Earlier this season I seized the opportunity to pay homage to friendly aspects of the sport on a daily and or weekly basis. At that time I paid significant attention to the family and friends side of the sport – you know people just getting together for the love of the game.
Today we are going to go to the other side of the fence – the group that seems to feel that if they are not averaging over 200 that there must be something wrong with the ball [sometimes even their shoes], the lanes, the machine or even the lane pattern that has been put out for that evening.
I really need to be clear here. Our community is blessed with any number of bowlers who are legitimate 200+ average bowlers and deserve the recognition. They have paid the price of “stardom” by performance locally, state or even across the nation.
My “target” is the group of bowlers who have not yet or may never reach that standard that can get just downright and angry when the pins do not fall as planned. In one recent case a bowler in a bowling galaxy not that far from Lima actually ‘confronted’ the ball return leading to what was said to be a one hour delay due to a necessary repair.
Please do not misunderstand me … I wish we could all average 200 or more to include me … but how real would things be then … especially if I did.
What becomes our metric for going to the lanes?
When I spoke of my special group on Wednesday mornings we spoke of the friendships and hanging out. Should that be the metric for all? Should there be leagues that assure that happens? Should leagues be like dance studio and sports options for the little ones – recreational vs. competitive? For the record I am as competitive as the next person!
Giving props to Ryan Staley …
Really want to praise Ryan Staley who in the last two weeks or so has made the Lima Area Bowlers Facebook page come alive with conversation instead of the continual run of ‘Who needs a sub?’ or bowling ball sales that the page had become famous for.
Last weeks topic on who the all time leaders in 300 games is being given a run for the money by what pairs of lanes you love or disdain at the different establishments in our area! Who would have thunk it?
From my side of it, my favorite response goes to Jason Moneer. Get to the Facebook page and find Jason’s response.
Easily the best use of the page that I have seen and to think it is by a non-bowler!!
Whoops!!
Just noticed a typo and a glaring mistake from my high school finale from the past week! Clearly my good friend Josh Goff should never have been referenced by the use of a female pronoun. Sorry Josh.
Secondly, I honestly thought Eyon Berney may have had a shot at first team for the North Division of the conference. I was stunned even more that I neglected to report that the Lima Senior High soon to be grad was a second team selection from the great conference, clearly an honor. May great things continue to come his way.
I also did not squeeze in some very notable Wapakoneta information. The Lady Redskins established a new baker game record for the OHSAA state event, a 276 shattering the girl’s record of Troy last season a 255.
It is also noteworthy that although the Wapakoneta men were stymied by Westerville Central in the finals that they did roll baker games of 266 and 265 in their battle against Cincinnati Oak Hills.
The only time those two games have ever been topped was by Springfield Kenton Ridge vs Wapak in 2010 when Kenton Ridge led by Chris Via, now of the PBA tossed baker games of 300 and 268.
Bulletin Board Material!
An individual that I respect a great deal mentioned to me recently that he felt that the rest of the state was catching up with our area when it comes to high school bowling. With respect to smh, I both scratched and shook my head when he voiced his view.
Note this was said in a year when the area won two of the four state titles and went to the finals in a third.
The state seems to go in cycles but the Southeast and Northwest have been dominant for awhile. Sometimes it is program and at other times it is because of an individual or two who have dominated things.
The aforementioned Kenton Ridge had a great run with Via but when he graduated the team suffered.
Our area has programs that seem to overcome the graduation of stars. Paige Hartings followed in footsteps of her sister Erica. Emily Bruns and Crystal Boyer are others that come quickly to mind in Coldwater.
Anthony Kennard dominated and then so did Brandon. Wapak has state cache as well. They will reload – Tyler Miller, Josh Wall and Dusty Haggard is a strong nucleus. This from a school who has done it for the past 20 years … Brian Garman still makes my all time team.
Please somebody clip this article for me there are more titles coming for this area ….Teen Masters.
This event over time will be amazing. Maybe even this year.
If you are an early riser and newspaper reader, let this be your encouragement to get to 20th Century Lanes to watch some excellent teen bowlers roll in the Lima Open, a division of the Teen Masters.
The lane pattern will not be for the faint of heart or the standard league bowler.
It will only be 30 foot and only plastic balls can be used.
Come and watch and have some great food. Action gets underway of the six game block at 10 a.m.
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