Falcaro's, Last Of The Big Time Action House's

This section is dedicated to Barry Clare, It was his idea.

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Joe Falcaro

It was no secret that the rulers of US bowling generally viewed the late, great Joe Falcaro with apprehension. In character and temperament, he was like an accident looking for a place to happen, and in his blustering, profane career he trod on many toes. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that three years after his death Falcaro is still judged more as a man than as a bowler and has yet to find his niche in bowling's Hall of Fame.

In 1930, for example, when he was National Match Game champion, he was introduced to the new president of a bowling manufacturing firm. "I'm like you, Joe," beamed the manufacturer, thinking to put the champ at ease. "I'm a self-made man."

Joe gave him a long, contemptuous stare. "Come around when you're finished," he replied, and turned his back.

CHAMP WITH A SNEER

Falcaro had no respect for anyone except himself. When the Bowling Proprietors Association of America was formed in 1932, one of its first moves was to inform Joe that 1) it recognized him as  US champion, and 2) that it was arranging for him to defend his title against the winner of a national elimination tournament. Falcaro's answer was brief and blunt: "Who the hell are you bums? Falcaro the Great arranges his own matches!"

Falcaro's championship was self-proclaimed, but he made it stick. A slight man with a huge nose and full lips which curved naturally into a sneer, he has been pictured as part villain, part clown. Actually he was a great showman who took himself and bowling very seriously.

One day he exploded wrathfully when a radio announcer introduced him as "the great Falcaro." "No, no," Joe shouted into the microphone. "You got it wrong. It's Falcaro the Great!" Two days later he returned to apologize. "I been thinking," he told the announcer. "You were right. 'The great Falcaro.' It's got more class."

Rough though he was, Joe did a lot for bowling. He was among the first to explain and teach the game to women. His excellent movie shorts and his personal tours from coast to coast were a major factor in bowling's rise from the poolroom and saloon to America's most popular sport.

His personal principles were less creditable. Though he was one of the first to police the sport and lecture on the practices of sharks, he profited richly from his own incognito forays into bowling's hinterlands. He did little to enhance bowling's prestige. He was often mixed up in all-night drinking bouts. His foghorn voice spouted profanity in a rich Italian accent. Above all Falcaro considered himself Mr. Bowling and set his own rules for defense of the title which he won from Joe Scribner of Detroit in 1929.

Andy Varipapa followed him from alley to alley vainly trying to challenge him. "Go get a reputation first!" was Falcaro's taunting answer. When a match was finally agreed on—under Falcaro's rules—Varipapa bowled an incredible 252 average for the 30 games. But Joe's score was even more incredible: he beat Andy by 90 pins. "If it hadn't of been me," said Joe, "I wouldn't believe it."
Joe Falcaro Video

Does anyone know for sure if Joe Falcaro is the original owner of Falcaro's?

Joe Falcaro Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3so1U8Jufo

AC Deer...

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Mike Banner just informed me that:

Herb & Nat were the second owners of Falcaro's. Joe Falcaro was the original owner. Herb's father bought it from Joe years before the old Falcaro's burnt down...I still remeber bowling in the old Falcaro's with the huge columns running down the center of the lanes...

Now that's something I never knew about Falcaro's.....Does everyone remember Vinny & Gary....how about Vic Nuzzzolo?

Hey Mike Banner.....you have a pretty good memory.......I don't remember the inside of the old falcaro's and I'm the same age as you. I do remember the fire though.

Mr. Poker...that video was awesome. Did you notice that Joe only put one finger in the ball? I always thought that Andy Varipappa was the trick shooter shot in the game at that time

falcarosforever

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Joe Falcaro came first, Andy V learned from Joe and then followed in his foot steps.

They had a tremendous 30 game total wood match against each other, both avereaged over 250, truly unreal for that time period. Joe Falcaro won the match by 90 pins...

AC Deer...

I've been reviewing a lot of the boards and find it hard to believe that Falcaro's in Lawrence doesn't get much mention as an action house. The fact is that Falcaro's for a period of 15 years or more stretching from the mid to late 60's to mid 80's was the premier action house every Saturday. Alot of the big name action bowlers who were still bowling action and the newcomers came to Falcaro's every Saturday to bowl big money singles and doubles matches Anyone who doesn't mention Falcaro's during this time period has no clue of what real action was. The action at Falcaro's on Saturday's was the last great action of the good old action days. I for one spent every Saturday at Falcaro's waiting for the right match to bowl or bet on. A typical Saturday at Falcaro's started around 12 noon. From 12 noon, bowlers would start arriving from at the lanes. As more and more bowlers showed up, the opportunity for matches started to come about. Gibby Pastor Sr. who was a Falcaro's icon, arranged most of the matches. Most of the matches at Falcaro's were matches of house bowlers against bowlers from other houses. Although there were many matches between house bowlers as well. Action at falcaro's didn't happen right away, a lot of matchmaking and bull shitting went on before matches actually started. Some of the criteria for a match was obviously who was bowling who, singles or doubles, which pair would the match be on, and how much $$'s per game. The house action shooters at Falcaro's didn't like bad action, meaning if you had a reputation of winning (being up) one or two games and quitting, you were considered bad action and it would be hard for you to get a match. Most of the time when a house bowler was bowling an outsider, all of the house bowlers not bowling the match would bet on the house bowler either in the main pot or in the back against someone else. On one particular Saturday afternoon, I remember Bill Daly walking into Falcaro's with Cliffy Burglund. The typical matchmaking start between Gibby Sr. and Daly and it was decided that Tommy "Triple" Yadanza was going to bowl Cliffy on 47 and 48. Before the match started there were a lot of bets being made both in the main pot and in the back. The main bet was around $2,500. Tommy won the first game, I don't recall the score and the second game with a higher bet came down to the 10th frame with Cliffy needing to make a 2 pin to win the game. When cliffy threw the ball for the spare the ball hooked just past the 2 pin and he lost........you should have seen Daly's face, he was dumb struck and Cliffy took his shoes off and threw them about 20 lanes down. The house bowlers were going nuts. It was great winning money on a blown 2 pin. That day, with the money I won on the Triple vs Cliffy match, I bowled the "Beeper" woo, woo and beat him 3 out of 4 games.

