By TONY BELLISSIMO
More than 66 million people in the United States bowl during a year and approximately 2.6 million compete regularly in league play certified by the U.S. Bowling Congress. There are more than 250 centers in New York, including 15 in Nassau County that offer something for everyone.
AMF East Meadow Lanes is one of the top establishments in the county and has more than 30 leagues set to begin in September. “We have leagues for bowlers of all ages and levels,” general manager Nick Scaccio said. “The Monday men’s league is the most competitive one we’ve got, and we also have a very competitive mixed league on Friday night that always gets filled.”
Scaccio is expecting 1,700 league bowlers this season. At least 130 of them will compete in the Fun Bowl Vacation League, which instead of a cash prize offers a choice of three vacations based on order of finish. Each team must consist of two men and two women, and the cost is $28 per bowler, per week. “The league champs get to choose between Hawaii, Cancun and a Caribbean cruise,” Scaccio said. “It’s popular.” Already there are 32 teams signed up. Even those finishing in the lower half of the standings, including last place, head to Las Vegas, Orlando or Fort Lauderdale for four days.
East Meadow has four leagues reserved for seniors, who get to drink for free (coffee, that is) while bowling.
Baldwin Bowl, which has 28 lanes and also offers the Fun Bowl Vacation League, is the place to be for seniors on Fridays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. when they can bowl for $1.50 game. From 4 p.m. to close on Sundays, anyone can bowl for $2.75 per game, a savings of up to $2.25. Two-high profile men’s leagues highlight the upcoming league season at Baldwin. Manager Peter Slavska said as long as at least 24 teams participate, first place in the Wednesday four-man league will be $20,000, and the top prize in Monday’s three-man league will be $15,000. Cost to join in $30 per week for 36 weeks.
A pair of new leagues at Rockville Centre Lanes will cater to smaller teams: Classic Doubles on Monday night at 9:30 p.m. and Invitational Trios on Wednesday at the same time. Lenny Cafaro and John Young have co-owned the 34-lane establishment since 1972. “We’ve been around a long time,” Cafaro said. “All bowling alleys are trying to do something different to generate business. We run as many specials as we can.”
Dave Goldman, president of the Rockville Centre Businessmen’s league, is hopeful the number of teams will increase after dipping to 14 last season. “It would be nice if we can get closer to 20,” said Goldman, who carries a 220 average.
Saturday is Vegas Night at RVC Lanes. For $18, customers get three games of colored-pin bowling (plus rental shoes if needed) and have a chance to win anywhere between $1-25 with a strike — depending on where the colored pins drop in the rack.
No pins were falling in Elmont from 2002-06 after International Lanes closed its doors, but a new state-of-the art 24-lane center — Dani’s Strike Zone — has revitalized the sport in the area. Owner Diane Horowitz said the business is “going as well as planned.” There are 24 leagues on tap, and during the week most open bowling games are only $3.50 apiece.
Sandy Ingraffia, co-owner of San-Dee Lanes in Malverne, is encouraging customers to join the newly formed Sunday morning adult/child league, which begins Sept. 21. The cost is $18 per team, per week for two games. Trophies and participation awards will be handed out at the end of season pizza party. “We call our center the best kept little secret on Long Island,” said Ingraffia, who has co-owned the 16-lane center with Kathy Ribaudo for 20 years.
Nick Paxinos, co-owner of Woodmere Lanes with John Ryan, said they revitalized the inside of the nearly 50-year-old building last fall with a brand new floor and seating area on each of the 10 pairs of lanes. It offers 17 leagues for the upcoming season and a three-hour “all you can bowl” special on Friday nights for $19. “When you leave here, you leave with a nice experience,” Paxinos said.
Getting started
Mike D’Ambrosio, who owns and operates pro shops at Rockville Centre Lanes and Dani’s Strike Zone, has a ball, bag and shoes special for $119. He can also order balls with the logo of your favorite NFL team, as well as the Yankees or Mets. “Our starter kits have been on the rise in the last year,” he said.
Comments about this story? TBellissimo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 204.
