HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: pierce@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Dave Dalke)
Subject: Re: House Closing
Followup-To: alt.sport.bowling
Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 13:42:53 GMT

In article <87063@netnews.upenn.edu>, Gudmundsen@a1.relay.upenn.edu (Tom
Gudmundsen) wrote:
> 

> Here is a question that I am posting. If bowling is growing in 
> popularity why have so many houses closed in the last several Years???
>

I really don't know why so many bowling alleys are closing, but I know that
in teh Chicago area, the trend is continuning.  I know of at least two
alleys which housed at least 48 lanes each that have recently been razed
and will soon become shopping malls. 
	Seems to me that there are way too many shopping malls, and not nearly
enough bowling alleys.
 
> Where have the bowlers gone from these houses???
> 
> I know finances have played a part with not bowling the number of 
> leagues that I used to, but I even have had trouble finding bowlers 
> for the High School team that I coached. Is bowling still percieved 
> as that sport that only fat slobs and beer drinkers do??? 
> 
> Our houses in the area are older and I am wondering why only it 
> seems that in the Midwest, Florida, and California area's are 
> getting the newer types of houses? 
>

	In addition to the centers that have closed their doors, there are new
centers popping up here and there.  Most notable among these in this area
is the Deer Park Lanes center run by Brunswick which was the host for one
of the major touring events last season.  I had the oppurtunity to bowl in
a tournament held there last month and was really impressed with the
center.  I have been in two "new" Brunswick centers in the past year and
have been impressed with the fact that everything in the whole center is on
the same level.  I asked one of the center representatives about this, and
the story I heard in return was that one of the executives of Brunswick
Corporation is handicapped and wants to make sure that everybody who wants
to has the oppurtunity to get into a bowling center and enjoy the sport.
	Both these establishments sport the new Bowlervision scoreboards which
allow one to track ball path, speed, and even angle of entry into the
pocket. 
	But, the one drawback that I have encountered in both of these centers was
the price for bowling.  Both places charge in the vicinity of $20 per hour
to bowl!  I am used to paying for games as a go along, and have been in
places that charge between $2-3 per game and I thought that was a little
pricey.  
	I guess my point is that I am all for opening new advanced centers that
take advantage of the technology of the '90's, but the prices certainly
prohibit me from enjoying myself.
	I'm anxious to hear about some of the newer centers around the country to
see if they are also availing themselves to the new technology and also
pumping up the prices.


> Tom Gudmundsen
> Secretary/Treasurer 
> Sunday Night Mixed League

bugs
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: anne@cco.caltech.edu (Anneliese Lilje)
Subject: Re: House Closing
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 21:02:29 GMT

In article <17gocqINNams@agate.berkeley.edu> mafu@ocf.berkeley.edu (Mark Fujimoto) writes:
>In article <87063@netnews.upenn.edu> Gudmundsen@a1.relay.upenn.edu (Tom Gudmundsen) writes:
>>Is bowling still percieved 
>>as that sport that only fat slobs and beer drinkers do??? 
>
>Sadly, here in California, and especially in SoCal, bowling just isn't
>the "in" thing to do, no matter what the "Hollywood Reporter" writes.
>Bowling has never buried the media image of the smoky, pool-hall
>atmosphere.  People here have many choices as to what type of sports/
>pasttimes/exercise they wish to take up, and bowling being limited to
>indoor confines does not appeal to many sun-loving Californians, like,
>ya know??? %^)

I disagree totally. More Californians participate in league bowling
than ANY OTHER SPORT in California. I don't know if this is true
for the rest of the nation or not. 

I can understand why too. Since it is a sport that ALL age groups can 
participate in and there are wide variety league types available. In 
Southern California, the "Vegas/Laughlin" leagues are REAL popular.

>California isn't immune to this dilemma, either.  Land value is too
>high to keep a low revenue-generating endeavor like a bowling center
>operating, say owners here.  Sure, California does get its share of
>new centers, but they're in places like Riverside/San Bernardino
>County, about 50 miles east of Downtown LA, and mostly desert land. 

