With Brunswick getting out ...(Misterk)

[misterk]

With Brunswick getting out, AMF & Bowlmor merging are leagues a thing of the past? AMF and Bowlmor both seem to prefer open bowling, then they can charge more! They are money hungry!

[Aslan]

I think leagues are certainly in danger of failing. But I think that eventually houses will start to disappear without them. I mean, the high end centers…that attract the younger crowds…around the big cities, college campuses…they'll stick around. But centers in rural areas…without leagues they'll go under eventually. It's a shame because the Bowlmor model is being sold to these centers as something that is the future…but outside of a handful of uptown areas…the model isn't really working.

And starting leagues is hard. I recently put together a 5-man team for spring/summer…everyone seemed to be having fun…but we had 5 regulars and 4 subs. When I tried to start a fall league…I got 3 regulars and 3 subs. Then 1 guy said he had some college class conflict…now the other guy is talking about taking the Fall/Winter off…I mean, wtf?? I've never understood why it's so hard to get people to do something so fun.

But we live in a time where the competition for people's time…the endless distractions and television and cable and internet and video games and fantasy leagues and just one thing after the other. So, I'm done. If this Fall/Winter league thing doesn't happen…screw it. I tried. I'm gonna try to get back on my old team in my old league and screw it.

[tccstudent]

I put together a team for a scratch traveling league and got more people interested then I had space for on my team so I was able to pass the extras on to others needing a team member and it looks like we are have four more teams then we did last year

[Amyers]

I put together a team for a scratch traveling league and got more people interested then I had space for on my team so I was able to pass the extras on to others needing a team member and it looks like we are have four more teams then we did last year

This is great to hear. So much of what gets out is negative anymore. The center where I bowl now and used to many years ago almost closed before I came back this summer they had huge problems with the a/c and the ownership changed up again (main one involved bought out the partners but still turmoil) they have lost quite a few people. Convincing people to come back or getting new people is difficult especially for a small center. I've brought two new teams in on Friday for fall and trying to get two new teams for Saturday youth this fall for them but its hard.

[classygranny]

At our meeting on Monday evening, the manager of the Brunswick, now AMF said that he intends to promote the league bowling in the alley and wants all to report any negative issues going on with league play. Said they would be stripping and oiling with the same shot (provided the less than 1 yr old, $25K lane machine works correctly - ??) and that he wants all league players to speak up if something is not to their liking.

Hope it holds up. This center doesn't do a lot a active searching/promoting of leagues like the other house I bowl in does. Maybe that will change as well.

[Aslan]

There have been some positives since the Bowlmor deal.

The AMF website is much better than it used to be. AMF is running TV commercials for the first time in probably over 2 decades. And one of the centers around here put in brand new equipment with touch screen functionality and all kinds of features.

But the downside is that AMF is still AMF. Before Summer/Spring, I sent an e-mail through the AMF website asking for info on two different AMF centers because I was starting a team. I never heard back from EITHER of them. Now, Fall/Winter is approaching...ONE of the houses contacted me back (but had no 4-man sanctioned leagues for all males) and the OTHER one...the e-mail kicked back and when I tried a different e-mail address...no response. I also went to practice at one of these houses recently...and it appeared that 1/2 of the lane was completely dry like plywood. I have very, very small of a rev rate...and my weakest ball was hooking over and hitting the 7-pin.

I'm tempted to write AMF/Bowlmor an e-mail and let them know about this...because I really think it would hurt bowling to lose the AMF centers and the Brunswick centers. As for the Brunswixk centers...not sure how active Bowlmor has been with them yet...but thus far I've had nothing but positive experiences with the one Brunswick center I bowl at.

I mean, if they are honest about being committed to league bowlers...isn't Step #1 returning an e-mail or making a phone call when a person is asking you if you have a league avaialble for his/her team?? Should I have to go to the center in person and leave a handwritten note to contact me...or mail them something they have to sign that they received??

[mike_thomas93]

I think that's really going to end up causing a bit of a crisis around the industry. I mean with the Brunswick alleys being sold, leagues may end up starting to become obsolete.

[circlecity]

From bowling journal below.

Three AMF bowling centers in suburban Milwaukee have been closed by new owner Bowlmor AMF, the Milwaukee Business Journal reports. The centers were located in the communities of Waukesha, West Allis and South Milwaukee, and the properties have been listed for prices ranging from $900,000 to $3 million. According to a spokesman for the listing company, interest already has been shown in all three properties, primarily for possible industrial or retail redevelopment.

[MICHAEL]

I think that's really going to end up causing a bit of a crisis around the industry. I mean with the Brunswick alleys being sold, leagues may end up starting to become obsolete.

Mike, I don't think they will ever become obsolete in the near future anyway! What is happening around here is that when one closes, league bowlers move to the NEXT closest lanes that have a good reputation for taking GOOD care of their league bowlers! Word gets out, if a bowling establishment takes good care of there league bowlers... BELIVE ME!! (

It a lot like evolution, and survival of the fittest! When one closes, another one in that general area WILL get those HARD core league bowlers.

I think in bowling hay day, maybe just too many were built! Now with many closing, the ones that survive, will get stronger! The interest will always be there for league bowling IMHA!

[mc_runner]

Before Summer/Spring, I sent an e-mail through the AMF website asking for info on two different AMF centers because I was starting a team. I never heard back from EITHER of them. Now, Fall/Winter is approaching...ONE of the houses contacted me back (but had no 4-man sanctioned leagues for all males) and the OTHER one...the e-mail kicked back and when I tried a different e-mail address...no response. I also went to practice at one of these houses recently...and it appeared that 1/2 of the lane was completely dry like plywood. I have very, very small of a rev rate...and my weakest ball was hooking over and hitting the 7-pin.

Interesting you mention, I am (was?) in a Men's league that recently had to amend their rules saying that it was men-only. I guess by USBC rules or anti-discrimination lawsuits or something they can't allow only one gender leagues - and it goes both ways.

Just thinking that maybe this is what that first house meant by no sanctioned leagues for all males. Kind of nitpicky but good timing that it came up in our league meeting the other day and I noticed this post