Simple common courtesy???

[Judy clemons]

It is extremely difficult to concentrate on what your trying to practice as a league bowler to improve your game and at the same time keep an eye out to the right/left for new inexperienced
bowlers that do not know proper lane manners
Has anyone got a good method for handling these situations that come up? Bowlers stepping
out in front of you? Food in pit area? People
staying and standing on the approach? Kids running wild? numerous others...????????

[75lockwood]

It is extremely difficult to concentrate on what your trying to practice as a league bowler to improve your game and at the same time keep an eye out to the right/left for new inexperienced
bowlers that do not know proper lane manners
Has anyone got a good method for handling these situations that come up? Bowlers stepping
out in front of you? Food in pit area? People
staying and standing on the approach? Kids running wild? numerous others...????????

Bowling in a youth league surrounded by young ones, i simply wait until they are done, if they step up i back off, learning to bowl with detraction's is a useful skill. regarding food or street shoes in the bowling area i tell them to move and they do. If kids are running very wild during league, teach them not to, if its during open bowling, don't bowl during birthday parties LOL

[YODA]

I always remember that not everyone is a league bowler nor competitive. Alot of people are bowling as families and to have fun, so be careful how you react to things. Not everyone knows the rules that alot of us live by. Bowling is and has always been a fun family getaway, and little kids will be little kids, they like to have fun to:) I have 3 young ones 7,5,4 and I know how rambunctious they can be.

[Judy clemons]

I have 10 grandkids all 7 years and under and we took them bowling all summer they did not run wild they waited for other people on the other lanes to bowl they did not eat in the pit areas they enjoyed their
game and we enjoyed ours and without
disrupting the other peoples around us. I know kids get excited and have to be reminded but first they have to be taught.
unfortunately i have seen adults more disrupting with lack of manners worse than kids in the last few weeks. It was not the kids i was coming down on as much as it was the adults.

[GeorgiaStroker]

Years ago I worked at what was at the time the only center in town. As I gave out the lanes I used to say "have fun guys, please be considerate of the people next to you. If they are about to bowl wait until they have finished before you throw your ball. And keep all food and drinks on the tables behind the approach. See you when you finish." That helped with most people but of course there are always "those" people. Over time I came to recognize them and try to group them away from the less rowdy bowlers. These days when I get next to inconsiderate bowlers I ask the manager to move me if I see open lanes available. If not I grin and bear it. Or pack up and go if they are being especially rambunctious.

[ecub]

I know not everyone knows proper lane manners. What I used to do before was if they stepped in front of me, I would walk back and just shake my head. Usually a few of those would be enough for them to get the hint. If not, then I would say something. Actually, now, I try not to let it bother me. I figure if I can bowl well with kids jumping around, when it comes time to bowling my 300, I won't be bothered if I hear noise a few lanes away.

As far as food on the approach, I would definitely say something. Tell them that it could make them stick and fall on their face and hurt themselves.

[e-tank]

the only thing that really concerns me is the kids because you just never know what theyre going to do. It doesnt annoy me or anything i just dont want to end up hurting some kid that decides to run into me when im in my backswing or something. People standing on the approach im used to from going cosmic bowling every friday night

[YODA]

the only thing that really concerns me is the kids because you just never know what theyre going to do. It doesnt annoy me or anything i just dont want to end up hurting some kid that decides to run into me when im in my backswing or something. People standing on the approach im used to from going cosmic bowling every friday night

Yeah I agree here... Rowdy Adults usually dont bother me, nor do some kids having fun, being a little loud, but I would hate to nail a kid on my backswing, although I have seen it happen once, but it was the parent who did it because their kids wouldnt calm down long enough to let the parent bowl.

[mxjosh]

This used to be a huge sore spot for me. I had one group of about 20+ people on the lanes next to me. 10 were bowling. 1 kid in particular kept throwing bowling balls behind the player whose turn it was taking their turn. Basically this kid was ruining it for his own friends. Kids kept walking thru my area cause there was too many of them to walk thru their own. I put a stop to that but the kid messing up his friends, I couldnt take. I totally lost it. I waited for him to try and ruin someone else's turn then walked up behind him, grabbed him and backed him off the lanes. I was in his face telling him to quit screwing around. He said they was just having fun. Told him thats not the kind of fun u have here, ruining peoples games. Long story short, I was escorted out of the bowling alley by the Sheriff and 5 other cops. Cop understood my side and said dont put your hands on people. He advised the kid not to press charges. Which he didnt.

So in hindsight it was pretty stupid of me to get so worked up but in the end, nothing bothers me anymore. I dont care if they step up in my approach or if they are loud and crazy. I just bowl no matter what.

p.s. the bowling alley is now much more strict with keeping the peace. I still bowl there and after a couple weeks of jokes about getting in my way, its all back to normal.

[DrOcktagon]

I try my best just to ignore it and plan my shots around their behaviour. If it's a real problem and there are other lanes available, I ask to be moved.

My biggest pet peeve is when people - usually kids, but not always - use more than one house ball. They throw their first shot, walk back to the ball return, pick up their other ball without ever stepping off the approach, and immediately take their second shot. It can be really frustrating trying to bowl next to this.

