The Cornerstone
The Foundation Newsletter
Volume 11, Issue 3 March
"The crisis is upon us, friends. Our sport is in trouble. Many of you, that love the game as we do, will look at the crisis like a friend who is in trouble and needs our help. We must not shrink from the task before us, we should welcome it. It is 'our' generation that has been called to the challenge. If not now, when? If not us, who?"
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Letter from the Editor
Reflections
It’s easy to get caught up in day to day life and forget about the things, the people, and the steps it took you to get to a certain place in your life. It’s easy to lose sight of the things that you think (or thought) were important. Sometimes, it becomes important to just stop, take a look around, and re-evaluate life before it just blows right by you.
When I look back over my life, I look at the people that have come into my life, the people that have left my life, the people that have made an impact on my life, the accomplishments that I have and the goals I have yet to reach. When I reflect on my life, I look not with regret or sorrow but with fond memories and happiness. I’ve met some very interesting people; I’ve learned something I never thought I would just by taking a chance on an industry that I knew nothing about; I’ve gotten the opportunity to travel to some places that I might not have gotten the opportunity to visit had I made different choices in my life. Of course there are still things I want to do and goals I have yet to accomplish and I look forward to my journey down the paths of my life.
Life is not easy. Just when you think things are heading down one path, something happens that forces you to change direction. Sometimes the path becomes clearer while other times the path only becomes more difficult. Unfortunately, life will always have its ups and downs; challenges will often present themselves at the most inopportune times. It is how we face those challenges that make us into the people we are.
I am a huge Harry Potter fan and one of my favorite quotes from Professor Albus Dumbledore was this: “The time will come when we all have to choose between what is right and what is easy.” Experiences in life shape who we are; the choices we make in life define the people we are. Think about the choices that you make. “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Albus Dumbledore
USBC PROACTIVE IN FACILITY, EQUIPMENT STANDARDS GROUP
As bowling's national governing body, the United States Bowling Congress must stay current on all sports trends such as facilities and equipment standards. One way that it does that is through membership in the American Society of Testing and Measurement (ASTM).
ASTM is an organization that discusses some of the most challenging issues facing sports facilities and equipment. It has volunteers from private businesses, sports organizations, universities and governmental agencies. "ASTM members are safety experts," said USBC Research Engineer Paul Ridenour, an ASTM member since joining USBC in December 2006.
"We are trying to stay proactive in our safety specifications so that our membership has a safe and fun time when they are on the lanes."
The recent requirement that bowling lane conditioners (oil) must now meet federal safety guidelines before it can be considered for approval and use in USBC-certified competitions is a direct result of USBC's work with the ASTM. USBC's allowance of a warning statement to be placed on lane beds to notify bowlers not to cross the foul line also resulted from its ASTM relationship. In addition, USBC and its predecessor organizations have used ASTM testing standards for coefficient of friction (a number that represents the friction between two objects) and coefficient of restitution (the energy transfer between two objects upon impact). In bowling, this relates to the testing of balls, pins and lanes. "It's important for us to belong," Ridenour said. "Being part of the international community we need to do that. We are sports scientists back here. We have to grow as sports scientists in the Olympic community."
Ridenour sits on the Miscellaneous Playing Field subcommittee which covers sports facility surfaces such as basketball and tennis courts, fencing and indoor sports floors like bowling. The subcommittee reports to the Sports Equipment and Playing Fields committee. "It's important to stay active besides the bi-annual meeting," Ridenour said. "I want to go to at least one sub-committee meeting a year." The ASTM was founded in 1898 originally to set standards in industries lacking a national governing body (NGB). Today, it serves industries whether they have an NGB or not.
United States Bowling Congress
Through its Equipment Specifications and Certification team, USBC regulates and standardizes bowling equipment by concentrating on pin and product testing, research work, bowling center certifications and lane dressing inspections. The team of engineers, technicians and support staff provides lane-conditioning support for a variety of tournaments and Sport Bowling events.
USBC's eight-lane climate-controlled testing facility is the world's premier bowling research center. Since the mid-1980s, Equipment Specifications and Certification also has approved products for international competition such as the World Tenpin Bowling Association and the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs.
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than 2.6 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.
