The Cornerstone
The Foundation Newsletter
Volume 12, Issue 10 October 2009
"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?"
The Foundation
“One World, One Game”
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Letter from the Editor
Mental Meltdown
If you don’t keep up with sports, namely tennis, or at least watch Sportscenter, you may not have Serena Williams’ recent tirade against a lines judge at the US Open. If you haven’t seen it, Google it or YouTube it and you can see how agitated she got. If you have seen it then my question is this: can you relate to her frustrations?
We all have moments where we just get mentally fried. It’s at these moments when we truly test our training and concentration; we test our ability to hold it all together and fight through the anger, frustration and adversity to pull ourselves back into the game. Sometimes we are successful while other times, unfortunately, we are not.
In Serena’s case, she was not successful and her outburst towards the line judge may cost her severely. She is not only facing a potentially heavy fine; including perhaps losing her prize money of $350,000; she could be facing a suspension from future Grand Slam tournaments. This all because she basically lost her temper.
I know I have lost my temper when bowling. You get in the heat of the moment and one thing goes wrong; then perhaps another and another; before you know it, the snowball is accelerating downhill and it can’t be stopped. It’s easy to snap. And when you snap, it’s easy to talk irrationally and say illogical things just to vent your frustrations.
How many times have you been bowling a tournament or maybe even just league when an opponent or player on another lane kicks a ball return or slams a ball onto the rack? I’ve seen it many, many times. How many times have you heard players mutter profanities or even yell at another player or a worker in the center? I’ve seen that too. It isn’t pretty and at the root of it, it isn’t professional or very sportsman like.
It’s easy to let that snowball effect get you down. It’s easy to feel frustrated and get aggravated by it. It’s easy to let your emotions get the best of you. Controlling emotions in the heat of battle is a very difficult task; one that even professionals have trouble tackling at times. That said it’s important that you act in a professional manner during competition. Bowling, as with any sport, is competition and no matter how intense the competition it should remain friendly.
Barnes wins PBA World Series of Bowling Lumber Leaders Title
Texan claims $10,000 bonus prize by averaging 221.93 for 103 games
Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, captured the Professional Bowlers Association's World Series of Bowling Lumber Leaders special event Wednesday at Thunderbowl Lanes, averaging 221.93 over 103 qualifying games in seven World Series events to claim the winner-take-all $10,000 prize.
"I had a kind of disappointing finish," the 12-time Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour titlist said. "I was 180 over (pins above a 200 average) after four games. I was thinking about finishing in the top eight to get a bye for the match play rounds, and I shoot 170.
"I just don't allow myself to be happy."
A 229 final game was enough to allow Barnes to finish with 22,859 pins and coast to the title over challengers Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, who finished second with a 22,692 total, 167 behind Barnes. Sean Rash of Wichita, Kan., was third with 22,602 pins.
"The Lumber Leaders bonus, and being in the top eight to get byes in each event, has been my focus since early in the World Series," Barnes said. "Winning the Lumber Leader event is a big deal. It's like making it to another TV show."
PBA World Series of Bowling Lumber Leader Standings (after 103 games)
1, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 22,859 (221.93 average), $10,000
2, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 22,692 (220.31)
3, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan., 22,602 (219.44)
4, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 22,541 (218.84)
5, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 22,363 (217.12)
6, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 22,328 (216.78)
7, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 22,268 (216.19)
8, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 22,222 (215.75)
9, Thomas Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 22,168 (215.22)
10, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 22,121 (214.77)
USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Committee adopts new specification
USBC Equipment Specifications and Certification Raises the allowable lower-limit radius of gyration (RG) measurement
The USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Committee has adopted a new specification for all bowling balls approved for competition on or after July 1, 2010. The new specification will raise the allowable lower-limit radius of gyration (RG) measurement to 2.460 inches up from 2.430 inches.
Raising the lower-limit RG specification will delay and weaken overall ball motion, thereby decreasing the amount of inherent aggressiveness bowling ball manufacturers can infuse into their bowling ball product lines.
This specification change, and others that have been recently adopted, which include Surface Roughness - Ra, lane surface hardness and lane conditioner viscosity, is aimed at reestablishing player skill as an equally if not more important factor than technology in determining bowling ball motion.
"Our sport incorporates a multitude of variables relating from the ball to the bowler to the lane and beyond. This new RG specification should be supported by league and tournament players alike because it is another step that USBC is taking to bring results back in line with player performance," USBC Technical Director Steve Kloempken said.
