History lesson on soft balls - great article

[GeorgeF]

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1087795/1/index.htm

 

[craig]

i have seen the actual tournament the soaker ball was involved in

i think it was here

www.mrbowling300.com

alot of classic videos if you like the older stuff like i do

 

[steve jones]

Craig - whilst this is off topic - thanks for this connect link - just sensational - for someone of my age who grew up with all the early PBA stars. One of the more interesting is the 1970 Cougar Open - two lefties in Davis and McGrath - both good friends who we brought to Australia for the Melbourne Cup - at separate times of course. Mike struggled [he followed the first visitor who was Glenn Alison] but Davis of course smashed the tournament to bits - he also won a car for a 300 game in qualifying. Probably the most perfect leftrie from start to the line I have ever seen [well except George of course!]. There are many other clips I will get to over time - thanks again. Oh George - Don Mc was tossed out of at least 3 different motels during his first "soaking" activities - that stuff was as toxic as anything you can imagine [as Bill Taylor notes in the article]. Bill Taylor now there is a guy you could write about [good and bad] for a week.

 

[lovey]

Gee Jonsey short memory,didn't I compete against you in those days.How many hotels were we tossed out of, after your episode on the scotch. Quite a few I remember.
Lovey

 

[wchester]

One of the more interesting is the 1970 Cougar Open - two lefties in Davis and McGrath - both good friends who we brought to Australia for the Melbourne Cup - Davis of course smashed the tournament to bits - he also won a car for a 300 game in qualifying.

The fact/rumour that Davis set up the oiling procedure for that Melbourne Cup didn't hurt his chances any..

I have to agree that Dave Davis had the most perfect swing in bowling history.

 

[AdrianS]

You might be able to help me here Wayne, did Tommy Hudson blow up his motorhome because of this stuff?

 

[steve jones]

Lovell - MY episode with the Scotch - oh I see - I pay for it - and YOU drink it - and it's my fault!!

Wayne - you really are a lightweight - as Tournament Director of both MTC's that Dave Davis was in and along with Mike Rollo the person that organised his tour [and many others besides] - I can tell you for a fact that he went as close to being involved in setting the condition at Ringwood Lanes as you have chances of making personality of the year. Here is one of the greatest players ever - and one of the sports great gentleman - and you want to kick him with rumours - close enough to 30 years down the track. Nice work champ - nice work.

 

[craig]

if you were setting up a condition, you wouldnt set it up so u would use an lt-48 in the urethane era, and a 14lb one to boot

and why i refferred to it jonesy, was that, if you scroll down, the done mc cune video is the soaker ball demonstration http://www.mrbowling300.com/pba/mccune.htm

 

[steve jones]

..thx Craig - I see your point well done on the clip...and yes I recall that Dave was overcoming a problem and needed to use a 14lb ball [good memory you have] - and the LT48 was his selection for three reasons..

1. He was on Brunswick staff

2. It was of course a great ball

3. His lifelong touring room mate Johnny Petraglia had a little bit to do with it..

oh and #4........try as I might I couldn't get John P to come to Australia - of course he doesn't fly..sad - we could have delivered Johnny and probably 2 container loads of
LT48's at Ringwood Lanes and sold the lot. "Green Beret" and all as he was John didn't/doesn't take to flying at all.

S

 

[doug81]

Speaking of Petraglia, even he can use a bit of luck every now and then...

http://www.leechvideo.com/video/view1648683.html

 

[wchester]

You might be able to help me here Wayne, did Tommy Hudson blow up his motorhome because of this stuff?

I'm not sure it was Hudson's motorhome. in the back of my mind something tells me it may have been Larry Laub's.

 

[RobbieB]

Just a quibble - while I wouldn't wash with it, MEK is not particularly toxic. It is very flammable though.