8
- August 2015
Idle Bowling Thoughts
By Chuck Pezzano
(reprinted in honor of his dedication to bowling)
Helen Duval’s Bowling Tips
Elbow Out-Elbow In
How many times have I said that your thumb steers the ball? Several thousand
probably.
Again and again, you’ve also heard: Stay at the foul line in a delivery position
until the ball hits the pins. This is so you can check out your delivery position.
What are you supposed to check? Quickly—it’s your spot, hand and where you
are at the line. Don’t move after you have delivered the ball. Stay there until you
check several important things.
After you have picked up your ball properly from the ball return, follow this rou-
tine: 1) Find your starting position on the approach (register in your head exactly
what board the ankle side of your sliding sole is on); 2) Deliver the ball over your
arrow (hit it); 3) Check your follow through and look at your hand; 4) Now check
your sliding foot (side of sole) and see exactly what board it is on.
For strikes, the sliding foot should finish on the same board you started on. That
means you have walked straight, so you will be able to swing your arm straight.
Here are your check points again: 1) Find your starting position; 2) Hit your
mark; 3) check your hand; 4) Check your sliding foot at the foul line.
If your arm is away from your body, this will cause you to drop the ball, often
resulting in back stain and making the ball seem to weigh a ton. Notice how far
the ball falls to the floor. This could deflect its forward roll. Remember, the ball will
go where the thumb points. Stay well balanced at the line, lean over the line,
shake hands with the ball, and watch the ball go over the spot.
Craig Pezzano, Prominent Figure in North Jersey
Bowling Scene, Dies at 57
Craig Pezzano of Clifton, a familiar face to North Jersey bowlers and a member of
a prominent family in the sport, died Monday at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical
Center. He was 57.
He apparently suffered a blood clot in the heart, his brother Clay said.
The burly Mr. Pezzano was the longtime
owner of the pro shop at Van Houten
Lanes in the Athenia section of Clifton and
a fixture at the bowling alley, which closed
in May after 80 years in operation. When
not selling equipment, drilling balls and
arranging lessons, he tended bar, helped
maintain the lanes, gave pointers and hung
out with friends.
He also had been a tournament assistant
with the Professional Bowlers Association.
―He could be gruff at times, but his bark
was worse than his bite,‖ his brother said.
―He went out of his way for others, especially for kids who came there to bowl.‖
To Dan McDonough, editor and publisher of the Sports Reporter, the Secaucus-
based newspaper that serves the region’s bowling community, Mr. Pezzano ―had
lane conditioner in his blood.‖
He was the second of four sons of Chuck Pezzano, the Professional Bowlers
Association Hall of Famer and legendary bowling writer. Chuck Pezzano’s column
appeared in The Record from 1969 to Jan. 5, 2015. He died on Jan. 23 at age 86.
Chuck Pezzano and his four sons all rolled multiple perfect 300 game — the first
family of five with that distinction, McDonough said.
Craig Pezzano had worked in the pro shop business since graduating from
Clifton High School. A member of the Passaic County Bowling Hall of Fame, he
averaged 210 in his last league, which ended in May.
He is survived by his brothers, Chuck of Hawthorne, Curt of Stevensville, Md.,
and Clay of Clifton. Their mother, Lila Pezzano, died in 1983.
Article reprinted from The Record, Jay Levin writer.
From The Editor: Bowling World Newspaper sends our condolences to the family.
SHSU Bowling Coach To Head To Italy For
World Deaf Championship
Sam Houston State University's Brad Hagen is headed to Europe as one of the
coaches of Team USA for the World Deaf Bowling Championships Aug. 20-30 in
Bologna, Italy.
Hagen, who directs the Bearkats women’s bowling program, and Lindy Decker-
Heilman, of Pennsylvania, have been selected to coach the squad by the USA
Deaf Sports Federation.
―This is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career,‖
Hagen said.
In his five seasons at the helm of the SHSU bowling program, Hagen has di-
rected the Bearkats to the 2014 NCAA championship, two NCAA Final Four ap-
pearances and four trips to the NCAA Elite Eight.
The competition in Italy will follow the standard World Tenpin Bowling Associa-
tion guidelines and will host competitions in singles, doubles, trios, team, masters,
and mixed doubles. Team USA will participate in all events, except mixed dou-
bles.
More that 25 countries will be represented in Italy. The opening ceremonies will
be Wednesday evening, with competition officially kicking off Thursday morning.
―This is an amazing opportunity to help out some great athletes at an outstanding
event,‖ Hagen said. ―We will be competing against some of the world’s finest
bowlers. It is an honor to help our country succeed at the highest level and be
able to give back to our sport. This experience is truly going to be a memorable.‖
Members of the USA women’s team are April Brown (California), Sharon Di-
Tondo (New York), Sarah Gagliano (Missouri), Jennifer Kutcka (Indiana), Jerilyn
Keller (Texas), and Carol Nemecek (Illinois).
Competing for the USA men’s team are Ron Rood Jr (New York), Robert Ellison
(California), Johnny McLean (Indiana), John Wukasch Jr. (Texas), Joshua
Weinberger (New York), and Robert Armstrong (Kentucky).
Results of the action will be posted on the
f the third annual
World Deaf Bowling Championships.
