Nuzzo: DiBattista always willing to help
YOUNGSTOWN
During her years in the Mahoning Valley, former pro bowler Joe Nuzzo said Peggy DiBattista helped very good bowlers as well as anybody who wanted assistance.
“She was a good person who tried to promote bowling and she helped young women make a name for themselves,” said Nuzzo, who has been a staple on the local bowling scene since his early days in the recreational sport at McGuffey Lanes.
“Peggy and others, like Rose Smith, Elaine Smith and Loretta Smith. gave the young women ideas on how to get better. Locally, Peggy was one of the first ambassadors for women’s bowling.”
On Oct. 28, DiBattista, 87, died in California.
Nuzzo, 61, is the same age as Linda Sabo, DiBattista’s daughter whom he hasn’t seen in more than 30 years.
Nuzzo remembers that he and DiBattista won a mixed doubles tournament — possibly the city mixed doubles tournament — when he was 17 or 18 years old.
“It was when I first started bowling in an adult league,” Nuzzo said.
According to Nuzzo, DiBattista developed a knee problem during her pro tour career.
“She was still competitive but she wore a knee brace and may not have bowled as much as she wanted,” he said.
Nuzzo sought DiBattista’s advice as his own pro career was getting off the ground.
“If I’d see her, I’d pick her brain,” he said. “She gave me insight about travel, living out of a suitcase and finding people who’d help you because it was a different lifestyle.”
Nuzzo toured on the PBA circuit from 1976 to 1982, including a TV appearance in Los Angeles in 1978.
When not on tour, John DiBattista — Peggy’s second husband — drilled most of Nuzzo’s equipment.
“Not a lot of guys drilled balls back then,” Nuzzo said of DiBattista’s pro shop inside Champion Lanes. “He was one of a few.”
After Champion Lanes closed, DiBattista moved to a building across from South High School on Market Street. He later took his Champion Pro Shop business to a location near Mar-Hill Lanes, then sold it to Nuzzo and Butch Lias, who operated it from 1985-90.
DiBattista went to work for Paul Morris Sports until moving to California with his wife. He died in 2003.
Nuzzo is approaching the end of 21 years as a full-time math and accounting instructor at Trumbull Business College.