By BILL SNIER
NORTH CANTON — Milestone scores have not been a surprise in area traveling leagues this season.
But with a pair of senior players doing it twice in one season — both 800 series — it adds to the luster.
Jim Fellows, a 57-year-old Perry Township left-hander, had his second 800 of the season in the Northeast Ohio Traveling League recently at Eastbury Bowling Center. And, for the second time, he shared the stage in the NEOTL with a younger player.
Craig Martinez, a 61-year-old North Canton right-hander, had his third 800 of the season — matching a career high — and his second in the Ellsworth Auto Body Senior Traveling League at Park Centre Lanes. It also was his second of the season at the same center.
Here’s a look at their accomplishments.
FELLOWS MAKES ANOTHER RUN
Fellows, a Everhard Products Inc. employee, had games of 278, 256 and 279 for an 813 — his second this season with the first one coming at Wabash Lanes in Dover.
The first 800 came on the same night at Mike Thewes; this one came on the same night as Scott Vandegrift’s 802.
“I really didn’t know what he was doing, but he came down and told me I would be splitting the 800 pot,” Fellows said.
Using his Hammer Effect, the same ball he used for his first 800 of the season in September, his only miss in Game 1 was a 6-10 spare. In the final game, he left a 7-pin in the fifth frame and struck out.
“A big goal of mine was to have 800s in multiple houses,” said Fellows, who last shot a pair of 800s in a season five years ago.. “I’m feeling right now that my target is very easy for me to see.
“It’s comforting to know that I can still compete with these kids out there.”
Fellows is averaging 234 in the league, one of two in which he bowls. He also bowls at Park Centre Lanes in the Hannon Electric league, which recorded several milestone performances in February.
He had no open frames.
MARTINEZ ‘FIRED UP’
Martinez has rolled multiple 800 series in a season before, having three back in his days at the former 77 Colonial Lanes.
This one was different. He has used three different balls for each of the 800s, with the other Senior Traveling League milestone coming at AMF Hall of Fame Lanes.
The Timken Co. retiree used his Storm Absolute Power for his first at Park Centre during the Honeymoon Grille league; the two in travel league came with the Storm Origin (Hall of Fame) and this time with the Storm Virtual Energy.
“The funny thing is I actually switched out. On Monday that week, I was having problems getting the ball out far enough to the arrows to get it to hold,” said Martinez, who now has 15 career 800 series. “I was stubborn and didn’t make a ball change.
“This time, in practice, I couldn’t get the loft on the first ball that I wanted so I switched right out the gate. I really haven’t used the Virtual Energy that much.”
Martinez had games of 277 and 279 before starting off Game 3 with a pair of spares early.
“That’s when I had to make a move. I was having a problem the last game getting it to read the lane,” Martinez said. “So I moved one right and pitched it out a little more.”
He needed a double in the 10th frame of Game 3 to clinch the 800.
“I’m a former coach, so I did the math. I knew what I needed,” Martinez said. “I knew I had to double and that’s when I got pumped up.”
Martinez had a feeling it was going to be a good day.
“I came in here and told (Park Centre co-owner) Annie Case I’ve got some good news … I was on Lanes 1 and 2 so I have a chance,” Martinez said. “She told me, ‘Well bowl good.’”
For Martinez, bowling is “all about bowling with family and having a good time.”
His 84-year-old father, Nat Martinez, bowls with him in the traveling league and was there for this milestone.
He will be missing some time at the end of this season to go on vacation with his son’s family.
“I’m going to miss Eastbury and Park Centre,” Martinez said. “I wanted one more shot at Eastbury.”
Also, the day of his milestone, Martinez had some dental work done in the morning.
“I didn’t sleep too well and I’ve been up since 7,” Martinez said. “I was just running on energy.”
Putting up milestones will do that — particularly for senior players.