PBA Watch


The 2002-2003 schedule contains some of the old mixed with some things new

The PBA ownership has released its much anticipated 2002-2003 schedule on its website www.pba.com and the early reactions are good. When the PBA was recently purchased by the group of marketing and technology guru’s that includes Chris Peters and current President Steve Miller, the bowling community was skeptical to some degree. So far, all the moves for the group have been coming up roses. Membership in the PBA is up 20%, ratings are up 18%, visitors to the website are up, prize money is up, and TV coverage is as solid as it has been in a long time. These changes netted a 35% increase in entries last season. The decision last year to convert the PBA from a January-December season schedule, to a September-August schedule was met with some resistance. Now the fall season is upon us and the start of the new season is here with the first event to be held in October. Now bowlers will be able to follow the PBA as it coincides with that of the typical league season. The schedule is packed with events from October to the early spring. The goals of the schedule were three fold according to President Steve Miller. More consistency in time slots for the shows, a fair amount of arena setting finals, and the return of the once fabled Tournament of Champions. All three of the directives have been met according to statements by Miller, published on PBA.COM.

The season divides neatly in two halves of ten tournaments a piece. The first half kicks off the season in Wichita, KS and concludes in the magnificent Mohegan Sun Arena, where the Tournament of Champions will make a triumphant return as a PBA major event. The second half figures to be high drama with the ABC Masters, PBA World Championship, and the US Open on the docket, with the World Championship and the Masters finishing on an arena stage setting. The second half will begin with an arena final for the PBA Earl Anthony Classic.

In other PBA news, bad boy Pete Weber was honored with an ESPY in the Best Bowler category for his performance this past season on the PBA Tour. The historic night in sports has been awarding the ESPY in this category for the past eight years. Walter Ray Williams has won the honor 3 times (98, 99, 01) while other winners include Parker Bohn III ’00, Bob Learn ’97, Mike Aulby ’96, and Norm Duke ’95. Weber was the runner-up in the Player of the Year race to Parker Bohn III, but had a tremendous year marked by dramatic television performances that received much attention from mainstream sports media.