Gee, we just got Chaparral lanes built 2 years ago, a brand new
60 lane house...Los Angeles County, thankyou.

anne
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: bkg@ssd.kodak.com (Ben K Gibson)
Subject: Sore Thumbs (was Re: I hate Ten Pins)
Originator: bkg@earth
Organization: Eastman Kodak
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 92 12:12:54 GMT

In Article: <1992Aug28.184453.8811@hspice.portal.com> <1992Aug31.180611.8396@col.hp.com> Walter writes:

>A question:  When I throw several games, 15-20 a session is not uncommon,
>I notice inflamation at the base of my thumb.  This turns into a callous,
>which invariably gets ripped off the next session and I have to quit for
>a few days.  Now, I have tried ye olde beauty bar to file away the callous
>and keep it smooth, but to no avail.

>Does this sound like the thumb-hole is the incorrect size, the span is off,
>or some other variable - trying too much crank.

Your thumb hole could be wrong. It should fit snuggly, but not tight. The span
could be off, but this would hinder you only if it is too wide. I have found
that ball drillers neglect the thumb pitch when they drill balls. This is likely
the problem. If your thumb is sore, the position of the sore could be an 
indication of the problem. If it is located at the front, you need more
reverse pitch. on the side, you need side pitch opposite of the sore. The number
of games may cause swelling but a proper fit will prevent sores/blisters.
See your local pro for advise. I have found that most proshop drillers are
PBA wannabes and have cranial rectosis when it comes to drilling. Often
they drill your ball the way that "they" like to drill their own. Its not like
golf proshops where the pros are certified by the PGA.

Good Luck
Ben


-- 
KKK  KKK  Ben K. Gibson                           E-mail: bkg@ssd.kodak.com
KK Kodak  Eastman Kodak Company                   Phone:  (716)588-4313
KKK  KKK  Rochester, NY 
----------------- Opinions Expressed are my own, Not EK Co. -----------------
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: king@ssvax.gte.com (Larry King)
Subject: Re: bowling horror stories...
Organization: GTE/SCSD
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 14:54:37 GMT

Aki - That must have been a scream. 

Something similar happened at the Lowell Lanes in Lowell Ma.  This guy
came into the Pro-Shop and wanted a ball that happened to be in stock.
His hand was measured and then he asked to have the thumb hole one size
smaller because he liked it really snug.  The driller mentioned that he
thought it would be too tight but he was insistant.  The guy drilled the
ball like the man wanted and said that he could get a lane to try it
out.  The ball was a 16 lb U-Dot I believe.  It was definitely 16 lbs.
Anyway he gets the lane and goes to throw his first shot.  The ball
never left the thumb.  His follow through brought the ball right up
clubbing him right about his right eye.  He went down in a heep.  We ran
over to him and he was mumbling something about his thumb.  We looked
and saw that the ball had still not come off.  We were going to pull it
off when we noticed a lot of bruising starting at the base of the thumb.
Well the ambulance arrives and the determine that he probably had a
concussion and he definitely had broken his thumb.  They had to break
the ball apart to get his thumb out of it.  We felt sorry for him but
after he was taken away we all laughed for hours.  About 4 months later
he came in again and ordered another ball but asked to have the thumb
hole 1 size to big and some white thumb tape.

--
Larry King
GTE Government Systems, Needham, MA    		(617) 455-3384 
E-Mail : king%ssvax.dnet@get.com
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: mgg@ece.cmu.cmu.edu (Martin Greenberg)
Subject: Re: Lane Conditions
Reply-To: mgg@ece.cmu.edu (Martin Greenberg)
Organization: ECE Department, CMU
Distribution: alt
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 14:05:50 GMT

One of the houses in the 'burbs of Pittsburgh just redid all their
lanes in preparation for a tournament they were holding. For the next
few weeks, the lane conditions varied widely but there was one setup
that drove me and an acquaintance of mine (who's in the regional PBA
with a 215 ave.) nuts. The lane oil pattern was a reverse block with
the oiled sections EXTREMELY oily. Neither of us came close to our
averages (FYI mine at that house was around 185) and he bowled well
into the night trying.

						MGG

		

Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: gregw@hspice.portal.com (Greg Widdicombe)
Subject: Re: Reconditioning urethane balls
Organization: Meta - Software
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 23:41:21 GMT

In article <1992Sep2.191040.20285@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU> c9a-az@po.berkeley.edu (Mark Fujimoto) writes:
>In article <1992Sep2.160635.13776@hspice.portal.com> gregw@.hspice.portal.com (that's me) writes:
>>Is there a "standard" method to dull a urethane ball after
>>it becomes shiny (assuming it isn't supposed to be shiny :-).
>>I have a Blue Angle in my garage that has about 400 games on
>>it, and I would like to use it as a slightly harder ball than
>>my "suck the lane dry" Turbo.  At first I thought, "Hmmm ...
>>sand it."  So I hit it with some 220 grit wet-and-dry, but it
>>
>>Is there a "proper" way to do this?  [Especially one that requires
>>power tools Argh Argh Argh]
>
>Yep, argh, argh! %^)  But wait! -- You say you want to "dull" the
>ball, but you want to use it as a "harder" ball?  Assuming these
>cases:
>	1. sand the ball to make it hook; or
>	2. "sand" the ball to make it go straight
>

Whoops, I was a wee bit vague.  The blue Angle was too shiny, so
I wanted to sand it to hook more.  The Turbo was hooking too much,
so I wanted to use the harder ball (the Angle).

I thought I read (here?) somewhere a technique where you stick
a broom handle into the thumb hole of the ball, stick the other
end of the handle (shortened and somehow thinned) into a drill,
then spin the ball and sand away.

-- 
     Greg Widdicombe     |  Meta-Software, Inc.  |    _--_|\
  * Up from Down Under * | 1300 White Oaks Road, |   /     *\
                         |  Campbell, CA 95008   |   \_.--._/
 gregw@hspice.portal.com |     (408)369-5451     |         v   
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: king@ssvax.gte.com (Larry King)
Subject: Re: new balls
Organization: GTE/SCSD
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 13:17:16 GMT

	Thanks for the offer of posting the equipment Aki.  It can be
really helpful at times, thats for sure.  Sorry to hear about the
shoulder.  You should probably let it heal and not worry as much about
the tournament.  This past may I had a bad accident which dislocated my
knuckle of my index finger (bowling hand).  I can't bowl rightie again.
I was averaging 204 rightie, now I am average 150 lefty.  I hope to pick
it up.  Maybe we will be able to talk about equipment once the arm
strength is 100% and I need some new equipment for the left hand.  Good
Luck in your recovery.  Cya...

--
Larry King
GTE Government Systems, Needham, MA    		(617) 455-3384 
E-Mail : king%ssvax.dnet@get.com
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: aki <aki@atlas.worldbank.org>
Subject: Re: New bowling balls...
X-Xxmessage-Id: <A6CCE4EF64062631@akidamme-233324.worldbank.org>
X-Xxdate: Fri, 4 Sep 92 15:03:27 GMT
Organization: World Bank
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d8
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 14:09:40 GMT

In article <1992Sep4.025407.9168@ncsu.edu> MARK ALLAN HUNT,
mahunt@eos.ncsu.edu writes:
>I would ver much like a purple hammer.How much would this cost and what
would be
>the method of payment?
>
Mark,
I have no choice over the balls that will be announced (it's obviously up
to
the manufacturer).  The only ones that I can order are the ones that are
announced and they usually give about a 30 day grace period to order them
then that's it.  Unfortunately the purple hammer was not announced as a
special order to PBA members.  I'll keep a lookout tho and let you know
if something comes up.
Also just a side note, there is a limit to the amount of balls I can order
(usally two at the special price).  So to make things fair, when I 
post a ball announcement, I will take the first two e-mail messages
I receive at the e-mail address I listed in my sig.  I'll post when the
order has been filled.  Also just to keep things on a even keel, I will
not place the order until I have received a certified check/money
order from the individual (I could go broke from people who suddenly
changes their mind!).
BTW...you can get a pretty good deal ordering direct from distributors.
They advertise in the backs of alot of bowling mags.  Pick up a recent
copy of your favorite bowling mag and give a couple of them a call and
see what they will charge you.  Add the cost that your local pro shop
will charge for drilling and inserts (if desired) and see if you save any
money in the process.  If it comes out to a reasonable discount, order one
from them.  I did that a while back, the ball (black hammer) came in three
days and I saved over $30...

-aki
The Worldbank Wash D.C.
E-Mail: akidamme-233324.worldbank.org
(202)458-1112
*********************************
"How come the best ball for me is always
the one I don't own?"
From: Gudmundsen@a1.relay.upenn.edu (Tom Gudmundsen)
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Can't do the tour (was re:just curious)
Date: 26 Aug 92 12:36:02 GMT
Organization: Computing Resource Center


 
> Tom,
>  With an average like that, you might want to consider going Pro.  I can
> give you the minimum requirements if you are interested.  One of the side
> bennies of being a member of the PBA is that we get notices about new
> balls/equipment from the manufacturer usually months before they are released to the
> public and can purchase them directly at a fraction of the retail cost (e.g. Rhino
> Pros for $59.00 etc).

