The USBC has patented this sophisticated biomechanics technology, which is called “motion capture.” The futuristic-looking system is the first of its kind in the sport of bowling and is expected to be available in the new USBC training facility where it will be used to identify and correct problems with bowlers’ techniques in a more comprehensive manner.

USBC has developed a “motion capture” system for bowling. The network of cameras, sensors and computers measure pressure points and exact movements of a bowler’s body during the approach and delivery. The new biomechanics technology is expected to be available at the USBC training facility in Arlington, Texas, to analyze bowlers’ technique. The idea is that eventually, bowling coaches — like coaches in other sports who use this type of technology to improve performance — can use motion capture in their lessons.

It is envisioned that eventually bowling coaches around the world will have access to motion capture and be able to use the system when giving lessons to their students.

Motion capture can measure body positioning and movement more precisely than standard video analysis programs. For example, motion capture can track a bowler’s body positions (such as during the back swing) to 0.001 of an inch, speed and acceleration (such as ball speed or the sliding knee moving forward) to 0.02 mph and timing (relationship between the arm swing and footsteps) to 0.001 of a second.

The system works like this: Between 40 and 70 small sensors are attached to a bowler’s clothing and six cameras positioned around the bowler on adjoining approaches and lanes pick up the red light reflected from the sensors. The bowler’s movements through the approach and delivery are tracked via the sensors and the data is transmitted to a nearby connected computer system. The bowler’s image appears on the computer screen as a moving, digital data figure that can be shown in slow motion, used with video or viewed from different angles.

“Our ‘motion capture’ system is the next step in the evolution of bowling technology and coaching,” said USBC Research Engineer Paul Ridenour. “The precise data that motion capture provides for bowling coaches will make it easier to help bowlers improve their technique.”

Motion capture is similar to the technology that video game-makers use to record Tiger Woods hitting a golf ball or NBA star and USBC spokesperson Chris Paul shooting a jump shot to make their game characters look realistic. Coaches in other sports use biomechanics technology to improve the performance of their athletes.

“In the near future, bowlers could visit the planned USBC national training center in Arlington, Texas, get hooked up to this equipment and have a coach analyze their game,” Ridenour said. “Down the road, coaches worldwide may obtain this technology and bowlers may only need to visit their local USBC coach for a high tech lesson.”

The world’s top bowling coaches saw a sneak preview of the motion capture system at USBC Headquarters in suburban Milwaukee during a coach training event this past February. Among those in attendance was world-renowned Australian two-handed bowler Jason Belmonte, who tested the new system under the guidance of USBC engineers.

“Bowling, like all other sports, needs to keep moving forward with coaching techniques,” said Belmonte, a USBC Silver coach and USBC Youth spokesperson. “This will be the future of coaching. The more accurate look a coach can get of a player’s game, the better information that player will receive and the more likely the player will improve and enjoy tenpin bowling for a longer time.”

Mexico’s Daniel Falconi tests out the USBC motion capture system during an international coaching training seminar at USBC Headquarters in Greendale, Wis., this past February.

In addition to the motion capture system, USBC recently secured patents for two other biomechanics systems that it developed for use in coaching the sport. USBC research engineers created advanced technology that measures grip and foot pressure by transmitting body movement data to a computer via a series of pressure sensors connected to a bowler’s throwing hand and feet.

By Patrick Brettingen
USBC Communications

Two Florida natives – reigning U.S. Junior Amateur champion Jenny Brown of DeLand and Michelle Carcagente of Palm Coast – join Emily Maier of Sparks, Nev., and Ricki Williams of Wichita, Kan., as girls team selections for the World Youth Championships, a biennial U-22 tournament being held for the first time in the United States.

Matt O’Grady of South Amboy, N.J., who competed at the 2006 World Youth Championships in Berlin, Germany, leads the boys team that also features first-time team members John Szczerbinski of North Tonawanda, N.Y., Dean Richards of Tacoma, Wash., and Adam Martinez of San Antonio, the reigning U.S. Junior Amateur champion.

Assignments were made by Junior Team USA head coach Rod Ross and assistant coaches Kim Terrell and Teresa Ross as well as volunteer consultants Lou Marquez, Stephen Padilla and Mark Balter following Junior Team USA training camp, May 18-25, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“With another young, talented group to choose from, this never is an easy decision,” said Ross, a USBC Gold coach. “The players came together as one team at training camp, and not only learned from the coaches they also learned from each other. We are looking forward to some great performances this year from Junior Team USA.”

