The Washington times., 1912-11-03
BOWLING GAINS IN
POPULARITY WITH .
CAPITAL WOMEN
Duckpins Are Favored Over
Tenpins by Fairer
Sex.
OWNERS OF ALLEYS
PROVIDE FOR THEM
Game Not Difficult to Learn and
Many Turn to 1t for
Recreation.
BY KIRK c. MILLER.

Bowling as a winter amusement for
men has been most popular for many
years back but during the past Ave
seasons that indoor sport has increased
in favor with the women Of Washing
ton and the owners of bowling alleys
have found II necessary to install sep
srate alleys for the accommodation of
the fairer sex.
This circumstance has come about In
q perfectly natural way; one of those
necessity is the mother of invention"
Afairs. Finding their husbands and
sweethearts so wrapped up In the ni8ht-
ly duckpin or tenpin match the women
OF the National Caoital commenced to
wonder why the game should not be
equally attractive for them. Wonder
ment grew to suspicion and suspicion
TO conviction.
The women insisted on a try-out on
the alleys: II was granted and the re-
suit IL that II Is now most uncommon
for q mans wife to accompany him to
the alleys. so that she too might nave
an hour or two of diversion from the
tedious round OF household and social
duties. And now that the game has
such strong foothold with the better
cryinS, Why not?" There is no an.
swer from the men because the womans
argument is sound one.
Prefer Duckpins.
OF course the women prefer the duck
pins to the tenpins. because the duck
are smaller and easier to knock over.
The weight of a duckpin ball Is less
than half that of n tcnpin ball and not
nearly 80 hard to send speeding down
the alley with sufficient force. II prop
crly directed. to scatter the foot OF the
alley with dead wood
70 lariNpl from hnxylin1 hy the
women are equally as numerous as
those applying to the other sex. While
II is not too strenuous an exercise, "
does bring into play the muscles OF
are not used so much In the ordinary
daily work. This liz so. because the only
actual physical eXcrtion required IL tho
rolling OF the ball which Is manufacture
ed in various sizes and weights to suit
ones strength of stature. Beginners
usually prefer a light ball. and as the
muscles of the arm and back develop
strength, a heavier bail Is adopted. be
sides the good derived from the muscu-
lar exercise which at no time should be
severe. there IL the excitement OF con-
test which Is most beneficial for the
mind. 1t keeps ones nerves on edge
and sharpens the brain.
There Is nothing difficult about learn
ing to roll duckpins or tenpins. iav-
ing no intricate angles. such as are
found In other sports which women In
,lulge in, 1t should be the one to which
they would most naturally turn. Prob
ably the hardest element In becoming an
expert woman bowler is the stupcndous
obstacle of remembering not to talk
while rolling the ball or getting proper
position to roll. Ones mind must be
entirely on the rolling OF the ball and
the sight OF the pins at the far end OF
the alley. The handling OF the ball is
the arm. when letting the ball go, Is
accomplished only by practice.
Have Individual Manner.
Most bowlers. both men and women,
have an Individual manner Of approach
ing the foul line. but good system is
10 let the weight Of the ball rest upon
the left hama until a firm grip has been
secured with the right. Take four steps,
commencing with the right foot. the
fourth step being little slide. Deliver
the ball with the wrist perfectly
straight and with the left foot in front
down the center OF the alley.
At first no attempt should be made
to curve the ball, as unless there Is suf-
ncient speed, 1t will curve of Its own
accord. After one has mastered the
delivery of the ball. and becomes more
accurate. better results may be obtain
ed Ly starting from the right-hand cor
ner OF the alley. Beginners should try
only TO hit the front. or No. l pin. as
with 1t. Practice will develop that
spares and strikes are moro often gain
ed bv letting the ball roll into the
cluster OF pins at Il certain angle be-
tween the No. l and pin or No. l and
n!n.
Have Regulations.
Washington boasts Of several women
bowlers who have gained considerable
OF reputation on the alleys. Miss
Maud May. the Misses Carrie and Pearl
Nance. and Mrs. Sinclair are among
those who have made their mark with
the duckpirs. and seldom does an even
ing pass but what these women drop
into the Arcade alleys for their match
game.
Women also have their place In the
National Bowling Association and Amer
lean Bowling Congress, tho two major
bowling organizations At Pittsburg, on
March Ii, 1909, Mrs. Kuhl, of st. Louis
rolled 2ll in doubles OF the ladies' tour
nhment. Mrs. j. Rcillry. Of Chicago,
won the ladies' individual champiOnsh D
with 557 for three games at the same
tournament.