Bowling column for Tuesday, November 24, 2020

By: Bette Addington

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! Enjoy the holiday with family and friends but be aware of large gatherings.–CA STATE REGULATIONS PROLONG OPENING OF LOCAL BOWLING CENTERSUnfortunately, we were dropped back down into the purple tier last Monday. This means we need to work back into the red and then to the orange tier before bowling centers will be allowed to open. And being our numbers of positive cases are steadily climbing, it doesn’t look like we will get back into the red tier for several weeks if not a month. Guess we can call Fall leagues now Winter leagues, at best.If and when AMF Southwest Lanes opens, Jose wanted me to share with you their updated hours of operation:Mondays – 5pm to 10pmTuesdays – 5pm to 11pmWednesdays – 1pm – 11pmThursdays – 5pm – 10pmFridays – 11am – 1amSaturdays – 1pm – 1amSundays – 1pm – 10pm–STRING MACHINES VERSUS PIN SETTERSThe topic of String Machines has been creeping into the sport of bowling. There are several recreation-only facilities like The Firehouse here in Bakersfield that use the string machines. And, at the time, we thought they were there as a nostalgic thing and knowing places like The Firehouse would only have open play bowlers, it was never given a second thought.But, as of late, articles are starting to circulate about the possibility of these string machines replacing the pin setters we have had in our bowling centers for years. What?!? The possibility is only testing the waters to see what everyone thinks. USBC, as of November 9, 2020, published an article titled, “USBC Affirms String Pinsetters are Non-Approved Equipment.” Article states, “String pinsetters may not be used in USBC-certified competition, including USBC-certified leagues and tournaments.” It went on further to say, “USBC is clarifying its position relates to string pinsetters following the recent announcement from the International Bowling Federation, stating it will allow the use of the machines in IBF competition.” USBC finished by stating, “USBC is in the process of conducting research related to string pinsetters. USBC plans to complete an initial phase of the study and publish the results in 2022.”Just a little history here. Pin Setters (Free-Fall Machines), were introduced by AMF in 1946. In 1952, AMF put the 82-30 model automatic pinspotter into full production. In 1963, AMF introduced the 82-70 model pinspotter.String Machines were invented in the mid-60’s and string machines lift and re-spot the pins by connecting them to a drive mechanism using cords. String machines have fewer parts, require fewer adjustments and demand less maintenance than the free-fall machines. In 1973, Mendes (QubicaAMF’s predecessor), introduces the Mendes String Pinspotter for duckpin and five-pin bowling. In 1990, Mendes introduces the venerable ME-90 which quickly becomes one of the most successful string pinspotters. In 2002, Qubica acquires Mendes and introduces the TMS string pinspotter for tenpin bowling. In 2019, QubicaAMF introduces the EDGE String pinspotter, the world’s most innovative string pinspotter.I hope to have more information on this topic for my next column. In the meantime, if any of you have comments on this subject (pro or con), please either email them to me (baddington@aparchitects.net) or text to me.–CBT’S FIRST TRIOS TOURNAMENT – NOV. 12-15 – SUNSET STATION, VEGASCongratulations to Bakersfield’s own Patricia Alonso, who is now on the CBT Board as a Advisory Staff as well, who placed 2nd & 8th in the Trios division, and 6th & 12th in Doubles who proudly exemplifies their motto “You Can’t Win If You Are Not In!”–BAKERSFIELD SENATE OF TNBA IS LOOKING FOR MEMBERS AND RENEWING MEMBERSPlease help keep the Bakersfield Senate of TNBA active as well as helping the national TNBA organization survive during this pandemic. Their annual membership dues are $21. If you wish more information on how to join or renew, please contact Pamela Bright on her email at sputnikpamela@gmail.com or her phone at 661/703-3700.