Four boys and four girls also were selected to compete for Junior Team USA at the Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON) Youth Championships, scheduled for Sept. 21-27 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

The boys team at the U-20 event consists of Szczerbinski, Martinez, Josh Buckhardt of Beavercreek, Ohio, and Geoffrey Young of Denton, Texas, while the girls team features Brown, Josie Earnest of Vandalia, Ill., and Sarah Germano of Rochester, N.Y., along with a player meeting the PABCON age requirement (19 years old or younger on Jan. 1, 2008) to be named later by the National Selection Committee.

Burkhardt, Young, Earnest and Germano also will represent the United States in the junior division at the Tournament of the Americas, set for July 27-Aug. 2 at Boardwalk Entertainment Center in Orlando, Fla.

By Kevin Hazaert
USBC Communications

By Kevin Hazaert
USBC Communications

Pikeville senior Kayla Bandy and Saginaw Valley State junior Dan MacLelland were named Most Valuable Players for the 2007-08 collegiate bowling season by the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association (NCBCA).

Bandy and MacLelland were honored along with the rest of the All-Americans at the “Night of Champions” banquet held Wednesday in conjunction with the 2008 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships, presented by Storm, which open Thursday at Northrock Lanes.

They also were named 2007-08 Bowling Writers Association of America Collegiate Players of the Year at Wednesday’s event.

This marks the second straight MVP and Player of the Year award for Bandy, a Danville, Va., native who helped lead the Bears to the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Sectional title and their seventh consecutive championships appearance.

She joins Kelly Kulick (Morehead State), Karen Stroud (West Texas A&M) and Kari Murph (Morehead State) as the only players to win multiple NCBCA MVP awards. Kulick was honored three straight seasons (1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99).

Bandy, who was second in the nation with a 202.56 average this season, has been named a first-team All-American each of the last three seasons and earned Rookie of the Year honors and a second-team selection in her freshman season of 2004-05.

Rounding out the women’s first team is Wichita State junior Emily Maier, Sparks. Nev.; McKendree junior Rebekah Diers, Kingston, N.Y.; Martin Methodist junior Hayley Beavis, Southampton, England; and Pikeville freshman Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla.

2007-08 NCBCA All-America women’s first team (left to right): Wichita State’s Emily Maier, Pikeville’s Ashly Galante, Pikeville’s Kayla Bandy (MVP), Martin Methodist’s Hayley Beavis and McKendree’s Rebekah Diers. Click on the image to enlarge it.

“This feels amazing, but it’s not the only piece of hardware I want this weekend,” said Bandy, a former two-time Junior Team USA member who also will be competing at the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships for a third time this May. “This won’t feel like I want it to feel until we raise the Helmer Cup on Saturday. We have a great group of girls talent-wise and we are very cohesive.”

Galante, a Team USA member in 2007, also was honored as Women’s Rookie of the Year, marking the third time in the last four years the award was given to a Pikeville player. Jaime Foster won the honor last season.

Leading the nation with a 213.85 average, MacLelland helped lead the top-ranked Cardinals to consecutive national titles the past two seasons and the Chattanooga Sectional title in March. The Windsor, Ontario, native was named MVP of the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships a year ago.

“All of this goes out to my dad,” said MacLelland, whose father is battling cancer. “He taught me everything I know. None of this would be possible without him. Now it’s time to go get No. 3. We’ve had that on our mind since the beginning of the year.”

MacLelland is joined on the men’s first team by Wichita State junior George Lambert, Hamilton, Ontario; Indiana senior Nick Hoagland, Canton, Ohio; William Paterson sophomore Matt O’Grady, South Amboy, N.J.; and Pikeville sophomore Kyle Barnes, Smryna, Tenn.

2007-08 NCBCA All-America men’s first team: Wichita State’s George Lambert, Indiana’s Nick Hoagland, Pikeville’s Kyle Barnes, William Paterson’s Matt O’Grady and Saginaw Valley State’s Dan MacLelland (MVP). Click on the image to enlarge it.

Chris Bardol of Robert Morris College (Ill.) was honored as Men’s Rookie of the Year.

William Paterson’s Dave Nagelhout and Purdue’s Scott Savage were tabbed as Kerm Helmer Coaches of the Year in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.

Longtime tournament director Larry Wilson was named recipient of the NCBCA Gordon Teigen Meritorious Service Award.

National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association 2007-08 All-Americans

MEN
First Team – Dan MacLelland, Saginaw Valley State; George Lambert, Wichita State; Nick Hoagland, Indiana; Matt O’Grady, William Paterson; Kyle Barnes, Pikeville.

Second Team – Ryan Gleghorn, Calumet College of St. Joseph; Paul Hogan, Fresno State; Matt Robinson, Fresno State; Chris Bardol, Robert Morris (Ill.); Ryan Gahan, Mohawk Valley CC.

