By KURT NICOLL
Fifty dollars use to cover his twice-a-week excursions to Fredericksburg without any worries, but not anymore.
Chester 'Jack' Weaver of Boston, Va., decided last summer to drop out of the Early Friday Night Mix league at AMF Fredericksburg Bowl and concentrate all his efforts on the Tuesday Mixed Merchants league instead.
If not for two fortunate breaks, his first and only perfect game of 300 may never have happened.
"When the gas prices almost went to $3, that's when I decided to quit," the 76-year-old bowler commented. "We have a men's league now [on Tuesday night] so all the high bowlers are down there. But on Friday night, we get all those high bowlers from that league.
"It's more fun when I bowl with the group on Tuesday."
Weaver wasn't out of the woods even after gas prices started to drop. A replacement already was signed up for his old team, but a later vacancy on the Late Comers team permitted his re-entry to the league.
Last week's 300 game and 715 three-game set are tops for the Early Friday Night Mixed League this season. The league includes 120 bowlers.
"It didn't bother me one way or the other," quipped Weaver, whose lengthy career includes a 290 and two games of 279. "If something is going to happen, it's going to happen."
Weaver began to bowl 47 years ago while living in Fairfax County. He worked for a Safeway distribution center in Landover, Md., while his wife, Marion, also an active bowler, worked for the Fairfax Police Department.
Weaver retired in 1990 and moved to Boston, which is located in Rappahannock County close to the Culpeper County boundary.
Although his wife had to give up bowling for health reasons roughly 15 years ago, their sons Butch and Michael Weaver are avid bowlers as well.
Maine, Ray may switch spotsAs of midweek, approximately 20 of 80 spots remain for the upcoming All-Star pitching camp at the Virginia Sports Complex, according to camp director Ray Hedrick of Randolph-Macon College.
Guest instructors include Stafford County native John Maine of the New York Mets, closer Chris Ray of the Baltimore Orioles, and Travis Beazley--the first RMC graduate selected in the Major League amateur draft. He was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 38th round.
Initially, Maine was slated to appear the first day of the camp (Jan. 27) and Ray a day later, but the two may switch because Maine has another appearance scheduled for Saturday.
Players will be separated into two age groups (8-13 and 14-18) with the first group concentrating on basic fundaments like balance, strides and the need to throw strikes. A question-and-answer session and autograph signings will be included.
Registration fee is $100 if preregistered or $150 at the door. There are also opening for roughly 20 coaches ($50 if preregistered and $100 at the door).
Information: Ray Hedrick at 804/752-7303 or via e-mail at
Email: rhedrick@rmc.edu.
The second and final set of tryouts for the area's United Soccer League's Super Y program is scheduled this weekend at Hotspur Park in Spotsylvania County.
Girl candidates will try out tomorrow at the following times: U13 and U14 from 10:30-noon, U15 and U16 noon-1:30 and U17 and Super 20's 1:330-3.
Boy tryouts are on Sunday at the following times: U13, U14 and U15 noon-2 and U16, U17 from noon-2 and Super 20's 2-4.
There are no residency requirements nor tryout fees, but there are membership fees for those who are invited to join and decide to play.
In case of bad weather, the tryouts will be held a week later at the same times and site. Weather hotline information is available at 540/548-4303.
To reach KURT NICOLL:
Email: knicoll@freelancestar.com