I was saddened to hear of the passing of BCBA board member Larry Parenti a couple of weeks ago.

Larry was a man who I knew I could always count on for information regarding upcoming events in the BCBA and the Pennsylvania State Bowling Association, an organization that he was the photographer for.

The BCBA Hall of Famer will always be remembered by me as a man you could trust, and was a great volunteer. Rest in peace, Larry.

Tip of the Week

If you use a five-step delivery, and you are having problems with your timing, consider using a four-step approach. The four-step is very simple.

The ball is pushed away from the body on the first step, as opposed to the second step of the five-step approach.

If you do switch, be sure to move up toward the foul line, because your approach will obviously be shorter. Eliminating one step will simplify the push-away, eliminating the extra step and reducing the chances of a timing error.

Tornado sweeps

The Butler High School bowling team is off to a great start, with the boys and girls squads recording 7-0 victories over New Castle in the section opener.

Jacob Cookson tossed a 246 game en route to a 627 series to lead Butler. Brayden Troyan chipped in with a 246 (600). Cody Rosenbauer (206 game), Matthew Blose (203), Brandt Fleming (198), and Austin Gagliardi (193) also bowled well.

The Lady Tornado were led by Nicole Balk’s 611 series, highlighted by a 232 game. Captain Brea Suchonic added a 197 game, while Autumn Hepler and Megan Paul each rolled a 191 game. Butler is 1-0 overall and in section play.

The Tornado JV squads also swept New Castle by 7-0 scores.

Suchonic rolls 13th perfecto

The number 13 is a lucky one for Jeff Suchonic. The right-hander rolled his 13th career 300 game on Lanes 1 and 2 at Sherwood Lanes last Tuesday night during Butler City Tenpin League action. Congratulations, Jeff!

Vinroe tosses 299

Dave Vinroe just missed perfection, tossing a 299 game during Fox’s Pizza Den league play at Sherwood Lanes. A 2-pin stood between Vinroe and the 300.

Scott Walker, 257 (702), and Jim Hepler 278 (762) also had big nights. Congratulations Dave on the 299 game!

Top scorers

In the Casino League, Mandy Jockel rolled a 166, and Shirley McCandless added a 177 game to lead the women. Bob Casey and Ralph Jockel, Jr. each rolled 233 games on the men’s side. ... Joe Tirk had a great night in the Armco C League at Sherwood, rolling a 779 series. ... Ron Lehman rolled an 812 in his first three games of Butler County Men’s Travel League play, on the way to a 993 four-game series. Lehman’s set included games of 270 and 278.

Palermaa advances

Finland’s Oksu Palermaa won the Don Carter Division roll-off of the Professional Bowler’s Tour’s World Series of Bowling. Palermaa, who uses a two-handed delivery, beat Dom Barrett 223-188 in the final match.

The win puts the Finn in the PBA World Championships on Jan. 15.

This week, the PBA Billy Hardwick division finals will air on ESPN at 1 p.m. Sunday. Tom Smallwood and Ryan Shafer of the USA, Columbia’s Andres Gomes, and Venezuela’s Lldemaro Ruiz will compete.

Ron Willison is a bowling columnist for the Butler Eagle.