Bowling, The Wright Way - August 15, 1997 by Don Wright
Bowling Beats The Movies

By now you're probably thinking I have been sitting around listening to Creedence and drinking red wine, but the truth of the matter is I have been downwright busy. But, I do have a few "Thoughts from the Wright Side" for you.

For the past two weeks we have had our four grandchildren staying with us before school starts. We're doing the Oma and Opa thing for a 14 year old, 12 year old and two five year olds. We won't do that again. We'll take the two big ones, then the two little ones. See the little ones act like big ones when the big ones are not around and big ones act like little one all the time. Did ya get that?

While they were here Oma took them to the movies. Four children's tickets for a matinee, one senior citizen ticket (Sweetie doesn't get mad about that), four small popcorn, four small drinks, came to $45. One hour and 40 minutes later they were on their way home.

We took them bowling. Six bowlers, rented three pair of shoes. We bowled 18 games and had six medium soft drinks. Three hours later we left the center and went to Dairy Queen. Five blizzards and a chocolate sundae later we were on our way home. Total cost $42. The little ones had a print-out to prove who beat who and to show their parents and the big ones had an opportunity to beat Opa. Unfortunately, they didn't.

On the way home I introduced them to "Down on the Corner" and smiled when I heard "cool," coming from the oldest.

I love bowling, but God I love my Grandkids.

Next year the PBA will celebrate its 40th anniversary. In 40 years, the PBA has had only 18 millionaires, and some of the greatest in the sport have not reached that pinnacle, Dick Weber, Ernie Schlegel, Johnny Petraglia, Carmen Salvino to name a few. It took Walter Ray Williams 13 years to win his first million and four years to earn the second million. Tiger Woods has won $1.8 Million this year and still has half a season to go. In a time when sports figures like Pudge Rodriguez turn down $37 Million and the Atlanta Braves sign a pitcher for $11 Million per year and Nike signs Woods for $40 Million before he ever plays a professional event, what is the incentive to bowl? For the PBA to prosper they have to get more corporate sponsors, market their athletes, and stop making movies like King Pin to represent our sport.

Here's something for you to ponder. Why are we not seeing more of these bowlers? Del Ballard, Jr., won 12 titles and last years earning were only $12,000. Norm Duke, 11 titles, but can't win 12. Bryan Goebel, vanished from the TV. Robert Lawrence, BPAA US Open winner won only $2,000 in 1996. Bob Learn, Jr. set every record in Erie and then disappeared. Randy Pedersen, 11 titles and history.

Has the game, equipment and lane conditions eliminated many of the top bowlers? Is that good for the sport? We tell league bowlers to stop complaining and adjust. But, what's the adjustment problem for the best of the best? I gotta tell ya, I miss Ballard and Lawrence. I miss Ozio. Yeah, yeah, I know I miss the Texans.

See you on the lanes.