I will be back with more Falcaro's stories....if you have any to share with us....lets here them.....there are many and so many action shooters from this great action house.

falcarosforever

This forum was created for all of the action bowlers, bettors and spectators who had a chance to be part of the fantastic action which took place in Falcaro's during the late 60's, 70's and up to the mid 80's. I know there are many of you out there because there are names of many bowlers who participated as action shooters at Falcaro's all over this web site. It would be great to re-live some of the exciting times of the past, a past that will never be duplicated. You had to be there to really appreciate it.

I would even, if possible like to get a reunion of all of the characters that were part of the Falcaro's scene. Let's get some stories posted and try to plan a reunion of some sorts.

Wishing all action bowlers of the past and present, Happy Holidays, since this forum has been started on Easter Sunday.

falcarosforever

I'm going to start this thread with a great story from the good old days of action at falcaro's.

It was a Saturday early evening at Falcaro's when Jeff Kidder and Gibby Pastor Jr. bowled a special match against one another. Now everyone knew that Jeff was probably the best action shooter of all time and would bury Gibby if they bowled head up. The only way for Gibby to have a chance to win was with some kind of handicap. The handicap in this case was something I have never seen before in all of my action days, and believe me I have seen a lot. Gibby had told Jeff that he was willing to bowl if Jeff wore Gibby's leather coat and street shoes for the match. Jeff agreed and the match started. It was pretty funny watching Jeff put on Gibby's coat, because it was tight on Jeff. It was even funnier watching Jeff bowl with the coat and shoes. The bet wasn't significant but enough to make it serious. As it tuned out the only one laughing in the end was Jeff, because he beat Gibby even though Gibby averaged about 230. I was betting on Gib as well as many other house bowlers and we were in shock. Jeff had incredible talent.......he even walked around with his own pins if you wanted to bowl a lumberjack match. This day at falcaro's I remember like it was yesterday.

falcarosforever

Barry Clare (home house Falcaro's Lawrence) who was a big action shooter in his days, early 70's to mid 80's, is still bowling and at the age of 51 recently bowled back to back 800's and 300's at RVC lanes.

Barry was a member of a team at Deer Park in the early 80's who held the ABC record for 5 man total wood. The team was:

Barry Clare
Bill Daly
Artie Clemens
Les Shirwindt
Phil Caporusso Jr.

During those days Bill Daly use to back Barry over league bowlers during league play.

Saturday afternoon and evening at Falcaro's in Lawrence was the premier action house during the mid 70's and early 80's. Guys came from all over to challenge the house bowlers. The true house action bowlers at Falcaro's were as follows and not necessarily in order of the best.

Tommy "Triple" Yadanza
Bruce "The Dipper" Pastor
Gibby ("The matchmaker") Pastor Sr.
Gibby Pastor Jr.
Barry Clare
Phil Caporusso Jr.
Al ("Ironman") Pinola
John The Pollack
Joe Viverito
Big Al
Julio Curra
John Dugan
Maury Berger
Steve Weiss
Steve Gowa
Paul Katz
Ira Katz ("The Whale")
John Kurkemelis
Steve Reiss
Aaron Goldfedder
Louis Rothman
Michael ("The Sailor") Sperber
Dino Star
Freddy ("The Silver Fox") Mayo
Freddy ("The Ox") Arbolino
Andrew Castardi
Mike Kilgannon
Mike Lemingello
Ray Shell

Anyone who remebers more .....please let me know..

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Action Bowlers who came down to Falcaro's during this era to bowl either house bowlers or other bowlers from the region were as follows:

Jeff Kidder
Bill Dailey
Tavie
Joe Cologna
Cliffy Berglund
Tony Devito
Ricky Papandrea
Gino Papandrea
Louis Prisco
Big Earl
Bobby Simonelli Jr.
Hank Behrbom
Snake
Les Shirwindt
Jimmy McCue
The Beeper

Zoo Master

As for the accuracy of the list that was posted some time ago, it is very accurate and probably put up by a true Falcaro's action shooter. Some of the house bowlers mentioned would only be known by a house shooter. The action was awesome every saturday....all day and all night. Sometimes you could walk in and there would be 5 or 6 matches going on at the same time. plenty of action.

falcarosforever

Yesterday at 1:52pm, old dog wrote:
Lets get a little background info on Falcaro's because I was never there.

