Holy Humidity Batman

[Tony]

I nearly fell down every throw. Went and subbed in a fri morning league and the lanes almost felt damp, all of us guys that slide were in a world of hurt, I have never had a problem this bad ever before. I even had to put my hand down once to catch myself and shortened my approach so much I was just walking up and tossing the ball in the direction of the pins.
One of the guys on my [pair a 220 avg guy shot a pair of 130 games and he had interchangeable soles and heels, he was either sticking or sliding way too much !

Are any of you experienced with this situation and what ways do you deal with it ?

There was nothing the house could do, the guy who owns the center was bowling on the next pair.

[bowl1820]

The house here was having humidity problems, before league they ran all the ceiling fans that are down by the lanes. Which seemed to help and cleaned the approaches with alcohol.

From the lane care manual:

Bowlers Sticking: Cause 1: High Humidity

During warm weather and periods of outdoor precipitation, humidity levels can
rise inside the bowling center. If large groups of people enter the building, humidity
levels can rise quickly. The recommended relative indoor humidity for a
bowling center is 45%, plus or minus 5%,. It should be no higher than 50%. The
regular use of a digital hygrometer is recommended to monitor the indoor relative
humidity at all times. If the humidity is high, or suddenly changes, moisture
may condense on the approach surface. Depending on the temperature and flow
of air across the approach area, this condition could be worsened. Warm, moist
air blown across a cold lane surface will cause condensation. In any case, when
moisture condenses on the approach surface, sliding conditions can become
sticky.

Remedy A
Maintain the humidity and temperature at a constant level at readings of 45% ±
5%, IRH and a temperature that is comfortable for the bowlers.

Remedy B
Force air to circulate away from the foul line, toward the bowler’s area. This
may require a design change in HVAC ducts and vents, but may be as simple as
changing the directions ceiling fans rotate. By forcing air back away from the
approach, humidity brought into the building by bowlers, and by bowler activity
can be drawn back to the bowler’s area, and carried away in HVAC return ducts.

Remedy C
Make sure fresh air dampers for HVAC units close automatically when outdoor
humidity levels are high.

Remedy D
Temporary cures for condensation on the approach would be the use of a clean
dry approach mop, or 90%+ isopropyl alcohol on a terry cloth towel to drive
away the moisture.

Remedy E
Make sure bowlers remove wet clothing and shoes as far away from the bowler’s
area as possible. Use of locker rooms and entrances is recommended.

[RobLV1]

A couple of years ago, one center decided to shampoo the carpets during the night before a noon league during the high-humidity monsoon season. Several of us bowled in socks rather than bowling shoes that worked fairly well.