Published: September 25, 2008 10:37 am      

Smith rolls area’s high

Greg Smith bowled 740/257 at White Oak Lanes and was the area’s top bowler for the week. Paul Pryor also had a big score, rolling 705/268.

At Wilson Lanes, Bob Greene rolled a pair of 700s and his 738/258 was that center’s high for the week. Craig Davis was next high posting a 712/256 score. Joe Buff rolled a 279 game in his 666 set.

Buck Lease was highest for the week at The Bowler. Lease rolled 687/237 in the Appalachian League. A.J. Bishop, a few pins behind, bowled 685/236. Darren Durbin bowled a 299 game in his 652 set.

Troy Smith was the leader at Sherwood Lanes, bowling 664/255. Jeremiah Howsare followed, scoring 647/279.

Phil Whetstone’s 660/246 was Rainbow’s high followed by C.P. Sines rolling 630/238.

The Bowler’s Vivian Helsley was the area’s top lady for the week, bowling 603/203 for the Bowler Belles League. Lizz Fullerton was next, scoring 531/182.

Felicia Deremer was highest of the White Oak ladies, bowling 599/232. Michele Hitchens was next, rolling a big 254 game in her 573 series.

Pam Brinkman’s 573/208 was Rainbow’s high for the ladies and Fran Cuthbertson’s 514/188 was next, followed by Dolly Sharpless, scoring a 513 set.

Monica Myers was Wilson’s top lady, bowling 535/187. Kim Hannas was next, rolling 524/182.

Alice Monahan bowled 521/185 for the Sherwood ladies’ high and Libby Durst scored 476/172.

Ray Foster was the area’s top senior bowler, scoring 692/247. Bill Smith III bowled 623/219 for Rainbow’s top senior. Helen Uncapher bowled 511/181 for the Monday Seniors League at White Oak Lanes.

Alex Folmer bowled 634/256 for the Junior Fireballs League at The Bowler. Justin Boyer rolled 573/208 in the Adult/Junior League at Wilson Lanes. Tyler Mansfield bowled a 540 set at Rainbow Lanes and Scottie Brown rolled 533/193 for the White Oak Youth League.

Bowling is a fun sport for the young, as well as the old and all in between. But unlike some sports, the fundamentals change depending on the age, the bowler’s degree of skill, concentration and the playing environment. When we teach the very young, the most important factor is for them to have fun. They are not developed physically to swing the ball and release into a hooking motion at the pocket, so the important factors are roll the ball straight, keep the head still, shoulders square and aim the ball at the pins. If the ball consistently falls off the lane to the right side, then start on the approach a little further to the right side. That way he or she keeps the concentration on the center of the pin deck and will likely find a comfortable spot where the ball comes closest to getting the most pins.

On the other end of the bowling spectrum, the serious bowler needs to learn to adjust quickly to changing oil conditions and trust in his shot and correctly read his ball reaction in order to make the next adjustment as necessary. Controlling ball speed, rotation and matching equipment (ball) to lane conditions is also a serious concern. Most bowlers like a challenge and they can certainly find it in our favorite sport.

Good luck bowling and have fun striking out!

Howard “Pete” Peterson is the bowling columnist for the Cumberland Times-News. Write to him at petesbowling@atlanticbb.net.