Author Topic: Bowling alone (Read 7929 times)

ignitebowling · « **on:** January 19, 2018, 09:55:55 AM »

My bowling first started around 1995-96 and many of you have been around bowling for much longer. We are often fed the stories of how great bowling was....wall to wall leagues any day of the week, morning leagues, late leagues, people bowling leagues for as far as the eye could see. That has rapidly declined. Many centers over the years have closed and many with the loudest voices blame it on bowling being too easy. Too many refuse to believe it has anything to do with the changes in society and the larger options in entertainment. Heard a book, Bowling Alone, mentioned on a talk show the other day in reference to the decline in several different social sports and sports in general along with other social groups and organizations in society. After reading a little over the premise of the book it seems pretty on par with what we have seen and many have tried to discuss with the decline in bowling. Not from a being too easy factor, but from a social change.

Why some choose to believe that in the golden era everyone loved bowling because it was hard and consisted of half board adjustments playing on the 3rd or 4th board I do not know, maybe it helps ones ego.Many videos available as far back as the 1940s and 1950s show professional bowlers playing 3rd or 4th arrow regularly...not 3rd or 4th board. Bowling is every bit as fun today as it ever has been. It can be as easy or as hard as one chooses. So despite USBC trying to define bowling as more of a sport to seem legitimate in the world, or all of the older PBA players saying the equipment made the game too easy...that it needs to go back to when...insert ball era here, instead continue enjoying bowling for what you think it is, not what others try to shame you into believing.

Most bowling centers like other businesses have fallen behind on the times. Most centers and leagues operate off of the same business model as they did in the 1950s. Open doors, offer 36 week leagues, and wait for people to sign up to bowl. Try offering anyone you know the chance to come bowl for 36 consecutive weeks and see the look of crazy you get. Bowling is still great. Once you get passed the hype of equipment sales the rest is pretty straight forward. Try and knock down as many pins as possible. interesting to look at if you get a chance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_Alone

HackJandy · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2018, 11:29:12 AM »

Fact is the internet fundamentally changed human civilization just like writing and printing press did before it. I know it sounds like hyperbole but it will probably be the one thing humans remember most about this era hundreds of years from now (assuming we make it that long). It really was that much of a game changer. It becomes harder to remember what life was like without it even though that was about the first half of my life.

(edit: without it maybe we bowl in our still strong leagues but then I wouldn't be talking to you either and this would be a conversation only among local friends).

ignitebowling · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2018, 12:07:48 PM »

Think about other entertainment option in the 50s-80s.

What was your tv options? Number of channels? Channels after midnight?

Game systems and options available? Atari, nintendo, computer etc.

Now the internet as you mentioned.

More things for people to do. Interesting with the article is the other social norms people use to take part in that are also suffering.

"Putnam notes the aggregate loss in membership and number of volunteers in many existing civic organizations such as religious groups (Knights of Columbus, B'nai Brith, etc.), labor unions, Parent-Teacher Association, Federation of Women's Clubs, League of Women Voters, military veterans' organizations, volunteers with Boy Scouts and the Red Cross, and fraternal organizations (Lions Clubs, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, United States Junior Chamber, Freemasonry, Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.).[1] To illustrate why the decline in Americans' membership in social organizations is problematic to democracy, Putnam uses bowling as an example. Although the number of people who bowl has increased in the last 20 years, the number of people who bowl in leagues has decreased. If people bowl alone, they do not participate in social interaction and civic discussions that might occur in a league environment.[1]"
"

HackJandy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2018, 12:14:42 PM »

>civic discussions that might occur in a league environment

There are few places I would rather less want to talk about anything civics than a bowling alley. Don't know, I remember a lot from 1980s and even some from 1970s and lived most of that time in small ass towns and it was positively claustrophobic how much people were into your business. There are plenty of down sides to tight knit almost incestuous cliques as well. I swear half the reason I have so much contempt for groups of people and group think (none of us are as dumb as all of us) in general is growing up in those kind of environments.

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2018, 12:28:56 PM »

Quote from: ignitebowling on January 19, 2018, 12:07:48 PM

Think about other entertainment option in the 50s-80s.

What was your tv options? Number of channels? Channels after midnight?

Game systems and options available? Atari, nintendo, computer etc.

Now the internet as you mentioned.

More things for people to do. Interesting with the article is the other social norms people use to take part in that are also suffering.

"Putnam notes the aggregate loss in membership and number of volunteers in many existing civic organizations such as religious groups (Knights of Columbus, B'nai Brith, etc.), labor unions, Parent-Teacher Association, Federation of Women's Clubs, League of Women Voters, military veterans' organizations, volunteers with Boy Scouts and the Red Cross, and fraternal organizations (Lions Clubs, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, United States Junior Chamber, Freemasonry, Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.).[1] To illustrate why the decline in Americans' membership in social organizations is problematic to democracy, Putnam uses bowling as an example. Although the number of people who bowl has increased in the last 20 years, the number of people who bowl in leagues has decreased. If people bowl alone, they do not participate in social interaction and civic discussions that might occur in a league environment.[1]"
"

A lot of those organizations or groups that you mentioned had leagues in the 60s/70s. I remember at the centers I worked at the K of C and B'nai Brith leagues. Plus, being from Detroit, there were a lot of labor union or factory leagues running at different times of the day or night at other centers that were close to those work locations.

In the mornings we had senior, women's, and school leagues between 9am and 4pm, but never a full house and not every day but enough to justify opening. At night we had double shifts Sun through Fri. Saturday night was just open bowling but we had two shifts of junior leagues during the day.

