Danny Wiseman was at a crossroad in his bowling career last year.
The Dundalk native had just come off an injury-riddled 2005-06 season in which he contemplated retirement after injuring his wrist on his bowling hand. However, that all changed when Wiseman made a memorable run by advancing to the semifinals of the Beltway Classic at AMF Country Club Lanes in Middle River last winter.
The performance helped Wiseman, who joined the Professional Bowlers Association in 1987, finish the season ranked 25th in the world and gave the him the reassurance to continue a career that includes 11 titles.
“I wouldn?t say I lost my confidence,” Wiseman said. “But the injuries really started to frustrate me.”
This season, Wiseman said he is still hindered by an ailing wrist, but it hasn?t stopped him from competing in the Lumber Liquidators Championship, which runs today through Sunday at Country Club Lanes.
Wiseman enters the tour stop having earned money in all six of the events he?s entered. He is ranked 20th in the overall points standings and average (220.42), and is 25th in earnings ($13,200). For his career, the 39-year-old has bowled 35 perfect 300 games and earned more than $1.3 million.
“Doing well in Baltimore really helped me get back on track, but the injuries are still there,” Wiseman said. “I did the best thing I could have done this summer by taking a break from the game, going to some car races and enjoying some concerts. It helped rejuvenate me.”
Wiseman hopes to use the tour?s stop in his hometown to boost his storied career, but another local bowler is using it to stage to say goodbye to the tour.
Bel Air native Tim Criss, a 15-year PBA tour veteran, said the Lumber Liquidators will be the final event of his professional career. Criss, 41, said he decided to step away from the tour, which he joined full-time in 1993, so he can spend more time with his wife, Cherie, and 7-year-old daughter, Amanda.
“It just got harder and harder to go away each week,” Criss said. “When I saw the schedule for this year come out, I decided to play just enough events to keep my exemption and wrap up my career at home.”
Criss has won 22 regional titles and five national tour titles, including his lone major, the 1999 PBA championship. He has won more than $913,000 despite having one of the slowest deliveries on the tour, which led to him being nicknamed, “Turtle.”
Criss said he doesn?t have high expectations for his final performance. He just wants to enjoy his final event in front of family and friends.
“I?ll miss the competition each week, but I won?t miss the constant travel,” Criss said. “I just want to have some fun this week and maybe I?ll capture lightning in a bottle.”
LUMBER LIQUIDATORS CHAMPIONSHIP
» Where: AMF CountryClub Lanes, Middle River
» When: Wed: Qualifying round,10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Thurs: Round of 64,10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Fri: Round of 32, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 6-10 p.m.; Sun: Finals, 1 p.m.
» Purse: $180,000 ($25,000 for champion)
» Tickets: www.pba.com or at the AMF Country Club Lanes.
» Cost: $70 for tournament pass; $10-$35 for Wednesday through Friday; $25-$75 for final and championship rounds.
