That was one Christmas story Chuck Saylor, 41, rolled last week with his pair of 700s — 705 and a 729.


Saylor, of Mountville, sports an average higher than 200 in three leagues.


Family plays an important part in his life — whether it’s a good-luck kiss from them before he leaves for league competition or a weekend of camping and boating.


Background: Saylor and his wife, Annie, of 11 years have an 8-year-old daughter, Marlena, and a 5-year-old son, CJ, who both bumper bowl. Saylor, a 1982 Hempfield High School graduate, has been the proprietor of C.R. Lawn Care since 1989.


Leagues/averages: Leisure Monday Night AMF Industrial Men (209); Leisure Friday Night Mixers (225); and East Lincoln Wednesday Night Men (201).


High scores: Single, 298; series, 771.


Greatest moment in the sport: Reaching the finals of the AMF league and having it filmed by former F&M professor, Glenn Banner. My team (Ken Yellets, Jeff Waller, Mark Allison, Scott Canfield and Saylor) went on to win on March 13, 2002.


Achievements: Awards for a 290 and two 298s.


Favorite bowling center: Leisure Lanes.


The person who taught me the most was: Frank Baer, who helped me with the beginning basics.


Bowling has helped me: Meet a variety of new people with diversified interests outside of bowling, as well as to help me in networking my business.


My interest in the sport began: In 1987, with a co-worker who was always talking about how much fun the game was. I went to Kmart and bought a bowling ball and bag and thought I was set to go. Boy, did I soon find out that I had a lot to learn.


My secret to success is: Gaining confidence and concentrating and focusing on the basics of the game. Suggestions for others: Have a positive attitude about your bowling during each frame. And to always take your bowling equipment with you when you travel.


Other bowlers would describe me as: “Just in time Saylor.’’ I always seem to arrive at the last minute every bowling night.


My long-term goal is: To roll a perfect game and an 800 series. And to join a team for the state and national tournaments.


The funniest thing that happened in bowling was: While rolling my first 290 game, I went to the men’s room between the ninth and 10th frames. When I came back I inadvertently rolled a strike on the wrong lane. It didn’t count, so I had to roll again on the right lane. Fortunately, I struck out.


Bowling and this food go together for me: Crab-cake sandwich.


This brings me good luck in the sport: Kissing my wife and kids goodbye before bowling and having them wish me luck. It’s our tradition.


People would be most surprised to learn that I: Raced ATVs in the Harrisburg Farm Show


I wish I could change this in the sport: When you leave a split and the ball rolls between them, you would get an automatic extra three points.


My favorite sports movie is: “Major League.’’


I believe my improvement: Comes from pitching modified softball this past three years. It had a great rollover effect.


When I’m not bowling, you will find me: Coaching my kids in softball and Little League or camping and boating with my family on the bay.





Alley notes: Perfect games were rolled by Casey Fazio at Blue Ball, Jon Voutsas at Clearview, John Canias at Dutch and Tim Roth and Tom Werner at Leisure. Almost-perfect games were rolled by Nick McCaulley (299) at Clearview and Ken Olson (289) at Dutch.


High series (800, men; 700, women) were rolled by Tom Werner (814), Ken Pepple (813) and Rudy Ries (803) at Leisure and Samantha Santoro (711) at Dutch.


Note: If you have suggestions or comments for the column or a recommendation for a featured bowler, call me at 786-2620 or e-mail deckrunner@aol.com.




High scores




AMF Rocky


Men: Bob Huyard 677 (Holtwood 10 Pin); Ken Herr Jr. 724 (What Not); Bob Sultzbach 698 (Nut). Women: Carol Beiler 569 (New Beginnings); Irene Kipphorn 576 (Retail Ladies). Mixed: Chuck Irvin 519, Bobbi Myers 525 (Rocky Early Birds); Joe Groff 692, Sheree Shoemaker 566 (Monday Night Travlers); Tom Gardner Jr. 569, Pam Pemberton 514 (Mixed Nut); Chris Peifer 613, Audrey Steinmetz 531 (Steinmetz & Cosby); Carl Hoffmire 647, Carol Beiler 577 (Winter Flower); Bob Sultzbach 686, Margaret Sultzbach 497 (RCA); Fred Huyzk 533 (High Rollers); Jimmy Miller 566, Cindy Todd 448 (Meadia Heights); Dennis Bellefiore 670, Trish Breen 456 (Anytimers). Seniors: Enos Bleacher 551, George Smith 537, Joe Sabatine 537, Norman Davis 521, Heck Eckenrode 511, Gerry Humphreville 515 (Bob Rudisill Srs); Robert Freiler 529, George Smith 522, Albert Birunas 506, Beryl Coccio 446 (Club 55); Lynn Mercein 490 (Duffy’s Ladies); George Engle 557, Bill Salzman 531, Kay Holmen 458 (Rocky Springs Srs).




