Deaf Today: Recckio's hooks PBA regional with a little help from its friends

October 19, 2002

Recckio's hooks PBA regional with a little help from its friends

From: Buffalo News, NY
Oct. 19, 2002

By NORM WARNER

Some ideas just seem to walk in the door.

Scott Lindsay walked in to Recckio's a few months ago and told proprietor Tammy Recckio that he and some other deaf bowlers were interested in bowling there. The result was a No-Tap tournament.

Lindsay also inquired if Recckio would be interested in hosting a pro tournament, a PBA regional.

"I said, with (only) 18 lanes, how could I?" Recckio responded. Lindsay said he had a friend in Russ Mills, the PBA's East Region director, and he would see what he could do.

The last two regionals in the Buffalo Niagara region were at Transit Lanes, in 1999 and 2000. Mills was interested in having this area back on the schedule so he visited the bowling center and confirmed Recckio's interest, but encountered a few obstacles.

"I asked him what we needed to do to make this work," Recckio said. In addition to the small number of lanes, there was no office for a fax machine or computer and no space for a paddock.

Not to worry. Recckio located a corner area to house the electronic equipment, promised a building next door for a paddock and will rent a trailer to store the players' myriad bowling balls.

"(Mills) said he had never run a tournament with 18 lanes but he was always up for a challenge," Recckio noted. The result will be a regional tournament at the South Park Avenue lanes Nov. 15-17.

Two events are scheduled to help offset the tournament expenses. A qualifier will be held Oct. 26-27 with the winner earning a spot in the regional. The cost is $60 with the tournament entry valued at $250.

Also, a 3/6/9 Pro-Am for juniors and adults will be Nov. 15, the Friday of the tournament weekend. The 3/6/9 designation means bowlers automatically get strikes in the third, sixth and ninth frames of their three games, plus their handicaps (the handicap formula hasn't been finalized) and the scores of their pro partner.

Pro-Am entry forms are at most area centers. The youth cost is $25 or $90 with a Storm ball included. The adult fee is $50 or $150 with a Storm ball. The entry deadline is Nov. 1. For more information, call the lanes at 823-2695.