| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Oak Ridge, Tennessee |
| Alma mater | Garden Grove High School |
| Years active | 1982-1991 |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Bowling Information | |
| Affiliation | PBA |
| Dominant hand | Right (power player) |
| Wins | 4 PBA Tour |
| 300-games | 16 |
| Sponsors | Storm, 900 Global |
Mark Baker is an American professional ten-pin bowler from Yorba Linda, California. He has been involved in the sport of bowling for over thirty years, starting as a competitor on the PBA Tour, and later becoming a salesperson, author, and coach.
While on PBA Tour from 1982 to 1991, Baker made more than two dozen top-five appearances, including four title victories and seven runner-up finishes (two of them in PBA majors). [1] From 1983 to 1990, Mark was annually in the top-20 in tour earnings. [2]
Baker's performance in 1983 earned him that year's Southern California Bowler of the Year (awarded by the Southern California Bowling Writers Association). [3]
Baker claimed his first PBA Tour title at the 1984 Miller High Life Classic, defeating Bob Handley 221-183 in the title match. [4]
During the 1985 PBA Tour season, Baker finished second in four tournaments and led the PBA in Top-24 finishes with 23. [5] His most notable top finish in 1985 was at the PBA Touring Players Championship, where he was defeated by Dave Husted 268-238 in the final match. Additionally, Baker's 1985 average of 213.7 earned him that year's George Young High Average award. [6]
In 1986, Baker captured the King Louie Open by winning four matches in the final rounds, including the 183-176 championship match victory over Walter Ray Williams, Jr. [7] Later that season at the Firestone Tournament of Champions, Baker finished as the runner-up by losing to Marshall Holman in the championship match 233-211. [8]
More than a year later, Baker returned to the winner's circle by capturing the 1987 PBA Kessler Open. Entering the final round as the top seed, Baker defeated David Ozio 257-233 in the title match. [9]
Baker's last PBA Tour victory was at the 1990 PBA Oregon Open. Entering the final rounds ranked second, Mark defeated Tony Westlake 236-201 in the semifinal match and then beat Steve Wunderlich in the championship match 255-230. [10] [11]
Also while on the Tour, Baker was a contributing writer for the Pacific Bowler, providing weekly content for the "Baker Speaks" column. [12]
Mark is a member of the Orange County USBC Hall of Fame. [13]
After working in the bowling supply business as a sales manager for Cal Bowling Supply, [14] Baker is now a coach helping bowlers of all skill levels (including amateurs). [15] [16]
Professionally, he's has served as an assistant coach for Team USA since 2017 [17] and continues to coach current PBA and PWBA Tour Bowlers. [2]
Baker is also the current team manager for the Atom Splitters of the PBA Elite League. [1]
Baker authored a book titled "The Game Changer: A Simple System for Improving Your Bowling Scores" ( ISBN 978-1604947748), released in May 2012.