why isn't bowling considered a sport by some?

[Shaneshu87]

i believe most of us have ran into this problem in the past
"what kind of sports do you play?"
"i'm a bowler"
and then you get that you gotta be kid'n me look as a reply.

i think the biggest issue is the physical requirements and appearance of your average league bowler. bowling is a sport with ZERO discrimination about the bowlers athleticism, you cannot be to skinny, fat, tall, short, or even drunk. i personally think that one of the biggest factors as to why people "look down" on bowling is because more than half the league bowlers on any given league night typically have a beer in their hand (i personally do not have a problem with that as i used to be a very heavy drinker). But what kind of image does this set for the sport we love so much? i feel like it's one of the reasons that our sport is not growing.

another issue i think in relation to the last is how the physical appearance of bowlers. (i was very obese at one time pushing 350lbs) bowling in many ways is the sport of obesity, that is not the fault of the participants, bowling just does not require the millions of hours in a gym so you can be stronger than the other guy. but i feel like we as bowlers should do something to change this image as well, especially since in this day and age obesity is unattractive. i have interviewed people who i saw bowling often during open bowl but have never seen them during a league and they said bowling is like "fat chicks and mopeds, it's all fun till your friends see you doing it" i tagged them in a facebook post later;) "met some new friends at the bowling alley!"

another reason, which i proud of Belmo defending, is that people see bowling as "Easy". recently a professional athlete, named Vin Gerard, called out Jason Belmonte to a game of bowling claiming that "anyone can do it" and he's right, just like anyone can play football, soccer, basketball, or baseball. the difference being that not everyone can play professionally no matter what sport it is. it is caused because most people just simply do not know that the PBA does not bowl on the same type of oil as your saturday night cosmic bowl. that is just due to a simple lack of education, if more houses offered sport shot leagues i then this problem could be solved.

ultimately i think it will take a combination of things to get bowling back to the way it was years ago. and in a world so obsessed with image, then image is the most likely place to start. i'm not saying we all have to go out and train like Rich Fronning 4 time winner of the Crossfit Games, but we as bowlers should be concerned with our public image, look at it this way, if you owned a business that catered to the public and children, would you want to see them intoxicated, unruly, or sloppy, when they're in public representing your business? no.

rant over

[Mudpuppy]

If you can drink beer while playing then it isn't a sport

[Mike White]

if you owned a business that catered to the public and children, would you want to see them intoxicated, unruly, or sloppy, when they're in public representing your business? no.

rant over


Remember, an large part of an owner's income is from the source of them being intoxicated.

[Shaneshu87]

If you can drink beer while playing then it isn't a sport

thats what i've been told as well lmao

[Shaneshu87]

Remember, an large part of an owner's income is from the source of them being intoxicated.

your right but that doesn't mean that we have to drink, there are other sources of income that the owner can find, alcohol sales are just the easiest/most profitable.

[Beagle]

If you can drink beer while playing then it isn't a sport
Ever hear of Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle

[Shaneshu87]

Ever hear of Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle

weren't they hockey players lmao

[Shaneshu87]

i understand that there are difficulties in trying to fill a house on a league night with out alcohol, but maybe there should be separate leagues "Fun League" and "Serious League" the fun league could even be no-tap.

[Beagle]

i believe most of us have ran into this problem in the past
"what kind of sports do you play?"
"i'm a bowler"
and then you get that you gotta be kid'n me look as a reply.

i think the biggest issue is the physical requirements and appearance of your average league bowler. bowling is a sport with ZERO discrimination about the bowlers athleticism, you cannot be to skinny, fat, tall, short, or even drunk. i personally think that one of the biggest factors as to why people "look down" on bowling is because more than half the league bowlers on any given league night typically have a beer in their hand (i personally do not have a problem with that as i used to be a very heavy drinker). But what kind of image does this set for the sport we love so much? i feel like it's one of the reasons that our sport is not growing.

another issue i think in relation to the last is how the physical appearance of bowlers. (i was very obese at one time pushing 350lbs) bowling in many ways is the sport of obesity, that is not the fault of the participants, bowling just does not require the millions of hours in a gym so you can be stronger than the other guy. but i feel like we as bowlers should do something to change this image as well, especially since in this day and age obesity is unattractive. i have interviewed people who i saw bowling often during open bowl but have never seen them during a league and they said bowling is like "fat chicks and mopeds, it's all fun till your friends see you doing it" i tagged them in a facebook post later;) "met some new friends at the bowling alley!"

