January 18, 2000
Some bowling leagues have been around since the last millennium
By Jim Mason
Bowling enthusiast
Last month the newspaper published pages from significant days of the past century. One particular page caught my eye and, according to folks I spoke with who bowl, it caught their eyes, too.
The page came from the early 1970s and was the cover from the sports section. The reason for selecting this page was due to Heidelberg's football team winning the national championship.
The item in the page that stuck out for me was the bowling scores. Tucked neatly in the bottom right-hand corner were the standings and top scores from the previous week for the Rocket League, which is my league. What surprised me even more than the age of our league was the fact that a few of the bowlers still are active and another, Cy Barber, bowled with us up until last season.
As usual, being a genealogy buff, I had to wonder which is the oldest league in town, which team has been together the longest and which bowler in town has been bowling the longest. The next few weeks I'll be anxious to hear the comments I get as I go to the lanes. I will fill you in on what I learn.
Changing the focus to more recent bowling, Wendy Krupp had a night to remember when she recorded an even 600 series and punctuated it with a 225 game to make her ladies bowler of the week. Last week must have been a good week to be named Krupp, since Lynn Krupp had the second-highest series at 561 and a 216 game.
Completing the top three series list was Barb Yentzer with a 561 effort. The best game of the week was posted by Katie McDaniel, when she shot 232. Sharing the second-highest game score of 225 with Wendy Krupp was Carla Siebenaller.
The Republic Roofing team was bowling according to form when they shot the team game and series of the week, 889 and 2,471. The team members are Deb Morgan, Heather Young, Denise Varney, Connie Ehrenfried and Geri Hammer.
Selecting the male bowler of the week was a bit more difficult. I decided to settle on Dave Jumper.
Dave had the high series of the week with his 742 and a high game for that night with a 258. Receiving serious consideration for that honor was Nate Hill, who had the game of the week with his 278. The second-best series of the week was put together by Pete Meisner with his 732 night.
Completing the series category was Greg Tiell, weighing in at 724. Russell Eborg captured second-place game honors with his fine 272 effort. The third-best game of the week was rolled by Leo Garcia, who shot a 267 game.
The men's team stars for the week goes to John Stull, Scott Wagner, Leo Garcia, Tom Potts and Ron Beggs, who make up the Shamoo team. These gentlemen were way out ahead of the field with their 1,146 game and super 3,236 series.
Reviewing the scores from the early 1970's in the Rocket League, a game in the high 500s was the top series for the week. Looking at last week's scores, there were five series that were over 600.
I don't believe necessarily that bowlers have improved so much as technology has made shooting higher scores much easier for today's bowler. If you look on the Internet or visit a pro shop, you can find a bowling ball that will work on every possible lane condition.
As a scientist it is fun to see all the new balls and read all the claims the manufacturers make about them. On the other hand, it is equally fun to watch my pal Andy take "Old Blue" and hurl her down the lanes at rocket speed. Whatever sort of bowler you are, new technology or old school, the sight of seeing 10 pins flying off the lanes at once brings the same sense of satisfaction.
Have a great week of bowling and don't forget to tip your hat to the elders of the game.