Strikes and Spares
Bowling world mourns the loss of one of its greats The bowling world lost an icon last week.
With the passing of Dick Weber on Sunday, the sport has an opening for a model sportsman.
From what I have read, he was an all-around great man. Mr. Weber was 75. Mr. Weber was a founding father of the Professional Bowlers Association with numerous PBA victories to his credit. He also owned the distinction of being named bowler of the year three times.
Although I am a latecomer to the bowling community, I have been researching enough articles to pass over his name numerous times. One could not search through the pages of popular bowling magazines or check the scores from bowling broadcasts and not discover the name Dick Weber.
Joe Gudac of Brownsville had the pleasure of bowling with Weber in several tournaments from 1978 through 1983.
Joe said, “Dick was one of the nicest guys on the tour and treated everyone so nicely. In my eyes, the bowling world lost one of its greatest ambassadors.”
Brandon Riggar and I finally met up last week, however, to late to include his 300 game comments in last week’s column. If you remember from last week, Brandon rolled his first 300 at Mt. Vernon Bowl in Uniontown.
I had to ask as we started the conversation if he was related to Dwayne Riggar who was mentioned only several weeks ago. He proudly responded with, “That’s my Dad.”
I am unraveling more and more bowling families each week.
Brandon, like many 300 bowlers, felt the nerves of the final ball. He was pretty cool about it. He said the closer he moved to the final roll, the more he tried not to think about it. As it came down to the last roll he could feel everyone watching.
“Yeah, like that really helped,” he said with a laugh. Brandon said the only bad thing about the night was the fact that he was bowling against his dad. I am sure the senior Riggar was willing to give this one up.
Brandon worked at Mt. Vernon Bowl for a short time so he had an opportunity to pick up numerous tips. It paid off with a 300 game in only four years of bowling.
On other lanes in the area, bowlers were guiding balls to the pockets of effectiveness.
At Gudac Lanes in Brownsville, bowlers were rolling sevens faster than Las Vegas dealers. Mike Popson had a 299 game and a 719 series, and Kevin Fasulkey had a 289 game and a 792 series.
Not to be outdone, Abe Franks maintained his season pace with a 735 series. Abe is nurturing a 234 average. Alan Scabis rounds out our seven series with a 295 game and a 687 series.
There must be something in the air because 7’s were showing up all over the place at Klondike lanes also.
Bob Rohland starts this round of 7’s with a 774 series, Jim Preston a 769 and Rich Burnsworth a 767. Jamie Lawrence turned in a 763 series that included a 290 game – 11 strikes in a row.
The seven phenomena winds down at Klondike with Alan Scabis’ 754 and 707 series and Tom Rhodes’ 728.
Saturday night at Fairbank Bowling Center was a busy one. Two bowlers scored 300 games in Fayette Traveling league action. Gary George bowled a 300 in his first game finishing with a 711 series, and Brett Schimmel, Sr. bowled a 300 in the third game, giving him a 772 series.
In the Tuesday Night Men’s League, Travis Petty bowled his first 700 series with a 749. The night was even better when you add in the fact that it was his 18th birthday. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Somebody better play 7777.
Let me finish this week with the final lineup for the St. Jude Bowl for Life charity event at Klondike Lanes in Masontown starting at noon on Feb. 27.
The following is a list of special guest that are coming out to help the kids: Pittsburgh Steelers (yet to be named) Fayette County officials, Froggy Radio personalities, Pickle Radio personalities, WMBS live broadcast (1:00-3:00), Kiss Radio morning show hosts Big Bob and Mikey, State officials, HSTV crew and personalities, Uniontown Herald-Standard, The Rode Rig (on display inside the bowling center), Povertyneck Hillbillies and the Concrete Cowboys.
Joe Pascia also wanted add a special thank you to Jerry’s Catering, Brodak’s Shop N Save, Shake and Bake Entertainment Productions and Bob Hixon for his great job in coordinating the event.
I hope to see many of you there and put faces to the names I have been writing about. Right now I am going to finish this off and head out and put my money on 7s.
Contact Brian Casey brianwcasey@hotmail.com