The record-union., 1899-04-18
BOWLING.
GROWING POPULARITY OF THE
GAME IN NEW YORK.
An Experts Opinion as to Balls
Pins, Methods OF Play and
Dress.

tan Island set aside a spot where the
most popular outdoor game of the Hol-
landers might be played they called 1t
Bowling Green, after the game known
as bowls or bowling. The historians
of the game say that it continued to be
an outdoor sport for a long time, and
until its popularity CAUSED the devotees
to look about for ways to enjoy the
sport at such times of the year When
the little park was not accessible De-
cause of the weather. An alley, or
indoor bowling place, was built at NO.
IS Broad street, where the bowlers met
and played. Among those who visited
this place and took part in the games
We're the social leaders of that time,
and the records show that General
Washington and members of his staff
often took part in the sport.
The indoor game, known as ninepins,
Eoon became popular, and the State en-
deavored to turn this popularity into
profit by imposing tax upon the game.
To evade the law an extra pin was add
ed, and the game of ninepins became
tenpins- For al time the game remain
ed popular, and then interest waned,
and for many years the bowling alley
was hooked upon as an annex to beer
saloon, and free bowling was one of
the inducements held out by enterpris-
ing saloonkeepers to attract customers.
SOCIAL CLUBS TAKE UP THE
GAME
But about twenty years ago the va
Tious social and athletic clubs took up
bowling; alleys were improved and
many changes were made in the rules
OF the game. Balls with thumbholes
came into use, and. as these enabled
the player to use much larger ball and
to deliver it with more accuracy, the
size of the pins was reduced. The pins
of the olden time were seventeen inches
conference. while the new pin is only
fifteen inches high and fifteen inches
in circumference at the thickest part
Bowling clubs were formed, tourna-
ments arranged, and prizes of value
We're offered by enthusiasts. Women
became interested, took part in the con-
tests, and became dangerous competi-
tors in contests for prizes, and because
of the superior exercise and the social
features which usually accompany it,
bowling regained more than its old
time popularity. and recruits are COM
Much has been written on the subject
how to bowl correctly, and one widely
circulated guide says:
The arm should be kept at full
length when about to swing the ball.
with the palm out and the thumH point
ing toward the head pin as the ball is
released. the little finger almost touch
Ing the leg in passing. Do not attempt
70 oll1
very likely to result in giving an mad
vertent twist to the baM. Care should
also be taken that the arm swings
straight back, thereby preventing a
tendency of the ball to curve to one side
or the other
On the final swing forward the body
should be we'll bent. so that the ball as
ut passes the bowler's leg almost grazes
the alley 'Lofting, or throwing the
pan eight or ten feet through the air
before IT comes in contact with the
alley is bad form. Injuries the alley and
prevents accuracy. Beginners should
use light balls"
PLAYING THE ONLY WAY TO
LEARN
Rules are good in their place" said
MIR. Grote, manufacturer of bowlers' ar
ticles, but one cannot learn to pIa V
Dy book any more than one can learn
to swim by hearing lectures on the sub
1ect. Some men toe the foul line. while
some take a long run. Some men use
force and some accomplish the same re-
suits by taking it easy-in fact, cne
must play to know how
A b. Marx, in speaking of style in
bowling, said: You might as well ask
a man to tell how to catch fish. Every
bowler has his own peculiar style. and
this becomes evident to the observer AT
any alley"
Frank NJ Clute, who is we'll known
as one of the best bowlerS in New York
when asked as to the amount of force
to be used, said: II do not believe in
the use of unnecessary force in deliver
ing a ball, nor do / think the best re-
suits obtainable in that style. l think
a sufficient amount of force to cause
the ball to reach the pins without loss
OF direction is all that is necessary, and
any SurpluSage over that amount an
unnecessary waste of energy The use
or too much force is apt to cause the
ball to slide down the alley instead OF
rolling, the latter style being much
preferable
On the proper mode of delivery Mr.
Clute said: "A straight ball may b,
rolled either down the center or from
the side, and both styles have many
adherents. The most successful center
ball roller whom l have ever known is
Herman Kahlsdorf. The successful
side-ball rollers are too numerous te