Blue Ball




Curt Nolt (Blue Ball Garden Spot); Bill Sipis 749 (Honey Brook); Terry Martin 795 (New Holland Boro); Shane Hufford 700 (Travel League); Jim Dinicola 706 (Twin Valley); Paul Caudill 711, Kim Hess 634 (Red Rose Travel); Bill Kretlow 615, Veda Lapp 501 (New Holland Church); Terry Martin 715, Wynetta Martin 611 (Morgantown Mixed); Charlie Ferguson 687(Monday Mixed); Tom Hammerstone 785, Trudy Turner 574 (Tuesday Mixed); Steve Wallace 688, Micki Woods 584 (Bowl For $); Barry Getz 723, Tacey Messner 596 (Wed Mix leag 13-18); Mat Bonnell 673, Alice Bonnell 479 (Wed mix leag 19-24); Ed Daily 767, Amy Kohler 538 (Mr & Mrs); Darren Heindel 685, Lori Jassmond 539 (Snowblowers); Doris Wells 510 (Morning Ladies); Ann Good 627 (Channelettes); Bob Shingle 616, Doris Wells 564 (Seniors); Casey Fazio (300) (Tues Intramural); Ethan Daily 731, Kerry Smith 600 (Jr Leag).




Clearview




Men: Jon Voutsas (300) 794, Steven Halbleib 661 (Donegal Hdcp); Gary Keck 714, Mike Johnson 702, Chris Johnson 700, Paul Foy 684, Jeff Mattocks 678, Ross Deitz 660, Brad Lutz 654, Bob Reifsnyder 654 (Wed. Sportsmen); Milt Heilman 643 (Men’s Church); Nick McCaulley (299) 792, Don Wagner 712, Todd Lauver 711, Dave Kready 705, Jon Voutsas 702, Duane Bender 686, Jeremy Eberle 684, Tony Kaylor 673, Mike Sheeler 653, Barry Reinhold 652, Steve Wagner 651, Lloyd Gepfer 650 (Tues. Businessmen); Josh Becker 782, Bob Miller Jr. 708, Jeff Becker 675, Jason Boozer 672 (Mon. HDCP); Jim Metzler 581 (Mon. Towne A). Women: Vinny Imm 509 (Gutter Gals); Deb Eberle 609 (Tues. Bowlettes); Vanessa Furler 569 (Pinbelles); Sue Mummau 575 (Kennels). Mixed: Steve Conn 685, Reuben Redcay 653, Shirlee Waugh 542 (Sunday Crackers); Herb Blaylock 707, George Tomlinson III 688, Russ Alleman 682, Josh Becker 666, Jeff Strine 652, Henry Blough 650, Lisa Farwell 624 (Fri. Mixed); Jim Watto 582, Robin Nauss 560 (Fri. United Church); Marlin Winters 687, Doug Keller 665, Phil Yeagley 654, Shirl Scott 575 (Mixed Outlaws); Jason Boozer 750, EJ Farwell 718, Bob Miller Jr. 714, Bob Lightner 709, Lisa Farwell 698, Jeff Vuxta 672, Dave Shelly 667, Brad Vuxta 661, Tim Livingston 658, Don Wagner 652, Sharon Blough 630 (Mn. Majors); Bill Lease 664, Marlene White 547 (Mon. Mixed); Gary Hoffer 655, Pat Deitz 557 (Clearview Leisure). Seniors: John Lee 576, Arlene Mummert 514 (Early Birds); Al Powell 609, Charlie Goodling 596, Milt Heilman 579, John Stum 559, Artie Painter 558, Arlene Mummert 526 (Tues. Srs). Juniors: Adam Fink 525, Darren Miller 511, Billy Murtley 477, Austin Farwell 439, Beth Moyer 414, Jenae Yoder 405 (Prep); Natalie Houseal 624, Andy Fink 617, Mark Strausbaugh 564, Jennifer Roehm 509 (American).




Dutch




Men: Brian Frederickson 688, Dick Alexander 665, Brian Kachel 653 (Industrial); Mike Wolfe 709, Harry Rogers III 709, Sandy Snook 708, Bob Kennedy 701, Andy Bobetsky 700 (Service ); Marc Johns 725, Mike Clouser 713, Andy Wierzbicky 708, Ran Subers 701 (Color Tile Classic); Eric Montgomery 722, Kelby Stauffer 715 (Wed Night Travel).


