The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-09-25
THE GAME OE IEN-PlNS.
An Ancient and Noble Sport-How to Build
and Equip an Alley.

Bowling is an ancient and noble
sport, and ut a very early period it
was favorite pastime in England.
The game was first played on the open
ground, the turf having been first
shaved close and then rolled.
1t became very popular as sport,
but was used so extensively for ram
bling purposes that King Henry VIII.
prohibited it by a law which was not
repealed until 1916.
AT an early date in the history of
America it became very popular. The
open park on lower Broadway, in the
city of New York, according to the
Golden Days, was a great bowling
ground in early days; hence its name
of Bowling Green.
In more modern times the game of
s.bowls" has been modified and i'm
proved, and is now known as ten-plns.
The implements are Il number of balls,
generally twenty in number, ten pins,
and an alley.
The alley is platform about fifty to
sixty-five feet long and thirty inches
in width, raised six or eight inches
from the ground. This platform must
be made of hard wood, and be per-
fectly even. On either side is gutter
ten inches wide, and on one side of the
alley is trough on posts.
The pins are set up at the farthest
end of the alley in the shape of Il pyr-
amid. the apex toward the bowler.
This is called Il frame"
During game each player has three
frames, and rolls three balls at each
frame. Tne object is to knock down
ali the pins, and if they are all knock
ed down at one roll-which is done by
hitting the center pin in the right way,
the pins are set up again and the bowl
Ell has the privilege of rolling two more
balls, which are called "spares." If he
knocks down any number less than ten,
| he rolls the other two balls at the re.
naming pins.
| One point is scored for each pin
| knocked down, and with nine balls il
is, of course. possible to make nlpety
| points in three frames.
| The pins are made of swamp-eln
and weigh about q pounds each. The
balls are of lignum vitae, the hardest
wood known, and without grain. They
weigh from one pound to twenty, and
| every player has his preference, but q
| medium-sized bail will do the most eX
ecution on an average. If ball runs
off the alley and goes into the gutter il
is called ''poodle."
At the opposite end of the alley i:
stationed boy, whose duty it is to sci
up the pins and roll back the balls to
the players in the trough.
Ten-pins is an excellent game for al
seasons, and can he played either in
doors or outdoors. 1t develops the
muscles of the back and arms in {
wonderful degree, and trains the eye
as we'll as the hand. The only draw
back to its general enjoyment is thu
cost of the game.
To build and equip an alley geseral
ly costs about 5000. and very few youn!
people could stand that outlay, al
though twenty boys might readily form
II bowling club and thus diminish the
Ievpense.
Betlerstill, they might build an allie,
and reduce the cost To Il triile, especial
ly in regions where lumber is plenti
ful. The pins can be turned on ;
common lathe, and any amateur car.
penter can lay the alley, using hare
maple, being careful to make nea
joints and as few as possible.
The balls are the chief stumbiin:
blocks, not only the difficulty in max
ing them perfectly round, but i'll pro
curing the proper material. There !
no perfect substitute for lignum vitae
aud metal is out "f III" question. The
best substitute is mrpl', carefully turn
ed, then polished and oiled.
With reasonable care such ball
would lasta long lime, especially j
"lofting'' was strictly forbidden
al, fling is Il trick some players hav
of throwing the bali rs far as possib!
dcmn The alley before allowing it t,
roll, which practice frequently split
OF splintcrs the alley or breaks tn
ball. 1t serves no good purpose, an
is contrary to the rules. The ba
should roll from Il mark not exceedin
a distance of six feet from the player
Like all games, this should be p1ayc
with the sauce of good nature or nc
at all, and should never be used fn
gambling purposes. 1t is a lively an
exciting game, and one that girls ca
play with perfect propriety as well a
| great benefit to their health.