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www.bowlingworld.com
– DECEMBER 2012
SERVING THE BOWLING INDUSTRY SINCE 1967
The PBA World Series of Bowling IV
A Fan Favorite
By: Frank Weiler
LAS VEGAS, NV - My trip home after nine days at the South Point Hotel and Casino was one long
conversation about the highlights from this years PBA World Series of Bowling. It was a thrill watching
the most talented bowlers on the planet compete for the title of "World's Best Bowler."
When I say the World Series hosted the world's most talented keglers, I mean it. Besides the best
PBA players from the United States there were about two score of international players from about a
dozen countries including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Columbia, Costa Rica, Denmark, England,
Finland, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Venezuela. Most of these international stars were profes-
sional champions.
The World Series is my favorite bowling event and the "Greatest (Bowling) Show On Earth." Many
other fans agree. While most of the daily
attendees were from Sin City, I did meet bleacher birds from Arizona, California, Colorado, New York,
Oregon, and Utah. I also met several Canadians. These fans came to Vegas specifically to see the
World Series. International subscriptions to Xtra Frame also attest to the planetary popularity of this
event. People are enthused because of the number and variety of events, the talent of the competitors,
and the thousands of dollars of prize money.
Without revealing who won the various events, I will share some observations and opinions. First, the
PBA staff "on the ground" is thoroughly professional and very efficient. KIRK von KRUEGER and JOHN
WEBER have decades of experience and ensured every event ran smoothly. Neither computer failure,
electrical outage, fire alarm malfunction, lane breakdown, or player injury could keep the PBA show from
going on. Kirk is a maestro, the indispensable man.
Next, my hat is off to the ideologues behind the scenes. The guys and gals who keep coming up with
one great innovation after another. Thank you TOM CLARK for your leadership in this area. This sea-
son we will be treated to the first PBA League. Eight teams of five bowlers representing eight cities. The
teams will compete for the Elias Cup. The first ever PBA draft was held at the World Series, to fill the
team rosters. I was there and the first round was especially exciting. Who would be the top pick in the
first round? Hope you saw it all on Xtra Frame.
While this fourth rendition of the World Series had many exciting moments, the things I remember
most involve absences, match-ups, and many surprises.
The guard is changing. In with the new and out with the old. Absent from match play for the World
Championship were players such as Patrick Allen, Chris Barnes, Ryan Ciminelli, Norm Duke, Mike
Haugen, Jack Jurek, Mika Koivuniemi, Ryan Shafer and Walter Ray! Some of the new faces who did
well included Fawaz Abdulla, Dom Barrett, Tom Daugherty, Thomas Larsen, Craig Nidiffer and Stu Wil-
liams.
The World Series featured many interesting match-ups: the world versus the USA, power versus fi-
nesse, one handers versus two handers, old versus new, and left versus right. After the international
players won every singles title last year, expectations for a repeat were high. From east, west and south
came Belmonte, Barrett, Gomez, Koivuniemi and Palermaa. Over Atlantic and Pacific they flew. On the
ground at McCarran Airport they were all smiles, confident and prepared. At the same time the Ameri-
cans predicted victory. Nine days later there were a boat load of surprises. If you can't wait for the tele-
vision shows, check out the results on the PBA web site.
Every current PBA competitor will tell you they are concerned about being able to compete against the
upcoming power players. Brad Angelo said it best when he spoke of feeling like a dinosaur as today's
game evolves. This years World Series showed that while the sun is setting for many household names,
it hasn't dropped out of sight. However, I believe this season could see bowling's version of "Custer's
last stand." I mean Norm, Pete, and Walter Ray may be irrelevant by this time next year. As the lights
dimmed in Exhibition Hall A last week, I think I saw the ghost of Custer amidst the smoke above the cool-
ing television lights.
The two handers are coming. I see many in my local association. Teenagers who are very talented. If
given the opportunity they will push the likes of Norm, Pete and Walter Ray out of the national pic-
ture. The key word is OPPORTUNITY!