another reason, which i proud of Belmo defending, is that people see bowling as "Easy". recently a professional athlete, named Vin Gerard, called out Jason Belmonte to a game of bowling claiming that "anyone can do it" and he's right, just like anyone can play football, soccer, basketball, or baseball. the difference being that not everyone can play professionally no matter what sport it is. it is caused because most people just simply do not know that the PBA does not bowl on the same type of oil as your saturday night cosmic bowl. that is just due to a simple lack of education, if more houses offered sport shot leagues i then this problem could be solved.

ultimately i think it will take a combination of things to get bowling back to the way it was years ago. and in a world so obsessed with image, then image is the most likely place to start. i'm not saying we all have to go out and train like Rich Fronning 4 time winner of the Crossfit Games, but we as bowlers should be concerned with our public image, look at it this way, if you owned a business that catered to the public and children, would you want to see them intoxicated, unruly, or sloppy, when they're in public representing your business? no.

rant over
yep gotta agree with most of what u said. but it starts at the top of the bowling industry as a whole. the individual proprietor is concerned about the cash register and rightfully so. bowling centers r closing and there is a reason for this. don't know the solutions but I know bowling is definitely more of a sport than curling which is in the Olympics.

[Shaneshu87]

yep gotta agree with most of what u said. but it starts at the top of the bowling industry as a whole. the individual proprietor is concerned about the cash register and rightfully so. bowling centers r closing and there is a reason for this. don't know the solutions but I know bowling is definitely more of a sport than curling which is in the Olympics.

you are right the big factors behind the existence and continuation of bowling are the big companies and their cash registers. but even in a building like a sky scraper, you need the bottom bricks to be in the right place and in good condition in order to support the weight. we as bowlers who love this sport are 100% responsible for it's decline and hopefully future increase. why? because WE are the ones who put money in the cash registers, and it is our responsibility as lovers of the sport to promote it as third party credibility, which is the most accepted form of credibility. we need to stand up and save our sport, what would pay the houses more? more bowlers or more alcohol sales? and i do believed they took curling out of the Olympics... i think any way not sure i'll research that one lol

[Shaneshu87]

and i do believed they took curling out of the Olympics... i think any way not sure i'll research that one lol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curling

nope it's still there

[Beagle]

you are right the big factors behind the existence and continuation of bowling are the big companies and their cash registers. but even in a building like a sky scraper, you need the bottom bricks to be in the right place and in good condition in order to support the weight. we as bowlers who love this sport are 100% responsible for it's decline and hopefully future increase. why? because WE are the ones who put money in the cash registers, and it is our responsibility as lovers of the sport to promote it as third party credibility, which is the most accepted form of credibility. we need to stand up and save our sport, what would pay the houses more? more bowlers or more alcohol sales? and i do believed they took curling out of the Olympics... i think any way not sure i'll research that one lol

nope, was watching curling at Soschi winter Olympics while having a beer at the bowling alley

[Aslan]

If you can drink beer while playing then it isn't a sport

Actually not true. Bowling and Golf are far more of a "sport" than Nascar and Horse Racing.

I think what makes it a sport or not is:
1) Is it more the athlete or the equipment?
Soccer = sport...a ball is a ball. Nascar does NOT equal a sport because the win/loss is much more reliant on the car working and not the driver's ability to not turn to sharply.

Bowling needs to be careful that it doesn't make it so easy (lane conditions and equipment) that it becomes more dependent on equipment than the bowler. Paintball is a good example of a sport that "almost" was a sport...but it's just too equipment dependent to differentiate between the players.

2) It must require physical (not just mental or skill) activity.
Poker is NOT a sport. Video Games are NOT sports. Bowling and Golf and Darts and Billiards....sort of gray area. Football/basketball/hockey/etc... = sports.

And thats where bowling is in a "gray area"...as the OP eluded to...not ALL of bowling's elite are necessarily athletic in appearance. Sports should also make you "sweat"...bowling doesn't really do that unless the air conditioning is out (or you are Aslan and bowl 10-12 games in 2-2.5 hours).

[mc_runner]

If you can drink beer while playing then it isn't a sport

Plenty of people drink beer while playing golf and softball. I haven't heard anyone say those aren't sports!

