Bowling isn’t viewed as a sport of toughness.
Participants don’t wear helmets or pads. They don’t run full speed, and there is no collisions, both intentional or accidental, with the opposing player or team.
Still, injuries happen. Like any sport — yes, bowling is a sport — if you have pain shooting through your wrist, arm, back or legs, it is difficult to perform. To overcome such ailments shows perseverance.
Shelly McCabe has guts.
The 50-year-old right-hander has been dealing with knee trouble — she thinks it is a meniscus — since September, but that hasn’t stopped her from bowling. It hasn’t stopped her from succeeding, either, as she registered games of 279, 267 and 266 for an 812 series during the Ladies Majors League at Red Crown Bowling Center.
“It’s always surprising to get an 800,” McCabe said. “The first one, you think it’s a fluke. The second, you feel you can do it, and the third is simply a gift.
“I have a bad knee, but I’m not sure what it is. It really hinders me with shooting 10 pins and anything on the right side. I’ve been missing quite a few in the gutter.”
McCabe came up with the solution.
Strike...a lot.
It isn’t easy. McCabe deals with a day-to-day limp, but she ups her focus level when she steps on the approach as to not throw off her balance and overall delivery.
Using a Brunswick C-System 4.5, McCabe was wired to the pocket on this particular night. She polished off a 546 two-game total and shook off the nerves in the closing moments of Game 3 to strike out for her mark.
Seems like a lot to overcome for an 800 series, especially when its your third. But McCabe can’t fathom being told by a doctor that she can’t compete in the game she loves.
“I’m stubborn,” McCabe said. “I’m afraid I won’t be allowed to bowl and have to get surgery. It hasn’t taken me away from the sport completely, so I’ve been avoiding it.”
McCabe plans on going to the doctor at some point. In the meantime, she is going to enjoy her recent accomplishment.
“It’s just like the first one,” she said. “Every one feels great. You can’t believe you get one, and then you get three. It’s amazing.”
SENIOR UPDATE
Mel Durden smashed a 300 in the middle of an 842 triple to capture the men’s 55-68 division of the Tuesday Senior No-tap Tournament at ABC North.
Other winners include George Eakin (820) in men’s 69-over play and Toni Buck (775) in the ladies’ 69-over division. Ralph Nye also had a perfect game in the 22-player field.
Across the river, Sylvia Clepper paced the Friday Lunch Bunch Senior No-tap at Trindle Bowl with a 791 series. John O’Keefe was tops on the men’s side with 760.
Sam Yohn had the lone 300 in the 35-player field.
ON TAP
The Greater Harrisburg USBC will hold its Senior Tournament at ABC West on Jan. 5-6, 9 and 12-13 and will feature team, doubles, singes and all-events categories.
Squad times are noon, 1:30, 3 and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 5 and 12; 1 and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 9 and 9 a.m., 10:30, noon, 1:30, 3 and 4:30 p.m. Jan 6 and 13. The GHUSBC is adding $950 to the prize fund.
Tournament applications are available at local bowling centers or at www.ghusbc.org. For more information, contact Charles Holtry at (717)254-3950 or Barb Bair at (717)691-0843.
—- Nominations are being accepted for the 2013 Greater Harrisburg USBC Hall of Fame. Applications are available in local bowling centers and on the website.
The deadline for submissions is Jan. 15. For more information, contact Barb Bair at (717)691-0843.
DEMO DAY
Trindle Bowl will hold a Jet Bowling Test Drive session Dec. 9 from noon until 4 p.m. on select Storm and 900 Global bowling balls.
There is no appointment needed. Cost is $2.50 per game, which will also include advice from the staff at Trindle. There are also extra incentives if you purchase a Storm or 900 Global bowling balls.
PARTING SHOTS
Lori Morris popped games of 243, 234 and 235 for a 712 series in senior action at ABC West. ... The bowling column will go through changes in the next few weeks in accordance with the new direction of The Patriot-News. The weekly high scores from local centers will appear Tuesday's at pennlive.com and be accompanied by a weekly question and answer segment, ball review or interview with a personality in the bowling community. The Sunday column will feature honor score updates and general news.
HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS
ABC EAST
MEN: Dylan Thomas 276-749; Otis Thomas 737; Tim Jorich 734; Dave Brodie 732; Gary Bower 731; Jordan Eck 279-728; Matt Reigle 721; Darryl Bower 717; Denny Sowers 709; George Rodriguez 708. WOMEN: Sara Proctor 663; Gail Benish 641; Kristen Womelsdorf 611; Deb Murphy 608; Nikki Hess 606; Sheri Lash 604; Kim Kennedy 603; Jen Keefer 602. SENIORS: Paul Fasolt 707; John Ambrose 279-668; Hal Hoover 646; Al Sprandel 638; Bill Fouse 624; Gary Fanus 623; William Carr 613; Sherry Shatto 211; Rosetta Archie 206; Sherry Enterline 203. YOUTH: Major/Senior — Alex Kemler 246-656; Dimitry Facemire 227-627; Cassidy Markley 202. Junior — Eric Belles 201-560. Prep — Adam Felty 204-543; Austin Loe 203.
ABC NORTH
MEN: John Knode 279-785; Bob Chapman Jr. 289-774; Scott Coots 756; Bob Stoner 727; Travis Kreiger 724; John Blessing 718; Steve Weldon 718; Bill Ryan 717; Nate Buck 717; Otis Thomas 712. WOMEN: Stacey Zimmerman 630, 615; Sara Proctor 257-630; Nikki Hess 621; Elinda Wilson 247-621; Nadia Rutherford 615; Kristen Womelsdorf 614; Shelley McCabe 613; Doris Brinton 600. SENIORS: Mel Durden 256-737, 710; Charlie Thompson 278-723; Paul Fasolt Jr. 266-714; Mike Sedesse 267-701; Bob Rager 698; Karl Pearson 257-697; Ellie Boyer 258-667, 225-618; Linda Rager 236-654, 232-627; Deborah Welsh 221-634; Joan Finger 235-629. YOUTH: Major/Senior — Bud Dunkle 226; Brian Patrick 219. Junior — Beverly Good 223-616; Dylan Zimmerman 223-608; Alex Dankman 198-568; Brittney Marsh 182-525; Haley Sheetz 200-510; Nathan Bonawitz 218; Dylan Dundore 201. Prep — Matthew Ricard 190-494; Cassidy Schlauderaff 161-454.
ABC WEST
MEN: Scott Lingo 278-779; Brad Palm 753; Adam Frownfelter 278-746; Bob Karper 279-744; Elton Tomlinson 738; Kerry Peters 737; Bill Palm 728; Jeremiah Beers 290-727; Mike Freundel 724; Scott Houseal 724. WOMEN: Donna Brady 257-670; Sarah Fitzgerald 258-664; Leila Snell 642; Katie Getz 615; Shelley McCabe 611; Tonya Hall 604. SENIORS: George Kostjal Sr. 708; Don Martens 254-705; Earl Yohn 662; Roc Mills III 254-659; Lori Morris 235-634, 246-591; Dick Snyder 610; Jerry Stare 610; Mary Mader 218-599; Rose Fazekas 204. YOUTH: Major/Senior — Austin Chubb 235-595. Junior — Jared Moyer 201-520; John Baker 204-512; Jared Klusman 186; Brandon Runk 185; Zackary Tyson 182. Prep — David Foote 178-502, 184-460.
CARLISLE BARRACKS
MEN: Todd Fulton 278-757; Jim Tomek Jr. 730; Dana Hare 692; Steve Sheaffer 676; Bob Young 673; Larry Conley 671.
RED CROWN
MEN: Greg Rautine 290-761; Jim Diendorf 760; Chris Green 278-759; Jack Altland 731; Elton Tomlinson 729; Dan Gordon 728; Sean Nies 727; Don Kirkpatrick 718; Mark Etzweiler 278-714; Dave Fontanella 713. WOMEN: Tonya Hall 682; Patti Pianto 657; Sheri Lash 632; Robin Kirkpatrick 615. SENIORS: Karl Pearson 707; Mike Green 266-651; Eugene Byrd 276-634; Art Kerstetter 618; Rich Wilhelm 602.
TRINDLE
MEN: Randy Tackett 279-735; George Kostjal Sr. 725; Jim Hoover 279-721; Bobby Wiegner 718; Ryne Hepfer 717; Frank Krammer 707; Warren Barrett 694; Shawn Nailor 692; John Walden 684; Mark Hughes 681. SENIORS: Larry Seiber 258-674; Don Brenneman 670; Earl Yohn 258-662; Randy Tackett 649; Fred Roche 645; George Bentzel 640; Ron Reedy 245; John Rogers 245. TRIOS CHALLENGE: Derrick Brown 606; Allen Rutter 268-600; Steve Lynch 229. YOUTH: Major/Senior — Jamey Pfaff 549. Junior — Dominic Ciochetto 207-507; Will Malis 200.
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