"We will continue addressing this issue and investigating possible specification changes until we get back to the point where player skill is as important as, if not more important than, technology in determining success on the lanes."
The realization that a new lower-limit RG specification was needed came about after USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications team members conducted exhaustive analysis of the Ball Motion Study, a two-year, joint research venture conducted by USBC in cooperation with bowling ball manufacturers.
The study examined and ranked how 18 different variables affect bowling ball motion. The study was completed in March 2008.
Since that time, the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Committee has evaluated the results and used the findings to establish and/or modify specifications limiting a bowling ball's Surface Roughness - Ra and, now, lower-limit RG standard.
All bowling balls approved before the deadline will be grandfathered in under the current RG specifications, making them legal for future USBC-certified competition. The specification change will only apply to balls approved on or after July 1, 2010.
"One of the important things to consider is how research and this new specification benefit our members," Kloempken said. "Between 2005 and 2008, we gathered critical knowledge and data from the Ball Motion Study. Using that data to modify current specifications like this is critical to educate our members and uphold the credibility of the sport. It is all done in an ongoing effort to balance player skill and technology, and you as a USBC member are a part of it."
The PBA’s “New Look” For 2009-2010
The PBA tour is off to a flying start. The first seven tournaments, titled the “World Series of Bowling” (WSOB), were recently conducted in the Detroit area. These events featured all willing PBA members and it was open to all amateur bowlers that also included several of the world’s greatest international stars. This is part of the “new PBA” program.
Following these exciting events, the PBA will resort to the regular 64-man exempt field. The 64-man field will take on a “new look” with numerous new faces and the absence of some familiar bowlers who failed in their attempts to re-qualify.
The new additions include the following top finishers at the PBA Tour Trials that were conducted this past May in Allen Park, Michigan: Joe Ciccone (re-qualified), Stevie Weber,George Lambert (Canadian), Thomas Smallwood, Cassidy Schaub (two-handed, no-thumb bowler), Mitch Beasley, Tim Mack and Stuart Williams (from England).
The following players qualified as the top finishers for PBA Regional Players Invitational held this past December, in Reno, Nevada: John Nolen, P.J. Haggerty, Lonnie Waliczek (after two years absence), Dave Arnold (after several years absence), John May, Brian Waliczek, Derek Sapp and Wayne Garber.
Returning from an injury deferment: Tommy Delutz, Jr..
Golden Parachute Exemption (awarded by PBA Commissioner): Brian Voss.
Here are the exempt players for the 2008-09 season (which are not for this season): Billy Oatman, Dave D’Entremont, Tommy Baker (now on the senior tour), Joe Bailey, Andrew Cain, Jason Lundquist, Terrence Reeves, Tony Reyes, Chester Rogers, Ken Simard, David Traber, Craig Tuholski, Chris Warren and Randy Weiss.
Additionally, the following foreign PBA stars failed to qualify: Bill Rowe (former Canadian super star) and Andres Gomez (outstanding bowler from Colombia).
Most noticeable is the absence of perennial exempt players, Tommy Baker, Dave D’Entremont and David Traber. However, the return of Joe Ciccone, Dave Arnold, John May, and Lonnie Waliczek was heartwarming. Joe Ciccone, along with Bill O’Neill and Brian LeClair, are the BEST players on the pro circuit without a singles TITLE. Unfortunately Le Clair will have to re-qualify through the pro-tour qualifying system. O’Neill and Ciccone are LONG OVERDUE. This could be their year!
A couple of veteran players experienced sub-par years, yet managed to garner enough points to qualify for the 2009-10 season. These include Jason Couch, a 15-time titlist, and Mike Edwards. Relative newcomers, Todd Book and Jason Sterner amassed enough points to again qualify for the 2009-10 season.
Who Are Some Of The Returning “Old Guys”?
The 2009-10 season will be significant for five of the greatest bowlers in PBA history; ageless wonders, Parker Bohn (age 46), Norm Duke (age 45) Brian Voss (age 51) Pete Weber (age 47) and Walter Ray Williams (age 50 in October).
Although Voss failed to gain exemption this past year, he was accorded an honorary exemption (Golden Parachute) by Commissioner Fred Schreyer. Brian did very well in his short stint on the senior circuit and proved he is still capable of putting up big numbers.
