After watching ESPN's Outside the Lines segment several weeks ago, I thought the answer would be easier to deduct, but no. I still can't tell if Robert Mushtare rolled even one of his reported three 900 series. (Remember, the first was not allowed. His league had not yet submitted its application.) ESPN brought in former world class amateur Tim Mack to watch Mushtare bowl and get to know him a bit. There was no definitive answer after that meeting. So what's the big deal here? A seventeen-year-old is claiming to have done something 5 times that no one else has done more than once. By the way, the three series considered were ALL prebowled. Two other 900s were rolled in practice. So what's the deal about prebowling league scores anyway? Until about ten years ago, honor scores could be officially recognized only if they were bowled in the league itself. Most leagues up until that time would only allow prebowling if those involved were participating in the ABC tournament. The prebowled team series had to take place on the same pair of lanes against the opposing team with a league officer present. That was the only prebowling allowed; that's it, period. Getting official recognition for a prebowled series was simply not going to happen.

     Individual prebowling these days continues to be abused to the hilt. Now granted, as leagues become further defined, officers can decide how to regulate the privilege. It is surprisingly common for once-a-month league bowlers to prebowl 4 to 6 of the eight times the league meets. Most once a week leagues restrict its practice to a handful of times a season. But then almost under the cover of night, honor score awards were made available, even for individual prebowled scores.

     Now back to Mushtare. A league 300 game is much easier than in years past. But how often have you seen a bowler get his first perfect game and then roll a 140 game. But wait, that scenario happens during league play. Who knows what happens in a prebowl session? It takes only a half hour to 40 minutes even with all those strikes. Do you think his local junior bowling association may limit how many prebowl sessions would be allowed per season? All this for one of the most amazing loopholes in sports history. If this kid really did defy the odds and do something twice in four months that has happened only ten other times in the last 110 years, then why hasn't the sport's national governing body done more to show him off? There is a shadow of doubt, a really big one at that. You should have read internet bulletin boards and chat rooms the last few months. If you have, you know exactly what I am speaking of, and if not, get your smirk face ready. This teenager has been at the butt of more oneliners, punchlines, and put downs than Paris Hilton, Milli Vanilli, Pete Rose and perhaps Richard Nixon combined. They state his performance at this year's Pepsi National is a truer test of his abilities at the moment, averaging below 200 on a Sport Bowling oil pattern. Mushtare maintains his truthfulness, although others have pointed out how many things can be manipulated (scoring unit and its software), especially when you claim to have prebowled 900 by yourself in an almost empty center. Not once, but five times in less than year.

     But why the silence? I don't think Roger Dalkin wants to answer questions from Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric, or Larry King why such a shortcut was left uncovered for those few years while yet Glenn Allison's perfecto from 24 years ago with a Yellow Dot remains unapproved.

     The answer is this: Records stand according to the rules of the game at the time. Roger Maris had an asterisk by his name until nearly 10 years after his death. Tiger Woods had possession of all four major trophies at the same time a few short years ago, yet he was not officially credited with golf's Grand Slam. So where do these multiple 900s rank? I don't know. I really don't know. I really truly don't know. And that is exactly the problem. When credibility gets set aside, everything else is up for grabs. A footnote if you will, the USBC has exacted a temporary order the first week of August banning full honor score recognitions on prebowled scores until delegates can pass legislation at next year's USBC Convention.

     And what about Mushtare? Unfortunately, only time will tell. It may take a minium of 10 years until any new light can be shed on this. If it turns out he did do what he said, great. But I will not be at all surprised if he pulls a Pete Rose and years from now says it was all a hoax just to see what a collective wedgie he could give everybody. Only time will tell.

     It was not the only announcement from Greendale that week. The field for the USBC Women's Challenge to be held in taped in late August. Sixteen top women bowlers will have been invited to bowl one-on-one matches on a specially constructed pair of lanes at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas. Event organizer Gary Beck presented this idea to potential sponsors three years ago just after the PWBA folded. The idea is to show off these women bowlers for potential sponsors interested in backing a women's tour.

     Another new venture is being premiered in the next few weeks. The Generations Tour starts up the first full week of October, kicking off a 36 tournament swing concluding in mid-August 2007. As you might guess by the name, any male or female senior bowler who has averaged 200 in two straight league seasons may join. Some of those who have are named Roth, Holman, Petraglia, Burton, and Ozio. Many who have felt the current PBA does not do enough for the current seniors will bowl this set of tournaments exclusively, although current PBA members may also bowl in this tournament group You can read more about it on its website, gbtour.com. There is a Chicago stop planned in early March, set for Brunswick Zone Deer Park in northwest suburban Lake Zurich, so you can guess what I'll be watching that week.

     Finally, the season is just getting underway. He probably said it in his column, but it is worth repeating. "Bowl a good one for me." Don't worry, he says it to me, too.