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Post by Renaissance Man on Nov 13, 2003 13:37:52 GMT -5
Lou, what was it like
The very first time you bowled head to head action?
The very first time you bowled as a PBA member in a PBA tournament, give us the blow by blow from the time you
woke up that morning
the trip to the lanes
walking in the door of the alleys
who you spoke to
the first official ball you threw
the end of the first game
after the bowling was over
the ride home
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Post by Louis Capasso on Nov 13, 2003 19:23:21 GMT -5
sorry old timer, i enjoyed my youth and still remember all the matches and all the characters and much of all the games, I guess it would be boring for others what can i say . but it still better than the bantering most of these other posts have and all my memories are enjoyed by some people as I enjoy other peoples stories. and i do apologise for me boring you. but at least i use my name and accept any criticism and answer anyones questions using my name. But I will answer one question. My 1st pba tournement as a PBA member. I WON !!!! 1 day after my acceptance into the PBA.  ;D ;D ;D  |
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Post by Renaissance Man on Nov 13, 2003 20:43:46 GMT -5
Lou, I’m not sure but I think you took my post as some type of back door insult, I didn’t mean it that way, the questions were very sincere and I think most of the guys that never had the opportunities or talent that you have and had would love to hear what it felt like living them, I know I would..
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Post by Billy Tops on Nov 13, 2003 20:54:42 GMT -5
Lou, I’m not sure but I think you took my post as some type of back door insult, I didn’t mean it that way, the questions were very sincere and I think most of the guys that never had the opportunities or talent that you have and had would love to hear what it felt like living them, I know I would.. I for one second that. |
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Post by Louis Capasso on Nov 15, 2003 10:12:13 GMT -5
OK sorry I took it wrong I can sometimes get carried away. what was it like to win my 1st pba event
here goes I get to the lanes and find out I am bowling on a pair I practiced on for 8 games the day before. I get on the lanes and throw my 1st practice ball and the ball hooks immediately ends up in the left gutter: OH MY GOD I THINK THE LANES WEREN'T OILED. 130 the first game and 120 or so under after 3. I go to Tony Lacawitz and tell him some lame excuse that my hand hurts or something and he wont let me w/d and tells me to bowl or i would be fined. so I move to the 5 th arrow and start throwing as hard as i can and shoot 220 260. start the 2nd block and shoot 100 over and make the finals . my father and aunt and uncle and some of their friends came to watch the finals. 1st match was against Roy Garcea, someone who I had been bowling against for 5 years since i was 13. I need a double in the 10th to win and flush all 3. than I won my next 6 mathes going 7-0 It was over by than and lost my last game to the 2nd place finisher(Ed Jablonski) 182 to 175 or something. It was amazing to bowl the finals for the 1st time.I was on a cloud. The best part was having my family there to see it.The finals were all straight shooters and lefty's I was the only one inside 12. I used a roto star sr from the 4th game on. I made about 7 finals in regional events out of maybe
25 regionals.Funny thing was I was going on the nationakl tour but was not granted a apprentice card only a resedint 2. so I called joe antenora and made a deal with him that if I cashed I could be Upgraded so I could go out on tour. Also Bob Simonelli By Balldriller and friend made me the same bet. It was fun telling Antenora the next day he asked if I cashed since he had not recieved the results yet and I told him I had won the regional and he granted me apprentice membership. hope you enjoy the story.
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Post by Billy Tops on Nov 15, 2003 10:27:15 GMT -5
Thanks, I love to here about the things I could only dream about.
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Post by Renaissance Man on Nov 15, 2003 23:51:30 GMT -5
Lou, that was great.
When you were young and just starting action did you back down to anyone?
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Post by Louis Capasso on Nov 17, 2003 12:31:31 GMT -5
good question. I was a brazen young man and would have bowled anyone at anytime.Whether it was smart or not. I always believed I was better than everyone. Its funny I bowled yesterday and Jeff Morin and I practiced together for about 2 games or so and EVERY practice ball i threw was a strike probobly 15 or 20 in a row than I bowled the king of the hill and shot 139 the first game and I asked Jeff what happened and he said I lost confidence by the 3rd frame and he was right I knew my equiptment didnt work and as everyone bowled the oil dtarted to spread out and I was fineshed.
