8
- MARCH 2015
Helen Duval’s Bowling Tips
Did You Lift at the Foul Line?
Did someone tell you to lift the ball at the foul line and you did? You had interpreted
lift as ―straight up in the air‖.
The word ―lift‖ is misunderstood a great deal in the game of bowling. Lifting at the
foul line comes from basically two things:
If you start too low or in a crouched position in your stance or go down too soon in
your approach, then you are too low at the foul line and invariably rear up, like
the Statue of Liberty holding a bowling ball rather than a torch.
Someone told you to lift the ball and you do just that at the release point.
Do you wonder why your ball is on the nose of the headpin and you are always to
the left of your spot or arrow (for right-handers)? Then you hear the classic explana-
tion: ―You pulled the ball.‖
All of these things are caused by an excess amount of lift. By lifting straight up, you
have what we call ―fingers in the ball‖. This causes the ball to miss your spot or arrow
a board or two to the left or inside. And, of course, by the time the ball reaches the
pins, with the distance it travels, there you are on the nose.
To define proper lift at the foul line, the statement ―resist the ball as it comes off
your fingers‖ is very explicit. Remember, you thumb should come out first, and for a
split second you ball should be on your two fingers. If you keep the fingers firm and
curled, you’ll be surprised how much ―stuff‖ you’ll put on the ball. The pins will literally
jump up when your ball hits them.
Now that you have that straight, I will point you in the direction of where you should
be at the foul line at the delivery point.
Pretend you are an airplane coming in for a landing. Picture a sloping glide angle.
Keep your knees bent all the way to the foul line and you will automatically be in a
down position to lean over the foul line; then lift and follow through with your delivery.
In other words, stand erect in your stance position, knees flexed slightly and in a
relaxed position ready for the push-away. Work your way down (knees bent) to the
foul line and lean over the foul line to release the ball. Resist the ball coming off your
fingers and—WOW—what a ball you will have.
Shoulders, knee and sliding foot should be in line. You should be balanced over
your sliding foot, thereby having control of the ball, and have follow-through from your
lift.
Remember, a ball laid, dropped or dumped on or at the foul line is ineffective by the
time it reaches the pins. It rolls to much and too far and it is all pooped out at the pins.
Such a ball is traveling is slowest at the contact point, believe it or not.
Chuck Pezzano’s articles will continue to be printed here in Bowling World.
We will always remember him and his dedication to our sport.
Looking Back
Le Roy Neiman, the world famed artist who specialized in sports renderings, was one of the most
prolific and popular painters of all-time, died at age 91. He did a painting of Earl Anthony, when An-
thony was the first million dollar pro winner.
It was commissioned by the late Frank Esposito and his son Ralph and has been displayed at the
International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum. Copies are featured in many bowling centers and
bowling venues across the country. The cost was $50,000.
At an unveiling luncheon in New York City, Neiman revealed that as a youth he was a pinboy. “I
wanted to portray the view from back of the pins, an overall picture” said Neiman. Also at the gather-
ing were the late Anthony and Andy Varipapa, and Neiman and Varipapa put on quite a show while
Anthony got his comments in like a true champion should.
And I enjoyed my role as MC.
For many years, some bowlers, more than capable to bowl well on the pro tour, passed it up to
stay competing in so called amateur tournaments, where the prize money was high, but the recogni-
tion was low.
Perfect games are much more plentiful than they used to be, and some of the stats are stagger-
ing. At last check and the numbers could have changed in as little as weeks, the leading perfect
game shooter was Jim Hosier with 133. And in the 300s on the pro tour was Parker Bohn III with 88.
And one of the most amazing is the 300 rolled by Shawn Beam, first wheelchair bowler achieve the
rare gem.
Bowling outdoors in major events is only an occasional presentation. Not only do bowlers have to
cope with lane conditions, that are affected by bright sun or rain, but also quick windy blasts that
change the whole scene. One consolation is that bowlers have a new excuse – the sun got in their
eyes.
The Women’s U.S. Open finals showed the devastating effect of the unexpected gusts were the
major factor in the five finalists, all fine competitive, experienced bowlers, average a combined 162.
A lot of bowlers don’t realize how bad they usually bowl, until they roll a good game.
More than 50 games are played with some sort of a ball. Joe Hutchinson wasn’t impressed. He
said he knew come bowlers who play 50 different games with a bowling ball.
A worthy project all of bowling should endorse is an effort to have Dick Weber and Don Carter
immortalized on a postage stamp. There are many other bowlers who rate consideration. In 1971 in
Milwaukee, Wis., an envelope with a bowling logo was unveiled in memorializing the World Amateur
bowling championship being held there. Persons are not considered until 10 years after their death
and a number of athletes and personalities in various sports have been so honored.
The top 10 pros normally average at least seven strikes per game.
Good guys never finish last – not if they are good enough.
USBC Championship News: Sonnenfeld led the duo
with a 698 series, while Woodworth added a 674 set to
catapult them past Doug McHugh and Bo Johnson of
Huron, South Dakota, who previously held the lead with
1,298.
Idle Bowling Thoughts
By Chuck Pezzano
