3. Bowling Has A Long History
• Egyptians
• German monks
– Penance
– Popularity
• Europeans
– Banning
– Military
(“The History”, n.d.)
(“History of Bowling”, n.d.)
(“Who Invented Bowling”, n.d.)
4. Bowling History Continued
• Bowling Popularity
– From Europe to America
• Bowling in America
– Colonies
– Gambling and crime
– Unification of rules
– Television
(Berk & Simple, n.d.)
5. Then and Now
• Technology
– Pinsetters
– Automation
• Professional Bowlers Association (PBA)
– Founded
– PWBA
(“The Game”, n.d.)
24. References
Bowling as a Sport. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2011 from http://www.ten-pinbowling.com/about_
TenPinBowling.htm
Bowling Ball. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2011 from http://www.bowling.gl/ Bowling_ball.html
Bowling Rules. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2011 from http://www.pba.com/Resources/ Bowling101/
Coccaro, D. (2007, August 18). How to Bowl with a Ramp-Bowling with a Handicap. Retrieved June
15, 2011 from http://www.associatedcontent.com/articles/
345110/how_to_bowl_with_a_ramp_bowling_with.html?cat=14
Curtis, B. (2009, February 1). Debating America’s Pastime(s). Retrieved June 14, 2011 from
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/sports/01iht-01curtis.19835372.html
25. References Continued
The Game-History. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2011 from http://bowling.about.com/go/o.htm?zi=
1/XJ&zTi=1&bowling&cdn=sports&tm=
3095&gps47_433_1436_673&f=00&tt=14&bts=0&zuhttp%3A//www.tenpinbowling.org/view.php%3F
page%3Dthe_game.history
Goodger, J. (n.d.). Bumper Bowling. Retrieved June14, 2011 from
http://bowling.about.com/od/bowlingcenters/qt/Bumper-Bowling.htm
Health Benefits of Bowling. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2011 from http://helpwithbowling.com/bowling-
health-benefits.php
The History and Origins of Bowling. Retrieved June 14, 2011 from http://helpwithbowling.com/history-
origins-of-bowling.php
26. References Continued
History of Bowling. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2011 from http://www.bowling2u.com/ trivia/game/history-
of-bowling.asp
How to Choose the Best House Bowling Ball. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2011 from
http://helpwithbowling.com/choose-right-house-bowling-ball.php
Perfect Bowling. (2011, February 10). Where Did The Term Turkey Come From? Retrieved June
14, 2011 from http://www.perfectbowling.com/where-did-the-term-turkey-come-from
Pier, S. (2009, August 9). The History of Bowling. Retrieved June 14, 2011 from
http://www.pier55.com/sports-recreation/bowling/the-history-of-bowling/
RIA Novosti. (2007, May 28). World’s oldest bowling alley found in Egypt. Retrieved June 13, 2011 from
http://en.rian.ru/world/20070528/66210723.html
27. More References
Spartan Bowling. (n.d.). History. Retrieved June 15, 2011 from
http://www2.corvallis.k12.or.us/chs/athletics/bowling/history.htm
Who Invented Bowling? (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2011 from
http://answers.yourdictionary.com/sports/whoo-invented-bowling.html
Editor's Notes
Let’s Go Bowling-PowerPoint Presentation.This discussion will be about the history, the game and the fun of bowling. [Direct audience-general public, youth, bowling enthusiasts.][Visual aids-PowerPoint presentation][Other visual aids-Bowling ball, bowling shoes, bowling bag, bowling towel and other bowling equipment on a display table.]
Baseball has been called the “national pastime” since the 1850’s (Curtis, 2009), however bowling has been around since the time of the pharaohs of Egypt (RAI Novosti, 2007). Bowling is a fun activity available to all, regardless of age, athletic prowess or skill. With the advent of the internet and the ever increasing number of electronic gadgets people need to remember that there is an inexpensive, entertaining, family friendly activity.
The earliest form of bowling was played by the Egyptians. Then later another form of bowling was used as a religious ritual by German monks. Sir Flinders Petrie discovered the remnants of a bowling-like collection in an Egyptian gravesite, including what appeared to be a bowling alley, which dated back to approximately 3200B.C (“The History”, n.d.). According to German historian William Pehle bowling was created by German monks approximately 300A.D. as a religious ritual to determine penance (“Who Invented Bowling”, n.d.). If all pins were knocked down you were considered without sin, if some knocked down penance was applied. Usually assignment of prayers. Bowling began to appear in England circa 1100. By the 14th century bowling became so popular the monarchy passed the first legislation banning the game due to soldiers neglecting military practice in order to bowl (“History of Bowling”, n.d.).
During the 16th century bowling became popular in the Americas. As in Europe it became so popular that it had to be declared illegal in some colonies due to people playing instead of working (Berk & Simple, n.d.) (3 wks-stockades). Changes had to be made to bowling due to illegal gambling and crime (back alley, basements). Nine-pin bowling (the original type of bowling) became illegal, hence the development of tenpin bowling (Berk & Simple, n.d.). In 1895 a restaurateur named Joe Thumb arranged a gathering among representatives from an assortment of regional bowling clubs and the American Bowling Congress (ABC) was formed (unification of rules) (“The Game”, n.d.). Bowling increased significantly during prohibition. For those of us who can remember, bowling became so popular that it even made it to television as a game show. Bowling for Dollars appeared on local television stations in over 15 states during the 1970’s.
