In the Pocket: Kallner never lost his scoring touch

Photo providedJeff Kallner — PHOTOGRAPHER:

Photo provided
Jeff Kallner

Smooth-rolling Jeff Kallner knows all about precise timing and fundamentals. After all, he’s a former golf professional, and there are a lot of similarities between skill-dominated athletic pursuits on the lanes and on the links.

Although he gave up bowling for 15 years, Kallner never lost his scoring touch, as evidenced by his card-leading 280-764 in the season opener for the Capital District All Star league last Thursday night at Sportsman’s Bowl. The 47-year-old Colonie High School product recently upgraded his equipment, and that could mean more headlines for the owner/president of J.A. Kallner Enterprise at FedEx Ground.

“I had Matt Fazzone [Action Bowling Supply pro shop operator at Towne Bowling Academy] drill me up some new balls. His pro shop is tremendous,” Kallner said. “He’s very professional, and he knows everything there is to know about my game. We bowl together often. He drilled me up some equipment that matches up with my game.”

Kallner said he’s used Storm and Roto Grip equipment since he was a sophomore in high school. He’s now using a Storm Electrify, Phaze II, Phaze III and the Wild Streak.

“I like to play the middle of the lane most of the time, but I can play the lanes straight if I have to,” Kallner said. “The weaker part of my game is definitely playing straight. When I have the ability to move inside and shoot from left to right, I’m the most dangerous. I like seeing the ball hook. I don’t throw it hard, maybe 15.5 mph, but I’m most accurate when I can get the ball to the same break point.”

Kallner comes from a bowling family, so it’s no surprise that he picked up a ball early and began to excel.

“My whole family bowled. My cousins bowl, my uncle, father and Mom bowled. I grew up at Del running around the lanes and watching my family bowl, and then I bowled the junior travel leagues out of Redwood. I learned the game from my father and my brother. I think I bowled a lot more with my brother, who really got me into league bowling,” Kallner said.

Kallner competed for three years on the varsity bowling team at Colonie and then joined the senior leagues when he was a senior.

“I first got to see most of the best bowlers in the area compete at Action Lanes,” he said. “I was fortunate to see all those great bowlers compete in the classic leagues over there. I watched Kenny Hall, Mark Hilton, Hugo McGroty, Ron Priester and Brian Almindo. I saw all the best bowlers in those years.”

Despite watching the cream of the crop in those early years, Kallner never considered copying any of their styles.

“I never tried to emulate anybody locally, but when I was younger, I liked watching Amleto Monacelli when the PBA Tour was on every Saturday. I liked watching people who cranked the ball,” Kallner said. “I took bits and pieces of the people I saw bowl on the PBA Tour. I think when I was 13 or 14 I bore down and learned how to throw the ball with the correct hook release. It all depends on the house. Some are more forgiving when you throw the ball further to the right. Other places, that have more of a sport shot, you can’t get away with that. You’ve got to keep the angles in front of you. I try not to get the ball any further right than the fifth or fourth board at Sportsman’s Bowl.”

Kallner estimates he has roughly 45 perfect games and 15 to 20 800 triples to his credit. He once averaged 235 or 236 for a couple of seasons. His best triple was an 854 at Sportsman’s Bowl.

“My physical game is not what it was when I was younger,” Kallner admitted. “I was a typical, head strong kid who thought he knew everything. If I could tell that kid a few things that I know now, I would have been a lot better a lot sooner and for a lot longer.

“You learn to take the good with the bad. The equipment has changed over the last 25 years. Bowling balls are so strong now that they make up for what you may lack physically.

“Most nights, I bring six bowling balls to the lanes, but for some tournaments, I may bring nine bowling balls. The lanes transition so quickly, and they break down faster than the old days on longer oil. You almost have to make a ball change for your first adjustment these days. I threw up making moves on the lanes with speed and direction, but sometime you just have to adjust wit h a new bowling ball now.”

Kallner said he no longer tries to fight his ball reaction. He said it took him a few years to understand how to make the correct changes.

“It was hard to retrain myself,” he said.

Kallner said he’s rolled back-to-back perfect games in his career and has thrown his share of big numbers, but he doesn’t bowl in a lot of competitive tournaments.

