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Bowling Highlights

Open Championships Underway

Ed Townsend
Posted 3/18/22

The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Open Championships, absent from the lanes last year during the pandemic, is underway in Las Vegas where tens of thousands of bowlers will compete in the …

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Bowling Highlights

Open Championships Underway

Posted

The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Open Championships, absent from the lanes last year during the pandemic, is underway in Las Vegas where tens of thousands of bowlers will compete in the event.

Whether they are looking to continue the momentum of a successful performance or earn redemption on the biggest stage in bowling, many begin the countdown to next year as soon as their nine games are complete.

The waiting period ended this past week for the more than 47,000 bowlers headed to the South Point Bowling Plaza for the 118th edition of this storied tournament.

The 2022 USBC Open Championships kicked off its 129-day event at the 60-lane facility with a formal opening ceremony and the year's first team squad, featuring 48 teams, representing 28 cities and 15 states.

Prior to the first strikes and spares being marked on the venue's vast scoreboards, the 240 competitors, their friends and families, bowling fans and guests were treated to the introduction of Joe Bowler 2022, comedic stylings of Brian McKim, the traditional Mass Ball Shot Ceremony and well wishes from local and industry dignitaries.

This year marks the event’s sixth trip to Las Vegas and fourth stop at South Point, where it was held in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

The 2022 event will run daily until July 18, and champions will be determined in team, doubles, singles and all-events in three average-based divisions. Coveted Eagle trophies also will be awarded for Team All-Events, given to the top overall five-player team across nine games.

Among the participants this year will be 31 bowlers competing for the 50th time, three bowling for the 60th time and one making their 65th appearance.

Team bowlers competing will be classified in one of the three divisions, regular division with combined averages of 876 and above, standard division with combined averages of 776 to 875, and classified division with averages of 775 and below.

Ed’s Outlook

The United States Bowling Congress has revoked approval of the Storm Spectra bowling ball and removed it from the list of balls approved for USBC competition effective March 14, 2022.

The revocation comes after USBC determined through its spot-checking procedures that a significant percentage of the balls produced do not comply with specifications and requirements outlined in the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Manual.

USBC testing showed a significant percentage of the Storm Spectre do not meet the minimum 73D hardness specification during spot checks of bowling balls in the field.

The ball had been approved for competition in December 2021.

Unapproved bowling balls may not be used in USBC-certified competition. Bowlers who used the Spectre in competition before March 14, 2022, with no prior knowledge of their balls being out of specification would not be subject to forfeiture under USBC rules.

Bowling Tip by Mike Luongo

In recent weeks we have talked about preliminary steps for learning how to bowl, choosing your bowling ball, holding the ball, making the right approach, and choosing the throwing angle.

Today we will get into talking about the importance about the bowler and their need to focus on the bowling pins when they are throwing the ball towards the pin deck.

Don't look at the pin deck area, but instead, the right thing to do would be to look at the aiming arrows that are printed on the bowling lane.

They are in a straight line pointing towards the pin deck and are the most accurate way of making the right shot.

Also while you are approaching it is important that you keep your speed in check.

Sometimes over speeding when it comes to taking your bowling approach can be detrimental if you are thinking a faster approach might help you knock down more pins.

A slower and more focused approach is the way to go. Putting extra force or speed is not necessary.

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