Bowl with US
USBC modifies awards program for 2008-09, 2009-10
By: Bill Vint; USBC Communications
The United States Bowling Congress has modified its awards program for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons in a continuing effort to shift focus toward credibility in recognition of exceptional accomplishments.
Central themes in the revamped program will be the replacement of many honor score and special achievement awards, currently awarded on an annual basis, with once-in-a-lifetime awards, and development of a futuristic internet-based recognition system.
"Organized bowling has wrestled with its awards programs for more than a decade," said USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger. "After years of discussion, debate, research and opinion polls, USBC's leadership has concluded the awards program of the past simply does not serve the interests of our members today, nor does it serve USBC's mission to regain credibility for our sport.
"USBC and its predecessors have always placed a high value on recognizing outstanding personal achievement," he continued. "We are going to continue recognition of excellence, but rather than offering a token reward for individuals who accomplish the same feat year after year, we are going to recognize the fact that once a player has accomplished a specific feat, the special nature of that accomplishment has been realized."
For the 2008-09 season, the only major modification involves changing adult and youth honor score awards (300 game, 800 and 900 series, 11-in-a-row game) to once-in-a-lifetime awards.
For the 2009-10 season, USBC's wide range of emblem and pin awards for special achievements all will become emblem awards and all also will become once-in-a-lifetime awards. The list of special achievement awards ranges from 7-10 split conversions, all-spare games and Dutch 200 games to a variety of average-based high game and high series awards.
"The purpose of our average-based high game and series achievement awards is not to create a reward system, but to recognize members for improving their skills and advancing to the next level," Dornberger said. "Whether it's a youth or adult bowler, that remains the focus of these awards. Once a player has achieved a goal, there is no special thrill in earning another emblem for the same accomplishment. The goal is to get better. That's the point of our average-based awards program: to recognize improvement."
Beyond its tangible awards program, USBC also continues to expand its remarkable individual recognition system through the development of its National Database and the "Find a Member" feature on its official Web site, bowl.com. While bowlers will no longer earn awards for multiple 300 games, 700 or 800 series, etc., all of those accomplishments will be compiled as a part of their ongoing career files stored in the database.
"The era of emblems, coasters and trinkets is ending," Dornberger said, "but a new era of possibilities is on the horizon. We are just beginning to tap into the possible new ways we can recognize our members via the internet. The future holds some amazing promise."
A complete list of awards for both 2008-09 and 2009-10 is available on bowl.com.
Special event brings bowling back to network television
By: Lucas Wiseman; USBC Communications
For the first time in nearly a decade, the sport of bowling will return to network television when Bowling's Clash of Champions, a United States Bowling Congress event, airs on CBS Sports in May.
The special made-for-television event, presented in cooperation with Strike Ten Entertainment, will take place May 7-8 at the USBC Convention in Kansas City, Mo., and will feature 16 champions from USBC events as well as the U.S. Open. The "Clash" will be taped and is scheduled for broadcast on CBS Sports on Saturday, May 10 from 5-6 p.m. Eastern and Sunday, May 11 from 4-5 p.m. Eastern.
Bowling's Clash of Champions will feature eight men and eight women ranging from teenagers to seniors who won their respective events during the 2007 calendar year. The players will battle for a $50,000 first-place prize and $100,000 overall prize pool.
The men's field will include:
Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan., USBC Masters champion: Rash is one of the up-and-coming stars in the sport of bowling. He defeated a field of the best amateur and professional bowlers in the country to win the USBC Masters at laceName w:st="on">MillerlaceName> laceType w:st="on">ParklaceType> in Milwaukee in October.
Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., U.S. Open winner: A PBA and USBC Hall of Famer, Weber has won 34 career Denny's PBA Tour titles, including eight major titles. He overcame one of the toughest lane conditions on the PBA Tour and won the U.S. Open in March.
Mike Rose Jr., West Henrietta, N.Y., USBC Open Champions Regular All-Events titlist: In 1993, Rose was the runner-up for the PBA's Rookie of the Year award, but now is considered one of the game's top amateur bowlers. His nine-game all-events total at the USBC Open Championships in May was best among more than 70,000 other bowlers.
Tom Baker, King, N.C., USBC Senior Masters winner: Baker has been a force on the PBA Senior Tour since turning 50 in 2004 and has also continued to compete as an exempt player on the Denny's PBA Tour. He became just the second player in history to win back-to-back USBC Senior Masters titles in July.
