Lowe: USBC television event good and bad

• By KENT LOWE
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: May 5, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:27 a.m.

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There is something different about a bowling telecast when the United States Bowling Congress is involved as they were this past week with the USBC Queen’s event.

First of all, it is a bit like a two-hour commercial for bowling and I’m not sure that is all bad. There are lots of plugs for bowling and features designed to promote the game.

Second, ESPN and the USBC are responsible for bringing women’s bowling back to television successfully and it really did all start last year when the Queen’s was televised in prime time for the first time since the old PWBA tour folded. That led to the return of the U.S. Women’s Open in a made for television five-week format and then four weeks of bowling as part of the PBA Tour.

The Open will be back again late this summer and then the women’s series on the PBA Tour will be for a minimum of seven events, maybe more as presented by the PBA and USBC.

Third, where else but on a USBC event has there been such a stable of bowling announcers. In the first 45 minutes of the telecast host Dave Ryan was joined by PBA player of the year Chris Barnes and then three “Down the Lanes” analysts Sandy Maxx, Del Ballard and team USA coach Jeri Edwards. They also interviewed Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, USBC high school spokesperson, and defending champion Kelly Kulick joined them for some matches in the booth.

Fourth, and a major criticism I have is why does USBC insist on a PA announcer between shots on these telecasts. It wasn’t as obnoxious as in the U.S. Open, but do they think the people in the house can’t figure out the score since there was a giant screen to the left of the lanes with the score on it.

Fifth was technology. Chris Barnes was very good using the CATS system to talk about ball speed and angles entering the pocket and ESPN backed it up with its tracer that showed every roll of the ball all the way down the lane.

Best of all, the bowling was again very good. It was interesting with Chris Barnes having to do the commentary as his wife, Linda, won the title for the second time. There is no doubt this is quite a bowling family. Speaking of a great between games feature the Barnes met the Ballards in a skills challenge contest for $5,000 for charity.

Plus, why won’t the PBA ever do the “What’s In The Bag” like the women did at the Open and again in the Queens. It is so informative for the fans to see the types of equipment that the bowlers use and why they use it.

Also, it gave bowling fans a good comparison of the PBA’s former announcer Dave Ryan who did a very competent job of play-by-play on the telecast. I’m not sure Rob Stone would work on this crowded a show because he would have less of a spotlight, but Ryan did a great job of getting the play-by-play in and letting his analysts handle the rest of the stuff.

Now, this Saturday and Sunday, bowling returns to network television for the first time in almost a decade on the CBS Sports Spectacular as the USBC presents the “Clash of the Champions.” The telecasts featuring 16 USBC champions are set for 4 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. It is the first competition where women, men, senior and youth bowlers will all be on the lanes where one ball by a junior bowler could eliminate someone like Pete Weber. It should be interesting.

Frank Michelle led the league bowlers this week with an 805 series that included a 299 high game. It was Chris LaCroix leading the ladies with a 643 set that included a 256 high game. Ralph McNemar led the senior bowlers with a 718 series and a 278 high game, while the youth leagues were topped by the 597 of Sarah Poche.