On The Gutter

This week we discuss the sad announcements out of SFA and Webber International as their bowling programs have been cut. We discuss why the colleges may have done this and what this means for other college bowlers. We also review the PBA tour finals where we saw Jesper take home the win! 

EVERYONE WAS BOWLING! After spending the weekend in Vegas watching the USBC Queens, we recap the entire Queens tournament, the PBA tour playoff semifinals and a couple PBA50 National tour titles! While seeing all 3 sections of pro bowling, is bowling more interesting when the carry percentages are lower? 

This week we have the pleasure of sitting down with PBA Rising star who wants more! Eric had a great 2024 season and we were able to reflect on 2024 and 2025. We take a look at him making his FIRST tv show along with his dad being a part of it. We also recap the quarterfinals of the PBA Tour playoffs!

This week we have the start of his years PBA Tour Playoffs! We both notice a big difference in the hype around them this year from the fans perspective. Do they need to change the PBA playoff format? 

The PBA Tour FINALLY announces a new TV Deal with the CW Network! We take a look at this deal, what it means for the PBA Tour and our initial impressions. We also recap that Elite League Battle of the Brands that saw Storm coming out on top. We finish the episode by sitting with the man on the mission this year, Tim Foy Jr! 

The lefties have returned! Jesper Svensson came home with the win at the Tournament of Champions in a dominating fashion! We take a deep dive at the TofC story lines and the back to back stepladders! The PBA Elite League Battle of the Brands is officially here and we preview the teams and the match ups for this coming weekend! 

What would a major be without some story lines?! 20 year old Ethan Fiore takes home the win at the PBA Players Championship! #VapeGate happened and reignited an old rivalry between Rash and Belmonte! Lefty lock out as well? Full recap this week!Usagiimports.com code OTG at checkout!

The PBA All Star weekend has concluded and the 2 handed bowlers have their match! We have a short episode this week where we take a look at the first ever 1 hander vs 2 handed bowlers event where the 1 handers took the win! We then take a look at the strike derby that saw EJ Tackett take down Jason Belmonte in the finals. String pins have met their match and it is most likely string pins!usagiimports.com code OTG at checkout!

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! The most ludicrous event ever just concluded with the 2025 USBC Masters! On this episode, we take a look at all the story lines from this week, some REALLY good and some REALLY bad. We also sit down with this year's winner Gary Haines. We talk with him about his win, his match with Simo and the infamous KISS! 

We recap all 5 of the shows from the WSOB including the Brooklyn heard around the world! We take a deep dive into the first 3 animal patterns being won by first-time International bowlers and then EJ Tackett taking the Shark Championship along with the World Championship! We talk about the break from EJ to beat Tim Foy JR and the clash again between Jason Belmonte and EJ Tackett. Usagiimports.com code OTG at checkout!

The CRAZIEST series of events lead to an INSTANT-CLASSIC for the PBA Tour! This week we review the Mike Aulby Nevada Classic! We take a look at two players making it from the PTQ onto the show, then the record setting roll off between EJ Tackett and Ethan Fiore! In the championship match, we saw Andrew Anderson get paybacks against EJ to win the Mike Aulby Nevada Classic! There was a TON of story lines. usagiimports.com code OTG at checkout!

This week is FULL of situations. First we take a look at some suspensions handed out to college bowlers at Webber university including a coach and faculty member being on probation. Then we take a look at the WSOB and the latest updates from it. We recap the top 16 of each of the animal patterns and how the Chameleon championship lead to fines amongst multiple bowlers. We talk about some surprising performances so far and what we expect to happen for the rest of the tournament. Usagiimports.com code OTG at check out! 

This week we preview the upcoming and current WSOB 16. This tournament could have thee BIGGEST impact on a players year/career. We take a look at who might benefit from a good week along with those who might change their career paths because of this week! We make our predictions of who we think are going to have good weeks and maybe come away with a win! 