Honorable Mention – Keith Nolan, Florida State; Brian Valenta, Lindenwood; Chris Drewes, Wichita State; Tim Irvin, Briarcliffe; Nick Atkinson, Vincennes; Ryan Beers, Ohio State.

Most Valuable Player – Dan MacLelland, Saginaw Valley State
Rookie of the Year – Chris Bardol, Robert Morris (Ill.)
Kerm Helmer Coach of the Year – Dave Nagelhout, William Paterson

WOMEN
First Team – Kayla Bandy, Pikeville; Emily Maier, Wichita State; Rebekah Diers, McKendree; Hayley Beavis, Martin Methodist; Ashly Galante, Pikeville.

Second Team – Brigette Harrelson, Central Florida; Kerry Smith, Shippensburg; Lindsey Coulles, Central Florida; Jennifer Wright, Pikeville; Jennifer Elicker, Shippensburg.

Honorable Mention – Rocio Restrepo, Wichita State; Elysia Current, Wichita State; Jen Donahue, Lindenwood; Brandy Silva, West Texas A&M; Sarah O’Brien, Briarcliffe.

Most Valuable Player – Kayla Bandy, Pikeville
Rookie of the Year – Ashly Galante, Pikeville
Kerm Helmer Coach of the Year – Scott Savage, Purdue

Gordon Teigen Meritorious Service Award – Larry Wilson, tournament director for Eagle Classic, Ten Pin Classic and Millennium Classic.

Bowling Writers Association of America – 2007-08 Collegiate Players of The Year

2007-08 Male Collegiate Players of The Year – Dan MacLelland, Saginaw Valley State

Male Runners-up – Kyle Barnes, Pikeville; Ryan Gleghorn, Calumet College of St. Joseph; George Lambert, Wichita State; Matt O’Grady, William Paterson; Matt Robinson, Fresno State.

Male Honorable Mention – Chris Bardol, Robert Morris (Ill.); Norman Nolan, Florida State; Nick Hoagland, Indiana.

2007-08 Female Collegiate Players of The Year – Kayla Bandy, Pikeville

Female Runners-up – Hayley Beavis, Martin Methodist; Rebekah Diers, McKendree; Ashly Galante, Pikeville; Emily Maier, Wichita State

Female Honorable Mention – Lindsey Coulles, Central Florida; Brigette Harrelson, Central Florida; Kerry Smith, Shippensburg.

OMAHA, Neb. – Four teams remained alive Friday at the 2008 NCAA National Collegiate Women’s Bowling Championship at Thunder Alley: a defending champion with resolve, a runner-up proving it wasn’t a one-year wonder, a Division III powerhouse taking the next step and an upstart newcomer that continues to impress.

Defending champion Vanderbilt, which suffered a quick 4-0 defeat to Maryland-Eastern Shore in the first round of the best-of-7 Baker games, double-elimination match play, fought back to the semifinals where it beat the same undefeated Hawks, 4-2, to force another semifinal match between the teams Saturday.

“We never say die,” said Vanderbilt sophomore Josie Earnest, Most Outstanding Player of last year’s championship. “We know we are better when our backs are against the wall. We’re fighters. We’re trying to repeat.”

The Commodores, who defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore, 4-3, in last year’s title match, stayed alive after the first round by eliminating Sacred Heart, 4-3, and Central Missouri, 4-2.

“We know losing the first one doesn’t necessarily mean you’re done,” Vanderbilt head coach John Williamson said. “They didn’t want to lose. To advance in any tournament, you have to capitalize on mistakes and take advantage of opportunities. Other than the first match today, we were able to do that.”

In the other semifinal, Arkansas State – making its first appearance at the NCAA tournament – stayed alive with a 4-2 victory over New Jersey City. Arkansas State jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Knights posted big scores to win the next two, 244-185 and 214-166, and tighten the match.

The Indians, however, edged out a 207-199 victory in Game 6 to force Saturday’s rematch.

“We came very close to tying it up and on to Game 7,” said New Jersey City head coach Frank Parisi, who has his Division III Gothic Knights in the final four for the third time in the event’s five-year history. “If we can get some better breaks and start a little bit early with those kind of games we’ll obviously be in better shape. It bodes well and gives them the confidence that they aren’t going to quit.”

Since Maryland-Eastern Shore and New Jersey City each suffered their first loss in the semifinals, rematches are needed under the double-elimination format. Saturday’s semifinals begin at 5:30 p.m. EDT and are webcast on ncaa.com.

The best-of-7 Baker championship match is scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT Saturday, which will be aired live on ESPNU for the second straight year. The championship match also will be replayed at 7 p.m. EDT Monday on ESPN2.

Maryland-Eastern Shore, seeded seventh after qualifying, also defeated Arkansas State, 4.5-3.5 – rebounding from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits.

