Indianapolis, In: Do your legs shake when you get into a real pressure situation? If yes what do you do to make them stop?

Johnny Petraglia: Yes I shake. But I've learned that that's where all the fun is. The way to combat it is to take the pressure and put it in front of you. Now if I need a strike to win a match, I say things like my heart is beating faster, my palms are sweaty, I know 10 million people are watching me and I'm good enough to handle it. As long as the last thought is positive you have a great chance for success. Never think negative.
 

Bayville, NJ: Do you think it's more likely that a beginner will "figure the game out" on his own by throwing 3-5 games a week, or would progress faster with professional isntruction ( lessons ) and practice? If lessons and practice, how often?

Johnny Petraglia: You will become better and figure out the game better if you take professional lessons. Today's bowlers are better than yesterday's bowlers because of the knowledge accumulated over the years. For example, my son is learning from me and I was taught by Fred Borden, who was taught by people like Andy Varipapa. You have more generations of knowledge. It is no accident that six of the top stars on the PBA Tour bowled for Wichita State and studied with Gordon Vadakin.
 

Pittsburgh PA: Hi John, I am a past-president (2001) of the Pittsburgh Bowling Association and my question is: why do the PBA keep approving all these bowling balls that the manufacturers keep putting out. That is why there are so many 300 games - all you need is the right ball and some money!! Back when Mr. Nagy rolled his 300, rubber balls were the norm and that was it. It is too easy today for the bowlers and I would like to see the PBA start eliminating these new-fangled ball!! Get bowling back to what it was - "A SPORT" Gene M. Kubancsek Past-president GPTPBA

Johnny Petraglia: The PBA keeps approving the new bowling balls because they want the public to know that we're not using anything special. We are using same equipment as general public, unlike golf and tennis who have their equipment specially designed.
 

St. Louis, MO: How are you gettting younger people excited about bowling?

Johnny Petraglia: By telling them about the "new" PBA. Great strides have been made the last couple years since the PBA was bought by the Chris Peters group. The future looks great.
 

St. Louis: Thanks for doing this chat. Isn't the biggest problem with bowling the fact all bowlers do is whine and complain about lane conditions all the time?

Johnny Petraglia: Yes. Unfortunately a lot is justified. If lane conditions aren't done properly, it's the bowler that suffers. I don't think the problem will ever be solved until we can figure out a way to bowl on an oilless lane.
 

kalamazoo, mi: Is new ball technology reason for more 300 games?

Johnny Petraglia: Yes. The pins and the bowling balls are the biggest reasons for the higher scores. The easiest way to realize that would be to go to local center have someone that is averaging 235 or 240...give them a plastic ball or urethane and let them bowl on the same condition and you will see their average go down 20 pins or more.
 

Boston, MA: Have you ever done any candlepin bowling? How well did you do? ;^) What is your opinion on the game?

Johnny Petraglia: Yes I have. The toughest thing I've ever done. I thought duckpins were tough until I tried Candlepins. If you are good in candlepin, my hats off to you!
 

richmond, va.: Johnny, what do you think of Sport Bowling? Will it save the game?

Johnny Petraglia: No it won't save the game. Sport bowling is trying to create the scores that were shot 30 years ago. The problem is 30 years ago the game wasn't tougher. It's just that the dynamics were different. You could hit the pocket as easily as you do now, but you couldn't knock over the same amount of pins with a rubber bowling ball. Sport bowling is for the first time, intentionally trying to make the lanes tough.
 

Washington DC: I have an old Rhino Black ball that I have been using for the last 15 years. This ball works good for me I carry a 170 avg, should i get a new ball. It is convential drilled and I love it. Everybody says get a new ball but it works for me.

Johnny Petraglia: Get a new ball. If you can average 170 with a Rhino you will average 185 with a Frenzy.
 

Marshfield, Missouri: Will Professional Bowling tournments, either men or women, be televised on ABC, CBS, or NBC instead of cable? Not all of us out there in the sticks get get cable or have satelite dishes, that enjoy watching the pros bowl. Thanks!

Johnny Petraglia: Currently our contract is with ESPN, however they are discussing having some tournaments being put back on ABC. All of us would love that.
 

Milwaukee: Johnny, I loved watching you bowl 300 on TV. I remember you said the bonus money you won would go to your daughter's college education....has she graduated yet?

Johnny Petraglia: It was my son and my daughter. My son started college this year - that's where the money is going. My daughter is still only 12.
 

Boston, MA: Who do you think makes the best bowling equipment?

