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STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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March 29 • 2018

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orty years of calling balls and
ON A ROLL
strikes and making out and safe March and the Brotherhood-Eddie
calls.
Jacobson B’nai B’rith bowling league
That’s Rob Landaw’s resume as a
appear to be a perfect combination for
slow-pitch softball umpire, and now
Aaron Radner.
he has a plaque and a pin to com-
Radner threw the first 300 game
memorate the achievement.
of his bowling career March 9,
Landaw was honored
2015, when he was a substitute
ABOVE: Rob
Sunday in Plymouth by
Landaw makes
in the league.
a call during a
the USA Softball of Metro
The 23-year-old is a full-time
softball game last league member this season for
Detroit organization for his
summer at Keith the first time, and he bowled
40 years of service.
Sports Park in West his second career 300 game
His friend and fellow
Bloomfield.
softball umpire Burt Hurshe
March 12, also at Country
introduced him at Metro
Lanes in Farmington Hills.
Detroit ASA’s annual umpire
His series March 12 was 256-
recognition breakfast. Metro Detroit’s
300-219—775.
coverage area includes Oakland,
All 12 shots in his perfect game
Wayne, Macomb and Livingston coun- were pocket hits although he needed
ties.
some help on his final ball.
“I love being on the field, and I love
“The 9-pin stayed up, but another
the camaraderie I have with the play-
pin kicked it down,” Radner said.
ers,” Landaw said.
The experience he gained bowling
Landaw normally works games by
a 300 three years earlier helped him
himself. He has a simple strategy to
when he was closing in on his second
make his time on the diamond go as
perfect game, Radner said.
smoothly as possible.
“I was a little nervous toward the
“You have to hustle and get in posi-
end of the game, but a lot less nervous
tion to make every call. That’s how
than I was the last time,” he said. “I
you earn the players’ respect,” he said.
remember the last time my legs were
The softball community’s respect
weak and shaking. That didn’t happen
for Landaw also was evident in 2016,
this time.”
when he was one of the Pillars of
Radner used a new bowling ball in
Excellence award winners honored
his latest perfect game.
at the annual Michigan Jewish Sports
“I got the ball about three or four
Hall of Fame induction dinner.
weeks before I bowled the 300,” the
The community includes the Inter-
Farmington Hills resident said. “It
Congregational Men’s Club Summer
seems to match up well with the lane
Softball League. Landaw has been
conditions at Country Lanes.”
umpiring league games for at least
Radner bowled 258-211-228—697 in
15 years and he’s been the league’s
Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson league
umpire-in-chief for several years.
play March 19. His 224 average would
“I look forward so much to work-
tie for the best season average in
ing (Inter-Congregational) league
league history if he maintains it.
games each Sunday morning,” he said
Back in 2015, Radner bowled 232-
in 2016. “I have many friends in the
192-300—724 on his special night. He
league. I enjoy kibitzing with them
was 20 at the time. He’s believed to be
before and after games.”
the youngest bowler to roll a 300 game
Landaw umpired the championship in Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson league
game of the B’nai B’rith International
history. He’s the youngest bowler in
softball tournament in Novi in 2012
the league this season.
along with Al Kaczander, a 2012 Pillars
Radner bowled for North
of Excellence honoree, as is Hurshe.
Farmington High School and was on
When he’s not umpiring, Landaw,
the club bowling team at Michigan
58, makes a living as a manufacturer’s
State University, serving as team
representative in the flooring industry. captain as a junior and senior before
He and his wife, Shelley, live in Novi.
graduating in May. •
A 1977 Oak Park High School gradu-
ate, Landaw earned two varsity letters Send news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
playing baseball for Oak Park.