“This is the team we have seen all year, hopefully they will continue bowling like this,” said Maryland-Eastern Shore head coach Sharon Brummell, whose team is ranked second among NCAA schools. “I told them we got our bad day out of the way and seeding wasn’t important for our ultimate goal.”

New Jersey City cruised past Minnesota State, 4-1, in the first round, then rallied from a 2-0 deficit to down Central Missouri, 4.5-2.5, and advance to the semifinals.

Top-ranked Nebraska, which earned the No. 1 seed in qualifying and had won seven of eight tournaments this season, stunningly bowed out early – suffering a 4-1 defeat to Central Missouri, followed by a 4-0 sweep at the hands of Minnesota State.

“The worst portion of it that we let down is the fan base,” Nebraska head coach Bill Straub said. “We haven’t had an opportunity in a long time to have this much support and this much anticipation from the university.”
2008 NCAA NATIONAL COLLEGIATE
WOMEN’S BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIP
(at Thunder Alley, Omaha, Neb.)
Match Play
(Double-elimination, Best-of-7 Baker games)

Friday
First Round
(8) Central Missouri def. (1) Nebraska, 4-1
(179-156, 186-192, 180-176, 174-173, 180-168)
(4) New Jersey City def. (5) Minnesota State, 4-1
(223-143, 199-179, 244-170, 175-203, 169-166)
(3) Arkansas State def. (6) Sacred Heart, 4-0
(224-201, 183-164, 189-160, 167-160)
(7) Maryland-Eastern Shore def. (2) Vanderbilt, 4-0
(210-195, 209-205, 196-179, 212-181)

Second Round
New Jersey City def. Central Missouri, 4.5-2.5
(159-181, 156-198, 181-181, 193-189, 212-171, 167-164, 187-184)
Maryland-Eastern Shore def. Arkansas State, 4.5-3.5
(159-192, 166-209, 228-192, 213-181, 162-166, 214-149, 173-173, 185-171)
Minnesota State def. Nebraska, 4-0 (Nebraska eliminated)
(192-169, 196-183, 176-132, 214-156)
Vanderbilt def. Sacred Heart, 4-3 (Sacred Heart eliminated)
(208-207, 212-200, 164-171, 201-180, 174-186, 175-256, 210-167)

Third Round
Arkansas State def. Minnesota State, 4-1 (Minnesota State eliminated)
(199-168, 179-136, 188-169, 160-164, 189-163)
Vanderbilt def. Central Missouri, 4-2 (Central Missouri eliminated)
(223-180, 179-192, 228-190, 173-180, 180-179, 196-148)

Semifinals
Arkansas State def. New Jersey City, 4-2
(210-176, 186-166, 212-199, 185-244, 166-214, 207-199)
Vanderbilt def. Maryland-Eastern Shore, 4-2
(194-169, 173-179, 223-160, 179-205, 212-174, 184-155)

Saturday
Semifinals – 5:30 p.m. EDT
(Webcast live on ncaa.com)
Match 13 – New Jersey City vs. Arkansas State
Match 14 – Maryland-Eastern Shore vs. Vanderbilt

Championship – 8 p.m. EDT
(Broadcast live on ESPNU)
Semifinal winners

The field is set for the 2008 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships, presented by Storm, following the completion of Sectional Qualifier competition March 15-16, with the Saginaw Valley State University men’s team and Wichita State University women’s team ready to defend their titles.

Four Sectional Qualifiers, comprising of 64 Baker System games, were held at AMF Parkway in Allentown, Pa.; Holiday Bowl Brainerd in Chattanooga, Tenn.; St. Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights, Ill.; and Southpoint Hotel & Casino Bowling Center in Las Vegas.

The top four in the men’s and women’s divisions at each sectional advanced to the 2008 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships, presented by Storm, scheduled for April 16-19 at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kan.

Saginaw Valley State, which defeated Robert Morris University for its second consecutive national championship last season and fourth overall, won the Chattanooga Sectional to advance to the national finals for the fifth straight year.

Saginaw Valley State will be seeking its third consecutive national title. The only other team to win three straight titles was Wichita State, which accomplished the feat from 1993 to 1995.

Other qualifiers from the men’s division, which features six past champions and eight returning teams from the 2007 event, include sectional champions Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.), Fresno State and William Paterson. Also advancing were Arizona State, Central Florida, Indiana, Lindenwood, Michigan State, Mohawk Valley CC, UNLV, Pikeville, Purdue, Vincennes, Wichita State and Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Wichita State will make its 23rd straight appearance and record 28th overall appearance in the event’s 34-year history. Wisconsin-Whitewater will be making its first appearance.