Women: Donna Snyder 567, Peg Ammon 545 (New Holland Ladies); Gail Seidel 539, Peggy Schmidt 531, Denise Ober 520, Paula Spohn 514 (Sweet Treats); Denise Woodworth 680, Janice Meckley 632, Donna Snyder 631, Cindy Farmer 630 (Ephrata Ladies). Mixed: Jon Rogers 692, Neil Deibler 689, Jay Peifer 602, Lisa Bowman 719, Ellen Merklinger 652, Jean Dull 616 (Brownstown Mix); Wayne Welk Jr. 784, Forest Troyer 651, Jim Elsner 650, Beth Hostetter 603, Lori Widders 589, Becky Nickels 532 (Tri Town Church); Hank Schwartz 737, Lee Hauck 706, Charlie Wolfersberger 664, Jeff Todd 664, Cindy Farmer 517, Shauna Overly 42 (Anything Goes); Jim Weiler 715, Gene Sholly 691, Tammy Stoltzfus 537, Sue Wike 516, Charlene Coyle 511 (Woodstream); Shawn Burkhart 699, Buddy Dimeler 692, Frank Glisson 647, Pat Schappell 586, Deb Current 528, Chispa Mowrer 525 (Hi-Fliers); Shawn Burkhart 703, Greg Helmick 659, Tom Swalwell 656, Theresa Martin 638, Pat Schappell 568, Kelley Clouser 558 (Lincoln Forest); Jeremy Smith 676, Dave Adams 645, Jeff Knippenberg 643, Amy Yocum 459, Amanda Mentzer 436, Sherry Kreiner 434 (T.G.I.F.); Darren Heindel 629, Doug Herr 615, Walt Bowman 602, Gail Seidl 535, Jan Stoltzfus 493, Donna Warluft 486 (Friday Night Mix); Jeff Leid Sr. 645, Sandy Snook 588, Mary Lepera 554, Dot Wambold 512 (North End Mix); Cory Getz 684, Willy Hoover 650, Larry Wilhelm 615, Missy Nikolas 672, Missy Miller 646 (Sunday Night Mix); John Canias (300) 749, Michael Torres 721, Richard Adair Jr. 713, Dennis Moyer 702, Lori Eshleman 667 (Semi Classic Business); Ken Olson (289) 762, Nancy Hafer 518 (Funtimers). Seniors: Peggy Schmidt 531, Pat Duncan 459, Ginny Gerhart 458 (Sweet Treats); Al Johnson 591, Dick Kellenberger 547, Jim Shober 515, Peggy Schmidt 499, Shirley Royer 477, Betty Stauffer 435 (Young at Heart); Tom Sullivan 636, Bob Kilefner 581, Bob Hill 559 (Monday Srs); Les Sensenig 579, Tom Sullivan 607 (Monday Afternoon Srs). Juniors: Zachary Adams 466, Joshua Sweigart 414, Thomas Murray 386, Nicole George 365, katherine Adams 333, Janelle High 329, Jennifer Greenly 329 (Zoo); CJ Costa 481, Jared Copenhaver 464, Scott Janoschak 445, Aidan Stoltzfus 445, Krystal Olson 439, Crystal Connelly 399, Christina Leid 394 (Co-ed Baseball); Dan Ledwith 736, Mark Haney 724, David Gerhart 718, Todd Sigeti 655, Zachary Sweigart 629, Chris Blosenski 618, DJ Thatcher 611, Samantha Santoro 711, Jenny Gehman 632, Chelsea Weik 608, Ashley Snyder 601 (Sr Baseball).




Garden Spot




Mixed: Laura Wimer 554 (Fam. 2-Some); Alan Wakefield 698, Laura Wimer 578, Donna Jackson 569, Chris Wakefield 562 (Streamliners); Joe Abrams Jr. 672, John Kirkner 668, Lance Bauer 663, Kathy Harvey 557 (Sun. Nite Mxd.); Jim Johnson 683, Frankie Rosado 671 (G-S Men); Kim Smale 664 (Cop-Outs); Dennis Nixdorf 697, Bruce Young 689, Larry Wallick 677, Russ Shirk 658, Scott Bartram 657, Jim Reel 655 (Breiner-Canan); Mervin High 692, Brian Krantz 652 (RPM); John Kohler Jr. 673 (Noisemakers); Jody Rehm 596, Angie Bair 579, Theresa Lowe 567 (Curves); Dave Kurau 689, Herb Caudill 688 (Q-Ville Mxd.); Justin Pugh 697, Tammy Claypoole 583 (Peq. Valley Mxd.); Rodger Hatfield 696, Curvin High 692, Gary Crawford 684 (Wed. Nite Mxd.); Lou Fidanza 699, Bob Rhoades 696, Mike Wimer 693, Dennis Hagel 684, Guy Reed 683, Bob Cole 669, Mike Anderer 662, Tim Weaver 654 (Central). Seniors: John Baker 557, Frances Smith 394 (Mon.); Dave Simmons 653, Don Neupauer 566, Ken Shoemaker 536, Norman Wilson 495, Joan Simmers 478 (Tues.); Bob Jeffries 575, John Taylor 540, Cy Hoover 537 (Thurs.). Juniors: Cecil Vicars III 594, Coty Johnson 511 (Fam. 2-Some); Alex Valentine 648, Andrew Reger 615, Gregory Lehr 565, Mandy Cisney 532, Stephan Englehart 530. Nolan Quinn 486, Sarah Alexander 373 (Sat.).




