Ever bowl a league game next to a family/kids bowling on the lane next to you?

[Aslan]

YODA-

It's not the family's fault. It's the center's fault. The center knows where they have leagues set up and most will provide a 2-lane cushion next to each league. Not only to keep the league bowlers from getting distracted by families, partyers, fun, etc... But also in the event one of the league lanes breaks down...they have a lane to put those bowlers on.

In my example, especially since it's a Friday night league, the center has decided to pack "casual" bowlers next to leagues. And that creates the problem. League bowlers are used to certain rules and etiquette that casual bowlers are not accustomed to. Sometimes you get upset and they respond, "Oh....I didn't know. You should have told me." Other people will respond more like what you said, "Hey, I'm here to have fun, I paid my money, the center put me here...so deal with it."

Since I'm not usually distracted by it, and am new to the league, I haven't said anything. But if it started to get out of hand and started messing with my game...then I'd say something to the center..not the family. I'm probably going to go from playing on Friday to playing on Tuesdays next season so maybe it'll be different. It only affects ONE match...because the leagues are usually put at the end of the center so they have a wall on one side and league bowlers everywhere around them...EXCEPT....for that last pair. And for some reason, we have had to play on that pair like 2 of the last 3 weeks.

[YODA]

YODA-

It's not the family's fault. It's the center's fault. The center knows where they have leagues set up and most will provide a 2-lane cushion next to each league. Not only to keep the league bowlers from getting distracted by families, partyers, fun, etc... But also in the event one of the league lanes breaks down...they have a lane to put those bowlers on.

In my example, especially since it's a Friday night league, the center has decided to pack "casual" bowlers next to leagues. And that creates the problem. League bowlers are used to certain rules and etiquette that casual bowlers are not accustomed to. Sometimes you get upset and they respond, "Oh....I didn't know. You should have told me." Other people will respond more like what you said, "Hey, I'm here to have fun, I paid my money, the center put me here...so deal with it."

Since I'm not usually distracted by it, and am new to the league, I haven't said anything. But if it started to get out of hand and started messing with my game...then I'd say something to the center..not the family. I'm probably going to go from playing on Friday to playing on Tuesdays next season so maybe it'll be different. It only affects ONE match...because the leagues are usually put at the end of the center so they have a wall on one side and league bowlers everywhere around them...EXCEPT....for that last pair. And for some reason, we have had to play on that pair like 2 of the last 3 weeks.

I completely understand the rules and etiquette that League bowlers use, My cousin, grandma, mom, dad, uncles, and myself and my brother have bowled leagues. And I think you are right, talking to the center should be what happens, although I have seen many league bowlers begin saying things to the family who is bowling, and it ends up ruining the kids fun time they are having. I have seen it way too many times. League Bowlers also need to understand that they do not "Own" the bowling alley, although one bowling alley I went to they seemed to think they did.

I told my cousin one time when he got upset about a family with 3 little kids bowling next to us in a league. "Those kids are the future of leagues, remember when we used to be like that." He then went over and gave the kids some high fives when they had a good shot." I have always rememebred that, even if the kids are being loud, and happy and having fun, thats what we need to rememeber, if they dont pick up bowling, eventually more lanes and centers will close. My old hometown has 2 lanes that have closed, only one open and they are having money issues. My town I live in now used to have two bowling lanes, both closed, and the nearest one to me now is 1 hour away.

[Aslan]

Thats why I never say anything to the kids. Some people disagree and think you need to teach the kids the etiquette of the game. But I think at that age it puts a bad flavor in a kid's mouth when they get "corrected". I don't even like it when the dad corrects the kid about etiquette just because I always worry it might turn the kid off to bowling.

[J Anderson]

Thats why I never say anything to the kids. Some people disagree and think you need to teach the kids the etiquette of the game. But I think at that age it puts a bad flavor in a kid's mouth when they get "corrected". I don't even like it when the dad corrects the kid about etiquette just because I always worry it might turn the kid off to bowling.

