THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 9, 1997 TAG: 9702070232
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: AROUND THE ALLEYWAYS
SOURCE: Michelle Schloff
LENGTH: 83 lines
It's been brought to my attention that there are ``lousy bowling leagues'' forming at all of the Pinboy's in Hampton Roads.
Yes, lousy.
That's Pinboy's term, not mine, folks.
I couldn't believe that Pinboy's would use an ad campaign centered around the word lousy.
Besides, who would want to join, just to prove they were lousy? Isn't it enough for a ``lousy'' bowler to read about 20-year-old superpower Jeremy Soonenfeld in Nebraska bowling a 900 series?
So what's the gimmick?
After a series of calls to the various bowling centers, I found that, although I'm a lousy bowler, I am not alone.
``It's for people who have never bowled and just want to come out with their friends and have a good time with their friends,'' said Jim Preston, manager at Pinboy's of Chesapeake.
``It's only $10 dollars a week and it's for all ages,'' said Linda Ashbury of Pinboy's of Norfolk. ``The best part is that it's half of a normal bowling season like some of our more competitive bowlers compete in. It's strictly to have a good time.''
So they cut the season for lousy bowlers to 18 weeks instead of 36. Hey, if the lousy bowlers bowled too much, they might not be lousy anymore.
``Their are leagues at all different times of the week,'' said Russ at Pinboy's of Lynnhaven. ``We have one on Sunday evening.''
``At the end of the year, we'll give some sort of prize to the teams, '' said Ashbury.
The only prize I'd want would be my dignity - and the fact that I didn't hurt anyone.
But guys, I have some other suggestion for league name. How about, the ``Practice Makes Perfect League,'' or ``Girls Just Want to Have Fun League,'' or ``Let's Just Pray Every Roll Is Not In The Gutter League?'' Or my personal favorite, ``Let's Throw It and Hope We Don't Hit The Guy in the Lane Beside Us League?''
This tactic is much more positive and gives us lousy bowlers and beginners a bit more optimism.
Actually, this reverse psychology may be a grand marketing scheme for Pinboy's.
BOWLER OF THE WEEK: This week's honor goes to Richard Griffin, who rolled a 766 series in the Scribler League at Pinboy's at the Beach. Griffin's name has been consistently appearing on my list for the past couple months and he deserves a little recognition.
TENPIN TIDBITS: Dale Schneider pitched a 290 game in the Tuesday Night Mixed League at Indian River Lanes. Dale rolled a spare and 11 strikes in a row. ... In her first year of bowling with a 108 average, Tanja Petit smashed games of 166, 133 and 158 for a 457 series in the Saturday Night Mixed League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. ...
Paul Bennett posted a 223 game in the Seniors League at Pinboy's of Norfolk. ... In the Monday Night Mixed League at Pinboy's of Military, Austin Howard, carrying a 158 average, put together games of 234, 167, and 211 for a 612 series. ... Charles Holcombe registered a 703 series in th Virginia Beach Industrial Commercial League at Pinboy's at the Beach. ...
Keith Howard fired up games of 210, 246, and 275 in the Military Doubles League at Pinboy's of Military. ... Glen Pitner racked up a 269 in the Thoroughbreds League at Pinboy's of Chesapeake. ... Jerry Taylor hammered a 232 in the Junior/Major/Senior League at Pinboy's of Norfolk. ...
Earl Stutz tossed games of 223, 209, and 233 for a sizzling 665 series with the Monday Night League at Pinboy's of Military. ... Michelle Lynch is on a roll again with a 257 and a 247 in the Mixed Engineers League at Indian River Lanes.
DUCKPIN DATA: David Driskell, otherwise known as my duck-pin bowler of the week with a 139 average, smashed games of 199, 209, and 166 for a 579 set in the Pro League at Bowlarama Friday. Driskell's set broke a 20-year record at Bowlarama.
BOWLING NOTE: Junior League Bowlers and Senior Citizens scores are greatly appreciated. Let me know what's happening. MEMO: Weekly bowling notes and scores should be submitted by mail or
faxed to 533-9004 no later than Monday at noon. All scores received
after then will not appear in the paper. You may also submit scores,
comments, and suggestions by e-mail to mschloff(AT)aol.com