Bowlers Journal International - February 2008 - (Page 21) INSIDELINE SHORT ON DAYS, LONG ON MELANCHOLY WISTFUL MEMORIES OF NORRIS AND WEBER MAKE FEBRUARY SEEM LIKE THE LONGEST MONTH. FEBRUARY MAY BE THE SHORTEST David Ozio, Sam Zurich, Dale Eagle Willis of Bradenton, Fla., put their month (even in a leap year such as and Kevin Croucher. own spins on twin perfection late in 2008), but it's long on memories for 2007. Hicks took the "conventional," bowling fans. GIVE STONE A CHANCE route, recording consecutive 300s Were he still alive today, Joe Norris Rob Stone has been much maligned in in the Friday Nite Mixed League at would be celebrating his 100th birthhis new role as the play-by-play man Morris' Echo Lanes. He had started day on February 10. Norris was on ESPN telecasts of the Denny's the session with a 203 game, so he referred to as the best leadoff bowlPBA Tour. But he has a fan in none wound up with an 803 series. Willis er in history because of his abilother than "Couch Slouch" columtook a little more time, rolling a 300 in ity to analyze lane conditions and nist and occasional BJI contributor the PT Sports Bar Invitational League help teammates find the best line Norman Chad, who devoted his entire at Sarasota Lanes, and following up to the pocket with his short hook. It Christmas Eve column to Stone and with another perfecto the next night wasn't always that way, however. the Tour. Of Stone, Chad wrote: "If you in the Firkins Auto Thursday Men's When he was 16 years old League at AMF Bradenton and still setting pins to pay for Lanes. The 24-year-old Hicks lines, Norris rolled a big hook. had never before rolled a 300; Not coincidentally, he also the 26-year-old Willis now has was a bit wild. And when he eight to his credit, and hopes had occasion to bowl Jimmy to one day compete in PBA Smith while still a teen, Norris Regional tournaments. beat the legend with the help of several Brooklyn and nose NO SUBWAY SUBS? A case could be made that strikes. Afterward, Smith put bowling saved Doug Burkett's his arm around the upstart life. The Orlando resident and said, "Joe, it's better to loves bowling and wanted to miss the headpin on the right take his game to the next level, than to get a Brooklyn." so he sought the help of certiThis month also marks the fied coach Dave Driscoll. Only anniversary of the untimely death of another tenpin leg- This month, the bowling world marks the untimely passing of Dick one problem: Burkett weighed end: Dick Weber passed away Weber (left) and what would have been the 100th birthday of Joe Norris. close to 500 pounds. Driscoll told him that he'd need to on February 14, 2005. lose a lot of weight before We live in an era when much go online to various bowling forums upgrades to his game could be made. of the charisma displayed by proand chat rooms, you would think Now, after sticking to a 1,200-calofessional athletes comes across as he kidnapped the Lindbergh baby rie-per-day diet, the 6-foot-4 Burkett "manufactured." Norris and Weber, weighs in at 258 pounds, and with the and entertained at al-Qaida's office however, were genuine, and that's help of Driscoll, has his average up to Christmas party. To which I say: Lay why they were so admired by their 210. More importantly, he also has a off him, you pinheads." Chad went on legions of fans. new lease on life. to point out Stone's attributes in the THE BEST OF 2007 booth: "[He's] playful, enthusiastic and interested; he brings energy to Via a poll of the nation's bowling BOWLING BRIEFS Parker Bohn III was named BWAA/ the telecasts without trampling over writers, the United States Bowling Kegel Bowler of the Month for them." Chad's message in a nutshell: Congress has named its US Bowler magazine All-America Teams for December. Bohn notched a title and Give Rob Stone some time. 2007: Men — Patrick Allen, Walter a third-place finish on the Denny's Ray Williams Jr., Sean Rash, Pete PERFECTION X 2 PBA Tour during the month Brittni Weber and Chris Barnes. Women — Hamilton of Webster, N.Y., and Kyle Perfect games may not be as speLiz Johnson, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Kahlden of Houston are USBC's 2008 cial as they once were, but backDiandra Asbaty, Kelly Kulick and Stars of Tomorrow. Each receives a to-back 300s remain a rarity. Greg Lynda Barnes. Seniors — Tom Baker, renewable $1,500 scholarship. Hicks of Morris, Ill., and Preston FEBRUARY 2008 JIM DRESSEL bowlers journal international 21
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