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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 6, 2010 15:22:25 GMT -5
House bowlers at Falcaro's also included Ritchie Folgelson almost unbeatable at Falcaro's a "buck 80" everywhere else. Paul Renteria (future High Roller Champ) I bowled doubles with him once. Jerry Houser (AKA Beezer) There were also a bunch of "juniors" into the action John"Jack" Kurkemelis was one of my best friends back then. Is Falcaro's still there do they still put blue stars with names and dates over the lanes for 300 games? Unfortunately Falcaro's isn't there anymore, just like so many other great houses. Bowling will never be what it used to be. And all the characters that use to bowl action were part of a unique time in bowling history. I remember the 300 blue stars over the lanes in which the bowler bowled the 300. As a matter of fact I still have mine which was given to me when they closed down.......mine was from 1981, I forget the pair, but 17 and 18 rings a bell. Personally my favorite pair was 45 & 46....great righty pair.
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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 6, 2010 15:54:27 GMT -5
Did lemon bowl much action at Falcaro's, if so, what years, against who, how did he make out. Is lemon considered the best action bowler out of Long Island? You know what Renaissance Man, depending on what era it was really spelled out who the best action shooters from Long Island were. There is always a disagreement about who was the best from each time era. Lemon was a little before my time so I didn't get to see him much, but from what I understand he bowled a lot at Falcaro's.....next time I see Ira "The Whale" I will ask him for info on Lemon...........don't forget "Killer" Mike Kilgannon ..... he was a tremendous action shooter as well and very tough to beat.
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Post by Renaissance Man on Apr 6, 2010 16:51:10 GMT -5
It was kind of hard to read the article.....but I guess yes it is possible that he had something to do with falcaro's in Lawrence as well.....I'm going to look into it and let you know for sure. I only knew Herbie and Nat as owners. Actually, Nat was going to back me on tour when I became old enough, but I got to involved with the action and other gambling outlets. news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19510908&id=cisaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=riMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3767,2546357 It was no secret that the rulers of U.S. bowling generally viewed the late, great Joe Falcaro with apprehension. In character and temperament, he was like an accident looking for a place to happen, and in his blustering, profane career he trod on many toes. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that three years after his death Falcaro is still judged more as a man than as a bowler and has yet to find his niche in bowling's Hall of Fame. In 1930, for example, when he was National Match Game champion, he was introduced to the new president of a bowling manufacturing firm. "I'm like you, Joe," beamed the manufacturer, thinking to put the champ at ease. "I'm a self-made man." Joe gave him a long, contemptuous stare. "Come around when you're finished," he replied, and turned his back. CHAMP WITH A SNEER Falcaro had no respect for anyone except himself. When the Bowling Proprietors Association of America was formed in 1932, one of its first moves was to inform Joe that 1) it recognized him as U.S. champion, and 2) that it was arranging for him to defend his title against the winner of a national elimination tournament. Falcaro's answer was brief and blunt: "Who the hell are you bums? Falcaro the Great arranges his own matches!" Falcaro's championship was self-proclaimed, but he made it stick. A slight man with a huge nose and full lips which curved naturally into a sneer, he has been pictured as part villain, part clown. Actually he was a great showman who took himself and bowling very seriously. One day he exploded wrathfully when a radio announcer introduced him as "the great Falcaro." "No, no," Joe shouted into the microphone. "You got it wrong. It's Falcaro the Great!" Two days later he returned to apologize. "I been thinking," he told the announcer. "You were right. 'The great Falcaro.' It's got more class." Rough though he was, Joe did a lot for bowling. He was among the first to explain and teach the game to women. His excellent movie shorts and his personal tours from coast to coast were a major factor in bowling's rise from the poolroom and saloon to America's most popular sport. His personal principles were less creditable. Though he was one of the first to police the sport and lecture on the practices of sharks, he profited richly from his own incognito forays into bowling's hinterlands. He did little to enhance bowling's prestige. He was often mixed up in all-night drinking bouts. His foghorn voice spouted profanity in a rich Italian accent. Above all Falcaro considered himself Mr. Bowling and set his own rules for defense of the title which he won from Joe Scribner of Detroit in 1929. Andy Varipapa followed him from alley to alley vainly trying to challenge him. "Go get a reputation first!" was Falcaro's taunting