The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-02-20
(BY LOUIS r. SCHUTTE.)

publisher of the BOwlers' Journal
New York, Feb. 19.-All eyes in the
bowling world are centered on Detroit
where the tenth International tOurna-
ment of the American Bowling Con-
gress will be held from February 26
to March Is. From present indica-
tons, the tournament promises to be
one of the most successful ever con-
Quoted by that association. and it is
estimated that 400 teams from all ov-
err the United States and Canada will
participate. Of course, the majority
of the teams will come from the mid
die west. as the eastern teams will
save their material for the National
Bowling Association tournament to
be held in Baltimore, April 9 to 80;
the latter organization being a strict
ly eastern one. and including the
teams of eastern Canada.
The Detroit program is an interest
ing one, and includes five men teams,
two men teams. and individual con-
tests. which will be held in Wayne
Garden, where fourteen new alleys
have been laid for the tournament
proper, and six alleys for practice
games.
The enormous amount of money ex-
pended in this undertaking, and the
great crowds which will undoubtedly
be present throughout the tourna-
nament is slight indication of the
amount of interest that is being taken
all over the country in this greatest
of indoor sports. In every city in
the country-and even in the smaller
town-the public alleys are crowded
popular resorts in New York it is
impossible to bowl unless YOU engage
alleys weeks ahead Fortunes have
been made by sharp proprietors, who
| have converted their billiard rooms in.
to bowling alleys. recognizing the
greater popularity Of this more siren
nous sport. Women as we'll as men
have become bowling enthusiasts, and
in Greater New York. as well as in
| teams.
What has caused this astonishing
revival of an old-time sport, is a
question that is likely to be asked
In answer to this, I would say that a
greater part of the credit is due to
the United Bowling clubs of New
York. an organization which dates
| back to 1885. and which includes in
| its membership some of the greatest
individual bowlers and bowling towns
in the country.
To go back into the ancient history
Of bowling. New York can claim the
introduction of the game into Amer
lea. 1t was brought over by the early
Dutch settlers of Manhattan, who
played what was then known as nine
pins. The pins were placed on ola
mond shaped bed and bowled down
with stones.
the game was purely an outdoor one:
but so popular did it become, that
one of the most historical spots in
New York, located in the heart of fl
nancial district, bears the name OF
Bowling Green. owing to the fact that
three burghers leased this spot for a
period of eleven wears and here il
was that our sturdy Dutch ancestors
were wont to play at their favorite
game, While they watched an occas
ional vessel come up the bay.
| Because of the enactment of a law
abolishing the same of nine pins, the
ten-pins, game was adopted. Later or
bowling gradually became subject tc
certain rules and finally the game Of
ten pins, with three balls to a game
became the established game-beine
purely an American innovation.
As early as 1910 bowling was very
popular in the east, especially in New
York, and it was at this time that i,
was played indoors for the first time
With the westward progress of civil
cation the popularity of the game be
gan TO spread. 1t was not subjec,
to any established rules, however. and
there We're no restrictions regarding
the length of alleys, the size of balls
and pins, etc. This chaotic condition
of affairs existed until 1875, when q
large number of eastern bowlers go,
together and adopted a set of rules
and regulations. In the west. howev
err. they still played in the same go
ias-you-please" fashion
In 1885 Henry Feldman, a promin
ent New York Bowler. conceived the