In the Pocket: Expanded Huck Finn schedule leaves no one out

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bob Weiner

There’s something for just about every level of bowler in this year’s Huck Finn/Northeast Bowling Proprietors of New York schedule.

There are the usual scratch singles tournaments, which dominate the schedule, but two amateur/handicap events, a new Over 50-Under 50 Two-Person tournament, the Barb Leicht Bowers Ladies Classic, numerous junior tournaments, mixed doubles and senior events and a new Adult/Child championship are also included on a crowded schedule.

“Jeff Segel [tournament director] believes the Over 50-Under 50 tournament will spark some interest,” said NBPNY executive director Carol Judge of Spare Time-Latham. “Of course, all doubles events always spark a lot of interest. We think it’s fresh and new. We thought we could do something that we hadn’t done before.”

The other completely new event on the Huck Finn schedule is the Adult-Child tournament.

“It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a whlie,” said Judge. “I just wasn’t sure how to do it. The Albany Bowling Association used to have their Generations Tournament, and that’s where I kind of got the idea. It’s a family-type thing, although the format is just one adult and one child. They don’t have to be family members. We think it’s very exciting and that our schedule indeed has something for everybody this year.”

All scratch events will have a top prize of $1,000 guaranteed.

The Huck Finn schedule kicks off this weekend with qualifiers Saturday at Spare Time-East Greenbush and Sunday at Spare Time-Clifton Park.

All finals will be shown on WXXA Fox 23 every Sunday at 11 a.m. John Craig and Kenny Hall comprise the broadcast team.

Also this month, amateur/handicap bowlers can qualify through their leagues. The finals will be held Nov. 6 at Playdium Bowling Center.

SCHEDULE

Oct. 15-16 — Scratch Singles. Qualifiers at Spare Time-East Greenbush (3 p.m.) and Spare Time-Clifton Park (9:30 and

11:30 a.m.).

Oct. 22-23 — Scratch singles. Qualifiers at Hi-Way Recreation (3:30 p.m.) and Spare Time-Latham (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 29-30 — Over 50/Under 50 Doubles. Qualifiers at Uncle Sam Lanes (3 p.m.) and Saratoga Strike Zone (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.).

Nov. 6 — Amateur/Handicap Singles. In-house qualifying. Finals at Playdium Bowling Center (1 p.m.).

Nov. 13 — Barb Leicht Bowers Ladies Classic. Qualifiers at Towne Bowling Academy (9:39 and 11:45 a.m.), with TV taping the same night at 6 p.m.

Nov. 19-20 — Non-Winners Scratch Tournament. Qualifying at Sunset Recration (12:30 seniors only, 2 and 3:30 p.m.), and Burnt Hills Lanes (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.).

Nov. 25 — Junior Event. In-house qualifying. Finals at Del Lanes.

Dec. 3-4 — Scratch Singles. Qualifying at Green Island Lanes (1 p.m. seniors only and 3 p.m.) and at Towne Bowling Academy (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.).

Dec. 11 — Mixed Doubles. Qualifying at Boulevard Bowl, 10 a.m. Finals to follow.

Dec. 18 — Special Needs Holiday Show. Spare Time-Latham, 1 p.m. To be shown Christmas Day.

Dec. 26 — Junior Event. In-house qualifying. Finals at Uncle Sam Lanes.

Jan. 7-8 — Scratch Singles. Qualifying at Sunset Recreation (1 p.m. seniors only and 3 p.m.) and Uncle Sam Lanes (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.).

Jan. 15 — Joe Donato Senior Classic Scratch Seniors. Qualifying at Sportsman’s Bowl (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.).

Jan. 21-21 — Scratch Singles. Qualifying at Green Island Lanes (1 p.m. seniors only and 3 p.m.) and Redwood Lanes (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.).

Jan. 28-29 — Scratch Singles. Qualifying at Alpha Lanes (1 p.m. seniors only and 3 p.m.) and at Town ‘n Country (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.).

Feb. 4-5 — Super Bowl Doubles. Qualifying at Spare-Time Latham (3 p.m.) and Boulevard Bowl (10 a.m.).

Feb. 12 — Mixed Doubles. Qualifying at Sportsman’s Bowl (10 a.m.).

Feb. 20 — Junior event. In-house qualifying. Finals at Spare Time-Latham).

Feb. 25-26 — Scratch Singles. Qualifying at Alpha Lanes (1 p.m. seniors only and 3 p.m.) and Playdium (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.).

March 3-4 — Scratch Singles. Qualifying at Tippy Bowl (3 p.m.) and Uncle Sam Lanes (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.).

March 11 — Amateur/Handicap Singles. In-house qualifying. Finals at Hootz Family Fun Center.

March 17-18 — Adult/Child Tournament. Qualifying at Spare Time-East Greenbush (12:30 and 3:30 p.m.) and Sportsman’s Bowl (1 p.m.).

March 24-25 — Scratch Singles. Qualifying at Hi-Way Recreation (3:30 p.m) and Town ‘n Country (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.).

March 31-April 1 — Scratch Singles. Qualifying at Sunset Recreation (1 p.m. seniors only and 3 p.m.) and Redwood Lanes (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.).

