 and Paul rolled 545/203.
Jack Klosterman’s 598/216 at The Bowler was the area’s top senior score for the week. Senior Bill Middleton rolled 522/192 at White Oak Lanes.
Seth Friend scored 655/239 at The Bowler and was the area’s top youth bowler for the week. Wes Weems bowled 593/211 at White Oak Lanes and Wade Robinson rolled 569/201 at Sherwood Lanes.
The membership in sanctioned leagues in the Western Maryland USBC Association has taken another drop for the 2008-2009 season. This decline has continued for several years. Open bowling however has increased and hopefully many of those recreational bowlers will eventually join a sanctioned league.
One study that was done by the American Bowling Congress (former national bowling association) showed that the number one reason bowlers left a league was that they didn’t like some members that they were bowling with. In my opinion, that fact indicates why people are skeptical about joining a league especially if they do not know any of the existing league members.
I would suggest that local bowling centers advise their leagues to make their first week or two an open bowling time where they invite new possible members for a social get-together rather than starting score keeping. Bowling centers could also add to these events and advertise their special services: youth programs, birthday parties, cyber bowling, etc.
I would like some feedback on this suggestion — maybe it would increase interest in our sport and help secure the future.
Good luck bowling and have fun striking out!
Howard “Pete” Peterson is the bowling columnist for the Times-News. He can be reached at petesbowling@atlanticbb.net.
