I'm starting the conversion. Sorry Aslan!

[J Anderson]

Not to pick hairs...but you may be mistaken (See below):

The popularity of the sport in America was perhaps no more evident than when Don Carter became the first athlete of any kind to sign a US$1 million endorsement contract, inking a multi-year deal with Ebonite International in 1964. By comparison, Arnold Palmer earned just $5,000 in 1961 endorsing Wilson golf equipment, and NFL quarterback Joe Namath made just $10,000 in 1968 to famously shave off his moustache with a Schick razor.

You're talking about advertizing endorsements, not the money earned directly from bowling.

[Aslan]

You're talking about advertizing endorsements, not the money earned directly from bowling.

Most sports both back then and today, that holds true that the money is in the endorsements.

[Zaxmazr]

Zaxmazr implied that 2-handed bowlers were on the rise as if it was some great wave of new bowling enthusiasm. I haven't seen ONE 2-handed bowler in person or in leagues. I bowl 3-4 times a week. Now...I see plenty of young idiots "trying" to bowl 2-handed because it's easier and they don't really care. But I don't see it as much of a trend.

And I disagree with your premise...that if we can get more people interested...NO MATTER WHAT THE COST....that it's good for the sport. I already made a real...real comparison to paintball. I heard the same EXACT logic for why flashy, 32ball per second and automatic fire paintball markers were good because they would attract younger players to the sport. And they pretty much killed it. And I don't agree with Bowlmor or any of this new wave nonsense (like 2-handed bowling) that the only way to save bowling is to change it. It wasn't broken. It lost popularity...that happens. You wanna fix it? Find a way to bring back the blue collar leagues...get kids bowling early...teach them the REAL fundamentals...not 2-handed gimics.

But Bowlmor thinks if you make a bowling alley less about bowling and more about black lights and HD TVs that it'll "save bowling". And Zaxmazr seems to think if we encouraged 2-handed, over-handed, between the legs, over the shoulder, etc... styles that maybe that would save bowling. Now we celebrate guys like Belmo and Rash and Pete Weber...who have had very classless displays on the tour...because "they're cool". They're more exciting than Parker Bohn, or Earl Anthony or Walter Ray. But if you watch so much bowling...you probably saw Belmo lose the first major of 2013 TO Parker Bohn.

And while I don't LIKE Belmo...I don't think his antics are entertaining...I DO respect his talent. Not his 2-handed approach...but his ability to take an approach that is inherently hard to throw consistently...and adapt to lane conditions the way he does. Very few 2-handed bowlers can be as consistent as he can...because minute changes in lane conditions can drastically alter high hook approaches. Thats why you see 2-handed bowlers bowl 289 then 106 then 126 then 212 then 246. Because if they miss...it's REAL hard to pick up spares. You miss that break point...you leave some weird looking spares to pick up. But...the plus side of that approach is...if you hit that pocket...at least 9 pins are goin down.

And finally...whatever...you like it...etank likes it...Zazmazr likes it...13 year olds love it. To each their own. But if you have the right to "like" it...don't I have the right to "not" like it? Why do HAVE to like it?? Why isn't it okay to say I don't like it? It's a preference. It's not a fad...it's here to stay. Too many young bowlers are emulating Belmo...so as long as 1-4 of them makes it...and that Wesley kid in California WILL be a pro bowler eventually...and probably the best 2-handed bowler ever...so it's not going away. But that doesn't mean I have to accept it. Just like I don't have to go to a bowling alley that doesn't support leagues. It's my preference and my choice.

What are you talking about? I never said anything about bowling dying or trying to be saved...or that you "have to like it"
All I was saying is that I'm switching to it because I'm more CONSISTENT with it.

Guess what? I can bowl regular too, NO PROBLEM.
Stop comparing my game to "younger" people. You know what? I know many people who bowl just like you do in Saturday morning leagues. So there.

I'm just talking about another style. No need to bash how I play my game and my style.

I respect your opinion, because that's all it is. But please don't hijack a thread just to make your opinion rise above everyone elses.
And for the record, I have never been glow bowling. But you know what? I know people who have been and they're having fun.

[Zaxmazr]

Agreed on all points.

I guess my only real disagreement is that Belmo is classy. His Sean Rash nonsense was like watching two 6th graders at an assembly.

Okay as I stated in my last comment, I have never went glow bowling.
BUT WHO CARES?

Bowling is all about having fun.

IT ISN'T PROFESSIONAL PLAY 100% OF THE TIME.
Is beer league softball bad for... softball?

I can just see you now walking into a bowling alley, seeing a birthday party of kids having fun.
And you get a lane next to them and are just making comments about how these bowling parties are "bad for the sport."

This is literally how you sound on these public forums. It's quite hilarious.

[Aslan]

I respect your opinion, because that's all it is. But please don't hijack a thread just to make your opinion rise above everyone elses.
And for the record, I have never been glow bowling. But you know what? I know people who have been and they're having fun.

Definition of irony....a kid asks me not to hijack a thread with my opinion after he specifically calls me out in the title of the thread.

