Adopt A School program is striking lots of interest

All of them are on the dean's list at 38 of the Pinellas County elementary schools. Part of the students' reward is two hours of fun in the Adopt A School program at Sunshine Bowl and Seminole and Sunrise lanes.

The program was started by Jerry and Kenny Krauss 30 years ago after several schools approached the proprietors of the three centers about getting more youngsters into the sport.

The Krausses borrowed from the Miami model and, after many years of meager attendance, their program took off. It is so successful that the Bowling Proprietors Association of America recently introduced a national program.

Figure 50 children on average from each of the 38 county schools and you arrive at 1,900 bowlers. More than 100 are from Fuguitt Elementary. They hit the centers once a week for four weeks, roll two games -- shoes and lineage free -- enjoy refreshments and gain the attention of parents, teachers and chaperones. The youngsters -- ages 9-11 and from the third-fifth grades -- demonstrate the potential that could blossom into teachers, scientists and even professional bowlers.

"When we started the program, we didn't draw very many kids," administrator Kenny Krauss said, "but as the word got around, it eventually spread to the schools in middle and lower county.

"Even some upper county proprietors have called and asked about installing the program up there," Krauss said, "but that's as far as it goes ... phone calls."

Krauss greets the youngsters at the door, ushers them to the control desk for shoes, helps select 6-10-pound balls, assigns the proper lanes and gently implores the bowlers, "Please, don't run."

He keeps their stats, arranges schedules, acts as the kids' emcee and waves goodbye when they leave.

"It's the love of my life, and if I live another 50 years, I hope I'll be doing this," Krauss said.

On this day, participants from Bardmoor and Starkey elementaries met for their first challenge match -- a feature Krauss recently started to add some fun.

If the kids were going to challenge, then it followed that principals Ken MacKenzie of Bardmoor and Linda Nore of Starkey had to do so. Nore won over the more animated but less talented MacKenzie, and the Bardmoor bowlers beat their counterparts. Krauss held up two fingers.

"Put up the sign, put up the sign," he implored to gain the attention of the young participants. "This will be your first challenge match against each other, but don't worry who wins." There is no coaching, just recognition and fun, Krauss said.

Bumpers were opened on some lanes so the youngest of the bowlers would not be discouraged by channel balls. There were more "zeros" than "X's" on the scoring monitors, and spares were hard to hit. The approaches took a beating, as a strike brought yells and the mandatory joyful leaps.

"I got a strike! I got a strike!" shouted Bardmoor's Miriah McCaffery, 10, who brought her own ball.

Bardmoor's Johnny Thach, 10, was so into the game that Nore had to chase him off the approach several times.

"I've been on the dean's list since third grade," Thach said, "and I'm a pretty good bowler, too."

ABCWIBC: Lind's Classic of Milwaukee took over the Regular team lead with a score of 3,350, dropping Rob Bailey's Pro Shop No. 1, Sun Prairie, Wis., to second in the ABC Championships in Billings, Mont. In another change, Michael Hoffman, Verona, Wis., grabbed the Regular singles lead (791), one pin better than former front-runner Tony Zaccardo of Clifton Park, N.Y. Brian Hock and James Wagner, Channahon, Ill., are atop the Regular doubles (1,467). Russ and Rick Stevens, Clarion, Iowa, head the Classified division (1,232). The Classified team leader remains Pepsi of Hardin, Mont., (2,806). Bob Winston, Lexington, N.C., is in first in Classified singles (695). The tournament ends June 23.

More than 8,000 five-player squads are entered in the WIBC Championship, April 13-June 10 in Milwaukee. The prize fund is $1.7-million.

WHEELCHAIRS ON LINE: The second annual Richard Baker Memorial Wheelchair Tournament is Sunday at Seminole Lanes. The entry fee is $100 per four-person team. Baker was a longtime wheelchair bowler and officer of several wheelchair associations. Wheelchair players will not compete. Able-bodied participants will bowl from the chairs to emphasize the difficulties and achievements of wheelchair athletes.

AROUND THE LANES: Tom Daugherty rolled a 300-721 at AMF Kenneth City Lanes, and Matt Mayhew fired a 299-765. ... Mike Pittman won the Gladiator Tournament at Southland Lanes. ... Ron Mowbray recorded a 289-815 and Marty Murphy a 300 game and 299-834 at Liberty Lanes. ... Drew Beierlein posted a 300-734 at Seminole Lanes. Stan Lipton shot a 300-666 and Frank Barnett a 299-805. ... Tom Wheeler carded an 808 series at Rainbow Lanes. ... The annual meeting of the St. Petersburg Women's Association is noon Saturday at the PARC cafeteria.

-- Phil Gulick can be reached at xerxes8@msn.com.

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