[Judy clemons]

You hit that pin on the head. I know exactly what

[Judy clemons]

I know exactly what you are talking about.
all you can do is just stand there and wait and it is totally frustrating.

[billf]

During league it's league rules. During open bowl it's open bowl rules. By that I mean, they have a right to have kids and parties there just as much as I have a right to be there. It doesn't bother me one bit and has even led to giving lessons and/or getting people signed up for leagues. I practice to get better but at the same time feel it's my responsibility to do my best to be an ambassador for the sport.

There was a Saturday that the alley was packed. I was giving a lesson to a girl on the High School JV team. She always prefers I bowl with her and show her exactly what I want her to do. As we were putting our shoes on a young boy from the team came in. She offered to let him bowl with us. This kid kept rushing two men to our left, employees off the clock. They didn't say a word due to their jobs. The girl asked him at least six times to stop rushing the approach and even trying to scare guys. The last time he told her to "shut up". I lost it. In front of the whole world I said, "Alex, are you always a rude *** or is it just our special day?"
He packed up and left right away without saying a word to me. Coach heard from the many team members who were there at the time and he got benched for two matches.

[noeymc]

i like all the noise and everything it helps me learn to block more out but i just just till the people next to me if u dont no the rules if i am up here your not if ur up there i am not lets keep it simple thats all i need form u thank u

[barcar]

I try and time my shots for right after a person throws theirs, if they aren't following the rules.
Like others have said open bowling can be any ones guess as to who you will have on the lanes around you.
I agree if someone is really getting out of line, say something to them, or ask the staff for help.
I have cut practice short if I just can't cut what is happening around me.

[Loyer807]

Typically if the bowlers are next to me are older late 20's I will ask them to be a little curious. Usually it's something like, "Hey, I don't mean to be that guy but, I am trying to get some practice in could you wait till I throw before you throw". I have never gotten a "no" or smart *** answer. Typically they just say, "Sorry" or "I knew better".

Younger kids, I don't really bother asking, I will usually move myself if they are really bad.

I did bowl league with a older man recently who didn't even like you to grab your ball from the return while he was bowling. Sometimes I like to grab my ball and clean it off before my shot. So I will grab my ball during the bowlers turn (never getting on the lane) and wipe it down. He snapped at me about it so I laid off. The other bowlers on his team laughed and said "First time bowling with George?" . It was nice for someone to get in a laugh so I didn't feel awkward the whole night bowling inline with that dude.

[Bendial]

It's annoying yes but the average recreational bowler isn't going to exercise lane courtesy. I usually just step off the lane when they step onto the approach and look at them with dagger eyes until they are done with their shot...then I move on and finish my shot. The thing that pisses me off the most is on my league night, there's another league that bowls like half of the lanes, they are all 200+ average players, but them and employees are constantly getting on the mic announcing crap...when my little league is just trying to improve our game. The other night, one guy even SHOUTED a guys name into the microphone right as I was about to take my shot, it startled me so much i actually jumped and had to stop my approach. I was pissed.

[ecub]

Yep, a recreational bowler isn't going to know everything. I'm a cyclist, and I see allot of idiot recreational cyclists on the road and wonder how some are still alive.

If it really bothers you, let them know, so they WILL know. Otherwise, let things be.

[e-tank]

Yep, a recreational bowler isn't going to know everything. I'm a cyclist, and I see allot of idiot recreational cyclists on the road and wonder how some are still alive.

If it really bothers you, let them know, so they WILL know. Otherwise, let things be.

haha i saw this yesterday. The road had a bike lane but they were riding in the car lane for whatever reason

[GeoLes]

Remember that you capture more flies using sugar than using vinegar.

You can always stand on the approch ready to go. look over at the other bowler about to go. Say and gesture "after you". Let him/her bowl. Comment on his shot "good spare, what ever is polite and respectful" Now, Because you have considered his/her focus , he/she is more likely to reciprocate.

Worst case scenario, you have an exercise in focus.

[GeorgiaStroker]

Remember that you capture more flies using sugar than using vinegar.

To quote Sheldon from Big Bang Theory: You catch even more with manure, what's your point?:D

[GeoLes]

haha i saw this yesterday. The road had a bike lane but they were riding in the car lane for whatever reason

I too am a road cyclist. I have ridden both bike paths and the common road. To illustrate how not everyone understands what seems obvious. You said it yourself.

When I ride with the family 8- mph, I ride the bike path. When I want to train, I need to ride 17 mph, the bike path is unsafe. People walk, joggers, kids. I belong on the road to the right of flowing traffic.

The same with bowling. It is not immediately obvious to a teenager bo wling that you want to concentrate. "Hey, Let's Bowl" is what he is thinking.

[GeoLes]

"To quote Sheldon from Big Bang Theory: You catch even more with manure, what's your point?"

The point is why tick some off because he is ignorant of the rules, when you can achieve more by making friends?

[GeorgiaStroker]

"To quote Sheldon from Big Bang Theory: You catch even more with manure, what's your point?"

The point is why tick some off because he is ignorant of the rules, when you can achieve more by making friends?

I should have prefaced that by saying I agree with you I just liked that line. Yes you should teach courtesy by example.

[Judy clemons]

Thank you! Sounds like best solution to issue i am ready to give it a try.