“One World, One Game”®
The Foundation
The Cornerstone
The Foundation Newsletter
Volume 11, Issue 10 October 2008
"The crisis is upon us, friends. Our sport is in trouble. Many of you, that love the game as we do, will look at the crisis like a friend who is in trouble and needs our help. We must not shrink from the task before us, we should welcome it. It is 'our' generation that has been called to the challenge. If not now, when? If not us, who?"
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Letter from the Editor
“Can’t” Never Could
My parents used to say some of the strangest things to me when I was a kid and most of the time, for the life of me, I couldn’t understand what they meant. They might as well have been speaking some obscure foreign language meant to confuse us kids who thought we knew everything. Well, as I have gotten older, I’ve begun to understand more of those little quips they shared with me.
One of them they shared quite often was: “Can’t never could but try always got the job done.” Being a wee girl of seven or eight, I didn’t fully understand what they were trying to get at so when I finally got it later in life, it was an adage I decided would be useful to hold on to.
You see, if you only offer the “I can’t” attitude then you immediately shut yourself down from even trying. True, there are many things that are very difficult but you don’t really know if you can do them if you don’t put forth some effort into at least trying. I always thought I’d never learn to do a back flip off the diving board, but I kept trying and after many attempts (including some belly flops and a head smack on the board) I finally got it. When you adopt an “I’ll try” attitude, you give yourself a fighting chance to at least work on the task at hand. It’s no guarantee that you’ll be successful but you will have at least given it some effort.
I reminded myself of this attitude recently during league when I was struggling in the third game. I had moved in and was having problems keeping my arm-swing in line while trying to get the ball through the heads and to the friction down lane. My ball kept getting behind my back which forces the ball too far right for me. I stepped up with a last effort in the tenth frame, told myself I could do what I needed to and made a really minor adjustment that got my arm back in line and allowed me to pocket all three shots.
Adopting the right attitude can certainly help your game. Bowling isn’t just a game of physical talent; it also takes mental fortitude to overcome challenges. You may not always be successful, but you never know what you are capable of until you give it a fair try.
THE 2009 USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS VENUE EXPANDED TO FEATURE 60 LANES
GREENDALE, Wis. - With nearly 15,000 teams already registered, the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships is slated to be the largest tournament held outside of Reno, Nev., and that number will continue to grow following the decision to add more lanes to the tournament venue.
Instead of 56-lanes and a capacity of 16,300 teams as planned, the 2009 USBC Open Championships will feature 60-lanes and be able to accommodate 17,400 teams, which could make it the largest tournament in history. The participation record of 17,285 teams was set when the National Bowling Stadium in Reno opened its doors in 1995. The largest event outside of Reno was the 2005 tournament in Baton Rouge, La., which featured 13,222 teams.
Going to Las Vegas
The 2009 Open Championships, being held at Las Vegas' Cashman Center, will kick-off on Feb. 21 and run for a record 154 days, concluding on July 24. The tournament will feature a new look with state-of-the-art LED scoreboards and 60 lanes for the first time in a non-Reno year.
"The interest in next year's event in Las Vegas has been overwhelming, so we decided to add more lanes to accommodate all interested bowlers," said Jack Mordini, USBC Vice President of Membership and Tournament Services. "We are certainly amazed and grateful for the positive response, and we are thrilled that the tournament continues to grow each year."
The official closing date for entries is Dec. 12, 2008. If you would like to have more information more information, visit USBCopen.com or contact the Tournament Entries department at (800)
514-2695, ext. 3320.
United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than 2.6 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.
Bowl with US
Michael Phelps Is Biggest Name in Sports
By Dick Evans
In Real World, Michael Phelps Is Biggest Name in Sports After Setting Five World Records in Five Olympic Swimming Events; In Fantasy World, Michael Phelps Turns Back on Bowling Because He Can't Set Records
World records are falling all over China and Michael Phelps is growing into the world’s greatest sports attraction. The Olympic Games capture everyone’s imagination every four years but Michael Phelps is capturing everyone’s imagination for a lifetime. His victories in world record times are being featured by newspapers and television networks as world news events – not just sports news, but world news. He deserves all the credit in the world after swimming in five events and setting five world records in each of his events to date.