April 7 — Tournament of Champions. Qualifying at Towne Bowling Academy (2 p.m.).

April 29 — Jack Scaccia Sr. Memorial. Qualifying April 14 at Alpha Lanes (1 p.m. seniors only and 3 p.m.), April 21 at Town ‘n Country (1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) and April 29 (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.) at Boulevard Bowl. Live TV finals at Alphla Lanes.

MAKING IMPROVEMENTS

Town ‘N Country Lanes and Sportsman’s Bowl are among the many local bowling centers getting a facelift this fall.

While visiting Town ‘N Country for Sunday’s Northern Bowlers Association tournament, it was quickly apparent that Jack Scaccia Jr. has made major improvements, including new tables and chairs and new rugs. The lighting of the place also seemed much brighter, although that could have been because of the new color scheme.

Sportsman’s Bowl not only expanded its party/conference room, but also fixed the wall near the back parking lot as a precautionary measure. Once again, the improvements make the place look a lot cleaner and brighter.

PBA CORNER

The PBA has announced that the PBA Regional Players Champions Doubles Championship will move to Las Vegas and wil be hosted by The New Orleans Casino, Hotel and Bowling Center Feb. 11-12. The RPC-Doubles replaces the PBA Regional Players Invitational, which was held for several years in Reno. The winning partners in this event will each earn spots in the season-ending PBA Tournament of Champions.

The third annual PBA World Series of Bowling kicks off with the BowlersDeals.com All-In Showdown on Friday, Nov. 4. The format is for a maximum of eight bowlers to put down $5,000 of their own money for a chance to win $45,000. This format was originally tried in 2009, but it was cancelled when Chris Barnes was the only player to enter.

STRIKES AND SPARES

u Habitat for Humanity’s “Help Build It!” Habitat Bowl-Athon, to benefit Habitat in its mission to build simple decent housing for selected hard-working low income families, will be held Nov. 13 from 1-3 p.m. at Sportsman’s Bowl. Sign up as an individual, team captain or team by going to www.schenectadyhabitat.org and follow the links. To bowl, be a corporate sponsor or contribute a silent auction item, call Darlyne at Habitat at 395-3412, extension 1.

u Jim Burton defeated John Nieckarz, 258-214, in the finals of the NorthEast Senior Tournaments stop at Boulevard Bowl Sunday. Burton won $325, while Nieckarz pocketed $170. George Gorman and Russ Hunter earned $75 apiece. The next NEST event will be

Nov. 5 at noon at Spare Time-Latham, but NEST is also making plans for a special Digger’s Doubles event, sponsored by Ron Gardner, at Hometown Lanes in December. It will be an under-50/over-50 event with a $100 entry fee.

u Redwood Lanes will hold a Tavern Tournament Oct. 23. Entry fee is $125 per five-person team. First place team prize will be $500 guaranteed. One in five teams will cash. Included in the entry fee will be a buffet, drink specials and prizes. Call Redwood or 869-3581 for reservations or more information.

u Aidan Deitz, 7, is continuing to impress on the lanes. In junior bowling last week, he shot 160-176-157 for a 493 triple. He missed out on a 500 when he left a solid 10-pin and missed it in the ninth frame. Even more impressive was the fact that Deitz made 17 consecutive marks and 24 marks in three games. Later Saturday, while practicing, he shot his first 200 game (201).

u Scratch women bowlers should start get ready for the Huck Finn/Northeast Bowling Proprietors of New York’s Women’s Scratch Challenge. There will be three qualifiers — Nov. 12 at 2 p.m., Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m. and Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m. — at Towne Bowling Academy. One in five cash. First place is $1,000. The TV taping will be the same day of the finals. Entry fee is $50. Call Jeff Segel at 439-7628 or Towne Bowling Academy at 355-3939.

u Good to see super secretary Dave Mennillo back on the lanes after a back injury caused by falling off a ladder kept him sidelined for several weeks.

u Towne Bowling Academy will host an Ebonite Demo Day on Sunday. Products from Ebonite, Hammer, Track and Columbia 300 will be available to “try before you buy.” Ebonite features interchangeable thumb slugs and finger grips to help bowlers try out the various equipment. Discounts will be given to bowlers who purchase equipment after trying it out. The demo day costs $15 per bowler, and there is a limit of 20 bowlers per shift. The shifts will be 10:30-11:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., 2:45-3:45 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. Call Towne Bowling Academy at 355-3939 for reservations.

u The New York State Women’s 600 Bowling Club’s annual regional tournament will be held on Nov. 5 or Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. at Burnt Hills Lanes. Contact Anne Torak at 356-3281 or Marianne Hogle at 393-8907 for an entry form.

u The Schenectady/Scotia Women’s Bowling Association will conduct its the 25th Senior Singles tournament Saturday at Burnt Hills Lanes at 2 p.m. Entry forms are available from your league secretary or by contacting Sandy Knabner at 399-3759.

u The Schenectady-Scotia 500 Club will conduct its Trick or Treat No-Tap Singles Tournament on Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. at Towne Bowling Academy. Current members received their entry form. If you need an entry form, contact Marie Moorhead at 399-3063.