This week we talk about 2 "Off the Wall" topics that were mentioned. The first we talk about if bowlers and the PBA are missing out by not releasing players contracts and endorsements earnings. Should professional bowling be more open about players contracts like other sports are? Then we discuss the PBA mid-season superlatives and how the PBA "called out" some players for their seasons so far? Were they right? Were they wrong?

This week we welcome back the leading guest on the show, Graham Fach! We speak with Graham about his VERY hot start to the season. We talk about him dealing with a messed up finger, the situation with Jason Belmonte on top of making multiple shows already this year including the US Open. We also review the Pete Weber Missouri Classic. This week included multiple funny interviews, players getting chippy with each other and another EJ Tackett win! Usagiimports.com use code OTG at check out!

This week we are PUMPED to welcome the newest PBA Tour champion, Santtu Tahvanainen. We sit down and discuss the Owen's Illinois Classic tournament and some of the drama that was included within the tv show. We speak with Santtu about his incredible win after being the number 1 seed and what it has been like to battle back after a major injury! usagiimports.com code OTG at checkout! 

This week we recap the very intense and very drama packed 2025 US Open. EJ Tackett claims another US Open but not without drama. A huge comeback, distracted bowlers and "personal" comments lead to a very entertaining US Open. We also discuss some pettiness on social media with bowling companies! We also have a giveaway! Don't forget to leave a comment to enter the contest!Usagiimports.com code OTG at checkout!

We welcome the 2024 Player of the Year EJ Tackett BACK to the podcast! We discuss EJ's championship winning year including the birth of his son, battling some injuries and of course, what it took for him to win the Player of the Year. We also discuss the first tournament of the year with an ALL 1 HANDED finale that saw Graham Fach winning! One Handed vs 2 hands... who wins?Usagiimports.com code OTG at check out!

PWBA Major champion Erin McCarthy is here! This week we discuss a lot about the major news from the world of women's professional bowling and what this means as an overall. We try to add some clarity of the news that has come out and how we all feel about it. We also review the opening tournament of the PBA Tour and team Motiv! Don't forget to pick up a new watch!Usagiimports.com code OTG at checkout!

Our first BONUS EPISODE in quite some time. Maria Kreke who bowled full time on the PWBA sits in as we discuss the key points of the breaking news from the PWBA tour. She gives us her perspective as the news just recently dropped and what we both think from the immediate press release!usagiimports.com code "OTG" at checkout!

Ryan Barnes is here! We sit down and talk to Ryan about his career, his HUGE win at USA Team Trials along with how he has only really been competing in bowling for about 4 years! We also take a look at some more changes with tour players and ask; Is brand loyalty important? We welcome a new sponsor! Link below.Usagiimports.com 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! The first episode of 2025 is here and we are back. We discuss the news of the reversal decision of Brunswick purchasing Classic distribution and then we also set a New Year's resolution for each other and then we also make bold predictions for 2025. Then we discuss the announcement of the rosters for the PBA Elite League Battle of the Brands and all the bowlers who moved companies! 

We have our last episode of 2024 ending with A LOT! First we review the end of the year PBA Tour awards including Rookie of the Year and EJ Tackett winning his 3rd Player of the Year. Then we discuss the breaking news announced that Brunswick bowling has purchased Classic products and becoming an exclusive distributor for Brunswick. Lastly, we are joined by the PBA RPI champion of 2024, Manny Ferrell. We discuss his career, winning 15K as a 19 year old and what his goals are for his pro career. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! 

We are joined by the one and only Dan Wilbur. Dan has been in charge of marketing and design for Motiv bowling. He is the guy who has designed ALL the Motiv logos for many years including the Venom and Jackal logos and names. We discuss what it's been like designing these logos along with seeing them come to life and being used to win Major championships. The guys also sit down and name what we think have been thee WORST bowling ball names in the industry! 

This week we are joined by arguably one of the GREATEST bowlers of all time, man or woman, Liz Johnson. We recap her career including winning 10 PWBA Majors, 25 total titles, a PBA title along with MANY international medals. We also discuss the upcoming PWBA showdown and some changes we think would be beneficial. 

We welcome Ryan Ciminelli to episode 142! We sit down and talk with Ryan about winning 8 PBA Tour titles, filling the void he had been missing and now walking away from the national tour. Ryan gives insight on being one of the most polarizing people to ever be on the PBA Tour. 8 career titles and one major win, Ryan now leaves the PBA Tour and he explains why. We also review the newly announced managers for the PBA Elite League and the USBC Masters being sold out in 12 minutes. We also cover what match ups we would love to see happen on both the PBA and PWBA Tours. 

This week welcome back PBA Tour Commissioner Tom Clark to the show! We discuss the overall 2024 season and some key points from the year. We then take a look at the changes coming to the PBA Tour in 2025. Tom answers some questions everyone has been wondering including the changes to the PBA Elite League. The boys also discuss which players have individually changed the game of bowling! 

This week we have a discussion that we've wanted to for a while. As competitive bowlers, is bowling league good or bad? We discuss why we think bowlers get false hope when it comes to league bowling and how beneficial league bowling is for people who truly want to be competitive. 

This week we are joined by Brandon and Justin Bohn! The sons of PBA Hall of Fame member Parker Bohn. I sit down and speak with both Justin and Brandon about their own career and goals for their bowling career. They talk about what is has been like to grow up in such an iconic family and what bowling truly means to them. Jamison and DJ discuss the INSANE changes coming to the PBA season mostly highlighting the change of the PBA Elite League. There will no longer be PBA teams but it has now changed to the Battle of the Brands. http://www.youtube.com/@BohnLegacy

This week we welcome PBA Hall of Fame member Wes Malott. He clears the air about bowling in the PBA Elite League and on the PBA National Tour. We take a look at his career and discuss some INCREDIBLE moments and years he had. The guys also talk about shooting spares and what release is the best when making spares. 

This week we are joined by newly exempt bowler Andrew Hall! We sit down and discuss his career and what it was like to go through the tour exemption process! We also discuss the brand new training facility him and his father have opened! We also discuss the PBA Strike Derby and run through the bracket of who we think will come away with the win!

This week we have one topic to discuss after our weekend recaps and it is brought to us by the USBC. They have announced new rule changes for the Open Championships in 2026.. are these good or bad? Will the money help drive interest? 

This week we are joined by PBA LBC National Championship Clash Champion Gianna Brandolino. I sit down and discuss her win at the LBC Championship and the success that she has already achieved. We also discuss some bowlers both past and present who had an amazing youth careers... who do you think did? 

This week we have a lot to unpack. First we have a weekend recap including the incredible win by Gianna Brandolino at the PBA LBC National Championship Clash for 60 THOUSAND DOLLARS! We take a look at the smart money situation and how some people thought it was setup? Then we discuss the brand new Klein Vegas Scratch Challenge. This brand new tournament brings back days of the High Roller in Vegas and some rules have flustered some people... are they too strict? Or do they make sense?! 

This week the guys sit down and discuss a few different topics. There was a lot of regionals to cover and other tournaments. We take a look at the most marketable people on the professional bowling side and what makes a pro bowler more marketable to bigger companies. We also take a look into bowlers who we think should have stayed on tour longer? Mike Fagan, Scott Norton, Jesse Buss.. someone else? 

This week's episode is FULL of PBA Elite league talk. What we think they did well, what we wish they would improve and the overall results. Surprises from Belmo, Andrew Anderson named MVP and much more! We also discuss who we would pick for our own PBA Elite league team and want to know who you would choose. 

This week we sit down and review two bigger topics. First we discuss the idea of makable spares and splits and how you should view them as competitive bowlers. Second, we talk controversy. After a few things on social media, we take a look into bowlers who are sponsored by companies. Should they be better bowlers or better at sales? 

This week we dive into 2 main topics surrounding the PBA Tour and potentially a new look at a bowling lane. We review the Lucky Larsen Masters that saw Jesper Svensson winning his 12th PBA Tour title. We discuss if this will ignite a resurgence from him/push other International players to win on tour. We also discuss the possibility of adding vertical foul lines in bowling and creating a square much like sports like golf, tennis, darts and so on. 