If you watch individual events like track or swimming or cycling or speed ice then you know that each athlete wants to win the event (his/her first priority) and also break an Olympic or world record. Why not? Records are made to be broken and fans know it and scream louder than ever when another Olympic record is about to fall. So do TV announcers.
So in my imagination, I asked Michael Phelps if he would like to be the greatest bowler in the world. The 23-year-old thought for only a moment and then said “no.” I asked him why after pointing out that bowling also is a challenging sport that demands great athletic skills, determination and dedication. His answer surprised me:
“If I were a super bowler and say had rolled 50 perfect games then skeptical writers/bowlers would doubt my ability and say I wasn't that good but benefited from soft water conditions, a new swim suit, a super launch pad, my goggles or maybe even my size 14 feet.
“And instead of being impressed with my 14 Gold Medals in Olympic bowling, they would say such a thing should never happen.”
Then I asked him if he knew that individual world records could not be broken in bowling – only tied at 300 or 900. “You have got to be kidding me,” said the swimming marvel. “The challenge of being able to break Olympic and world records is what motivates me to do only three things in my life – swim, eat and sleep.”
“Name me an athlete who doesn't dream of breaking records and I will point out to you a man/woman who doesn't dream of great things. I have broken 25 world records in my life and each one is more stimulating than the previous one. Breaking records offer you a chance to be immortal.”
He thought a minute and then asked: “Suppose when the pioneers who established the original swimming rules say back in 1895, decided that one minute and 45 seconds was the fastest that any human being could swim the 200 meter freestyle. And the 1:45 time never could be broken, only tied? Do you think today's swimmers would be capturing the imagination of the world? Records are made to be broken.”
And with that Michael Phelps dove into the Olympic pool again to chase another world record.
Editor’s Note: This article was edited for space and reprinted with permission from the author, Dick Evans.
GOLDEN AGAIN! Page seals team win in roll-off at Men's Worlds
By: Kevin Hazaert; USBC Communications
BANGKOK, Thailand - Team USA won its second consecutive five-player team gold medal at the 2008 World Tenpin Bowling Association Men's World Championships in a dramatic tiebreaker Wednesday.
After the two teams tied in the one-game finals at 1,084, Team USA's Rhino Page of Topeka, Kan., defeated Korea's Kim Tae-Young, 49-39, in the one-player, ninth-and-10th frame roll-off.
Kim struck in the ninth frame to start the roll-off, while Page settled for a 4-7 spare conversion - giving Korea an edge heading into the 10th frame. However, Page put the pressure on Kim by doubling to start the 10th and getting nine on his fill ball - forcing Kim to post a matching double.
When the 4 pin stood tall on Kim's first shot, Team USA began to celebrate with a mixture of emotions - cheering, hugging and even tears.
"It feels awesome, indescribable feeling. The pressure is unbelievable," said Page, who struck out in the 10th frame earlier in the week to squeak out a doubles gold medal with Patrick Allen of Wesley Chapel, Fla., over Sweden. "You don't want to let down your five teammates and you want to bring home that gold for the USA. After I didn't strike on that first shot, I knew I had to strike on the next one.
"I got up on the approach and said to myself, 'Throw a good shot. That's what got you here.'"
After Tommy Jones of Simpsonville, S.C., left a 7-10 standing in the 10th frame, Korea's Choi Ki-Bong struck out to virtually even the match. Allen working on six consecutive strikes, followed with a nine-spare-strike that was matched by Korea's Jang Dong-Chul - putting the game in the hands of the anchors, Page and Kim.
