Perfect game (bowling)

:otheruses3|perfect game (disambiguation)

A perfect game, also known as a 300 point game and sometimes simply as a "300", is the best score possible in Ten-pin Bowling. It consists of throwing 12 strikes in a row in a single game; one strike in each of the first nine frames, and three more in the tenth frame. Because a strike counts as ten points plus any pinfall in the next two balls, 30 points are possible in a given frame. In sanctioned league play, a 300-point game is usually commemorated with a ring, after the score is verified and the lane conditions are approved. Subsequent league 300s are denoted by setting "chips", or precious stones into the ring, so that skilled bowlers don't have to wear several rings. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) offers a "multiple" 300 ring for an additional fee that features the number of sanctioned 300 games for that bowler surrounded by stones. The ring can be returned to have the number changed as the bowler rolls additional perfect games. (For example: a bowler with a "3" set in the ring can have the number changed to a "4" after rolling his fourth 300 game.)

In casual play, a 300 game cannot be recognized officially by the Professional Bowlers Association, the United States Bowling Congress or any other organization, but may be honored by a "300 game" plaque, trophy, etc. sponsored by the local bowling center.

Historically, the 300 game was dauntingly difficult to achieve, but with the advent of new technology in the sport, beginning in the 1970s, it has become a slightly more feasible goal even for skilled amateur and semi-professional players. Such technological changes include the use of more "active" synthetic bowling pins, more forgiving lane conditions (especially on synthetic surfaces versus wood) that allow a greater margin for error, and most importantly, bowling balls with modern "reactive" coverstocks that allow greater hooking action and consequently better strike carry on less-than-perfect hits. "(See Ten-pin bowling for more information)." As a result, 300 games are somewhat commonplace, especially in professional play. For example, PBA professional Parker Bohn III has rolled 79 perfect games in PBA competition during his 20+ years on tour. [Parker Bohn III bio at www.pba.com]

A handful of 300 games have even been broadcast on live TV. Grazio Castellano of Brooklyn, NY was the first to roll a 300 game on live television. This occurred on October 4, 1953 during an Eastern All-Star league session at Newark, New Jersey. [Muskatevc, Eric. "Amateur's payday not too shabby." Article in "St. Petersburg Times", June 30, 2006.] (Castellano is a member of the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame.) A recent example of this came in October 2006 when England's Paul Moor became the first man to register a score of 300 in the Weber Cup, the annual Europe versus America team challenge event.

When Tony Reyes of the PBA accomplished a perfect game in a 2006 televised match, he secured a $10,000 (U.S.) cash bonus in addition to the tournament prize. Through 2008, there have been 18 televised 300 games on the PBA Tour, and two more on the Senior PBA Tour. The first 300 game in a televised PBA event was rolled by Jack Biondolillo in a semi-final match of the 1967 Tournament of Champions (broadcast by ABC). ["PBA History" at www.pba.com] The most recent was bowled by Ryan Shafer in an ESPN broadcast of the 2007 PBA Pepsi Championship.

An "800 series" (a three-game set with scores adding to 800 or above) is a more difficult feat to achieve than bowling a single perfect game because it requires more consistency and careful attention to the subtle changes in the lane conditions from shot-to-shot and game-to-game. However, in 1997, a "900 series" – or "perfect series" (three consecutive 300 games in league play) was officially recorded by collegiate bowler Jeremy Sonnenfeld. ["Ohio bowler rolls perfect 900 series." Article at USAToday.com, Feb. 14, 2006.] It was the first 900 series approved by the ABC (now USBC). Six previous 900 series had been reported, but all were rejected by the ABC for various reasons – mostly due to improper lane conditions. ["The 900 Series." Article at www.sunvalleylanes.com] As of August 27, 2008, the USBC lists 12 approved 900 series in the records area of its website (www.bowl.com).

Other bowling games

A 300-point game is also considered a perfect score in duckpin bowling and candlepin bowling. Both games use ten pins, but use smaller handheld balls, smaller-diameter pins, and the same pin spacing as standard tenpins; therefore, scoring is generally lower than tenpins. Because of this, no sanctioned perfect games have ever been recorded in the history of either duckpins or candlepins.

In five-pin bowling, native to Canada, 450 points is a perfect score. This score has been achieved, though less frequently than a 300 in tenpins.

Fiction

The concept of a perfect bowling game has been regularly used in fiction for either suspenseful or comedic effect. For example, In a fourth season episode of "Married… with Children", "Peggy Turns 300," Peggy bowls a perfect game immediately after Al breaks the record at their local alley.

In one "Flintstones" episode, an invisible Barney helps Fred bowl a "perfect game" by knocking/kicking aside all the pins whenever Fred bowls the ball.

In "The Simpsons" episode "Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder", Homer bowls a perfect game in a parody of "The Natural". Later, the baby Maggie also apparently bowls one.

In an episode of the Andy Griffith Show titled "Howard the Bowler", In a bowling match between Mayberry and Mt. Pilot, Howard is one strike away from a perfect game only to have the lights go out due to a power overload. He has a day to think about it before he tries for the final strike. They make bets on him bowling a perfect game, and when he returns he gets two practice frames before making his final attempt. Both are gutter balls, and Andy gets the guys to relinquish the bets, and with the relieved pressure Howard makes the final strike for a perfect game.

In a 2001 episode of the series "According to Jim", Jim (Jim Belushi) bowls the first 11 strikes of a game when the power goes out at the bowling center. It is the day before Thanksgiving, and the proprietor tells Jim he cannot get credit for a 300 game if he leaves and returns. Jim's wife Cheryl (Courtney Thorne-Smith) surprises Jim by bringing Thanksgiving dinner to the bowling center while he waits for the power to return. The power does come back, and Jim rolls the final strike to complete the 300 game.

In the "Family Guy" episode "Blind Ambition", Mort Goldman bowls a 300 game and becomes a local hero.

References

* [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bowling/2006-02-14-900-series_x.htm USAToday.com article, Feb. 14, 2006]
* [http://www.sunvalleylanes.com/900.htm The 900 Series - Jeremy Sonnenfeld]

ee also

*Elliot John Crosby - UK's youngest 300 shooter
*Chaz Dennis - US's youngest 300 shooter
*Golden Set in tennis
*Nine dart finish in darts
*Perfect game in baseball