Candlepin Bowling - Stasia Czernicki vs. Beth Peterson

(Re-uploaded in higher quality, in HD and in one piece, though I don't have the intro to this match. You can see a portion of the beginning of this show here from Alley Chat's upload of this match: • Alley Chat Classics - ... ) Air date: 12/27/1986. In what was the last Candlepin Bowling show of the year 1986 itself, this telecast featured Beth Peterson coming in as the Champion and going for three wins in a row, having to face against one of the greatest, if not THE greatest Candlepin Bowler of all time, Stasia Czernicki.
This show definitely featured some really great shot making from both bowlers and was a close match pretty much the whole way through as well. Special thanks again to Bob Moran for providing this show, hope you all enjoy. R.I.P. Stasia Czernicki and Don Gillis.

[@Wolfman12395]

I can't believe this video has surpassed 100k views in less than 2 weeks! Thank you all for watching this, and I'll post this again to all newcomers that haven't seen Candlepin Bowling if they are curious about it: Candlepin is played throughout New England (mainly in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine) and parts of Canada (mainly in New Brunswick & Nova Scotia) Same scoring system as regular ten pin bowling, except you get three rolls per frame. Instead of a strike or spare, you get ten points for the frame if you knock all the pins down on the third ball. The pins that are knocked over don't get removed from the field of play, unless a pin is very far out in front beyond where the pins are set up. The ball that is thrown actually weighs LESS than what a single Candlepin itself actually weighs. First time viewers might think this looks easy, it is not. There has NEVER been a perfect game in Candlepin Bowling (A perfect game is achieving a score of 300 which happens somewhat often in regular ten pin bowling), the world record for the highest game ever in Candlepin Bowling is 245. This program you are watching (Candlepin Bowling) was a staple of Boston for 37+ years (From 1958 to early 1996), as this program drew MASSIVE viewership and even did better than some of the other major sports when it came to ratings when it was on the air! Finally, Stasia Czernicki that is featured in this video is considered by many to be one of, if not the greatest Candlepin Bowler that ever lived, though many might argue that Tom Olszta is also right there with her. I consider both of them to be the greatest, and there is a fantastic book about Candlepin Bowling called "Lunch with Tommy and Stasia" by Mike Morin if you would like to know more about what you've seen from this video as well as talking about the history of Candlepin Bowling throughout the decades. :)

[@gir5o1]

I feel like the time could be right for candlepin bowling to experience a renaissance and spread to other parts of the country.

[@angelic420x5]

@@gir5o1 this shit looks hard as fuck like these ladies throwing them shits i would have already thrown my arm out

[@gavinvalentino6002]

Scores would be higher if OVERHAND throws were allowed. Just sayin'.

[@mfeist365]

I’d definitely give this a go if this was offered where I live.

[@theknickerbocker5808]

On a weekend trip with my brother and a buddy to Boston. We found a candlestick house near Fenway. Never having done it, we gave it a try. It was not easy. I do remember we each broke 100 once, but most games were in the 60s and 70s. After we finished, we asked the guy at the desk how we did. He looked at the sheet and said, "Not bad for first timers."

[@cjskayakfishing6108]

Somehow the KZbin algorithm never misses. I've now sat here and watched 40+ minutes of a sport I've never heard of.

[@Eric_W]

same... and I'm 60!

[@coreybiggs8626]

Same here...

[@joeg7227]

It's a fantastic game/sport. Still big in New England. Was in many leagues growing up. Used to be HUGE. This telecast was on every Saturday on the Boston ABC affiliate WCVB.

[@russelllowry1061]

me to

[@928frogman]

Candlepin is a New England thing. Even more rare (mostly Rhode Island) is something called Duckpin bowling...check it out.

[@spitfire4sergi]

You can smell the smoke in there. There was something magical about growing up in the early-mid 90’s, was the last time you could really get that ambiance of a real bowling alley.

[@Georgie_4E4]

And the best frys you ever ate in your life, at least at the bowling in my town…💜

[@convicsik]

Not sure why KZbin recommended this video but glad it did. Nothing better than watching two elite athletes in prime physical shape in hard hitting competition.

[@michaelsamueldantonio]

I laughed out loud at this.

[@rickhammond2473]

Go ahead and try it the women would beat you.