answer. When a match was finally agreed on—under Falcaro's rules—Varipapa bowled an incredible 252 average for the 30 games. But Joe's score was even more incredible: he beat Andy by 90 pins. "If it hadn't of been me," said Joe, "I wouldn't believe it." On March 30, 1933 Falcaro was felled by three bullets pumped into him by an irate husband. While he was in the hospital, the BPAA declared the title vacant and called for national eliminations. Falcaro never "recognized" the champions who followed him. "Let them bowl their heads off," he said. "I'll still be champ." And champ he was, in his own mind, until he died on September 8, 1951. $10,000,000 AND A CITATION In those later years, Joe Falcaro was far more popular, and more a credit to the game, than when he wore the crown. In World War II, he raised $10,000,000 in war bonds and was cited by the U.S. Army. But memories still rankle with the American Bowling Congress, and last February his name was passed over again when the elections for the Hall of Fame were held. "I'm the world's best," Falcaro used to say. "I done more for bowling than anybody. Some day they will put me into the Hall of Fame." Maybe he was. Maybe he did. Maybe, at long last, they should. www.life.com/image/50378363
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AC Deer
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Post by AC Deer on Apr 7, 2010 8:06:59 GMT -5
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Post by fozzie99 on Apr 7, 2010 13:44:41 GMT -5
I miss spoke about doubling with Paul Renteria it was Dennis Delgase can't imagine how I mixed them up. I only bowled because the other pair were afraid to bowl unless there was a no name......me bowling (I was scared to death). Dennis shot 256 I think I shot 190 something we won, they quit. I remember every weekend Ritchie bowling Jimmy Mchugh (spelling?) a seesaw match... he was the only guy I really saw who came back time after time to bowl Ritchie. Once a match was set up between Ritchie and I don't know who....During warm up Ritchie threw like 20 strikes in a row and the guy quit without even starting. When I met Jack K. all he could throw was a spinner. I taught him to throw semiroller and he got tougher on oil after that. I had a star at Falcaros also from 1972.....21-22. It wasn't sactioned shot during a friendly money match against a buddy. I don't remember it being that tough. I averaged in the 90's there in the middle 1970's. If you wanted a tough house you went to Valley Stream Recreation or Mid-Isle lanes. How come nobody has mentioned Green Acres Bowl? It had action on Thursday nights as I remember and was open 24 hours a day.
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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 7, 2010 17:37:01 GMT -5
Mike Banner just informed me that:
Herb & Nat were the second owners of Falcaro's. Joe Falcaro was the original owner. Herb's father bought it from Joe years before the old Falcaro's burnt down...I still remeber bowling in the old Falcaro's with the huge columns running down the center of the lanes...
Now that's something I never knew about Falcaro's.....Does everyone remember Vinny & Gary....how about Vic Nuzzzolo?
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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 7, 2010 17:40:30 GMT -5
Hey Mike Banner.....you have a pretty good memory.......I don't remember the inside of the old falcaro's and I'm the same age as you. I do remember the fire though.
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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 7, 2010 17:47:55 GMT -5
I miss spoke about doubling with Paul Renteria it was Dennis Delgase can't imagine how I mixed them up. I only bowled because the other pair were afraid to bowl unless there was a no name......me bowling (I was scared to death). Dennis shot 256 I think I shot 190 something we won, they quit. I remember every weekend Ritchie bowling Jimmy Mchugh (spelling?) a seesaw match... he was the only guy I really saw who came back time after time to bowl Ritchie. Once a match was set up between Ritchie and I don't know who....During warm up Ritchie threw like 20 strikes in a row and the guy quit without even starting. When I met Jack K. all he could throw was a spinner. I taught him to throw semiroller and he got tougher on oil after that. I had a star at Falcaros also from 1972.....21-22. It wasn't sactioned shot during a friendly money match against a buddy. I don't remember it being that tough. I averaged in the 90's there in the middle 1970's. If you wanted a tough house you went to Valley Stream Recreation or Mid-Isle lanes. How come nobody has mentioned Green Acres Bowl? It had action on Thursday nights as I remember and was open 24 hours a day. I remember Dennis Delgaise "CUZ" who use to say Christmas comes but once a year "CUZ" lol. I'm really curious who you are Fozzie. Care to give your name? And you are right Green Acres was an action house as well.....I was there on Thursday nights. Did you know that Green Acres was the second busiest bowling alley in America at one time. As for tough houses, Mid Isle was definitely one of them along with Kuskies.......there were a lot of tough houses with 40ft of oil gutter to gutter. That's when you had to have talent to be a good bowler.
