THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 30, 1994 TAG: 9410280304
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
There are nearly 300 bowlers in the area who are not allowed to participate in local leagues.
Some may never be able to compete again.
The suspensions are enforced by ABC, WIBC and the National Duckpin Bowling Congress.
And what have these rule violators done?
Cheating is a rare infraction. Unsportsmanlike conduct accounts for only a sprinkling.
Generally secretaries who do not perform all their required duties receive letters of reprimand but there are occasional suspensions.
The major cause for the suspensions is for bowlers dropping out of leagues without paying money that is owed. Usually the money is insignificant and suspensions are terminated shortly after the due funds are paid.
Currently the Norfolk Bowling Association has 177 on its indefinite suspension list. One bowler has been suspended since 1962. Another was suspended in 1967.
``In all my years as secretary I can never remember a case when we recommended suspension that the bowler was not suspended,'' said Reba Callis, secretary of the Tidewater Women's Bowling Association.
In most cases, the WIBC allows amnesty after eight years.
In recent years leagues have handled minor infractions and the associations act only when necessary.
Bowlers are assuming an obligation to pay fees when they commit to a league. Most require a two-week notice when a bowler leaves or payment of up-to-date fees with two additional payments.
Twenty-eight bowlers were suspended by NBA last year. It's a shame to be listed in the annual association yearbook in that category.
BOWLER OF THE WEEK honors go to Kendra Allen.
The area's top youth duckpin bowler is moving front and center as the best among the adults even though she is only 18 years old and competes just once a week in the Victory Youth League.
Allen shattered the Victory Lanes house record for women with a three-game 486. She backed up games of 160, 165 and 161. It raised her average to 141. Only a couple of male bowlers in the area carry higher averages.
The previous center record for women was 384 by Christy Spindler Mattern.
Allen, named to the first All-America Major Girls team this year, lost a chance for a 500 series when she missed two one-pinners in the closing game.
``I want her to stay in the youth league,'' said coach Raymond Askew. ``But sometimes I wonder just how good she would be if she bowled in two or three leagues a week.''
TENPIN TOPICS: Mike Starling lost a 300 game when the No. 10 pin stayed up on his last pitch in the Federal Mixed League at Pinboy's of Norfolk. And Mike is a lefthander. . . . A tip of the fedora to Steve Conrad, a pin shy of the coveted 800 series in the Saturday Nite Streakers League at Indian River. Conrad put together games of 244, 278 and 277 for 799. . . . Andrea Thorpe became the second woman bowler to post a 700 series at Pinboy's of Western Branch, tossing games of 218, 245 and 243 for 706 in the Friday Nite Finest League. It was her first 700 and eight pins shy of Fran Sansone's house record for women and the center's only other 700 by a distaff bowler. . . . Steve Boesdorfer had a league high 278 game in his 722 series in the Lucky Strike loop at the same center. . . . A six on his last delivery deprived Al Taylor of a possible 300 in the C & P Mixed League at Pinboy's of Military. Taylor's 296 led to a 717 series. . . . June Powis popped a 222 game and 591 series in the Club 55 League at Plaza Bowl. . . . Cynthia Seamans is taking bows for her first 200 in the Christ United Methodist League at Pinboy's of Military. The 136-average bowler hit 211 in a 500 series. . . . Tommy Bennett joined the Century Club with his 213 game in the Plaza Strikers League. He averages only 110. . . . Kenny Wilson whacked a 278 game in his 738 series in the Tuesday Men's Commercial League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. . . . Senior citizen bowler Orville Seals flipped a 225 game and 623 series in the Young-at-Heart League at Pinboy's of the Beach. . . . Mary Ozment barely missed Century Club membership with a 245 game. The 156-average bowler rolled a 650 series in the Syble Beal Thursday Nite League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. . . . Beth Bulko had a league high 717 series for women with games of 214, 246 and 257 in the Tuesday Mixed Majors at Plaza Bowl. . . . Franklin Bowling Center owner Chuck Garner says he plans to have the annual PBA Southern Regional in September next year, likely the third weekend.
DUCKPIN DATA: Bowling lost one of its finest with the death of Billie Dew Sr. He had a massive heart attack just four days after bowling one of his highest series ever, 385, in the Sunday School League. And, like most bowlers, Billie was complaining about two one-pinners he had missed even though he was shooting spares better than he had ever done before. He was a regular in the Sunday School League for two decades. . . . Bonnie Smith, 14, had a girls all-time record set of 394 in the Sub-District Methodist Youth League. She averages 105. It also was a career high for Bonnie. . . . Brittney Weaser, 7, had a 301 series in the Victory Youth League. The 48-average bowler notched games of 121, 88 and 92. That's a whopping 157 pins over average. . . . The nationally sanctioned Herman Gaines Open will become an annual event at Victory Lanes. Virginia Beach's Charlie Southworth, the first tournament winner, recently had his name inscribed on the plaque which will be awarded along with the $1,000 top prize each year. . . . Juanita O'Connor won a pocket full of National Duckpin Congress awards with her 113-155-109 series of 377 in the Thursday Morning Mixed League. She averages only 85. . . . Jack Cunningham chalked up his first 400 in two seasons in the Sunday School League. . . . Lanes newcomer Nina O'Boyle, who averages 92 in the Stormy Weather League, tossed a 164 game. . . . A welcome back to league play to Brenda Aguiar, who rolled a 365 in the Sunday Fun League. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
Herman Gaines, left, is being honored with the tournament in his
name. Charlie Southworth, right, won the first tournament.
by CNB