Page doubled, while Kim struck on his first ball and left a 10 pin standing on his second - giving Page a chance to wrap up the gold medal with a third strike. However, Page crossed over and left a 4 pin standing - allowing Kim to pick up the spare to force the tiebreaker.
"I've dreamed about this for a long time, and never thought this would happen once I turned professional," said Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, who won a Masters bronze medal in his only other World Championships in 1995. "This is up there with anything I've ever done or been a part of. Rhino has been so strong for us all the way through the tournament. No one can touch him on this (short) pattern."
Allen led Team USA in the finals with 249, followed by Page with 244, Barnes with 205, Jones with 201 and Bill Hoffman of Columbus, Ohio, with 185. Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., did not compete in the semifinals and finals, which were both contested on the short oil pattern.
"Lanes 5 and 6 (where the finals are bowled) have been a second home for P.A. and Rhino," Barnes said. "They just keep on bowling great game after great game down there. We leaned on them hard and they took us home."
It was the second consecutive team gold medal at the World Championships for Page and Hoffman, who shot 300 in the final day of the team event in 2006.
"Seeing Bill in tears, my teammate from 2006, it really broke me up inside too," said Page, who has now medaled in seven consecutive events at the World Championships dating back to 2006. "You really feel the emotions when you are part of a team. It was an awesome day."
Team USA defeated Norway, 1,039-984, in a mistake-filled semifinal. The U.S. missed four single-pin spare conversions, while Norway had nine open frames. Korea defeated Finland, 1,136-1,035, in the other semifinal - leaving Norway and Finland with the bronze medal.
Korea led the six-game preliminaries with 6,571 by posting a blistering record-setting 3,561 over three games on the short oil pattern Wednesday - destroying the previous mark of 3,353 set by Malaysia in 2006. Team USA qualified second at 6,419, also by breaking the previous record with 3,409 - including 1,194 to start and 1,192 to finish.
In all-events, Page is currently second after 18 of 24 games with 4,033 (224.1 avg.), trailing leader Choi Bok-Eum of Korea by five pins. Norway's Tore Torgersen is third with 3,996, while Allen is fourth with 3,972.
Jones is 17th with 3,866 - trailing 16th place by two pins - in the all-events standings, from which the top 16 after 24 games will advance to the best-of-five, single-elimination Masters Event.
The 2008 Men's World Championships marks the much anticipated first appearance of professionals in major WTBA competition thanks to a change in legislation last August.
The Men's World Championships, which is being held at SF Strike Bowl Ngamwonwan and continues through Saturday, features more than 300 athletes from 57 countries competing in six disciplines - doubles, trios, team, singles, all-events and Masters.
2008 WTBA MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
TEAM
Gold medal: United States
Silver medal: Korea
Bronze medal: Norway, Finland
Team USA selection process determined for 2009
By: Lucas Wiseman; USBC Communications
For the second consecutive year, the country's top professional bowlers will be eligible to join Team USA in 2009 and represent their country in international competition around the world.
Team USA 2009 will consist of 10 men and 10 women with committees selecting five men from the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association Tour and five women from a pool of players that includes Team USA members since 1998 and former Professional Women's Bowling Association/Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour members.
In addition, amateur bowlers and those professionals not selected will have an opportunity to earn a spot by competing in the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials, which are scheduled to be conducted Dec. 15-19, 2008 at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino's laceName w:st="on">StrikelaceName> laceType w:st="on">ZonelaceType> laceName w:st="on">BowlinglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> in Las Vegas.
The top three men and top three women finishers at the Team USA Trials will earn automatic spots on Team USA while the National Selection Committee will pick two additional men and two additional women to join the team.
"The process of determining Team USA allows for the top professional bowlers in the country to be selected while also allowing amateur players a chance to join them by competing in the Team USA Trials," USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger said. "This formula has paid big dividends for the Team USA program in our international competitions so far this year."
