Taped PBA Shows - Have they hurt TV rating? By John Jowdy
01/04/10
I am a die-hard PBA supporter. I sincerely believe the PBA is the most important promotional vehicle in the game. Yet, I have been rather disappointed in the first half of the 2009-10 season TV programs "The World Series of Bowling" that were taped in Detroit.
I am fully aware of the financial advantages gained by the PBA office, as well as the PBA players via this method of operation. However, I must confess, the first half of the past season was anything but exciting.
It may have been a huge financial success for the owners of the PBA; but inasmuch as I already knew the results of the shows, it certainly failed to arouse my interest. What it did accomplish was my concern for the Sunday morning shows.
Surely, there must be a method of the bowling presentations that can provide the anticipation and interest of the bowling audience. I am concerned about the attitudes of bowling fans and the effects of TV ratings on taped shows.
I am aware that results of these tournaments were withheld until they appeared on TV. Nevertheless, there are various means for learning the outcomes of these contests long before they are shown on television.
At any rate, some of the greatest stories in PBA bowling history occurred during the seven weeks of the taped events. To begin with, in the Motor City Open, Walter Ray Williams, the Ageless Wonder, added to his career titles in besting Chris Barnes, 238-230.
Second, Norm Duke continued his winning ways by capturing the PBA Cheetah Championship. He beat Ryan Ciminelli, one of the hottest players on the tour, 4 games to 1. Ciminelli, qualified for the 2009-10 season through the Tour Trials, and has served notice of his ability to compete with the big boys.
Third: Rhino Page won the PBA Viper Open denying Ryan Ciminelli his first title, 268-246. In the Women's Championship contest, Liz Johnson bested Lynda Barnes 211-196.
Fourth: Bill O'Neill finally recorded his long-awaited first title on the PBA Chameleon pattern by turning back Ronnie Russell, 205-192. In the ladies finals, Shannon Pluhowsky beat Carolyn Dorin-Ballard , 268-204.
Fifth: Mike DeVaney put on one of the most courageous performances in recent PBA history on the PBA Scorpion pattern. DeVaney, who had to sleep in his truck to meet expenses, turned back the internationally famous two-handed, no-thumb star, Jason Belmonte, 189-170. Shannon Pluhowsky won her second consecutive women's title in beating Liz Johnson, 197-177.
Sixth: Jack Jurek, won his first title in 14 years by defeating Mike Fagan, 10-8, following a 218-218 tie-game in regulation. In the Women's Championship final, Kelly Kulick defeated Carolyn Dorin-Ballard.
Seventh, but not least, was the incredible fairy-book tale of Tom Smallwood, a heretofore journeyman bowler from Saginaw, Michigan. Smallwood, a General Motors automobile employee, had been recently laid off due to the stressful economy. Given time to sharpen his game, he qualified for a PBA exemption through the Tour Trials.
His hard work ethic resulted in tremendous improvement, attested by his semifinal loss to Jason Belmonte in the PBA Scorpion Championship. Smallwood not only won the $60,000 top prize and PBA World Championship title; he toppled hot-handed Bill O'Neill, 211-159, then disposed of reigning Bowler of the Year, Wes Malott, 244-228; thus gaining a 2-year exemption on the PBA Tour.
Smallwood became the media darling with his startling victory and rags-to-riches story. He appeared on numerous national TV and radio shows and became an overnight celebrity.
The Pepsi Red White and Blue Open Tournament preceded the PBA World Championship event, held at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kansas. This was, in essence, a tournament featuring a regular "house condition". It was designed to display the scoring ability on house conditions, especially by professional bowlers.
And boy did the pros light it up! It took a 235 average to make the cut to the third qualifying round. After the first 16 games, Cassidy Schaub led the field with a 257.25 average. Wes Malott hit the cutoff number for 39th place. Pete Weber, who averaged 227.5, was far back in 66th place, and Mike Edwards was far down the list in 90th place with a 220 average!
There were 31 300 games recorded, toppling the previous record of 24.
The Red, White and Blue Open may have proven one thing. PBA bowlers are far superior to non-professional league bowlers as any die-hard bowling purist already knew, but a fact sometimes unfairly judged by less educated bowling fans.