“I did bowl in a couple of NEBAs [New England Bowling Association] events, but I’ve got young kids, and I work long hours. It’s hard for me to practice enough to stay sharp enough for those kinds of tournaments,” Kallner said.

As for his golf career, Kallner had to make a decision to quit his club-pro career for more family time.

“I was a golf pro for about 10 years when I was younger,” he said. “I worked at McGregor Links for about five years, and I started out working at Orchard Creek for Peter Gerard when that place first opened up. Then I worked at the old Albany Municipal for a couple of years.

“But when one of my sons was pursuing a pro baseball career, it was harder for me to be working every weekend and not be able to watch him, so I got out of that business and started working in a business with more flexible hours and weekends off.

“I don’t play that much golf anymore,” said Kallner, who has four holes-in-one. “At one point, I was a scratch golfer. I shot a 67 at McGregor for my official low round. Now, I sneak out occasionally with Matt Fazzone and play from time to time.”

REMEMBERING BOOTH

Since it happened during the bowling shutdown created by COVID-19, the loss of longtime bowling standout Dennis Booth was off the area radar.

Booth died last May after a stellar career on the lanes. The longtime NYS Thruway Department employee was still averaging 220 at Sportsman’s Bowl at age 75. He used to bowl in six leagues over five nights in his prime.

The lefty from Colonie owned nine perfect games and six 800 triples. He once averaged as high as 231 at the now defunct Rolling Greens. He bowled at other now closed centers like Revere Lanes, Mont Pleasant Lanes, Sunset Recreation and Woodlawn Lanes. Perhaps his most notable achievement was earning three scoring average titles in the Schenectady League when it competed at Rolling Greens.

STRIKES & SPARES

Liz Kuhlkin will be a member of the PBA League’s Miami Waves this season, with seeding matches beginning this weekend in Centreville, Virginia. Kuhlkin’s Miami team is one of two all-female squads in the 12-team league. Rounding out the Waves’ lineup will be Dasha Kovalova, Danielle McEwan, Clara Guerrero and Missy Parkin.

The Blizzard Bowl, which was interrupted by the pandemic last March, will hold two more squads at Boulevard Bowl: this Sunday and Oct. 4, each at 1 p.m.

All three Schenectady USBC Bowling Association centers are looking for bowlers to fill leagues. If interested in joining a league, call Boulevard Bowl (518-374-4171), Sportsman’s Bowl (518-355-4330) or Towne Bowling Academy (518-355-3939).

The Albany TNBA’s Trios Tournament will be held Oct. 24-25 at Towne Bowling Academy. Bowlers must be Albany TNBA members to compete.

Green Island Lanes continues to host for the 33rd annual Charlie Bechard Memorial Tournament for seniors age 50 and older. Entry fee is $25. Remaining squads are Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. 30. All squads begin at noon. Divisions will be Class A (age 50-60), Class B (61-71) and Class C (72 and older). Call 518-640-8330 for more information

The first Amateur League Bowlers Association of New York (A.L.B.A.N.Y.) tournament of the season will be held Nov. 1 at Sportsman’s Bowl. More details will be available soon.

Sportsman’s Bowl and Chris Fawcett are holding a special elimination “Sweeper” Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. Entry fee is $30. There will be a three-game qualifier, with half the field bowling another game and the field being cut in half until the final two bowlers remain. Walk-ins will be allowed until 10 minutes before the tournament starts. There will be 50-50 raffles and $5 jackpots available. For more information, contact Fawcett (518-852-9372) or by Facebook messenger, or Sportsman’s Bowl (518-355-4330). Payments will be accepted in cash only.

Another reminder for the Schenectady USBC Bowling Association Board of Directors that their first meeting of the season will be Sunday at 5 p.m. at the District 6 Firehouse at 6 Old Mariaville Road, Schenectady, NY, 12306.

Kingpin’s Alley Family Fun Center in South Glens Falls is offering a Scratch Baker Doubles tournament Oct 17 at noon and 4 p.m. with the finals set for the next day at 10 a.m. There will be an eight-game qualifier, followed by round-robin match play. Entry fee is $160 per team, with the winning tandem guaranteed $2,500. One in six teams advance to the finals from each qualifying squad. Call 518-793-9606 for more information.