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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 7, 2010 17:59:09 GMT -5
Mr. Poker...that video was awesome. Did you notice that Joe only put one finger in the ball? I always thought that Andy Varipappa was the trick shooter shot in the game at that time
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AC Deer
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Post by AC Deer on Apr 7, 2010 19:04:33 GMT -5
Joe Falcaro came first, Andy V learned from Joe and then followed in his foot steps.
They had a tremendous 30 game total wood match against each other, both avereaged over 250, truly unreal for that time period. Joe Falcaro won the match by 90 pins...
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Post by gatlin on Apr 8, 2010 6:13:08 GMT -5
hey what about vic borriello bowling odd pin against old man gibby or gibby betting odds and even in the back how bout when me and geo the greek went on a winning streak aganist the green acres crew
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Post by Renaissance Man on Apr 8, 2010 8:11:08 GMT -5
One of the very best at odd pin when he wasn't dumping was Iggy Russo!!!
gatlin, what year did you have the hot steak, what do you think of Green Acres as an action house?
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Post by Renaissance Man on Apr 8, 2010 8:15:58 GMT -5
A great old post by old dog Story #1: 1. NOVEMBER 18, 1964. A scratch bowler in Milwaukee steps onto the approach. Currently averaging 198, he is one of the best players in the city. He has the first 9. Every other bowler in the building stops and walks over to watch him bowl the 10th frame. The building is dead silent. He picks up his Manhattan Rubber, the same ball he’s thrown for 4 years. A bead of nervous sweat runs down his neck and into the collar of his starched white bowling shirt. He’s only been in the position once before, and he desperately wants his first perfect game. His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. The crowd roars. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move a half-board left. The next shot goes dead flush. Eleven in a row and the crowd is really into it now, inching closer and closer to the lanes. Then the crowd swells as first shift bowlers stream out of the bar to watch the action. The people in the back are standing on chairs and benches, straining to get a good view. His teammates don’t know what to say or do, afraid of saying the wrong thing or breaking his concentration. He steps onto the approach one more time, his knees knocking and his hands trembling. He delivers the shot – a little too fast – but the ball catches a piece of the headpin and he carries a wall shot. 300!! He leaps in the air and the crowd explodes. The proprietor calls the ABC and the local paper, which has a reporter in the building in 15 minutes. While the hero of the night is interviewed, his teammates buy him a beer and the proprietor ropes off lanes 9 and 10, making sure no one disturbs them before the ABC inspector arrives. He can’t wait for the interview to end so he can call his wife. ======================================= Story #2: NOVEMBER 18, 1997. A scratch bowler in Dallas steps onto the approach. Currently averaging 228, he is 15th on the average list for his league. He has the first 9. No one in the league, except those bowling with him on lanes 57-58, realizes he is about to shoot 300. The bumper bowling party taking place 6 lanes to his right continues to make a ruckus. He picks up the Quantum he bought 3 days ago. He has 7 more balls with him. A bead of sweat runs down his neck and into the collar of his "No Fear" T-shirt, not because he’s nervous, but because the air conditioner isn’t working. He’s attempting to shoot his 21st 300 game. His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move 4 boards left. The next shot misses 3 boards right but hits the dry track and goes dead flush. The young woman at the desk is now mildly interested. His teammates are joking with him, saying he should try to shoot the first 292 in ABC history. He steps onto the approach one more time. He delivers the shot –too fast and 3 boards left of his target– but the ball slides in the puddle and rips the rack, the headpin flying across the deck and clubbing the 10. 300!! His teammates laugh and tell him he has no guts. The young lady at the desk calls the ABC and gets their answering machine. They’ll be out to check the lanes in a few weeks. She puts a group of open bowlers on lanes 57 and 58. They give the 300 shooter a dirty look, wondering why he and his buddies are still sitting in their seats. He goes up to the league secretary to find out how he did in brackets. Expecting a big payday, he gets pissed when he finds out another bowler shot 300 the last game and tied him. His $400.00 turns out to be only $40.00. He doesn’t even want his ABC ring. www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/luby/bji_200806/index.php?startid=12« Last Edit: Jun 13, 2004, 2:30am by old dog »
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old dog
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The 60's were the best
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Post by old dog on Apr 8, 2010 8:20:17 GMT -5
WOW, where did you find that post from!
