New sport: Ice Bowling begins

I may have stumbled upon a new sport, or at least a variation of a sport if you consider bowling a sport.

While walking along the path around the Lily Pond in Mill Creek Park one snowy afternoon in February, my wife and I started rolling snowballs, then tossed them onto the thin coating covering the pond’s surface.

Actually, it resembled bocce on ice, but the more we lobbed, the clearer the revelation.

Welcome to Ice Bowling.

The game?

It’s simple: Find a frozen pond, then roll a snowball over the frozen surface toward a target area within a reasonable distance from the shoreline.

Similar to bowling, there are 10 frames, but only one throw per frame by participants who alternate their five tosses.

Unlike bowling, there are no multiple throws in the last frame.

Unlike bowling, the object is to re-form the wedge-shaped arrangement usually reserved for pins.

That’s it: 10 rolls to situate 10 snowballs that replicate the shape of 10 pins on a lane — sort of like bowling in reverse.

To settle tiebreakers (or, more appropriately, icebreakers) an opening in the ice must be found. Each bowlers tosses his/her snowball toward the hole. The first to sink the snowball wins.

Come to think of it, a snowball will float.

Unlike bowling, the outdoor version is weather-dependent and safety can’t be compromised.

On the plus side, there’s minimal equipment.

Mind you, once it spreads across northern ponds, Ice Bowling stock will soar and Wall Street will quickly capitalize on the riches.

Before they do, I’d like to see Youngstown get in on the ground floor.

Why not?

We’ve got the pond, we’ve got the space, we’ve got the cold, we’re in the race.

Y-town is cool, Y-town is hot, Ice Bowling will make us the No. 1 spot.

Lias leads juniors

Mark Lias rolIed 300-708 to pace the Boardman Juniors at Boardman Lanes recently.

Lias was also a member of the Boardman High School boys varsity bowling team, which finished seventh at state.

Nick Hanuschak had 300-804 in Monday Nite Men’s Classic at Wedgewood on February 25, while Nick Evans and Chuck Cormell had perfect games in Shooting Gallery at Holiday.

Ruth Sewell’s 249-738 topped Swan’s Mixed at Wedgewood, where Andrea Lucente’s 257-716 paced Wednesday Nite Ladies on March 5 and Teri Haefke’s 720, Michele Mineo’s 718 and Susan Mineo’s 706 topped Wedgewood Ladies Trio on March 11.

Howgren Heating & Cooling’s third-quarter winner at Holiday was the Kansas City Headbangers team of Shirley Carson, Nate Dubose, Donna Hess, Mark Truman and Bill Moxley.

Trumbull Industries won Austintown Suburban’s third quarter at Wedgewood, where the Las Vegas Showgirls of Marian Zickefoose and Pam Ripple won Hi-Lo Ladies’ third quarter.

The spring issue of US Youth Bowler lists the world’s most famous bowlers: 1. John Burkett, former major league pitcher who recently posted a 221 USBC average. 2. Jerome Bettis, NFL running back with a perfect game and 200 average to his credit. 3. Tom Candiotti, former MLB pitcher who has three 700 series and a perfect game. 4. Dave Mirra, BMX biker and X-Games standout who posted a 167 average last season. 5. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic forward who owns five bowling bowls and has a 244 high game. 6. Michael Conley, Memphis Grizzlies guard who bowls a strike ball with his right hand and spare with his left, which is against bowling rules. 7. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards guard who bowls in the offseason and has a 277 high game. 8. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets guard and USBC spokesperson who has a high game of 256. 9. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver who claims a high game of 288.10. Jimmy Johnson, NASCAR champion who opened Victory Lanes bowling center.

XJohn Bassetti covers bowling for The Vindicator. Write to him at bassetti@vindy.com.