In the women’s division, Wichita State, which defeated McKendree for its eighth national title last season, won the Fairview Heights Sectional to advance for the 27th straight year dating back to 1982 and record 33rd appearance.

Wichita State will aim for its record ninth national championship on its home turf of Northrock Lanes once again.

Other qualifiers from the women’s division, which features four former champions and 10 returning teams from 2007, include sectional champions Central Florida, Lindenwood and Pikeville. Joining them will be Bellarmine, Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.), Florida State, Fresno State, Martin Methodist, Maryland-Eastern Shore, McKendree, Morehead State, Newman, Purdue, Robert Morris College (Ill.) and Shippensburg.

Bellarmine, Calumet and Robert Morris all will be making their first appearance at the national finals. Florida State will return for the first time since its runner-up finish in 2003, while Maryland-Eastern Shore, an NCAA Division I program, advances after a one-year absence.

Seven schools qualified both their men’s and women’s teams from sectionals, which consisted of 32 Baker System games each day for a total of 64 Baker games.

The USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships is the pinnacle event of the college bowling season. The tournament brings together the top 16 men’s and top 16 women’s teams in the country to compete for national titles on national television (CBS College Sports Network). Visit bowl.com for more information on the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships and USBC Collegiate program.

2008 ITC Sectional Qualifiers – Men’s Final results after 64 Baker games

Top 4 at each sectional advance to 2008 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships

Allentown (Pa.) Sectional
1. William Paterson, 12,254; 2. Mohawk Valley CC, 12,150; 3. Pikeville, 12,099; 4. Michigan State, 12,012; 5. Morehead State, 11,890; 6. St. John’s, 11,798; 7. Rochester Tech, 11,731; 8. Penn State-Berks/Lehigh, 11,623; 9. Penn State, 11,483; 10. Briarcliffe, 11,312; 11. Hudson Valley CC, 11,200; 12. Shippensburg, 10,928; 13. Marist, 10,782.

Chattanooga (Tenn.) Sectional
1. Saginaw Valley State, 13,479; 2. Purdue, 12,976; 3. Vincennes, 12,902; 4. Central Florida, 12,798; 5. Robert Morris (Pa.), 12,510; 6. Florida State, 12,354; 7. Ohio State, 12,313; 8. Wright State, 12,231; 9. North Carolina State, 12,215; 10. Louisville, 12,046; 11. South Florida, 12,037; 12. Bowling Green State, 11,828; 13. Ball State, 11,682; 14. Virgina Tech, 11,461; 15. Toledo, 11,433; 16. Youngstown State, 11,384; 17. Kent State, 8,567.

Fairview Heights (Ill.) Sectional
1. Calumet College of St. Joseph, 12,808; 2. Wichita State, 12,772; 3. Indiana, 12,661; 4. Wisconsin-Whitewater, 12,466; 5. Nebraska-Omaha, 12,419; 6. Nebraska, 12,413; 7. Newman, 12,393; 8. McKendree, 12,087; 9. Minnesota State, 12,058; 10. Western Illinois, 11,907; 11. Illinois, 11,837; 12. North Dakota State, 11,805; 13. Kansas, 11,764; 14. Central Missouri, 11,592; 15. Wisconsin, 11,360; 16. Northern Illinois, 11,156; 17. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, 10,687.

Las Vegas Sectional
1. Fresno State, 13,021; 2. Lindenwood, 12,925; 3. UNLV, 12,826; 4. Arizona State, 12,645; 5. San Jose State, 12,582; 6. UC Davis, 12,147; 7. Robert Morris (Ill.), 12,113; 8. Missouri Baptist, 12,003; 9. Martin Methodist, 11,878; 10. Texas Tech, 11,813; 11. Weber State, 11,801; 12. West Texas A&M, 11,792; 13. North Texas, 11,672; 14. Washington State, 11,452.

2008 ITC Sectional Qualifiers – Women’s Final results after 64 Baker games

Top 4 at each sectional advance to 2008 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships

Allentown (Pa.) Sectional
1. Pikeville, 12,425; 2. Morehead State, 11,882; 3. Maryland-Eastern Shore, 11,492; 4. Shippensburg, 11,222; 5. Hudson Valley CC, 10,918; 6. Erie CC, 10,900; 7. Penn State, 10,822; 8. Briarcliffe, 10,604; 9. Mohawk Valley CC, 10,410; 10. Michigan State, 10,216.

Chattanooga (Tenn.) Sectional
1. Central Florida, 12,177; 2. Purdue, 11,671; 3. Florida State, 11,408; 4. Bellarmine, 11,406; 5. Ohio State, 11,362; 6. Ball State, 11,356; 7. Grand Valley State, 11,281; 8. Youngstown State, 11,083; 9. Bowling Green State, 10,885.