Town & Country Lanes has announced a special Sweeper Series on Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 13. Entry fee is $40 per event, which starts at 10 a.m. each day. There will be a 60-bowler limit. Four bowlers will bowl on one pair, and handicap will be 90% of 215. There also will be a membership fee of $5. Top prize will be $240.

MAJOR BOWLING

PWBA member Liz Kuhlkin slammed a 300 game en route to a 791 triple, Ken LaBelle Jr. ripped a 767 and Nick Stricos shot a 749 as the Reis Group Kim Brown Memorial City League opened its season Monday night at Towne Bowling Academy.

B.J. Smith Jr. produced a 279-786, Jay Diamond rolled a 269-762, Chris Fawcett recorded a 278-761 and Tammy Sader shot a 258-761 for the opening-night highlights in the Sportsman’s Majors Monday night at Sportsman’s Bowl.

P.J. Derenzo pounded a 938, and Mike Scaccia fired a 905 to lead the Frank DePalma Boulevard Classic Tuesday night at Boulevard Bowl.

John Askew produced a 279 game and 809 triple during a 1,046 four-game series, Tom Rogers fired a 279-1,031, Cliff Ruth tossed a 289-1,017 and Lindsey McPhail rolled a 280-1,019 to power a high-scoring card in the Reis Group Kim Brown Memorial Mixed Doubles league Wednesday night at Towne Bowling Academy.

Dan Bryk shot a 279-964 four-game series, while Nick Natoli (247-934), Dave Pangburn (235-907) and Tim Grant (237-906) also hit the 900 mark in the Amsterdam Men’s City league Monday night at Imperial Lanes in Amsterdam.

REIS GROUP KIM BROWN MEMORIAL CITY LEAGUE

Standings
Team 12 3-0, J&F Lawn Care 3-0, DeCrescente Distributing 3-0, 20 North 3-0, Vito Sindoni & Son 3-0, Team 13 3-0, Action Bowling Supply 2-1, Downs Roofing 1-2, Towne Bowling Academy 0-3, Team 4 0-3, Team 8 0-3, Team 5 0-3, Rollarama 0-3, D&D Lawncare 0-3.
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Match summaries
Downs Roofing (1)
Chris Tinkle 175-150-118 — 443, Nick Barnes 169-190-190 — 549, Ryan Karabin 202-268-231 — 701, Bill Wigand 255-256-215 — 726. Totals: 801-864-754 — 2,419.
Action Bowling Supply (2)
Rit Fazzone 171-177-185 — 533, Bob Messick 234-203-186 — 623, Natasha Bidwell 237-164-187 — 588, Matt Fazzone 279-227-234 — 740. Totals: 921-771-792 — 2,484.
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DeCrescente Distributing (3)
Jessica Aiezza 166-267-187 — 620, Mark Kuhlkin 245-192-244 — 681, Scott Rogers 225-226-216 — 667, Liz Kuhlkin 248-243-300 — 791. Totals: 884-928-947 — 2,759.
Team 4 (0)
Marc Fowler 207-279-234 — 720, Cassius Boyd 267-219-2903 — 680, Chris Jones 178-236-197 — 611, Chad Propper 179-181-178 — 538. Totals: 831-906-812 — 2,549.
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Team 5 (0)
Vinny Struffolino 130-257-159 — 546, Nick DiCerbo 184-203-233 — 620, Jackie Malone 185-210-187 — 582, Bob Faragon 234-231-222 — 687. Totals: 733-901-801 — 2,435.
20 North (3)
Chris Radliff 190-190-190 — 570, Kenny Livengood 221-268-247 — 736, Joel Donato 269-235-233 — 737, Tommy Donato 226-258-188 — 672. Totals: 906-951-858 — 2,715.
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J&F Lawn Care (3)
Jason Brown 246-193-223 — 662, RJ Martinez 235-202-269 — 706, Nick Stricos 236-277-236 — 749, Steve Hallenbeck 225-223-213 — 661. Totals: 942-895-941 — 2,778.
Team 8 (0)
Dwayne Coonrad 206-172-247 — 625, Paul Dumas 221-219-202 — 642, Rick Speckhardt 210-191-181 — 582, Steve Wagoner 212-225-211 — 648. Totals: 849-807-841 — 2,497.
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Vito Sindoni & Son (3)
Scott Chastenay 190-222-214 — 626, Mike Dicerbo 202-225-191 — 618, Rich Strath 146-258-237 — 641, Joe VanDerLinden 248-224-239 — 711. Totals: 786-929-881 — 2,596.
D&D Lawncare (0)
Karrie Blake 193-168-194 — 555, Laura Rotter 138-190-190 — 518, Bill Judge 211-222-230 — 663, Carol Crandall 197-206-230 — 633. Totals: 739-786-844 — 2,369.
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Towne Bowling Academy (0)
Tom Earl 232-235-236 — 703, Tom DiBell 195-214-215 — 624, Marty Capullo Jr. 180-222-157 — 559, Deb Capullo 205-266-259 — 730. Totals: 812-937-867 — 2,616.
Team 12 (3)
Ken Wilkins 193-254-216 — 663, Brandon Wolf 242-237-231 — 710, Don Herrington 222-218-279 — 719, Ken LaBelle Jr. 240-258-269 — 767. Totals: 897-967-995 — 2,859.
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Team 13 (3)
Tom Rogers 187-158-199 — 544, Chuck Schissler 236-199-236 — 671, Ronnie Zadrozny 243-278-255 — 731, Gabe Criscuolo 209-206-182 — 597. Totals: 830-841-872 — 2,543.
Rollarama (0)
Ryan Gahan 212-203-218 — 633, Keith Lawyer 166-206-206 — 578, Dan Rotter 207-201-198 — 606, Tony Palumbo 199-210-198 — 607. Totals: 784-820-820 — 2,424.

