By Ed Townsend
April 2, 2010 — While attending the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Go RVing Match Play Championship Tour stop last week in Norwich, Conn., we had the opportunity to talk to many of the exempt tour bowlers to get their feelings about the new plans for the 2010-2011 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season.
We received mixed reactions from some, others didn’t like the reduction of the first place prize money from $25,000 to $10,000 and still others indicated it would not be a friendly format to some of the pros.
“The Bowling Doctor” Jeff Mark of the PBA’s Xtra Frame, the official Internet Video Service of the PBA, gave us his views on the new proposed tour and indicated the bowlers most likely would have some problems with the reductions of the first place prize money from $25,000 to $10,000. But his indications were that there were other opportunities within the new PBA framework for bowlers to win additional prize money.
We also learned that the famous U.S. Open, the most difficult tournament on tour, would be returning to the Cavalier Lanes in North Brunswick, N.J. The date has not been announced.
The general plans laid out for the PBA for the 2010-2011 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season look like this.
“The Professional Bowlers Association has weathered the most difficult economic year for professional sports of all kinds that most of us have ever seen,” PBA Tour Commissioner and CEO Fred Schreyer said. “And we are continuing to reshape the future of professional bowling by introducing new concepts that are both necessary and exciting.”   
Highlights of the announcements made by Schreyer and Deputy Commissioner and COO Tom Clark included: the PBA Tour’s signature event, the 2011 PBA Tournament of Champions, will feature a record $1 million prize fund and a $250,000 first prize, the richest in professional bowling history. Different eligibility rules will open the event to any PBA title winner, including players who have won National, Regional, Senior and Women’s Series titles.
The Tournament of Champions will air on ESPN on Jan. 23, 2011. The 2010 Tournament of Champions, which was won by Kelly Kulick in history-making fashion,produced the highest audience ratings for the PBA in five years.
The 2010-2011 ESPN television schedule will include 23 original PBA programs, beginning in late November and running through April.
Lumber Liquidators has affirmed its commitment as the PBA Tour’s title sponsor through September 2011. Lumber Liquidators has been the title sponsor since the beginning of the 2008-2009 PBA Tour season.
The PBA World Series of Bowling will return, producing nine separate TV shows and culminating with the PBA World Championship. In a story that captured the imagination of the sports world, the 2009 PBA World Championship was won by Michigan’s Tom Smallwood. A United States vs. the World special competition will also emanate from the World Series of Bowling.
Last year’s inaugural PBA World Series of Bowling had participation from 700 different professionals from 14 different nations.  For the first time in PBA history, select events will feature three consecutive days of live television (Friday, Saturday and Sunday time slots on ESPN’s family of networks). The PBA World Championship and the U.S. Open will both be telecast in this groundbreaking presentation. Previously, only the final championship round of any PBA Tour event has been telecast.
The USBC Masters will again round out the list of four major championships and will be aired live from Reno’s National Bowling Stadium. For the first time in PBA history, live telecasts will air on ESPN in high definition.
A new PBA Playoffs will conclude the season with a six-week series of shows. The elimination series will have its own separate prize fund and be a key decider in the PBA Player of the Year race.  
The Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational returns for the third consecutive year. The event, which benefits New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul’s CP3 Foundation, features pro bowler/celebrity doubles teams. LeBron James, Ludacris, Dwayne Wade and Hines Ward are among celebrities who have competed the past two years.
A new “Xtra Frame Tour” will bring the PBA Tour players to at least five different locations across the nation for competitions that will be broadcast exclusively on pba.com’s Xtra Frame video-streaming service, but will not air on network television. The non-televised events will be conducted using a format similar to that used on the PBA Senior Tour.
Since its introduction during the World Series of Bowling, Xtra Frame has grown consistently, more than doubling its subscriber base since August 2009.
Further information with more specifics on prize funds, tournament formats, event locations, qualifying tournaments, competition dates and TV schedules will be released soon.
The Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo
Bowlers: This week I would like to let you know more about the RG (which stands for radius of gyration and core torque) in bowling balls.
First to help you understand the RG, a modern weight block in a professional bowling ball is composed of several parts of different densities. Each of these densities has two characteristics. It is a certain volume and it occupies a certain location.
When fused together, all of the different densities (all the weight of the ball) act as if they are a single unit of a single density that is rotating at a single distance from the center of the ball. This is all the RG is. It is a measurement that tells you how far from the center of the ball the weight acts like it is rotating.
As far as core torque, it is a phase we use in the industry to measure the “flip” in the ball, the harder the ball will turn the corner.
As with anything else, it is a guide for estimating potential. How flippy a ball really will be is determined by the shape of the core, the bowler’s style, the surface of the ball and the lane condition it is thrown on. A tall, skinny core will generally flip harder than a short, fat core.
