Citrus: A 300 comes late to top bowler

A 300 comes late to top bowler

Mark Smith had two 800s and a 299, but never a perfect game. Now he does.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH

Mark Smith had come as close to a perfect game as possible without achieving it.

An avid bowler for 20 years, he has two 800 series and threw a 299 game during league play earlier this season.

After all those years of close-but-no-cigar, Smith had come to believe he would never throw the perfect game.

He was wrong.

On the final night of his Wednesday Night Men's league at Parkview Lanes recently, Smith rolled his first 300. It came during the first of three games. Most of the league's bowlers were watching when he rolled a Brooklyn on the 11th ball, then capped it off with a perfect pocket hit.

"There was nothing different that night," Smith said. "It was just a normal night of bowling."

In fact, Smith's biggest concern was not for himself, but for his team.

"I was actually fairly calm because we needed to try to win the game for the points for the season, so that was on my mind," said Smith, 44. "My first thought was points for the team. But we ended up losing anyway."

Smith bowls in a Monday night league at Parkview Lanes, but began bowling in the Wednesday league three-quarters into the season. On his 299 earlier in the season, he missed on the 7-pin..

As the 300 game progressed and it became apparent Smith was on a roll, he said the people around him helped keep things fairly normal.

"We were actually laughing, standing around and having a good time," he said. "Everybody kept it light even though they were all watching. I was nervous, no doubt."

Smith said he didn't think the perfect game would be a reality until it finally happened.

"I felt like a 10-pin would stand because it always had in the past, so I figured it would again," he said. "I've been so close too many times and too many pins didn't fall."

Smith said his first thought after completing the game was, "It's about time."

With all the celebration and excitement, Smith bowled poorly on the second game, but bounced back for a 703 series on the night.

"It's a relief for me because I never thought it would happen," he said.

JUST MISSED IT: While Smith finally got his perfect game, Parkview Lanes owner C.H. Crockett is still in search of his.

Crockett, who rolled a 299 game last summer, came close again recently during the Wednesday Night Men's league.

In the third game of the night, he nailed 11 consecutive strikes, but a Brooklyn hit on the final ball ended any hopes of attaining that elusive perfect game. He finished with a 298.

His consolation: The 234-237-298-769 was the highest sanctioned series in Crockett's career.

SATURDAY SESSIONS: This Saturday will mark the debut of the Saturday special at Manatee Lanes. Bowling will be at 12:30 p.m. and the cost is $6 per week, which includes coffee, treats, colored pins and cash prizes.

Suzie "Q" will be on hand to help make sure bowlers enjoy the afternoon.

Manatee Lanes' Rock 300 Family Fun Night is under way with bowling every Monday from 6 p.m. to midnight. Every member of the family can bowl for $1.75 per game, and music and snack bar specials are included. Hot dogs, large sodas and draft beer will be $1. For more information, call 795-4546.

SMOKE-FREE BOWLING: Already smoke-free before 6 p.m. every day, Parkview Lanes will have a smoke-free league on Wednesday nights this summer. The nine-pin, no-tap league will bowl at 7 p.m. and the cost will be $10 per night.

Another nine-pin, no-tap league will bowl on Tuesdays at 7 p.m., and regular leagues will be bowling on Mondays at 7:15 p.m, Wednesdays at 1 p.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays (two leagues) at 6:30 and 9 p.m.

The Holder Hotshots will begin their league on June 8 at 7 p.m.

To register for league play or for more information, call (352) 489-6933.