Bowling, The Wright Way - March 27, 1996 by Don Wright
899 Series, Bowling On TV

899 Series - CONCERN, OR JEALOUSY?

I want to quote an article of John J. Archibald in his column Light Hits, from the Stars and Strikes bowling paper:

"PRETTYMAN Bowls 899 Series - Who? The headline in the bowling news bulletin about Ron Prettyman of Newark, Del., wasn't a shock, but it saddened me because it was a vision of things to come. One day soon bowling's most sacred record, the ultimate three game score of 900, will be credited to a tenpin unknown. His or her name will be Prettyman or Everyman or Jones, and there will be a splash of publicity about him and his amazing resin reactive ball. And, chances are we'll never hear of him again. Consider Ron Prettyman, if you doubt. He equaled the total shot by Tom Jordan, of Union, N.J., while bowling on the Jack and Jill Mixed League, where he has a 191 average. The once a week bowler's highest series had been 727. How many bowlers have similar qualifications for shooting 900? About 50,000? Or 100, 000? It's all a part of bowling's cheap scoring situation and apparently nothing can be done about it. A 900 score, sanctioned and all, is just around the corner. But who will care?"

I read those words and the first thought that came to my mind was Ron Prettyman cares! And, I would almost bet that his family cares, his team cares and no one really cares what you, Mr. Archibald care.

I am always amazed at how quickly we jump on a reason for a record rather than congratulate the accomplishment. If it's so damn easy why have only two people done it?

No one said that Glenn Allison was lucky he was rolling a specific ball when he had his 900 series. No one said anyone can roll a 900 if Allison did.

So what that Prettyman is a once a week bowler. He still accomplished something that only one other player has done, and no other right-hander has accomplished.

Mr. Archibald seems to be saying that the record would be okay if it was accomplished by a well known person. Well, why aren't they? If reactive resin balls are so good, why can't the pro's simply average 300 and we'll forget competition altogether.

I know, the pro's are too good. The reactive resin balls only help the nobody. The somebody is too good for the balls.

Mr. Archibald, records are made to be broken. Instead of demeaning the accomplishment of Mr. Prettyman, you should have done what I am doing, and that's congratulating him for having one hellava night. And, wouldn't it be funny if he rolled it with a ball other than a reactive resin.

MORE NOSTALGIA

Bowling's membership is declining and depending on who you ask you'll get all kinds of reasons for the dwindling numbers. But, as a kid I remember my Dad bowling in a lot of leagues. Dad was a member of the Moose, and what I refer to as club bowling was very popular in the 50's. It was not uncommon to see complete leagues made up of Moose, Lions, Elks, and Shriners. No more. At least not in central Texas.

Part of the reason for that decline, is that like bowling, fraternal organizations are declining too. According to a study, commissioned by the Shriners, only 5% view leisure time with other men as "very important."

Moose membership has dropped about 123,000 since 1991, the Elks over 300,00 in the past 15 years and the Lions about 85,000.

Why should bowling be any different?

BOWLING ON TV

PBA AND ABC: John Jowdy, in a recent "Jowdy's Journal" column stated "I, like many others in the bowling industry, regard the PBA TV Tour as the single most important vehicle we have for fostering, promoting and returning the game to its glory days. Can anyone deny the impact television can have in selling its product?"

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Jowdy. Television is the bowlers and bowling's premier showplace. Unfortunately, ABC-TV views bowling as an after thought. My TV Guide listed the Quaker State to begin at 2:00 p.m., and then followed with a disclaimer "time approximate, following golf."

Then, once the matches started, Chris Schenkel and Nelson "Bo" Burton, Jr. made it about as exciting as watching grass grow. Schenkel, who has been broadcasting for the PBA Tour since 1962 stayed confused throughout the show. Burton, on several occasions, bailed him out, but even Bo had a lack of enthusiasm. Camera angles were bad, technicians voices in the background and what appeared to be a hurried format, spoiled the telecast for this fan.

ESPN, Mike Durbin, Earl Anthony, Jay Randolph all have a better product than ABC. All ABC seems to have to offer is the time slot. Is it that important?

SEXIST??: When Steve Wilson won the Quaker State Open the camera moved to his lovely wife and Nelson Burton Jr.. said "she's probably checkin' out the mall."

My wife, who is fairly liberal, thought that was a very sexist remark. "He makes us sound like mindless people that only can think about spending money at the mall," she said. She went on to say, "we are quite capable of handling the family budget, and with that kind of money, we would shop at specialty shops, not the mall."

VACATION

I'm heading for Buffalo, N.Y. and the WIBC Nationals and a well earned vacation. Plan to bowl in the Wild Irish Rose Tournament at Roseland Bowl in Canandaigua with my nephew and family. It's funny, we were in Vietnam together in 1966-67, we grew up together in the same house. Until recently, I never realized how much I love him.

See ya soon!