I thought I was dead and buried?
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AC Deer
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Post by AC Deer on Apr 8, 2010 10:03:10 GMT -5
Was anyone at Ave M Bowl the night Freddie the Ox bowled Stoop using 4lb pound pins with lead centers on 27 & 28 (early 60s) The Hustler Of Money www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHtdmxakUO8
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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 8, 2010 10:48:38 GMT -5
hey what about vic borriello bowling odd pin against old man gibby or gibby betting odds and even in the back how bout when me and geo the greek went on a winning streak aganist the green acres crew Hey Castardi........I forgot all about Vic Boriello.....he bowled tons of odd pin.....he really wasn't good enough to bowl regular action.....but he was tough in odd pin. How about Vic "The Barber" ? he was another character. Do you remember when we dumped the bowling balls on Rockaway Blvd? LOL I can see it like it was yesterday. You still didn't answer my question about the match you bowled against flash and tanked me and your cousin. lol
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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 8, 2010 10:52:14 GMT -5
A great old post by old dog Story #1: 1. NOVEMBER 18, 1964. A scratch bowler in Milwaukee steps onto the approach. Currently averaging 198, he is one of the best players in the city. He has the first 9. Every other bowler in the building stops and walks over to watch him bowl the 10th frame. The building is dead silent. He picks up his Manhattan Rubber, the same ball he’s thrown for 4 years. A bead of nervous sweat runs down his neck and into the collar of his starched white bowling shirt. He’s only been in the position once before, and he desperately wants his first perfect game. His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. The crowd roars. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move a half-board left. The next shot goes dead flush. Eleven in a row and the crowd is really into it now, inching closer and closer to the lanes. Then the crowd swells as first shift bowlers stream out of the bar to watch the action. The people in the back are standing on chairs and benches, straining to get a good view. His teammates don’t know what to say or do, afraid of saying the wrong thing or breaking his concentration. He steps onto the approach one more time, his knees knocking and his hands trembling. He delivers the shot – a little too fast – but the ball catches a piece of the headpin and he carries a wall shot. 300!! He leaps in the air and the crowd explodes. The proprietor calls the ABC and the local paper, which has a reporter in the building in 15 minutes. While the hero of the night is interviewed, his teammates buy him a beer and the proprietor ropes off lanes 9 and 10, making sure no one disturbs them before the ABC inspector arrives. He can’t wait for the interview to end so he can call his wife. ======================================= Story #2: NOVEMBER 18, 1997. A scratch bowler in Dallas steps onto the approach. Currently averaging 228, he is 15th on the average list for his league. He has the first 9. No one in the league, except those bowling with him on lanes 57-58, realizes he is about to shoot 300. The bumper bowling party taking place 6 lanes to his right continues to make a ruckus. He picks up the Quantum he bought 3 days ago. He has 7 more balls with him. A bead of sweat runs down his neck and into the collar of his "No Fear" T-shirt, not because he’s nervous, but because the air conditioner isn’t working. He’s attempting to shoot his 21st 300 game. His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move 4 boards left. The next shot misses 3 boards right but hits the dry track and goes dead flush. The young woman at the desk is now mildly interested. His teammates are joking with him, saying he should try to shoot the first 292 in ABC history. He steps onto the approach one more time. He delivers the shot –too fast and 3 boards left of his target– but the ball slides in the puddle and rips the rack, the headpin flying across the deck and clubbing the 10. 300!! His teammates laugh and tell him he has no guts. The young lady at the desk calls the ABC and gets their answering machine. They’ll be out to check the lanes in a few weeks. She puts a group of open bowlers on lanes 57 and 58. They give the 300 shooter a dirty look, wondering why he and his buddies are still sitting in their seats. He goes up to the league secretary to find out how he did in brackets. Expecting a big payday, he gets pissed when he finds out another bowler shot 300 the last game and tied him. His $400.00 turns out to be only $40.00. He doesn’t even want his ABC ring. « Last Edit: Jun 13, 2004, 2:30am by old dog » All I can say is "Its a shame what happened to this game".
