THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT I
thought I would like to do in my life. I am happy to say that I've realized most of those goals. There are also a few things I did not see coming and had no intention of ever doing; things like spending more time than I ever thought possible sitting in front of a computer.

But life demands that you take your old brain and try to learn some new tricks. And when you travel and live half-way around the world, e-mail can become almost a lifeline, as well as a way to keep in touch with family and friends. It is also the best way to send my "Media Beat" bits to the magazine, so even at my tender years, I learned to type and use a computer.

Not that this is without its benefits. One thing I have started to do is to check out various Websites to keep up with baseball and the PBA.

The PBA Website kind of amazes me because I thought the new owners invented the darn system. But when I click it on, I feel like I've caught an old segment of Dragnet," and I can hear Sgt. Friday in the background saying, "Just the facts, sir:' OK, I got the facts, but I wish they'd added a little flavor to it, So being adventurous, I decided to surf (1 think that's what they call it) the 'Net to see what the various pro bowlers had to offer on their sites.

I could not find many. But I did find some and, trying to be a gentleman, I will let the ladies go first. The first player Web-site I visited was www.CaraHoneychurch.com. I enjoyed her bio because she is from Australia, but when I went to archives, I found a commercial for the WIBC, which was not real exciting for me. Her diary gives a little insight into Honeychurch the bowler, and was much more interesting. But the photo section was little more than a bowler in a bowling center. Zz-z-z-z.

Next stop was WendyMacpherson.com, which has a nice entry with photos showing some of Wendy's major accomplishments, of which she has her share. But if you are looking for a little information about this lady, good luck. Oh yes, you will get all the stats you could wish for, but not much else except advertising. One spot on her Website (and others) is called TWwebscorer. I checked it out, and it showed full games of PWBA tournament finals games.

When I woke up, it was onto CarolGianotti.com, and again

I found all the stats I ever wanted, and maybe even one morn than that. But there wasn't much more on the site except for the information that Carol was home recuperating from an operation. Maybe I am looking for too much because Carol has a great personality, and I really was hoping that some of it would show through.

On to Aleta Sill at Sillionaire.corn, a cute play on the fact Aleta is the first member of the PWBA to win a million dollars in her career. Aleta is retiring from competitive bowling and channeling her efforts into fill-time coaching with partner Michelle Mullin, so her Website is one large commercial for their instructional program. Of course the stats are there, but my favorite part was the 'press room," where Aleta talks about why she is retiring from competitive bowling.

Then it was on to LeanneBarrette.com, which must be a new site. It has her stats, but everything else you try gets the answer, "Coming Soon." This must be a work in progress. On to KimAdler.com, which offers you the opportunity to buy ad space on her skirt (Ed. Note: the logo space ultimately sold for the amazing sum of $14,389.88 on eBay), or a chance to buy jewelry that Kim has designed and made. For me, the best part of -. Kim's site was her experience with her ball grip and finding the right fit, both interesting and smacking of good common sense.

The last site I found for the women was Marianne DiRupo at DroopTroops.com. I felt that this was just a fan-club bit, with the only variation being pictures of her family.

On the men's side, I found only two sites, but both are of fairly decent bowlers. At ParkerBohn.com, I found a site filled with ads for Bohn's book and everything else he is currently selling, plus a push for his fan club. However, there was very little about the man himself, or his game.

Last but, to me, best was the site of Walter Ray Williams at -WalterRay.com. Not only do you get what I have come to expect from the Website of a star bowler, but you get what is my favorite part; namely, Walter providing a blow-by-blow description of his matches and an evaluation at the end in his own words, What it amounts to is an insight into the mind of a great player about his game. This not only was informative, but could even help me in coaching my students,

Of course, maybe that was available at the other Websites, too, because each offered an e-mailing opportunity with questions and/or comments. I did not try it, but that could well be the best part of all the sites.