Walter Ray Williams, Jr. experienced his poorest season in the past 10 years. Although WRW’s 2008-09 record would be the envy of most PBA players, it was not ‘Williamesque’. He was sixth place among point leaders, despite the fact he won one title and cashed in all 21events he entered. He made match play 17 times, made four TV appearances, which included two seconds and a third. He averaged 221.27 (sixth) and earned $99,780, good enough for seventh among money leaders. While these figures would elate most PBA players, I’m certain Walter Ray, who sets ultra-high standards for himself, was disappointed. Nonetheless, Williams remains one of the most feared players in the game, despite the fact he has reached the ripe old age of 50.
Pete Weber failed to win a tournament during the past season. Pete appeared on TV four times, finishing second once, fourth twice, and fifth once. He ranked 11th on the points list, and averaged a respectable 221.16…not too shabby for a 47 year-old kid.
Parker Bohn won one tournament during the last season. He cashed in 20 of 21 events he entered, made match play 12 times, and appeared on TV twice. He averaged 220.17 (good enough for 10th) and earned $80,190.
Norm Duke, the diminutive magician, captured three titles during the 2008-09 season. He also led the PBA in earnings, $199,630. Although his three titles and earnings total led in both categories, they may be a bit deceiving. A number of players managed to appear in more match play. Additionally, Duke’s 219.44 average, ranked 13th among the PBA players. Nonetheless, Duke made the best of his opportunities in 11 match play finals, witnessed by his three titles.
There is an old adage, “out with the old, in with the new”.
While there may be substance to this cliché in most sports, the above-mentioned over 45 group have certainly contradicted this belief.
Williams and his veteran buddies are proving that bowling is a lifetime sport, even at the top.
(NOTE: This column was reprinted with permission from Hall of Fame writer and coach, Mr. John Jowdy. It was also edited for space. Thanks John, we appreciate it…… The Foundation).
WTBA Congress votes to return joint World Championships
The World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) will join its men's and women's world championships every four years beginning in 2013, the WTBA Congress decided recently. The Congress was held after the Women's World Championships at Sunset Station Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.
The WTBA World Championships will feature both men and women for the first time since the 2003 event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The WTBA will also continue to hold men's and women's world championships separately.
In 2014, there will be a WTBA Men's World Championships and 2015 will feature a WTBA Women's World Championships. 2012 will be an "Off Year" as there will be no world championships.
The joint championships will have a limited field of 36 women and 36 men teams (countries). Approximately one in three countries from each of the three zones - American, Asian and European - will take part, at the moment this means 16 countries from Europe, 11 from Asia and 9 from American zone. The definite distribution will be decided 1st January two years before the championship year.
"Each zone will independently determine which countries will compete, presumably through Zone Championships in the non-world championships year leading up to the joint event," WTBA President Kevin Dornberger said.
Countries may have men and women teams as well as men or women teams only. Therefore the total number of countries participating in a Joint World Championship will be minimum 36 and maximum 72 countries.
"Having our men and women compete together in the same venue every four years adds another level of excitement than when they are competing separately."
The process for determining future sites for WTBA events was also changed by the WTBA Congress. Instead of exclusively awarding bids to member federations to host world events, cities or countries will also be able to bid starting with the 2013 joint world championships.
"Allowing cities and countries to bid for our championships is a major step in the right direction," Dornberger said. "This allows for more commercial opportunities and opens the door for our events to garner more sponsorship and support from local communities."
In other news, the WTBA Congress elected China's Cui Zhiqiang as second vice president of the organization. Marti Koedijk, Netherlands and Cathy Innes, Canada were elected as auditors for two years.
Cui beat out Ponkuchamy Satkuna Nathan, Malaysia, who was aiming to re-enter the WTBA presidium through the back door, six years after he was forced to step down as WTBA President at the 2003 WTBA Congress in his own country Malaysia.
Prior to the 2009 WTBA Congress, Nathan, still the president of the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress, insisted to attend the Team Managers Meeting of the 2009 WWC to announce that Malaysia was playing under protest.
The 75-year-old also boycotted the Opening Ceremonies which was considered a sign of disrespect not only towards his own players but also towards the other 222 players from 44 WTBA member federations.
The relief that Nathan failed to become elected was so great that delegates, who voted against Nathan, showed the victory sign while walking through Sunset Station.
Cui, who is a newcomer in the WTBA presidium, has serviced as the vice president of the Chinese Bowling Association since 2004 and vice president of the Asian Bowling Federation since 2008. He also has been involved in other sports and currently is the vice president of the Chinese Rugby Union and was the former secretary general of the Chinese Golf Association.