Dave Simmons enjoyed 25 years as a fast-pitch softball pitcher before he discovered bowling.

The transition from pitcher to kegler proved to be successful as Simmons, of Strasburg, notched a perfect game in 1997.

With averages in three leagues higher than 200, bowling has been a hit for Simmons.

Background: Simmons, a 1964 Octorara High School graduate, is retired. He and his wife, Michelle, have three sons and five grandchildren.

Leagues (averages): Thursday Senior League, 208; Wednesday Central League, 201; Thursday Levi's Classic, 202. All three leagues are at Garden Spot.

High scores: Single, 300; series, 753.

My greatest moment in the sport: My 300 game. It was in my Thursday league and I was so nervous throughout the game. On my last strike, I just concentrated on hitting my mark and was lucky enough not to let a seven pin still standing. I was perfect.

Favorite bowling center: Garden Spot.

Type of bowling ball: Toxic.

The persons who taught me the most are: Charlie Rhoades, Henry Cooper, Jim Johnson and others.

The biggest change in the sport: So many of the young bowlers are real good bowlers.

A good team is made up of: The friendships gained through competing with each other over the years.

Bowling has helped me: Be able to get together with friends and participate in a sport, since I can't play softball anymore.

My interest in the sport began: Many years ago when I bowled with some neighbors.

My secret to success is: To have fun, and if I have a good game or series, that's great, and I guess you could call that a success. One of my childhood friends, Bob Shelton, recently passed away. And, if I could be half the man he was, I would definitely be a success not only in bowling, but also in life.

I think other bowlers would describe me as: An awkward lucky left-hander.

My long-term bowling goal is to: Bowl as long as I can and have fun doing it.

This brings me good luck in the sport: My wife and my old bowling towel.

People would be most surprised to learn that I: Had 13 knee operations, with two knee replacements, and a foot reconstruction.

When I'm not bowling you will find me: Hanging out with my wife and our four dogs.

Director wanted: The Lancaster USBC Bowling Association is accepting resumes from anyone who seeks to become a director. Resume forms are at lancasterbowling.org or can be obtained by calling the LBA office at 394-9103.

Tourney trails: The LBA invites bowlers to compete in the City-County Mail-in Tournament Jan. 24-30. Use league scores as tournament scores. Entry forms are available in all centers, at lancasterbowling.org or by calling the LBA office at 394-9103.

Alley notes: Perfect games were rolled by Wil Kellenberger at Leisure; Gary Walton and Guy Reed at Garden Spot; John Manning at Blue Ball; and Tom Schenerman at Dutch.

A near-perfect game was rolled by Brian Kachel (299) at Dutch.

High series (men, 800; women, 700) were rolled by Jason Boozer (822) at Clearview and Kris Courtney (833) and Lee Henry Jr. (815) at Blue Ball.

Note: If you have a suggestion for the column, e-mail Sunday News Correspondent Barry Decker at deckrunner@aol.com or call him at 786-2620.

High scores

Rocky Springs

ABC: Holtwood 10 Pin, Jon Waltman 643, Michael Haines 638, Manny Velazquez 619; What Not, Keith Coble 674, Bob Rossi 651, Ken Herr 634, Kermit Rishell 606.

Juniors: Brian Ott 594, Sean Obetz 688, Trishia Mayberry 510, Lizzie Burkholder 598, Becky Rudy 627, Nick O'Neill 437, Joey Byerly 493, Ross McCauley 590.

Seniors: Bob Rudisill Senior, Ken Yoder 554, Frank Himmelsbach 550, Joe Costello 512, Chat Apacible 473, Martha Boose 469; Duffy's Ladies, Bette High 462, Judy Frantz 451.

WIBC: Beth Graham 673, Gail Fetterhoff 653, Linda Goodling 648, Sue Lapp 621, Donna Kurtz 621.

