Tues., May 15: Extended Entry Deadline for 7^th CUSBC Youth State Championships (June 23-July 29 in Orange Co.). For information call (415) 492-8880 or download form from www.CalUSBC.com.

Thurs., May 17: GEUSBC Youth Meeting, 5 p.m., AMF Southwest Lanes.

Wed., May 23: GEUSBC Board Meeting, 6 p.m., AMF Southwest Lanes.

The excitement started to brew back in mid-March when we heard that Joe Smith had won the District Finals down at AMF Riverside Lanes in Riverside. It was the same weekend as our GEUSBC Mixed City Tournament and the news spread quickly at AMF Southwest Lanes that Smith would be going on to Vegas to bowl in the record-breaking $700,000 AMF National In-League Tournament boasted as the “richest bowling tournament!”

This was the third year for this event and, according to AMF CEO and President Fred Hipp, “Our biggest and best yet. Once again, our league bowlers demonstrated an impressive level of skill and sportsmanship.”

New center general manager, James Blakely (formerly AMF Westchester’s Manager) is anxious to welcome new and returning bowlers to come bowl a Summer league at AMF Southwest Lanes. Blakely, who started his position on March 6, is joined by assistant managers Lorrie Piuser and Sarah Wilson. All three are available to help you with your league selections or find you teammates.

AMF Southwest Lanes – 3610 Wible Road – 834-2695 – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alibi No-Tap, Monday nights at 6:30 p.m., starts May 7, teams (any 4).

Superball Trio, Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m., starts May 8, teams (any 3).

Guys & Dolls, Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m., starts May 10, teams (any 4).

Bowled & Beautiful No Tap, Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m., starts May 15, teams (any 2).

--Bowling for Kids, “Summer Unplugged” Free bowling for kids all summer long! For kids 15 and under. All you have to do is register at www.freebowling.amf.com and you can print out free bowling vouchers.

--And, for up to four adults ages 16 and up can bowl for one low price with an AMF Summer Pass, just go to www.summerpass.amf.com to learn more!

--Weeknight Special: $10 unlimited bowling per person and shoe rental is included! Sunday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to close.

Congratulations to Nicole Tweedy, who emerged as the lone local youth bowler who qualifying number one and advancing to Sunday’s Stepladder Finals of the Pepsi State Finals this past weekend at Fountain Valley Bowl in Fountain Valley. Tweedy was competing in the 12-Up Girls Handicap Division. She ended up third seed and won her first match (185 + 76 = 261) against her opponent Vanessa Piring (165 + 72 = 237). She was defeated in her second match against second seed Alana Mycroft (192 + 58 = 250) against Tweedy (167 + 76 = 243) and ended up placing third!

Also competing from Bakersfield were Danielle Looney, Tyler Samora, Paul St. Laurent, and Adam Waybright.

For winter season league bowlers, the date of April 15 means more than our income tax deadline. It is also the date that has been the date for years that your new book average goes in. If you have 21 games or more in any of the leagues you bowled in since the start of winter season (early September), then you will have a book average reported. If you bowl in more than one league, all will be reported, but your highest average of 21 games or more will be the one that will be listed in the 2011-12 Average Book. This new book average is usually not used until the fall/2012 winter season comes around as it does take a month or so for all the league secretaries to report all their bowlers’ averages to their center and to our GEUSBC Association Manager, Nancy Weber.

This is an important time for your league secretary of all sanctioned leagues to be aware that it is their responsibility to report all their league bowlers’ average to the center they bowl at. All winter leagues are currently finishing up and because of all the end of season things a league secretary needs to do, this is why we give them a month to get this report in to center.

Also, an added note: If you are bowling in a State or National tournament in the near future, please be sure to check to make sure your 2011 Summer average that is listed on www.bowl.com is not any higher than what is listed in the current 2010-11 Average Book. If it is higher, you must report this when checking in to bowl or you may be disqualified. This is a new rule that was passed recently and a lot of bowlers do not realize it is now in effect.

This year’s USBC (United States Bowling Congress) National Convention has several new rules proposed that will be voted on. Here’s a few of what Delegates from all across the United States will be considering:

• New rule 106g: Requires the bowler on the right lane to make the first delivery when both bowlers have completed the same number of deliveries.
• Rule 113c/Special Contests: Requires games bowled in a playoff or special contest to count toward averages.
• Rule 118b/How Established: Allows the league’s board to adjust a player’s average upwards during the season with a two thirds vote.
• Rule 120/Position Matches: Defaults total pins plus handicap to be used to break ties for position matches for handicap leagues.
• Rule 319a/Conditions that Apply: Requires bowlers to use the highest of either their composite average of all leagues, or the bowler’s highest single league average of 21 games or more.
• Rule 319c/Average Adjustment (Rerating): Does not allow the tournament manager to request a bowler to report an average adjustment which was issued beyond the last 12 months.
• USBC Bylaws, Article III/Membership Dues: Changes the maximum USBC adult state dues from $1 to $3.
• USBC Bylaws, Article IV/Board of Directors: Removes the maximum limit on dues and allows the National Board to set National dues.
• USBC Bylaws, Article V/Merged State: Removes the maximum limit on State dues and allows the State Board to set dues for the association.
• USBC Bylaws, Article V/Merged Local: Removes the maximum limit on Local dues and allows the Local Board to set dues for the association.
• USBC Bylaws, Article IV/Membership and Dues: Removes the provision that membership purchased in a summer league receives next season’s membership.

Interesting items up for consideration. Last year they were trying to sell the composite average concept and it didn’t win the Delegates approval. They are trying again this year as well as to try and raise the membership dues at all three levels.

Now through the end of April, if you are a BrightHouse cable subscriber, please check out the “On a Tank Full” on Channel 300 as they did a feature on Bowling that features all three of our local bowling centers—AMF Westchester Lanes, AMF Southwest Lanes and Regency Bowling Center. Host Meathead introduces what is offered at all three centers and explains how someone who has never tried bowling can get into the sport. It is actually very good and features Cassie at AMF Westchester Bowl along with Mossman’s popular Fish ‘n Chips as well as senior bowler, Wilma Horner, being interviewed at AMF Southwest Lanes along with Robb’s Pro Shop owner Robb White and some strikes thrown by youth bowler Andrew Svoren.