Okay, the holiday season is over, and we made it through the first month of the new year. It's time to give you something to ponder.
I just finished watching the PBA Medford Open on ESPN and was really happy to see Bryan Goebel back on winning ways, but here are a few things to ponder: Why can't the PBA and ESPN work out the time situation so sponsors, hosts and winners can enjoy the trophy and check presentation? I can't imagine golf's Masters Tournament being cut off prior to the jacket being presented. The trophy presentation for Wimbledon, the World Series, and the Super Bowl wouldn't get cut off. Yes, I know you're going to say they are much bigger events than bowling, but try telling that to Pepsi, Days Inn, and all the others now sponsoring the PBA. If Randy Pedersen hadn't yelled for a Pepsi, or Jason Couch for a Miller beer after their wins, ESPN would have simply faded to black or cut to the tree choppers.
During the PBA Medford Open, Marshall Holman made it to the booth and did some commentary. For my two cents, ESPN and the PBA need to bring him back. He's knowledgeable, articulate, and gives the telecast a professional sounding presence. I found him better than both the talking heads that were with him. Also, watching the clips of his bowling performance, I think he's ready for a comeback, if for no other reason than to get ready for the Senior Tour.
Why doesn't the PBA rename the Medford Open the Marshall Holman Open?
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The February 2003 issue of Bowling Digest has a great picture of Mark Roth on page 12 showing his ability to bowl left-handed.
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I recently read an article in a bowling newspaper in which the writer noted that a recent PBA tournament got zero coverage by the city newspaper. I remember doing an interview once with a PBA touring pro who told me that his city paper never covered bowling although a major stop was held there every year. A couple of years ago, in a Bowlers Journal International column, Mort Luby Jr. wrote, "Bowling journalism needs some fresh blood." I certainly agree with that statement, but I don't think that's the answer to getting more coverage. My city, for example, covers bowling very well with a weekly bowling column, coverage of the Southwest PBA regional event each August, and high school bowling coverage in a weekly "Future Stars" segment. However, this didn't happen overnight, and as the community grows, space in the paper becomes a premium. In a town that went from one high school to four, in a state that prides itself on football, and coaches are competing for media coverage, bowling isn't at the top of the list of sports for a lot of space. But then, neither are golf, outdoor sports, and others.
Bowling needs to look at other outlets. At a time when most people have computers and Internet access, bowling news needs to get on board. Many forward thinking people are using the Internet as a sole source of information, or in conjunction with their print versions. Bowling World, Bo-Fish Bowling News and BOWL Magazine a product of the Nation's Capital Area Bowling Association, are excellent examples.
My daily newspaper has its own Web site as do most papers in the country, and my bowling column is there every Friday for those who don't subscribe to the paper, or are away from home and want to read it. Nothing will ever completely replace the newspaper. My paper arrives before I get up, and nothing is more enjoyable than the morning paper and my coffee cup. But, I don't like having to go get the paper in the rain, and since it isn't the New York Times or USA Today it isn't available when I travel, so I have the option of my computer.
There are quite a few bowling newspapers and very few bowling magazines. I always look at magazine racks in bookstores when I travel. I find a lot of golf, tennis, cycling, and racing but no bowling. I didn't say very little bowling—I said no bowling. Bowlers Journal International and Bowling Digest are both excellent magazines if you subscribe. Both have excellent writers and cover all aspects of the sport. Like most magazines they have a staff of writers and the "fresh blood" that Mr. Luby speaks of will probably come from publications like USA Today.
Bowling has some great writers like Lydia Rypcinski, Jim Goodwin, Chuck Pezzano, Jim Dressel, Tom Clark, and Tom Kouros. It's a shame so few people get to read them. Maybe in March when we all convene in Knoxville, we can try and determine the future of the bowling media.
Well, there are a few things to ponder. I would be interested in knowing how your local hometown paper covers bowling. Drop me an E-mail and let me know.
See you on the lanes.