setting during league and realizing I am a "younyun"

[coreyds012778]

I am bowling in two leagues and look around. between two leagues, I say 125 people between the two. 10 people bowling 40yr old or less. I think I am the oldest of that 10 people at 37. these is summer but in winter i have to say the percentage is about the same. then if you look around the house I bowl at, nothing has not really changed in since there last remodel 15years ago.

[LyalC52]

I got back into league bowing this summer after a 15 year break

Monday nights: youth/adult - 10 teams
we have kids as young as 6 and as old as 17, I would guess the average age for the kids to be 12
At 45 I think I'm the oldest, I would guess the average age for the adults to be late 30s
This house has been around for 30+ years. The decor is a bit dated, but they keep the place clean and in good repair. Lighting is decent through out the entire house.
The owner really cares about his league bowlers and the sport in general.

Wednesday night: adult mixed, 14 teams
age range 16 to mid 70's (just a wag) average age around early 20s
a lot of young high rev strike or open guys.
This house has was remodeled about 8 years ago, has an atmosphere to attract families and teens. The entire house is well lite during league play.
This is 1 of 4 centers owned by the same group. Friendly staff, and they draw a good crowd of open bowlers as well as a lot of good sized leagues.

Thursday night: adult mixed, 6 teams
age range 17 to 95 (yes 95 is not a typo)
the core of this league are early 30s couples
This house was built about 5 years ago by the guy who owns the house we bowl at on Mondays and run by his kids and grand kids. Again they really care about the sport and bowlers. The lanes are split into two areas of the building. 16 lanes were the leagues are held and open bowling is tastefully done and very modern. My only knock would be the lighting. The lanes are well lite as is the back part of the settee, but over the ball return and front of the settee there are no lights, so its kinda dim there. The other set of 12 lanes is always going with "Thunder" ally. Music, smoke, black light.............. The snack bar, restrooms, arcade, etc, separate the two lane areas, so there is no disturbance to league bowlers from those having fun in Thunder ally.

[coreyds012778]

be nice sometimes to have a separate set of lanes. some times they book way too many parties. I know it is a money maker for the lanes but on league night, having 4 and 5 years old run in front of you while you trying to bowl is not fun.

really needs an infusion of some fresh ideas is needed. there

[Amyers]

be nice sometimes to have a separate set of lanes. some times they book way too many parties. I know it is a money maker for the lanes but on league night, having 4 and 5 years old run in front of you while you trying to bowl is not fun.

really needs an infusion of some fresh ideas is needed. there

There really should be a set of lanes as a buffer between league and a 5 year old's party

[coreyds012778]

there was, kids running around and playing parents not paying attention to them

[GeoLes]

Welcome to the new bowling. There used to be bowling alleys, then bowling centers, now entertainment centers which also have bowling. The local lanes closest to me will be closing for the summer to completely remodel. They will open in the Fall as a "Dave & Buster's" - type place with fancy food, swanky environment (swanky? I am really dating myself now.) fun, games and bowling. They had 30 lanes and plan to reduce to 24 lanes. They had a pro shop but will close it and swap out for more extra game-type place.

the sad part is they are preparing for rennovations to begin July 1. I went to practice a couple of days ago and there was no oil at all on the lanes. i was told by the pro shop guy they had not oiled all week long in prepration for rennovations.

I know there will always be bowler friendly lanes out there, but they may be scarce because this model is too tempting to pass up. Throw in creature comforts and some basic lanes and the parties and big bucks come in. As bowlers, we should vote with our feet and our dollars.

[GeoLes]

there was, kids running around and playing parents not paying attention to them

I have horror stories about "unescorted minors". Kids sliding, doing splits, and dancing on the approach in the middle of your approach; while parents huddle together laughing and talking. (in some cases even watching the kids engaged in dangerous activity). I once reported it to the desk that a childr was actually walking on the bowling surface. He walked down the lane, retrieved his ball, walked back. Threw it downlane - short, and went to get it again. The deskperson approched the parent who then began to cuss him out.