Fairview Heights (Ill.) Sectional
1. Wichita State, 12,470; 2. McKendree, 11,754; 3. Newman, 11,747; 4. Calumet College of St. Joseph, 11,491; 5. Illinois, 10,971; 6. South Dakota State, 10,944; 7. Western Illinois, 10,675; 8. Illinois State, 10,637; 9. Carthage, 9,873; 10. Indiana, 9,688; 11. Wisconsin-Green Bay, 9,522; 12. Wisconsin, 9,380.

Las Vegas Sectional
1. Lindenwood, 12,303; 2. Robert Morris (Ill.), 12,231; 3. Fresno State, 11,983; 4. Martin Methodist, 11,685; 5. West Texas A&M, 11,481; 6. San Jose State, 10,822; 7. UC Davis, 9,468.

By Patrick Brettingen
USBC Communications

Measuring pressure on specific points of the human body is becoming a new and growing focus for bowling coaching and training. The United States Bowling Congress has now developed advanced technology that can measure grip and foot pressure to improve the collection of motion data throughout a bowler’s approach.

These patent-pending biomechanics systems, which transmit body movement data to a computer via a series of pressure sensors connected to a bowler’s throwing hand and feet, are examples of new technology that USBC believes will usher in the future of coaching in the sport of bowling.

“This is the kind of technology we need in the sport of bowling,” said USBC Research Engineer Paul Ridenour, who was instrumental in developing the grip and foot pressure systems.

“These systems work together with coaching. USBC hopes that by understanding biomechanics and applying these systems to the sport of bowling, we can give our coaches the most advanced tools to analyze bowlers and help teach athletes of all ability levels.”

The grip pressure system measures the location and amount of pressure a bowler imparts on different parts of the throwing hand as it grips a bowling ball throughout an approach and delivery.

A bowler’s hand is outfitted with a specially-designed sports glove with small pressure sensors (0.07 inches thick) attached by medical tape.

The sensors, which are made up of tiny, individual sensing units, transmit pressure data from the hand through a data hub worn on the wrist which is connected to a computer. Once a shot is recorded through the system, the data is analyzed on a computer.

World-renowned bowler, USBC coach and USBC Youth spokesperson Jason Belmonte of Australia, left, tests a new patent-pending grip pressure system that was developed by USBC Research Engineer Paul Ridenour, right. Belmonte was at USBC Headquarters in Greendale, Wis., recently for an international coach training event.

“From a coaching perspective, the grip pressure system can provide coaches with valuable information about things such as a bowler’s rev rate, if a bowler squeezes the ball in the back swing and how grip pressure changes when a bowler uses a different release,” Ridenour said.

“Measuring grip pressure can allow coaches to develop effective methods of teaching athletes different releases. From a ball driller’s point of view, this can help to learn drillings that minimize a bowler’s grip pressure.”

The foot pressure system measures the location and amount of pressure placed on various parts of a bowler’s feet during the approach and slide.

Pads with the same type of sensors used in the grip pressure system are placed underneath a bowler’s shoe insoles. As a bowler makes an approach, foot pressure is measured and the data transmitted through hubs worn around the ankles to a computer and then analyzed. Sensors are calibrated based on a bowler’s weight.

World-renowned bowler, USBC coach and USBC Youth spokesperson Jason Belmonte of Australia, left, tests a new patent-pending grip pressure system that was developed by USBC Research Engineer Paul Ridenour, right. Belmonte was at USBC Headquarters in Greendale, Wis., recently for an international coach training event.

“Foot pressure provides coaches with important data about a bowler’s tempo, consistency of the approach, timing, power step, the slide and posting a shot,” Ridenour said.

“Foot timing is one of the critical aspects of a bowler’s physical game, and we can actually measure within one hundredth of a second the amount of time a bowler takes on a single step and how long a bowler will stay posted in the finish position. Both grip and foot pressure measurement can be synchronized with video footage of bowling students.”

USBC plans for this and other new technology to be integral features of its planned 12-to-16-lane combined equipment testing and international training center in Arlington, Texas, if a deal is finalized, as expected, to move the headquarters of the sport’s national governing body from Greendale, Wis.

In addition to grip and foot pressure systems, USBC is applying for a patent on another new technology system. These new technologies will be the subject of newly-named USBC Vice President – National Governing Body Neil Stremmel’s seminars May 7-8 at the USBC Convention in Kansas City, Mo., and June 24 at International Bowl Expo in Orlando, Fla.

“There was a time when I used to compete a lot, but I would venture to say that now, most of my staff members don’t even know I bowl,” said Gallagher, who made his 13th Open Championships appearance. “It really hasn’t sunk in yet, and right now I’m just overwhelmed. I know the history of the sport and this event, so to take the lead here is very humbling.”