What is wrong with social media?! As the PBA Tour Trials concluded, we review everything from the tournament including the insane amount of bashing on social media from the players who competed in the Tour Trials. We interview the Tour Trials leader (winner) Hayden Stippich to talk about his week of "winning" and how he felt throughout the entire week to lead the trials and what he is most looking forward to. 

This week we have a deep discussion looking into the professional tours. We look at specifically the Player of the Year awards. Does the PBA do it better by voting or does the PWBA do it better based on points? As well, we take a look at the PBA, PBA50 and the PWBA tours and who have been stand out players/stories from the seasons. 

This week was full of bowling! We discuss the drama filled PWBA Tour Finals including the Greater Detroit Open, The Pepsi Open and the Tour Championships. We also discuss if pro bowlers should be restricted in which tournaments they bowl, their averages and how they should be able to make money. 

There is a lot to unpack this week! History has been made with the first ever professional trios event! The PWBA/PBA/PBA50 all team up for their first even trios event and it was amazing. We discuss if events like this would be good for the olympics. Lastly, we discuss if there is defense in bowling!

This week was a very busy week! Our main topic we discuss is if bowling deserves to be in the olympics? What are the pros and cons of bowling be in the olympics and what would bowling need to do in order to fit in the olympics? We also discuss a lot of tournaments including the PBA/PWBA Luci doubles! We also finish the discussion of using urethane and plastic in a league setting. 

This week we discuss if urethane and plastic bowling balls should be thrown at league. Why or Why not? As well, we discuss if league managers should show the bowlers what oil pattern they are bowling on. On top of that, we discuss some news in bowling including a PBA50 major and Liz Johnson setting a new record as well!

This week we are joined by PWBA and International superstar- Verity Crawley. We speak with Verity about her career, being away from home, having a turn around on the PWBA Tour and how confidence has played a major factor in her bowling game! DJ and Jamison also review some news from within the PBA along with discussing if college bowling is actually important in seeing success. 

This week is packed as Jamison Peyton returns as a co-host. We discuss if handicap should be allow in competitive bowling, especially bowling for money. We review the new announcement from the PBA of the Japan Regional tour. Lastly, we discuss influencers and their contribution to the bowling world. Is it good or bad to have social media influencers in the sport?

This week we welcome a new co host to the podcast, Jamison Peyton! We sit down and talk about some of the pressing news in the world of bowling, review some bowling lingo and discuss the topic of the big 3 in bowling with EJ Tackett, Anthony Simonsen and Jason Belmonte! 

This week we are joined by one of the largest names in the bowling world in Mark Buffa. We sit down and talk with Mark about his experience at Wichita State, bowling for Team Canada, coaching and of course, being the lead distributor for ALL things bowling in Canada. Not too many people can say they have experienced everything Mark has. DJ and Kurt also take a look at current standings for the PWBA and discuss who could be walking away with the PWBA Player of the Year award. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code OTG20 at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod

This week we are joined by recent 1st time winner on the PWBA Tour- Lauren Russo. We discuss her career, including being part of the HUGE movement at McKendree University and representing team USA. We take a look into her grind on the PWBA tour and capturing her first win. We also discuss the US Women's Open and the excitement from the tv show and the record breaking performance by past guest Diana Zavjalova. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code OTG20 at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod

This week we recap the very exciting PBA Tour Finals and PWBA Southern Indiana Open! We are joined by KR Strikeforce manager, Jason Guest. We discuss the importance of bowling shoes and what people should be looking for with shoes before they make a large investment. Kurt bowls his first PBA Regional and we also discuss the MUST HAVES at bowling alleys. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code OTG20 at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod

This week we have a jam packed episode! We are joined by the PBA Delaware Classic and PBA Playoffs champion- David Boog Krol! We discuss his incredible season, almost quitting bowling, his crazy win in Delaware along with him capturing the PBA playoffs title! The PWBA makes their stop in Tennessee with 3 tournaments and the international domination at this event! Kurt also calls out left handers? Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code OTG20 at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod