Bowling column for Tuesday, May 12, 2020
By: Bette Addington

–C is the Word

Continue is the “C” word for bowlers to carry on in hopes of returning to normality. Excitement is stirring as we are hearing centers are opening in northern CA. Hopefully we will follow right around the corner. With Winter leagues that wished to finish out when centers open, it’s important to remind league officers that your league still needs to perform an audit before you finish out your Winter league and do payouts. Ending a league does not forego the requirement to audit league funds. Don’t let this slip through the cracks.

Then some Winter leagues are trying to ride this out and centers like AMF Southwest Lanes, are allowing these leagues to come back when they can finally reopen and finish their leagues. Summer leagues would have been started by now, but AMF Southwest Lanes is willing to hold off Summer leagues for Winter leagues to do this. And, in addition to that, AMF Southwest Lanes is allowing Winter leagues returning to finish 50% off lineage to do so! Can’t ask for more than that IF the centers reopen SOON. The latest information on AMF Southwest Lanes is that are awaiting to hear what our Governor and our local Health & Safety say so at this point, it is to be determined.

This week’s question posed to local bowlers: What is the first thing you plan to do when local centers reopen?

“I’m looking forward to being able to actually sit down and eat in Mossman’s at Southwest.”—Corby Tillett

“Ours (Nu Generation Lanes in Yuba City) is open so we hope to get some practice in. We plan to bowl in a summer league starting in June and both Nationals in September—fingers crossed.”—Michelle Dunn

“Me too (assume she is referring to eating at Mossman’s at Southwest).”—Linda Fahy-Whisler

“Like to finish with our leagues. And seeing our league members.”—Mary Jane Brust

“Would love to finish our league and see league members.”—Mike Yorba

“Stay out of them for a while.”—Tracye Hicks

“I would like to finish winter leagues and share my passion of bowling with others!”—Chester Waybright

“Bowl, bowl and more bowling!”—Becky Hardwick

“Me too.”—Andrew Svoren

“Join a morning league. See some of my old friends hopefully….”—Lisa Lackey

“Go bowling!”—Louise Ludd

“My great grandson, Colby Grimsley, just said yesterday he can’t wait to go bowl!”—Deloris Tanabe

“Practice, practice, practice!”—Kent Gray

“If they make us wear a mask while we are bowling, we won’t bowl until that has been lifted.”—Darryl & Traci Watkins

“After a vaccine. Celebrate by having a beer.”—Ed Wheeldon

“I plan to practice. It’s been so long since I’ve thrown a ball. Who knows if my form, timing, and speed has survived.”—Jana Richardson

“Going to practice. Timing, form and speed are definitely going to be areas to practice. Probably going to join a summer league if they have them and also finish up my winter leagues if they choose to finish up.”—Zack Long

“Stephanie & I can’t wait to get back. We still have two or three leagues to finish. We just want to get out on the lanes. We both realize there is life without bowling, but better with!”—Alex Garcia

“First thing will hopefully be to finish the winter league roll-offs and have some practice before Nationals in September. I’ve honestly have enjoyed the time off from bowling because now I feel refreshed and ready to partake in league when it starts up again in the winter.”—Charles Gabriel

“Take my girls to bowl and get them some milkshakes from Mossman’s. Then I’ll figure out what’s going to happen with the two leagues that the shut down stopped. Definitely looking forward to seeing fellow bowlers!”—Shayla Phillips-McPherson

“Practice! And hopefully finish our league.”—Barb Francisco

“Finish league and practice for tournaments coming up.”—Mario Ortez

AMF Southwest Lanes issued this statement, “Your health and safety are important to us, which is why, out of an abundance of caution, we are closing our centers across the country beginning March 17th to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We want you to have fun, but your safety is our first priority. We appreciate your understanding and support during this time.”

Scheduled time to re-open TBD. AMF Southwest Lanes is also welcoming back all winter leagues to finish their season when they re-open. Summer leagues (that were supposed to start April 20th) will now begin after Winter leagues can return and finish their last week.

