So what has happened to the all the scratch tournaments? Probably a fate also reserved for Pong, leisure suits, Volkswagon-sized boom boxes, and the original Walkman (have one someplace). Come October, the Kingpin Million Dollar Challenge may change that. Bowlers can sign up online or by phone and head to the remodeled National Bowling Stadium for a week long ABT-style qualifier consisting of three-game rounds. Bowlers have from 31 qualifying rounds to enter the first time for $695 and re-enter for $295. One in 10 bowlers will then advance to finals and a wild card round producing seven different bowlers from six different divisions to bowl on NBC-TV for a first place $1 million. Not to worry for the others, this is not a winner take all. The seventh spot will pay $50,000. Divisions are based on age, gender and professional status. The final game will be bowled October 29th and aired November 13th.

     So what. Why not? A lot of industry sponsors and television coverage is in place. For a one time or a once a year event, this is a good idea with pretty good execution to date. They have a recognized commissioner and director of operations to give credibility to the event (Dave Husted and Frank Ellenburg). It doesn't involve joining the PBA and a mythical dollar figure is guaranteed. I'm sure we will see a bigger media push once September rolls around, but keep your eye on this one. I'm guessing it could be really big or something a bit usual may happen.

     Some buzz has been created by ESPN's Bowling Night and the "celebrity" factor. If you haven't noticed (and judging by the ratings, most haven't) another sport has now joined the ranks of shows with celebrities as competitors. The Game Show Network now features a weekly billiards show which actors, comedians, and entertainers face off in head to head matches. What's next, darts? Golf? I have no idea. But remember what sport started this over thirty years ago. And this was pre-cable era of five channels on your TV set, tops.

     Mark it on the calendar, Wednesday August 24th. The Beverly Arts Center on Chicago's near South Side will be the local premiere of the bowling movie you've heard about, "League of Ordinary Gentlemen." If you look on the PBA Central Region forum, you can read for yourself what some who have seen this think about the movie. One respondent is depressed, one is happy, while most others are content with the 90-minute documentary filmed over the 2001-2002 PBA Tour. However, what some of the reviewers have said is pleasantly surprising. There is reference to the late ABC television show of their collective youth and express surprise at what has happened to the PBA in recent years, not knowing the full details you have read about here in this column and other places the last seven years. What the reviewers do mention is getting to know the people and personalities behind the bowlers we see on ESPN. But really, they are no different than others who follow a passion. Go to www.bowlingmovie.com, link to the reviews and see for yourself what other media critics say about our corner of the world. It's not really as bad as you might think. What I am waiting for is what Roger Ebert is going to say. And he better be invited, otherwise we will be a third-tiered sport forever. Good or bad review withstanding, millions read what he has to say about cinematic releases each week. I mean, he is only one of the most respected and recognized film critics of this generation. Ask anyone who has read the Chicago Sun Times the last thirty years or so. Maybe a word or two on his weekly syndicated TV show with fellow reviewer and Sun Times columnist Richard Roeper wouldn't be bad, either. But what does that translate to in the long run? It's something the PBA is fighting for, and that is free attention in the mainstream media. That attention can't not be bought, period. And what was the last case bowling encountered this much mainstream media attention? Let's see, can you say PDW? That was four years ago, my friend, and an eternity in today's 8-second soundbite world. Does bowling have enough money to pay for that much air time? Ah, no. That's why PBA CEO Steve Miller gave his OK to this documentary in 2001. The reason is this; if we can have outsiders help spread the message, it gives us much more credibility rather than doing it ourselves. At times we scratch our heads and wonder what is happening, but keep in mind, Miller is the cagy veteran brought in by a contending team ready to make a pennant run.

     Even if you don't have a chance to see the movie soon, you owe it to yourself to check the trailer on the website. It offers social commentary stating why bowling has fallen off the radar in the public's eye. Even former President Clinton is shown offering an opinion. In addition, the average person in this country is finding it more and more difficult to commit to a 35-week league, much less doing any leisure activity on the same day for any length of time. More and more also work at earlier and varying times during the week, thus making precious sleeptime even shorter. In a nutshell, you see the reason 10 to 20 week leagues have sprouted in the last few years.

     Something you may have missed under the radar is a USBC new release in June stating they are still interested in partially backing a women's pro tour. What I read between the lines is there still isn't enough outside corporate sponsor money to make it viable, at least right now.

     And finally, your favorite WCS publisher has returned from another well deserved vacation. What surprised him the most in his absence? Could it be his South Side baseball team is entrenched in first place? Or maybe he is more well rested than usual, so shouting down the North Side team rooters will be quite easy the rest of the season? We'll have to listen to the Wednesday morning show at 9 am on The Voice of Joliet, WJOL to find out. What he won't tell you is he already has the White Sox ticket office number on speed dial the nanosecond playoff tickets go on sale( like you will actually see this last paragraph in the WCS anyway). Oops.