NEW YORK: The Croatian Bowling League Celebrates Their 21th Anniversary

The Croatian Bowling League (CBL) celebrated their monumental 21^th Anniversary and the end of season ‘Trophy Night’ dinner at Ponticello, restaurant in Astoria. Great food, humorous conversations, and the handing out of trophies were at the center of the evening. By now you likely know that there is a Croatian Bowling League in the great New York City. You may be also happy to know that you too can join in the fun, and competitive sport of bowling, the Croatian Bowling League wants you!

The Croatian Bowling League started 21 years ago (1991) as a way to support kids in Croatia that were affected by war, and for other humanitarian needs, during the assault on Croatia by Serbia and Montenegro.  The Croatian Bowling League players supported 15 kids for 5 years; they were their ‘kumovi’. The master of ceremony again this year was Drago Marosevic, its president, who joined the league in 1995, Petar Jurkovic (treasurer) also helped with the logistics of the evening. By day Drago works as a superintendent for ATJ Electrical Co., a Croatian owned business, family Drazic. “I like to acknowledge Frank Maric, the owner of Astoria Bowling Lanes, who was one of the founders and players of the Croatian Bowling League. In 1991 when the war of aggression surrounded and impacted Croatia, players would gather not only to bowl but to exchange information about their relatives and conditions on the ground. The CBL offered people a place for healing, Croatians needed a place to meet, said the dynamic and pleasant Drago Marosevic whose team Karlovacko Pivo, won first place again this year.

Come Thursday night (8 PM) the bowling therapy begins for Drago and friends. “I got to meet many wonderful people throughout my time bowling in the Croatian Bowling League. We are all very positive, we like to laugh it up and at the same time there is also that competitive spirit that’s alive and well. We would love for other Croatians to join us because we love to have as many Croatians (and their friends) being and playing together as possible, this was one of the goals of our league.” said the articulate gentleman.

Stipe Dumancic, from the Voice of Free Croatia radio program was present at the dinner and a long time participant of the CBL.

Each team has 3 players and there are a total of twelve teams. This year’s champion was once again team Karlovacko Pivo (Angelo Kapovic, Marko Budija, Drago Marosevic). Second place team Domobran, consisted of Petar Jurkovic, Martin Perak and Nikola Pintar. Team Vir took third place with father and son, Sveto and Tomislav Budija, Andjelo Miletic and Ivan Zepina. Sveto injured himself early on in the competition but would show up every Thursday to cheer for his team and keep the spirit of CBL intact. For the first time in CBL’s history Igor Carcich had a perfect score of 300 followed by a 299 score from Tomislav Budija. Nikola Pintar followed with a 276, Drago with a score of 268 and Ivica Drazic had 268 toping the five best scores of the season. In order to get a 300 the entire 10 frames have to be perfect strikes. The best Scratch Series consisted of Tomislav Budija (781), 754 for Nikola Pintar, 736 for Steven Veselica and 728 for Drago Marosevic. The remaining nine teams are: Girice, Bocari, Pituri, Zaton, Nin Bezbrizni, Vatreni, Boduli, Bezbrizni.  Over 200 players have passed through the Croatian Bowling League.

Bowling is a way to get your mind off work, relax, network say league members. “The CBL offers us mental and physical therapy form the long work days, it is a way to revitalize oneself,” said Drago Marosevic. The Croatian bowling League’s home is at Astoria Bowling Lanes. Astoria Lanes are located at 19-45 49^th Street in Astoria.

The Croatian Bowling League is a healthy was to be active, to have fun and to be competitive all at the same time. It is also a way to keep your culture, language, and the Croatian way of life alive. The participation gives one the opportunity to network with other people. So won’t you join the Croatian Bowling League this September call: (Drago 646-772-2335, or Svetimir 646-201-2332), they’re waiting for you with open arms. The Croatian Bowling League also has a Christmas and End of Season parties. Congratulations to the Croatian Bowling League on their 21^th Anniversary and for all the goodness, altruism they have bowled out.