[Amyers]

This is a stupid argument you are competing against others in a competition that involves skill = Sport. There are different levels of competition and they have different rules on the acceptability of drinking during the competition.

Recreational bowling- drinking is fine.

League Bowling- it varies. I currently bowl a family twosome league not appropriate. Tuesday Night 4 man squad league is very serious I wouldn't drink most don't a few do. Friday night random team league is all about fun and meeting people have no problem with it.

Tournaments- The ones I have attended I haven't seen anyone drinking while bowling some afterwards

PBA- Wouldn't be acceptable.

Bowling is as much a sport as pickup basketball, sandlot baseball/softball, or football.

[Shaneshu87]

This is a stupid argument you are competing against others in a competition that involves skill = Sport. There are different levels of competition and they have different rules on the acceptability of drinking during the competition.

Recreational bowling- drinking is fine.

League Bowling- it varies. I currently bowl a family twosome league not appropriate. Tuesday Night 4 man squad league is very serious I wouldn't drink most don't a few do. Friday night random team league is all about fun and meeting people have no problem with it.

Tournaments- The ones I have attended I haven't seen anyone drinking while bowling some afterwards

PBA- Wouldn't be acceptable.

Bowling is as much a sport as pickup basketball, sandlot baseball/softball, or football.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport

bowling is a sport, and i believe it should be treated as such, yes i understand you don't see drinking in tournaments and PBA, but only serious bowlers/family of participants, watch them. this is where recreation vs professional argument comes into play, bowling is seen as a joke to most non-bowlers, ever played in a recreation basketball league? talk about serious! they are not sanctioned, yet abide by every rule of the NBA, are not recognized by anyone except those playing in that particular league, yet is is still considered a sport since it's basketball.

bowling requires physical skill, and mental skill, both must be equally balanced, and by physical i don't mean physical strength or toughness. therefore bowling is a sport, this is not a stupid argument, but a small piece of the main argument that is "Save Bowling" we all bowl because we enjoy it. and in order to continue bowling the way we know and love then we will have to make changes as bowlers, i'm not saying a total upheaval, but these are some definite areas that need addressed.

[Beagle]

Simple but cold truth..Bowling is a dwindling sport....The reasons why r so multifaceted that us as bowlers are pieces of huge jigsaw puzzle. Alcohol doesn't even enter in to the equation. It involves the ENTIRE industry. don't miss the forest for the trees. Bowlers, proprietors, ceo's, media, political and economics, ball and product manufacturers, professional level, cultural flavor, education,youth etc etc..yes its the most participative sport in the country yet its downhill. back in the day old timers will tell u that bowling was bigger than 4 major sports today. in fact Carter is the first guy to get the top dollar endorsement. we r all speaking from the heart cuz we love it. Soccer is the #1 sport in the world but not here. u don't think those experts r scratching their heads as to why....

[tccstudent]

I am currently in training for a real sport competetive eating by this time next century I will be the champion of the galatic federation of carbon based planets

[Amyers]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport

bowling is a sport, and i believe it should be treated as such, yes i understand you don't see drinking in tournaments and PBA, but only serious bowlers/family of participants, watch them. this is where recreation vs professional argument comes into play, bowling is seen as a joke to most non-bowlers, ever played in a recreation basketball league? talk about serious! they are not sanctioned, yet abide by every rule of the NBA, are not recognized by anyone except those playing in that particular league, yet is is still considered a sport since it's basketball.

bowling requires physical skill, and mental skill, both must be equally balanced, and by physical i don't mean physical strength or toughness. therefore bowling is a sport, this is not a stupid argument, but a small piece of the main argument that is "Save Bowling" we all bowl because we enjoy it. and in order to continue bowling the way we know and love then we will have to make changes as bowlers, i'm not saying a total upheaval, but these are some definite areas that need addressed.

I get what you are saying the wonderful thing about bowling is it's inclusiveness. I'm sure you could find leagues in your area that are more competitively oriented and feature less drinking. Like I mentioned my Tuesday night league. I'm not much of a drinker and usually don't during bowling more because I don't want my hands wet than because of any effect of the alcohol(at my size it takes a lot of beer to have an effect).

I believe the decline in bowling has more to do with the shrinking middle class and the time constraints imposed on us by the modern connected lifestyle than drinking, sport, equipment, or any other reason. Unfortunately I don't see a solution to those problems.

The stupid part that I mentioned above was intended at the sport vs game argument. If a game requires competition,skill both physical and mental it's a sport.

