Saturday, January 14, 2012

Don Carter dies at 85; 'Mr. Bowling' the sport's original superstar

MIAMI — Don Carter, the bowling great with the unorthodox style who flourished as a genuine sports celebrity during the game's golden age on TV, died Thursday at his Miami home. He was 85.The Professional Bowlers Assn. announced the death of Carter, who had been hospitalized with pneumonia complicated by emphysema.

Carter, known as "Mr. Bowling," was the game's original superstar. He became his sport's most recognizable name at a time when alleys were thriving across the country and bowling was starting to assert itself as a fixture on television.  He was a leading force in the formation of the PBA in 1958 and became a charter member of the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975.

Carter had a style all his own as he took his steps to the line. With his stooped shoulders and cocked elbow, he made a deep knee bend as he unleashed the ball as if pushing it toward the pins. He helped transform a sport that had been a blue-collar recreational activity.

"Don was the greatest bowler of his era," Hall of Fame bowler Ray Bluth said. "There was no one like him." He also became the first athlete in American sports history to sign a $1-million marketing endorsement contract, with bowling ball manufacturer Ebonite in 1964.  "He was a pioneer, a champion and will never be forgotten," said Tom Clarke, the PBA commissioner.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Carter bowled five 800 series, 13 perfect games and six 299s in sanctioned play.
In 1970, he was inducted into the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame. The same year Carter was selected as the greatest bowler in history in a Bowling Magazine poll.

Born in St. Louis on July 29, 1926, Carter was introduced to bowling on his 13th birthday.  He played amateur American Legion baseball with Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola. After serving with the Navy during World War IIhe signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Athletics as a pitcher-infielder. After a year, he returned to St. Louis and bowling.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Short Season Leagues

Thinking about league bowling...but not sure you want the longer commitments?  



Check out our short seasonal Co-Ed leagues. They are designed for people who may or may not have bowled in a league before and are interested in competing against other bowlers. These leagues are a short 6 – 12 week sessions and teams consist of 4 people of any combination of Men, Women or Mixed. Please join us for a night of FUN!.



Leagues are now forming on:

 
Mondays @ 6:30 pm Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm; Fridays (Every-Other-Week) @ 6:30 pm; and Sundays @ 6:30 pm (Every-Other-Week). For more information or to sign up email us at bowlarol@rochester .rr.com or call Bill at (585)427-7250.

http://www.bowl-a-roll.com/leagues.asp?Page=Leagues


Thursday, January 5, 2012

Homeschool Bowling Program

Ten Weeks of FUN and Excitement!




Homeschool Bowling


Looking for a new sport to fulfill your Physical Education requirements? Join our Homeschool bowling program and see how much fun bowling can be. Bowling is challenging, mentally stimulating, competitive, FUN, and cost effective. Bowl-A-Roll Lanes provides a clean, safe environment the whole family can enjoy. We will help you set up a team as well as provide on lane coaching to assist the children. We will also assist Homeschooling groups that would like to establish a program for their members.



For more information, please call Bill Fortino at 585-427-7250 (bowlarol@rochester.rr.com) or email Lisa Tiffin at acbooks@rochester.rr.com. FREE end of season party. Join your friends and make new ones!!