During the early 20th century bowling underwent more improvements due to technology and there came the introduction of automation (“The Game”, n.d.). Prior to this pin setting was done manually. Young boys would reset the pins directly on the lane. The progression to some automation occurred with manually loading pins in a preset frame which then set pins on the lane. Then finally to complete automation. This required only someone to monitor the machinery in case of jams. What use to require many now only required one. The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) was founded in 1958 allowing superior bowlers to become professionals. The Professional Women Bowling Association (PWBA) later followed (“The Game”, n.d.).
Let’s look at bowling at its basics. It truly is easy as 1-2-3.
Bowling requires three elements. A bowling alley, a bowling ball and bowling shoes.
To utilize our bowling basics we would need a bowling center.Bowling centers are located all over the world. But in the United States there are approximately 13,000 bowling centers with approximately 250,000 bowling lanes (“Bowling”, n.d.).
The first bowling balls were made of stone. In the United states they were made of wood, then rubber, urethane, plastic and reactive resin. The best part about the progression of the bowling ball is that now a person is able to select whatever type of bowling ball that suits their mood. They now come is may different designs and styles. You are only limited by your imagination.
My imagination went right to my favorite cartoon character. What can I say? I love my Scooby Doo and when I’m bowling he loves me too. This bit of silliness makes bowling even more fun. I even have a Scooby bowling bag and bowling towels. I am still looking for Scooby bowling shoes.
The benefits of bowling can be found by just being there. If you don’t own your own ball or bowling shoes, these items can be provided by the bowling center (“How to Choose”, n.d.). . When bowling, regular shoes cannot be worn on the lanes. Bowling shoes are designed so the bowler will be able to slide while releasing the bowling ball (Spartan Bowling, n.d.). Bowling shoes provided by the house (bowling center) are usually well worn and sometimes are not the best fit, but they do serve their purpose. You can purchase your own bowling shoes for the price of a pair of tennis shoes. And yes those heels are bowling shoes. They do range from $30-$1000 depending on what you desire. Designer or customize shoes are also available. These are usually special ordered. My husband wears a size 15 and my cousin a size 16. So it was better to purchase shoes. My cousin actually took a pair of his expensive tennis shoes and had them resoled to become bowling shoes.
Once we have the basics now its time to start bowling.
You often hear in many sports that technique is important. In bowing the only technique you need is fun. Technique is a pretty word but not needed to enjoy bowling. Roll the ball and knock down the pins and you’re bowling. The object of bowling is to knock down as many pins as possible in the 10 frames of the game (Spartan Bowling, n.d.). As you can see even President Obama enjoys a game of bowling once in a while.
Bowling has no height restrictions, no age limits, no speed requirements and not strength limitations. Bowling is a sport that does not discriminate on any level. Everyone who comes to the bowling center can play.
Adaptive equipment can be made available. Bumpers are used to block the bowling ball from rolling into the gutter giving more fun for children and the handicapped (Goodger, n.d.). Roller ramps are available for those who cannot hold or swing a bowling ball (Coccaro, 2007). Bumpers can even be used for the newbie bowler to encourage confidence until they are able to bowl better.
Each game is consists of 10 frames. A frame is where each player is allowed to roll the ball twice to attempt to knock down as many of the ten pins as possible (Bowling Rules, n.d.).
If the bowler knocks down all the pins with the first roll it is called a strike and is worth 10 points plus whatever the bowler knocks down on the next two rolls (frame). If the bowler knocks down some of the pins with the first roll and the rest with the second it is called a spare and the bowler gets 10 points plus whatever they knock down with the first roll of the next turn (Bowling Rules, n.d.). Some of the lingo in bowling can be funny and entertaining. For instance three strikes in a row is called a turkey. It originated around the late 1800-early 1900’s when bowling centers would provide prizes for those who got three consecutive strikes. The prize of choice was a turkey, hence the name (Perfect Bowling, 2011). Some people will even gobble or do a chicken-like dance when they get a Turkey.
Healthy competition is lots of fun especially when you have proof at the end of the day. My husband and I are very competitive and enjoy ribbing each other at the end of our games.
After the basics it is time to enjoy the benefits.
One of the biggest benefits of bowling is its contribution to a healthy lifestyle. Unlike with other sports bowling has no height requirement, age limitation, no speed requirement or strength limitations (“Bowling”, n.d.). Anyone from 3 to 300 can bowl. Young children and the elderly can benefit from bumpers and roller ramps to enjoy and participate in the exercise of bowling. Bowling aids in supporting muscle exercise that is not strenuous and also aids in fat burning. A person can burn from 170 to 300 calories in one game of bowling (“Health Benefits”, n.d.).
Bowling is primarily a group activity that all members of the family can participate in. This encourages family fun. No babysitters needed. Friends are made due to the many people who bowl. Joining leagues create, in some cases, lifelong friendships. Though not as media popular as other sports it remains the second highest participation sport in the world (“Bowling”, n.d.).
Today’s bowling is not the bowling our parents and grandparents participated in. Many bowling centers cater for bowling birthday parties. Age is not limited. More and more bowling centers now offer midnight bowling which includes neon bowling. This is where the only illumination is by black light so the neon balls appear to glow. They may also turn on multicolored party lights and disco balls as they play multiple types of rock, hip-hop and party music. Regardless of age or ability bowling is an activity that is fun and healthy. What started out in the sands of Egypt has now become a pastime that is enjoyed by millions around the word. It is family oriented and accommodating for all. As each generation grows bowling continues to grow in popularity. Bowling does not appear to be a sport that will soon go away.