[rv driver]

The answer: Put bowling in the Olympics. That will rubber-stamp the legitimacy of bowling as a sport. I mean, we have target shooting as an Olympic sport, for Pete's sake! Why not bowling? Plus, Olympic publicity will do a lot for the popularity of the sport. Every kid will want to get serious about bowling, because bowling is so approachable for the average person.

[fortheloveofbowling]

In 1988 bowling was a demonstration sport in the olympics but for whatever reason has not gained enough support to get medal status. It drives me absolutely crazy to see trampoline, rhythmic gymnastics and other events in there and not bowling!

[rv driver]

In 1988 bowling was a demonstration sport in the olympics but for whatever reason has not gained enough support to get medal status. It drives me absolutely crazy to see trampoline, rhythmic gymnastics and other events in there and not bowling! Little girls running around a mat waving streamers gets medal status, and bowling doesn't. What's wrong with this picture???

[fortheloveofbowling]

It drives me insane to think about it!

[rv driver]

It drives me insane to think about it!
Hey! Here's what bowling needs: Bowling hooliganism! Fans running rampant, tearing down ball returns, and stampeding the Glow Bowling crowd after leagues. After all, look at all the hooliganism color added to the World Cup. That's what bowling needs!

[fortheloveofbowling]

I don't even want to get started on soccer.

[Beagle]

I don't even want to get started on soccer.

good stuff....funny, but true........problem with bowling getting into Olympics and such is that the lane man controls everything.....gotta feeling that bill taylor guy was right. Bowling has to come up with oil-less surfaces......similar to how tennis, golf are.......lane man can take talent and equipment right out of the game.......bowl the Petersen and u will understand

[fortheloveofbowling]

Well the pete is a pretty extreme form of bowling and some would say not bowling at all. An experience that everyone should have at least once though. The old place on 35th and archer was a real place to behold that is for sure.

[Beagle]

Well the pete is a pretty extreme form of bowling and some would say not bowling at all. An experience that everyone should have at least once though. The old place on 35th and archer was a real place to behold that is for sure.

Agree totally....dun it many times....if u have seen the movie The color of money with Newman, I do believe that when he was taking Tom Cruise to his old stomping grounds, one scene showed a place closed down. That looked like the entrance to the Pete.....did bowl there with a bird flying around. 1st time I thought I would loosen up and bowl on PRACTICE lanes by the bar.....nearly broke my neck as I fell into the gutter. there had to b a couple of inches of dust on approach. when ball came back I think spiders were crawling out the thumb and fingerholes . bartenders had 2 be snickering on that one.

[rv driver]

I don't even want to get started on soccer.
Bwaaaahahahaha!!! Soccersoccersoccersoccersoccersoccer!!!

[fortheloveofbowling]

Agree totally....dun it many times....if u have seen the movie The color of money with Newman, I do believe that when he was taking Tom Cruise to his old stomping grounds, one scene showed a place closed down. That looked like the entrance to the Pete.....did bowl there with a bird flying around. 1st time I thought I would loosen up and bowl on PRACTICE lanes by the bar.....nearly broke my neck as I fell into the gutter. there had to b a couple of inches of dust on approach. when ball came back I think spiders were crawling out the thumb and fingerholes . bartenders had 2 be snickering on that one.
Yeah dude that place was a dump but a beautiful dump if you know what i mean. Climbing up those old stairs you knew you were in for a fun time.

[rv driver]

good stuff....funny, but true........problem with bowling getting into Olympics and such is that the lane man controls everything.....gotta feeling that bill taylor guy was right. Bowling has to come up with oil-less surfaces......similar to how tennis, golf are.......lane man can take talent and equipment right out of the game.......bowl the Petersen and u will understand
What's "the Petersen?"

[Beagle]

Yeah dude that place was a dump but a beautiful dump if you know what i mean. Climbing up those old stairs you knew you were in for a fun time.
Took a guy for the 1st time bak in the 80s. he was one of the high avgs in the league. over a deuce. on the way there he was bragging about his strategy, etc. he had the 1st place prize money spent before he even got out the car. I never said a word. 1st game out of the block he shoots a 103. I was laughing so hard for two games that I stopped mid approach many times

[Beagle]

What's "the Petersen?"
u r kidding right????

