NORTH CANTON — Several weeks ago, Josh Haddad struck up a conversation with Northeast Ohio Travel League teammate Alex McCourry about equipment.
“I asked him to give me a list of balls that he thought would work for me,” the 38-year-old Canton right-hander said..
McCourry, a customer service representative for Ace Mitchell Bowlers Supply, came up with a list of four or five balls that he recommended to Haddad.
“The first one he had on the list was the (900 Global) Wolverine Dark Moss,” Haddad, a technology adviser for TCC-Verizon Wireless, said. “So I looked it and said that’s the one right there. The guy knows his stuff.”
The new ball became a Christmas present from his father and Pizza Oven Classic league teammate Jack Haddad. But due to illness and the fact that travel league took off the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Josh delayed throwing the ball for the first time.
But the week after New Year’s, with his team bowling the blind team at Park Centre Lanes, Haddad decided to give his present a try.
His decision and McCourry’s advice paid off as Haddad had games of 258, 269 and 276 for 803, his third career 800 series and first in four years.
“Usually, I like to practice with a new ball before I use it,” Haddad said. “But with the travel league being off and being sick, I didn’t have a chance. But I figured since we were bowling the ghost team, there was less pressure and it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. I just love that ball.”
Going at a 280 pace in Game 1, Haddad “smashed” a 7-pin, covered it and left a 9-pin on his fill ball. Then, in Game 2, he was on a 290 pace before leaving a 10-pin in the 10th frame.
After starting with the first eight strikes in Game 3, Haddad knew what he needed to do for the milestone.
“I just needed to throw a strike in the ninth and stay clean in the 10th and I’d have it,” Haddad said. “Instead, I left a 2-8 spare. That meant I had to double in the 10th.
“I was more focused on the 800 than a 300. I just wanted to get to the 10th frame with a chance, but just to make it easier on myself, I had to throw a double in there.”
Haddad, who has 12 career 300 games, had a 300 in Game 3 during his last 800 series, which came in the travel league. “That was just the icing on the cake,” he added.
Haddad’s teammate, Bill Reese, also runs the side action for the league. With Reese’s son, Austin, who usually helps his dad, unable to bowl, Haddad volunteered to help.
“I was doing Austin duties so there was a lot more going on than usual. You know, maybe it distracted me a little bit,” Haddad said. “Getting scores and seeing who won the doubles pots … maybe it was a good thing..
“I really don’t like to think about things like that. I’d rather talk sports or whatever to keep my mind off it.”
Haddad averages 234 in the Park Centre league and 222 in the travel league.
“At the end of the day, it’s just bowling,” Haddad said. “You’re happy if you have a good score. If not, there is always next week.”
And the next week after a break led to a milestone.