Pictured Above: Is Brian Hirsch.
Being At The Right Place At The Right Time Has Really Benefited Brian Hirsch In The Game Of Bowling.
His Accolades Include Being A Member Of The International Bowling Media Association. 5-300 Games, And 3-800 Series..
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association
Las Vegas, NV., - - - Imagine that you are around the game of bowling 24/7.
Imagine that you are an aspiring up-and-coming pinsetter mechanic that is in demand 24/7.
Imagine in your spare time, you are also a bowling writer that is in demand 24/7, and an avid league bowler as well.
Brian Hirsch, formerly of Phoenix, doesn't have to imagine it. He does all of these three things very well, and does them on a daily basis. It doesn't take him long to explain where he inherited the work ethic that got him where he is today.
"My mother worked for the State of Arizona. Being a single mother and living paycheck to paycheck, she wanted it better for us than what she had," he said. "She taught us the meaning of a dollar and to enjoy life. For people who don't know me, I would describe myself as a very happy person that loves to joke around. I try my best to not sweat the small things."
Brian, who is originally from Queens, New York., relocated to the 'Valley of the Sun' with his mom and brother in the early. But, moved to Wisconsin late last year along with his wife, Amber, and their son Masen. His other two sons, Corbin and Camden are still in Phoenix. He is a member of the International Bowling Media Association, where he is the Chairman of both the Social Media and Chuck Pezzano Scholarship.
It was something that was going on in back of an apartment complex where he once lived in Phoenix that sparked his interest in the game of bowling.
"To honestly answer this question, it was the Pro Bowlers Tour that piqued my interest in bowling. It was January of 1993, and I happened to be living in an apartment complex directly behind Fair Lanes Squaw Peak. Over the course of the week there were two semi-trucks that pulled into the parking lot, and then later in the week, more trucks came. I had found out that they were the TV trucks," he said, of what had sparked his interest in bowling. "It is now Saturday morning and I was at home flipping through the channels on the TV and it happened to stop on bowling.
"It took me a moment to figure out that the show on TV was going on in the building behind my home," he added. "I decided to keep it on ABC and watch and really was enjoying what I was seeing. To the point, that I went over to the bowling center as soon as the show was over, and started talking to the counter about how I can join a league. And like they say, the rest is history."
If you are going to Las Vegas this year to bowl in the USBC Open, and are from the Valley, stop by the Bowler Services booth at South Point to say hello. It was also two ladies from Phoenix, that encouraged Brian to get into journalism.
"I was asked by Mary Ann Jones and Peggy Cianciola to join what at the time was a local bowling writers group in Phoenix. I thought early on that it would be fun to talk with the Pro Shop guys and have them tell their story on how they got into bowling, to the average bowler," said Brian, on how he got interested in journalism. "I was then introduced to the Bowling Writers Association of America, which is what we now know as the 'IBMA', International Bowling Media Association. Today, I sit as the Chairman of both the Social Media and Chuck Pezzano Scholarship.
"Much like the USBC is trying to take bowling out of the 50s, our team at the IBMA is showing people that were more than ink on paper," he added. "Today media is all around us in print, pictures, and live streaming."
Arizona, like any other big bowling state in the country, has its share of bowling talent. Brian can highlight a few factors as to why the Cactus State always stands out.
"Arizona as a state has always had a long history of talent, but to answer the question in a bit more detail. I feel it has to do with programs such as: the Junior Bowlers Tour, Arizona Classic Bowlers Association, Arizona State and Grand Canyon University college programs," he said, of our talent pool. "These programs have taught players that if you want to get better and compete at a high level, it will start with crafting your game."
Brian started to bowl in 1993, and his first accomplishment as a junior bowler is what has kept him interested in the game ever since. And of course, the PBA Tour stop at Fair Lanes Squaw Peak.
"I love when I get to talk about this because my first accomplishment was just months after joining a league. But, what makes it extra special is that we won the YABA State Team title that year with three subs," he says, of his first accomplishment. "To all of you that are Youth Coordinators, I just want to say 'thank you' for the countless hours and help you put in to prepare the youth for tomorrow."