–WATCH 2021 BowlTVGet 90 events/1,600 hours of bowling coverage during 2021 by subscribing to BowlTV for $49.95 for the entire year which works out to just over $4 a month. It is now a limited-time offer as this deal will only be available until Dec. 31, 2020. Starting in 2021, the cost of an annual subscription goes back to $79.95 so don’t miss this opportunity to join BowlTV today.–KEEP MIKE MAYO IN YOUR PRAYERSCancer affects so many these days and Mike Mayo has gone through just about every treatment imaginable to battle this disease. During this holiday season and beyond, please keep Mike and his family in your prayers.–BUTTURFF HONORS LATE MOMFormer PBA Regional and now PBA Tour star Jakob Butturff recently lost his Mom on November 2 from battling stage 4 lung cancer. In 2019, Butturff told Bowlers Journal International that his Mom’s battle was one of the reasons he was donating portions of his tour winnings to National Alliance for Rare Disorders (NORD) and also to another charity called the LUNGevity Foundation which serves those in need of lung transplants. Then on November 8, as Butturff won his 26thPBA Regional title at Jackson Rancheria in Sutter Creek, CA, he posted on Facebook, “Mom’s watching every single shot.”–NOVEMBER IS PERFECT TIME FOR BVLNormally, November is the month our local association visits leagues to collect for the annual BVL drive. Besides that, league bowlers can also enter the annual BVL In-League or BVL Roll-off Tournament which is also usually held in November around Veteran’s Day. Normally, but not this year. BVL stands for Bowlers to Veteran’s Link and provides much needed supplies to hospitalized Veterans across America and Veteran Homes that apply for BVL funds. Our local Veteran’s Center on Westwind Drive has applied for BVL funds and benefitted.Our association’s annual BVL funds are then turned over to our CUSBC (CA State Association) along with other local bowling associations across our state each year. California has been the leading State for BVL donations over the last several years and we should be proud of that! But this year is not normal so the BVL activities we have held each year will not be taking place in November.USBC’s Bowling Store is currently featuring BVL shirts, jackets and caps. Go to USBCBowlingStore.com to see what they have available for this year’s campaign. You can save 25% off your purchase if you put in the Sale Code: BVLBJ25. This exclusive offer ends November 30, 2020 or while supplies last. If you have any further questions on their merchandise, you can contact them at customerservice@maingateinc.com.For more than 75 years, BVL has been making a difference in the lives of our nation’s active duty military and veterans. BVL is the sport of bowling’s oldest and most successful charity raising over $50 million.–BOWL.COM HAS YOUR BOOK AVERAGE LISTEDWith the delay in Fall/Winter leagues getting to start, did you know you can look up what your Book Average is on Bowl.com? You can also purchase your 2020-21 sanction card or wait until leagues do start and purchase your card through your first day/night of league bowling.–GIVING TUESDAY IS DECEMBER 1- Bowl for the Cure would like you to consider their organization for Tues., December 1, which is nationally known as GIVING TUESDAY, if you the charity of breast cancer is a meaningful cause to you. Tell them your charity you are donating to on December 1st, even if Bowl for the Cure isn’t your charity by posting to the Bowl for the Cure Facebook page with the hashtags #BowlersWhoGIve and #Giving Tuesday. Two randomly chosen winners will receive a Bowl for the Cure bowling pin if you do!- California Bowling Writers 17th Annual Charity Drive for Operation Freedom Paws (OFP). Please consider donating to this charity on Tues., December 1 to help OFP match clients and many of them are CA Veterans with specially chosen service dogs. Download donation form at www.calbowlingwriters.org and send your donation (any amount is much appreciated!) to CBW Treasurer Tina Martin, 57 Shields Lane, Novato, CA 94947. Checks can be made out to “CBW.”