Johnny Petraglia: I've been with Brunswick for 31 years. Other than some ball testing I haven't thrown another company's bowling ball. However, in the last decade, Brunswick has had more bowlers of the year than any other company.
 

Charlotte, NC: From: Freddie Perdue - Johnny, I love my LT-48 rubber ball, but I have not bowl with it over 10 or 12 yrs. I bowl my best games with that ball. My question is do you think I could use that ball on the condition today.

Johnny Petraglia: It was the best ball of its time, but being a rubber ball, it won't work the same on today's conditions.
 

Memphis, TN: Think back to your first 300 game - how did you mentally handle the thought 'this could be my first 300'? Were you more mentally or physically nervous? When you are on the approach - what goes through your mind? What are you thinking? Do you think before you get on the approach?

Johnny Petraglia: It was in 1966 in Fort Smith Arkansas in a PBA Tournament. I was 19 years old. All I remember is that I was numb on the 12th shot and thankfully they all went down.
 

Memphis, TN: Who has played the biggest role in your bowling career? Do you still have a coach? How comfortable are you with the many different bowling balls on the market? Do you have a favorite coverstock?

Johnny Petraglia: When I was 13, my first coach was Andy Varipapa, which was a tremendous help. My father got me into the game and supported me until I got on Tour. The main reason I went on Tour was Dick Weber. When I was 14 I saw him do an exhibition in Madison Square Garden. When I left I remember saying to myself: I want to be like Dick Weber.
 

INDIANAPOLIS,IN: HOW MANY 300'S, 800'S ?

Johnny Petraglia: 33 300 games. About 15 800s. The first 800 and the TV 300 are the two memorable ones for me.
 

Milwaukee, WI: Johnny - I was watching in '94 when you threw 300 in Toledo, but truth be told, I was waiting to see Dale Traber and Dave Traber (both from the Milwaukee area) who were both seeded higher than you on that show. Anyway, I would like to get your thoughts on the current PBA on TV, specifically ESPN. On one hand, I like the big money that they shoot for each week, and I like the shirts with the names on them. But I miss watching it from a bowling alley... ESPN's set looks like it is bowled in the same location each week. A secondary question is "How do you like the new format?"

Johnny Petraglia: I understand you feel like you are watching the same each week because of the set. A recognizable set makes you know it's the PBA, but I like seeing the different bowling centers each week also. The match play format before TV makes for a more exciting event. For TV though, I would like to see them go back to a stepladder finals.
 

Memphis, TN: In your opinion, how has the updated and always changing bowling balls and sports condition affected the game? Was bowling at it's best when bowling balls were just plastic or rubber? This is interesting conversation - the 'modernization' of bowling? Please expand on this subject.

Johnny Petraglia: Good question...If the dynamics can match up, it doesn't matter whether plastic and rubber or reactive resin. We have missed the boat so far because we haven't put in pins that match up to the bowling balls.
If we got a better pin in there, bowling would be like the days of plastic and rubber.
 

Memphis, TN: Not a question - a comment. I live in Memphis, TN and bowl at Billy Hardwick's Bowling Lanes. He has a display case at the lanes with many of his accomplishments and photos - some of which you are included. Johnny, I tip my hat to you, Billy and the other Triple Crown winners. What an accomplishment! And one more time, Congratulations on your many, many bowling accomplishments.

Johnny Petraglia: Thanks very much
 

Aurora, Illinois: Johnny, Thanks for taking my question. How do you stay focused when you are string strikes, struggling with lane conditions or just throwing a great shot in a must double situation and wind up getting tapped.

Johnny Petraglia: It's important to have a routine. You will notice the pros on TV do exactly the same thing before every shot. Whether they are on a spare, an open or a five-bagger. Once you have a good preshot routine, then the mental side takes care of itself.
 

Memphis, TN: How does sponsorship work when you are a beginner on the PBA Tour? Do you go to potential sponsors or do they come to you? Are there any 'no-no's' about sponsorship on tour? Thank You.

Johnny Petraglia: Both ways..depending on how good and well known you are in your area. The basic sponsorship contract for a beginner is the sponsor puts up all the money - the sponsor gets all the earnings back until he or she is even and then the bowler and host split 50-50 whatever is left. It's important to let someone know if you are looking for a sponsor that being a sponsor is tax deductible.
 

Oceanside,NY: I am a lefty and average about 220, and recently shot an 834 series, but it is not a realistic scoring due to new equipment, and soft lane conditions. My question is the lefty vs righty harressment that I always receive if I bowl good, or lead a tournament. What should be my response? They hate us,but want us on their league teams! I am 57 and you are still my favorite PBA player despite myself and you being a lefty...

