ALLEGATIONS–Week 24 March 10, 2025

By week 24 it is likely that each team’s ability has been demonstrated. It caused me to wonder if our teams are among the elite within the USBC (United States Bowling Congress) group. One comparative metric is stated in Rule 52 c :

“National Team High Game and Series: During each fiscal year, USBC will issue an award to each member of the team who bowls the nation’s highest scratch score in each of the following classifications. Submit only scores that exceed those listed below.”

4-player mixed teams 1000 (game) 2800 (series)– a little quick math shows that the four bowlers have to average 250 to qualify for the game score and a 700 average for the scratch series. So how does our “best” team (Werner Team) compare? The high scratch game recorded so far is 714 averaging 179 and the highest scratch series is 2010 averaging 502. While our Rotary League may rate amongst the oldest of leagues, our bowlers have not yet achieved elite status. So it doesn’t appear we will be burdened applying for this award this year. Perhaps next?

Now with this humbling statistic in mind, lets review Week 24 performances. (Jeannine Conway was the winner of the $52 pot.)

Team Driver occupies first place with a solid 16-6 win against Team Cowell. The Driver Team won 2 games and the total but all of the games were close with Driver winning the total by a mere 17 pins. It could be argued if Cowell’s team captain had been in attendance the outcome could have been different. His slot was vacant and thus only recorded 570 pins in the total. Team Driver was led by Robert Driver (667 total) and Ken Schuman (642 total). Bob Zangas (659) and Bob Schuster (614) led the Cowell Team.

Team Jones holds second place with 42 points. Jones battled Team Weistreich and won 14 points including 2 games and the total. However, unlike Driver the pin spread in the total was 117 pins. Jones achieved its results with only 3 bowlers as Doc Jones chose to go to Phoenix to hit the golf ball. But no matter. The trio of Kayla Jones, Ali Griebenow, and Rachel Callier all exceeded their average. Mike Coleman (644) and Wade Weistreich (633 including a 190 game) led the Weistreich team which now occupies third place in the standings.

Team Baker occupies the fourth spot in the standings but managed only 6 points against Team Werner. With only 3 bowlers Team Baker was at a disadvantage but Katie Lamarst emerged as the star as she recorded her highest single game score (161) and highest total (656). Not to diminish her accomplishments, but did I see her miss the 5 pin in the tenth frame in the 161 game? Oh, what could have been?? Team Werner was led by Joey Papa with a 649 series and by Don Klackner with a 232 game and a 666 series total. Perhaps his high score was influenced by some outside source.

Team Lane was represented by only 3 bowlers as Jack Windish and Kent Steinbrueck joined Doc in Phoenix. Nevertheless Team Lane took 12 points from the Decker Team. Ralph showed up a little tardy but managed to catch up. However, he cost his team about 50 pins due to his handicap compared to the handicap for the absent bowler. But, Ralph being Ralph, made up for it with impressive games of 178, 196 and 232 for a 606 scratch series. All seven bowlers exceeded their average and the games were close; the third game even ended in a rare TIE. Yours truly had his best game of the season with a 236 but we still managed to lose that game.

Only a few more weeks until we challenge the Kansas City crew again. A sign up sheet has been started so everyone check your calendars and sign up if you can. It is a LOT of fun.

Strikes and Spares,

Carl Lane