Contributed by Ron Tucker
In the late 50's and into the 70's team bowling shirts and single ball bags were in vogue, and tournaments could be found going on most everywhere throughout the local area and state each and every weekend. Besides tournaments such as the Regal Lanes Pot O' Gold and the Florida All Stars Bowling Association (FASBA) tournaments, MARATHONS could be entered (8 to 50 game marathons).
YES a 50 game marathon was held at the old Coliseum Lanes on Davis Islands in 1963 and won by Tampa Hall of Fame Bowler Bill Helsel, Sr. a/k/a in some circles as "Wild Bill" (you'll have to ask him how he got that name). The tournament started at midnight and those that finished ended up around midnight the following night. There was a "welcome break" lasting about 30 minutes or so after the 25th game. "Wild Bill" must have eaten in a hurry because he also used this time to soak his thumb in ice water to get the swelling down in his bloody thumb. Bill averaged 214 for the full 50 games and along with Sam Costa held the first 200 averages recorded in Tampa league play history (each averaged 201 for the season).
Bill who just turned 70 years old still bowls in several leagues a week averaging over 200. He and his son Bill Jr. are both members of the Tampa B.A. Hall of Fame. Born in Alliance, Ohio, Bill Sr. made a career of the Air Force and along with several other local bowlers was stationed at MacDill AFB, later making Tampa their home. In 1962 he won a 24 game marathon held at Rip Van Winkle Lanes in Sarasota besting 47 other bowlers by knocking down 4793 pins for the tournament (averaging 199.7). He also won a 24 game marathon held at Pinarama Lanes in 1963 averaging 199.4. Though records couldn't be located he won an additional 24 game marathon averaging 210 during this period in time.
Although he has bowled several 300 games throughout his career, one of the highlights of his career was bowling in the BPAA All Star Tournament held in 1963 in Kansas City. During the tournament he bowled the high game of the tournament, 299, leaving a 4 pin on his last shot. He bowled a record 1465 for 6 games to jump from 50th place to qualify for the finals, eventually finishing 13th in the tournament and earning $1200.
In a 4 game televised block against the legendary Dick Weber, Helsel defeated Weber 949 to 868.
If you are out and around the lanes and you happen to hear someone exclaim "you cheeseburger," look around and meet Bill Helsel, Sr. (and ask him about the great chocolate candy he brings back each time he visits his native Ohio).
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