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Pullara Nearly Pulled Off 300 After 50 Years

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By BOB AUSTIN, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 26, 2007

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the successful kickoff-return drought is over after 32 years and 1,865 attempts.

For Sam Pullara, however, the "perfection" dry spell beat goes on, although for one fleeting moment last week at Pin Chasers Veterans, it appeared his 50-year search had finally come to an end.

"I threw that final ball so, so well," said Pullara, competing in the Keglers Men's League. "I usually get a few cheap strikes during a game, but this time, all the strikes in that second game were so, so perfect and the 12th ball was the best one of them all."

A seven pin.

A 299.

A seven pin reared its ugly head and stood between Pullara and his first 300 game.

It came after a 162 beginning that necessitated a drastic change in plans.

"I began to play two different parts," Pullara said. "On one lane, I spread my pinky finger out on one side to get less roll on the ball and send it into the 1-2 pocket. The other lane I kept the finger in."

Pullara finished a 674 series with a 213.

"I just turned 60 on Dec. 15. I've been bowling since I was 10 and I really believed I was finally going to get that perfect game. I had gone into the 10th frame three other times with the first nine strikes, but always something happened. I just knew this was the time."

Pullara's been bowling 18 more years than the Bucs have been in existence. He's confident he finally will obtain that perfect game in far fewer attempts.

FLORIDA LANES: Mike Fuller, Bear Kisondi and Ammy Sallot were top scorers last week.

Fuller's 755 and Kisondi's 287 led the men while Sallot paced the women with 233-625. Other good scores for the men were Chris Amato 709, Eddie Kessel 279, Shawn Gagne 235-651 and Marc Khan 242-600.

Other scores by the women were Terry Broyles 553 and Lisa Morris 211.

DEADLINE EXTENDED: The deadline for entry into the USBC Tampa City Tournament has been extended to Jan. 7. The tournament is scheduled at Pin Chasers Midtown Jan. 19-20 and Jan. 26-27.

PIN CHASERS MIDTOWN: Phil Frey, Vito Anello, Bill Singleton, Derek Powell and Shell Wilson were the big gunners in that hot Sardegna's Pro Shop Industrial League.

Frey led all bowlers with 290-721 while Anello had 268-716, Singleton 276-709, Powell 279-703 and Wilson 703.

Other scorers were John Demott 255-692, Dan Howsmon 257-676, Frank Anello 675, Alan Villa 254-659 and Anthony Busciglio 653.

PIN POINTS: Bill Rogers, Bobby Cupp, Amy Mai and Kathleen Toler led the way in the Pinarama Lanes Base Exchange League. Rogers rolled 257-657 and Cupp 247-673 to lead the men while Mai bowled 204-544 and Toler 201-583 to pace the women. Other good scores for the men were Rick Amerson 247-637, Dave DeWitt 247-635, Knuckles Knuckles 633, Josh Aulet 236, John Szekely 235 and George Muratides 615. Other women's scores were Steph Micco 621, Pam Stewart 513, Andrea Seiser 198 and Pat Rosas 192.

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