[@davidjencks1422]

What am I watching? Why is this in my algorithm? Why do I continue to watch?

[@aaronhoyes1781]

Candlepin bowling. It's wicked fun.

[@xboxist]

Stasia would pass a few years later in 1993, aged 71. RIP, legend.

[@deegordon5277]

she seems like a legend she had incredibul speed on her ball throws ok thanxs

[@sonofnothing]

She looks so spry here. Look at that backswing! RIP

[@mikefromusa6902]

I grew up going to this bowling alley. My grandmother played in a league there. I can smell the place in my mind.

[@928frogman]

This is pure, New England nostalgia. I am delighted this found me!

[@andrewsherrill1791]

Lots of it played up heah in the great state of Maine!

[@botulismcasserole9832]

That’s terrible. I’m sorry to hear that.

[@603bornlivefreeordie5]

grew up watching her on WMUR in Manchester. We bowled at lakeside lanes.

[@CowboysNo1Fan]

Penny, a character of mine, who lives in New England, specifically Boston, is a pro candlepin bowler. She can do tricks with the candlepins too.

[@timmyd800]

Im starting to fall in love with candlepin bowling

[@JohnnyTalia]

Growing up north of Boston, this was the only kind of bowling I knew. I used to watch the competitions on local TV every Saturday. Our small town had a bowling alley, and I did a lot of Candlepin bowling myself. It wasn't until I started traveling the country that I realized Candlepin was not the dominant type of bowling in America.

[@colby8018]

Same, all the old mom and pop alleys in at least northern New England are predominantly candlepin. It’s a very specific and homey vibe.

[@K1DTC]

Same here. I grew up in Woburn and bowled there in the 80-90s, moved to south shore and nothing around but 10 pin. I miss those days.

[@polyesterdreamboat]

I'm not even watching this ironically. This is great.

[@tkearns4388]

Wow this brings back memories. I used to watch this show during the 70s and early 80s with Don Gillis every Saturday plus the one out of Worcester during I believe Sunday mornings. I also recall a match where Stasia Czernicki was down by about 40 pins going into the last game and she came from behind to win the match. Truly a legend.

[@dougpreston3409]

"She knows how to use that wood." 🤣

[@Georgie_4E4]

He kinda paused and said to himself “F*ck it, I’m saying it” and I’m glad he did…

[@stevedrake604]

I'm an aged Midwesterner and this is the very first I've seen Candlepin Bowling. It's great!!! Looks really fun and challenging.

[@independentvoter9973]

This is interesting. I never knew there was such a sport as candlepin bowling.

[@WhoGitDaBiscuit]

Me either.

[@maddocjohnson]

It’s pretty much only in the northeast USA. Massachusetts and Nh and stuff

[@sonofnothing]

There's also duck pin bowling. Check it out.

[@timross6990]

Excellent timing on this upload Wolfman. Stacia passed away 30 years ago today (1/17/93).

[@skylershank9309]

I like it that they get 2 balls to make a spare and don't clear the alley so downed pins can help get other pins down. Fun to watch.

[@Sasser2015]

Had never heard of this sport til it popped up in my YT recommendations, and this is only the 2nd vid I've watched, but I'm pretty sure they're not getting credit for a spare if they mop up on that 3rd ball...... they just get 10 for the frame. Confused me at first too.

[@RSidneyB]

Love watching this. I bowled in leagues at Fairway in Natick through high school. Stasia was a legend, as was Helen Sellew. The big differences with big ball bowling are three balls per box, knowing how to use the dead wood, and bowling two boxes in a row- that’s up to six throws each time up instead of only two. Definitely more fun!

[@barbarathorndyke8417]

I have to say thank you so much for continuing to post candlepin tournaments. As someone who grew up in MA and who played in candlepin leagues, it’s very nostalgic for me.

[@603bornlivefreeordie5]

NH, all big balls in Mass. where do they bowl "little balls" as we like to call em. My mom was in leagues at Lakeside Lanes on Massabesic circle. grew up bowling on a league, even in high school. definitely NE

[@buffalopatriot]

That was the most fun I’ve had all week. Thank you for sharing this.