Even with all of this, it is important to remember that there is no substitute for a good shot.
Mike Luongo is technically certified through IBPSIA as a Pro Shop Operator and Master Instructor. He is also a Silver Level Coach with the USBC and is a Sales Advisor and Special Events Coordinator with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by telephone at 341-1694 or via e-mail at mikesproshop@ymail.com.
Tournament Schedule
• April 9-May 16: 74th annual New York State USBC WBA Women’s Championship Tournament, Syracuse. For more information, please call Nancy Walczyk at (716) 662-0018.
• April 10-May 16: 86th annual New York State (USBC) Open Championships, Niagara Falls. For more information, please call Paul Kupelian at (315) 623-7100.
• April 10-May 16: 63rd annual New York State Elks Bowling Tournament, Rochester. For more information, please call the lodge at (585) 334-1900.
• April 17-May 16: 29th annual No Tap Tournament, South Side Bowl, Scranton, Pa. For more information, please call South Side Bowl at (570) 961-5213.
• April 17-May 2: Idle Hour Lanes 59th annual Bowling Tournament, Scranton, Pa. For more information, please call Idle Hour Lanes at (570) 489-7526.
Local Scores
Fox Bowling Center
Recent highlight scores in the Wednesday Men’s Independent League included Mike Bowker with a 279 game and a 647 series, Al Bullis Sr. 227, Cody Conway 619, Frank H. Couse Sr. 246, Frank H. Couse Jr. 268, 658, Jim Dibble 257, 681, Brandon Drumm 232, 647, Brian Drumm 226, 682, Anthony Gately 244, Art Gately 226, 638, Craig Gehrig 254, Bill Gleim 234, 269, 699, Jack Hazen 266, 648, Paul Ignatovich 234, 267, 704, Steve Jacobi 242, 629, Rob Johnson 228, 601, Pat Kille 238, 246, 677, Ryan Kille 238, 633, Donnie Marino 226, 236, 666, Robert McNaught 236, 245, 703, Josh Milucky 631, Neil Mosher 225, 652, Mitch Persbacker 612, Dick Price 278, 667, Charlie Reichenbaugh 245, Jonathon Wayne 241, 238, 650, Hank Whitmore 231, 629, Zuke Wormuth 246, 647, Jay Wormuth 225 and Tony Wright 225, 641.
In the Thursday Men’s Deposit National League, Al Bullis Jr. 266, 661, Andy Bullis 234, 671, Craig Conklin 242, 622, Dale Conklin 244, 654, Jeff Curtis 236, 635, Norm Ellis Jr. 611, John Gurnick 245, 642, Dan Koch 279, 663, John Lanner 228, 612, Rich Lenio 236, Dave Lester 244, Neil Mosher 235, 634, Randy Mower 245 and Paul Siegler 227, 621.
Kiamesha Lanes
Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included Dan Ricco with a 232 game and a 646 series, Mike Weiner 253, 643, Jaryl Scott 235, 668, Vinnie Collura 243, 657, Donald Durland 225, 247, 674, James Van Aken 234, Josh Strang 254, 662, Tom Belgiovene 279, 710, John Hoffmann 226, 227, 245, 698, Nate Sanders 225, 299, 740, John Fischer 249, 611, David Graham 276, 235, 662, Serafin Rodriguez Jr. 621, Pete Mitro 234, Al Caycho 268, 228, 701, Jon Wilhelm 251, 233, 705, Frank Scuderi 225, Roy Sweeney 232, Eddie Lake 256, 225, 694, Rick Lake 227, 253, 694, Lloyd Bridges 227, James Frost 232, 614, Keith Smith 236, 610, Frank Amore 235, John Lopez 233, 629, Kevin Stackhouse 223, Corey VanKeuren 601, Jack Moylan 247, 639, Kort Wheeler 602, Daniel Van Aken 257, 669, Paul Curry 230, 628, Arthur Stevens 243, 226, 646, Stephen Rivera 245, Mal Press 230, 603 and Ronnie Totten 277, 227, 705.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters League, Vera Bernhardt 182, 191, 529, Carena Collura 180, 508, Pat Mulhern 215, 511, Joann Ruggiero 190, Lisa Cartwright 213, 528, Neil Bell Jr. 257, 654, Russ Keesler 256, 266, 705, Allen Jones 255, 651, Debbie Durland 236, 204, 600, Mal Press 234, 652, Jon Wilhelm 258, 224, 726, Ed Guthrie 265, 680, John Cascone 621, Mary Lee Williams 189, 521, George Kelley 225, 650, Kevin Stackhouse 615, Roberta Yakin 182, 203, 557, John Hoffmann 257, 636, Barbara Yeomans 188, 510 and Larry Berens 225.
