I started bowling in a league more than 35 years ago. It was a pretty simple evening for me. Just show up, bowl three games and make your way home. Of course I had to put up with a few snide remarks from fun-loving teammates concerning the quality of my game. Still, it was no muss, no fuss.
When the city tournament rolled around, it was more of the same. Bring your ball, toss it down the alley - and again, after withstanding the barbs, it was homeward bound. It never occurred to me that some people had to put in some serious time behind the scenes so that I could enjoy a few hours of leisure recreation, worry free.
That all changed when I was asked to become an officer in the Tiffin Men's Bowling Association. I did just that and found out there are guys who do a lot of work that goes largely unnoticed and certainly underappreciated so that others can simply show up and bowl.
This afternoon the members of the Tiffin Men's Bowling Association will hold their fall meeting to set the wheels in motion for this season's city tournament. I'd like to take this opportunity to sing the praises of some dedicated people.
When I became an officer some 20 years ago, there were a handful of gentlemen who were at the core of the association. Guys like John Brickner, Dick Gabel, Jim Ruess, Dick Houk and Ron Yentzer were at every meeting and many of them will be present today. They listened to suggestions, added a few of their own and made sure the tournament would be administered faithfully and fairly. They wanted no credit for what they were doing. The love of the game made them eager to help promote the sport in any way they could.
Only two positions within the association are paid positions. No one is going to get rich serving in either spot, but a hard working individual is needed to make things run smoothly.
For as long as I can remember the position of treasurer has been handled by Mike Kisabeth. This is the man who handles all the money from dues to entry fees. He also signs the checks. It was always fun to attend a meeting and listen to his treasurer's report. I can honestly say that his report was never approved unanimously. Though that may sound like a condemnation of his mathematical ability, nothing would be further from the truth. If Ron Yentzer was there, the approval would be one vote short of unanimous as the smiling Yentzer would let anyone know that he didn't like anything to be unanimous.
If Yentzer was not there someone would cast the dissenting vote, again with a chuckle. If no one did so, the vote would still not be all inclusive. That's because Kizzy himself would abstain from voting. He didn't think it was right to vote on his own proposal. For the record, nary a penny has ever been unaccounted for. Mr. Kisabeth is still serving in the position of association treasurer. Thanks, Mike.
Two secretaries have been in office over the years I have been involved with the organization. The first was Kris Klopfenstein. The second and current association secretary is Steve Steinmetz Sr.
These two men have served with distinction. The secretary has to deal with all the paperwork and believe me it's a lot. From USBC dues forms, to entry blanks for the city tournament, not to mention all the forms required to allow local bowlers to receive awards, the secretary's job is huge. Dealing with controversies is also part of the job description. Both of these guys have done masterful jobs.
As for the rules used in the city tournament, they have been revised over the years. The association members are always willing to listen to suggestions for improving the tournament. Some are dismissed after discussion while others become law. For example, at many tournaments doubles and singles are rolled in that order. In Tiffin singles are first. The explanation is that if doubles are first and a person's partner shows up late they both end up being penalized. By bowling singles first, more time is allotted for a bowler to show up for his doubles competition and the only person he hurts by being late is himself.
The fall meeting for the Tiffin Men's Bowling Association is this afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Perry Street. If you are a member of the association, come on down. The primary purpose of the meeting is to plan for the city tournament and the officers will be glad to listen to any comments you might have. The added bonus of seeing me might make the trip worthwhile All right, I am going to be there, but come on out anyway!
If you see Mike or Steve, thank them for the great job that they continue to do every year. They deserve the plaudits and will appreciate the comment.
Rich Yates Jr. fired a perfect game on his way to a 741 series in the Wednesday Morning League. Mark Huffman also broke the 700 plateau as he shot 717. Greg Elchert shot 636, as did Tyson Shope, while David Jumper had 619, Paul Landers 610, Steve Norman 604 and Cheryl Radin-Norman 404. In the Rocket League Tyson Shope had 658, Mike Kimmet 634, Shawn Coppus 622, Dave Jones 594, Tom Tiell 590, Beth Jones 589 and Dottie Funk 472.
Chris Johnson had the pins rocking in the Sportsman League with a big 729 series. Jim Mason posted a 660, while Scott Hartsel shot 655. Hartsel's score was aided by converting the Big Four, the 4-6-7-10 split. The ageless Ron Yentzer shot 634, Rich Yates Jr. 623, Greg Tiell 610 and Mike Kisabeth was "right on the money" shooting 600 even. Steve Steinmetz Jr. shot 633, Rhonda Fitch 618, Ben Hoyda 617, Kevin Young 565, Deb Nominee 533 and Dodi Gaietto 475 in the Imperial-Majorette League. Twilight League scores included Tom Tiell 623, Brian Jakupca 613, Ed Conrad 575, Rhonda Fitch 573 and Robin Brownell 425.
Ken Bauman shot 608, Tom Tiell 603, Dottie Funk 539 and Janice Young 532 in the Sunday Night Rock N Roll League. Scores from the Alley Cat League included Robin Dickman 551, Heather Butler 494, Pat Cook 475, Carla Siebenaller 463, Nita Doran 461 and Lorrie Williams 461. In the Big 8 League Rich Yates Jr. shot 661, Jim Hershberger 658, Ryan Chevalier 641, Ken Bauman 634, Jack Book 631, Robert Terris Jr. 626, Aaron Sherman 622, Chris King 610, Mark Bowen 608 and Rich Yates Sr. 607.
In action from the K of C Lanes Ken Gaietto shot 596, Jim Rainey 596, James Lord 591, John Klingshurn 578, Joe Lord 576 and Aaron Sherman 566 in the Tuesday Night League. In the Senior League Herb Sendelbach shot 633, Doug Snyder 553, Bennett Paulus 543, Steve Reser 533, Kurt Smith 525, Dan Roessner 521 and Ken Ritzler 507. Jim Ruess shot 593, Paul Gosche 553, Dick Gabel 542, Bob West 535, Bill Mizen 532, Bob Reinhart 519, Dave Everhart 487, Jim Ferstler 474, Jim Donaldson 426, Harry Smith 445, Ron Mellott 442, Paul Fey 432 and John Ferstler 426 in the 55 Plus League.
Al Stephenson is The A-T's bowling columnist.
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