Johnny Petraglia: I could talk forever on this answer. The first thing you can say is lefthanders have 6-year shorter lifespan than righthanders. Then you can also mention that if you want any of my other problems our country's laws are based on the bill of RIGHTS..even my religious leaders tell me a good person is a RIGHTEOUS person..- Do you want my problems or do you want to stay righthanded! Seriously, lefthanders are as good as righthanders and it's time the righthanders believed it.
 

Bloomfield, CT: Why can wrestlers get Hollywood's attention but not bowlers? Pete Weber would have been great in the Scorpion King. Or Ernie Schegel even.

Johnny Petraglia: All i would say is I guess it has to do with what The Rock looks like with his shirt off compared to what Pete Weber looks like with his shirt off!
 

Worcester, MA: Hi Johnny. What do you attest the drastic decline in ABC membership and general overall interest in bowling to over the last 20 years?

Johnny Petraglia: Not enough support for the professionals of the sport. 20 years ago pro bowlers made similar amounts of money to other pro athletes. Today, there are so many ways to become a millionaire in athletics, parents are pushing their kids into the sport that gives them a shot at being a millionaire. Life is all about dreams and it is just automatic that people go to the biggest dream. I feel that if pro bowlers (men and women) if leading money winner made 7 figures, we would have more junior bowlers then a bowling center could accommodate.
 

Moreno Valley, ca: Are you still refered to "RAGS" by your PBA friends

Johnny Petraglia: Only the older ones - on the senior tour. The new guys call me other things.
 

Memphis, TN: What is your advice for my 16 yr old son who is and has been determined to be a pro bowler for several years. He will be heading for Wichita State University soon. Jeri Edwards is his coach. His majors are business/sales & marketing. Talk about the mental game for the younger bowlers with these hopes & dreams. Thanks much from Memphis, TN

Johnny Petraglia: Just tell him he's done everything right. You can't get a better coach or a better college. Jeri is one of the best in the business. 16 is a tough age - you want to be a pro, but you want to have fun. When you are bowling in tournaments, make sure it's still fun.
 

Auburn, MA: Do you think that the prices of equipment and renting a lane to practice are too high to attract new bowlers?

Johnny Petraglia: Yes that is a big problem. I think there could be a lower fee if all you wanted to do was practice. You would need to leave a certain amount of lanes in a center to attract new bowlers. That would be a wonderful idea. The price is too high.
 

Moreno valley, Ca: Hi John. Haven't talked to you in about 15 Years. Greg Baderdeen. Talked to Ty Critchlow, he said to tell you hi also.

Johnny Petraglia: Hi and I hope you both are doing great. It would be nice to see you again.
 

livonia michigan: to what do you attribute your longevity on the pba tour?

Johnny Petraglia: The longevity comes from the love of the game. The game has changed completely from the day I started, but I still love to bowl. It's my life. When all it takes is one good week, one shot of getting on TV, even if it tok two years, is well worth it for the thrill and feeling of bowling in that situation in that kind of pressure. When you get lined up to the point you are bowling so well that you have already thrown a strike you want people to have that feeling just once. It makes you want to go out there and get that feeling again.
 

Philadelphia, PA: Hi Johnny. Who are some of the promising rookies in the PBA this year??

Johnny Petraglia: Brad Angelo is top rookie on Tour. Great mental game. He never gives up and has only missed one cut. Other young players like Tommy Jones will be a star.
 

Albany, NY: Mr. Petraglia: I saw in the story that you think heavier pins are needed. How heavy are the pins, and are all pins the same weight in every bowling center?

Johnny Petraglia: Pins now weigh 3-6, 3.8, but they are double voided and made from substances that make them fly. We need single voided (not top heavy) 4 pound pins that can be dead. We have to get rid of springy side boards too.
Pins vary a little bit bowling center to bowling center. Some are still 3.2 and they go to 3.10.
 

Philadelphia, PA: Is making a living on tour tougher of easier than it was in the Mid 1970's??

Johnny Petraglia: It's getting better, but still tougher because in mid 70s if you had a $70-80,000 year it was a good living. If you make that now the expenses of traveling much higher and the cost of living is higher.
 

Indianapolis, IN: What book or video would you recommend to help an average bowler to become a 200+ bowler?

Johnny Petraglia: Par bowling by Tom Kourous is still a very good book.
 

Bloemker, PA: I loved the movie "Kingpin". How accurate was the movie to PBA tour?

Johnny Petraglia: It's not. Kingpin is as accurate as Tin Cup. It's just a fun movie.