When I sat down at my computer to write this column, I was saddened that I was going to miss the 1999 meeting of the Bowling Writers Association of America in Syracuse. I planned on making the trip and made all the necessary arrangements, only to be subsequently informed that I had a scheduling conflict and Syracuse would have to wait until June when I bowl in the ABC Tournament. I really was looking forward to it, for several reasons.
First, I enjoy being with, and listening to, some of the best writers in the world. Listening to PBA and ABC Hall of Famer Chuck Pezzano talk about the early days of bowling is an education of its own. But, get him talking about boxing and you can spend hours with him.
I will miss the candid conversations with this magazine’s editor and the likes of publisher Jerri Bailey and writer Darlene Pearce over a late night or early morning meal in the hotel restaurant. I’ll certainly miss talking about Joe DiMaggio with Bob Cosgrove.
I’ll miss the ABC Hall of Fame induction. I believe that induction into any Hall of Fame is the highest honor a sports person can achieve, and I look forward to being there when they induct great people. Last year, I took a wonderful photograph of four of bowling’s all-time greats—Don Carter, Dick Weber, Ray Bluth, and Bill Lillard. I intended to take that photograph back this year and have it autographed for my grandchildren. I guess it will have to wait until next time.
I’ll miss the beautiful winter of upstate New York. All of my family resides in Bloomfield, New York, about an hour’s drive from Syracuse. I spoke to my sister last evening, and she said they had about 45 inches of snow. But, whether you like snow or not, it truly is a winter wonderland.
Throughout last year, people sent me E-mail regarding their likes and dislikes with AMF. I intended to take the E-mail with me and present it to the folks at AMF so they would know first-hand what their reputation is among many of the bowlers. I would never ask anyone else to make that presentation, so what I may do is make two folders, one for calendar year 1998 and one for calendar year 1999, and see what, if anything, is different at the end of the year. Maybe I will get to present it to them in March of 2000. I am assuming, of course, that Y2K will not completely eradicate life on earth as we know it.
I will miss seeing Walt Steinsiek and his great sense of humor. I hope he has seen his work on my web site and that he continues to keep us laughing through his wonderful talent.
I will miss not being able to tell Ray Rosenbaum and Rory Gillespie to answer their E-mail once in a while. Mail has to flow in both directions to have any effect. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that Ray leaves me on the committee about which I have written him.
I know I will miss the laughs and conversation of the bus ride to baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Finally, if Jim Goodwin of Stars and Strikes and Jim Dressel of Bowlers Journal International don’t win writing awards, I’ll refuse to pay next year’s dues.
Stay warm, have fun, and I’ll see you next year.
See you on the lanes.
Don Wright is a member of the Bowling Writers Association of America. Visit Don's web site.