In the Wednesday Men’s League, Daniel Van Aken 619, Kenny Atkins 649, Kenneth Hopkins Jr. 248, 634, Al Caycho 233, 611, Mike Weiner 265, 243, 666, John Lopez 249, 233, 632, George Battle Jr. 259, 258, 711, Larry Berens 244, 225, 676, Dean Shattuck 615, Paul Durland 255, 223, 690, Josh Strang 268, 671, Tom Belgiovene 617, John Hoffmann 248, 673, Jason Jones Jr. 267, 610, Anthony Atkins 610, Wayne Atkins 256, 628, Eddie Lake 643, Donald Durland 614, Matt Fallon 267, 663, Gregory Fallon 225, 611 and Richard Bradford 226, 658.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Connie McKenley 180, 529, Barb Merton 201, Sonya Robinson 195, Joan Lake 183, 185, 533, Mardette Wilcox 192, 192, 181, 565, Joyce Haring 184, Kristin Emmett 184, Barbara Durbak 197, 189, 545, Debbie Durland 225, 216, 588, Mary Lee Williams 183, 190, 187, 560, Debra Castillo 183, 509 and Karen Perrello 219.
Liberty Lanes
By Bob Fix Jr.
Sunday Mixed League Week 27 includes Jason Hellerer 218; Thomas Fix 211.
Saturday Mixed League Week 29 includes Jon Wayne 232, 213, 211, 656; Phil Norris 200, 235, 213, 648; Justin Lopez 205, 213, 215, 633; Angie Desmond 232, 214, 185, 631; Walt Edwards 202, 191, 225, 618; Deming Roosa 199, 201; Russell Bivins 214; Dennis Desmond 228; Jeremy Gulley 202, 222; Michele Roosa 215; Dan Martinetti 209; Josh Milucky 200
Monday Men’s League Week 29 includes Ralph Coney 265, 207, 656; Kyle Stevens 213, 252, 646; Todd Houghtaling 215, 222, 627; Walt Edwards 204, 205; Andy Cook 216; Paul Tuttle 233; Tony Padial 204
Wednesday Men’s League Wk 29 includes Kyle Stevens 236, ,238, 237, 711; Paul Minton 204, 215, 230, 649; Ed Blume 231, 207, 629; Dwayne Cabrera 223, 214, 619; Andy Cook 234, 210, 613; Harrison Cherry 223, 609; Derek Irwin 225, 608; Paul Tuttle 223, 605; Russell Bivins 208, 210; Thomas Fix 235; Ryan Lepke 234, 200; Ed Blume Jr. 213; Ralph Coney 209; Mike Aumick 208; Mark Carman Sr. 203; Tom Kehrley 201
Friday Mixed League Week 27 includes Kyle Stevens 246, 234, 257, 737; Andy Cooke 234, 207; 635; Anthony Atkins 222, 230, 627; Rich Vail 212, 215, 619; Alan LaBounty 204; Jim Fiore 213; Chris Stevens 212; Dennis Desmond 200
Liberty Elks Bumper League includes Makayla Dutcher 83; Jake Parks 80; Logan Danzilo 72; Kayla McMahon 71; Hannah Tuso 62; Aidan Whitehead 59; Corrine Hellerer 51; Madison Cross 50; Londyn Thomas; Kaytlyn Ingrassia 41
Liberty Elks Bantam League includes Dean MacGhee 148, 125, 273; Nicole Keyes 143, 104, 247; Kamry Conboy 110, 128, 238; Sean McMahon 107, 95, 202; Lindsey Siegel 75, 71, 146; Tanner Parks 69; Gabrielle Keyes 114; Zachary Cody 106; Mikey Fritz 97; Cameron Reichenbaugh 94; Ian Cody 90; Brianna Keyes 86; Jarod Hellerer 65; David Schiff 64; Emily Niemann 55; Marie Lyons 49; Zachary DeLong 47
Liberty Elks Teenage League includes Robby Lyons 157, 135, 198, 490; Nia Rodriguez 117, 67, 82, 266; Ashton Clark 155; Robert Feeney 135; Jonathan Greisbeck 135; Glen McCausland 129; Robby Allegretta 127; Tom McCausland 122; Trae Serrano 119; Cassie Sherwood 117; Alaina DeLong 105; Ryan Feeney 103; Sophia Cohen 89; Philip Kalanick 89; Skye Rundle 59
This column is written by Ed Townsend, a public relations consultant to the amateur and professional sport of bowling and to several bowling writers associations. If you have a topic that would make good reading, or have league and tournament scores and information, Ed cam be reached by telephone at 439-8177, via e-mail at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com and by fax at 230-8674. For a more expanded version of the bowling column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com.