Column
I am a die-hard PBA supporter. I sincerely believe the PBA is the most important promotional vehicle in the game. Yet, I have been rather disappointed in the first half of the 2009-10 season TV programs "The World Series of Bowling" that were taped in Detroit. I am fully aware of the financial advantages gained by the PBA office, as well as the PBA players via this method of operation. However, I must confess, the first half of the past season was anything but exciting.
It may have been a huge financial success for the owners of the PBA; but inasmuch as I already knew the results of the shows, it certainly failed to arouse my interest. What it did accomplish was my concern for the Sunday morning shows.
Surely, there must be a method of the bowling presentations that can provide the anticipation and interest of the bowling audience. I am concerned about the attitudes of bowling fans and the effects of TV ratings on taped shows.
I am aware that results of these tournaments were withheld until they appeared on TV. Nevertheless, there are various means for learning the outcomes of these contests long before they are shown on television.
At any rate, some of the greatest stories in PBA bowling history occurred during the seven weeks of the taped events. To begin with, in the Motor City Open, Walter Ray Williams, the Ageless Wonder, added to his career titles in besting Chris Barnes, 238-230.
Second, Norm Duke continued his winning ways by capturing the PBA Cheetah Championship. He beat Ryan Ciminelli, one of the hottest players on the tour, 4 games to 1. Ciminelli, qualified for the 2009-10 season through the Tour Trials, and has served notice of his ability to compete with the big boys.
Third: Rhino Page won the PBA Viper Open denying Ryan Ciminelli his first title, 268-246. In the Women's Championship contest, Liz Johnson bested Lynda Barnes 211-196.
Fourth: Bill O'Neill finally recorded his long-awaited first title on the PBA Chameleon pattern by turning back Ronnie Russell, 205-192. In the ladies finals, Shannon Pluhowsky beat Carolyn Dorin-Ballard , 268-204.
Fifth: Mike DeVaney put on one of the most courageous performances in recent PBA history on the PBA Scorpion pattern. DeVaney, who had to sleep in his truck to meet expenses, turned back the internationally famous two-handed, no-thumb star, Jason Belmonte, 189-170. Shannon Pluhowsky won her second consecutive women's title in beating Liz Johnson, 197-177.
Sixth: Jack Jurek, won his first title in 14 years by defeating Mike Fagan, 10-8, following a 218-218 tie-game in regulation. In the Women's Championship final, Kelly Kulick defeated Carolyn Dorin-Ballard.
Seventh, but not least, was the incredible fairy-book tale of Tom Smallwood, a heretofore journeyman bowler from Saginaw, Michigan. Smallwood, a General Motors automobile employee, had been recently laid off due to the stressful economy. Given time to sharpen his game, he qualified for a PBA exemption through the Tour Trials.
His hard work ethic resulted in tremendous improvement, attested by his semifinal loss to Jason Belmonte in the PBA Scorpion Championship. Smallwood not only won the $60,000 top prize and PBA World Championship title; he toppled hot-handed Bill O'Neill, 211-159, then disposed of reigning Bowler of the Year, Wes Malott, 244-228; thus gaining a 2-year exemption on the PBA Tour.
Smallwood became the media darling with his startling victory and rags-to-riches story. He appeared on numerous national TV and radio shows and became an overnight celebrity.
The Pepsi Red White and Blue Open Tournament preceded the PBA World Championship event, held at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kansas. This was, in essence, a tournament featuring a regular "house condition". It was designed to display the scoring ability on house conditions, especially by professional bowlers.
And boy did the pros light it up! It took a 235 average to make the cut to the third qualifying round. After the first 16 games, Cassidy Schaub led the field with a 257.25 average. Wes Malott hit the cutoff number for 39th place. Pete Weber, who averaged 227.5, was far back in 66th place, and Mike Edwards was far down the list in 90th place with a 220 average!
There were 31 300 games recorded, toppling the previous record of 24.
The Red, White and Blue Open may have proven one thing. PBA bowlers are far superior to non-professional league bowlers as any die-hard bowling purist already knew, but a fact sometimes unfairly judged by less educated bowling fans.
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