Bowling column for Tuesday, May 26, 2020
By: Bette Addington
–Alonso & Svoren Capture Wins at CBT Tournament in Utah
CBT/Competitive Bowling Tournaments presented the first tournament since the lockdown in mid-March looking far and wide for a location for the event to be held and CBT’s Ramsey Basurto found Sunset West Bowl in Saint George, Utah, welcomed and was thrilled to host his CBT on the May 23-24 weekend. A group of six from Bakersfield made the trip which took about six and a half hours and that’s not that bad plus they got to travel through Las Vegas and see how it looks closed down. The Bakersfield gang that went were Patricia Alonso, Andrew Svoren, Robert Fox, Joe Smith and Mike Carpenter. The event featured four squads on Saturday and three on Sunday. But the event totally belonged to Patricia Alonso, who, not only was the lone Bakersfield entrant to bowl all seven squads, but she emerged with not one, but two, CBT titles from this tournament—First in Singles with an 807 and First in Doubles with partner Andrew Svoren with a 1444! This was Alonso’s second CBT event (bowled the one in Santa Clarita last year) and her first CBT wins. Besides her titles, she also did well in Side Pots! This was coming off a first place ABT win in February. Obviously, the time away from bowling did not affect her game!
I asked Patricia to give us some insight on her fantastic weekend of bowling and this is what she shared: “The reason we got to bowl was because Sunset Bowling West opened up in Utah and my friends Andrew Svoren and Joe Smith made it possible and made it happen for us to carpool to Utah and Ramsey Basurto to hold the CBT tournament in such a great and beautiful location in Saint George, Utah.
I am very grateful to Joe Smith for taking the time one week before to drill all (7) bowling balls and for me to get entry clearance at High Desert Lanes at Edwards Air Force Base.
Yes, this was my first CBT title and my winning bowling ball that I used was indeed one of the new ones that I won in Ramsey’s Raffles. Actually, my first raffle win—the Volt Solid! I have never owned a 900 Global ball before nor thrown one before at all. The winning balls were Global 900 Volt Solid along with my spare ball 900 Global Boost. The funny thing about my two experiences is that I have won two titles now and both with a new ball–February 9, 2020, at Bowlero Fontana ABT 4 gamer no-tap with my winning ball, the Storm Physix and now May 24, 2020 at Sunset Bowling West.
I also bowled the 2020 ABT Storm Nationals in February and placed 11th and that was a moment in my life that I knew with practice and continuing to bowl tournaments that I was very close to striking it big. Along with bowling two years in the Friday night Dixie league, a couple of summer leagues and now with Central Valley Masters on my first year with them has been a great experience for me.
I would also like to thank Phil Chow for all the lessons and pointers that has got me to where I am at. Every time I was in front of the lane, the thoughts that crossed my mind were what Phil always said to me—my steps, bend knee, stay down when releasing, don’t come up too soon and ball out in front of me.
I was so excited to get back on the lanes and I look forward to all upcoming tournaments. But, what makes this all even better is having great friends and encouragement surrounding me. Love these guys (Andrew Svoren, Joe Smith and Robert Fox) and will bowl with them anytime and anywhere.”
Thanks, Patricia, for sharing what this experience was like. After returning from not bowling for so many weeks, she didn’t really have any injuries, just her thumb was a little swollen from bowling the first four squads on Saturday, but she just iced it and was good to go for Sunday’s squads.
Her future tournaments include the TAT in September and the Open Championships in November.
Congratulations Patricia and Andrew Svoren on these big CBT wins! Both will also be receiving a jersey as a CBT Champion. Wow!!
–C is the Word
Coping is the “C” word for bowlers to try and hang in there as we are now in Phase 2 and getting closer to Phase 3, which hopefully spells the opening of bowling centers here. Porterville Lanes is now open!
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 bowlers: When bowling centers finally open, will you bowl a Summer league? Will you just return to finish your winter league?? Or, will you just practice and wait for Winter/Fall leagues???