First off, how was the food.

second, how was the bar

third, did any gambling go on there besides the bowling

fourth, who were the greatest character's that hung there

fifth, who were the greatest characters that came from somewhere's else to either bowl you guys or bet against you

sixth, what went on there when you guys were just hanging out

seventh, who were the biggest betters that called Falcaro's home

eighth, how many lanes

ninth, who were the biggest betters from the outside that came to Falcaro's

tenth, what hours was Falcaro's opened

final question, who were the best action bowlers that called Falcaro's home and what years did they reign.

Answers to your questions:

First off, how was the food....... the food was typical luncheonette food, although Mike the Greek did have some special dishes. The food was better than other bowling alley food. Nearby we had choices of restaurants we could walk to. The Sherwood Diner was right down the block, open late, great diner. The "greasy spoon" or "LD" Lawrence Diner was down the block as well. If you felt like chinese, Sam Pan was also right next door along with Mauros pizza.

second, how was the bar......the bar was pretty active, but not a lot of women......mostly guys who finished bowling action or guys betting on sports games.

third, did any gambling go on there besides the bowling.....are you kidding? We bet on everything and anything. We were real degenerates. I remember pitching quarters outside against the stoop, running races in the parking lot, bar dice, cards, horseracing, sports betting, arm wrestling, betting on high scores on the pinball machine or video game etc.

fourth, who were the greatest character's that hung there.......there were so many, Gibby Pastor Sr. "The Real Matchmaker", Headbone, Paul Rowan, Dennis Delgaise, The Mope, Gary "Cheesecake" Robinson, Al "Ironman" Pinolla, Vic "The Barber" and Mikey Bones.

fifth, who were the greatest characters that came from somewhere's else to either bowl you guys or bet against you......without a doubt it would have to be the "beeper" Jeff Klein. Also there was a crazy lefty who use to come down from green acres, can't remember his name,

sixth, what went on there when you guys were just hanging out......if we weren't trying to set up a match, we would be talking about bowling, eating, drinking in the bar or gambling on something else

seventh, who were the biggest betters that called Falcaro's home.......house bowlers at falcaro's stuck together when a house bowler bowled someone from outside.......no one really bet big by them self.....but as a group we could send it in. Barry Bernstein bet big money.

eighth, how many lanes.........48 lanes all in a straight row....no columns anywhere!

ninth, who were the biggest betters from the outside that came to Falcaro's..........Bill Daly

tenth, what hours was Falcaro's opened.......Falcaro's opened around 8 in the morning and stayed open until the action stopped as long as you promised Gary, the manager, you would take him to the sherwood diner to eat after the match.

final question, who were the best action bowlers that called Falcaro's home and what years did they reign.[/quote]......... During my time, which was the mid 70's to mid 80's the best action shooters from Falcaro's were:

Ira "The Whale"Katz
Freddy "The Ox" Arbolino
Freddy "Silver Streak" Mayo
Tommy "Triple" Yadanza
Bruce "The Dipper" Pastor
Gibby Pastor Jr.
Barry "Cuffs" Clare
Phil "Cap" Caporusso Jr.
AAron Goldfedder
Jack Kurkomelis
Julio Curra
Andrew Castardi
George Stephens Sr.
Dennis Delgaise
Steve Reiss
The Beezer

falcarosforever

Hey Fozzie......you are right, Fogelson was tough at Falcaro's. I also remember "The Beezer" and Jack Kurkemelis.......I was part of the juniors who grew up bowling action in Falcaro's. I bowled against Jack many times. Falcaro's was a tough house and the house shooters always had a big time advantage over outsiders coming in to bowl action. In the early 80's I was recruited along with Phil Caporusso Jr. by Bill Daly to bowl out in Deer Park on Bill's team. During the early 80's at Falcaro's I was averaging in the low 190's along with Freddy Arbolino Sr. in the Monday Mens Business league. A 190 average back then especially at Falcaro's was great shooting. When I got out to Deer Park, Bill kept the reigns on myself and Phil until midway through the season, then he let us loose, I know I averaged over 230 for more than 1/2 a winter league season. The good leagues at Deer Park back then were not sanctioned because of the conditions, which are typical now, that's why we have so many 300's and 800's now (conditions and bowling balls). Bill Daly knew what he was doing when he asked myself and Phil to bowl, he knew we would average significantly higher than we did at Falcaro's and it was a big advantage. I believe the "Wallman" Mark Brenner was the first guy to put up the wall at Deer Park.