Last year, the World Tenpin Bowling Association voted to allow members of professional organizations to compete in international events, paving the way Denny's PBA Tour players like Chris Barnes, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Tommy Jones and others to compete for Team USA.
The result was a dominating performance in the recent WTBA Men's World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, in which Team USA won four of the six gold medals available.
Amateur bowlers have the opportunity to join bowling's "Dream Team" by taking part in the Team USA Trials, which are open to any USBC member. USBC Youth members may also participate in the Trials and in addition to competing for spots on Team USA, there will be spots on Junior Team USA 2009 up for grabs.
The top two boys and top two girls regardless if they are USBC Youth or Adult members at the Team USA Trials who are 20 years old or younger before Jan. 1, 2009 will earn automatic spots on Junior Team USA 2009 while the National Selection Committee will select two additional boys and two additional girls to join the team. The National Selection Committee will select from players who either competed in the Team USA Trials or who advanced to the match play portion of the USBC Junior Gold Championships, which were held last July in Detroit.
NEW RULES FOR HALL OF FAME
Seattle, WA - 9/12/2008; As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the PBA announced today the creation of a new Hall of Fame induction process to honor its greatest bowlers of both past and present.
The most notable changes to the process are that a bowler now also may become eligible for selection to the Hall of Fame on the basis of five Tour Titles if two of those titles were major championships (previously two majors was sufficient); and 20 years of PBA membership rather than retirement from the Tour for five years.
The PBA also intends to unveil a new Senior Tour division to the Hall of Fame to honor those players whose rise to greatness took place after they moved on to the Senior Tour.
With these changes, twelve bowlers become eligible for induction, and it promises to be the first time since 2000 that a bowler will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"In a year in which we celebrate the rich history and proud tradition of the PBA, I believe it is particularly appropriate that we revisit the manner in which we recognize and honor our greatest stars,” PBA Commissioner and CEO Fred Schreyer said. “The new guidelines will preserve the lofty standards that are integral to a hallowed institution such as the PBA Hall of Fame and yet at the same time will better recognize the unique manner in which our best players conduct their careers."
The new selection criteria follows:
For PBA Hall of Fame Performance Category eligibility, a bowler must have either:
-Won a minimum of 10 PBA Tour titles, or
-Won a minimum of five PBA Tour titles, including two majors, and
-Been a PBA member for at least 20 years.
The following players meet the minimum criteria for nomination in this category: Del Ballard Jr., Norm Duke, Bryan Goebel Steve Hoskins, Doug Kent, Randy Pedersen and Danny Wiseman. Under the new criteria up to three players from this group may be selected.
For PBA Senior Tour Hall of Fame Performance category eligibility, a bowler must have either:
-Won a minimum of eight PBA Senior Tour titles, or
-Won a minimum of five PBA Senior Tour titles including two majors, and
-Been a PBA member for 10 years
The following players meet the minimum criteria for nomination under the PBA Senior Tour category; because there are five nominees, up to two may be inducted: Pete Couture, Dale Eagle, Bob Glass, John Handegard and Gene Stus.
In the near future, the 2009 inductees will be voted upon by members of the Hall of Fame Board, current Hall of Fame members and selected media representatives.
Inductees will be honored at the PBA 50th Anniversary Gala in Las Vegas, Nev. on January 20, 2009.
The PBA Hall of Fame will also still include a Meritorious Service category to honor persons who through the years have demonstrated service, devotion, ideas and ideals and have made contributions above and beyond the ordinary to the sport of professional bowling. Those guidelines have not changed.
Recent Phantom Radio Trivia Contest Winners
Phantom Radio’s monthly Trivia Contests continue to be popular with the listeners and the list of Phantom Phans continues to grow. The contests are sponsored by Storm Bowling and you must be a “Phantom Phan Club Member” to be eligible to win. It’s easy to join, just go to our website, at: www.foundation300.com and look for: The Phantom Phan Club – How To Join.
