Hammer tries to save competitive bowling

Recently, Hammer, the leading manufacturer of high-performance bowling balls since the late 1970s, launched a crusade to save competitive bowling.

While scores have skyrocketed, league participation is at its lowest point in 30 years. In the past 10 years, the number of professional bowlers has dropped by 40 percent and amateur league bowling has dropped by 20 percent.

Hammer’s Save Bowling campaign will awaken bowlers to what’s hurting the sport, like bowling centers that make striking easier by using less oil.

Hammer recently unveiled a revolutionary system that allows bowlers to compute their true averages based on where they bowl.

The bowling that dominated middle class life in America 30 years ago was a game of skill and hard-earned mastery. This is the game that Hammer will bring back.

Follow the movement at SaveBowling.com.

What follows are excerpts from industry figures. They were asked: “What is it that matters to you most about bowling?”

Pro Bill O’Neill said that the challenge that is involved in the game matters the most to him:

“Every day I have to learn something new and I can get better at it. I think that drives me to keep working and to practice harder and to keep my mind open to new things.”

Rich Hanson, Powerhouse Brand Manager: “The sport itself. To me, I love bowling, it’s my livelihood. I’m passionate about the game and it would be heartbreaking to see it go away.”

Shawn Morris, Hammer district sales manager: “Competition is up there. When I grew up, the entire family was in it and it was my first job. So, competition and the camaraderie matters most.”

Pro Mike Koivuniemi: “I’ve been making my living the last 20 years on bowling. I’ve traveled all over the world because of bowling, I’ve met people because of bowling, so it’s really a big part of my life.”

Comments from area bowlers will be included next week.

Huebner has 835

Scot Huebner’s 256-300-279 — 835 in Bob’s Bail Bonding at Wedgewood on Nov. 28 was the area’s top series.

Leading the Ron Haus Auto League at Wedgewood on Dec. 6 was Ron Evans Jr.’s 819; Matt Clipse’s 691 was the next-highest set. Steve Pecorelli’s 300 was the top single among the league’s 6 p.m. Tuesday bowlers.

At Holiday, Tom Simon’s 806 led Taylor Kia/Systems-A-Part and Belchyk/Action Plumbing Classic secretary Chuck Cormell was best in his own league on Dec. 1 with 800.

Brian Umstead and Joe Ray both had 300s and the pair also had the top sets of 743 and 713, respectively, in Aaron Rentals at Camelot on Nov. 30.