The Side Line

Considering myself one of the thousands of tortured bowling souls who hit the lanes often, seeking that improbable dream of a 300 game, or at least bragging rights, I am constantly being drawn more and more into the mystique of the 10-pin world.

According to bowlingballs.us, bowling began around 4,000 years ago, but its modern roots are likely found in German religious ceremonies around the time of Martin Luther, who was an avid bowler himself. In England, the game was brought indoors during the 1400s and became hugely popular. The game of “nine-pins” was brought to American colonies, and for a few centuries was a game of drinkers and gamblers. However, by the end of the 1800s, another pin had been added and bowling had become quite cosmopolitan, with more than 200 indoor alleys in New York alone. With the addition of more competitive rules, automatic pinspotters, and drilled holes in the balls, bowling became recognized as a competitive sport and reached huge popularity through television in the later 20th century.

All that being said, where does bowling stand in American sports? Can it actually qualify as one, or is it simply a glorified game?

My answer is that it is both. Bowling skates the line between game and sport without asking to be either. Consider the setting and level of competition. Sure, anyone can rent a lane and a pair of shoes for a few hours, but they’re not the next Kelly Kulick.

Wait, you haven’t heard of Kelly Kulick? The first woman to win a PBA tour championship, in 2009? By 70 pins? Over the No. 1 male bowler? That’s Kelly Kulick.

Some would argue that if a woman can beat the best men in the world, it’s not a sport. I say go practice really, really hard and then face Kelly Kulick. And still lose by 150 pins.

Strike.

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Posted by Preston Sellers on Mar 5 2010. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry