An 803 series by James Creutz at Bowland Port Charlotte and a 293 game as part of Mike Aleshire's continuing quest to roll every score between 290 and 300 are the headline performances in this week's Examiner.com report of top scores in league play in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties.
Cruetz, a 26-year-old lefthander, blasted games of 278, 267 and 258 en route to the 803 total in the Friday Night Mixed League. It was only his second appearance in that league, after a 656 series on Oct. 18, and it upped his six-game average to 243.
"I have to thank Nick and Rosie Gassera at RG Strikeline (pro shop) for the great equipment," Creutz said. "I used a brand new Hammer Amp (ball) right out of the box, and even the non-strikes I had were good shots, but they just didn't carry."
Aleshire disdains chance for another 300
Back on Nov. 12, Mike Aleshire of Port Charlotte embarked on a protest of sorts, following the recent decision by the United States Bowling Congress that starting Aug. 1, 2014, the high score awards given to adult members for a 300 game, 800 series or 900 series will become once-in-a-lifetime awards.
On that date, the top-level player, who has carried yearbook averages of 241, 246 and 239 over the past three seasons, is quoted as saying, "Since there is (now) only one 300 per lifetime, now I'm going to try and bowl every score from 290 to 300."
His first attempt failed, because he rolled a gutter ball in an attempt for a 1-count, and he had to settle for an "unconventional" 290 game in the Aerosol Tuesday Men's League at Treasure Lanes.
This week, Aleshire -- who has already rolled 70 perfect games in his brilliant career -- opened with games of 268 and 227 before starting the final game with 11 consecutive strikes. This time, he clipped off the 6, 9 and 10 pins for a score of 293 to complete a 788 series that upped his average to 224.
"I was trying for a 1-count, but I wound up with 3," Aleshire said. "Unfortunately, this is what league bowling has come to, with USBC helping by now handing out just one honor for a lifetime, so that's why I'm trying to do something only a very few people have ever done, and that's to bowl every 290 (to 300) score."
It won't be an easy task to come up with a 292 game, but Aleshire apparently intends to continue with his unique scoring mission.
Graham fires 298 and just misses an 800 series
Joshiwa Graham opened this week's series in the Al Davis Memorial League at Bowland Port Charlotte with a 298, and when he followed with games of 244 and 257, he was forced to settle for a 187-over-average 799 series.
"On my final ball (in the 298), I left the 4 and 7 pins," Graham said. "My legs started shaking, and i slowed my approach so much that I had to add more speed to get the ball not to drive through the headpin, and I hit light."
In other recent 11-in-a-row performances, Rick Evans finished with a 297 game as part of a 760 series in the Jeffcoat Blueprinting Invitational League at AMF Bradenton Lanes, and Jeff Pennell blasted a 101-over 290 game in the Kays-Ponger-Uselton Men's League at Treasure Lanes.
Two bowlers rolled 10 consecutive strikes en route to games of 285: Jimmy Bruns, in the middle of a 693 series in the Monday Night Mixed League at Englewood Bowl; and Gil Garcia, who matched the feat in the Jeffcoat Blueprinting League at AMF Bradenton. And James Grimes had a 280 game as part of a 762 set in the Jeffcoat Blueprinting League.
Among top efforts by female bowlers, Valerie Shinn posted a 110-over 252 game in the JDB International Mixed League at AMF Gulf Gate, and Gina Quiroz fired games of 254 and 233 en route to a 699 series in the Friday Night Mixed League at AMF Bradenton.
In other scores reported from area bowling establishments:
AMF BRADENTON: Paul Nicolazzi 278, David Cotrone Sr. 276, Doug Lewis 269, Robert Fletcher 268, Jamey Wyzgowski 266-770, Charles Dickerman 265Adam Whited 741, Tony DeMarco Jr. 713, Mark Parrish 713, Reed Torsell 712, Jarrod Fisher 704, Ron Fletcher 701; Donna Darr 228.TREASURE LANES: John Pitzer 279, Mike Janosik 274-777, Scott Long 270, Jonathan Schimpf 269, Jeff Reed 269, Anthony Hauss 268, Gary Toma 718, John Holmes 702, Joe DiFranco 701; Renae Gross 255-614 and 233-638, Jennifer Peacock 232-653, Donna Gonthier 225, Dolores Meyers 609, Debbie Baylor 600.BOWLAND PORT CHARLOTTE: Donnie Schwartz 279-739, Art Jozwiak 279, Gary Krowka 277, Jerry Lord 270, Daniel Gassera 266, Eric Hill 702; Ashley Schwartz 255-630, Melanie Fisher 246, Jackie Wortinger 237-644, Rosie Gassera 634 and 606.SARASOTA LANES: Steven Baran 266, Carl Sawyer III 703; Jessica Hendrickson 226.ENGLEWOOD BOWL: Stan Oraczewski 268, Brett Carberry 268, Dave Phillips 266.AMF VENICE LANES: Gary Janes 277-737.[You may subscribe to Bill Herald's Examiner.com bowling articles -- free of charge -- by clicking on "subscribe" near the top of the column, after which you will receive e-mail notification each time a new item is published.]