[Amyers]

Took a guy for the 1st time bak in the 80s. he was one of the high avgs in the league. over a deuce. on the way there he was bragging about his strategy, etc. he had the 1st place prize money spent before he even got out the car. I never said a word. 1st game out of the block he shoots a 103. I was laughing so hard for two games that I stopped mid approach many times

Oh ask mike white about Aslans old home lanes I believe he would feel they were similar.

[Beagle]

Oh ask mike white about Aslans old home lanes I believe he would feel they were similar.
Aslan?? Is he the guy that thinks he knows everything??

[Amyers]

Aslan?? Is he the guy that thinks he knows everything??

Well you know what they say about the man who knows everything he knows nothing. Actually he's pretty cool guy just has a serious case of OCD.

[MICHAEL]

Well you know what they say about the man who knows everything he knows nothing. Actually he's pretty cool guy just has a serious case of OCD.

In reality, ICEMAN is The COOL GUY!!!:rolleyes:

[rv driver]

u r kidding right????
I'm old and senile, plus I've lived a sheltered life in the Ozarks. Indulge me.

[Mudpuppy]

This is a stupid argument you are competing against others in a competition that involves skill = Sport. There are different levels of competition and they have different rules on the acceptability of drinking during the competition.

Recreational bowling- drinking is fine.

League Bowling- it varies. I currently bowl a family twosome league not appropriate. Tuesday Night 4 man squad league is very serious I wouldn't drink most don't a few do. Friday night random team league is all about fun and meeting people have no problem with it.

Tournaments- The ones I have attended I haven't seen anyone drinking while bowling some afterwards

PBA- Wouldn't be acceptable.

Bowling is as much a sport as pickup basketball, sandlot baseball/softball, or football.

Well you have never bowled a tournament with me or my crew. Drinking isn't only accepted it's mandatory. Shots, beers and of course the occasional mixed drink to appear respectable.

[Mudpuppy]

I always wonder why people get so hung up on definitions or words - is it a sport is it not? Who cares. Just like NASCAR or golf. If you like it - great. If not watch or do something else. Life shouldn't be so serious imo.

[MICHAEL]

BOWLING IS A SPORT
GET OVER IT!
The definition of a sport says: ( Anyone bowling,,, is participating in a SPORT, like it or NOT)

There you have it!!!

Bowling is indeed a SPORT!

[Mudpuppy]

What if we added brooms and then your team mates could sweep the lanes as the ball rolls down towards the pins? Would it be a sport then?

[rv driver]

Add some meat and you'd have a bowling sweep-steaks.




Sorry!

[Mudpuppy]

Add some meat and you'd have a bowling sweep-steaks.




Sorry!

Good idear

[Aslan]

Aslan?? Is he the guy that thinks he knows everything??

No. That would be MWhite.

I'm the guy that DOES know everything.

Keep it straight.

[Beagle]

I'm old and senile, plus I've lived a sheltered life in the Ozarks. Indulge me.
as someone said earlier, something that every bowler should try.....humbling experience.....8 games across 16 lanes....was in Chicago. Had 2 carry ur equipment up about 15 stairs to bowling alley. No dots, arrows, A/C, stories are legendary that come out of there. im sure some r fabricated. Moved to Chicago suburb Hoffman Estates many yrs ago. Im guessing 10 or more yrs. Kept the same lanes, but does have A/C. can use 2 balls as long as 16lb or less and is round. ur plastic ball will hook on dry lane, ur strongest reactive will go straight on an oily lane. open to everyone. usually a low deuce wins tournament. I think Duke and WRW avg 179 last yr.......Its all about accuracy, throwing dead straight and luck.

[rv driver]

as someone said earlier, something that every bowler should try.....humbling experience.....8 games across 16 lanes....was in Chicago. Had 2 carry ur equipment up about 15 stairs to bowling alley. No dots, arrows, A/C, stories are legendary that come out of there. im sure some r fabricated. Moved to Chicago suburb Hoffman Estates many yrs ago. Im guessing 10 or more yrs. Kept the same lanes, but does have A/C. can use 2 balls as long as 16lb or less and is round. ur plastic ball will hook on dry lane, ur strongest reactive will go straight on an oily lane. open to everyone. usually a low deuce wins tournament. I think Duke and WRW avg 179 last yr.......Its all about accuracy, throwing dead straight and luck.
Well... as I say: I've lived a sheltered life. Never heard of the place. Sounds very interesting, though!