THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511230276
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 27 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Around the Alleyways
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
What kind of bowler are you?
In a spot check across the area, bowlers were asked to describe the actions of their teammates and opponents in league matches.
Here's the kind of folks we have on the lanes:
Needler - these are the guys and girls who use a little psychology in an effort to win. When you're on the approach, they can be heard in the back saying ``He really can't make that 10 pin, can he?'' Or ``If she could make just a few of those spare breaks, we would really be in trouble.''
Just-for-fun bowler - he truly roots for everybody to score well.
Copy cat - he tries to pattern himself after the top scorers. He has the form but not the formula.
The critic - he always has a reason for an off-night - the ball, the condition of the lanes, the weather, a tough day at the office.
The hot dog - he radiates a charm that says ``I'm one of the best bowlers and if more of these low average bowlers would watch how I do it, maybe they could do better.''
The sandbagger - winning is his goal and average is not important. When a match is determined (won or lost) his game goes in the tank.
The loner - he can't even tell you whether his team won or lost. He's only interested in his own score.
The lane hopper - this bowler loves to visit with other bowlers in the center and is never ready to bowl when his own turn comes up. He's usually 10 lanes away.
Mother's little helper - she's there to offer advice whether you want it or not. And when you're suffering through a low-scoring game, the suggestions usually add to your misery.
And finally . . . the perfect teammate. He's the first to slap you on the back when you bowl well, the first to understand your agony in a sub-par performance and always the one to find somewhere in the game that he might have turned defeat into victory when you were the anchor bowler who missed a game-winning one-pinner in the last frame.
Bowler of the Week honors go to Bob Shesler, who finally will be getting a 300 ring from the American Bowling Congress.
Shesler threw his 12-striker in the Almost Friday Tenpin League at Pinboy's of Lynnhaven. He finished with a 770 series, opening with a 235 and closing with a 235.
Years ago Shesler, a 200-average bowler in two of the three leagues in which he competed last season, rolled his first 300. But it was not approved by ABC and he did not get an award.
Earlier Shesler came close to the 300 mark on three occasions. He had a pair of 299 games in the 1977 season, one at D & S Piers and one at now-defunct Plaza Bowl. In 1992 at Pinboy's of Lynnhaven he tossed a 298.
Tenpin topics: Robert Huryn came up three pins short of a 300 on Oct. 25 in the Military Doubles League at Pinboy's of Military but the past week he reached the coveted goal in the same loop. He opened with the 300, adding games of 177 and 227 for a 704 series. In the same league, after just missing the Century Club last week, Rickie Winningham accomplished the feat with a 259 game. He averages 155. . . . Tee Bunch was a pitch away from a 300 in the Charles Peete League at Pinboy's of Norfolk with his 297 game in a 759 series. 289 and 266, exactly reaching the coveted figure in the Tuesday Nite Mixed League at Pinboy's of Norfolk. Glen Tribble barely missed the mark in the same league behind a 279 game, finishing at 790. Also in this league Steve Lahouchuc had the thrill of reaching his first 700 with 712, 190 pins over average. . . . Century Club newcomers are Del Atienza (140 average, 255 game) in the Lousy Bowlers League at Pinboy's at the Beach, Greg Frederick (172 average, 275 game) in the Tuesday Men's Commercial at Pinboy's of Western Branch and Ronnie Bradshaw (151 average, 257 game) in the Saturday Nite Mixed League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. . . . There were seven series of 700 or higher posted in the Masters League at Pinboy's of Lynnhaven. . . . How's this for a special gift for hubby or boyfriend at Christmas? A lifetime membership in the American Bowling Congress. These are now available for $300 for those 55 and older, $400 for those under 55. It includes a special card, engraved plaque, a watch, subscription to Bowling Magazine and either a money clip or pen/pencil set. . . . New dates have been set for the Coca-Cola Youth Bowling Championships. It is now scheduled July 10-14 in Columbus, Ohio. League level qualifying started on Nov. 1.
Duckpin data: Lennie McCready converted the 7-10 for a spare in the Sunday School League. ``First time I have ever made that shot,'' said McCready. . . . Jack Phillips slammed a 190 single en route to his 479 series in the Independent Loafers League. . . . Bill Schepp snapped the nine-game unbeaten streak by J. C. Sweeney in the Mary Crabtree Memorial Singles League. . . . In the Victory Youth League Crystal Perez, who averages 73, zipped 77 over average with a 296 series behind games of 100, 95 and 101. In the same league Don Ferguson, who averages 83, shot a 138 game and Billy Schoenfeld, a 102-average scorer, posted a 144 game. . . . Linda Harrison boosted her 102 average with a 72-pins-over series of 378 in the Friday Nite Trio League. . . League, a trio loop. . . . Jeanette Duncan whacked a 160 game in the Thursday Night Ladies League. . . . Only 24 spots remain open with pre-registration in the Portsmouth Match Game Championship, scheduled at Victory Lanes next month. Thirty-two bowlers will vie on Sunday, Dec. 10 and 32 more will bowl on Sunday, Dec. 17 in the only action before the new year. by CNB