Do you get distracted by bowlers on either side of you?

[JerseyJim]

Usually it's not a problem in my league. I don't mind it during open bowling. It allows me to practice pushing all distractions out of my mind.

[GoodGorilla]

I don't bowl in leagues, but what bothers me the most is when kids are on the left side of me. One time I saw my brother's balance leg kick out to the other lane and stopped like 2 inches from a kid who was like 6. My brother and I were extremely cautious, but the kids where grabbing the balls and throwing them in like a machine. I have been rushed playing, and half of the time I get screwed up, what I do is take even longer on my setup (I am sure that pisses them off).

[ArtVandelay]

Ugh... Kids make me so nervous! Everytime I'm in open bowling I end up next to them, and that's fine, BUT there are just never any guarantees. I just always feel like someone is close to serious injury.

I think it's up to the parents to monitor their kids, but it's a rarity to see parents paying attention. When I was a kid (or, Back in MY day...) my Old Man always bowled with us. My mom never bowled, but we were always supervised.

[MICHAEL]

I get distracted by all the advertising Food, Beer, and pizzia they have just above the pins! I find myself constantly looking up, and dulling out the corner of my mouth! What really gets me is when I look down toward my mark,,,,,, THERE IT IS AGAIN,,,, reflection in the oil!!!! I swear, that’s why I have such a hard time keeping my eye on my MARK!! NO advertising on the walls above the lanes!!! PLEASE ICEMAN!!

[GeoLes]

I can say that last bowling season, there was another league bowling the same night and it sounded more like a football game than bowling. It was off the hook. These guys cheered, and "cattle-calling" while their guy was on the approach even. It was so unfair to the bowler who wants to concentrate. I started to complain, but no one else said anything and these loud guys were bowling actually right near the front desk and no one on the desk felt prompted to ask them to simmer down. I could have gone to any of the league officers and "made a stink" about it, but I was there to bowl, not fight, so I let it go.

That said, I just focused more on my approach. It can be great focus practice. Besides, that which does not kill me only makes me stronger........ or is it "makes me sicker"

[GeoLes]

There are times when kids can be challenging. Just lighten up, and let 'em go. On one occasion a parent kept apologizing because the kid didn't understand waiting. I just looked at Dad and said "He's a kid. Bowling should be fun.", Looked at the kid and said "Go for it". No big deal.

It it the "unsupervised minors" you have to worry about. The drop the ball on the approach amazingly close to fingers and toes, Play on the ball return, and dash accross your aproach mid delivery. One group had a 2 pre-teens who were apparently on the cheering team. They kept doing splits on the approach to the parents' approval. That is a distraction.

I recall once an entire family walked the entire length of the bowling center on the approachs all the while mom was yaking on the phone. not noticing anything or anyone. Mom just meandered accross lane after lane in animated phone converstatin with 5 kids from 6 - 10 following behind her in staggered order. Finally DAD came brought up the read with an apologitic look on his face. All I could do is shake my head and move on.

[SSG]

Lane Courtesy is one thing that does not bother me. I have learned to deal with things like that. I feel like have a very strong mental game.