Mixed: Mon Travelers, Vince NIeves 618, Sheree Shoemaker 523, Barb Cisco 507; Winter Flower, John Myers 584, Carol Beiler 519; General Contractors, Carl Lucci 625, Rob Hoover III 625, Alex Parmer 610; Meadia Heights, Mark Hess 599; Semi Classic, Tim Breen 697, Steve Keen Jr. 682, Doug Rehm 655, Dan Breen 654, Ryan Subers 639, Linda Goodling 647; Rocky Early Birds, Joe Garner 659, Peg Ammon 527; Rocky Rollers, Monte Drebenstebt 534; New Beginnings, Karen Miller 541.

Leisure

Men: Sophanna Chrin 736 (McCombs); Scott Kennedy 784, Brian Brooks 761, Brian Rothweiler 741, Rick Graham 713, Gary Young 694, Jeff Waller 693, Neal Vital 690, Charlie Fisher 684 (AMF Ind.); Dave Schlotter 670 (Klines R.V.); Wil Kellenberger 300, 758, Tony Leister 741, Brian Zahm 727, J.D. Kellenberger 715, Bob Kilheffer 689, Mark Myers 688, Bill Provost 687 (City County); Jon Kurau 727, Doug Schwenk 719 (Tues. Men); Charlie Riexinger 737, Bob Allison 686, Lamar Nolt 683 (Indoor World); Mike Bonham 726, Clyde Kemmerly 726, Denny Rittenhouse Jr. 692, Ted Martin 685 (Lanc. Ind.); Kevin Bandrowski 689, Dean Brooks 655, Kemp Rager Jr. 635 (Leisure Lanes Challenge), Terry Swisher 679 (Millersville Men).

Women: Chris Clerico 591 (Precious Gems); Bev Keller 439 (Sparklers); Dennett Anderson 586 (Sparemakers).

Mixed: Tom Barr 600, Barbara Geiter 464 (Ball & Chain); Ken Greenly III 673, Joy Warner 527 (Turtle), Gary Baker 711, Sandy Howard 616 (AM Ind.); Bob Jarrett 643, Ann Rummel 685 (Mixed Nuts); Henry Boyles 680, Marie Hodgson 536 (Leisure Times); Mike Bonham 740, Linda Bowman 578 (Southern End); Brad Wilkie 595, Donna Wilkie 467 (Late Mixed Nuts); Kevin Rosado 642, Ginny Hamill 535 (Garys Pro Shop); Mike Conner 696, Ann Rummel 633 (Wed. Nite Mixed); Mike Barr 624, Judy Bleacher 473 (BCA).

Seniors: John Herr 558, Pat Files 463 (AARP); Carl Melin 528, Merilynn Hart 473 (Woodcrest); Richard Kuehne 531, Fran Meyer 560 (Manor North): Don Cunningham 675, Dave Hefner 653, Champ Bauer 620, Galen Zook 613, Bob Steely 610, Ken Welk 605, Frank Shafer 600, Pat Cooper 600, Rudy Ries 593, Joe Arsenault 588, Harold Waltz 584, John Herr 571, Jean Lapham 571, Ron Hart 565, Russell Gantz 553.

Garden Spot

Men: Rich Ferrier 672 (Family Twosome); Scott Rehm 681 (Sunday Night Mixed); Marvin Kreider 666, Andrew Lefever 653 (Cop-Outs); Matt Moore 690, Ray Leaman 680, George H. 650 (RPM); Bob Rhoades 695, Ken Pepple 687, Mike Anderer 687, Denny Krause 680, Tony Leister 669, John Mahan 667, Charlie Rhoades 657, Dave Brooks 653 (Central); Scott Crandall 691; Gary Walton 685, Wayne Buckwalter 684, Eric Hiller 679, Jonathan Heisse 671, Jack Wilson 666, Fred Merklinger 663, Steve Cook 661, Chuck Fisher 653 (Garden Spot Men); Rich Ferrier 652, Jeremy Metz 650 (Wildcat).

Women: Chris Wakefield 584 (Sunday Night Mixed); Cris Stock 576 (Wildcat).

