Published: June 17, 2007 10:04 pm            

Terre Haute professional dart thrower’s son readies for national competition

‘He doesn’t know he can miss,’ father says

TERRE HAUTE — Terre Haute teen Danny Lauby might throw his way to college and become known worldwide for doing it, thanks to his professional dart-throwing dad.

Danny strolled calmly to the toe line in front of a dartboard, paused to focus on his target, raised his left arm and gracefully threw his steel-tipped dart into the black center of the bull’s-eye, known as the double bull.

Neither Danny nor his father, Dan Lauby, said a word to each other as the duo switched positions after Danny nailed his target during a practice round of darts Sunday.

“He’s got the gift of youth; he doesn’t know he can miss,” Lauby said with a smile.

Lauby is coaching Danny for competition in the American Dart Organization’s Youth Nationals on Aug. 10 in Stamford, Conn.

The winner takes home a $1,500 college scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to England to compete in the world-championship tourney.

Danny, 14, earned his first victory after claiming Fort Wayne’s Youth Regional competition in May.

“Nothing makes you feel like a has-been when you’ve got a 14-year-old taking it to you every day,” Lauby said.

During a practice round, Lauby took his turn at the line and threw three double bulls, a term used when a darter throws three consecutive darts into the center of a dartboard. He walked up to the board and took a glimpse at his shots then removed the darts nonchalantly, like anyone could do it.

Lauby averages more than 30 points per dart during professional, competitive play. Men must average 19 points per dart and women 14 points per dart to earn professional qualifications, he said.

Danny is quickly catching up to his father’s ability and sometimes defeats his dad at a game of English 501.

The game starts with each player’s score at 501 points. Players tally the sum of three darts, subtract that sum from 501 and continue the cycle until a player doesn’t have any points left.

“It’s a race to zero,” Lauby said.

“… We’ll get into some ferocious games. My toughest competition is still in my own house. I used to spot him 100 points. That ended this year.”

Danny said he’s excited about playing in the national competition and again in the world competition — if he wins in August.

Vanessa Lauby sat a table nearby and watched her dad and brother throw a game of darts.

“I usually like to play for fun, but Danny doesn’t like to play with me, because I’m not that good,” she said. “He likes competition.”

American Dart Organization’s national youth manager, Carolyn Camp of Lagunitas, Calif., said she expects there will be 17 to 20 youth competing for the national title.

The top eight finishers each receive college scholarships from ADO, which also pays for the winner’s trip to England this year.

“We try to keep it a lot of fun. I know it’s serious, but we’re dealing with youths,” Camp said.

“Our youths are the hope of the future. They one day will be taking over the ADO.

“[Danny’s] dad has quite a name in darts,” she said.

“He’s good. Don’t let him fool you. It’s good that he’s getting his son involved.”

Laura Followell can be reached at (812) 231-4253 or laura.followell@tribstar.com.

        

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