–TOURNAMENT CLUB CANCELLATIONS CONTINUEBe sure to check with the tournament director whether an upcoming event is a go or not as it changes from day-to-day, even hour-to-hour! Many of them are trying their darndest to provide events for bowlers to compete in but are up against city, county and state health regulations.–LOCAL BOWLING CENTERS- The BLVD! – CLOSED for Bowling, Food & Alcohol!!–3200 Buck Owens Blvd., BLVDBakersfield.com, 661/873-4477Military Service (Active, Reserve, Retired, Law Enforcement, Fire & First Responders) get 15% off Food, Soft Beverages, Bowling, Laser Tag, Ropes Course & Arcade Play Every Day!Live Music on the Patio – Every Friday from 6pm-8pm – FREE!Sign Up for The BLVD!’s E Club, connect with them to get exclusive offers & updates. Join via their free WiFi or fill out a card today! (Like & follow @BLVDBAKERSFIELD.)Monday-Thursday (Open-Close) $4.25/Game, per personFriday (Open-5pm) $4.25/Game, per personFriday (5pm-Close) $42/Hour, per lane*Weekends (Open-Close) $42/Hour, per lane*Shoes – $4/person—Socks – $2.50/pair*Up to (6) people per lane- AMF Southwest Lanes – CLOSED –3610 Wible Road – 661/834-2695, amf.com.Hours of Operation (when center re-opens)Mondays – 5pm – 10pmTuesdays – 5pm – 11pmWednesdays – 1pm – 11pmThursdays – 5pm – 10pmFridays – 11am – 1amSaturdays – 1pm – 1amSundays – 1pm – 10pmROBB’S PRO SHOP (inside AMF Southwest Lanes) –661/833-2695:Hours of OperationCLOSED- West Side Lanes – CLOSED–500 Cascade Place, Bldg. D, Taft, 93268 – 661/763-4246 or 765-6677- Mt. Mesa Lanes – CLOSED–4612 McCray Road, Mt. Mesa, CA 93240 – 760/379-3131, www.Kernvalley.com/mtmesalanes– High Desert Lanes – CLOSED–205 Fitzgerald Blvd., Edwards AFB, CA 93523 – 661/275-2695–BOWLING COMMUNITY CALENDARSat., Nov. 28: SST Bowling Tourn., 9:30am, SouthPoint, Las Vegas, NV, Trisha Haynes—THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED PER GOVERNOR’S LATEST MANDATESun., Nov. 29: CBT Handicap No Tap Pop-Up Tourn., squads at 9/11/1/3, Sunset Station, Las Vegas, NV, 661/418-8007, cbtbowling.com—THIS EVENT CANCELLED.Sun., Nov. 29: PBA League All-Star Clash, 11:30am or 1:30pm, FOXMon., Nov. 30: Donation deadline to CBW for OFP Charity Drive to be entered in basket drawing if you make a min. $20 donation, calbowlingwriters.orgFri.-Sun., Dec. 4-6: Elite Bowling Club in Mesa, AZ, 951/419-2751Fri., Dec. 4: Elite Bowling Club Doubles Event, 7pm, Bowlero Mesa Lanes, Mesa, AZSat., Dec. 5: Elite Bowling Club 2 squad 5 Gamer, 9am & 1pm, Bowlero Mesa Lanes, Mesa, AZSun., Dec. 6: Elite Bowling Club 1stSwiss, 9am, 4-person teams, Bowlero Mesa Lanes, Mesa, AZSun., Dec. 6: Central Valley Masters Trios Tourn., 12 noon (1 squad limited to 18 teams), Freeway Lanes, Selma, centralvalleymasters.com (RSVP Chris Gregory)Sat. & Sun., Dec. 12-13: CBT Handicap Doubles & Singles & Scratch Singles Tourn., Sat.-10/12/2/4; Sun.-10/12/2/4, Riverside Lanes/Riverside Resort & Casino, Laughlin, NV, 661/418-8007, cbtbowling.comSun., Dec. 13: The Beast Eliminator #10, 10am, La Habra Bowl, La Habra, tbebowling.com, TheBeastHandicapEliminator@gmail.comSun., Dec. 13: HammerPins Open, 10am, Travis Bowl, Travis AFB, 707/631-1331, hammerpins.net/Open–UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS ON THE HORIZONThurs.-Sun., Dec. 17-20: CBT No-Tap Beat the Board Doubles & Singles, squads: 12/17 – 1/3/8; 12/18 – 11/1/3/5:30; 12/19 – 10/12/2/4; 12/20 – 10/12/2/4, Bowlero Mesa, Mesa, AZ, 661/418-8007, cbtbowling.comSat., Dec. 19: Victory Bowlers Holiday Classic, Mxd. Team & Doubles Shootout, 9am & 1:30pm, Canyon Lanes, Cabazon, 405/586-0871, victorybowling900@gmail.comSun., Dec. 20: HammerPins Handicap Alibi Doubles 4 Gamer, 11am, AMF Pinole Lanes, Pinole, CA, 707/631-1331, hammerpins.netSat. & Sun., Dec. 26-27: Elite Bowling Club 2 squad 5 Gamers, Canyon Lanes, Cabazon, 951/419-2751Sat.-Wed., Dec. 26-30: 17th JBT Youth Las Vegas Main Event, SouthPoint, Las Vegas, NV, bowljbt.com

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