I believe there are plenty of kids out there who can hold their own against "yesterday's"
best. However, they won't get their chance in today's bowling world. The old-timers have the manufac-
turers behind them, while most kids can't find serious backers. So the economy may postpone any polar
shift on this bowling planet. College bowling and Team USA are today's windows of opportunity. For the
talented youngsters who cannot attend college, professional bowling will only be a spectator sport.
Finally, the portsiders held their own in this World Series. Parker Bohn III, Hugh Miller, Scott Norton,
Rhino Page, and Mike Scroggins all did
well. The big mystery was Ryan Ciminelli. He was unable to build on his
success at last springs Tournament of Champions. At that time I thought
he emerged as the world's top lefty. However, after nine days of this World
Series, it looks like Ciminelli has taken a step back. I can't say why, but it
didn't appear that he was injured. Hopefully, he gets his groove back.
Before signing off, let me tell you what I see in my crystal ball. The
World Series of Bowling V will head east. Are you ready for Cleveland?
Construction of a new bowling stadium at the South Point will make Las
Vegas the undisputed capital of bowling competition. While Belmonte has
emerged as the world's top player, watch out for Tom Daugherty. Now that
the PBA tour is nonexempt, Tom could win as many as five titles in the next
few years. If Palermaa's arm injury gets worse you may see Osku compete
as a one hander! Keep your eyes on your mark and good bowling.
“
First Lady of the PBA”
Rainy Stitzlein Dies In Akron
Eddie Elias‟ executive assistant,
only woman in PBA Hall of Fame, dies at age 84
SEATTLE – Lorraine (Rainy) Stitzlein, arguably the most influential
woman in Professional Bowlers Association history, died on Friday in Ak-
ron, Ohio. She was 84.
The only woman inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame was PBA founder
Eddie Elias‟ executive assistant and business secretary in the organiza-
tion‟s formation years. But she was much more than an office manager.
A brief bio used in her 1992 induction into the Summit County (Ohio)
Sports Hall of Fame explains:
“
Her bio lists her as a businesswoman and house wife, but her busy
career since she graduated from (University of Akron) in 1948 hasn‟t left
Rainy Stitzlein much time to stay at home. She is a fashion expert and
businesswoman, the first woman named as an honorary member of Beta
Gamma Sigma Kappa of Ohio, a national organization for business admini-
stration. She is a community activist, involved in many local and national
charities. She is a member of the UA Board of Trustees.
“
But in the sports world, Stitzlein is best known for her contribution to the
Professional Bowlers Association. In fact, she‟s referred to as the First
Lady of the PBA. She joined Eddie Elias Enterprises in 1958 and helped
Elias found the PBA that year as the business secretary, organizing the
staff and handling the finances. But she was more than that. If Elias was
the father of the PBA, Stitzlein was the “mother, midwife, nurse, aunt,
cousin and hostess,” a sports writer once wrote. She continues to serve as
executive vice president of Elias Enterprises.
“
In 1978, she was named Lifetime Honorary Member of the PBA. In
1980,
she was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame for meritorious service.
She is the only woman ever named to any men‟s professional sports hall of
fame.”
Stitzlein served as Summit County Metro Parks Commissioner for sev-
eral years. She was a trustee and/or board member with the University of
Akron, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, and American
Cancer Society. Active in the Ohio thoroughbred racing community, she
served as a commissioner with the Ohio State Racing Commission for 10
years, and was president of The Rainbow Company, a firm that repre-
sented sports celebrities.
The University of Akron‟s Stitzlein Alumni Center is named in honor of
business leader Harry Stitzlein and his wife, both well-known University of
Akron alumni. She is survived by her brother Chuck Gates, sister Beverly
(
Jim) Ewing, and their extended families. She is preceded in death by her
husband and brother Al Gates.