For you to remember the real name of "The Beezer" Jerry Houser, you must definitely know me. Care to tell me your name? How about some of the old stories you remember.

falcarosforever

My first match was against Chuck "Sharp".
I lost. My next whoopin' came from "Dyno" Don Starr. I lost. One day I beat Barry Bernstein 19 out of 26. I won. My next best day was when i bowled Billy Gambino when he used "collection money" and I beat him just before old man Schwartz came in to Falcaros and broke up the "party". I won. 2 wins-2 losses...oh well. Lots of others in between including odd pin, one finger odd pin, 2 ball odd pin, 175 or better- 8 or less is double zero,etc... It was the good old days..
(Tom Triple)

falcarosforever

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Falcarosforever, you mentioned Barry Bernstein and Bill Daly. Here's a great story when the owner of this site Butch took the both of them down. I was partners with Butch on this hustle.

http://www.actionbowlers.com/bio/chapter9.html

AC Deer

You really have a great site it bring back great memories, I feel like going in that DeLoreon and going right back to the 50's & 60's. I came from Falcaros and used to hang with Freddie the Ox, Ray Shell,Sis,etc. and we really had a great time traveling to Bklyn to bowl all the great action guys. There are some names I recall that I haven't as yet found on your site,names such as Billy Picone,Vinny Pantuso, Billy Gambino,Joe Lyons,Jack Clementi, I saw the match where Fred the Ox bowled Lou Spadero I was there for that one,the one that never got off the ground.I recall going to the Brooklyn Paramount on Sat. nite and watching the Cleftones, etc.Murray the K and then going to Kings Lanes,Seaview and Sid Gordons . Those days were apart of my life that I wouldn't give up for all the tea in China.E-mail me back so I can discuss these things from another old timer........Thanks Neal

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Neal, all the guys mentioned plus Richie Hornrich, Johnny Petraglia, Mark Roth and many other great bowlers hung out at Maple Lanes in Brooklyn, bowled in pot games with each other all the time. I think to this day they still hang there. Joe Santini had the pro shop and I had the lunch counter at Bay Ridge Lanes.

Did you know Lou Capasso who also bowled with these guys as a teenager in the 70s and 80s, he bowled and beat most of the big name action bowlers in that era. He was six feet plus, had a big mouth, threw a very fast ball with a big hi back swing, always pounded the pocket and scared the pins. Lou was with the PBA at a very young age before his back went bad and he left the tour. He's about 51 or 52 now.
http://www.actionbowlers.com/action/lou-capasso.htm

AC Deer

hey i spent 15 years bowling in falcaros bowled abut 4 nites aweek with freddy arbolino lived the action on saturday got there about 11 never left until it was over plenty of good house bowlers myself use to bowl sperber every week 3 or 4 times aweek a reunion would be great

gatlin

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Hey Gatlin.....nice to see you. I still remember when you tanked a match with me and phil jr. betting on you. Did Gibby pay you well? lol

falcarosforever

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Apr 8, 2010, 5:08pm, gatlin wrote:
never tank a match and the name of the snack counter guy was mike and his son eli my winning streak was in the late 80s i was about in my mid 20s who can forget chunka standing in between the ball cleaning machine and cig machine foe hours how about all the arm wrestling in the bar with richie cappadona ricky cedar and sperber we should really try to have a get together with all the guys that are still around andrew c


Andrew, I was just kidding with you.....whether you tanked or not, it doesn't matter anymore, it was a long time ago. We had FUN! I tell you your stories bring back a lot of memories. Mike the Greek had two sons.....do you remember his other sons name? Eli was the younger son. Andrew, Fozzie mentioned that he worked for Nuzzolo and Flum......think Fozzie is Steve Caparelli?

falcarosforever

Apr 7, 2010, 1:44pm, fozzie99 wrote:
I miss spoke about doubling with Paul Renteria it was Dennis Delgase can't imagine how I mixed them up. I only bowled because the other pair were afraid to bowl unless there was a no name......me bowling (I was scared to death). Dennis shot 256 I think I shot 190 something we won, they quit.
I remember every weekend Ritchie bowling Jimmy Mchugh (spelling?) a seesaw match... he was the only guy I really saw who came back time after time to bowl Ritchie. Once a match was set up between Ritchie and I don't know who....During warm up Ritchie threw like 20 strikes in a row and the guy quit without even starting. When I met Jack K. all he could throw was a spinner. I taught him to throw semiroller and he got tougher on oil after that. I had a star at Falcaros also from 1972.....21-22. It wasn't sactioned shot during a friendly money match against a buddy. I don't remember it being that tough. I averaged in the 90's there in the middle 1970's. If you wanted a tough house you went to Valley Stream Recreation or Mid-Isle lanes.
How come nobody has mentioned Green Acres Bowl? It had action on Thursday nights as I remember and was open 24 hours a day.

I remember Dennis Delgaise "CUZ" who use to say Christmas comes but once a year "CUZ" lol. I'm really curious who you are Fozzie. Care to give your name? And you are right Green Acres was an action house as well.....I was there on Thursday nights. Did you know that Green Acres was the second busiest bowling alley in America at one time.

As for tough houses, Mid Isle was definitely one of them along with Kuskies.......there were a lot of tough houses with 40ft of oil gutter to gutter. That's when you had to have talent to be a good bowler.

falcarosforever

How do you guys rate these house's in their hey days against each other for action.

Homefield
Gun Post
Falcaro's
Central Lanes
Deer Park Lanes
Whitestone
Ave M Bowl
Woodhaven
Raceway
Fiesta

Renaissance Man

The 1960s were my favorite, many, many matches. I lived in the alleys from 13yrs old to 18. The next 5 years were great but not as good as the first 5. I stopped bowling in 1966 and didn't even walk into a bowling alley for the next 10 years. What a mistake that was.

1976 was a lot of fun when I made my 1 year comeback. Bowled the Beeper a few times at Raceway, that was something to remember. Bowled Larry Star at Rainbow, and a lot of good tough matches at Kenmore, Whitestone, and 34 st bowl in Queens.