Because he’s been busy with a series of seminars that have taken him across America and all the way to Japan during the past six weeks, Gallagher hasn’t spent too much time on the lanes, but did get a chance to practice and strategize with his teammates after arriving in Albuquerque.

The group spent part of Friday practicing on the tournament pattern at a nearby bowling center and then met again Saturday morning for a three-hour session at a different center.

“Since we are all scattered across the country and don’t get to see each other that often, we like to get to town early and spend as much time on the lanes together as we can,” said Gallagher, who helped his team to a 3,024 total Saturday. “Practicing on the tournament pattern helped us get into the mindset to execute and make better shots. The sessions also gave us a chance to analyze each other’s equipment, drill balls if we needed to and match surfaces as best we could to be successful.”

But despite his passion for competition and Sunday’s proof that he can hold his own against more than 63,000 bowlers at the Open Championships, Gallagher is just as happy on the sidelines supporting his staff and his family, especially his 6-year-old son, Noah, who bowls anytime he has the opportunity. Gallagher also has an 11-month-old daughter, Ella.

“I used to compete a lot, but I’ve had my time, and now it’s time for my son to get his chance,” Gallagher said. “He’s only in kindergarten right now, but if he has a good day in school, he gets to go out and practice, and he loves it. More kids should have the passion he does. Right now, I’m happy living through my staff and my son, but to go out and bowl as well as I did today was very satisfying.”

Presenting sponsors for the 2008 USBC Open Championships are Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus Reno in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Roto Grip, official sponsor of the Roto Grip Sport Bowling Challenge; Isleta Casino & Resort; Santa Ana Star Casino, the official brackets sponsor; Rainbow Ryders, the exclusive hot air balloon company of the 2008 Open Championships; and Sandia Resort & Casino.

One of the most important members of the USBC Specifications and Certification team is not a human being.

He’s a robot, and his name is “Harry.” Click on the image to watch a video of Harry.

Harry (named in honor of former testing facility employee Harry Lawrence) is an approximately seven-foot tall robotic bowling ball thrower who is an integral part of the equipment testing and research effort at the USBC Specifications and Certification test facility in Greendale, Wis.

Developed by USBC and in use since 1999, Harry is a unique computer controlled hybrid machine partly encased in safety glass that combines hydraulics, air pressure and electronics that power a mechanical arm that delivers bowling balls to help test balls, lanes, pins and oil patterns. Harry is similar to the United States Golf Association’s robotic golfer “Iron Byron” whose mechanical arm swings golf clubs for research purposes in that sport.

Harry has two “hands,” a device with two clamps that grabs bowling balls. A piston and cylinder assembly makes the machine’s hand open and close to pick up and release a ball. Springs and gravity provide forward momentum to propel a ball down the lane.

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Why doesn’t USBC just use human bowlers? Because Harry can deliver bowling balls with much more precision, accuracy and consistency than humans.

“Harry can consistently duplicate shot after shot at ball speeds anywhere from 14-22 miles per hour and rev rates anywhere from 0-600 rpm,” said USBC Research Engineer Paul Ridenour. “Pairing Harry and the Super CATS (Computer Aided Tracking System) computer and sensor system that precisely tracks bowling ball location and speed as it travels down a lane, gives USBC a key advantage in sophisticated tracking and measurement of ball motion data.”

Harry a key to USBC ball motion study
Because of this phenomenal accuracy that only a robot could provide, Harry is one of the main players in USBC’s bowling ball motion study. The goal of that study, started in 2005, is to gather data about the complex dynamics and inner motion characteristics of today’s high-tech bowling balls. USBC is testing to determine how balls with different properties and characteristics act together, then use this and other information obtained in working with bowling ball manufacturers and other industry leaders to set performance-based specifications for bowling balls used in USBC-certified competition.

A total of 59 particle and reactive resin bowling balls were used for the research study conducted in the USBC testing center which includes eight lanes in a climate-controlled building. Harry tossed the test balls and the data was measured using Super CATS – a system of 23 small electronic sensors installed on the lanes – to record the velocity of the bowling balls.

USBC engineers and technicians have performed more than 150 tests and have conducted several hundred multiple linear regressions to analyze the data.

The USBC Bowling Ball Specifications Task Force – formed in 2005 and comprised of USBC research engineers and technical volunteers from several bowling ball manufacturing companies – is now analyzing the research data results. The task force plans to meet in February to discuss the data further. USBC expects to release complete research results to the public this coming spring.

“USBC is concerned that technology has overtaken player skill in determining success in the sport of bowling,” said USBC Technical Director Neil Stremmel. “Now that the research phase is complete, the task force looks forward to further analysis and discussion prior to releasing the results to the public.”

