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by Randy OoneyMy Nickel’s Worth by Randy Ooney
Hookem Horns
I tuned in to the finals of the so called bracket match ups on the ESPN presentation of the Dick Weber tournament from Indianapolis. Way to go PBA!! Your bracket matchups ended with a Final Three!! My first impression was to wonder who the idiot was who thought it would be a good idea to pass out plastic horns to the spectators. Then about halfway through the finals, the Twins game started on FSN and I discovered that fans at Tropicana Dome also were blowing horns. Luckily the mute button on my TV remote was working. Back to bowling.
I listened to enough to know that Ritchie Allen now wants to be known as Dick, reminiscent of a White Sox slugging first baseman of the 70’s. What has yet to be explained is why he did not change the name on the back of his shirt, and why there was ever a “t” in his name at all. There is no “t” in Richard, and there is no “t” in Richie Cunningham or Richie Rich. There is a “t” in team, but there is no I, just a me. Anyway, congratulations Dick or Ritchie on your third title.
Another thing I noticed was Randy Weiss wearing Storm/Roto Grip colors, Chris Barnes had his usual Columbia Shirt, and Ritchie was endorsing Ebonite. Locally, a couple of my league competitors are very successful with AMF/900 Global, (Matt McNeil), and Brunswick, (Daron Hansen). This wide variety of companies competing for our business reinforces an opinion I have had since my first Manhattan Rubber bowling ball - The major companies all make decent equipment, we have a wide variety of choices, and Walter Ray Williams Jr. changes companies as often as I change my socks. I feel a bit for the Pro Shop proprietors, because they need to expand their inventory to cater to the whims of the bowlers. They are rewarded somewhat by the better bowlers who have convinced themselves that they need eight new balls in their arsenal each year, but if inventory sits on the shelf too long, it becomes last year’s model. Over the years, I think I have tried several of each of the most leading brands of bowling balls, some with greater success than others, but I was normally satisfied with the performance. I really miss the comparisons that had been offered in the past in the winter edition of US Bowler magazine, but now we have websites and word of mouth comparisons. So what factors influence us when thinking of purchasing new equipment? Something to think about this summer. Have fun at your banquets, but get home safel
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