What a great experience I had yesterday over at Taylor Lanes, watching the Motor City Classic. And not just because I might end up being on 2/3rds of the camera shots, either! (For those interested, I'm in a beige two-tone sweater, sitting on the side, third row, in line with the foul line.)
Random thoughts on this day:
* Like most every other customer, I paid for my ticket to get in. But the money was refunded right away at the insistence of my cousin's sister-in-law, Erin, who runs the complex. She gave me a "what were you thinking" look, saying I could have held out for a VIP pass as well. Would've been nice, but I'd rather avoid the fuss. BTW, her father Ted kept asking me if I had a girlfriend, and later kept telling me where to find Erin. Like I stand a chance on that one...
* I am more amazed than ever at how accessible the bowlers are to the public. Without jepoardizing the conditions, there's virtually no barriers & no distance separating the bowlers from the fans. It's so easy to get autographs. But what got me the most was after the match, when I went to the grill for a good-old fashioned grilled cheese: the bowlers were in there, hob-nobbing with the fans and watching football games on the big screen. Bowling has always been a blue-collar sport, but I didn't realize how easy they'd fit in with the rest of us. Too bad three of the bowlers got drunk while playing darts! But they're human.
* ESPN shot two new segments: a skills challenge and a "Bust Your Buddy", which combines the elements of bowling with poker. I can't follow poker (which is overhyped), but just enjoyed watching the bowlers play off each other.
* There was some lane damage during one of the skills matches. Unlike the real world, however; no one was shown the door!
* Commentator Randy Pedersen is a total blatant idiot. I didn't like him on the telecasts, but this was my first live event since ESPN took over the shows; thought I'd give him a chance. Too bad. He's loud, obnoxious, and discourteous. His broadcast booth was 100 feet away from the bowlers & enclosed with plexiglass; yet you could still hear him plain as day as the bowlers were setting themselves up. It figures that he showed up in the bar before he left, looking like he had one too many.
* I witnessed history: the 17th perfect game rolled on TV, done by the eventual winner, Tony Reyes. Now I've always shown allegiance to the group known as the "Legends", instead of the other "Young Guns". But perhaps the PBA may be in good hands with its future. Reyes was amazing & cool under pressure, and is a natural camera talent. Oh, and his girlfriend puts all the other women I know (save Erin & Lisa) to shame; she is a knockout. Even offered to buy me a drink!
There's a reason the PBA keeps coming back to Taylor Lanes, this being their 22nd event they've hosted. This was my fourth event I've been to (1983, '95, '96, 2006), and this was the best one by far. Kudos to the Dobbins family for a job well done!