–Adjusting Prize Payouts for Leagues that Decide to Cancel

After your league board of directors (officers and team captains) vote by majority to decide to end the league schedule early, the league board of directors must also decide how to adjust the prize payouts. Key points for determining final standing and prize-list adjustments for a canceled league include:

–The last date the league bowled determines the final standings for the league or a segment in a split-season league.
–If the league cancels the playoff, co-champions must be declared and the prize money split equally among qualifying teams.
–The adjustment must maintain the format/structure of the originally adopted prize list.
–The adjustment is approved by a majority of the votes cast.
–Special awards for teams and individuals may be adjusted.
–Prize money for the playoff may be adjusted.
–The league cannot split prize money equally among all teams without unanimous consent of the team captains or their designated representative.

The league secretary must present a financial statement upon completion of the league, which includes a copy of the prize list showing how prizes were paid.

–Center Notification

Don’t forget that you need to contact your Center to discuss your league’s cancellation. Just because a Center is closed does not mean the league is automatically cancelled.

Before deciding to cancel a league, contact the Center to come to an agreement regarding the league’s contract with the Center. A league end-date does not negate a contract that specifies a certain number of weeks a league is required to bowl, so you need to communicate and be considerate with your Center to keep them in the loop.

–Brunswick Providing Help to Centers with Reopening

Brunswick Bowling Products announcing that it is making available an array of resources to help proprietors “reset, reconnect and reopen.” With centers sitting inactive for as long as they have now, special attention needs to be taken. On the company’s website, Brunswick is providing proprietors with downloads or links including the following:

–Restoring Power to Your Brunswick Equipment
–Cleaning Procedures for Bowling Center Equipment

–USBC Amends Playing Rules to Help Get Leagues Rolling Again

The USBC Board of Directors has approved waivers and modifications to their Playing Rules to provide certified leagues and tournaments with greater flexibility to return to bowling while adhering to local health guidelines related to COVID-19.

The modifications will allow competition to take place on one lane for the entirety of the game. Also, bowlers will be allowed to use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), to clean their bowling balls during competition. The EPA lists rubbing alcohol as an approved disinfectant for use against COVID-19.

Effective immediately, USBC has temporarily waived USBC Playing Rules 106a, 106b, 320a and 320b, which state that two lanes must be used for competition and bowlers must alternate lanes. It also waived the requirement that both lanes must be used for a bowler to be eligible for awards and average recognition. USBC will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and may rescind the waiver of these rules at any time.

–Bowlers Journal Podcast with PWBA Rookie of the Year Jordan Richard

Check out how 24-year-old Jordan Richard is dealing with her life disrupted due to COVID-19 just as she was about to embark on the PWBA 2020 Tour. Go to https://soundcloud.com/…/podcast-jordan-richard-on-how-shes….

–Check out Bowlers Journal Interview with Michael Fagan

Five-time PBA Tour Champion Mike Fagan who now works on business side of the industry brings his unique perspective to COVID-19’s impact to the bowling world as the Director of Business Development for Triple Shift Entertainment (a chain of ten bowling centers in Minnesota). Fagan discusses what he is hearing from players on how they are handling the pandemic–financially and otherwise—plus how he sees Triple Shift Entertainment adjusting to the new reality that awaits bowling centers slowly reopening across the country and much more. Go to https://www.bowlersjournal.com/former-pba-champ-turned-prop….

–BVL Donates $100,000 Grant

BVL (Bowlers to Veterans Link) just donated a $100,000 grant to the Veterans Administration to support two new programs which allow Veterans to have a virtual connection during the COVID-19 pandemic. These new programs are Compassionate Contact Corps and Tele-Yoga Therapy and will help Veterans with ongoing physical therapy and other needs such as depression and suicide prevention. Like other programs that BVL supports, these two new programs will go a long way to fulfill BVL’s mission to “Brighten Veterans Lives.” For more information about these programs, feel free to visit www.bvl.org.