And once the results are in, Harry will have made a major contribution.<
Though Harry is a robot, his talents make him a major part of USBC’s pledge to uphold the integrity and credibility of the sport of bowling.

Changes made to Junior Team USA selection process

By Kevin Hazaert
USBC Communications

Junior Team USA, the U.S. national junior bowling team and feeder program for Team USA, will expand to 20 players in 2009 – allowing more elite youth bowlers the opportunity to further develop their skills and represent their country.

The majority of Junior Team USA (comprised of 10 males and 10 females) will continue to be established at the previous year’s United States Bowling Congress Junior Gold Championships, which brings together over 1,500 of the country’s best youth bowlers vying for scholarships and U.S. Junior Amateur titles.

However, new for 2009, additional players will be selected through the USBC Team USA Trials (beginning with the 2009 event), which is held annually in January to help determine Team USA.

“Expanding Junior Team USA will give more of the top young athletes in our sport exposure to the elite coaching and training they will receive in the program,” USBC Team USA High-Performance Director David Garber said. “By adding individuals from the USBC Team USA Trials as well, we will be able strengthen Junior Team USA with even more promising talent.”

Selection process for Junior Team USA 2009:

• Top four male and top four female finishers at the 2008 USBC Junior Gold Championships, which will be held July 5-11 in Detroit.
• Two males and two females, chosen by the National Selection Committee, from the pool of remaining match play advancers at the 2008 USBC Junior Gold Championships.
• Top two males and top two females who are age 20 or under as of Jan. 1, 2009, at the 2009 USBC Team USA Trials (dates and location TBD), provided they are not already on Junior Team USA 2009. These four athletes can be either USBC Youth or Adult members as long as they meet the age requirement.
• Two males and two females, chosen by the National Selection Committee, from a pool of athletes that were either match play finalists at the 2008 USBC Junior Gold Championships or who are age 20 or under as of Jan. 1, 2009, and competed at the 2009 USBC Team USA Trials (dates and location TBD). These four athletes can be either USBC Youth or Adult members as long as they meet the age requirement.

Also beginning in 2009, the Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON) Youth Championships (formerly American Zone Youth Championships) will be held on odd-numbered years.

“Previously, Junior Team USA members in odd-numbered years didn’t have the chance to bowl in either the World or PABCON Youth Championships since they were held in the same calendar year,” Garber said. “Now athletes on Junior Team USA will have a competition to strive for each year.”

The 2008 PABCON Youth Championships is tentatively scheduled to be held next September in Lima, Peru.

The United States Bowling Congress has completed its pioneering two-year study of bowling ball motion and how advanced, high-tech equipment may influence lane conditions and scoring in the sport.

The USBC Bowling Ball Specifications Task Force – formed in 2005 and comprised of USBC research engineers and technical volunteers from several bowling ball manufacturing companies – is now analyzing the research data results. The task force plans to meet in February 2008 to discuss the data further. USBC expects to release complete research results to the public next spring.

The goal of the study is to better understand the motion of bowling balls using scientific research and data analysis. As the sport’s national governing body, USBC undertook the research working cooperatively with bowling manufacturers.

One impetus for the study is that over the past 20 years, bowling’s credibility has been compromised in part due to technological advancements that have greatly affected scoring in the sport.

“USBC is concerned that technology has overtaken player skill in determining success in the sport of bowling,” said USBC Technical Director Neil Stremmel. “Now that the research phase is complete, the task force looks forward to further analysis and discussion prior to releasing the results to the public.”

The testing process officially started in summer 2006 after the formation of the USBC Bowling Ball Specifications Task Force. That group has framed the research project, deciding which bowling ball layouts and lane oil patterns are to be used.

A total of 59 particle and reactive resin bowling balls were used for the research study being conducted in the USBC testing center in Greendale, Wis., which includes eight lanes in a climate-controlled building.

USBC’s robotic ball thrower – nicknamed “Harry” – was used to roll the test balls. The data was measured using “Super C.A.T.S.” (Computer Aided Tracking System) to record the velocity of the bowling balls as they were rolled down the lane. The Super C.A.T.S. system is made up of 23 small electronic sensors installed on the lanes.

USBC engineers and technicians have performed more than 150 tests and have conducted several hundred multiple linear regressions to analyze the data.

USBC is committed through that ball research to maintaining the highest standards for credibility and integrity for bowling. In fulfilling that pledge, USBC is launching a re-evaluation of all components of the System of Bowling, which includes lane surfaces, lane conditions, bowling balls and pins. USBC also has formed task forces to deal with issues and standardization of lane surfaces and lane conditioners/cleaners.

“The ultimate goal of USBC research is to strike a better balance between player skill and technology,” Stremmel said.