You're right in not saying anything to the kids. If the parents are paying any attention, they'll jump to the conclusion that you are a pedophile and call the police.

However, lane courtesy is not something invented by grumpy old league bowlers to keep every one else from enjoying the game or so they can have an excuse for a bad shot because the guy on the next lane had his toe on the approach. The first purpose of lane courtesy is safety. Funny things can happen when a person tries to walk and swing a heavy ball at the same time. You do not want to be on the approach next to them when one of these events occurs. The second is that it improves the flow of the game by letting people know when it's their turn to go. The third and least important reason is that it allows the bowler to focus with minimal distractions.

" But I think at that age it puts a bad flavor in a kid's mouth when they get "corrected"." So we protect the kid from the consequences of his or her actions and they become an adult who can't hold a job because oddly enough the boss wants them to be on time and actually do their work. But at least they have high self esteem.

I think that you should either speak to the child's parent or ask one of the staff to do so.

[Aslan]

You're right in not saying anything to the kids. If the parents are paying any attention, they'll jump to the conclusion that you are a pedophile and call the police.

Well; who could blame them on that.

" But I think at that age it puts a bad flavor in a kid's mouth when they get "corrected"." So we protect the kid from the consequences of his or her actions and they become an adult who can't hold a job because oddly enough the boss wants them to be on time and actually do their work. But at least they have high self esteem.

By the time the kids today grow up, they'll have to move to China, India, or Africa to find a job so it really doesn't matter.

[YODA]

You're right in not saying anything to the kids. If the parents are paying any attention, they'll jump to the conclusion that you are a pedophile and call the police.

However, lane courtesy is not something invented by grumpy old league bowlers to keep every one else from enjoying the game or so they can have an excuse for a bad shot because the guy on the next lane had his toe on the approach. The first purpose of lane courtesy is safety. Funny things can happen when a person tries to walk and swing a heavy ball at the same time. You do not want to be on the approach next to them when one of these events occurs. The second is that it improves the flow of the game by letting people know when it's their turn to go. The third and least important reason is that it allows the bowler to focus with minimal distractions.

" But I think at that age it puts a bad flavor in a kid's mouth when they get "corrected"." So we protect the kid from the consequences of his or her actions and they become an adult who can't hold a job because oddly enough the boss wants them to be on time and actually do their work. But at least they have high self esteem.

I think that you should either speak to the child's parent or ask one of the staff to do so.

Most of the time though that I have seen has nothing to do with "Safety", that usually is an excuse brought up in it by the league bowler. Most of the time I have seen League Bowlers get mad is because the kids are being loud and trying to enjoy the game, and even if they dont understand when to properly throw, that has neve affected me when I have been bowling next to them. If the League bowler knows he is next to some kids, he should be extra careful when he is bowling, because he knows how to play, while those next to him may not.

[Aslan]

Most of the time though that I have seen has nothing to do with "Safety", that usually is an excuse brought up in it by the league bowler. Most of the time I have seen League Bowlers get mad is because the kids are being loud and trying to enjoy the game, and even if they dont understand when to properly throw, that has neve affected me when I have been bowling next to them. If the League bowler knows he is next to some kids, he should be extra careful when he is bowling, because he knows how to play, while those next to him may not.

Maybe...maybe not. I went to start my approach once and 3 little girls from a nearby birthday party walked in front of me. I guess they decided to go back to their lane using the approach areas instead of behind the bowling action. It was no big deal to me at the time...but had I benn 1-2 steps into my approach with a 15lb ball above my head....there's relatively little I can do at that point.

[Aslan]

And THIS (below) is CERTAINLY frowned upon!!! This is a non-ICEMAN approved use of bowling balls!!

[circlecity]

That last video says it all man. I agree on the safety of everyone there should be a lane buffer.

[Aslan]

That last video says it all man. I agree on the safety of everyone there should be a lane buffer.

Sometimes even THAT doesn't help ya!!