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Sunday, December 22, 2002

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Sam Reich is director of the Western Pennsylvania Duckpin Tournament Association series at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association.

He also found time to win the second tournament of the season.

"I make people come to my house," he said with a laugh. "That's the only way I can win a tournament."

Reich (Pittsburgh) rolled games of 130 and 192 in the two-game final match to defeat Bill Dlugos (West View), who had games of 130 and 132.

"It comes as a nice surprise because I've had a horrible season," said Reich, whose 192 was high game in the tournament. "I think it's a fluke that I won. I averaged about 140. It usually takes more than that to win."

Five of his seven games were in the 130 range, with the 192 and a 173 his two best efforts. He had eight strikes and four opens because of splits in the 173 game.

"It was feast or famine," he said. "The scores were the lowest we've had in a long time in the tournament. The lanes were a lot tougher."

Chet Fosse (Sewickley) defeated Joe Marchase (Greenfield) in two games in the best-of-three series to win King of the Hill for the seventh consecutive tournament.

The next tournament will be Jan. 4 at the PAA. For more information call Patti or Sam Reich, 412-391-3700.

The 800 Club

Mike Pusateri (193 average) cracked the 800 plateau for the first time with games of 274, 278 and 269 for an 823 series in the Penlum League at Nesbit Lanes.

John Fichter fired his second 800 of the season with games of 278, 279 and 278 for an 835 in the Bud Light $12,000 Classic at South Hills Bowl.

Trifecta

Mark Walker got into a high-scoring rut with games of 267, 267 and 267 in the Coral Classic League at Coral Lanes for one of the highest triplicates in the district.

Perfecto

Dennis Holodnak threw his second 300 in the first game of a 762 series in the Hilltop League at Main Bowling Center.

Bill Nott Jr. had a 300 in the middle game of a 793 series in the Coors Light Players League at AMF Noble Manor Lanes.

Doug Smith had a 300/684 in the Coors Light League at New Great Valley Lanes.

On a roll

Rich Mathute's 290/764 and Doug Kerchmer's 279/751 led the way in the Coors Light League at New Great Valley Lanes.

Josh Cooley rolled his first 700 series with games of 226, 235 and 259 for a 720 in the Junior League at New Great Valley Lanes.

The pins were falling fast and furious in the Coors Light Players League at AMF Noble Manor Lanes, with Darryl Wiley posting a 277/769 and Walt Egyed a 268/762.

Wayne Chabassol had a 288/757 in the Businessmen's League at Sports Haven Bowl.

League leaders

Ed Keefe tops the charts in the Bud Light $10,000 Classic at South Hills Bowl with a 221 average, followed by John Fichter's 219 and Griff Williams' 215.

Johnny Burns, who leads the Sundodgers League at AMF Noble Manor Lanes with a 218 average, fired a 279/793.

The tournament trail

Doug Gregory (Weirton, W.Va.) defeated Dud Snider (New Martinsville, W.Va.) in the final match, 240-184, to win the weekly Head-to-Head tournament at All American Lanes in Steubenville, Ohio. Gregory averaged 234.

Gerard Uhrinek defeated Mike Baker, 268-214, to win Week 11 of the Miller Lite Head-to-Head tournament at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes. There will be a tournament starting at 8:15 p.m. next Sunday.

Dan Hoerner picked up $800 by winning a handicap tournament sponsored by the Pittsburgh Bowlers Tour at Freeway Lanes.

Traveling along

Jim Davis (Wildlife Lanes) threw a 300 at Rosedale Lanes to highlight the Pittsburgh Area Scratch Travel League's sixth match of the season. Other top scores were recorded by Noble Manor's Kevin Gmys (278) Pines Plaza's Harley Schultz (277). The high four-game series 987 turned in by Mike Popovich Jr. (Sheffield Lanes).

The high averages for the season are Ron Franceski's 218.30 and Schultz' 218.04. Sheffield Lanes is in first place in the team standings.

The league will bowl at Wildlife Lanes 9:30 a.m. next Sunday.

The PWBA tour

Television ratings were up 19 percent this year and increased for the fourth consecutive year on the Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour. The tour, which has aired on ESPN/ESPN2 for the 17th season, had 21 national tournaments broadcast.

In addition to a growing audience in the United States, the PWBA Tour will expand its audience in 2003 with the American Forces Radio and Television Service carrying events to 179 countries, territories and ships at seas.

What's happening

The Pittsburgh Bowlers Tour is sponsoring a scratch event next Sunday at Nesbits' Lanes, with $1,000 for first place. The entry fee is $40.