Seniors: Dan MacDonald 551, Sue MacDonald 523, Otis Harrison 458, Fran Neupauer 446, Paul Groff 445, Joan Simmers 406.

Juniors: Coty Johnson 721, Dennis Abrams 408 (Family Twosome); Robert Muckel Jr. 558, Ashley Caldwell 550, Chase Bleacher 460, Carrie Shertz 320, Justin Sheaffer 253, Zach Whitney 241, Liz DeJesus 141 (Saturday Juniors).

Cain's

Men: Bill King 626 (Sun. Mixers); Kevin Ecenrode 756 (Church); Bill Loercher 624 (Merchants).

Women: Stacey Summers 501 (Sun. Mixers); Rose Balmer 538 (Church).

Youth: Boys, Chad Zunich 434. Juniors: Boys, Ryan Alcala 428, Chad Neely 290; Girls: Brittany Lantz 412, Carly Clardy 228. Bumpers: Boys, Bayley Ranck 276; Girls, Catey Sides 273.

Clearview

Men: Chet Eckman 767, Carl Meachum 732, Mike Sheeler 731, Steve Halbleib Jr. 700, Nick Borrell 696, Henry Gepfer 685, Doug Hosking 674, Lloyd Schaffner 671, John Henry 665 (Tuesday Businessmen); Jeff Strayer 643, Stan Gall 602 (Men's Church); Dave Atticks 695, Mike Johnson 662 (Wednesday Sportsmen); Mike Sheeler 696, Ken Trimble 675, Dave Kready 652 (Monday HDCP).

Women: Nan Stevens 545, Tina Muterspaw 517 (Pinbelles); Arlene Blew 470, Lynette Brown 456 (Kennels).

Mixed: Jason Boozer 822, Dale Young 739, Mike Sheeler 728, Denny Landvator 716, Frank Telenko Jr. 715, Matt Vanlenten 703, Jeff Becker 689, Ray Secord 685, Carl Meachum 678, Dave Shelly 673, Spencer Gamble 668, Tim Livingston 666, Harry Ebersole Jr. 664, Josh Binkley 663, Herb Blaylock 662, Bob Lightner 660, Greg Martin 655, Darlene Anderson 618 (Hennigan's Majors); Gary High 705, Steve Huntindon 642, Rose Stasko 534 (Thursday Industrial); Ethan Carter 734, Todd Hess 727, Jim Cunningham 719, Shawn Whitmyer 709, Win Randler 658 (City County Travel); Jake Palacios 535, Nark Hess 522, Lisa Balshy 419, Donna Stoudt 354 (Rookie League); Van Moore 614, Jerry Janickey 553, Sue Lehman 485, Melissa Brinser 434 (Casino League); Ken Neidinger 673, Sam Weber Sr. 673, Brett Barlet 671, Pat Weber 668, Denise Merey 511 (Mixed Outlaws); Roy Reber 623, Keith Coble 600, Larry Henderson 600, Ann Kelly 530, Kayla Coble 458 (Clearview Leisure); Jeff Wolfe 608, Robin Baker 589, Deb Bowers 553, Dave Coble 550 (Monday Mixed); Carl Meachum 746, Mike Sheeler 704, Harvey Winters 669, Shirlee Waugh 570, Virginia Garman 508 (Sunday Crackers).

Seniors: Milt Heilman 641, Al Powell 634, Al Lancaster 547, Larry Condran 538, Ruthie Garman 480, Doris Murphy 461.

