THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509220224
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
ESPN, which is rapidly moving to the front as the television supporter of bowling, opened the 1995-96 season with a one-hour salute to the sport.
Produced by Lingner Group Productions of Indianapolis, the program was narrated by George Plimpton. Lingner also produces SpeedWeek, shown regularly on ESPN.
LGP president Terry Lingner said his biggest challenge in producing the bowling program ``was editing all of the interesting information into 47 minutes to fit around commercials.''
He said a segment shown with Don Carter ``would make a great half-hour show in itself.'' Carter is an American Bowling Congress Hall of Famer.
While the program served as a documentary commemorating 100 years of organized bowling, it was sprinkled with unusual highlights - such as an appearance by Dick Weber on the David Letterman show, vintage footage of trick shots and historical moments in bowling. Many bowling greats were interviewed.
Bowler of the Week honors are shared by John Confalone and Rodney Waterfield.
Confalone chalked up a 300 game and was just a pin shy of the 800 barrier for his series in the Masters Tenpin League at Pinboy's of Lynnhaven.
Waterfield fired a 300 game in the Military Doubles Tenpin League at Pinboy's Military, going on to post a 770 series.
He had his 12-striker between games of 234 and 236.
Tenpin topics: The Norfolk Bowling Association named Bumm Beach as the top bowler for the past season with a 217 average. Others named on its top five were Chris Baron (216), Danny McDermott (215), Larry Martinez (214) and Todd Allred (212). The NBA bases its selections on the composite averages derived from a bowler's two highest qualifying averages in different centers. Around the Alleyways' All-Metro team, which attempts to include all games bowled, also ranked all five. Baron was ranked No. 1, followed by Rodney Moody, Rodney Waterfield, Jack Gray and Bumm Beach, who competed in six leagues. Martinez was ranked No. 7, McDermott No. 9 and Allred, whose averages ranged from 198 to 216 while participating in nine leagues, drew honorable mention. . . . Dave Saunders' 627 was an early season high in the Saturday Classic Mixed League at Pinboy's of Chesapeake. . . . Youth bowler Tim Sook has backed up series of 627 and 660 in the Saturday Morning Junior/Major/Senior League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. The 14-year-old Sook shot a 255 single in his last outburst. . League at Pinboy's of Lynnhaven. . . . Ken Garmon also just missed 300 Club membership with a 299 in the Thursday Strikers League at Pinboy's of Chesapeake, finishing with a 765 series. . . . Reggie Lee Jr. racked up a 297 game in his 718 series in the Commercial-Divisional League, a merged league at Pinboy's of Norfolk of two leagues and now featuring 28 five-bowler teams. . . 867 lanes. In addition, 233 lanes were added in 32 centers. New York is the state with the most centers - 526.
Duckpin data: Alan Angevine of Norfolk won the Virginia Pro Tour's September event at Victory Lanes. Runner-up was Donnie Stanley. Another local bowler, Tiger Baker, placed fourth. Oneil Wynne and Charlie Southworth paired to win the doubles tournament that was held as a preliminary to the tour. . . with 212 in the Tidewater Pro League at Bowlarama. . . . The second annual Herman Gaines Open will be held at Victory Lanes Oct. 7-8 and Oct. 14-15. It's a five-game event open to men and women with 80 percent handicap. Entry fee is $50 and top prize is a guaranteed $1,000. . . . Kendra Allen's 431 was a Monday Nite Ladies League record behind games of 156, 159 and 116. . . . Jack Phillips notched a season high 425 series in the Independent Loafers League. . boosting her average to the 110 mark. . . . All officers were re-elected for 1995-96 at the annual meeting of the Portsmouth Duckpin Bowlers Association. These include president Don Ferguson, vice president Sandy Chiera, secretary Martha Rush and treasurer Rusty Burke. by CNB