In the Pocket: Colonie's Manzer has success throwing straight ball

PHOTOGRAPHER: Photo Provided

Rich Manzer.

Straight shooter Rich Manzer prefers accuracy over raw power. His consistency and solid fundamentals over nearly four decades on the lanes is why he’s remained competitive in an era when many seniors can’t quite keep up with the youngsters any more.

“I definitely don’t like hooking the ball,” Manzer said. “I’m old school. I play the lanes as straight as possible.”

The Hudson Valley Community College product maintains an average in the 220s in all three of his leagues — the Thursday Classic and Kingpin Doubles at Town & Country Lanes, along with a social league at Hometown Lanes every other week with some of his family members. He also fills in as a sub in numerous other centers around the Capital Region, including the Vitalo Classic at Sportsman’s Bowl, a Wednesday night league with his brother at Green Island Lanes and another league at Del Lanes for good friend Mike Reynolds.

Manzer, 54, is a Troy native and Colonie resident who learned the game from the late Jack Scaccia Sr. at Alpha Lanes, which burned down last May.

“I bowled at Alpha Lanes as a kid. My parents and my grandfather introduced me to the game when I was just a teenager,” Manzer said. “I practiced every Saturday morning. Jack Scaccia was a big influence on me and took me under his wing. What a great guy he was for the sport of bowling.”

Manzer tried out for the Lansingburgh High School bowling team twice, but didn’t make the squad. He could have thrown in the towel, but those failures lit a fire under him.

“That was kind of something I used as a little motivation to get better and stick with the game,” Manzer recalled. “I kept working at it to get as good as I could be.”

After high school, Manzer served in the National Guard for three years before getting a job and joining an adult bowling league. His bowling career soon took off at the old Latham Bowl, now called Spare Time Latham, and later at the now-defunct Bowlers Club. High scores were not common at either place back in those days. It was at Latham Bowl where he recorded his all-time high triple of 857, which included back-to-back 300 games and a 257.

He once averaged 232 at the Bowlers Club, again a tremendous feat at a place not known for averages that high 10-15 years ago.

Manzer split most of his adult bowling between the Troy Bowling Association and the Albany Bowling Association, although he’s dabbled in some Schenectady Bowling Association competition.

Last year, he was inducted into the Troy Bowling Association Hall of Fame. He’s a two-time Troy Bowling Association Tournament champion (scratch and all-events). While in the Albany Bowling Association, he was named to the ABA All-Star team six times.

Manzer rolled his highest four-game series (1,096) at Town N Country Lanes. So far, he’s recorded 43 perfect games and 20 800 triples. He won the New Era Senior Tournament summer swing championship in 2015 and was the runner-up in another NEST event at Town & Country in 2016.

Manzer finished as high as eighth in the old Huck Finn bowling tournaments.

When not bowling himself, Manzer enjoys coaching. He coached in the Joey Schmidt Capital District Junior Pro-Scoring League for seven years.

“That’s one of the reasons I didn’t bowl in more Huck Finn or other tournaments. The Joey Schmidt league always bowled on Sunday mornings,” Manzer said.

Along with Jack Scaccia Sr., Manzer credits current Town & Country owner Jack Scaccia Jr., John Drexel, Anthony Scaccia and Art Van Buren with helping him to fine-tune his game.

“They have all helped me tremendously over the years, and it’s a real privilege to know all of them,” Manzer said. “I really enjoy bowling at Town & Country, especially, because of the Scaccias and the small family atmosphere there.”

Currently working as a business development specialist at Metroland Business Machines, Manzer has served as the chief and a member of the Pleasantdale Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years. Although he’s used Storm and Roto Grip equipment since 1994, he was on the staff of the Jet Bowling Co. for several years.

STRIKES & SPARES

Chris Fawcett enjoyed a memorable night last Friday by rolling two perfect games sandwiched around a 247 for an 847 triple in the Schenectady Dorp/Menagerie league.

The next meeting for the Schenectady USBC Bowling Association board of directors will be Sunday at 7 p.m. at Boulevard Bowl.

Hometown Lanes in Mechanicville hosts the sixth annual Women’s Capital District 700 Tournament Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. The event is open to all women who have bowled a 700 triple in the Troy, Albany or Schenectady adult association. Entry forms are available at Boulevard Bowl, Towne Bowling Academy and Sportsman’s Bowl. Contact Diane Morrell (518-664-8119) for more information.

There will be a membership meeting for the Albany Bowling Senate of The National Bowling Association Saturday at 6 p.m. at East Greenbush Bowling Center.

Boulevard Bowl will host a Rock N Bowl Fundraiser for the Albany Veterans Club Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. (noon registration). Bowling for the five-person team tournament is just $10 per person. A few NFL players are expected to be on hand to sign some autographs, and there will be a drawing for two Super Bowl game tickets (not including hotel or airfare). Those tickets are currently available at Boulevard for $25. For more information, call Boulevard at 518-374-4171.

The 25th annual Blizzard Bowl, to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Schenectady, will be held March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. All shifts begin at 11:45 a.m. Entry fee is $80 per four-person team. Top prize, based on 160 teams, will be $2,000. Call Boulevard for more information.

Sportsman’s Bowl is hosting a Ladies 500 Club Snowball Bowl Scotch Doubles Tournament Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. Entry forms are available at Boulevard Bowl, Towne Bowling Academy and Sportsman’s Bowl. For additional information, contact Marie Moorhead at 518-399-3063.

Towne Bowling Academy’s 10th annual Handicap Team Tournament continues Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. In total, there will be 23 squads over 14 days through Jan. 26. Top prize will be $4,000 guaranteed. There also will be an optional singles event, using your team score. First place for the singles event will be $450. A 3-6-9 jackpot and a scratch high game jackpot also will be available. Entry fee is $40 per person for the team event, $15 for optional singles and $10 for the 3-6-9 and high-game jackpots. Handicap will be 90% of 225, with a maximum of 50 pins per game. Call 518-355-3606 for more information.

The next Amateur League Bowlers Association of New York tournament will be a doubles event Sunday at Uncle Sam Lanes in Troy at 9:30 a.m. First place will be $900 for the winning team, based on 45 teams. Entry fee is $90 per team. Handicap is 100% of 215, with a maximum of 75 pins per bowler per game. Call Jim Burton (518-209-4748) for more information.

Town & Country Lanes will host a five-game sweeper Sunday, with squads at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Entry fee is $30. Handicap is 90% of 225.

Also at Town & Country Lanes, their fourth annual 5-Man Baker Tournament is scheduled for Jan. 5 at 11 a.m. Entry fee is $150 per team. Format is 12 games to qualify, with the top six advancing to best-of-three match play. Top prize is $750, based on 20 teams. Handicap is 80% of 240.

The 26th annual Capital District 600 Clubs Tournament is set for Jan. 25 at noon at East Greenbush Bowling Center. Participants must be a member of the Electric City 600, Capital City 600 or Troy 600 Clubs. Entry forms are available at Boulevard Bowl, Sportsman’s Bowl and Towne Bowling Academy. Bowlers who have rolled a 600 triple and are not yet a member of the Electric City 600 Club should contact Marianne Hogle (518-393-8907).

MAJOR BOWLING

Chris Smith fired games of 279 and 289 en route to an 824 triple, and Zach Gravel fired a 280-791 for the featured performances in the Sportsman’s Majors Monday night at Sportsman’s Bowl.

Jeff Young delivered a 269-804 triple, Tony Palumbo ripped a 299-780, Joe VanDerLinden tossed a 277-778 and Jessica Aiezza led the women with a 266-725 in the Reis Group Kim Brown Memorial City league Monday night at Towne Bowling Academy.

B.J. Smith rolled a 268-993 four-game series, and Robin Fredenburgh tossed games of 277 and 276 en route to a 992 to pace the Frank DePalma Boulevard Classic Tuesday night at Boulevard Bowl.