Blue Ball

Men: Monday Mixers, Chadd Rudy 740; Blue Ball/Garden Spot, Curt Nolt 709; Bowl for $$$, Darren Heindel 759, Jerry Clark 740; Tuesday Businessmen, Kris Courtney 833; Britton Reider 795, Troy Lint 792, Rob Deeds 774, Brent Himmelreich 770, Dave McNamara 754, John Manning 300, 752, Lee Henry Jr. 736, Butch Garnett 734, Ken Boley 732, Terry Martin 730, Ray Metzger 725, Ed Daily 725, Dick Alexander 721, Shane Hufford 713, Joel Tolley 710, Bill Sipes 707, Josh Stegeman 707, Brian Grantz 701; Lancaster County Travel, Chet Eckman 786, Don Wagner 717, Henry Blough 717; New Holland Boro, Lee Henry Jr. 815, DJ Thatcher 748, John Hart 729, Tom Hammerstone 728, Brian Krantz 720; Thursday Seniors, Jerry Clark Jr. 726, Dave Kennendy Jr. 684, Harry Charlesen 672, Clyde Brubaker 610, William Zynn 605, Ron Pressley 587, Marty Good 579, Lloyd Sweitzer 577, Bob Shingle 554, Dave Womer 536, Dick Hockwarth 508; Saturday Night Railroad, Darren Heindel 727.

Women: Monday Mixers, Wendy Hufford 676, Casey Barninger 644; Blue Ball/Garden Spot, Kerry Smith 758; Tuesday Mixers, Cindy Farmer 614; Channelettes, Cathy Hewitt 542, Shirley Boughter 512, Linda Martin 503; Wednesday Mixers, Wynetta Martin 649; New Holland Boro, Kerry Smith 683.

Juniors: Saturday Juniors, Justin Hammerstone 773, Matt Detrick 707, Brandon Wise 651, Elizabeth Donnelly 538.

Dutch

Men: Tom Weitzel 740 (Sunday Night Mix); Dale Pannebecker 694, Ric Bromirski 688, Bryan Miller 680 (Brownstown Mix); Jon Rogers 771, Brian Kachel 761, 299, Josh Hart 721, Lamar Nolt 706 (Industrial Service); Todd Kauffman 683, Randy Snyder 656, Kevin Boyer 593 (Tri-Town Church); Jason Rieker 770, Gene Sholly 762, Ron Maurer 721 (Woodstream); Joseph Bilger 668, Randy Haldeman 661, Charlie Baney 634 (Ephrata Mix); Rex Liitzenberger 652, Tyler Sierenline 634, Perry Lorah 607 (Ephrata Church); Randy Hogg 784, Mark Myers 747, Cory Getz 731, Tom Schenerman 702, 300 (Lancaster County Travel); Trever Habecker 706, Jason Habecker 682, Chuck Winkler 682 (Lancaster North End); Justin Kleinspehn 726, Dave Kennedy 693, Bob Kennedy 688 (Lincoln Forest).

Women: Nancy Hafer 497 (Sunday Night Mix); Ellen Merklinger 656, Pam Nagle 639, Tammy Rogers 630, Missy Miller 615 (Brownstown Mix); Jaclyn Greenly 614 (New Holland Ladies); Karen Harbaugh 469 (Tri-Town Church); Elysia Current 632 (Woodstream); Janice Meckley 648 (Ephrata Mix); Terri Andrew 577 (Lincoln Forest); Sandra Hinkle 647 (Ephrata Ladies).

Seniors: Al Johnson 565, Dick Kellenberger 563, Dean Lowry 547, Ruth Eddy 494, Deb Weidman 477, Kris Michaelson 476 (Young At Heart); Carl Partridge 595, Les Sensenig 582 (Monday Seniors); Carl Partridge 712, Tom Sullivan 579, Frank Shafer 575, Ruth Eddy 595, Lee Hauck 581(Thursday Srs).

Juniors: Kenny Burdge 381, Tyrus Current 325, Tristan Current 260, Kaleigh Kramer 283, KC Miller 234, Tara Neikirt 168 (Bantum); Tommy Sciscento 419, Ian Wettlauffer 381, Tyler Walton 340, Rachell Waddell 313, Cheyenne Angelo 308, Hanna Nace 272 (Zoo); Matt Cover 506, Matt Zimmerman 383, Justin Cramer 353, Katie Redcay 415, Elizabeth Mace 263 (Co-Ed); Austin Kissinger 668, Kerry Cooper 608, Keith Sholly 606, Johanna Joseph 572, Briana Ord 570, Chelsey Merklinger 568 (Seniors).