–Digital Collegiate Experience Connects Student-Athletes with College Bowling Programs

The Digital Collegiate Experience will allow IBC (International Bowling Campus) Youth to continue its annual event next month. This event is usually held each summer in conjunction with the Junior Gold Championships and is designed to give student-athletes the opportunity to learn more about college bowling by allowing students to engage with coaches or officials of bowling programs from across the country.

The Digital Collegiate Experience kicks off on Tuesday, June 9, on BowlTV. This is a FREE event on BowlTV, but users need to take a few minutes to create a USBC Community login to access the show. BowlTV plans to showcase 30 colleges a day. Shows will be held on June 9th and 10th. IBC Youth will add another third show if more than 60 colleges express interest. Visit BOWL.com/Collegiate for more information on college bowling and check out BOWL.com/BowlTV to learn more about USBC’s video platform.

–Storm is Live from Storm Headquarters

Want to learn the latest of what is going on at Storm headquarters? Tune in daily to follow them on Facebook @ StormisBowling or visit Storm YouTube channel Storm Bowling.

–What’s Taking Place? What’s Cancelled??

To help bring you up to speed on what has been nationally cancelled or postponed indefinitely, here’s what we know:

–ISC/ITC Sectionals—postponed indefinitely
–USBC Senior Queens—postponed indefinitely
–USBC Masters—postponed indefinitely
–USBC Convention—cancelled
–PWBA Tour—postponed indefinitely
–USBC Queens—postponed indefinitely
–PBA Tour – scheduled to start April 6, status—on hiatus indefinitely
–Super Senior Classic—postponed until later this year
–USBC Senior Masters—postponed until later this year
–USBC Senior Championships—postponed to 2021
–PBA World Series of Bowling Finals (Storm PBA XI Animal Pattern Champ.) – postponed indefinitely (Fox Sports is planning multiple re-broadcasts of PBA World Champ, PBA Tourn. of Champions & Roth-Holman PBA Doubles Champ. finals on FS1 and FS2 (check your local listings for dates and times).
–PBA Playoffs—postponed
–PBA League Draft—postponed
–Intercollegiate Team & Singles Championships—cancelled
–2020 USBC Open & Women’s Championships—extended tentative start date to Sept. 12 for Open; Sept. 19 for Women’s. If you wish to withdraw from any of these events, contact 888/910-2695.
–Bowl Expo scheduled for July 2-6 in Aurora, Colorado—cancelled
–TNBA 2020 National Championship Tournament scheduled from Aug. 6-17, Las Vegas—cancelled
–TNBA 2020 National Convention scheduled for Aug. 10-11, Las Vegas—cancelled
–USA Bowling National Championships – cancelled
–Youth Open Championships – cancelled
–USBC Junior Gold Championships – cancelled

For local tournaments, check my calendar at the end of this column on what has been cancelled to date.

–PBA Bowling Action at Home

With league bowling non-existent for the near future, and you miss the competition of bowling, here’s a couple options. Why not try the “PBA Bowling Challenge” for mobile devices, or the new “PBA Pro Bowling” game for consoles and mobile devices? Concrete Software’s “PBA Bowling Challenge” can be downloaded at no cost at Google Play of the App Store. Millions of users currently enjoy the challenges of bowling in a variety of tournaments making equipment choices and competing for a wide range of venues.

“PBA Pro Bowling” is a newer, virtual game, offering players multi-player and tournament options. It is offered for XboxOne, PS4, Nintendo Switch and Steam platforms for $19.99. To learn more, visit: http://probowling.com/.

