Now that Michael Jordan has retired from the NBA, there's speculation he might try his hand at the PBA Tour. If he does that, how well do you think he'd do? -- Peggy Martin, Greensboro, N.C.
While I admire Michael Jordan as an athlete, I think he's got two chances of successfully competing with the best bowlers in the world: slim and none. Those who don't understand the demands of bowling's Pro Tours underestimate the skills of professional bowlers. They require abundant athleticism and a major amount of specialized knowledge just to compete. Also, most people do not realize the number of games bowled just to reach a TV final. In my opinion, the best athlete from another sport who competed in a PBA Tour event was John Burkett, who pitches for the Texas Rangers. Burkett bowled in scratch leagues during the off-season and averaged well over 220, yet he could not cash in national stops. Frankly, I'd like to see Jordan try the PBA Tour. Perhaps then the sports world would realize how good professional bowlers really are. As Clint Eastwood said in one of his Dirty Harry movies, "A man's got to know his limitations."

I've just been invited to bowl in my first ABC Tournament. One of my teammates told me you get no practice throws prior to competition. If true, how do you warm up? -- Susan Jackson, Piedmont, Calif.
The ABC tournament allows each competitor one practice shot on each lane prior to the team competition, but none before the doubles and singles. Frankly, I think this rule is stupid, as bowling may be the only event not to allow warm-ups prior to its national event. That being said, here are a couple of hints. I suggest you get in a few games at another center in town prior to your team event. You might even try your hand at the Bowlers Journal Championships, being bowled at Creno's Bowlmor Lanes in Syracuse. As for the doubles and singles, sign up to get an action shot of yourself on the stub lane installed in the squad room area. The photographer usually allows you to throw a few shots prior to the picture, and in this way you can get in a few practice shots in addition to having a record of your competition.

As a big fan of the PBA Senior Tour, I wonder why the Senior stars are not the same players who dominated bowling during the 1960s and '70s? -- Peter Martell, Westchester, N.Y.
There are many reasons for this change of guard. First is the change in bowling equipment and lane conditions; today's bowling balls hook a great deal more than those of the '60s. This can be advantageous to some players, but not to others. Second is economics. Some of the greats of the '60s and '70s cannot afford to go on the Senior Tour, with its meager prize funds and high expenses. However, a few stars of that era are doing well on the Senior Tour, most notably Mike Durbin, Larry Laub and Gary Dickinson, all PBA Hall of Famers. I'm sure other "early" stars might start reappearing if the prize funds increased considerably.

I recently read that Ebonite is introducing a clear bowling ball designed to go very straight. What good is such a ball to a tournament bowler like myself? -- Matthew Goldsmith, Hillsboro, Ore.
When I competed in many tournaments, I always carried at least one bowling ball that didn't hook. These balls can become very valuable if you happen to go into a center in which the head portion of the lanes are extremely worn, such as a center with wood lanes that haven't been resurfaced for a few years. Having a straight ball on this type of surface might mean the difference between getting a check and going without. You might not need this ball for many months, but when the lane condition is dry and your competitors all have their high-hooking balls literally hooking off the lane, the straight ball will more than pay for itself.

Mike McGrath is a PBA and ABC Hall of Famer. Send your questions to him c/o Bowlers Journal International, 122 South Michigan, Suite 1506, Chicago, IL 60603.

Mike McGrath is a PBA and ABC Hall of Famer. Send your questions to him c/o Bowlers Journal International, 122 South Michigan, Suite 1506, Chicago, IL 60603.