Listed below are the most recent Phan Club winners. Sign-up today and you could win, too!!
JULY
1. Tom Berish; Wins a nice accessory item from Storm Bowling. Tom, please contact
me so that I can put you in touch with our friends at Storm. CONGRATS !!
2. Bob Black: Wins a Jason Couch (autographed) Foundation Shirt, which is a great
prize for your collection, or you can give it to a Junior Bowler as a nice Souvenir.
3. Debbie Lothes: Wins a unique, professional Clip Board from The Foundation. This is a
very nice prize for a real business person.
4. John Weber: Wins a Foundation collared shirt that I am sure he will enjoy.
AUGUST
1. Don Schiele: Wins a nice Bowling Bag from Storm Bowling. Don, please contact me
so that I can put you in touch with our friends at Storm Bowling. Congratulations !!
2. Jon Wolfe: Wins a Shannon O’Keefe Bobble-Head Doll that was donated to Phantom
Radio by Strike Ten Entertainment. Thanks to Cheryn, from Strike Ten Entertainment.
3. Rafel Cons: Wins a Top-of-the-Line, collared shirt from BowlersParadise.com This is
a nice shirt and we thank Nick Melnikoff for everything he does for Phantom Radio.
4. Kathleen Scoppettuolo: Wins a nice Carry-Bag from this years (2008) Bowl Expo.
SEPTEMBER
1. Tom Smith: Wins a Storm Bowling Ball. Tom, please contact me as soon as possible so
that I can put you in touch with our friends at Storm. Congratulations !!!
2. Mike Carroll: Wins a Shannon O’Keefe Bobble-Head Doll that was donated to Phantom
Radio by Strike Ten Entertainment. Thanks to Cheryn, from Strike Ten Entertainment.
3. Don Daniels: Wins a Top-of-the-Line, collared shirt from BowlersParadice.com This
is a nice shirt and we thank Nick Melnikoff for everything he does for Phantom Radio.
4. Rick Wiltse: Wins an assortment of Souvenirs, including: 2-PBA pens, 2-Kegel pens and
2-Bag Tags, a Brake Max letter opener and a handy automobile Sun Glass holder.
ADDITIONAL PRIZES (Per: The Don Glover Masters Scratch Tournament).
Don Glover Souvenir Shirts = Craig Layton and Dale Diamond.
Kegel Fizzion and Ebonite Shirts go to: = Keith Frye, Roger Flores and Bob Gritzke
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Membership Report
We have members in all 50 states,
and the District of Columbia
We have members in 49 countries, including the United States:
Argentina Australia Bahrain Belgium Brazil Canada China Columbia Costa Rica Denmark Ecuador Egypt Finland France Germany Great Britain Greece Guam Guatemala Ireland Israel Italy Japan Korea Latvia Malaysia Mexico The Netherlands N. Ireland Netherlands Antilles
New Zealand Panama Philippines Puerto Rico Peru Qatar Scotland Singapore Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand Turkey U.A.E. Ukraine Venezuela
Corporate Sponsors
The problems that exist in our Sport are “industry-wide” problems that must be addressed by the entire Industry. The Foundation does all that they can to help, but we can NOT do it alone.
The Foundation has well over 1000-Members who have joined-in to assist. Some Members (Founding and Charter) have paid to show their support. Some Members (Associates) have just lent their “voice”. ALL of the members are important.
Even though The Foundation has NOT actively solicited bowling-related companies for help, some realize the importance of our “Mission” and have come forward with donations. We recognize the following companies for their loyalty and support to bowling.
KEGEL
KAT Travel
I.B.P.S.I.A.
EBN Services
Storm Bowling
Classic Products
Bobs’ Business, Inc.
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BowlersParadise.com
Virtualtournaments.com
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David Driscoll & Associates
International Bowling Industry Magazine
Stars and Strikes Bowling Newsmagazine
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“One World, One Game”®
The Foundation