In last week’s column, in question-and-answer format, Paul Spiotta, Genesee Region United States Bowling Congress president, talked about the need for member involvement to enhance communication throughout the four-county association and looked forward to the reinstitution of the Hall of Fame and scholarship for a graduating senior girl.
This week (the final part of the two-part interview), he answers questions pertaining to high school bowling, tournament eligibility and Sport Bowling – and offers a call for unity on a statewide level.
Q. Seeing the success of high school bowling in the Rochester area, what is the status of high school bowling, either on an intramural or interscholastic level, in the Genesee Region? It is common knowledge that there is money set aside for youth bowling.
A. The current status of this is pretty much the same as it was last year. I personally have discussed the possibility of high school bowling at a couple of local high schools with the athletic directors, and each of the athletic directors pretty much provided the same response – a request would have to be made to the board of education and the biggest hurdle to be overcome would be the cost of travel, particularly if they had to have their program travel to Rochester to participate.
I think the intent would be to try and set up something more locally in this region, covering the counties that are outside of Monroe County – Genesee , Wyoming , Livingston and possibly Orleans . See if we can get our own group going here … But I think what is definitely needed now to push this on to the next level is an individual or two – or a group – that can spearhead this effort.
I don’t necessarily know, there really hasn’t been anybody on the board that seems to be willing to step up and take this to the next level – and I think that’s what’s required to make this a reality. And I don’t know who that person would be. But there definitely needs to be somebody who has an interest in getting this off the ground; take it under their wing and reach out to see what can be done.
With respect to the money, as you know, prior to the dissolution of the Batavia Bowling Association board, we appropriated a fund of $10,000 in support of interscholastic bowling.
Q. There doesn’t seem to be a push to promote women’s tournaments or events. Is this just my perception or is that a concern of yours?
A. We do sponsor the Gladys Ford senior tournament as well as the women’s association tournament, which is a separate part of the open association tournament. I can say that during the 2006-07 season, the board discussed the establishment of an association Queens-type tournament for women. We actually had it scheduled; it was going to be at Livingston Lanes in Geneseo, but plans fell through at the last minute and nothing has been pursued this year. Personally, I’m all for a prestigious women’s tournament in our association – whether it be scratch or handicap – but we do need someone to get behind the effort and drive it to reality.
Q. Some association bowlers would like to see the Batavia Masters opened to all bowlers in the association, not just to some that bowl at halls that were in the old BBA. How to you respond to that line of thinking?
A. In my opinion, the GRUSBC Memorial Scratch Tournament is now what bowlers need to consider as the tournament with the most prestige. The purpose of the Memorial Scratch Tournament was to replace the Perry scratch singles and the Batavia Bowling Association Masters tournament as the premier event in the association. We sponsor the event and we plan to rotate it across the association centers from year to year. Obviously, it’s only two years old and still needs to establish its own tradition, but it’s off to a great start with over 100 entries each of its first two years.
Admittedly I was puzzled when approached about the bowler concerns regarding the fact that the Batavia Masters was only open to bowlers who bowl in Batavia , Le Roy, Oakfield and Albion . I tried to explain to them that the Memorial was now the association scratch singles event replacing the Masters and the Perry scratch tournament but apparently I was not too convincing.
People also need to understand that the Batavia Masters is not financially sponsored by the Genesee Region USBC. As you know from being on the BBA board prior to its dissolution, we understood the tradition of the Masters was something we did not want to lose. Thus we voted that a certain amount of money be set aside to continue the tournament for years to come.
I now consider the Batavia Masters to be no different from any house tournament that restricts bowlers from participating unless they bowl in that center, such as the Oakfield Masters. Additionally, I believe if we were to open up the Masters to the entire association it would take away the prestige that the Memorial tournament is trying to build.
Q. I am a proponent of Sport or PBA Experience leagues to bring the challenge back to the sport on a regular basis. What’s your opinion of this and would the association support a PBA Experience League in the GRUSBC?
A. Without question, the board would support a sport league or PBA Experience league, fully understanding that a very small percentage of our membership would be interested in participating.
Obviously, there is a separate certification fee that bowlers would have to pay, and I was also thinking that those who would definitely be serious in being a competitive bowler within this situation would also have to consider themselves with any additional financial costs it would take to get the right equipment drilled. Obviously, you’d have to put in more practice and preferably it would be on that type of (lane) condition. If you were to go to a hall on a weekend, and wanted to practice on that condition, you’d have to make sure the manager is okay that they lay out that kind of condition.
Q. It was announced that beginning next season, adult and youth honor score awards in regular (non-sport or non-PBA Experience) leagues will become once-in-a-lifetime awards. For example, if someone rolls a 300 game, he or she will receive an award just once. With awards being part of league bowling’s long tradition, is this a good move?
A. I totally agree (that this is not a good move) and, based on what I’ve read, I think others agree as well because this has been put on hold. This whole concept of providing only “once-in-a-lifetime” awards has been put on hold until further notice.
Q. In closing, is there anything else you would like to comment about?
A. I definitely think that the New York State associations are doing a disservice to the bowlers by not merging. There are at least three conventions that we now have to attend – the men’s convention, the women’s convention and possibly the youth convention – solely on the fact that at this point in time the New York State men, women and youth are not in a merged status.
There really has to be something done about that. The only reasons I can think of that it hasn’t happened are that you have financial reasons and possibly egos standing in the way.
(Mike Pettinella’s Pin Points bowling column appears every Thursday during the bowling season. If you have an item of interest for his column, please contact him at mikepett2002@yahoo.com or at 343-3736 or by mail at 55 Edgewood Drive ,