What Illness Does Del Ballard Have, Is He Sick? Details On Bowler Wife And Health Update

Del Ballard was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in August of 2010, according to PBA.com. Del received chemotherapy and radiation treatments at Texas Oncology, a Baylor University Medical Center affiliate, and the prognosis for a full recovery was favorable.

To turn a negative into a positive, the athlete, his wife Carolyn, and a few friends got together after his treatments. They then organized the “Ballard vs. The Big C” bowling tournament.

March 2, 1991: Del Ballard Jr. with the ALL-TIME choke at the Fair Lanes Open after yelling “Yeah Baby! Getting it Done!” pic.twitter.com/cU8c04JOKK

— Freezing Cold Takes (@OldTakesExposed) March 2, 2020

By 2017, the tournament had raised more than $300,000, which was donated to Baylor Health Care, Cancer Care Services, and the North Texas Laryngectomy Society. The professional ten-pin bowler was awarded the PBA Tony Reyes Community Service Award for the 2017 season for his efforts.

Over the years, the ten-pin bowler has helped many people on and off the lanes. He was a true champion and one of the best the sport has ever seen, but his strength in the face of adversity is inspiring. BVBC is a living example of how much Del is adored.

Del Ballard appears to be doing well, as there has been no news about his health issue in 2022. He seems to be doing better following chemotherapy and radiation treatments for tonsil cancer.

On March 2, 1991, Del received one of the most bizarre and infamous incidents in PBA history. The athlete won the 1991 Fair Lanes Open tournament in Baltimore in the nationally televised championship match against Pete Weber.

Del threw the two strikes he needed, but his third shot was too close to the right channel and fell in, giving Pete the title. Del bounced back a few weeks later, defeating Jim Johnson Jr. to win the Long Island Open. The Ballards have relocated to North Richland Hills, Texas.

Del Ballard’s net worth is estimated to be more than $1 million, but the exact figure is unknown.

In 1987, Del won two titles, including his first major, the U.S. Open Championship, for $100,000. He won his second major, the ABC Masters, in 1988.

The ten-pin bowler went on to win two more majors, the Firestone Tournament of Champions in 1989 and the U.S. Open in 1993. Ballard had his most successful year on tour in 1991, winning four titles.

In his career, the athlete won 13 PBA titles and earned a total of $1,130,857. Del earned a PBA tour exemption for the 2006-07 season by finishing tenth in the Tour Trials. The following year, Ballard was unable to keep the exemption.

Del is no longer an active bowler on the PBA Tour, but he still works as Storm’s ball rep/coach. His wife Carolyn manages the NYC Kingpins, while Del manages the Motown Muscle PBA League team.