[@taylorjoshd]

WOW!!! I've never watched this kind of bowling. Once again, KZbin knows me better than I know myself. I'll be spending a week watching Candlepin Bowling now

[@awgn70]

I watched this show from southern NH in the 70’s and 80’s. Candlepin bowling was also a fun family activity for us back then. Thank you for posting.

[@sagatuppercut2960]

I've never heard of candlepin bowling...until today.

[@bentheswitchsportsfan06]

Stacia is an absolute legend and will forever be missed

[@darintsuD2]

Hey Wolfman, I watched your channel ever since I was a little kid. I'm 22 now, and I've had the privilege of competing internationally. Just wanted to drop by and say that your content has played a role in both myself and many others!

[@botulismcasserole9832]

You would 😂🤣😂🤣

[@gavinvalentino6002]

The awkward syntax at the end puts a creepy twist on things.

[@jaygriffin5710]

@@gavinvalentino6002 asians are always creepy

[@rb962]

Thanks for the stroll down memory lane! I grew up in Boston and bowled in candlepin leagues and really miss it sometimes. It is impossible to explain this to people who don’t know.

[@ronaldbrown8792]

This is very interesting to watch. I started working on 10-pin machines in December 1970 and still at it. As a mechanic, I want to see the machines. I will add this to my "Bucket List."

[@steveperry1344]

you would get a kick out of seeing the machines and trying the game too.

[@j.b.macadam6516]

In 1972 I was 12, and we lived for a while in Silver Springs, Maryland. We would go to the local bowling alley and play this type of bowling. I really liked it because I could hurl that little ball down the alley. Since then, I have lived primarily on the West Coast and in the South, and never again saw this game. Thanks to this video, I now recall it. Brings back good memories!

[@geyecha]

Probably Fontana Bowlarama, they had duckpin upstairs and ten pin on the ground floor.

[@jitkundough]

@@geyecha Yes, at University Boulevard and Piney Branch, by the old Glass Factory, along the way to Langley Park for pizza, or the Golden Bull at Riggs and Metzerrot.

[@jitkundough]

Did you go to St. Bernadette's?

[@j.b.macadam6516]

@@jitkundough No, I was in 6th grade and went to Piney Branch when it was built. First 6th grade class to finish there.

[@jitkundough]

@@j.b.macadam6516 It's nice to know someone still remembers that area as it was. By 1990, the whole intersection went bad, and even the locals just drive through. In "downtown", the Tastee Diner was physically moved to Cameron Street, across from what was the Shanghai to make room for Discovery Networks World Headquarters on Georgia Avenue between 29 and Wayne.

[@josephtrahan8045]

Never heard of or saw candlepin bowling & pins before.

[@mubbamubba]

5:50 great spare and commentary

[@603bornlivefreeordie5]

every Saturday morning we watched. Mom bowled at lakeside lanes at Massabesic circle. We did for years, loved watching Stacia and we met her once. I love candlepin.

[@kevinbrown688]

Manchester NH bowled all the places in the area.

[@WendelltheSongwriter]

I was a candlepin bowler in my youth in Massachusetts, and it is a fun game

[@andrewadams5058]

For something I've never watched before I didn't realize how much I needed Granny to win

[@theodorebrooks5147]

Candlepin bowling NEEDS to come to New York State! It looks like so much fun. I live in Syracuse, NY and I know there are tons of people who would be fascinated by this. Quite frankly, I had never heard of candlepin until a month ago!

[@Sanderly1820]

I'm from the UK, and we call this skittles, it's a shame its not so popular has ten-pin bowling, awesome video

[@yourguidetorights3909]

Brings back memories of being stationed in Massachusetts back in the 70's. This was a difficult game to play. Had fun playing tho'.

[@ripmod1]

I remember watching Stasia bowl often at the Mt Carmel lanes in Worcester ma.

[@slickdude401]

Nothing like watching the Candlepin Queen bowl! Thank you for the video with Stasia Czeenicki

[@anandguruji83]

R.I.P STASIA CZERNICKI DON GILIS AND FAIRWAY LANES

[@anandguruji83]

R.I.P STASIA CZERNICKI DON GILIS AND FAIRWAY LANES

[@gerarddeveney4872]

Don Gillis ….a great sports guy on channel 5 in Boeton

[@jhaslock]

It was sad when they tore those lanes down. At the time I worked next door and was thankfully able to take my family bowling one last time before they closed forever.

