For most bowlers, knocking down just one pin would be somewhat disappointing. But for the Pee-Wee bowlers at Pla-Mor Lanes, one pin means a lot.

The Pee-Wee program was established before Dick and Lori Zierke purchased Pla-Mor 10 years ago, and Lori has kept it up and running ever since. 

"Dick is more of a technical bowler, so he looks at the more advanced bowler that wants to improve their game, and I was more of a casual bowler, so I really enjoy working with the younger kids and getting them excited about it," Lori said. "How excited they get about even getting one pin down, it's like a big reward."

The Pee-Wee league runs every other Saturday from September through March at 9 a.m., similar to the adult bowling leagues, and Zierke suggests starting bowling around age 3. The Pee-Wees bowl one game using bumpers at a cost of $3. The initial registration fee is $5, which includes a Pee-Wee bowling shirt and guidance from coaches such as Zierke, Dawn Mysliwiec and Ruth Breidel, as well as high schoolers Chelsie Kraus and Meghan Zibrowski.

"First and foremost, our goal is to give them love of the game of bowling," Lori said. "It's a lifelong sport that they can come back to at any time in their lives."

Zierke said the program also focuses on taking turns, safety, carrying the bowling ball, and, of course, getting the ball all the way down the lane.

This year's Pee-Wee league has 16 bowlers, including Kate Eubanks, 4. Kate's dad, Brian, likes that it gives Kate something to do as well as giving her a chance to socialize with kids her age, along with introducing her to the sport of bowling.

"She likes spending time with her friends, and she's met a couple of friends there, which is fun for her," Brian said. "The (coaches) are real helpful. They've got two or three people on staff to help the kids, which is nice."

Kate said she was excited when her parents told her she'd be bowling, and she likes seeing her friends.

What she likes most though is, "Throwing (the ball) and sitting on my mom's lap."

FAMILY WEEK: Linzi Jirsa rolled her first perfect game Thursday at South Lanes, part of a 677 series that was one of three honor counts she rolled last week.

That barely earned the 23-year-old family bragging rights for the week.

Her brother Kyle, 21, strung together a 784 series at Pla-Mor Lanes on Friday. Kyle also has bowled a 300 game this season.

Their younger sister, Megan, 18, rolled a 607 last week, and she owns the women's highest series of the season with her 764 at Pla-Mor.

Tim Jirsa, the siblings' father, also was in the act last week with a 719 series on Nov. 16 at South Lanes.