Leisure




Men: Wil Kellenberger 803, Ed Shay 725, Mel Grill 705, Cal Rowles 703 (McCombs Supply); Brian Rothweiler 759, Ed Fisher 746, Jeff Waller 740, Mike Dooley 729, Jim Landis 721, Glenn Huber 712, Brian Brooks 706, Scott Canfield 705, Chuck Saylor 705, Todd Hess 702, Paul Reincke 702, Kevein Kahler 698, Aaron Rowe 696 (AMF Ind); Pat Marlett 762, Leo Young 734 (Klines RV); Kevin Kemper 715 (Lew Denlinger Classic); Beau White 779, George Tomlinson 759, Scott Ulmer 718, Bill Provost 701, Gary Brooks 695 (City County Ind); Eric Smith 696 (Tues Mens Hdcp); Dave Heisey 684 (Lanc Ind); Steve Troop 632 (Indoor World); Dave Dissinger 651 (Millersville Men); Tom Werner (300) 814, Ken Pepple 813, Chris Wilson 791, Tim Roth (300) 769, John Lefever 749, Jeff Wintersteen 734, Chris Vital 722, Doug Schwenk 708, Tom Scheuerman 707, Tom Wierzbicky 706, Kirk Goodling 701, Rick Graham 698, Jerome Olson 696, Brandon Lapp 695 (Myers Autobody Classic); Rick Myers 658 (C Jay Lawn Care); Jerry Frymyer 738, Mike Miller 734, Ken Spang 700, Jay Eckman 698, Galen Zook 697 (Suburban Ind). Women: Gloria Bolin 433 (Hopefuls); Pat Hiemenz 529 (Sparklers); Joyce Rehkugler 587 (Sparemakers); Karyn King 488 (Jewels). Mixed: Joe Mitchell 685, Sue Fritsch 594 (Funtime); Scott Weaver 738, Dave Gulliver 736, Kim Nolan 563 (Turtle); Fred Armstrong 574, Barbara Geiter 515 (Ball and Chain); Charlie Batten 685, Susan Schickel 621 (Zodiac); Josh Bloom 666, Ann Rummel 657 (Mixed Nuts); Rob Winfrey 660, Diane Jones 557 (Leisure Times); Mark Matroni 679, Joyce Rehkugler 548 (AM Ind); Rick Schaffer 649, Jane Falk 328 (Late Mixed Nuts); Joe Nikolaus 647, Shirley Redcay 604 (Southern End); Jacques Huber 656, Linda DeHaven 453 (BCA); Scott Brill 750, Deb Ziedonis 529 (Armstrong Eng); Brian Zahm 696, Ellen Jacoberger 542 (Garys Pro Shop); John Hambright 551, Karen Zimmerman 508 (Alley Cats); Rick Wolf Jr. 679, Barbara Grunow 667 (Wed Night Mix); Phil Mount 668, Pat Valenzo 437 (Knights of Columbus); Gary Hiestand 684, Bev Miller 463 (Derrs Auto Transport); Harold Sellers 571, Hannah Herr 567 (Mix and Match); Dick Savicky 574, Sue Miller 488 (Mountville Mix); Chuck Saylor 729, Pat Kauffman 433 (Fri Mixers). Seniors: Stu Wesbury 581, Fran Meyer 452 (Manor North); John Herr 589, Pat Files 445 (AARP); Carl Melin 536, Ruth Rutt 471 (Woodcrest); Rudy Ries 803, Galen Zook 707, Don Cunningham 654, Linda Bowman 537 (Tender Tears); Bill Ehleiter 474, Beryl Herr 499 (Early Birds); Stu Wesbury 558, Betty Palmieri 527 (WV Lakes Campus); Rudy Ries 711, Jack Nagle 651, John Kochel 632, Don Killian 612, Norm Tomlinson 593, Don Cunningham 590, John Pavlick 582, Charles Kirstner 575, Heck Eckenrode 563, Galen Eberly 562, Charles Albin 557, Jerry Ackerman 556, Ray Smuck 553, Linda Bowman 576 ( Thurs Srs); Fred Snyder 647, Mabel Thomas 561 (Millersville Srs). Juniors: Coty Simet 478, Lisa Denlinger 412 (Bantam Prep Div); Shane Burkhardt 532, Chelsea Erb 400 (Jr I Div); Steven Wentz 652, Kristan Knarr 462 (Jr II Div); Brent Himmelreich 731, Merle Burkhart 708, Justin Troop 654, Matt Hogg 654, Michelle Lueders 556 (Major Div).