By Brian Hradsky

Baltimore native Danny Wiseman, ranked 42nd on a 2009 Professional Bowlers Association list of the top 50 bowlers of the past 50 years, is now semi-retired.

"I wanted to start on doing something to give back to the community," Wiseman said, "and give back to the kids."

The Danny Wiseman Junior Scholarship Tournament, set for Oct. 14 at AMF Country Club Lanes on Pulaski Highway, will award young bowlers funds for their college education.

Wiseman started planning the scholarship tournament, the first he has ever put together, six months ago. Attracting local sponsors was important, he said, as was getting bowling manufacturers involved.

Wiseman met with a brain trust of people, which included Chris and Kim Leyan, owners of Shot Makers Pro Shop, and Bruce and Vickie Machin. Bruce Machin is a director of the Baltimore United States Bowling Congress. After they met, they put together the tournament.

"We started discussing the format for the tournament in March and April," Wiseman said, "and the flyers went out in May."

Wiseman said he hoped the tournament would have a full field of 140 bowlers who are expected to come from all over the East Coast.

The tournament will include all age groups and the prize will be in the form of a scholarship fund. First-place winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship. There will be two scoring groups, scratch and handicap. Trophies will be awarded to the top five winners, and one in five participants will receive scholarships.

Wiseman said he planned to make the tournament an annual event and hoped to turn it into something greater, with possibly a few events each year.

Wiseman said setting up the scholarship tournament was a way to get experience and learn how to host more events in the future.

"This is a whole new learning process for me," Wiseman said. "The way things have to be set up with the tournament so the kids don't jeopardize their youth eligibility is imperative."

All funds will be distributed to each individual child's USBC SMART Account.

During the event, there will be silent auctions and raffles for spectators to have a chance to purchase and/or win local sports memorabilia.

The entry fee for the Danny Wiseman Junior Scholarship Tournament is $60 on or before Sept. 30 and $70 after that date.

Wiseman will help set up lane conditions, and said it would not be easy. He said he wanted there to be good competition. 

"I want the young people to enjoy their experience competing against each other," Wiseman said. "I want the children to learn, and enjoy the day's experience. I want them to know that they are bowling for their future education, and that is most important of all."

More Cheap Seats:
• Johnson Uses Hand Controls To Put Pedal To The Metal
• Webster Lives His Fairytale As Coach Of Poly Engineers
• Ex-Gilman Ace Miller Shoots For Golf Moon
• Szefc Aims To Keep State Stars At Home
• Wiseman Tournament To Aid Young Bowlers
• Here's League Where Big Kids Get To Play

Issue 176: August 2012