Mookie Betts - Bowling

[NewToBowling]

He is an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox and by the video below a good bowler also. He has been invited to play at the WSOB.

I know CJ Anderson of the Denver Broncos is sponsored by Storm and in his own rights a very accomplished bowler

http://video.bostonherald.com/Mookie-Betts-goes-bowling-28653530

And here is one of CJ Anderson bowling. He says he is a 210 avg bowler. He does seem to slide with his right foot (right hander)

http://www.9news.com/videos/sports/2015/06/29/29487257/

[Amyers]

Great just more gimmicks to try and get people to watch the PBA. How about going back to real live tournaments instead of the crazy 4 tournaments over a week then lets tape delay it so everyone knows who won a month before you see it on tv crap instead so people that are at least interested in bowling will watch then try to get the fringe involved.

[NewToBowling]

Yeah, but Mookie Betts is a legitimate bowler with sanctioned 300 games. Just looking at a small sampling of his form he has it. It's just baseball pays a little bit more than the PBA :)

[Amyers]

Yeah, but Mookie Betts is a legitimate bowler with sanctioned 300 games. Just looking at a small sampling of his form he has it. It's just baseball pays a little bit more than the PBA :)

I haven't seen him bowl but there is a big difference between carrying a 210 average on house shot with a few 300's than bowling competitively on PBA conditions.

[NewToBowling]

I haven't seen him bowl but there is a big difference between carrying a 210 average on house shot with a few 300's than bowling competitively on PBA conditions.

210 average was for CJ Anderson. Here is more info on Mookie:

In high school, Betts was named the Tennessee Boys’ Bowler of the Year in 2010, and bowled two certified 300 games, bowling’s version of a “perfect game.” He also set Tennessee high school records with a 290 game and 827 series, according to the PBA announcement.

So yeah, although not a professional yet and probably there to bring some cache to WSOB he can and will probably hold his own. In other words he's not Chris Paul

[Amyers]

210 average was for CJ Anderson. Here is more info on Mookie:

In high school, Betts was named the Tennessee Boys’ Bowler of the Year in 2010, and bowled two certified 300 games, bowling’s version of a “perfect game.” He also set Tennessee high school records with a 290 game and 827 series, according to the PBA announcement.

So yeah, although not a professional yet and probably there to bring some cache to WSOB he can and will probably hold his own. In other words he's not Chris Paul

I'll try to reserve judgment until I see him bowl but the CJ Anderson thing left a bad taste in my mouth.

[scottymoney]

Great just more gimmicks to try and get people to watch the PBA. How about going back to real live tournaments instead of the crazy 4 tournaments over a week then lets tape delay it so everyone knows who won a month before you see it on tv crap instead so people that are at least interested in bowling will watch then try to get the fringe involved.

Not to start an argument but I guess it can be considered one. In a sport where there is not very much prize money and athletes who can't support themselves by being a full time pro, the events can not possibly all be live. The WSOB is done over 2 weeks and a bunch of shows are made off of this (I believe 6). This is to cut down on expenses for everyone. Also sorry to say but making each event live is not going to generate anymore buzz for the "fringe" than a taped show would. Most "fringers" couldn't even tell you if the event was actually taped or live if they saw it.

As far as Mookie Betts, let the man bowl. We will see what happens. I think it is things like that which give the sport a bit more attention. It also showcases the fact that not everyone can compete with the pros. A couple years ago there were a few people who made a big deal about Marshall Kent being given a spot in the WSOB (Same year Terrell Owens was given a spot).

[vdubtx]

He averages pretty well. Here is his USBC link for his stats. He only has 1 300 listed. I know I saw somewhere else he has a couple?

http://membership.bowl.com/USBCsearch/ViewMember.jsp?prefix=6701&suffix=2103

No reason to get upset over a "celebrity" bowling in the WSOB. Just brings more to the sport if they actually try to watch him bowl.

[Amyers]

Not to start an argument but I guess it can be considered one. In a sport where there is not very much prize money and athletes who can't support themselves by being a full time pro, the events can not possibly all be live. The WSOB is done over 2 weeks and a bunch of shows are made off of this (I believe 6). This is to cut down on expenses for everyone. Also sorry to say but making each event live is not going to generate anymore buzz for the "fringe" than a taped show would. Most "fringers" couldn't even tell you if the event was actually taped or live if they saw it.

As far as Mookie Betts, let the man bowl. We will see what happens. I think it is things like that which give the sport a bit more attention. It also showcases the fact that not everyone can compete with the pros. A couple years ago there were a few people who made a big deal about Marshall Kent being given a spot in the WSOB (Same year Terrell Owens was given a spot).

I understand that all the events can't be live but having half the season done over a 2 week span at the same location? Sorry that's just lame. The fact that there are not tour stops due to combining these events within reasonable driving distance for a lot of the country is not a good way to grow the sport. 25 US events reduced down to 9 states the closest to me and I'm sure large portions of the country are as bad or worse 5 hour drive.

My comments were not live viewing would increase fringe viewing it just might help them get some actual people who do care to watch. I really do get the money thing they need additional sponsors. Heck I even buy Barbasol most of the time just to support the tour even though there are other products I like better.

[NewToBowling]

I'll try to reserve judgment until I see him bowl but the CJ Anderson thing left a bad taste in my mouth.

I agree with CJ. But check out the Mookie Betts video. Great bowling form (at least to me)

[Amyers]

I agree with CJ. But check out the Mookie Betts video. Great bowling form (at least to me)

I'm not saying the guy isn't an above average bowler. He may vary well be but the WSOB is one of the bigger tournaments. Can you imagine have a singer/actor/other sport star playing in the MLB Playoffs or NBA Playoffs or the NFL Playoffs or even the regular season of these sports? Why because it's disrespectful to the athletes in those sports. If he wants to try and qualify more power to him but for it just to be handed to him? What is really even going to give the sport any notoriety here. Who even knew who Mookie Betts was before this?

[NewToBowling]

I'm not saying the guy isn't an above average bowler. He may vary well be but the WSOB is one of the bigger tournaments. Can you imagine have a singer/actor/other sport star playing in the MLB Playoffs or NBA Playoffs or the NFL Playoffs or even the regular season of these sports? Why because it's disrespectful to the athletes in those sports. If he wants to try and qualify more power to him but for it just to be handed to him? What is really even going to give the sport any notoriety here. Who even knew who Mookie Betts was before this?

Well he does play for the Red Sox so I'm pretty sure more people know him than Chris Barnes or Norm Duke.

He would be considered an exemption. He is good enough to compete and would be considered a draw. Him being there would bring some much needed attention to the sport and PBA

[JasonNJ]

Man CJ Anderson's form is funky. I see a lot of beginner bowlers who slide on the wrong foot so I guess no one ever corrected him and he's athletic enough that he learned how to bowl well like that.

As for Mookie competing in the WSOB I don't have a problem with that. The NBA, NFL or MLB you have to be good enough to make a team but the WSOB is a bowling tournament so the only qualification is really if you can pay the entry fee. It would be a different story if they put him on Team USA and let him compete in the Olympics or some event like that.