I'm not criticizing your game son...I'm offering my opinion on the style. And you're absolutely right, it's only my opinion...which I am entitled to.

[Zaxmazr]

Definition of irony....a kid asks me not to hijack a thread with my opinion after he specifically calls me out in the title of the thread.

I'm not criticizing your game son...I'm offering my opinion on the style. And you're absolutely right, it's only my opinion...which I am entitled to.

I just said in the title sorry because I knew you were going to reply with a strong-sided opinion anyways..

[Aslan]

Okay as I stated in my last comment, I have never went glow bowling.
BUT WHO CARES?

Bowling is all about having fun.

IT ISN'T PROFESSIONAL PLAY 100% OF THE TIME.
Is beer league softball bad for... softball?

I can just see you now walking into a bowling alley, seeing a birthday party of kids having fun.
And you get a lane next to them and are just making comments about how these bowling parties are "bad for the sport."

This is literally how you sound on these public forums. It's quite hilarious.

Okay Zax...I was thinking of what you said and I have a question for you specifically, but also for everyone else on the site (because I don't want a me vs. you thing here). Simple question. If during the next PBA event, Belmo and Sean Rash got into a fist fight on national television....would that be a "good" thing? Or a "bad" thing?

It's what I like to call the "Happy Gilmore" debate...a movie I know you're familiar with. And it's something that has been discussed in hockey since I first started playing hockey back in the early 90s. If you have a dynamic young guy, who is bringing new people into the sport...and he does something (like a fist fight) that brings in record ratings and creates a stir of conversation about bowling...is it "okay"? Does the lack of class and the damage to the sport in general compare to the increase in young players and the increase in attention for the sport?

I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer...I mean, I'm asking a question...not preaching. If Belmonte whistled when Sean was in his backswing...and Sean lost it and punched him and they wrestled around for 45 seconds until officials broke it up....would it be okay IF...it led to more interest in the sport?? Because thats what I think is at the core of our little debate here. I'm trying to keep the game true to it's roots (as much as possible) but recognizing that the game has died over the years. You're talking about loosening up the game, changing styles, making it more FUN...but perhaps in ways that maybe old timers like me don't appreciate.

No right or wrong answer...but please don't respond with "I neversaid X, I'm just talking about fun, etc..." I'm asking an honest question for a more youthful perspective (your's). You embrace a newer style and a more controversial bowler and are advocating fun over tradition...so I just wonder how you'd feel if Belmonte and Rash just slugged it out. It happens in Hockey and is celebrated. It's happened in Nascar...basketball....football....soccer. But outside of hockey, it's usually treated as "bad".

Thanks.

[Aslan]

I just said in the title sorry because I knew you were going to reply with a strong-sided opinion anyways..

I'm not upset (I rarely if ever get upset)...I'm just saying it's "bad form" to call someone out in a title (most sites won't even allow it). And it's even worse form to call someone out in a title and then criticize them for "hijacking" the thread. You knew I had an opinion on the topic and specifically asked for it. If you live in a glass house, don't throw rocks.

[circlecity]

I see a couple kids in my daughter's junior league trying the 2-hand style but they don't really have much control of it yet.

[Zaxmazr]

Okay Zax...I was thinking of what you said and I have a question for you specifically, but also for everyone else on the site (because I don't want a me vs. you thing here). Simple question. If during the next PBA event, Belmo and Sean Rash got into a fist fight on national television....would that be a "good" thing? Or a "bad" thing?

It's what I like to call the "Happy Gilmore" debate...a movie I know you're familiar with. And it's something that has been discussed in hockey since I first started playing hockey back in the early 90s. If you have a dynamic young guy, who is bringing new people into the sport...and he does something (like a fist fight) that brings in record ratings and creates a stir of conversation about bowling...is it "okay"? Does the lack of class and the damage to the sport in general compare to the increase in young players and the increase in attention for the sport?

I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer...I mean, I'm asking a question...not preaching. If Belmonte whistled when Sean was in his backswing...and Sean lost it and punched him and they wrestled around for 45 seconds until officials broke it up....would it be okay IF...it led to more interest in the sport?? Because thats what I think is at the core of our little debate here. I'm trying to keep the game true to it's roots (as much as possible) but recognizing that the game has died over the years. You're talking about loosening up the game, changing styles, making it more FUN...but perhaps in ways that maybe old timers like me don't appreciate.

No right or wrong answer...but please don't respond with "I neversaid X, I'm just talking about fun, etc..." I'm asking an honest question for a more youthful perspective (your's). You embrace a newer style and a more controversial bowler and are advocating fun over tradition...so I just wonder how you'd feel if Belmonte and Rash just slugged it out. It happens in Hockey and is celebrated. It's happened in Nascar...basketball....football....soccer. But outside of hockey, it's usually treated as "bad".

Thanks.

Obviously the answer is that it wouldn't be a good thing. You could say the same thing about other sports like bowling.
But I could guarantee it would make ESPN's news and shoot bowling's ratings up.

I just don't see your point with this question. Belmo and Rash would never fight on TV like you think they would.