By BILL SNIER
NORTH CANTON — A pair of left-handers recently joined the scoring parade at Park Centre Lanes with 800 series.
For one, it was the continuation of a surge entering his senior years, including throwing three milestone series in just a 10-month period during the 2022-23 season.
For the other, it was the opportunity to have his parents on hand to witness a bowling milestone for the first time, with his father being his first bowling coach.
Here’s a look at both accomplishments.
ONE FOR THE PARENTS
Justin (J.J.) Jones began competitive bowling under his father, Mick Jones, when he attended Akron East High School.
But after scoring his first 800 series at the age of 22, the now 39-year-old Tallmadge lefty had to go a long time before earning his second.
It came recently in the Foxfire Lounge Mixed Classic league at Park Centre, when he had games of 244, 258 and 300 for 802.
“This was the first time my mom (Cindy Jones) and dad got to see me bowl an honor score,” said Jones, who is employed by QT Equipment Co. in Akron. “It was just more important for me to do that.”
Due to a team pre-bowl, Jones’ team was alone on Lanes 17 and 18 during league play.
“My parents were down on (Lanes) 7 and 8, but they kept coming down to see what I was doing and I kept shouting up to them,” said Jones, who owns five sanctioned 300 games.
“Since we had the pre-bowl, we were done pretty early. But a lot of the league members came down to watch with my parents as we were going along.”
Jones had his lone open frame in the ninth of Game 1, leaving an 8-10 split. “I think it was just a bad rack,” he said.
He left a 7-pin spare early in Game 2 and ran off a string of six strikes before leaving another 7-pin and then an 8-pin spare in the 10th frame.
As for Game 3?
“They were all flush,” said Jones, who used a three-year-old Brunswick Magnitude 035 during his milestone and is averaging 228 in the league. “I think I moved one board the entire night. I really wasn’t nervous because it wasn’t sanctioned and I really wouldn’t get anything out of it.”
Jones had been joking with Ten Back Pro Shop owner-operator Jesse Gonzales about a memory Facebook post that had popped up on his timeline.
“Jesse had a 300 a year ago where he had a Brooklyn strike for his 12th ball. I was joking with him asking if I should try to do the same thing,” Jones said. “He said if I did, I should tape it and tag him.
“It was a joke at first. But with my parents here, it was important to do it.”
SENIOR HAS BIG NIGHT
Dan Block, a 55-year-old Jackson Township left-hander, has “around 20” 800 series to go along with “30 or so” 300s.
But as he was rolling along in the Hannon Electric league at Park Centre, he had a chance to make some personal history.
He started the night with 300 and came back with 255 in Game 2 to put himself in position for 800. But as he was rolling along in Game 3, he had the first eight strikes and was seeking 300 No. 2 on the night and No. 3 on the year.
A 6-pin in the ninth frame ruined that opportunity. It also spoiled his chance of eclipsing his career high of 856.
“I thought I had a real good chance. I really wasn’t thinking about the all-time high, but I really wanted that second 300 because it’s something I had never done before in the same set,” said Block, a Jackson Township firefighter and paramedic.
But Block still was able to get to 833 using his Storm Absolute Power. He bowls in three leagues at Park Centre, averaging 230 in all three.
“Really the only difference between that night and other nights was my ball speed was really consistent,” Block said. “I was getting the ball to carry the corners and that was good. I just had good carry that night.”
Bock only left 6-pin spares all night, except for starting Game 2 with a “bizarre” split. He couldn’t remember the pins.
“I left no corners that night, which is a blessing the way things have been going,” Block said.
Block also was on the same team in the Pizza Oven Classic league at Park Centre earlier this season when he and Michael Emerick Sr. both shot 300 the same game.
Being a senior, as the 800s mount, it means a little bit more.
“Yeah, I’d say so,” said Block when asked if a honor score at his age means more. “You always want that 800 more than the 300 because it’s just tougher, definitely.
“I was fortunate that night that the break point remained the same and the shots carried.”