Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Josh Hyde's passion for bowling is obvious to all of those who know him and to those who visit him at home. He has autographed posters hanging on the wall. He keeps many shirts from professional bowlers.
Bowling might not be a big deal to some, but to Hyde, who has cerebral palsy, bowling has helped him personally and physically.
"We believe that this is going to be Josh's livelihood. He will always have something to do with bowling," Roger Hyde, Josh's father, said.
Josh was mentioned in Dick Denny's and Mike Aulby's book, "Winning in the Fast Lane," because of his love for the game. He has been written about by several newspapers and sporting magazines because of his passion for the game. The Hydes even spend their vacation time touring with the Professional Bowlers' Association so that Josh can enjoy every minute of it.
Josh, now a 17-year-old high school junior, received a motorized chair as he got bigger to help him with his condition. To transport Josh in the family van, the Hydes need a power lift to hoise the chair into their van. The power lift will cost approximately $12,000.
That's where Josh's passion for bowling comes into play.
Josh, being a huge follower of the PBA for 11 years, has made friends with many of the professional bowlers.
"All the guys know Josh," Roger said.
A good friend of Josh's in the PBA is Parker Bohn III. Bohn is trying to become the bowler of the year and is the leading money winner on tour. Josh first met Bohn about 10 years ago at a tournament in New Jersey, Roger said.
"I'm a really big fan," Josh said.
Upon learning of the Hydes' need for a power lift, Bohn agreed to help raise money by participating in a bowling event. Other PBA bowlers joined in soon after.
"There were no problems in getting volunteers," Bambi Hyde, Josh's mother, said.
Roger said, "We're getting some of the best bowlers in the world."
"It's like Arnold Palmer coming to Warsaw to golf," Josh said.
Other PBA bowlers joining Bohn include Doug Kent, Mike Aulby, Jason Couch and possibly Steve Jaros. The event will take place Nov. 14 at Warsaw Bowl.
The public can bowl with the PBA bowlers by paying a $50 fee for adults and $35 for youth.
The format is set up so that amateurs will bowl three games on the same pair of lanes. Each bowler receives complimentary strikes in the third, sixth and ninth frames of each game. PBA members move one pair to the right after each game so that each amateur bowls with three different PBA partners.
Squad times will be at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for both youth and adults. Check-in time will be no less than a half hour before start of the squad.
The entry deadline is 12:30 p.m. Nov. 14. Only 108 spots are available and they are expected to sell quickly. Josh's decision on any questions shall be the final authority.
Entries can be mailed to Roger Hyde, 412 S. Harding St., Warsaw, 46580, or delivered in person to Warsaw Bowl, 1702 E. Market St., Warsaw.
"We won't raise all the money needed, but it will be a big help," Roger said.
Bohn also will perform trick shots and will do an exhibition at 4 p.m. for all in attendance.
Prizes for top winners were donated. Each member of the top adult squad will receive a gold certificate good for two nights at the Showboat Hotel, Casino and Bowling Center, Las Vegas, Nev. Air fare is not included. The top youth squad will receive a plaque.
Brunswick Corp. and Ebonite Corp. will donate bowling balls and bags for a raffle. The PBA office will donate programs along with a gold bowling pin autographed by the men who were on the first PBA tournament show for the raffle. Other prizes include framed promotional pictures of the bowlers, shirts and jackets.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke released information which said cerebral palsy is an umbrella-like term used to describe a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement that appear in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time. The disorders are not caused by muscle or nerve problems but rather by faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain. It disrupts the brain's ability to adequately control movement and posture.
The United Cerebral Palsy Association estimates that more than 500,000 Americans have cerebral palsy. The number of children and adults it affects has remained essentially unchanged or perhaps risen slightly over the past 30 years, the UCPA said.
But Josh's case hasn't stopped him from watching bowling or participating in bowling. And his passion for the game and for life is shown in the way he has also progressed at school. He is an honor student.
"This is like the Yankees coming to Warsaw," Roger Hyde said about the PBA support.