David O'Sullivan, Orlando, Fla., U.S. Amateur champion: O'Sullivan's victory at the 2007 USBC Team USA Trials in January not only earned him the U.S. Amateur title, it also put him on Team USA for the first time. He proved he belonged on Team USA in May when he won medals in five of six events at the Men's American Zone Championships in Guatemala.
Adam Martinez, San Antonio, U.S. Junior Amateur champion: Martinez topped a field of the top youth bowlers in the country in July to win the USBC Junior Gold Championships. His victory earned him a spot on Junior Team USA 2008.
Jason Price, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., USBC Youth Open Championships All-Events titlist: Price's nine-game all-events total at the USBC Youth Open Championships in July earned him the scratch title in the inaugural event.
Tim Pfeifer, Cranberry Township, Pa., USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships winner: A member of Junior Team USA in 2007, Pfeifer of Robert Morris University topped a field of 16 of the top collegiate bowlers in the country to win the men's singles national title.
The women's field will include:
Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., USBC Queens champion: After a season of competing as the first exempt woman on the Denny's PBA Tour, Kulick came out firing at the USBC Queens in May. She defeated a field of more than 300 of the top women bowlers in the world to win the title.
Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., U.S. Women's Open winner: In 2005, Johnson made history by becoming the first woman to win a PBA regional and finished second in a PBA national tour event. She showed in October she was one of the best women bowlers in the country by winning the U.S. Women's Open.
Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nev., USBC Women's Championships Classic All-Events titlist: A 20-time winner on the Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour, Macpherson made history when she became the first woman to win the Regular Singles title at the USBC Open Championships. In April, she claimed the Classic All-Events title at the USBC Women's Championships.
Lucy Sandelin, Tampa, Fla., USBC Senior Queens winner: A 10-time Team USA member mostly in the 1990s, Sandelin turned 50 and promptly dominated the USBC Senior Queens in May.
Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, U.S. Amateur champion: A three-time U.S. Amateur champion and record 11-time Team USA member, Barnes has won dozens of medals in international competition. Barnes, whose husband is PBA superstar Chris Barnes, won the USBC Team USA Trials in January 2007.
Jenny Brown, Deland, Fla., U.S. Junior Amateur champion: Brown topped a field of the top youth bowlers in the country in July to win the USBC Junior Gold Championships. Not only did her victory earn her the U.S. Junior Amateur title, it also put her back on Junior Team USA for the second consecutive year.
Brittni Hamilton, Webster, N.Y., USBC Youth Open All-Events titlist: Hamilton's nine-game all-events total at the USBC Youth Open Championships in July earned her the scratch title in the inaugural event. She was recently named the USBC Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow.
Elysia Current, Wichita, Kan., USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships winner: Shortly after leading laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> to the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships title, Current claimed the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championship trophy in May. She was also a first-team All-American for the 2006-07 collegiate season.
The players will start competition with an eight-game seeding round at a local bowling center in the Kansas City area on May 7. The following day, the players will take part in a shootout format at the Municipal Auditorium to shrink the field from 16 to four (two men and two women) on the first telecast. The final round, which follows the shootout, will feature semifinal matches with the remaining man and woman facing off for the title.
Turbo’s Tape-Scapes are Changing the Bowling Landscape
Contact: Lori Tessmar; President of Marketing & Sales
It’s the most dramatic visual impression in the sport since the transition from black rubber bowling balls to brightly colored plastics. It’s Turbo 2-N-1 Grip’s all new Tape-Scapes.
Tape-Scapes will take ordinary bowling tape products to a new and exciting universe. Faced with a choice between standard ‘hospital’ tones and extraordinary colors and designs that allow bowlers to express their personalities, there simply is no choice – Tape-Scapes wins hands down, and thumbs up!
Turbo pioneered the evolution of bowling tape products in the United States when it recognized the popularity of the new adhesive fabric that was spreading across Asia that applies to fingers and thumbs instead of the holes of bowling balls. From that beginning, these tapes have become the industry standard for top bowlers everywhere.
Turbo’s Power Supplies tape line was introduced five years ago and has been an industry leader. Tape- Scapes is the newest innovation to the Power Supplies line from the company known worldwide for its unending commitment to innovation, quality and craftsmanship.