[@staghornthedruid957]

im really not kidding when i say this, but candlepin bowling would probably kill it across america right now. people like bowling but want something different. most of America isn't even aware of this awesome version!

[@vernonsmith6176]

How about Duckpins?

[@Teacupdogz]

First I've seen it, but it looks like a lot of fun.

[@ericpadilla2454]

No. Shit looks goofy and dumb

[@staghornthedruid957]

@@ericpadilla2454 how old are you?

[@ericpadilla2454]

@@staghornthedruid957 40

[@kevinbrown688]

Channel 5 in New Hampshire Saturday morning at 11am. Watched ever week with my grandparents. The simple times. ☺

[@Phildo8]

Ahh yes the good ol late night KZbin algorithm! Throwing me random vintage stuff after midnight that I otherwise would never know of or care about!

[@mikeyjl54]

OMG I remember watching Stasia on tv live as a kid

[@bradmyers7109]

I grew up in Southern California in the 1960's and I never heard of Candlepin Bowling my entire life and both my parents were bowlers . This seems like a good sport for older people.

[@richyasi7424]

Wolf this is stunning quality! Thank you! Was it sealed in a climate controlled vault for 40 years? Incredible.

[@allthingssilver7635]

I got stuck watching this. I was 20 minutes into it before I realized it. Lol

[@bridgetclement2968]

I am a BOWLER and have Never heard of this Sport!!!

[@Snoops510]

I remember watching Stasia week after week as a child.

[@sdgakatbk]

I wish there was candlepin near where I live. This looks like a blast! Look at the focus these women are showing!!

[@notthatfatboy6519]

I cant believe as a bowler, I've never heard of candlepin bowling.

[@leskobrandon3497]

When I was growing up in the 60"s and 70"s we had Duck Pin which had pins similar in shape as 10 pins , but were much smaller as were the balls , which look to be the same size as the balls used here . I was in a league with the Boys Club that bowled every Saturday , Duck pins were much easier for children because of the size of the balls , but more difficult to bowls Strikes for adults because of less pin action , and the dead pins were cleared between balls like 10 Pin . A perfect 300 game was very rare . I think there a still a VERY few Duck Pin lanes scattered across the U.S. , kind of like the Drive-Ins of yesteryear .

[@JZCRAZY]

Nice. Quality is perfect!

[@I_am_not_a_rob0t]

Maybe it’s just because it’s different, but this looks way cooler than regular bowling

[@tomlebudzinski7716]

Because it IS!!!

[@TheDuckofLaw]

these are fun to watch. thanks for the vids!

[@Sleepydill]

Cool to this get recommended to me.. my grandfather has multiple champion trophies in candlepin from the New England area

[@juanmelendezrivera6085]

Great game and great bowlers! First time watching and I subscribed. Aiming and strategy is showtime combined. Thanks.

[@steveperry1344]

what a great exibition of bowling, the gals didn't miss many headpins, object pins or leave pins standing, awesome.

[@billlamont817]

Had This On Channel 40 From Springfield, Massachusetts In Late 1960s. No Announcer.

[@nickbk4418]

These ladies are really good at this. If I had never done this type of bowling myself I would think this looks easy. It is not easy, but it sure is fun! Luckily I live in RI so I am within driving distance of candlepin lanes, even if it is a bit far of a drive for a lifelong Rhode Islander!

[@David-pi1zt]

I have never heard of candlepin bowling. Now I must try it. Definitely does not look easy.

[@SamBrickell]

If you experienced some sort of time-traveling adventure and then you saw this on tv after you returned home you would be convinced you accidentally changed something.

[@tbecker403]

I laughed. Hard.

[@m1sterhockey]

We need this in Minnesota

[@mrcommonsense9074]

These are supreme athletes. Enjoy this moment

[@stephensiler3854]

I wish I loved anything as much as Don Gillis loved candlepin bowling.

[@kennyschneider8277]

It amazes me how much faster the guys get the ball down the lane,but the women seem to be so much more accurate, and make the most of their skills,speed is good,but give me accuracy all day long. Great sport,sad I will never have a chance to experience the ups and downs of candlepin bowling

[@jeffreywilmot3798]

I'm from RI originally and remember watching this with my Dad on the weekend on channel 27 I believe. Now on the west coast and all they have is 10 pin here. No Duck pin or Candle pin.

[@Buffalax]

good fun to watch thanks

[@chrisjames6327]

Back in 1981 I dated the first lady in the video. I remember it well. I was going down to the shore to play on the video games. I forgot to tie an onion to my belt, which was a fashion at the time, but thought I probably wasn’t going to meet any girls there so it wasn’t a problem. I got to the pier and saw Stasia standing there. We talked about the past, and how I was a survivor of the titanic disaster. On the way back, I slipped in some mud, ruining the very pants I was planning to return to the store on the way home. Annoyed, I went to a pay phone to call Stasia, but she wasn’t in, so I left a message with her son Ed. I never saw her again. I was so angry I threw my Walkman in the ocean

[@josephpayne9011]

a survivor of Titanic? are you like, 110 years old?

[@NickkAtNyte]

I'm 26. Grew up bowling all my life. Never done candlepin bowling, but I tried duckpin bowling for the first time a couple years ago. I went in cocky because I figured it would be so easy to me since I've bowled since I could walk. Boy, was I instantly humbled.

[@CommentingTheTruth]

"She knows how to use that wood!"

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

I remember watching this as a kid!! I was 9 years old!! LOL

[@davedeady5828]

My cousin, now deceased is Mike Sargent. The goat of candlepin.

[@justinfuller2039]

5:51 is the best comment on KZbin in 2023..... My said " she sure knows how to use that wood "

[@edition-deluxe]

I love finding these little weird quirky treasures.

[@georgeesau3943]

Stasia Czernicki is a candlepin legend the GOAT!

[@lamontmelrose7640]

how in the hell did I end up here?

[@rovertaw22]

I like videos of shapely female athletes, not sure how this got recommended to me. These gals are good tho

[@thomespinos4148]

I have never heard of this sport. Interesting for sure and harder than regular bowling.

[@sandrasanders706]

I've never seen this kind of bowling before..huh??

[@tbecker403]

Damn, that woman was very athletic and flexible for her age. Like virtually everyone else, I don’t know how I ended up here, or why I’ve watched so many of these.

[@davecotterell9462]

Wow! Another kind of bowling where I have zero knowledge of how the score is kept! Fascinating!

[@Majerly_Annoyed]

The shot at 36:00 is what makes this game super interesting!!!

[@christopherangel6690]

Wish there were some of her matches with Dot Petty and Marcelle Aiken around

[@thomashumphrey7395]

Looks like the same crowd you'd see at a Deep Purple concert.

[@thejoyofsoxmovie7211]

Maybe, though their hair is generrally a whiter shade of pale.

[@brothaman007]

How does this have 365,000 views.... but the most popular comment only has 335 likes? And most comments have under 30 likes? This was great though... Hi paced, fast moving, action packed sport.

[@danielsjoholm]

Well its 2am and here I am. Not sure how this happened... But let's get it!

[@beasthunt]

We used to call this Duck Pin bowling when I was a kid, but we still used regular pins just the small balls.

[@Ruben-tn4cv]

Bowling on another level

[@barberjeff67]

I'd rather watch this than any major sport on tv!

[@SquirrellyDan88]

Beth is an absolute unit

[@jillconner5062]

Yeah she's built good for a guy her age. Strong arms big hands. Some pretty thick wrists too.

[@SquirrellyDan88]

@@jillconner5062 you forgot the massive quads.

[@barbarathorndyke8417]

What year was this? The quality is very good!

[@Ascending11]

1986

[@StrideWarrior]

So this is how you make Bocce Ball exciting?

[@pizzasubs]

crazy question but since the ball that they use is so much smaller that the size of a regular bowling ball, would this work using regular Bowling pins, OR keeping the candlepins and then using a regualr sized bowling ball, just curious

[@takeitzenman7894]

Grandma is killing it!

[@deroncastro7151]

its 3:15am and i have a 102 fever...why im awake watching this...idk

[@Digits-nf9fo]

Stasia Czernicki is the GOAT of candlepin bowling, full stop.

[@jvtc]

I want to try this.

[@kevinlucko2902]

Bowling balls are heavy...I would go play this right now.

[@logancrawley2634]

I have never seen this before....is this still a thing? based off the comments this appears to be a New England thing...this looks fun