A Sweet Return to Victory

STATEN ISLAND, NY

Another beautiful fall day kicked off The Sweetness Open at Rab’s in Staten Island, New York.

Leading into the event was a busy morning. Packets were packed, trophies sat glistening in the sun, but texts, phone calls and faxes were coming in non-stop - people clamoring to join the league and the day’s event at the last minute. “We’ll take ‘em!” Dan Derwin, co-commissioner of the league screamed at his intern fielding the messages. In the end, with over 50 attendees it yielded one of the highest attended season openers of all time. Not just in mediocre bowling history, but in all sports, anywhere…ever.

League intern, at work.

At 4pm the crowds gathered. There were hugs and handshakes, slapped backs and faces, reunion was in the air as people got ready for the games ahead. And then the masses poured out of the High Roller’s Lounge (some more literally than others) where 13 lanes were filled to kick off the league’s 13th official season.

Immediately Lane 13, where league veteran and former championship contender, Paul Drozek, paired with newcomers (from the official 90’s band of the MBA ‘My So-Called Mixtape’) got the day off to a festive start with strikes for everyone on the lane in Game 1. “I like bowling but really we’re just trying to get a gig at the High Roller’s Lounge so hopefully if George Zipp (Rab’s high powered entertainment exec) sees almost all the band is here anyway, we can make it happen.” rookie Stacey Lee was overheard telling Drozek.

Lane 13 working on their strikes technique…

Over on Lane 16, was Jess Kuhl, returning for the first time since the 19-20 season. Historically an MBA power couple, her and Sean Kuhl dominated the first several seasons, taking home one of almost every variety of MBA league hardware including ones now relegated to the annals of history. Her first event back would end with an average of 122. “I preferred it when it was the pumpkin trophy anyway…”. Sean, on the other hand, came out strong with a 167 and 178 in his first two games.

A few lanes down, Jon Marrotte, a championship contender last year, was shaking off the rust, as well. “It’s good to be back! Thanks for not putting me near Ryan Petersen…” The quiet and concentration was paying off with games one and two coming in at 144 & 187, respectively.

Likes wrestling, cups and bowling collusion

At the far end, Kevin Rogers was getting game interrupting phone calls from league cup enthusiast Dan Fran. The emergency, it turned out, was a nosebleed that took Fran out of the game for several frames. In an attempt to turn the interruption into an opportunity, he tried to “phone-a-friend”. When asked for a comment on tapping a multi-season champion to throw in his stead, he said “We’re going to bring my nosebleed into this?...Look, I got a new cup.” It was, indeed, a pretty fine cup.

It is, indeed, a pretty fine cup.

As the last frames of the day were thrown, the competition was fierce! Jon Marotte finished with a competitive 167 average but as scores were furiously tallied, re-calculated and re-crunched, Marotte was just edged out by Sean Kuhl’s 167.3! Taking yet another trophy back to the Kuhl household, could it be Jess’ return bodes well for Sean’s MBA career?? Only time will tell.

“It’s good to be back” has more than one meaning for Sean Kuhl at this event

Other notables for the evening include:

Christine Beaton dialed in her technique over the 3-game opener. Trying to find the perfect balance of alcohol to bring out the skill required for the day. “I’ve only had two sips but it’s working!”, Christine could be heard saying to her lane. “I’m following your lead!” Dan Derwin said as he chugged a pitcher of beer.

Before it all went downhill…

Leigh Fran-Janicki powered through 3 games while only 3 weeks away from giving birth, ““I fouled before because I couldn’t fall…I had to save my baby.” Another MBA inductee from birth on their way!

Vincent Fabiani arrived for the day prepared to take his Gutter Trash from last season’s T.D.K. Memorial Tournament only to be surprised with the news that it had been repurposed as this very event’s Gutter Trash trophy. “I thought it was the one Carl Gallagher abandoned previously…” co-commissioner and trophy crafting czar, Hillary Scott, lamented. “Well..who knows…maybe you’ll win it today anyway!” He did indeed win it, throwing 14 gutters over 3 games. Proving yet again, the Gutter Trash always finds its way to its proper home.

Reunited.

Event Scores:

Event Winner: S. Kuhl (167.3 AVG)

Gutter Trash Award Winner: V. Fabiani (14)

Highest Total Strikes: 11 (K. Rogers)

Highest Total Spares: 14 (J. Marotte, S. Kuhl)

Highest Total Gutters: 14 (V. Fabiani)

Highest Score: 190 (K. Rogers)

Lowest Score: 77 (J. Candrilli)