The first of four new Tape-Scapes designs, Great Ball of Fire, was introduced in January with tremendous success. Three more exciting new designs will be added to the Tape-Scapes line in 2008. Look for the next release in April, and the third during Bowl Expo this summer. Design #4 will hit the shelves in October.
In addition to the colorful graphics, like the flames on the Great Ball of Fire tape, the Turbo logo and slogan “Grip It and Rip It” is part of the design. Ads are currently running in several leading bowling magazines showing the new product.
“Skin protection and fitting tapes have been used for many years, but there has been very little distinction between brands,” said Lori Tessmar, Turbo President of Sales and Marketing. “Tape-Scapes makes an every-day product exciting and visible, gives our tapes and our brand a unique identity, and allows bowlers to add a little flare and fun to their game.”
The new Tape-Scapes graphic designs will be available in all the various types and textures available in standard tapes found at pro shops everywhere. Now, bowlers will enjoy all the protection and performance with the added fun of decorating their thumb and fingers to fit their mood or personality.
Since its beginnings in 1990, Turbo 2-N-1 Grips has grown to become one of the best and most innovative companies in the industry. Turbo is respected worldwide as a company that is totally committed to giving back to the global community, and improving the sport on all levels with top quality grip and accessory products, and exceptional service to distributors, pro shops, and bowlers everywhere. Visit www.turbogrips.com.
USBC BOARD VOTES TO PURSUE MOVING
Decision is pending purchase of buildings, land, BPAA board approval
By: Jerry Schneider; USBC Communications
GREENDALE, Wis. - The United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors has given approval to start negotiations with all parties involved to relocate the organization's headquarters to Arlington, Texas.
The decision made during the Board's meeting in Myrtle Beach, S.C., is contingent on negotiations for buildings and land near the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America complex along with any incentives offered by the City of Arlington and State of Texas. The BPAA Board of Directors also must approve the plan which it is scheduled to do at a meeting during the BPAA Mid-Winter Meetings in Myrtle Beach.
"After carefully considering the facts, including taking into account the long history of USBC and its predecessors in the Milwaukee area, the Board came to the conclusion that it was in USBC's best business interests to join with BPAA in Arlington creating an international bowling campus," said USBC President Jeff Bojé.
USBC Headquarters will move to Arlington unless there is a breakdown in the negotiations relating to the property. If all details can be worked out, USBC is expected to move its headquarters operations within a year. In addition to office space for approximately 235 overall employees, the new complex would include a combined equipment testing and international training center.
"The property we are looking at is in a very high profile area that we believe will help enhance the visibility of the sport of bowling," Bojé added. "In addition to being close to Six Flags, the Texas Rangers baseball stadium and new Dallas Cowboy’s football stadium are close by. There also are a number of other entertainment venues in the vicinity.
"With USBC and BPAA under the same roof, there's an untold number of ways we can work together to help grow the sport," Bojé said. "There already are a number of joint programs that we work together on and this proposal would allow us to do even more."
USBC and BPAA announced in November their boards of directors had approved study of how much their operations should be integrated. The goal was to use such efficiencies to help grow the sport of bowling.
United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than 2.6 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.
Bowling Proprietors Association of America
Founded in 1932 and headquartered in the Dallas suburb of Arlington, Texas, BPAA is a trade organization that represents the business interests of more than 3,400 bowling center owners worldwide.
List of Phantom Radio Guests - 2007
Below is the entire list of the Guests who appeared on Phantom Radio in 2007. The popular internet radio (weekly show), continues to attract listeners around the world with a virtual array of “Who’s Who” in the world of bowling. Log onto: www.foundation300.com to hear The Phantom, each week. And, if you missed any, you can also listen to all the Past Shows.
Jim Dressel - Editor of Bowlers Journal Int’l. Review of 2006.
(NOTE: Jim was on the Show 3-more times during the year to “review” each quarter).
Joe Schumacker – The President of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America.
Bill Taylor – World famous coach, author, inventor and “Whistle-Blower”.
(NOTE: Bill was on the Show 2-more times during the year telling his stories of the “past”).
Steve Kloempken – Top amateur bowler and Marketing Director for Storm Bowling.
