There are reasons Bill Kuszaj enjoys socializing Sunday nights in the bar at Falcon Lanes. He might run into longtime friend and teammate Dave Harvey, who frequently stops by to watch his mother and brother bowl.

And also, the bar curves away from bowling alley. It's tucked behind a wall so that at its farthest point, there isn't even a hint that people are bashing the stubborn maple pins.

For now, that's the way Kuszaj likes it. The closer he gets to the game, the more it hurts that he can't participate.

Last summer a torn muscle caused pain to streak from his ankle to his hip, temporarily ending his beloved softball career. Back problems followed. As a result, his doctor has ordered him to stop bowling for a while.

For the first time in 40 years, Kuszaj isn't competing in a league. On a smaller scale, that's a little bit like Cal Ripken sitting the bench after his consecutive game streak. Before he was married, Kuszaj bowled five nights a week. His wife, Wanda, said changes were in order. So he cut back to four nights.

Kuszaj sat carefree at the bar Sunday night, looking relaxed in his baseball cap and Syracuse University sweatshirt. Not long ago, he was arguably one of the city's fiercest shooters. He went on record as saying that he loved beating the younger guys, and he backed it up by winning The Citizen Masters in 2005.

But as the music blared and the dart players mingled, Kuszaj seemed content. While his body has broken down, his spirit is still alive. And time away from the game has given him a new outlook.

“I have to accept things now,” he said. “You hear about a friend with cancer, or a friend dying, and it makes you realize that bowling isn't that important.”

He's met grief head on. Wanda, the love of his life, passed away a couple of years ago. Each day, in all kinds of weather, he visits her site at St. Joseph's cemetery.

“I don't care if it's raining or snowing, I'm there every single day,” he said. “I just spend time there, touch her gravestone, and leave.”

Since his retirement five years ago from Auburn Prison, Kuszaj has become a man of rituals. People say they still see him getting gas early in the morning at Dunning and West Genesee streets. He has breakfast at Pavlos, eating eggs, toast and homefries some days, and hot oatmeal on others.

And he'll always miss the camaraderie of his bowling teammates. Kuszaj said he's made a few attempts to visit his old leagues, but it isn't the same from the sidelines.

Once a week, he gives lessons to his 6-year-old granddaughter, Mary.

“But she doesn't listen to me,” said Kuszaj, his smile getting bigger.

He'll miss The Citizen Masters this season, a tournament he has bowled in since 1969. But he hopes to return to the game next fall. He's even philosophical about that idea.

“I wonder if any teams will want me,” he asked aloud. “I'll be 62 next year.”

“Hey, anybody want a has-been?” Harvey said, letting out a yelp.

Kuszaj looked straight ahead and smiled yet again. Perhaps he's been planning a grand comeback all along. Time will tell.

700 Club Singles Dec. 16

The 700 Club Singles Tournament will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 at Falcon Lanes. Bowlers are asked to check in 30 minutes early.

The Citizen Masters applications out

Applications for the men's and women's Citizen Masters are available at all area bowling centers and can be downloaded from auburnusbc.com.

The men's tournament, which begins Friday, Jan. 4, costs $35 to enter. The women's event starts Saturday, Jan. 12, with an entry fee of $30.

For more information, call Mike Ryan (730-2901) or Joan Ashby (252-2987).