SPORTSMAN’S MAJORS

Standings
Mike’s Hot Dogs 4-0, Klonowski’s Pro Shop 4-0, Muny Grille 3-1, Metroland Photo 3-1, Next Level Detailing 3-1, The River Road House 2-2, The Appliance Specialist 2-2, Universal Auto Parts 1-3, Team 10 1-3, Bob’s Pro Shop 1-3, IDID 0-4, Team 12 0-4.
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Match summaries
The River Road House (2)
Bill Carl 233-189-226 — 648, Kalynn Carl 194-234-222 — 650, John Leone 212-248-235 — 695, Justin Carl 214-246-218 — 678. Totals: 853-917-901 — 2,671.
The Appliance Specialist (2)
Melissa Bogholtz 225-233-215 — 673, Steve Fawcett 171-213-218 — 602, Zach Gravell 191-205-211 — 607, Chris Fawcett 278-225-258 — 761. Totals: 865-876-902 — 2,643.
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Universal Auto Parts (1)
Andy Smith 216-209-226 — 651, Bill Heaphy III 231-218-246 — 695, Chris Smith (absent) 226-226-226 — 678, Chris Fedden 225-225-192 — 642. Totals: 898-878-890 — 2,666.
Metroland Photo (3)
Lee Quivey 268-214-173 — 655, Steve Renzi 182-202-220 — 604, Mike Galitelli 224-254-161 — 639, BJ Smith Jr. 279-259-248 — 786. Totals; 953-929-802 — 2,684.
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IDID (0)
Tony Fernandez (absent) 197-197-197 — 591, Flash Gordon 148-202-190 — 540, Jim Valentino 181-232-189 — 602, AJ Perone 258-195-245 — 698. Totals: 784-826-821 — 2,431.
Mike’s Hot Dogs (4)
Doug Semerad 223-223-211 — 657, Tammy Sader 257-258-246 — 761, Rich Rogaski 180-246-201 — 627, Kevin Palmer 213-186-180 — 579. Totals: 873-913-838 — 2,624.
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Bob’s Pro Shop (1)
Christian Chiarito 194-185-177 — 556, Earl Lawrence Jr. 253-223-268 — 744, Bob Tedesco Jr. 169-213-234 — 616, Mike Smith 200-198-211 — 609. Totals: 816-819-890 — 2,525.
Next Level Detailing (3)
Mike Guidarelli 228-220-215 — 663, Jim Bassotti 228-233-194 — 655, Jim Parker 216-268-256 — 740, Matt Swiatocha 179-202-181 — 562. Totals: 851-923-846 — 2,620.
———
Muny Grille (3)
Jay Diamond 228-269-265 — 762, Dave Bingham 233-240-211 — 684, John Musto Jr. 220-253-225 — 698, Jamie Diamond 279-279-177 — 735. Totals: 960-1,041-878 — 2,879.
Team 10 (1)
Joe DiBiase 213-268-246 — 727, Joe O’Toole 239-167-188 — 585, Cory Buckley 208-199-255 — 662, Tyler Mochrie 206-224-193 — 623, Totals: 857-858-882 — 2,597.
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Klonowski’s Pro Shop (4)
Jason Lott 214-208-214 — 636, Ted Klonowski Jr. 189-185-193 — 567, Jackie Noble 203-224-181 — 608, Jim Petronis 214-242-203 — 659. Totals: 820-859-791 — 2,470.
Team 12 (0)
Jason Deitz 129-178-146 — 453, Harley Stefanick 196-202-162 — 560, Ernest Laduke Jr. 150-214-138 — 502, Vacant 200-200-200 — 600. Totals: 675-794-646 — 2,115.