Barry Bernstein and Bill Daley contributed big time to my next bowling retirement.

This looks like a great thread forming about Falcaro's, never bowled there, wish I had.

My personal pick for the greatest actionbowler from post 1960s is a toss up between Richie Hornreich and Bob Perry.
http://www.actionbowlers.com/action/hornreich.htm
http://www.actionbowlers.com/action/perry.htm

AC Butch

I wish people would sign there names so we would know who is posting.....

bruce "dipper" pastor

dipper


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Hey Bruce.....its really nice to see you here on this forum. You know that you were probably the premier action shooter at Falcaro's for quite awhile. I bowled a few doubles matchs with you but more often than not I bet on you or you and Joey Cologna when you guys bowled Daly's stable or any other outsiders. Your dad was the real Mr. Action....he was quite a guy!

How about telling us some action stories you remember. From what I gather right now Tommy Triple, Barry Clare, Andrew Castardi, Neil Romanoff and you are the only Falcaro's commentators on this board. If you know of anyone else, loet them know about this site. One thing that I'm finding out is, most of the bowlers from our days and before don't use computers, so it is hard to reach them.......to bad, there are lots of action stories out there....and hearing them from different prospectives is fun and interesting.

Stay tuned to the site and contribute what ever you can. Maybe we could get a reunion.

falcarosforever

Does anyone remember the doubles match between Freddy Mayo & Ira Katz "The Whale" (he even had a tattoo of a whale on his forearm..lol) against Lemon and Jimmy McCue on 47 & 48? Steve Reiss did.....he told me that the whale and mayo beat lemon and mcCue in a one game match.......whale shot 300, mayo shot 279 for 579 and lemon shot 279 and McCue 268 for 547

Here's a few more guys who bowled action at Falcaro's.......

Keith Duran "The Rooster" or the "Root"
Mike Banner
Flash
Sobby Machione "Silver Streak"


Anyone know of anyone else?

falcarosforever

Here's a story I will never forget.

One Saturday afternoon I got involved in a match with my doubles partner Phil Caporusso Jr. against Mike Tizzano and one of his croonies from Massapequa Bowl. During the match my partner Phil who was quite animated on the lanes, kept on rubbing in the fact that we were beating them. Phil, would run everything out and yell out HUUUH everytime he or I struck. This got Tizzo pissed off and they quit after 2 games which they lost. The bet wasn't to much, maybe around $100 a game. After the match, Tizzo approached Phil and challenged him to a big money match, but the match had to be at Pequa, obviously we told him no problem because we bowled action everywhere and basically we weren't afraid of anyone at the time. The match was set for the following Wednesday evening at Pequa and Tizzo told us to bring a lot of money because he was going to have the whole house betting on him. Wednesday evening came and Phil, I and Phil's dad took a ride out to Pequa. when we arrived there was literally at least 50 guys there waiting for this match. The pair was picked and after warming up, the bet was being gathered by Tizzo and his buddies. We were anxiously awaiting the word on how much the bet would be because we thought we were going to clean these guys out that night. After Tizzo came back from collecting the monies from the crowd of people that supposedly came to bet on him, he told us that the bet would be $200, you could see in his face that he was embarrassed because all he could gather was $200 from around 50 guys. We had to laugh, and we told him that it wasn't even worth coming here for the $200, we spent that much in gas, well not really, but for $200 we could have bowled somewhere else. It wasn't the size of the bet that bothered us, it was the fact that he told us to bring lots of money and we were prepared to bowl for about $1,000 a game, so it was disappointing. Now, Phil asked Tizzo how much he was betting and he told us that he was betting $20.....wow what an action shooter. There were actually lots of guys who bet small and had backers, but not to many who told other bowlers to bring lots of cash for a big money match that never happened. Phil wound up bowling him anyway and beat him one game and Tizzo quit. Phil yelled out to the crowd "You're all a bunch of pussies, you didn't even want to bet on your own man". After he said that the place erupted and we were lucky to get out of there alive. We left and that was the end of Mike Tizzano.....I never heard of him bowling any action after that. .

falcarosforever

I miss spoke about doubling with Paul Renteria it was Dennis Delgase can't imagine how I mixed them up. I only bowled because the other pair were afraid to bowl unless there was a no name......me bowling (I was scared to death). Dennis shot 256 I think I shot 190 something we won, they quit.


I remember every weekend Ritchie bowling Jimmy Mchugh (spelling?) a seesaw match... he was the only guy I really saw who came back time after time to bowl Ritchie. Once a match was set up between Ritchie and I don't know who....During warm up Ritchie threw like 20 strikes in a row and the guy quit without even starting. When I met Jack K. all he could throw was a spinner. I taught him to throw semiroller and he got tougher on oil after that. I had a star at Falcaros also from 1972.....21-22. It wasn't sactioned shot during a friendly money match against a buddy. I don't remember it being that tough. I averaged in the 90's there in the middle 1970's. If you wanted a tough house you went to Valley Stream Recreation or Mid-Isle lanes.