“Well unfortunately my Thursday league (Lowenders) decided not to finish. Hopefully there will be a summer league I can bowl but doubt it.”—Mike Yorba
“Mike Yorba, I agree.”—Greg Hernandez
“Jack Dunn bowled a sweeper to end his Tuesday night league (Nu Generation Lanes in Yuba City) and got paid. No audit, no written payout sheet or prize fund, no ending league sheet. Then he started a summer Sport Shot league last Thursday. Three-person teams – two teams on every other pair. Our senior afternoon league starts June 4 for an abbreviated season.”—Michelle Dunn
“Nope. Because that Tuesday league is still holding folk’s money hostage. And while that’s not an issue for me, I’m sure it’s an issue for somebody. Bakersfield has got to do better.”—Tracye Hicks
“Our league of 99 bowlers voted to end the league in Week 26 and will return for the Fall.”—Marianne Evans, Ventura
“I paid out all my bowlers from winter session. Was supposed to start April 29th for summer one. But just getting a late start (Gamblers Anonymous league). Hopefully still going to Vegas on Oct. 24th.”—Linda Wright
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.
–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.
–SMART Policy is Expanded Relating to Use of Scholarship Funds
Under the new guidelines, a student can use their SMART scholarships to be reimbursed for expenses related to tuition and certain related student expenses, or to have a payment made for such expenses (off-campus housing and/or student loan debt). While there are more ways now for students to use their SMART scholarships, students should remain aware of the restrictions.
Regulations of colleges and college sports governing bodies, such as NCAA have specific restrictions for student-athletes. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to check with their school administrator and their sport governing body—i.e., NCAA, regarding regulations before using their SMART scholarships.
To check, and provide any needed edits, to an address, recipients can visit the SMART profile page. Visit bowl.com/SMART.
–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.
–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 5/26/20, 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
“We have NEW hours and days we will be open—Tuesday – Sunday from 12-8. Still To-Go food for right now, but hopefully we will be able to open soon. Also, we have already taken tables and chairs out to comply with social distancing. Our arcade is shut down. We have deep cleaned the entire center (including machines), buffed the floors, painted the building, changed the kitchen and bar around and just trying to get everything ready and set when we are finally able to open.
Motive will be releasing the new “Desert Tank” on June 17th. Hopefully we will be back in business by then so I can get all my Motive maniacs their new equipment.”—Gabriella Mayfield
– High Desert Lanes – CLOSED!!–205 Fitzgerald Blvd., Edwards AFB, CA 93523 – 661/275-2695
–Happenings Around Our Bowling Community
– Congratulations to GEUSBC & CUSBC’s David Waybright on being selected the first recipient of the Braheme Family Memorial scholarship award for $1,000! He is attending Arizona Christian University.
– Norris Richards recently relocated to Arizona. Due to a change in his employment, he moved this month before a lot of us even knew or got to say good-bye. Norris served on the GEUSBC Board as a Director, was Alex Garcia’s other half for running Coffee Club, as well as served as President of the Bakersfield TNBA Senate.
– Kenny Branch recently (May 9th) underwent back surgery down south and is home recovering.
–BOWLING COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Sat., Mar. 21: USBC Open Nationals, National Bowling Stadium, Reno, NV—POSTPONED TO Sept. 12 – Nov. 21. (2021 will be in Las Vegas, NV)
Sat., Apr. 18: USBC Women’s Nationals, SouthPoint, Las Vegas—POSTPONED TO Sept. 19 – Oct. 18. (2021 will be in Mobile, AL)
Wed., May 27: BowlTV Podcast—PWBA Podcast with 2020 PWBA Hall of Fame inductee Carolyn Dorin Ballard, 11am, bowltv.com
Thurs., May 28: BowlTV Podcast—Inside the OC with 2-time Eagle winner & USBC Board Member, Bo Goergen, 11am, bowltv.com
Sat., May 30: CBT Doubles/Singles, Canyon Lanes, Cabazon, 5 squads—10/12/2/4/6, Canyon Lanes, Cabazon, 661/418-8007, cbtbowling.com
Sun., May 31: San Joaquin Bowling Club Tournament—CANCELLED
Sat., June 6: EBI Harley Valley Bowl Scratch 6 Gamer Doubles, 5pm, Simi Valley, 805/415-7018—CANCELLED
Sat., June 6: PBA Strike Derby, Bowlero Jupiter, FL, 4pm-6pm, FOX
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