FRANK DEPALMA BOULEVARD CLASSIC

Standings
D.A. Parisi & Co. 9-1, Downs Roofing 8-2, Derenzo’s Tax Service 5-5, Boulevard Bowl 4-6, Kalpro 2-8, Masons Automotive 2-8.
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Match summaries
Downs Roofing (4)
Ryan Karabin 203-222-186-172 — 783, Tony Bianchi 245-182-201-268 — 896, Phil Kilmartin 237-236-183-170 — 826. Totals: 685-640-570-610 — 2,505.
Masons Automotive (1)
Zach Mecca 171-195-199-164 — 729, Robin Fredenburgh 184-236-200-186 — 806, Amy Janetsky-Smith 167-203-205-168 — 743. Totals: 522-634-604-518 — 2,278.
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Kalpro (2)
Keith Lawyer 196-195-247-217 — 855, Kyle Wilkins 144-210-160-155 — 669, Joe Carusone 199-224-219-237 — 879. Totals: 539-629-626-609 — 2,403.
Boulevard Bowl (3)
Mike Scaccia 178-245-203-279 — 905, Brian Hart 188-182-196-259 — 825, Larry Janetsky 168-202-172 — 542, Derek Foti 190 game. Totals: 556-595-601-710 — 2,462.
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D.A. Parisi & Co. (4)
John Mecca 236-225-151-238 — 850, Jeff Williams 202-224-215-144 — 785, Ken Wilkins 212-227-216-228 — 883. Totals: 650-676-582-610 — 2,518.
Derenzo’s Tax Service (1)
P.J. Derenzo 169-278-245-246 — 936, Spark Derenzo 152-187-238-202 — 779, Bob Tuttle 195-193-201-157 — 746. Totals: 516-658-684-605 — 2,463.

