Akron's Firestone Bowl A Rama hosted this iconic series in the 1964-1965 and the 1965-1966 seasons! In this show, two legends face off! Harry Smith vs Nelson Burton Jr.
Isn't it refreshing to see two bowlers and only two balls on the rack. If the lanes change, you move your feet and your arrow. You don't go to an arsenal of bolwing balls and find one that works for "the shot." Just make sure you hit your spot. ACCURACY. Not just hit a 5 board area. Wow, how the game has changes. And not for the better.
Notice how much a man of few words Bo Burton was at this stage of his career. But when he became the commentator on "Pro Bowlers Tour" a few years later, he could give articulate, in-depth analysis about bowling. As a bowler myself (in my younger days), Bo Burton was one of my idols!
Working alongside Chris Schenkel certainly helped Bo Burton develop an ease in front of the camera. Chris was one of the best, very charismatic in a low key way.
I find that watching these matches is just an incredible stress reliever for me. And they are strangely prophetic. Bill Bunetta and Mr. Wolf add great dignity to these matches. I would like to back in time tonight, and be right there in the audience, so awful was my day at work. Thanks for posting this.
The start of a 30 year stellar career in Bowling. Mastering everything in bowling from Analyst, bowler and the business side of bowling also. A great asset to the game.
Thank you for posting and preserving these great bowling shows, I didn't miss a week of Championship Bowling when I was a kid, it was aired on Saturdays at 12 noon.
I remember it being on at 2 on Saturday.... had to turn on the set about 5 minutes before... to allow it to warm up. During commercial breaks I'd bowl on my plastic bowling set.
That shot at 10:52 i find fascinating. I always thought it was impossible to convert a 7 10 split by sliding one pin into the other. I think this shot proves it is possible.
@mike m youre right. i re-read his comment. it isnt possible. the only way it is possible is if its oiled on the pin deck and you hook the ball hard enough to the outer back of the pin and have it slide all the way over. they could have oiled all the way back in the oil days but no oil is put on the pin deck on house shots or sport patterns
Thank you for the vintage footage. Is Harry Smith still alive? He was totally right about Nelson Burton 's future, stated in his characteristic understated way. He seems to have developed a cult following over the years. It's a shame he couldn't transition successfully to the conditions of the 70's. Harry Katz
I think they're talking low like they did in golf back in the day. Also, if you've ever been in a bowling alley during league play, one can understand how a bowler might develop some ability to tune out background noise.
![Championship Bowling: Joe Joseph vs Harry Smith [1959]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BLW1PIkBOSA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Championship Bowling: Joe Joseph vs Harry Smith [1959]](/img/tr.png)
![Championship Bowling: Nelson Burton Jr vs Jack Biondolillo [1965-1966]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Nekq7YQMW1k/mqdefault.jpg)
Isn't it refreshing to see two bowlers and only two balls on the rack. If the lanes change, you move your feet and your arrow. You don't go to an arsenal of bolwing balls and find one that works for "the shot." Just make sure you hit your spot. ACCURACY. Not just hit a 5 board area. Wow, how the game has changes. And not for the better.
Notice how much a man of few words Bo Burton was at this stage of his career. But when he became the commentator on "Pro Bowlers Tour" a few years later, he could give articulate, in-depth analysis about bowling. As a bowler myself (in my younger days), Bo Burton was one of my idols!
Working alongside Chris Schenkel certainly helped Bo Burton develop an ease in front of the camera. Chris was one of the best, very charismatic in a low key way.
I find that watching these matches is just an incredible stress reliever for me. And they are strangely prophetic. Bill Bunetta and Mr. Wolf add great dignity to these matches. I would like to back in time tonight, and be right there in the audience, so awful was my day at work. Thanks for posting this.
Love how the pro bowlers would only use only one ball. Now days pro's pull a trailer full from stop to stop.
To the person who put the thumbs down: What the hell is the point?
They prefer the mega hooking balls that two handed bowlers are prone to generate.
The start of a 30 year stellar career in Bowling. Mastering everything in bowling from Analyst, bowler and the business side of bowling also. A great asset to the game.
If you are talking about Nelson Burton Jr. (he's so YOUNG here!) - AGREED.
i always enjoyed seeing nelson bowl on tv and of course his great voice and insight along side chris schenkel.
Thank you for posting and preserving these great bowling shows, I didn't miss a week of Championship Bowling when I was a kid, it was aired on Saturdays at 12 noon.
Where we lived, it was SUNDAY at noon. My thanks also.
I remember it being on at 2 on Saturday.... had to turn on the set about 5 minutes before... to allow it to warm up. During commercial breaks I'd bowl on my plastic bowling set.
@@jeffreystern5886 Yeah, I had the "5-minute TV set" and the plastic pins, too!
@@WSenator1 I used to think that the man who wrote the scores down was actually face down in a box and that he was being held prisoner by the network!
@@jeffreystern5886 Understood!
Both Is The Man.👍 [ BO] 🤣🤣😅😅
Amazing every male dressed with suit and a tie.. the women dressed too
I’ve never previously had seen Burton go Brooklyn so many times, maybe this is early in his career.
That shot at 10:52 i find fascinating. I always thought it was impossible to convert a 7 10 split by sliding one pin into the other. I think this shot proves it is possible.
its not impossible. its been done plenty of times. just look it up on youtube.
@mike m youre right. i re-read his comment. it isnt possible. the only way it is possible is if its oiled on the pin deck and you hook the ball hard enough to the outer back of the pin and have it slide all the way over. they could have oiled all the way back in the oil days but no oil is put on the pin deck on house shots or sport patterns
@@tackywacky99 I challenge you to show me a 7-10 conversion with the 7 sliding into the 10. Never happened!
There is a video of Sean Rash appearing to do it. Video is a little hard to see.
Thank you for the vintage footage. Is Harry Smith still alive? He was totally right about Nelson Burton 's future, stated in his characteristic understated way. He seems to have developed a cult following over the years. It's a shame he couldn't transition successfully to the conditions of the 70's. Harry Katz
Be just passed away today, 8/30/21
Smith is not solid at the line when finishing, causing the lack of drive through the pocket.
Was the ball they are using called 'Black Beauty or Manhattan Rubber?
Watching these old bowling shows it shows how good these guys were and why i have always loved bowling
Commentators:
Fred Wolf & Bill Bunetta
13:01 Harry Smith slo motion
37:00 Running it out
Fred Wolf ROOOOLZ!
Dr1-1-2023
Dr1-1-2023
Nelson Burton Jr puts a tremendous amount of roll on the ball.
I think the game is hard enough but how hard could it be having to listen to the announcers in your ears for three full games.?
You can always mute the sound if their voices get on your nerves
I think they're talking low like they did in golf back in the day. Also, if you've ever been in a bowling alley during league play, one can understand how a bowler might develop some ability to tune out background noise.
The bowlers can't hear them!!! lol
I have got original Nelson Burton en 64 pro 200 bowling ball. I like to sell it. Who is interested?