Observations and Irritations

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Observations and Irritations
July 2008

Lord I was born a rambling’ man!

Greetings from the 68 degree home office in Helena, AL, we have a lot to do tomorrow so let’s get to it. By request a column of random thoughts.

The USBC concluded this week and one has to wonder how they could legitimately put someone with only 30 games in a season in the classified division. http://www.bowl.com/articleView.aspx?i=14657&f=4

The Junior Gold started this week and the cover boy from Alabama, McCorvey’s Pro Shop’s very own Daniel Meeks was wearing, a shirt telling the world he was a bowler. No it wasn’t Ebonite, or Columbia no sports fans it was the GAP. http://www.bowl.com/tournaments/youth/jrgold/photogallery_2008.aspx

How can Huntsville have more bowlers support tournaments than Birmingham?

Welcome back to Birmingham David Pafumi, we can always use more left-handers.

Joey Pirani how in the world do you carry?

I hear they are building a 100 Lane Bowling Center in Orlando, FL. Yes when I think of the USBC I think Disney don’t you? Can’t wait to see the USBC Open at Disney Bowling Complex presented by the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino…

Next year the USBC Open is in Vegas…It’s about time, think of how many more entries and interest would have had if the Stadium was in Vegas.

The Sports Festival was last month and the Birmingham Youth Bowlers are following in that great tradition supporting tournaments. I think there were 2 from Birmingham, but after all it was a long way off at Riverview on 280.

Real Bowlers Tour came to town also, at the Popcorn Mecca of the South, Riverview Lanes, and the turnout was small from the local side, but they did run a good tournament.

Bowled in my first Ebonite Classic a few weeks ago, one confusing thing, if you cut from 6 to 3 shouldn’t 3 pay more than 4th?

The Stepladder is this weekend at Lightning Strikes at the same time the Ebonite Classic is in Huntsville. You have to love that great planning.

Congrats to Steve Kloempken for becoming technical director at the USBC.

Is anyone watching the PBA Team challenge on Sundays?

The ball I am throwing is a Global 900 Break Pearl now everyone can quit asking me what kind of ball is that.

If you had to vote for the best ball driller in town who would it be? Ryan gets my vote, but what do I know.

Larry Langford wants to bring the Olympics to Birmingham, but Johnny Rogers can’t even respond when I tell them to find a way to bring the USBC Open to Birmingham to pay for their dome.

Speaking of a Dome, I can’t wait for them to build it. I have never heard what a 75,000 seat Dome sounds like with 2,000 people watching a high school game, but hey I know where you can find a popcorn vendor.

The Real Estate market in Birmingham is crashing harder than Paul Ealy’s ball hitting the pins at Oak Mountain.

Hey is the Pop Corn Ready? I only have 10 strikes in a row please tell us the popcorn is ready I can’t go and pull this shot 5 boards until you announce that.

They should change the name of Riverview to Redenbacher’s Bowl. They should have an annual tournament and call it the Popcorn Festival.

What exactly is the profit margin on popcorn for a bowling center?

Bought a Wii Fit lost 20 pounds in a week! Second week I had it pulled my Achilles tendon and could barely walk but I still bowled.

Rest in Peace Jim Fell you will be greatly missed.

How in the world do Jeff Gilchrist and Bill Leach get handicap?

If you are as old as you feel, why do I feel 21 but my body feels like its 60? What does that make me 39? Ahhhhhh

The bowling ball manufacturers are finally getting smarter and not releasing a new ball every month.

How can anyone possible shoot 832 on the USBC shot that I bowled on?

I wonder if the USBC shot changes when certain teams bowl like the people in Albuquerque told me.

How long until someone shoots 900 in Alabama?

I love it when I hear bowling is not a sport but golf is, try lugging 6 balls up and down the concourse at Western Bowl, or get in your golf cart and ride from the tees to the fairway!

If Team USA now has pros and a selection of amateurs, why do I want to give $20.00 at the USBC Open to compete in Team USA?

The bowling headquarters and Hall of Fame are moving to Arlington, TX well that makes sense I always knew Dallas was Bowling Capital of the World there are so many tournaments held there annually right?

Michael Hill shot 299 in Albuquerque, I think I did too but it was 2 games.

Gas Prices have got to drop or we are going to have “Fill your tank leagues” instead of Florida Leagues.

Do you ever think we would be better off without reactive bowling balls?

Instead of 300 awards from centers they should offer discounts on bowling equipment.

If I asked Ron to run one of his tournaments in Birmingham, would more than the 13 who went to Huntsville participate?

Would anyone be interested in an Association Challenge? Take the top 10 bowlers in each area based on a points system to compete in 4 weekend events to determine a State Champion.

Is anyone else haunted by pins that didn’t fall that cost you winning a tournament?

In Bowling is lane the condition the great equalizer or is knowledge?

Some bowling balls and some styles DO NOT match up.

If my articles were actually on paper that would be undeserved tree assassination.

If the tournament rules say no hats take your hat off or get zero.

If you are a tournament official don’t try forcibly to remove the hat from someone’s head, or you might get knocked on your butt.

Bowling in Cullman was not the horrifying experience I had been warned about.

How can Vanderbilt have a bowling team but, Auburn University and Alabama can’t?

Why would any company make a ball called the “Hole Pounder”? Way to alienate half of your customers.
I am shocked the women have not demanded equal representation with the “Ball Buster”.

Congrats to Brec Whitten the new GBBUSBCHIJKMRSTUV or some ridiculous acronym President.

If you ask me to do something then get out of my way and let me do it.

And finally...I hope everyone has an enjoyable summer and tries to participate in as many tournaments as possible, and thank these guys like Ron and Vlad for running them and giving us something to do on the weekend besides the cutting the grass.

If you have any ideas for future articles please feel free to email. donchappelear@bellsouth.net

Until next time…Some lanes have 5 dots and some lanes have 7.

Don is a Birmingham bowler. If you have any story suggestions, please submit to Don at Donchappelear@bellsouth.net

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