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AC Deer
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Post by AC Deer on Apr 8, 2010 11:51:17 GMT -5
One of the biggest shames is no modern day bowler will ever understand what bowling a 300 game meant years ago. That article was so on, the high everyone would get in anticipation of just witnessing a 300 game, something most bowlers would never get to see in their entire life.
The action was great in the 60s, you couldn't believe or understand what it was like unless you were there to witness it, and be a part of it. The 70s were good, but not even close to the 60s
It was truly a great game back then. What year do you guys believe it started going backwards?
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old dog
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The 60's were the best
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Post by old dog on Apr 8, 2010 12:01:28 GMT -5
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Post by fozzie99 on Apr 8, 2010 12:40:54 GMT -5
I remember the old Falcaro's my dad used to take me to juniors there......I bowled a part of a junior season and quit...started again when I was 17. I remember the door at the high end you would walk past the end of the lanes and look out across the whole house. I remember Vic Nuzzolo not as a bowler but I worked in his shop when he was at the new Falcaro's and after his death continued to work with Bobby Flum. What was them name of the greek guy who owned the snack bar? I can't seem to shake it loose.
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Post by gatlin on Apr 8, 2010 17:08:10 GMT -5
never tank a match and the name of the snack counter guy was mike and his son eli my winning streak was in the late 80s i was about in my mid 20s who can forget chunka standing in between the ball cleaning machine and cig machine foe hours how about all the arm wrestling in the bar with richie cappadona ricky cedar and sperber we should really try to have a get together with all the guys that are still around andrew c
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Post by Zoo Master on Apr 8, 2010 18:03:14 GMT -5
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AC Deer
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Post by AC Deer on Apr 8, 2010 22:51:31 GMT -5
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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 8, 2010 23:59:03 GMT -5
I don't remember Jeff bowling to many times at Falcaro's....when he did though, it was always singles and for big money....of course backed by Daly.
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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 9, 2010 0:05:07 GMT -5
never tank a match and the name of the snack counter guy was mike and his son eli my winning streak was in the late 80s i was about in my mid 20s who can forget chunka standing in between the ball cleaning machine and cig machine foe hours how about all the arm wrestling in the bar with richie cappadona ricky cedar and sperber we should really try to have a get together with all the guys that are still around andrew c Andrew, I was just kidding with you.....whether you tanked or not, it doesn't matter anymore, it was a long time ago. We had FUN! I tell you your stories bring back a lot of memories. Mike the Greek had two sons.....do you remember his other sons name? Eli was the younger son. Andrew, Fozzie mentioned that he worked for Nuzzolo and Flum......think Fozzie is Steve Caparelli?
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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 9, 2010 0:06:37 GMT -5
I remember the old Falcaro's my dad used to take me to juniors there......I bowled a part of a junior season and quit...started again when I was 17. I remember the door at the high end you would walk past the end of the lanes and look out across the whole house. I remember Vic Nuzzolo not as a bowler but I worked in his shop when he was at the new Falcaro's and after his death continued to work with Bobby Flum. What was them name of the greek guy who owned the snack bar? I can't seem to shake it loose. Hey Fozzie....my guess is you're Steve Caparelli........am I correct?
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Post by falcarosforever on Apr 9, 2010 0:15:56 GMT -5
Joe Scianna and Rudy came way after the real action days. I think Rudy and Joe would have faired well overall because of there winning attitudes and naturally their abilities. I still think they would have had a tough time at Falcaro's bowling against the house bowlers.
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Post by fozzie99 on Apr 9, 2010 7:40:25 GMT -5
Hi, Guilty as charged. Did you guess? I sent you a P.M. yesterday fessing up. I kept dropping hints to see if anyone would remember....I was just a wanabe on the edges of the game then. To green to realize what was happening and the history that was being written all around me. You might have seen my name in BJ a couple of years ago when in protest of the ridiculous conditions I deliberately threw a gutter ball in the travel league here......caused quite a stir and several letters to the magazie after my interview published.
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Post by fozzie99 on Apr 9, 2010 7:44:39 GMT -5
I should mention that the deliberate gutter ball was thrown on 11 in a row in the second game of a 6 game set.....I still shot 1466. It was just an average weekend nothing special.
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Post by Zoo Master on Apr 9, 2010 8:29:46 GMT -5
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