John Fantini – International Coach, Senior Bowler and Bowling Writer.
Dick Weber Tribute Month – Phantom Commentary.
Dick Weber Tribute Month – CD – Part 1
Dick Weber Tribute Month – CD – Part 2.
Dick Weber Tribute Month – John Weber and Steve Sempeck.
Bill McCorkle: Producer of The Dick Weber Documentary Video.
Jim Porter – International Coach – www.virtualbowlingcoach.net
Steve Wunderlich – USBC Director of Sport Bowling.
Our 5th Anniversary Show - with surprise Guest – Glenn Allison.
Jeff Carter – Touring player & All-Time league high average leader, at: 261.
John Forst and John Janawicz – Two (2) of the worlds premiere lanemen.
Cliff Nord (a.k.a. = Butch) Action Bowlers.com
Joe Slowinski – Coach of the world renowned Malaysian teams. (Joe was on twice).
Kim Terrell – Former PWBA Star and USBC Spokesperson.
Mike Anthony – Son of the All-Time Great, Earl Anthony.
Gary (Guru) Parsons – Pro Shop owner and IBPSIA Board Member. (Gary was on twice).
Nick Siefers and Paul Ridenour – USBC Equipment Specifications.
Mike Luongo – Coach, IPBSIA Board Member and Pro Shop Owner.
Ken Van Baber – Host of internet bowling talk show, “Let’s Go Bowling.”
Lyle Zikes – Award winning Bowling Writer.
Randy Pedersen – PBA Star and ESPN Color Commentator.
Larry Lichstein - Expert Ball Driller in the PBA Hall of Fame
Billy Hardwick – USBC and PBA Hall’s of Fame.
Dino Castillo – Former International Star –Exempt on Tour ‘07-‘08 season.
Wendy Macpherson – All Time Great Lady Bowler – Bowler of the ‘90’s.
Jim Goodwin - Publisher of Stars and Strikes Newsmagazine and Phantom Radio Sponsor.
Wes Pye – Vice President of Sales for Strike Ten Promotions.
Don “Mr. Bowling” Carter – and wife Paula both made appearances on Phantom Radio.
Tom Clark – USBC Vice President of Marketing and communications.
Jason Couch – PBA Tour Superstar.
Ron Hatfield – U.S.A. Certified Gold Coach.
Fred Schreyer – PBA President and CEO.
Jim Carter – Son of ALL-TIME Greats; Laverne and Don Carter.
Jim Merrell – USBC Silver Level Coach and Pro Shop technician.
Jeff Boje’ – USBC President and former BPAA President.
Kevin Dornberger – USBC Chief Operating Officer.
Larry Lichstein - Expert Ball Driller in the PBA Hall of Fame
Phantom Commentary.
Jason Belmonte – International Star – Two Handed bowler.
Carmen Salvino – Bowling Legend and Ambassador.
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Membership Report
We have members in all 50 states,
and the District of Columbia
We have members in 49 countries, including the United States:
Argentina Australia Bahrain Belgium Brazil Canada China Columbia Costa Rica Denmark Ecuador Egypt Finland France Germany Great Britain Greece Guam Guatemala Ireland Israel Italy Japan Korea Latvia Malaysia Mexico The Netherlands N. Ireland Netherlands Antilles
New Zealand Panama Philippines Puerto Rico Peru Qatar Scotland Singapore Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand Turkey U.A.E. Ukraine Venezuela
Corporate Sponsors
The problems that exist in our Sport are “industry-wide” problems that must be addressed by the entire Industry. The Foundation does all that they can to help, but we can NOT do it alone.
The Foundation has well over 1000-Members who have joined-in to assist. Some Members (Founding and Charter) have paid to show their support. Some Members (Associates) have just lent their “voice”. ALL of the members are important.
Even though The Foundation has NOT actively solicited bowling-related companies for help, some realize the importance of our “Mission” and have come forward with donations. We recognize the following companies for their loyalty and support to bowling.
KEGEL
KAT Travel
I.B.P.S.I.A.
EBN Services
Storm Bowling
Classic Products
Bobs’ Business, Inc.
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BowlersParadise.com
Virtualtournaments.com
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David Driscoll & Associates
International Bowling Industry Magazine
Stars and Strikes Bowling Newsmagazine
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