–Local Bowling Centers

– The BLVD! – CLOSED for Bowling But Open for Food & Alcohol!!–3200 Buck Owens Blvd., BLVDBakersfield.com, 661/873-4477
Military 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 person
Friday (Open-5pm) $4.25/Game, per person
Friday (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. Planned re-opening TBD. As of 5/12/20, no change.
Hours of Operation
Mondays – 4pm-10pm
Tuesdays – 4pm – 11pm
Wednesdays – 12 noon-11pm
Thursdays – 4pm – 10pm
Fridays – 10am – 1am
Saturdays – 11am – 1am
Sundays – 12 noon – 1am

Parties – Start planning an epic Bowling Bash today! Packages include: Unlimited bowling & shoe rental; Inventive menus & premium bar packages; Superior lane side service; Event planning professionals who will help you with all the details. Please speak with an event guru (661/834-2695, option #2) or visit amf.com/parties.
Kids Custom Party Packages – Start planning your child’s party today! Packages include: Bumper Bowling and lightweight balls; Birthday cake and unlimited soft drinks; Kid-Friendly menus; Easy online booking; Event planning professionals who will help you with all the details. Please speak to our event team or book online at amf.com/parties.
Become a MVB (Most Valuable Bowler) and get up to $20 in FREE bowling. Learn more at amf.com/mvb

ROBB’S PRO SHOP (inside AMF Southwest Lanes) – CLOSED!!–661/833-2695:
Hours of Operation
Mondays – 4pm-8pm
Tuesdays – 4pm – 8pm
Wednesdays – 12 noon – 8pm
Thursdays – 4pm – 8pm
Fridays – 12 noon – 8pm
Saturdays – 12 noon – 4pm
Sundays – Closed

– West Side Lanes – CLOSED!!–500 Cascade Place, Bldg. D, Taft, 93268 – 661/763-4246 or 765-6677

– Mt. Mesa Lanes – CLOSED but OPEN for To-Go Food (Wednesday-Monday)!–4612 McCray Road, Mt. Mesa, CA 93240 – 760/379-3131, www.Kernvalley.com/mtmesalanes
Tournament Club – 1st Sunday of each month
Coffee Club – 3rd Sunday of each month
“Hey! We are still having to abide by what the Governor is saying since he started threatening to pull our liquor and business license. We miss our bowlers, and our friends and we just want to get back open so the people of our valley have something to do again!”—Gabriella Mayfield

– High Desert Lanes – CLOSED!!–205 Fitzgerald Blvd., Edwards AFB, CA 93523 – 661/275-2695

–Happenings Around Our Bowling Community

–We lost former long-time bowler, John Downs, recently. Condolences to his wife, Shelly, and family. John, a 200-average bowler and his brother, Marc, bowled the Men’s and Mixed night leagues for years.

–BBA/GEUSBC Hall of Famer, Randy Page, recently moved to Cleburne, TX. He recently retired and decided to move to TX. He will be missed.

–Happy Be-Lated Birthday Wishes to Jana Richardson who was pleasantly surprised by a Drive-By Birthday Greeting on reaching the Big 4-0 this past Saturday morning orchestrated by her sister, Stephanie Sanders. Many of the participants were bowlers wanting to wish her well!
–Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary to Jim & Bobbie LeDoux on May 7th!

–BOWLING COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Sat., Mar. 21: USBC Open Nationals, National Bowling Stadium, Reno, NV—POSTPONED TO Sept. 12 – Nov. 21.

Sat., Apr. 18: USBC Women’s Nationals, SouthPoint, Las Vegas—POSTPONED TO Sept. 19 – Oct. 18.

Wed.-Tues., May 13-19: USBC Queen’s, Southpoint, Las Vegas—POSTPONED INDEFINATELY

Fri.-Sun., May 15-17: PBA Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort, Gold Country Lanes, Sutter Creek, CA—POSTPONED TO BE RESCHEDULED

Sat., May 16: PBA Tour PBA Playoffs, Semifinals, 11am, FOX

Sun., May 17: PBA Tour PBA Championship, 11am, FOX

Fri.-Sun., May 22-24: Xframe Memorial Event, Cal Bowl, Lakewood—CANCELLED

Sat. & Sun., May 23-24: 22nd Hillman Memorial Scholarship Tourn., Cloverleaf Family Bowl, Fremont—POSTPONED to AUG. 8-9

Sun., May 24: BB&K’s Scratch 8 Gamer #2, Bowlium, Montclair—POSTPONED

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