Matt Swiatocha registered a 258-991 four-game series, and Lindsey McPhail shot a 943 to pace the women in the Reis Group Kim Brown Memorial Mixed Doubles league Wednesday night at Towne Bowling Academy.

REIS GROUP KIM BROWN MEMORIAL CITY LEAGUE
Standings
DeCrescente Distributing 27-12, Towne Bowling Academy 26-13, 20 North 25.5-13.5, Falvey Real Estate 24.5-14.5, J&F Lawn Care 24-15, Downs Roofing 24-15, Broadway Lanes 23-16, Vito Sindoni & Son 22.5-16.5, Mohawk Honda 20-19, Kristel Mechanic 17-22, Bedrock Construction 17-22, Rollarama 16-23, Boulevard Bowl 13.5-25.5, A Plus Heating 13-26, D&D Lawncare 11.5-27.5, Action Bowling Supply 7.5-31.5.
Match summaries
Boulevard Bowl (1)
P.J. Derenzo 204-233-217 — 654, Zach Strachan 256-163-190 — 609, Ken Wilkins 191-211-198 — 600, Derek Foti 220-225-207 — 652. Totals: 871-832-812 — 2,515.
Broadway Lanes (2)
Mark Ross 246-235-221 — 702, Helen Waite 206-236-211 — 653, Roy Vanderbogart 215-191-223 — 629, Justin Barcomb 162-222-255 — 639. Totals: 829-884-910 — 2,623.
———
J&F Lawn Care (1)
Jason Brown 289-216-181 — 686, Joe DeVellis 220-257-176 — 653, R.J. Martinez 215-250-226 — 691, Nick Stricos 178-237-235 — 650. Totals: 902-960-818 — 2,680.
20 North (2)
Marc LeClair 267-187-269 — 723, Kenny Livengood 223-247-207 — 677, Joel Donato 237-246-207 — 690, Tommy Donato 185-225-203 — 613. Totals: 912-905-886 — 2,703.
———
Falvey Real Estate (2)
Dan Auricchio 222-192-217 — 631, John Walther III 244-235-183 — 662, Jeff Young 267-269-268 — 804, Ron Unser 201-200-247 — 648. Totals: 934-896-915 — 2,745.
Mohawk Honda (1)
Ed Gumm 219-237-199 — 655, Chip Tashjian 192-224-217 — 633, Ken LaBelle Jr. 192-268-226 — 686, Mark Ray 196-256-227 — 679. Totals: 799-985-869 — 2,653.
———
Bedrock Construction (2)
Jim Geiger 207-235-226 — 668, Kris Impellizeri 248-236-173 — 657, Steve Wagoner 278-227-224 — 729, Eric Stangle 199-192-226 — 617. Totals: 932-890-849 — 2,671.
Rollarama (1)
Keith Lawyer 201-182-200 — 583, Dan Rotter 166-190-187 — 543, Craig Taylor 223-269-245 — 737, Tony Palumbo 234-247-299 — 780. Totals: 824-888-931 — 2,643.
———
Downs Roofing (2)
Chris Tinkle 179-163-225 — 567, Nick Barnes 201-226-226 — 653, Ryan Karabin 247-230-268 — 745, Billy Wigand 249-236-256 — 741. Totals: 876-855-975 — 2,706.
DeCrescente Distributing (1)
Jessica Aiezza 215-266-244 — 725, Mark Kuhlkin 184-204-244 — 632, Matt Kallner 258-248-239 — 745, Scott Rogers 164-256-192 — 612. Totals: 821-974-919 — 2,714.
———
Vito & Sindoni & Son (1)
Scott Chastenay 179-190-255 — 624, Mike DiCerbo 208-193-233 634, Rich Strath 164-223-203 — 590, Joe VanDerLinden 277-265-236 — 778. Totals: 828-871-927 — 2,626.
A Plus Heating (2)
Marc Fowler 263-216-223 — 702, Bob Faragon 214-224-214 — 652, Phil Kilmartin 236-279-227 — 742, Mike Nolan 224-225-224 — 673. Totals: 937-944-888 — 2,769.
———
D&D Lawncare (1)
Tom Rogers 162-212-202 — 576, Laura Rotter 200-231-258 — 689, Bill Judge 215-255-190 — 660, Carol Crandall 162-193-205 — 560. Totals: 739-891-855 — 2,485.
Towne Bowling Academy (2)
Tom Earl 232-246-248 — 726, Tom DiBell 226-195-213 — 634, Marty Capullo Jr. 219-199-256 — 674, Debbie Capullo 202-175-216 — 593. Totals: 879-815-933 — 2,627.
———
Kristel Mechanic (3)
Mel Kristel 190-204-181 — 575, Jeff Whitehouse 233-175-219 — 627, Ed White 226-216-213 — 655, Bryan Kelley 177-233-217 — 627. Totals: 826-828-830 — 2,484.
Action Bowling Supply (0)
Rit Fazzone 193-190-167 — 550, Bob Messick 138-201-211 — 550, Natasha Bidwell 199-211-215 — 625, Matt Fazzone 244-165-204 — 613. Totals: 774-767-797 — 2,338.