How come nobody has mentioned Green Acres Bowl? It had action on Thursday nights as I remember and was open 24 hours a day. 

fozzie99

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I remember Dennis Delgaise "CUZ" who use to say Christmas comes but once a year "CUZ" lol. I'm really curious who you are Fozzie. Care to give your name? And you are right Green Acres was an action house as well.....I was there on Thursday nights. Did you know that Green Acres was the second busiest bowling alley in America at one time.

As for tough houses, Mid Isle was definitely one of them along with Kuskies.......there were a lot of tough houses with 40ft of oil gutter to gutter. That's when you had to have talent to be a good bowler.

falcarosforever

hey what about vic borriello bowling odd pin against old man gibby or gibby betting odds and even in the back how bout when me and geo the greek went on a winning streak aganist the green acres crew

gatlin...

A great old post by old dog

Story #1:
1. NOVEMBER 18, 1964. A scratch bowler in Milwaukee steps onto the approach. Currently averaging 198, he is one of the best players in the city. He has the first 9. Every other bowler in the building stops and walks over to watch him bowl the 10th frame. The building is dead silent. He picks up his Manhattan Rubber, the same ball he’s thrown for 4 years. A bead of nervous sweat runs down his neck and into the collar of his starched white bowling shirt. He’s only been in the position once before, and he desperately wants his first perfect game.

His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. The crowd roars. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move a half-board left. The next shot goes dead flush. Eleven in a row and the crowd is really into it now, inching closer and closer to the lanes. Then the crowd swells as first shift bowlers stream out of the bar to watch the action. The people in the back are standing on chairs and benches, straining to get a good view. His teammates don’t know what to say or do, afraid of saying the wrong thing or breaking his concentration.

He steps onto the approach one more time, his knees knocking and his hands trembling. He delivers the shot – a little too fast – but the ball catches a piece of the headpin and he carries a wall shot. 300!! He leaps in the air and the crowd explodes. The proprietor calls the ABC and the local paper, which has a reporter in the building in 15 minutes. While the hero of the night is interviewed, his teammates buy him a beer and the proprietor ropes off lanes 9 and 10, making sure no one disturbs them before the ABC inspector arrives. He can’t wait for the interview to end so he can call his wife.

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Story #2:
NOVEMBER 18, 1997. A scratch bowler in Dallas steps onto the approach. Currently averaging 228, he is 15th on the average list for his league. He has the first 9. No one in the league, except those bowling with him on lanes 57-58, realizes he is about to shoot 300. The bumper bowling party taking place 6 lanes to his right continues to make a ruckus.

He picks up the Quantum he bought 3 days ago. He has 7 more balls with him. A bead of sweat runs down his neck and into the collar of his "No Fear" T-shirt, not because he’s nervous, but because the air conditioner isn’t working. He’s attempting to shoot his 21st 300 game.

His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move 4 boards left. The next shot misses 3 boards right but hits the dry track and goes dead flush. The young woman at the desk is now mildly interested. His teammates are joking with him, saying he should try to shoot the first 292 in ABC history.

He steps onto the approach one more time. He delivers the shot –too fast and 3 boards left of his target– but the ball slides in the puddle and rips the rack, the headpin flying across the deck and clubbing the 10. 300!! His teammates laugh and tell him he has no guts. The young lady at the desk calls the ABC and gets their answering machine. They’ll be out to check the lanes in a few weeks. She puts a group of open bowlers on lanes 57 and 58. They give the 300 shooter a dirty look, wondering why he and his buddies are still sitting in their seats.

He goes up to the league secretary to find out how he did in brackets. Expecting a big payday, he gets pissed when he finds out another bowler shot 300 the last game and tied him. His $400.00 turns out to be only $40.00. He doesn’t even want his ABC ring.
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/luby/bji_200806/index.php?startid=12«

Renaissance Man

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All I can say is "Its a shame what happened to this game".

falcarosforever

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One of the biggest shames is no modern day bowler will ever understand what bowling a 300 game meant years ago. That article was so on, the high everyone would get in anticipation of just witnessing a 300 game, something most bowlers would never get to see in their entire life.

The action was great in the 60s, you couldn't believe or understand what it was like unless you were there to witness it, and be a part of it. The 70s were good, but not even close to the 60s

It was truly a great game back then. What year do you guys believe it started going backwards?

AC Deer...

Was anyone at Ave M Bowl the night Freddie the Ox bowled Stoop using 4lb pound pins with lead centers on 27 & 28 (early 60s)

The Hustler Of Money
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHtdmxakUO8

AC Deer...

Apr 8, 2010, 6:13am, gatlin wrote:
hey what about vic borriello bowling odd pin against old man gibby or gibby betting odds and even in the back how bout when me and geo the greek went on a winning streak aganist the green acres crew


Hey Castardi........I forgot all about Vic Boriello.....he bowled tons of odd pin.....he really wasn't good enough to bowl regular action.....but he was tough in odd pin. How about Vic "The Barber" ? he was another character. Do you remember when we dumped the bowling balls on Rockaway Blvd? LOL I can see it like it was yesterday. You still didn't answer my question about the match you bowled against flash and tanked me and your cousin. lol

falcarosforever

Apr 8, 2010, 12:01pm, old dog wrote:
one of the modern day action bowlers from the Island that has impressed me a lot is Joe Scianna, what do you guys think of him and how would you rank him vs the Island guys from the 60s, 70s, and Rudy revs from the 90s

http://www.actionbowlers.com/action/scianna.htm

Does anyone remember Harry the Horse
http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.....r=harrythehorse


