Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-03
INCREASE is MADE
IN SIZE or NAPLES.
Introduction of New "Wood"
Is SubtIe-BoWling Body
Is Responsible.
BY R. d. THOMAS.


SLIGHT increase in the di-
n ameter of the pin has had
"A zooming effect on Washington
4 a bowling scores this season. 1t
was change induced by the
National Duckpin Bowling Congress
and its introduction was subtle. No
announcement has been made Of it.
So small as to be unnoticeable except
to the keenest observers, the added di-
ameter has put point or two on all
averages and it may be responsible for
a new all-time record average. Brad
ley Mandley, the Stanford Paper Co.
wizard, is full point ahead of the rec
ord established by Jack Whalen in the
District League last season and Brad,
with only few games to shoot, figures
to hold the pace. He needs only slight
pickup to finish with 100.
The duckpin has. undergone many
changes since the little ball game was
invented, but authorities who have
studied results this season believe the
new pin has come to stay.
New Pin Is Praised.
att is beyond doubt the best we have
ever had" said George Isemann, the
National Duckpin Bowling Congress
secretary today. The new pin bears the
stamp of his organization and is being
introduced wherever the congress gains
territory
Thus, it appears that the N. D. B. C.
Is succeeding where the Atlantic Coast
Bowling Association failed. This pre-
war organization attempted to stand
ardize the game nationally, but its
changes in pin and ball created dis
sension that was almost an uproar.
Smaller pins and balls were used in
New England than in this section and
the A. c. B. A. tried to effect COM
promise. The popular ball here was
inches in diameter. The New Eng
land sphere was Az inches. The A. C.
B. A. ball was 434. Its pin was con-
Siderably smaller in the waist than the
Baltimore and Washington maple.
Washington bowlers all but went loco
the season A. C. B. A. paraphernalia
was tried. In the end alley proprietors
practically were compelled to return to
the old order. Averages dropped Woe
fully. Bad splits from excellent hits
were more the rule than exception.
The premium was taken off skill.
Let the game alone!" was the cry
following the A. C. B. A. experiment.
And for IL years no bowling reformer
dared raise his voice. For that matter,
none has yet. The new pin merely
was placed on the alleys by the powers
that be without heed of what the bowl
ers might think about a change.
However, If a vote were taken there
Is little doubt it would be unanimous
one of approval.
Want Standard Ball.
The National Duckpin Bowling Con-
gress might go even further. Most
bowlers would welcome a bit of tinker
ing with the ball. The size is uniform
and popular, but the spheres vary In
weight. A few ounces difference is
easily noticeable and is disconcerting,
to say little.
One leading establishment received so
many complaints this season that it
conducted thorough investigation. 1t
doubted charges of disparities in the
weights of its spheres. But differences
of from 2 to 6 ounces were found
and the manager made haste to correct
the situation. Scores Of balls were re-
placed.
A new make of ball is gaining pop
ularity. It Is the same size as the other,
S inches, but is composed of different
material, and Is of uniform weight.
Because of its color, scrambled red
dish brown and white, the bowlers have
nick-named it the 'calicomanium."
Howard Campbell, who tied for the
singles championship in the N. D. B. G.
tournament, carried three of them to
Richmond.
It is understood that protest has
been raised against the edict of
N D. B. C. officials that the ties for
first place in the mems single, between
: Campbell and Jack Whalen, and the
women's all-events, between Marjorie
Bradt and Margaret Miltner, be rolled
OF at Richmond.
Would it be any less a true test If
the games were rolled on neutral alleys
in Washington" is the question. Ali Of
the principals are WashingtonianS.