Del Ballard Jr.
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Delmas Perry "Del" Ballard Jr. (born July 1, 1963, Richardson, TX) is a professional ten-pin bowler and member of the PBA Tour. Del is the husband of top female bowler Carolyn Dorin-Ballard with whom he has one daughter. He is also the brother-in-law of another top female bowler, Cathy Dorin-Lizzi.
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[edit] Bowling career
He entered the PBA Tour in 1982 at the age of 19. He won two titles in 1987, including his first major, the U.S. Open Championship. In 1988, Ballard won his second major, the ABC Masters (this, however, was not considered a PBA Tour event at the time). He went on to win two additional majors, the 1989 Firestone Tournament of Champions and the 1993 U.S. Open. In 1991, he had his most successful year on the tour, winning 4 titles. As of the start of the 2006-07 season, he has won 12 PBA Titles (all between 1987-1993) and has a career total earnings of $1,130,857. He has cashed in 259 of 482 tournaments. In 31 TV appearances (the latter stages of an event) he has a 30-21 record, with a 216.29 average.
Del Ballard received an exemption for the 2006-2007 PBA tour season, by finishing tenth in the Tour Trials.
[edit] Alcoholism
In 1989, Del admitted to an alcohol addiction that made him unable to perform to his potential in the early stages of his career. This was received poorly by many of his colleagues on the tour. He was criticized for his admission by many. Several bowlers, however, did support him and his decision to come forward with the admission.
[edit] The "Ballard Gutter-Ball" Incident
In 1991, Del was on the receiving end on probably the most bizarre and infamous incidents in PBA history. At the Fair Lanes Open championship match, Ballard was facing Pete Weber for the title. Weber finished with three strikes in the 10th frame to force Ballard to strike twice and get seven pins for the win. Ballard struck twice and only needing seven pins, he proceeded to throw the final ball into the right gutter, thus handing Pete Weber the title. A few weeks later, Ballard would respond by winning the Long Island Open defeating Jim Johnson Jr. Despite all his accomplishments, Ballard will always be remembered for this incident.
[edit] Trivia
- Del needs only a PBA World championship title to complete both a Triple Crown and Grand Slam.
- Triple Crown of PBA Bowlers is The U.S. Open, World Championship and Tournament of Champions.
- To complete the Grand Slam, a bowler must also win the USBC Masters
- Del became the 11th bowler in PBA History to surpass $1 million in career earnings in 1994.
- Del was the first to win a six-figure first place prize in PBA History ($100,000 at the 1987 U.S. Open)
