The summer is winding down, and that is sad news for many folks.

But for those who enjoy the "sport for all ages," the end of summer means it's time for bowling season.

I want to thank John Enrietto, the Butler Eagle sports editor and a good friend, for allowing me to write another season of columns. Hope you enjoy them and have a good season.

The Olympic Games have wrapped up, and, since the International Olympic Committee doesn't recognize bowling as an Olympic sport (which it should), the United States has been represented well in bowling's version of the Olympics, the World Tenpin Championships, being held in Thailand.Last weekend saw Team USA's Patrick Allen and Rhino Page win the gold medal in doubles, beating Sweden's Martin Larsen and Tomas Leandersson 457-452 in the championship match.As of Sunday, the trio of Walter Ray Williams Jr., Chris Barnes and Tommy Jones were in sixth place in the triples event. Patrick Allen was in second place in the all-events. The event wraps up this week.

Which former major league pitcher was elected into the Celebrity wing of the Bowling Hall of Fame in 2007? He has three 700 series and one sanctioned 300 game to his credit. Answer at the end of the column.

Each year, in the first tip of the week feature, I remind readers of some common sense things bowlers should do before beginning practice and league play.First, be sure that your equipment, especially your shoes, are in good shape. Use a wire brush on the soles to remove any dirt or grime that might have collected on them over the summer.As for your bowling ball, it might be time to take it to the pro shop for a resurfacing.Be sure that you are physically ready to begin another season of bowling. This might be the year to switch to a lighter ball. Stretching exercises also should be a part of your pre-bowling routine.

This is National Bowling Week. I didn't know that until I read an article on bowl.com.Bowling centers are being asked to record the total number of games bowled in a 24-hour period and report the number to Strike Ten Entertainment. This Saturday, bowling centers will try to set a world record for most games bowled in one day. For information on the event, visit bowl.com.

Again this year, I will accept reader submissions for various items, such as top league scores, special achievements, as well as league announcements.If you would like to send me something, the e-mail address is wiseguyrondo@zoominternet.net. The deadline is noon on Sundays to be included in that week's column.I look forward to hearing from many of my fellow bowlers out there!

Former pitcher Tom Candiotti was inducted into the celebrity win of the Bowling Hall of Fame last year, joining 2006 inductee Jerome Bettis.Ron Willison is a bowling columnist for the Butler Eagle.