Two association bowlers are calling it quits.
Lencho Acosta, 83, has been bowling for over 50 years, and started at Century Bowl in Merced when it opened. He'll finish his career at Bellevue Bowl in Atwater. It was a family affair for Acosta, who bowled with his family in league play.
Gene Frugoli, 85, started his bowling career in Pacific in 1964, and bowled all over the Bay Area. He has bowled in the Valley at McHenry Bowl, Yosemite Lanes, and Bellevue just to name a few.
How do you know when to throw in the towel? Answer: When the ball, or the body, stop reacting the way you'd like.
Acosta was getting tired and having problems rolling three games, while Frugoli was having issues rolling his 14-pound ball the way he wanted. I asked Frugoli about going down to a lighter weight ball. His response: "No."
I will miss both of them.
I rolled against Lencho and his teams during his days at Century and Bellevue. The last couple of years I had the honor to roll with and against Gene. It was fun kidding each other as we all missed the five pin from time to time.
It must be tough when you want to have a good time, roll a good game, and help out a team and you can't. Some obvious reduction in physical skills are ball speed, flexibility in the legs and knees while taking your approach, arm swing and hand action while releasing the ball.
I know that they enjoyed the friendship of bowling, getting a mark in the 10th, and the thrill of competition.
Hey, fellas, there will always be a spot for them if they ever decide to return.
Splittin' at Bellevue
Picking up splits was the norm for a few women during the Bellevue Bowl's Tuesday senior league. Judy Novosel picked up the 5-6 split. Sachiko Howard picked up the 4-5 and 5-7 splits. Janie Schropp picked up the 4-6-10. Dee Bayer picked the 4-5 split, and in her last game, set a personal best with six splits. In Commercial Classic play, Larry Valenti Jr. picked up a weird split, the 4-7-8- 10. Dave Vant picked the 3-8-10.
Mixed City up first
President Rae Coonce has released the date for the first tournament of the year for our local association. The Mixed City Open will kick off the calendar on Saturday, Oct. 20, at Bellevue. The tournament will feature a team and doubles event.
McHenry No-Tap
McHenry Bowl is hosting a one man/one woman senior no-tap doubles this Friday at 1 p.m. The afternoon starts with a potluck lunch at noon and sign-ups at 12:30. Entry has changed to $15, which includes your high-game pot with separated divisions for men and women.
Hammer Time
Ebonite International, the leader in bowling ball equipment, has its Hammer brand coming out with another in the Taboo series. The Deep Purple Taboo has the new grand theft reactive IV pearl coverstock.
It has the biggest motion of any Taboo to date. It is available in 12- to 16-pound weights. The ball will work in medium-heavy to heavy oil. No matter where you throw it, it will peel back to the pocket.
The first Taboo came out in a pearl, then the Taboo blue/silver in pearl. When you purchased the blue/silver you also received a multi-colored Taboo spare ball at no charge. Then came the Jet Black Taboo, and now the Deep Purple.
And as you know, "Nothing hits like a Hammer."
Out for lunch
To all my readers, I will be taking a break during the month of October. Keep rolling your strikes and spares. I'll be back.
Don Surdich can be reached at (209) 777-1111 or via e-mail at desurdich@aol.com.
E-Mail
Print
