Thirty-two year-old Liberty bowler Kyle Stevens set a bowling house record at the Quinnz Pinz bowling center (formerly Middletown Lanes) in Middletown last week with an outstanding 877 series off single games of 299, 299 and 279.

The scores were recorded in the Tuesday 5 Bowler league, bowling with the Home Care Construction team comprised of Kyle's father Stewart Stevens, Dennis Collins, James Fiore and Derek Delaney.

Growing up in a bowling family Kyle was fortunate to get excellent training and teaching from his uncle Bobby Fix Jr. and his late grandfather Bob Fix who owned Liberty Lanes with his wife “Honey” Fix.

Kyle is the son of Stewart and Betty Jane Fix Stevens.

Stevens during his pre-teen and teenage years bowled in the Liberty Lanes Saturday morning Youth Leagues and following high school graduation bowled in several adult leagues.

“I bowled 20 years at Liberty Lanes,” and “my uncle and grandfather are the biggest reasons why my bowling got to where it is today,” Stevens said.

Bowling now for almost 30 years, Stevens presently bowls in the Monday Bill Wendal Memorial league at Pat Tarsio Lanes in Newburgh, the Tuesday 5 Bowler league at Quinnz Pinz bowling center in Middletown and subs in the Wednesday Night League at Port Jervis Bowl.

He carries a 235 average at Newburgh, a 241 at Middletown and a 220 in Port Jervis.

The 877 series was bowled January 7 on lanes 11-12 using a Brunswick Fire Quantum bowling ball.

His previous high series was an 848 and included single games of 279, 300 and 269.

In the first 299 game on January 7 Kyle noted that on the 12th ball he left the 7 pin, in the second 299 game he left the three pin and in the 279 third game he left the two and seven pin in the third frame.

This talented league bowler so far in his bowling career has recorded 47 perfect 300 games and 39 (800) series.

Stevens noted he tries to bowl in as many tournaments that he can get to but that he never has bowled in a Professional Bowling Association (PBA) event, “but have wanted to try for years.”

Kyle is single, has no children and works in the Port Jervis area.

Ed's Outlook

Boston Red Sox All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts is planning to return to Professional Bowlers Association competition for the first time since bowling a 300 game in the 2017 PBA World Series of Bowling IX when he competes in the PBA Hall of Fame Classic at the International Training and Research Center in Arlington, Texas.

Betts, who also competed in the PBA WSOB VII at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, was invited to participate in the PBA Hall of Fame Classic on a commissioner's exemption by PBA Commissioner Tom Clark. The HOF Classic is the first event on the 2020 Go Bowling PBA Tour schedule. The finals will air live on FS1 at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, Jan. 19, kicking off the PBA's second season of television coverage by FOX Sports.

Betts, who turned 27 in October, has been an enthusiastic and talented bowler most of his life. He was named Tennessee High School Bowler of the Year in 2010 and began developing his relationship with the PBA in 2014 when he made it known he wanted to participate in the annual Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational, an annual fundraiser hosted by the National Basketball Association superstar in partnership with the PBA.

Betts has subsequently bowled in the CP3 event three times, winning the doubles title in the 2019 event with PBA partner Tommy Jones who will be inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Saturday, Jan. 18, as part of the PBA HOF weekend.

Bowling Tip

By Mike Luongo

As we enter the new year here are several great tips to improve your bowling game.

Bowling Arm Swing....Your arm swing is crucial for consistency in today's game. The direction of the swing greatly impacts your release and initial ball direction.

Ball Release and Speed Control, one of the most important adjustments any bowler can make is the ability to change your ball speed, practice and use different speeds to see what the different speeds do to your release of the bowling ball.

Relaxed Bowling Grip Pressure....Two of the most important aspects of bowling are ball fit and bowling grip pressure. Most important tip here is the importance of keeping a loose and relaxed grip.

Using bowler's tape can help get the best fit possible to prevent bowlers from squeezing and other physical game issues.

Mike Luongo is a Certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor, USBC Silver Level Coach and an Advisor-Special Events Assistant with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. Have a question, email him at mike.luongo@stormbowling.com.

BOWLING SCORES

BEECHWOODS LANES

Villa Roma Monday Ladies

Lois Erdman 148, 168, 186, 502, Barbara Cady 156, Sue Naughton 164, Pam Wayne 161, Lillian Zieres 176, 155, Joyce Brooks 151, Tracy Puerschner 200, Danielle Meyer 155, Autumn Nash 167.

PORT JERVIS BOWL

Erin McDonagh 201, 220, 222, 643, Celeste Fitzpatrick 150, 183, 167, 500, Josephine Zych 151, 150, 176, 477, Carol Flynn 169, 181, 187, 537, Sherri Laird 185, 169, 163, 517.

FOX BOWLING CENTER

Wednesday Men's Independent

Andrew Bullis 207, 234, 219, 660, Randy Evanitsky Jr. 236, 234, 212, 682, Bill Gleim 218, 220, 202, 640, Ben Green 206, 236, 233, 675, Jack Hazen 264, 222, 650, Mitch Persbacker 245, 234, 668.

Thursday Night 3

Ray Cornwell 233, 605, Rick MIlls 200, 258, 671, Natasha Viera 200, 180, 201, 581, Dan Wormuth 276, 639.

Friday Couples

Andy Bullis 244, 224, 236, 704, Shane Dirig 216, 237, 620, Dan Koch 238, 632, Tia Robinson 201, 214, 590.

Sat. Youth Mixed

Landon Fuller 140, 102, 121, 363, Olivia Johnston 128, 137, 97, 362, Alex Mosher 176, 148, 128, 452.

Sunday Mixed

Ashley Hanstine 184, Don Marino 223, 581, Wilbur McAdams 216, 581, Mckenzie Worzel 198.

KIAMESHA LANES

Monday Men's

Serafin Rodriguez III a 235, 214, 213, 662, Vinnie Collura 243, 243, 196, 682, Jaryl Scott 217, 220, 233, 670, Dan VanAken 220, 258, 236, 714, Jim VanAken 258, 224, 235, 717, Eddie Lake 232, 245, 211, 688.

Tues. Mixed Firefighter

Eddie Lake 230, 257, 245, 732, Jody Farquhar 198, 269, 243, 710, Karen Martin 140, 196, 192, 528, Mary Lee Williams 197, George Severnak 248, 190, 222, 660, Jon Wilhelm 222, 189, 236, 647.

Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the Sport of Bowling and brings over 60-years of sports journalism experience in writing and compiling the information for this column. If you have league or tournament information, bowl a 300 game or an 800 series, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email to edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax to 845-205, 4474. View this column and Ed's photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.