Post by: smash9 on January 20, 2005, 12:14:48 AM
Bowler takes on the boys
By Adam Williams
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
You could see it in her meticulous preparation.
Carolyn Dorin-Ballard is focused.
And excited.
In the two hours allotted for practice at the PBA Dallas Open on Wednesday night, Dorin-Ballard followed the same pattern for an hour and fifty minutes: Pluck the ball from the ball return with the left hand, grip it with the right. Stare down the pins, dip the shoulder, bend the knees. Take two hard steps, release and follow through.
"I miss doing this," a slightly winded Dorin-Ballard said. "I haven't had a practice round since I was on the women's tour. This is exciting for me to do again, and I'm very thankful that the PBA thought enough of me to give me the opportunity to compete."
Dorin-Ballard, the 2001 Professional Women's Bowling Association Player of the Year, will be competing in her first PBA Tour event today at the Dallas Open. Dorin-Ballard is the first female to receive the PBA Commissioner's Exemption, which awards her a spot in the 64-player tournament.
"She's kind of like the Annika Sorenstam of bowling," bowling legend Walter Ray Williams Jr. said. "I think she's deserving of the chance to play here. Scores here are usually low, which plays to her advantage. She's an accurate bowler, and if she plays well, I bet she'll have a nice tournament."
Dorin-Ballard, who is lives in North Richland Hills, will be the second female to bowl in a PBA Tour event, joining Liz Johnson, who made history by bowling in the 2004 PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic in November.
The PBA Dallas Open begins today at 11 a.m. at Don Carter All-Star Lanes Dallas West. The first round is the Round of 64, in which the top 32 scorers after today's two sessions advance to Friday morning's round.
The Round of 32 begins match play, in which seeded players compete in a best-of-7 format.
"I'm going out there to have fun," Dorin-Ballard said. "If I make it, I make it; if I don't, I don't. But match play is where I excel. So, if I do advance to match play, watch out."
IN THE KNOW
PBA Dallas Open
Through Sunday, Don Carter All Star Lanes Dallas West
Today: Round of 64, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; 5-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 or $25 for an all-day pass. Tickets available at the bowling center or visit www.pba.com.
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Adam Williams, (817) 548-5473 awilliams@star-telegram.com
email this print this
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So you like this guy????
Yeah, he treats me sweet -- I met him at a bowling alley. (Matchstick Men)
Post by: Jeffrevs on January 20, 2005, 09:59:00 AM
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JEFF
I think I'm finally starting to catch on.....
Proud FCC!
Post by: mumzie on January 20, 2005, 11:02:41 AM
And, if any woman can, she's one of them.
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-- Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can't - you are right.
Post by: Brickguy221 on January 20, 2005, 11:15:43 AM
quote:
It would be a great piece of publicity for women bowlers if she got all the way through!!!
....And the men would never hear the last of the "ear splitting deafing roar" from the women.......
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Why do you need my signature?....You know who I am.
Post by: mumzie on January 20, 2005, 01:28:25 PM
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-- Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can't - you are right.
Post by: Ragnar on January 20, 2005, 01:35:14 PM
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"A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal." Oscar Wilde
Ragnar sure likes to throw his purdy Uranium Buzzsaw.
Post by: njbowl on January 20, 2005, 01:42:31 PM
Go Carol.
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A Born again bowler with mission
Post by: seadrive on January 20, 2005, 03:30:19 PM
41 Carolyn DorinBallard N. Richland Hills, Texas 1429 204.14
42 Richard Wolfe Vienna, Va. 1421 203.00
43 Norm Duke Clermont, Fla. 1419 202.71
44 Chris Hayden Orlando, Fla. 1414 202.00
45 Amleto Monacelli Venezuela 1413 201.86
46 Bob Learn Jr Erie, Pa. 1412 201.71
47 Brian LeClair Athens, N.Y. 1405 200.71
47 Doug Kent Newark, N.Y. 1405 200.71
49 Mika Koivuniemi Hartland, Mich. 1402 200.29
50 Rick Lawrence Celina, Texas 1397 199.57
51 Hugh Miller Seattle 1396 199.43
52 Steve Jaros Yorkville, Ill. 1394 199.14
53 Shannon Buchan Waterloo, Iowa 1381 197.29
54 Bill Rowe Canada 1379 197.00
54 Jason Hurd Titusville, Fla. 1379 197.00
54 Chris Johnson Garland, Texas 1379 197.00
57 Dennis Horan Jr Temecula, Calif. 1372 196.00
58 Ken Simard Greenville, S.C. 1355 193.57
59 Chris Barnes Dallas 1349 192.71
59 Peter Hernandez Miami 1349 192.71
61 Brian Voss Alpharetta, Ga. 1346 192.29
62 Justin Hromek Towanda, Kan. 1312 187.43
63 Bryon Smith Roseburg, Ore. 1253 179.00
64 Eugene McCune Munster, Ind. 1186 169.43
Wow, after seven games, CDB is only 21 pins out of 32nd place, and is leading some really big names, like Duke, Mika, Barnes and Voss.
I really hope she can make it into match play...
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seadrive
Cogito ergo bowl
Post by: Brickguy221 on January 20, 2005, 05:34:39 PM
quote:
Nah. The men would never hear the roar from the women - they'd be too busy whining and swearing to notice!
LMAO...... mumzie, I can't top that one....
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Why do you need my signature?....You know who I am.
Post by: ConalO on January 20, 2005, 05:55:15 PM