Malott to take on Wilbon in "King of Bowling" series

Newly-crowned Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year Wes Malott, of Pflugerville, Texas, steps back into the spotlight Wednesday night in a head-to-head battle as professional bowling returns to prime time in the first "King of Bowling" telecast. A five-week series of one-hour "King of Bowling" telecasts will air on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. each Wednesday night through May 20.

Each show will open with two of the top players from the 2008-2009 PBA Tour season bowling a one-game match for the right to bowl the reigning "King" for a $10,000 prize. The winner of the "King of Bowling" match will return the following week where two new challengers will try to knock him off his throne.

A highlight of the opening telecast will be a special appearance by Michael Wilbon, a co-host on ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" and Washington Post sports columnist. Wilbon had criticized Malott for not competing at PBA's GEICO Plastic Ball Championship in February. After winning the Etonic Marathon Open in the next PBA Tour event, Malott re-sponded to the controversy and issued the challenge with the resulting public feud playing out over several PTI shows.

Wilbon agreed to take on Malott in the upcoming April 29 and May 6 "King of Bowl-ing" telecasts in a special challenge match. Wilbon will have a 57-pin handicap and choice of bowling equipment while Malott will be using only the plastic ball allowed in the Plastic Ball Championship.

In subsequent weeks, the "King of Bowling" will face challenges from Patrick Allen and Mike Scroggins, Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Bill O'Neill, John Nolen and Rhino Page, and Brad Angelo and wild card competitor Parker Bohn III.

NCAUSBCA Hall of Fame nominations due April 30

The postmark deadline for nomination of candidates for the Nation's Capital Area USBC Association Hall of Fame Class of 2009 is April 30. All NCAUSBCA members have the privilege of submitting nominations to the Hall of Fame Committee for consideration. Nominations are open to all bowlers and non-bowlers who, by their efforts, have furthered the interests of the sport of bowl-ing in the Nation's Capital Area.

Any person -- league officer, proprietor, sponsor, association officer, director, media personality, etc. -- who has demonstrated long-term or significant contributions is considered suitable for nomination. Nominations must contain the full name of the nominee and a one-page biography including the reasons for nomination in one of the categories listed below:

Meritorious Service:

• Promotion that created growth of the game.

• Obtained recognition of the game.

• Promoted public acceptance.

• Service to bowlers.

Bowling Achievement:

• Bowling achievement and image.

All nominations must be mailed to: NCAUSBCA, c/o Hall of Fame Committee, 9315 Largo Drive West, Suite 110, Largo, MD 20774-4762.

Gil Sanchez, a member of the Bowling Writers Association of America, is a freelance bowling writer for the News & Messenger. Reach him at 703-587-6792 or at gsan-chez@insidenova.com.