AKI,
 I had often thought about getting my PBA card. But since my injury my doctor
has limited me to three games a week with a 14 1/2 pound ball. This will 
not allow me to bowl in any regionals since they are at least nine games over
two days.
> 
> I've been bowling for about 25 years now, I've cut down to about two
> leagues a week (it's hard to commit to them, with work and tournaments etc). 
> Probably because of the lack of practice lately, my average has dropped.  At one
> point I was averaging 225-230, now it's down to around 215 and it's getting
> harder to keep that!  (maybe it's just age...who knows...).
>
This may show some of the younger bowlers that even with a gerat average as
you have. What we see on Saturday is not a real test of what the PBAtour 
is all about. I had a young student when I was coaching the local High School
Team who is looking to go out on tour. He is a very good bowler who all through 
High School averaged 190 to 200 his College team won the NCCA's this year. But 
he is not the king of the hill anymore and I hope he learns some things now.
He was not very coachable then.
 
> Strangely enough, I tore my right rotator cup in my shoulder while I was
> on vacation (another story for another day), becuase of that I was out of bowling for
> almost a month.  I went last Sunday to try out my arm on the lanes, I had to
> take it really easy (because of the shoulder) but I shot a three game set of
 754...go figure..
> -aki
> ********************************************************************
My best series was in practice an 828 but I have numerous 700's from before 
I got hurt. I have never been a big strike shooter and this is also something
that always kept me from getting my card. One 299 no 300's and now just real 
consistent on spares. I am self taught and still love the sport but worry
a lot about whatis going on in the Phila. Area with bowling. No new houses
lots of closings and a general disinterest in the sport.

Thanks for the words of encouragement but I don't think I am going to get a 
card any time soon.

Tom Gudmundsen
Secretary/Treasurer 
Sunday Mixed League
From: aki <aki@atlas.worldbank.org>
Subject: re PBA card:
X-Xxmessage-Id: <A6CA2C4272142631@akidamme-233324.worldbank.org>
X-Xxdate: Wed, 2 Sep 92 13:30:58 GMT
Organization: World Bank
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d8
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 12:37:08 GMT


Duane,
You are probably right.  I never could remember which
way it went.  I guess it's like the requirements to be
a brain surgeon, since I'll probably never be one, I've
never really tried to remember what it took to be
one!  Thanks for the correction...

-Aki
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: L621035@LMSC5.IS.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM
Subject: YABA & LBPT news from Bowlers Digest (R)
Organization: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 92 21:39:14 GMT

Well aspiring youth bowlers, Bowlers Digest featured an article on "College
Programs Are Facing A Darker Future", & the news is as grim as the article
title. The article tells of the funding for the National Intercollegiate
Bowling Championships are uncertain.  The NBC no longer funds the NIBC.  At
the bottom of the article there was as list of American colleges which have
(offer) intercollegiate programs.  As a YABA coach, & mother of a future
collegiate bowler (& high school student) this was very good information for
us, in determining which colleges to apply to next year. (Yes, the kid is very
definite on going to a college which offers this program)

Happier news is, that the LBPT now has regional programs, similar (but to a
very lesser scale) to the PBA.  Now women bowlers can compete locally, in
their regions, & get discounts & benefits.  The Bowlers Digest lists the
regional breakdown & the directors for the states.

TAN to AKI:  I forwarded the message to Ken.  He'll get it if he ever looks
at his computer. (some people don't! :-} )
Pamela
From: v051r9bf@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (When will Mergle EVER shut up?)
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: release problems, continued
Date: 3 Sep 92 15:32:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

I remember being in a junior high school league where this burly football-
player-type kid laughed at one of the smaller kid's 10-lb. bowling ball.

So he wanted to throw it REALLY fast down the lane.  Well, as you could 
guess, his fingers stuck--but at least his fingers came out of the ball--
but not until he was about halfway on his follow-through.  The ball just
missed the ceiling and hit the pins on a short-hop, just missing the overhead
AMF Triangle board.  Imagine what I saw two lanes over--this bowling ball
arcing about 8 feet in the air--I thought it was the shot-put or something.
:^)

The farthest Ive ever seen anyone loft a bowiling ball besides that was 
about 2/3rds down the lane on a similar instance.  Needless to say, my
drunken friend was kicked out.  :^) He had nice backspin on it, too.  


.........................................................................

--Mergle                                William L. Priester Jr.
                                        V051R9BF@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu

Pocket 6-8-10's....(or 4-7-9's for righties...)
Nightmare city.  (Incidently, the pro senior tour
championship here in Buffalo was lost be Teata Semiz
on a 4-7-9 at thruway lanes.....I never liked thruway anyways.
The roof caved in there 10 years ago and the ball returns
take twice the time it takes for the pinsetter to rack the pins.)

...........................................................................
From: mafu@ocf.berkeley.edu (Mark Fujimoto)
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Bowling rates (was Re: House Closing)
Date: 27 Aug 92 16:52:09 GMT
Organization: U. C. Berkeley Open Computing Facility
NNTP-Posting-Host: monsoon.berkeley.edu

In article <pierce-270892083155@skipper.bmbcb.nwu.edu> pierce@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Dave Dalke) writes:
>	But, the one drawback that I have encountered in both of these centers was
>the price for bowling.  Both places charge in the vicinity of $20 per hour
>to bowl!  I am used to paying for games as a go along, and have been in
>places that charge between $2-3 per game and I thought that was a little
>pricey.  
>	I guess my point is that I am all for opening new advanced centers that
>take advantage of the technology of the '90's, but the prices certainly
>prohibit me from enjoying myself.

In California, the American Recreation Corporation(?) centers started
a deal where joining a summer league in an ARC house got you unlimited
free open bowling when lanes were available.  This offer was only good
through the time the summer league ran, however.  ARC has since
modified this deal, limiting the free open play to certain days and
time periods.  The catch was as more people signed up for summer
leagues (to get the free bowling deal), the fewer lanes and less time
the house had for the freebies!  Seemed to work well enough to force a
few independent centers to adopt a similar tactic before they lost
their bowlers to ARC houses.  There always seemed to be a few who
managed to take advantage of the system, getting in 20-30 games a day
or attempting to pawn off open play to league-less friends.

The $2-3 lineage you cite is fairly ballpark in most places, I
believe, but that $20/hour rent-a-lane is atrocious!  But, I guess if
the owners get it, it must be right...
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: aki <aki@atlas.worldbank.org>
Subject: Re: Youth Bowling
X-Xxmessage-Id: <A6CCE02142042631@akidamme-233324.worldbank.org>
X-Xxdate: Fri, 4 Sep 92 14:42:57 GMT
Organization: World Bank
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d8
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 13:49:10 GMT

In article <BtyI0G.B2w@clear.com> Rich Krause, rich@clear.com writes:
>The new Rhino Pro seems to be popular with this group.  Has someone
>out there in net.land tried both the Rhino and the Purple Hammer.  If
>so can you send/post a comparison?
>
I've coached kids starting around 5.  During the development years
(up to their early teens) it's difficult to put down a definative
year for a kid to learn proper bowling.  It all really depends on each
individual child (same goes for adults).  What I might suggest (which
has worked for me) is to remove the child from the bowling alley.  Go
in the back yard where there is plenty of grass and lay a piece of
rope in the yard to simulate a foul line.  Had the child stand back
approximately
the same distance from the foul line as the approach would be at the
alley.  Buy a really *cheap* VERY LIGHT bowling ball (say around 6lbs)
one the child can easilly hold in one hand (palm under the ball).  This
will
do two things..one the child will be able to comfortably hold the ball and
not be hindered by the weight and two, without the distractions of the
alley, they will be more comfortable.  Practice with the child making the
approach.  If you ever noticed, almost any kid can make a fairly proper
approach without the ball in their hand.  By giving them a very light
ball,
and removing them from the distractions of the alley you can usually 
help them to develop a pretty good 3,4 or even 5 step approach in a very
short time.  Let us know if this suggestion helps.
As for the Rhino Pro, it's a moot point to say it's an excellent ball, I
have
not personnally used the purple hammer although some people use it around
here.  I have had several FAB balls in the past (have a red,blue and
black one
now somewhere), and as far as I can tell, you can't go wrong buying a
Hammer.  The hammer by nature of it's weight block placement hits very
hard on the back end, this is good if your particuliar house has "heavy"
pins
or you have problems driving through the pocket which is fairly common.
Hence the reason that Hammers are so popular.

-aki
The Worldbank Wash D.C.
E-Mail: akidamme-233324.worldbank.org
(202)458-1112
*********************************
"How come the best ball for me is always
the one I don't own?"
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling