BAKER BURIES SHOOTOUT COMPETITION.(SPORTS)

Byline: PETE DOUGHERTY Staff writer

LATHAM -- Tom Baker figured he had a built-in advantage over his fellow Professional Bowlers Association members Tuesday in the World Class Shootout at the Bowlers Club.

Baker, who eliminated Paul Fleming of Bedford, Texas, with a strike in the 19th round, arrived here Tuesday morning from his native Buffalo, which was socked with snow Sunday and Monday.

``I got my shoulders worked up yesterday shoveling snow out of there,'' Baker joked. ``That's why I was loose today.''

Baker prevailed in the $3,000 winner-take-all preliminary competition to the Empire State Open, which begins Thursday. Forty PBA …