REIS GROUP KIM BROWN MEMORIAL MIXED DOUBLES

Standings
Boulevard Bowl 34.5-5.5, Team 11 34-6, Team 19 33-7, Team 13 33-7, Team 6 31.5-8.5, Team 14 23-17, Team 5 22.5-17.5, Towne Bowling Academy 21-19, Team 16 20-20, Team 17 19-21, Team 9 18.5-21.5, Team 20 18-22, Next Level Detailing 17-23, Team 8 16-24, Team 4 15-25, Team 10 14-26, Team 1 10-30, Team 3 8-32, Team 12 6-34, Team 15 6-34.
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Match summaries
Team 3 (1)
Jenn Schissler 192-201-191-202 — 786, Chuckie Schissler 199-202-170-190 — 761. Totals: 437-449-407-438 — 1,731.
Team 11 (19)
Kris Impellizzeri 185-213-213-226 — 837, Scott Rogers 259-247-227-216 — 949. Totals: 467-483-463-465 — 1,878.
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Next Level Detailing (2)
Kim Swiatocha 181-225-211-277 — 894, Matt Swiatocha 227-237-227-236 — 927. Totals: 434-488-464-539 — 1,925.
Team 13 (18)
Kate Clark 221-257-267-225 — 970, Jamie Duncan 202-220-235-268 — 925. Totals: 472-526-551-542 — 2,091.
———
Team 9 (5.5)
Kaitlyn Barnes 185-220-215-191 — 811, Nick Barnes 167-248-258-241 — 914. Totals: 397-513-518-477 — 1,905.
Boulevard Bowl (14.5)
Lisa Rathbun-Read (absent) 193-193-193-193 — 772, Cliff Ruth 225-247-289-256 — 1,017. Totals: 463-485-527-494 — 1,969.
———
Team 17 (19)
Ursula Pasquerella 217-224-214-179 — 834, Joe Venduro 236-224-215-209 — 884. Totals: 493-488-469-428 — 1,878.
Team 12 (1)
Janelle Irwin 236-193-206-184 — 819, Steve Irwin 185-211-198-171 — 765. Totals: 455-438-438-389 — 1,720.
———
Team 5 (16)
Jackie Malone 214-245-224-194 — 877, Paul Dumas 202-200-188-214 — 804. Totals: 448-477-444-440 — 1,809.
Team 15 (4)
Amber Dominic 214-191-171-184 — 760, Vinny Struffolino 206-181-155-171 — 713. Totals: 469-421-375-404 — 1,669.
———
Team 8 (15)
Elizabeth Criscuolo 172-104-147-136 — 559, Gabe Criscuolo 232-173-180-245 — 830. Totals: 480-353-403-457 — 1,693.
Team 1 (5)
Michelle Largeteau 128-105-115-149 — 497, Zach Porter 187-215-190-164 — 756. Totals: 386-391-376-384 — 1,537.
———
Team 4 (2)
Erika Poje 202-224-195-189 — 810, Joe Wolf 193-227-176-148 — 744. Totals: 442-498-418-384 — 1,742.
Team 19 (18)
Liz Kuhlkin 247-243-255-236 — 981, Joe VanDerlinden 246-267-173-202 — 888. Totals: 495-512-430-440 — 1,877.
———
Team 20 (13)
Chris Allen-Valenzuela 143-174-210-210 — 737, John Askew 279-263-267-237 — 1,046. Totals: 445-460-500-470 — 1,875.
Team 10 (7)
Renee Earl 161-161-176-199 — 697, Tom Earl 215-252-247-265 — 979. Totals: 413-450-460-501 — 1,824.
———
Towne Bowling Academy (2)
Debbie Capullo 227-246-235-216 — 924, Ryan Gahan 197-216-212-266 — 891. Totals: 449-487-472-507 — 1,915.
Team 6 (18)
Lindsey McPhail 236-280-245-258 — 1 ,019, Don Herrington 247-258-216-244 — 965. Totals: 503-558-481-522 — 2,064.
———
Team 16 (2)
Aliyah Liberatore 169-163-203-196 — 731, Ben Empie 146-212-179-225 — 762. Totals: 391-451-458-497 — 1,797.
Team 14 (18)
Kelly Chrzanowski 219-212-206-201 — 838, Tom Rogers 246-279-247-259 — 1,031. Totals: 513-539-501-508 — 2,061.

AMSTERDAM MEN’S CITY LEAGUE

Standings
Skyview Lounge 14-4, JLD 14-4, RJ Sheetmetal 12-6, Excellent Autos 9-9, Team Bryk 9-9, Imperial Lanes 9-9, Liberatore Electric 8-10, Team Majewski 7-11, Team Mason 4-14, Team Shultz 4-14.
Leaderboard
Dan Bryk 279-964, Nick Natoli 247-934, Dave Pangburn 235-907, Tim Grant 235-906, Mike Misseno 280-881, Tony Cosentino 228-879, Chris Kelly 238-859, Billy McGaffin 237-852, Justin Lansing 236-848, Mark Majewski 247-843.

Reach Bob Weiner at [email protected] or @BobWeiner58 on Twitter.