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Bowling Highlights

Legend Mark Roth passes away at 70

Ed Townsend
Posted 12/3/21

Sad news for the bowling community.

The legendary professional Mark Roth, 70, a resident of Fulton, NY, passed away on November 26.

The last time I spoke to Mark was a number of years ago while …

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Bowling Highlights

Legend Mark Roth passes away at 70

Posted

Sad news for the bowling community.

The legendary professional Mark Roth, 70, a resident of Fulton, NY, passed away on November 26.

The last time I spoke to Mark was a number of years ago while I was bowling in a New York State Elks tournament in Oswego.

Our team wanted to get some practice in so we headed to a bowling alley in Fulton, and when we walked in there, Mark was getting some practice in. He came right over to greet me.

We had met several years before that at a PBA event near Buffalo, and I had the chance to interview him and what a gentleman he was. He told me to take all the time I needed.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mark's wife, Denise, who was so helpful to him after Mark suffered a stroke in 2009 and then a heart attack in 2019.

Mark Roth revolutionized the game of bowling in the 1970's and 1980's with his power style of bowling. He will be remembered as a pioneer of the game, a true legend, who everyone wanted to emulate.

A gentleman, and indeed one of the best ever, Mark will never be forgotten.

He was born in Brooklyn, moved to Long Island, then to New Jersey, and retired in Fulton.

The right-hander won 34 bowling titles with most of them coming in his prime. Many remember him on Saturday's ABC Wide World of Sports' bowling telecasts.

He lived up to his reputation as one of the most powerful bowlers of his generation.

Many professional bowlers noted that Mark will go down as one of the greatest bowlers of all time. He could string those strikes together, but he also never missed a spare.

Mark is considered one of the top five bowlers in the history of the sport.

Many believed that Mark had an unorthodox bowling style both on and off the lanes.

Mark was tabbed with the nickname of "The Original Cranker." He brought so much to the game of bowling. A big part of his game was physical, and bowling ball technology took a huge leap forward when he got on the lanes.

His brash, unapologetic style on and off the lanes made him a fan favorite while his bowling skill earned him many titles, records and his place in the PBA Hall of Fame.

He leaves behind a legacy that will be difficult to match.

His 34 titles rank him sixth on the career wins list. He also won two titles on the PBA Senior Tour.

The four-time winner of the Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year award will always be remembered as not only a great bowler, but a great guy.

RIP Mark.

Ed's Outlook

Top Prize  Money Scranton No-Tap

The region's largest team and doubles No-Tap Tournament is now taking reservations for their 41st annual Scranton, PA tournament.

The men's team and doubles and women mixed No-Tap tournament at Idle Hours South begins on Friday, April 22, and runs for five weekends ending on May 22.

Top prizes guaranteed are team event 1st prize $5,000 and 2nd prize $2,500. In the doubles event 1st prize is $2,000 and second prize is $1,000.

Information and reservations call Idle House South at 570-961-5213.

Bowling Tip by Mike Luongo

This week's tip talks about the bowling release.

Releasing the ball means understanding the axis rotation. Geometry is a very important subject when talking about axis, planes and angles. When you release the ball, an entire geometrical construction is released also.

The spinning of the ball is the main arm of releasing the ball. You have to observe the ball spinning a lot of time before throwing it on the platform.

The spinning must be smooth and it must apply the two axis of rotation, vertical and horizontal. Most prefer to spin the ball watching the horizontal axis because it is easier and handier.

A good thing you could do in order to improve your axis rotation would be to find a good bowler who could watch you bowl and could teach you exactly how to release the ball.

All in all, it can be said that releasing the ball in bowling requires practice.

Visualizing the angles will make you understand the road of the ball.

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