SPORTSMAN’S MAJORS
Standings
Muny Grille 39-13, Next Level Detailing 38-14, Metroland Photo 36-16, Madison Grille 39-22 Team No. 5 27-25, Mike’s Hot Dogs 27-25, Bob’s Pro Shop 26-26, Universal Auto Parts 25-27, Team No. 10 21-31, The Appliance Specialist 21-31, I.D.I.D. 16-36, Klonowski’s Pro Shop 6-46.
Match summaries
Team No. 10 (1)
Noah Burke 258-256-243 — 757, Cory Buckley 204-235-218 — 657, Tyler Mochrie 268-227-279 — 774, Bill Caufield 181-180-125 — 486. Totals: 911-898-865 — 2,574.
The Appliance Specialist (3)
Mike Liberatore 182-205-254 — 641, Melissa Bogholtz 204-289-169 — 662, Zach Gravell 246-280-265 — 791, Chris Fawcett 207-226-232 — 665. Totals: 839-1,000-920 — 2,759.
———
I.D.I.D. (4)
Tony Fernandez 210-206-190 — 606, Flash Gordon 171-161-210 — 542, Jim Valentino 167-202-194 — 563, A.J. Perone 258-203-259 — 720. Totals: 806-772-853 — 2,431.
Klonowski’s Pro Shop (0)
Doug Bywater 158-207-170 — 535, Ted Klonowski Jr. 148-148-204 — 500, Vince Simoni 211-201-158 — 570, Jim Petronis 178-168-227 — 573. Totals: 695-724-759 — 2,178.
———
Muny Grille (0)
Jay Diamond 183-221-192 — 596, Dave Bingham 244-226-236 — 706, John Musto Jr. 204-161-201 — 566, Jamie Diamond 256-233-214 — 703. Totals: 887-841-843 — 2,541
Next Level Detailing (4)
Tom Siatkowski 269-257-231 — 757, Jim Bassotti 215-243-233 — 691, Jim Parker 235-211-236 — 682, Matt Swiatocha 199-202-187 — 588. Totals: 918-913-887 — 2,718.
———
Metroland Photo (4)
Lee Quivey 211-213-150 — 574, Steve Renzi 236-22-195 — 651, Mike Gallitelli 234-269-193 — 696, B.J. Smith Jr. 224-232-268 — 724. Totals: 905-934-806 — 2,645.
Team No. 5 (0)
Christian Chiarito 160-223-172 — 555, Kalynn Carl 198-189-163 — 550, Bill Carl 269-237-215 — 721, Justin Carl 258-244-254 — 756. Totals: 885-893-804 — 2,582.
———
Madison Grille (3)
Nick Kallner 212-244-247 — 703, Eric Hilton 244-269-2190 — 723, Len Reyngoudt 217-191-234 — 642, Chris Mazone 199-268-215 — 682. Totals: 872-972-906 — 2,750.
Mike’s Hot Dogs (1)
Doug Semerad 256-235-192 — 683, Tammy Sader 219-215-181 — 615, Mike Giaquinto 238-195-205 — 638, Kevin Palmer 221-267-236 — 724. Totals: 934-912-814 — 2,660.
———
Universal Auto Parts (0)
Andy Smith 183-206-188 — 577, Dave Henderson 204-192-177 — 573, Chris Smith 279-289-256 — 824, Chris Fedden 187-187-173 — 547. Totals: 853-874-794 — 2,521.
Bob’s Pro Shop (4)
Fred McMahon 199-209-174 — 582, Brian Brown 183-225-247 — 655, Bob Tedesco Jr. 252-228-179 — 659, Mike Smith 276-247-233 — 756. Totals: 910-909-833 — 2,652.