Being involved in the game of bowling 24/7, you also hope that Brian is an accomplished bowler on the lanes, too. Needless to say, he is. He has posted a book average of 200 or higher the last four years, with his highest average of 224 coming in the Midweek Men's League at AMF Union Hills at the end of last season. He has rolled five perfect games and three 800 series. His most recent 800 series came on January 17, 2016.
"Well my most recent accomplishment would be shooting an 846 to win a Scratch Masters title in Tucson. While bowling in league, we shot an 836 three man game score to be in the top ten scores in 2010. And, I have seven Grand Canyon State Game Medals," says Brian, of some achievements. "If I have to answer with the one big invention that has changed the game of bowling, it would be the evolution of the bowling ball cover," he added. "I don't think resin is where it will end. I cannot wait to see the next material that bowling ball manufactures use on the cover of a bowling ball."
He also believes there is another reason why bowlers have become better, outside of the equipment that is out in the market place today.
"I do have experience bowling on wood, as I started bowling in 1993. Almost every center in the Valley was wood, unless proprietors were putting Guardian overlay in the heads," he said, of his exposure to wood. "Present day oil machines have come a long way since the days of the bug spray and dragging the lanes.
"Today, its a $30,000 computer that is programmed to put a certain amount of oil in the defined place on the lane. Current players that average 220 or better because their current pattern is soft, might see an average of 175-180," he added, on the rise of averages. "I believe that a true 220 average player because of their talent, can still get to average 200."
Back in the 60s and 70s, it was not uncommon for AMF and Brunswick to offer mechanic schools at their facilities to train skilled pinsetter mechanics. AMF had a school in Shelby, OH. And Brunswick at its factory in Muskegon, MI.
"I started like most youth bowlers in high school and started working at a bowling center. The only way I was able to get extra hours, was if I wanted to work in the back end," said Brian, of how he got his experience. "I had never gone to pinsetter school and with the merger between Bowlmor and AMF/Brunswick, it has become an internal test you take with your FM. I really do not see much change with the operations of the pinsetter in the future."
Brian will always give credit to Steve Stafford of AMF Christown, who was the one individual who took him under his wing and taught him how a pinsetter functions. When he is not working the Open, he is a 'C' mechanic at Brunswick Zone Deerfield. Brunswick Zone Deerfield is located in the Deerbrook Shopping Center, in Deerfield, Il.
"As a youth bowler, I will always remember watching the East Valley Open League at Country Club Lanes in Mesa, and the Bob Perry Open League at Maricopa Lanes in Phoenix," he said, of his memories of living in the Valley. "Those leagues always had the top players in town and it was a blast to watch them bowl. The biggest difference I have seen in the spring and summertime since moving to Wisconsin, is there are less people inside bowling and outside playing more. The center that I bowl in, has Four Pro Beach volleyball courts with 1,200 tons of imported beach sand. Bowling seems to be more of a Fall and Winter sport due to the colder temperatures outside."
And the other thing he will remember about the Valley since moving to Wisconsin, is the 100 plus degree days we have on a daily basis in the summer. He has not switched his allegiance to the Packers or the Brewers yet either. His sons, Corbin and Camden bowl in junior leagues in Phoenix. His wife Amber, is a bowler, too. Masen is not old enough to pick up a bowling ball, but its a given he will once he is old enough.
He was also asked who his favorite athletes were growing up, and the one word that resembles him to them.
"Baseball it was Derek Jeter, because it motivated me," he says. "Football it was Emmitt Smith, because I have accomplished a lot in bowling. Basketball it was A.C. Green, and my support group around me. And Hockey, I never got into soccer on ice."
One of the most memorable stories he has done came in 2014. He did a story for Bowlers Journal on his experience bowling with Jimmy Schroeder and Glen Allison in the Open Championships.
Arizona State Bowling News - April 2, 2017