I was so thick I would bowl lefties in a lefty house!!!! I would have bowled almost anyone. Except maybe Roth and Berardi
Mark becouse we were very good friends and berardi becouse He was awesome to watch, loved his game, approach,delivary and ball . and he also was a friend. But under the right circumstance i would bowl anyone. Wait, Charlie Faino the 1st time I saw him I was 15 or so I would not have bowled him that 1st night. he threw that full roller to perfection and could split a board. ok thats it
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VNL1
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by VNL1 on Nov 17, 2003 14:44:34 GMT -5
Mr. Capasso,
Just wanted to say that I enjoy reading your stories of the "glory days" of bowling, and wish you the best of luck and good health on your return to the great game of bowling.
VNL1
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Post by Louis Capasso on Nov 17, 2003 15:03:53 GMT -5
thanks I enjoy this site alot and have met a few new friends. It was fun on sunday when create area saw me bowl for the 1st time, hopefully I still had some left to show. Funny thing is it feels different this time back especially my armswing, which is still very high i think.VNL1 if you are a local bowler come to circle on a sunday afternoon just let me know so i will be there and we can bowl a few and talk a lot
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Post by createarea on Nov 17, 2003 15:13:42 GMT -5
Lou, I can confirm that your backswing is pretty darn high!
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old dog
Junior Member
The 60's were the best
Posts: 83
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Post by old dog on Nov 17, 2003 22:17:27 GMT -5
Lou do you think the high back swing caused your back problem?
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Post by Louis Capasso on Nov 18, 2003 9:00:39 GMT -5
I do not think so I believe it was caused by lack of proper stretching and exercise. and now probobly becoase I am about 40 to 45 pounds overweight.But I have spoken to my docter and he has given me back exercises to help strentghen my lower back.they will not help the deteriorating discs but will make it stronger so I can still bowl a little. Then again I would still rather play golf and shave those last 6 or 7 strokes off my handicap!!!!!
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Post by Renaissance Man on Nov 18, 2003 22:14:10 GMT -5
Did you ever try bowling without the high back swing and speed, it might be easier on your back, I'm sure you could adjust to it after awhile with good results.
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Post by Louis Capasso on Nov 20, 2003 10:34:06 GMT -5
My swing is high becouse of bending from the waist. and i cannot lower it i have no timing or anything. But I drilled a resin ball on tuesday and have new pithes and stuff to get used to.Lasher is a an awsome ball driller. 1st shot perfect fit!! than he duplicated it . I highly recommend mr Laskow as a ball driller.
Now about the bowling, I threw the ball ok I was not thrilled with my release but with this equitment the ball did it all. The hardest thing is to try not to hit so hard.I have always thrown a strong ball. today i do not have to work so hard. I am lucky so far I've had mike byrne and Tom Laskow watching me throw balls and making some analisis of what is off on my game. I am lucky my approach is still good and my timing is ok but I know it will go bad within a couple of weeks, it always does. I will bowl at circle on sunday once again. It is fun bowling again and I enjoy it again. how competitive I will be is not all that important, But knowing I try is !
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Post by Billy Tops on Nov 20, 2003 19:30:03 GMT -5
Go slow, a little at a time, it would be great if you you could get back into action, Billy red would be a good mark for you and a few others with descent money to loose.
If you do get back into action a good route to go might be 3 game matches over and out. This way you don't push yourself to much.
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Post by Louis Capasso on Nov 25, 2003 10:30:54 GMT -5
I bowled about 10 games sunday and I was exhausted.One of the pot bowlers wanted to bowl me after the pots were over but I just didn't have anything left plus I split my thumb. Rosamelia was wanting to get some action on me and he was saying just a couple of games, but I was done by then.I think you are right a 3 game freeze out or even a 5 game freeze out.It also makes it more interesting. I only bowled 1 5 game freeze out , against The horn, I lost.But 2 days later I beat him 6 or 8 straight . we became very good friends after that. Billy if you are in the area stop down at circle and that goes to any of the people that post on the mature site. I would love to put the faces with the names.
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Post by Billy Tops on Nov 25, 2003 11:24:27 GMT -5
Lou, I'm not in the area but if I get there I'll contact you.
One concept could be a 3 or 5 game match, x amount $$$ per game and x amount $$$ for total wood.
This way you don't over extend yourself and don't appear to be backing down. Let them know in advance it's one match and case closed, or though anyone could book a future match with you if you so desire.
Don't over do it, slow and easy at the beginning, it also stays fresh and fun that way.
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Post by Louis Capasso on Nov 28, 2003 12:31:12 GMT -5
Hi Billy happy Thanksging! I will be bowling more matches soon all the young guys at circle wanted a piece of me but none showed up last week!!!!! oh well !!! I will be working hard on my game trying to get some form back over the next few weeks. I love to bowl tournaments, especially longer ones marathons pba regionals etc. I will probobly bowl a regional or 2 this year and see how i fare. I feel I can still compete. for me it is just getting the right reaction on the lanes so I can carry the 10 better! The reactive balls of today do all the work for you I have to learn how NOT to rev it so much.
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Post by Billy Tops on Nov 28, 2003 14:22:18 GMT -5
That all sounds great, keep, keeping us updated, this thread will become a classic and I will create a special section for it.
Happy holidays
Billy
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VNL1
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by VNL1 on Nov 28, 2003 15:33:54 GMT -5
Mr. Capasso,
You stated that you are looking to bowl marathons, I believe I have one that might interest you.
Saturday, November 29 - Check - in 9:00PM, Start 10:00PM
Paradise Lanes (Formerley known as Cross County Lanes)
$75.00 entry fee - 6-games scratch - $800.00 (based on 30 entries)
Note - 1 cash spot guaranteed to a senior bowler (50 years old or older).
Paradise Lanes Phone # 914-969-2417.
John Kourabis is running the house now, and Joe "Hooks" Cirillo is running the Pro Shop there.
Also, if you ever find yourself in the Bronx area, I am certain that you could get a match with Judge - just reply here and I can get in touch with him.
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Post by Louis Capasso on Dec 3, 2003 12:28:39 GMT -5
Hi vnl1 thanks for the info. I will hopefully bowl in some of the upcoming marathons. Tell Joe Cirillo I said hello I bowled on his team at Paramus when I was on tour in the late seventy's tell him the kid with the real high backswing. I have bowled a couple of matches already and boy did I miss it. hopefully my game will get to the point where i could bowl more matches.
Even now I gear up much better for a match. I still love the thrill of a match game. Have a very Happy Holiday to you and your family and also to the all the action bowlers on this site may all have a Happy and Healthy holiday.
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Post by Louis Capasso on Dec 29, 2003 10:39:40 GMT -5
sunday as i posted in the road back i won the king of the hill bowling games of 247, 230 269 to qualify, than something happened i got in the Zone. thats that unbelievable place where nothing exists but the next shot. well in the 6 man rolloff we went to the corner pair where the scores are traditionally lower. its funny how my old routine just comes back after so many years, the
way i clean my ball the way i place my towel the way i use my rosen bag etc.but i shot 234 and barely made it by create area. than i had to bowl Mike. (he is the man who has helped me with my game and my equiptment.)
well anyway we started our 2 game match and man i was in that little place where it was just me and the lanes. we both started with the 1st 6 than i left a 5-7 on a bad shot going 9 out and mike leaving a 7 pin. than mike 2-4-7 spare and another 3 pin spae . i stuck out and so did he . i had a 12 pin lead going in to game 2. i left a 10 pin in the second and struck out . but for the 1st time since i won the world match game title at astro bowl in 1993 0r 4 . and since being in a pba finals
i was in that place where excitement ,focus, nerves,and NOBODY ELSE is. and when you win its even better.you are exhausted when its over , but i cant wait till the next time!!!! I hope this explaines the question of what it is like.
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Post by Louis Capasso on Feb 20, 2004 22:54:44 GMT -5
when i was 18 i immediatly applied for my pba card and sent in all my reservations for the summer tour. unfortunatly my pba application is excepted but as a touring 2 member. well that meant i could only bowl in 2 local nationals. i call the pba and talk to joe antenora and tell him i want to bowl nationals and he says you have bowled in 2 regionals and not cashed but you bowled well just missing in both and the 1 national i qualified for (thru a ptq squad) i didnt cash but was in the top 24 threw 1st 2 qualifying rounds. he said cash in the regional this week and i will change your status to apprentice and you can go on tour. i thought that to be fair and agrred. i go to plainview bowl the day before and practice on 7 and 8 for about 6 games the lanes were tough and hooking a bit but i now had a slight feel for them.that night i cant sleep figuring my whole year depends on me cashing or not. wake up and get to the bowling alley about 45 minutes early and they arent even open yet. we get in get ready and i am starting on 7 and 8 an omen. but i notice there are pins on the lanes 10 on 1, 5 on another split on another and think uhoh these lanes havent been oiled. they werent.flying out of the building come out of the box 170, 180,130 uh oh no tour, so i try to get out my dq-íng and tony lacowitz says no and to bowl or i will not bowl again. anyway take out my rotostar sr. the hardest ball ever made and move to the 5 th arrow and shoot a pair of 230's. end up 45 or so under . not 2 bad only about 15 guys over the 1st squad. 2nd squad same thing. 2nd block i shoot 85 over end up with 42 over for 10 they are taking 8 finalists. after the 1st three games of 2nd block the cut score is plus 12. well i make the finals. my father my aunt uncle and cousin and my aunts neighbors come watch the finals. anyway i won my 1st match against roy garcea a guy i had known since 12 years old he bowled out of madison sq garden and every year maple lanes and msg would bowl a jrs team event for a big trophy and roy was there best bowler and i always bowled against him . he was the test if I beat him i will do ok. well i needed a double to win and got it winning 199 197 then i went on to win the next 6 matches.
the final game against the 2nd place bowler ed jablonski. final game i had a 175 pin lead and shot 172 or so and lost the match but won my pba title. oh yea then went out on tour and got my head handed to me for about 7 tournys till i got my 1st check. but when i was bowling those finals i was in that zone where nothing else can go its just u and the lanes. your adreniline is maxxed your concentration is peaked and your heart is beating like bass drums. and there is nobody or nothing that can get in. if you have been in that zone you will remember that feeling and try to get there more often. when i am there there is no one and i mean no one who can beat me. problem is its not easy to get there. it usually comes when i am bowling an important match or tourny finals. but not always. it came in my 1st regional final but not my 1st national finals. but i ws ther the last block to make the finals it was the pba regional winners classic and earl anthony dennis lane and jim stefinich were all tied about 10 pins off the cut for the finals. and bang that zone just came and i shot 246 on a tough shot and made the finals. finished dead last. 24 th. everything went wrong 1st game in finals i split my pants . and just never got on track. that was demoralising finishing last. but a good experience. funny thing was joe berardi was doing the scores that week he was the alternate and i was about 200 pins from 23 rd and made me move inside where only roth was playing and winning and i shoot 250 ,279 last 2 games to end up about only 30 pins away from 23rd. hey i was 18 and really nervous. my 1st match was against nelson burton jr. anyway hope that tells what it was like and so on.hope you enjoy these story's .
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Post by Billy Tops on Feb 22, 2004 18:45:36 GMT -5
That was great, really got to feel what you were going through, it must of been great bowling with and holding your own with bowlers like that.
Thanks Lou for the story.
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Post by weird1 on Feb 23, 2004 8:42:46 GMT -5
I remember Lou a little from the tour.. But Debbie Capasso really left an impression on me  |
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Post by Louis Capasso on Feb 24, 2004 11:29:30 GMT -5
ahhhh yes the ex wife, she was a pretty woman who also was an excellant bowler and i mean excellant. i remember when she won a kegler in long island she had to beat me joey c and a dumper who got like 50 pins a game who shot 230 scratch against me and then he bowled debbie and she spotted him about 20 pins and starts with the 1st five and beats him by 30 or so then bowls finals and shoots 240 0r so and wins the thing she had beauty , talent and quite a few revs.
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;D ;D ;D 