Joe Scianna and Rudy came way after the real action days. I think Rudy and Joe would have faired well overall because of there winning attitudes and naturally their abilities. I still think they would have had a tough time at Falcaro's bowling against the house bowlers.

falcarosforever

I remember the old Falcaro's my dad used to take me to juniors there......I bowled a part of a junior season and quit...started again when I was 17. I remember the door at the high end you would walk past the end of the lanes and look out across the whole house. I remember Vic Nuzzolo not as a bowler but I worked in his shop when he was at the new Falcaro's and after his death continued to work with Bobby Flum. What was them name of the greek guy who owned the snack bar? I can't seem to shake it loose.

fozzie99

If you enjoy reading the action stories, here's some of the guys that have posted here. Each link has all the posts that person wrote.

Once you click on one the link and read one of the posts that person made, you can read the entire thread by clicking the (Link To Post) link at the bottom of the message...

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.....r=harrythehorse

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.....er=tonytantillo

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=jumbo

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=len

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=lou

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.....&user=thetexans

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=oldtimer

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=harrybar

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.....revgolfballsnow

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=olddog

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.....&user=billytops

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=viewprofile&user=daryld

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=jjknapp

http://www.actionbowlers.com/action/scianna.htm

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=relic

http://www.bowlersjournal.com/?p=2036

http://www.bowlersjournal.com/?p=620

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.....falcarosforever

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=reporter

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.....user=thehustler

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=alexxx

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.....er=actionanyone

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.....user=thehustler

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=wizard

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=thecane

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=thecane1

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=arod

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=joeyja

http://actionbowler.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=userrecentposts&user=admin

Zoo...

Apr 8, 2010, 10:51pm, AC Deer wrote:
How often did Jeff Kitter bowl action at Falcaro's, did he bowl mostly singles there or doubles.
http://www.actionbowlers.com/action/Kitter.htm


I don't remember Jeff bowling to many times at Falcaro's....when he did though, it was always singles and for big money....of course backed by Daly.

falcarosforever

Apr 8, 2010, 12:40pm, fozzie99 wrote:
I remember the old Falcaro's my dad used to take me to juniors there......I bowled a part of a junior season and quit...started again when I was 17. I remember the door at the high end you would walk past the end of the lanes and look out across the whole house. I remember Vic Nuzzolo not as a bowler but I worked in his shop when he was at the new Falcaro's and after his death continued to work with Bobby Flum. What was them name of the greek guy who owned the snack bar? I can't seem to shake it loose.


Hey Fozzie....my guess is you're Steve Caparelli........am I correct?

falcarosforever

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Hi,
Guilty as charged. Did you guess? I sent you a P.M. yesterday fessing up. I kept dropping hints to see if anyone would remember....I was just a wanabe on the edges of the game then. To green to realize what was happening and the history that was being written all around me.
You might have seen my name in BJ a couple of years ago when in protest of the ridiculous conditions I deliberately threw a gutter ball in the travel league here......caused quite a stir and several letters to the magazie after my interview published.

fozzie99

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Yesterday at 7:44am, fozzie99 wrote:
I should mention that the deliberate gutter ball was thrown on 11 in a row in the second game of a 6 game set.....I still shot 1466. It was just an average weekend nothing special.


Yes you did, check this out...
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/luby/bji_200806/index.php?startid=12

That was great, you are probably the only person in the history of bowling that did that. You should be nominated for the guinness book of world records.

What went through your mind when you did it. How long did it take you to make that decision

Zoo...

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The league I bowled in was the TCBA. The league officers routinely ignored blatant "average adjustment" I didn't throw the gutter ball to gain an advantage, just as a protest......and they wanted to suspend me.....nothing said about all those "bowlers" who let a spare or 2 or 3 slip away on purpose when the game is "out" I had thought about throwing the "ball" for years but the right opportunity hadn't shown itself. I had quit bowling in disgust a couple of years before being talked into bowling the travel league. I'm an old school bowler learned on real pins,laquer,with rubber balls. I couldn't stand listening to the "bowlers" bitching about the "shot" all the while shooting 30 or 40 pins over their heads. The only ball I own now is a 40 year old black beauty an can average 210 on "the shot"without practice......nothing shot on the "house condition" is worth spit.

fozzie99

Apr 5, 2010, 5:07am, fozzie99 wrote:
House bowlers at Falcaro's also included
Ritchie Folgelson almost unbeatable at Falcaro's a "buck 80" everywhere else.
Paul Renteria (future High Roller Champ) I bowled doubles with him once.
Jerry Houser (AKA Beezer)
There were also a bunch of "juniors" into the action John"Jack" Kurkemelis was one of my best friends back then.
Is Falcaro's still there do they still put blue stars with names and dates over the lanes for 300 games?

Unfortunately Falcaro's isn't there anymore, just like so many other great houses. Bowling will never be what it used to be. And all the characters that use to bowl action were part of a unique time in bowling history.

I remember the 300 blue stars over the lanes in which the bowler bowled the 300. As a matter of fact I still have mine which was given to me when they closed down.......mine was from 1981, I forget the pair, but 17 and 18 rings a bell. Personally my favorite pair was 45 & 46....great righty pair.

falcarosforever

Apr 6, 2010, 1:57pm, Renaissance Man wrote:
Did lemon bowl much action at Falcaro's, if so, what years, against who, how did he make out.