FRANK DEPALMA BOULEVARD CLASSIC
Standings
Masons Automotive 50-20, Downs Roofing 47-23, Boulevard Bowl 42-28, Kalpro 36-34, Ledies 32-38, Town & Country Lanes 30-40, D.A. Parisi & Co. 30-40, Bye 13-57.
Match summaries
Bye (0)
No one bowled.
Downs Roofing (5)
Ryan Karabin 216-256-259-245 — 976, Tony Bianchi 203-228-212-205 — 848, Phil Kilmartin 213-195-190-231 — 829. Totals: 632-679-661-681 — 2,653.
———
Ledies (0)
Kathy Bryk 160-212-202-176 — 750, Mark Hansen 222-226-236-196 — 880, Dan Bryk 228-194-214-215 — 851. Totals: 610-632-652-587 — 2,481.
D.A. Parisi (5)
John Mecca 220-245-259-187 — 911, Jeff Williams 225-257-226-242 — 950, Ken Wilkins 245-231-246-213 — 935. Totals: 690-733-731-642 — 2,796.
———
Masons Automotive (4)
Ron Williams 218-298-199-179 — 894, Robin Fredenburgh 218-277-221-276 — 992, B.J. Smith Jr. 247-233-268-245 — 993. Totals: 683-808-688-700 — 2,879.
Town & Country Lanes (1)
Terry Ray 206-191-239-174 — 810, Anthony Scaccia 213-257-203-221 — 894, Bob Napier 185-215-249-198 — 847. Totals: 604-663-691-593 — 2,551.
———
Boulevard Bowl (5)
Mike Scaccia 226-184-243-248 — 901, Brian Hart 234-226-247-218 — 925, Derek Foti 298-204-225-248 — 975. Totals: 758-614-715-714 — 2,801.
Kalpro (0)
Keith Lawyer 223-183-193-192 — 791, Kyle Wilkins 254-206-237-201 — 898, Joe Carusone 204-221-216-198 — 839. Totals: 681-610-646-591 — 2,528.

REIS GROUP KIM BROWN MEMORIAL MIXED DOUBLES
Standings
Revolutions Pro Shop 196.5-103.5, DeCrescente Distributing 176-12, Strike & Spare Pro Shop 175.5-124.5, Sindoni Sausage 175-125, Capital District Mobile Vet 171-129, Next Level Detailing 163.5-136.5, A Touch of Country Florist 158.5-141.5, Solid Surface 158.5-141.5, Bellevue Builder 157.5-142.5, Towne Bowling Academy 156.5-143.5, Never Enough Performance 153-147, Sportsman’s Bowl 149-151, Boulevard Bowl 145.5-154.5, Jackie Goodell Keller Williams 134.5-165.5, Pete’s Auto Parts 132.5-167.5, 15 Church 132-168, 518 Auto 123.5-176.5,, Loyal Nutrition 117-183, GPC Solar Control 116.5-183.5, A Plus Heating & Cooling 105-195.
Match summaries
Loyal Nutrition (5)
Amber Dominic 218-203-185-205 — 811, Vinny Struffolino 143-201-194-192 — 858. Totals: 416-459-434-452 — 1,761.
518 Auto (15)
Kaitlyn Goodermote 211-191-162-264 — 828, Nick Barnes 204-170-258-213 — 845. Totals: 464-410-469-526 — 1,869.
———
GPC Solar Control (10)
Elizabeth Criscuolo 142-130-126-150 — 548, Gabe Criscuolo 237-280-223-198 — 938. Totals: 458-489-428-427 — 1,802.
A Plus Heating & Cooling (10)
Michelle Largeteau 125-118-135-149 — 527, Tony Pasquerella 246-223-150-169 — 788. Totals: 484-454-398-431 — 1,767.
———
Revolutions Pro Shop (17)
Lindsey McPhail 236-248-231-228 — 943, Rich Strath 279-247-209-203 — 938. Totals: 538-518-463-454 — 1,973.
DeCrecente Distributing (3)
Jessica Aiezza 202-258-217-215 — 892, Scott Rogers 219-279-185-181 — 864. Totals: 432-548-413-407 — 1,800.
———
Capital District Mobile Vet (7)
Chris Allen-Valenzuela 255-216-212-191 — 874, John Askew 216-195-235-207 — 853. Totals: 491-431-467-418 — 1,807.
Sindoni Sausage (13)
Jordan Byrnes 195-227-215-243 — 880, Joe VanDerLinden 242-247-211-184 — 884. Totals: 457-494-446-447 — 1,844.
———
Strike & Spare Pro Shop (16)
Jackie Malone 260-226-246-203 — 935, Craig Schoonmaker 258-258-194-245 — 955. Totals: 536-502-458-466 — 1,962.
A Touch of Country Florist (4)
Janelle Irwin 209-184-206-248 — 847, Steve Irwin 233-203-200-205 — 841. Totals: 481-426-445-492 — 1,844.
———
Towne Bowling Academy (3.5)
Debbie Capullo 201-212-213-215 — 841, Tony Palumbo 209-234-256-245 — 944. Totals: 436-472-495-486 — 1,889.
Next Level Detailing (16.5)
Kim Swiatocha 220-215-202-244 — 881, Matt Swiatocha 237-248-258-248 — 991. Totals: 485-491-488-520 — 1,984.
———
Sportsman’s Bowl (4)
Erika Poje 182-194-170-177 — 723, Joe Wolf 223-191-183-236 — 833. Totals: 452-432-400-460 — 1,744.
Solid Surface (16)
Cheyanne McPhail 226-214-183-219 — 842, Austin Zullo 205-223-235-186 — 849. Totals: 477-483-464-451 — 1,875.
———
Boulevard Bowl (3)
Lisa Rathbun-Read 181-175-227-178 — 761, Cliff Ruth 190-202-163-203 — 758. Totals: 420-426-439-430 — 1,715.
Bellevue Builder (17)
Ursula Pasquerella 235-237-200-237 — 909, Bill Nolan 189-215-187-234 — 825. Totals: 474-502-437-521 — 1,934.
———
Never Enough Performance (14)
Kate Clark 224-211-258-202 — 895, Dave McLear 213-213-213-210 — 849. Totals: 473-460-507-448 — 1,888.
Pete’s Auto Parts (6)
Jenn Schissler 236-209-203-197 — 845, Chuckie Schissler 199-216-202-180 — 797. Totals: 476-466-446-418 — 1,806.
———
Jackie Goodell Keller Williams (8)
Nicole D’Amario 127-236-182-148 — 693, Tom Rogers 244-187-226-193 — 850. Totals: 422-474-459-392 — 1,747.
15 Church (12)
Aliyah Liberatore 204-194-182-180 — 760, Ben Empie 145-199-158-242 — 744. Totals: 427-471-418-500 — 1,816.