By BILL SNIER
NORTH CANTON — Richard Stoffer didn’t see this one coming at all.
The 44-year-old Alliance right-hander and Northeast Ohio Travel League player suffered life-threatening injuries during a work-related accident Oct. 16. He suffered a broken right foot and right elbow, had four bruised ribs and needed six stitches to close a wound in his head.
Bowling was the least of his concerns at the time.
“Honestly, it’s just nice to be back. It’s a bit overwhelming I should say,” said Stoffer, who continues to undergo right arm therapy which entails rolling his arm in rice and massage. “You don’t think you’re going to make that comeback after something like that.
“When I first got back, everything just hurt. I didn’t have the ball speed I used to have. But plenty of people around me kept saying, ‘you’re going to get it back … you’re going to get it back. Just keep at it.’ ”
The first big test came in February during the Alliance Masters, held at three Alliance centers — Christopher Columbus Lanes, Elks and Al Leasure Lanes at the American Legion. Stoffer made it to the title match before falling to Kevin Schott, 204-166.
“That was when I started to get my groove back a little,” said Stoffer, who has been limited to 54 games in the NEOTL with a 206 average. “Matt McCourry told me the I just needed to come into some place where I felt comfortable … a place that I know. And the Christopher is definitely that for me.
“Bowling those four games there kind of got me back to where I needed to be. Since then, it’s just been muscle memory I guess. I’m starting to take control of my game again, trusting the shots, trusting my arm swing, and I think that comes into play.”
Stoffer, who bowls three leagues per week since his return, followed that up by rolling his 65th career 300 at Forest Lanes in Hanoverton. It wasn’t a great series — he had games of 169 and 170 around the 300 — but it did wonders for his attitude.
“It was a boost of confidence,” Stoffer said. “From that night on, I’ve been basically back to myself again.”
It showed the following week during league play at Hunt Club Lanes in Salem when Stoffer had games of 277, 275 and 269 for 821 — his 36th career 800 series.
In a month of comebacks, “I didn’t see that one coming at all,” said Stoffer, who used his 900 Global Reality Check for his milestone. “I think I moved about two boards all night.”
A 3-6-10 spare in the fourth frame of Game 1 and a spare in the ninth frame and pins on the fill ball in the 10th frame were his only non-strikes the first two games. Game 3, he started with a double before another spare, struck again, added another spare and then ran strikes the rest of the way to close it.
“I think I was more nervous with that 300 at Forest,” Stoffer said. “I was literally shaking.”
But the comeback road continues.
“I think I’m about 80 percent back to where I used to be,” Stoffer said. “I don’t know if I will ever average 230 again. But I still can hit in the 220s range and compete at a high level.
“That’s nice, because I didn’t know if would ever get back to that level again. When you have a major accident like that, it’s life altering, life changing. But it seems like I’ve gotten back now.”
MORE FROM NEOTL
Massillon right-hander J.D. Jones, who admittedly had been struggling with his game following his first 800 of the season at AMF Hall of Fame, had games of 300, 276 and 224 for 800 at Wabash Lanes in New Philadelphia during NEOTL play — the ninth 800 shot in the league this season.
Jones used a 900 Global Reality and Storm Phaze II (in Game 3) for his milestone.
He then followed that up last week at Clutch Lanes and Sports Center in Cuyahoga Falls with a second 300. Jones was joined that night by Chris Miller, who also shot 300 during the same game.
DRAFT IS COMING UP
The NEOTL will hold its annual player draft at 7 p.m. May 18 at Park Centre Lanes.
The league start times vary from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. during its 30-week season, which begins Sept. 5 with 16 teams at various centers in Stark, Summit, Portage and Tuscarawas counties.
This is a trio scratch league, with league fees being $25 per week.
Prospective bowlers must fill out an application to be eligible for the draft. The draft application fee is $10.
A combine and food will be served beginning at 6 p.m. for bowlers new to the draft and league so team captains can observe their lane play.
For draft applications and information, go to the NEOTL’s Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/NEOHIOTL
The league’s annual rolloff will be held April 18 at Park Centre Lanes in North Canton.