Is lemon considered the best action bowler out of Long Island?

You know what Renaissance Man, depending on what era it was really spelled out who the best action shooters from Long Island were. There is always a disagreement about who was the best from each time era.

Lemon was a little before my time so I didn't get to see him much, but from what I understand he bowled a lot at Falcaro's.....next time I see Ira "The Whale" I will ask him for info on Lemon...........don't forget "Killer" Mike Kilgannon ..... he was a tremendous action shooter as well and very tough to beat.

falcarosforever

I miss spoke about doubling with Paul Renteria it was Dennis Delgase can't imagine how I mixed them up. I only bowled because the other pair were afraid to bowl unless there was a no name......me bowling (I was scared to death). Dennis shot 256 I think I shot 190 something we won, they quit.
I remember every weekend Ritchie bowling Jimmy Mchugh (spelling?) a seesaw match... he was the only guy I really saw who came back time after time to bowl Ritchie. Once a match was set up between Ritchie and I don't know who....During warm up Ritchie threw like 20 strikes in a row and the guy quit without even starting. When I met Jack K. all he could throw was a spinner. I taught him to throw semiroller and he got tougher on oil after that. I had a star at Falcaros also from 1972.....21-22. It wasn't sactioned shot during a friendly money match against a buddy. I don't remember it being that tough. I averaged in the 90's there in the middle 1970's. If you wanted a tough house you went to Valley Stream Recreation or Mid-Isle lanes.
How come nobody has mentioned Green Acres Bowl? It had action on Thursday nights as I remember and was open 24 hours a day.

fozzie99

Apr 7, 2010, 1:44pm, fozzie99 wrote:
I miss spoke about doubling with Paul Renteria it was Dennis Delgase can't imagine how I mixed them up. I only bowled because the other pair were afraid to bowl unless there was a no name......me bowling (I was scared to death). Dennis shot 256 I think I shot 190 something we won, they quit.
I remember every weekend Ritchie bowling Jimmy Mchugh (spelling?) a seesaw match... he was the only guy I really saw who came back time after time to bowl Ritchie. Once a match was set up between Ritchie and I don't know who....During warm up Ritchie threw like 20 strikes in a row and the guy quit without even starting. When I met Jack K. all he could throw was a spinner. I taught him to throw semiroller and he got tougher on oil after that. I had a star at Falcaros also from 1972.....21-22. It wasn't sactioned shot during a friendly money match against a buddy. I don't remember it being that tough. I averaged in the 90's there in the middle 1970's. If you wanted a tough house you went to Valley Stream Recreation or Mid-Isle lanes.
How come nobody has mentioned Green Acres Bowl? It had action on Thursday nights as I remember and was open 24 hours a day.

I remember Dennis Delgaise "CUZ" who use to say Christmas comes but once a year "CUZ" lol. I'm really curious who you are Fozzie. Care to give your name? And you are right Green Acres was an action house as well.....I was there on Thursday nights. Did you know that Green Acres was the second busiest bowling alley in America at one time.

As for tough houses, Mid Isle was definitely one of them along with Kuskies.......there were a lot of tough houses with 40ft of oil gutter to gutter. That's when you had to have talent to be a good bowler.

falcarosforever

House bowlers at Falcaro's also included
Ritchie Folgelson almost unbeatable at Falcaro's a "buck 80" everywhere else.
Paul Renteria (future High Roller Champ) I bowled doubles with him once.
Jerry Houser (AKA Beezer)
There were also a bunch of "juniors" into the action John"Jack" Kurkemelis was one of my best friends back then.
Is Falcaro's still there do they still put blue stars with names and dates over the lanes for 300 games?

fozzie99

-----------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately Falcaro's isn't there anymore, just like so many other great houses. Bowling will never be what it used to be. And all the characters that use to bowl action were part of a unique time in bowling history.

I remember the 300 blue stars over the lanes in which the bowler bowled the 300. As a matter of fact I still have mine which was given to me when they closed down.......mine was from 1981, I forget the pair, but 17 and 18 rings a bell. Personally my favorite pair was 45 & 46....great righty pair.

falcarosforever

hey what about vic borriello bowling odd pin against old man gibby or gibby betting odds and even in the back how bout when me and geo the greek went on a winning streak aganist the green acres crew

gatlin...

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One of the very best at odd pin when he wasn't dumping was Iggy Russo!!!

gatlin, what year did you have the hot steak, what do you think of Green Acres as an action house?

Renaissance Man

Yesterday at 6:05pm, gatlin wrote:
i rememer bowling al zone spotting him 20 pins beat him for a few thousand ira katz back me after he went home came back spotted him 25 pins win a few mor thousand then we shot darts never thew a dart in my life ira told me what to hit beat him for couple more thousand ira bowl him with a broom therr times a week for a year and my self it was like a job we play heads up cards poker gin he could never win but came back every day and nite those were days andrew c

Andrew, you're mentioning names I totally forgot about....kudos to you. Al Zone....lol, he was a tremendous sailor, great action, and had a pocket full of cash......you're right those were the days.

falcarosforever