As you mentioned, there are many more different options of entertainment available now than there was then. Bowling may have been that time period's 'Facebook'.

Good Times Good Times · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2018, 12:32:18 PM »

Quote from: ignitebowling on January 19, 2018, 09:55:55 AM

Too many refuse to believe it has anything to do with the changes in society and the larger options in entertainment.

I've never understood why this is difficult to grasp/confront. I've also never understood why exactly a pre-conceived bias with regard to this particular topic is incredibly difficult to break through.....very strange. It is the answer that is accurate in reality, but for some reason this answer is not appealing to some old school peeps therefore it is disregarded and then it's back on the parroting of.....

Quote from: ignitebowling on January 19, 2018, 09:55:55 AM

the golden era everyone loved bowling because it was hard and consisted of half board adjustments playing on the 3rd or 4th board

Again, bizarre psychology.

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2018, 12:36:34 PM »

I wanted to mention one thing that was going on back then that I do not see happening now, at least at my center - it may be different at yours. Back then, the center I worked at had two people who worked on bowling league promotions in the summer (their regular job in the league season was not needed in the summer, nursery and snack bar). They would call people in the area and promote the leagues, offering free bowling coupons to use in the summer for sign-ups. At the counter we would regularly ask new bowlers or bowlers we were unfamiliar with if they were interested in a fall league and take their info down to present to the league secretaries. I don't see this happening here now.

AlonzoHarris · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2018, 12:43:31 PM »

Quote from: MI 2 AZ on January 19, 2018, 12:36:34 PM

I wanted to mention one thing that was going on back then that I do not see happening now, at least at my center - it may be different at yours. Back then, the center I worked at had two people who worked on bowling league promotions in the summer (their regular job in the league season was not needed in the summer, nursery and snack bar). They would call people in the area and promote the leagues, offering free bowling coupons to use in the summer for sign-ups. At the counter we would regularly ask new bowlers or bowlers we were unfamiliar with if they were interested in a fall league and take their info down to present to the league secretaries. I don't see this happening here now.

I think now centers turned to creating Facebook posts to promote the upcoming leagues and gathering interested parties.

bcw1969 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2018, 01:21:55 PM »

Sounds like people are saying this really isn't about bowling after all........but isn't it? Ok society has changed, technology has changed, but bowling still has that "pull" on a person and that "thing" that makes it become addicting and something you not just want to do but need to do. That is why we frequently see the posts on this site about persons that are going through this or that physical limitation or malady and want to still find a way to satisfy their bowling craving---with some actually switching hands just to continue bowling.

Did most people not really enjoy bowling back then and only engage in the activity because there was nothing better to do on a Tuesday night?? Apparently most people who bowled in leagues back then didn't catch the bowling "bug", and when other things came along such as multiplexes/playstation/xbox/aol/comcast etc.... they just moved on...I have trouble believing that THAT is the main catalyst for the drop in league participation.

Brad

AlonzoHarris · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2018, 01:45:40 PM »

Quote from: bcw1969 on January 19, 2018, 01:21:55 PM

Sounds like people are saying this really isn't about bowling after all........but isn't it? Ok society has changed, technology has changed, but bowling still has that "pull" on a person and that "thing" that makes it become addicting and something you not just want to do but need to do. That is why we frequently see the posts on this site about persons that are going through this or that physical limitation or malady and want to still find a way to satisfy their bowling craving---with some actually switching hands just to continue bowling.

Did most people not really enjoy bowling back then and only engage in the activity because there was nothing better to do on a Tuesday night?? Apparently most people who bowled in leagues back then didn't catch the bowling "bug", and when other things came along such as multiplexes/playstation/xbox/aol/comcast etc.... they just moved on...I have trouble believing that THAT is the main catalyst for the drop in league participation.

Brad

I agree it's not only whats been stated, but generational changes are a part of it. Bowling is/was a blue collar "thing" that people did. Husbands leaving their factory jobs and go to bowling night for some beers, bullshit with the guys, and break away from work and family life. Now a days we have more work from home/office jobs. Woman are much more involved in the workforce versus 30-40 years ago so maybe scheduling doesn't condone bowling nights.

With that said, times change and bowling needs to adapt. One thing I think should be tested is leagues broken into two 16 week leagues. Commitment to 32-38 week leagues is quite a long time, and some people shy away from it. They might still bowl tournaments, but they don't participate in leagues. I don't know about everyone else's leagues but the two I bowl in, in two different houses have shit payout. Money creates interest. One of our most looked down upon centers by bowlers in my area, as it's very Chuck e Cheese(ish), has a huge Thursday league because of a big prize fund.

ignitebowling · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2018, 02:26:09 PM »

The book mentions open bowling is larger then ever, but league bowling has declined.

So bowling is still great, fun, and people regularly enjoy going out to bowlâ€¦.. But 36 week commitments no longer an interest for many. Look at peoples commitment to almost anything these days. Shorter, much shorter.

With so much else to do why bowl league and commit when I can do other things and mix bowling is as I wish.

HackJandy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2018, 02:41:38 PM »

Quote from: ignitebowling on January 19, 2018, 02:26:09 PM

The book mentions open bowling is larger then ever, but league bowling has declined.

So bowling is still great, fun, and people regularly enjoy going out to bowlâ€¦.. But 36 week commitments no longer an interest for many. Look at peoples commitment to almost anything these days. Shorter, much shorter.

With so much else to do why bowl league and commit when I can do other things and mix bowling is as I wish.

Plus with open bowling don't have to commit to buying equipment either. At least I will give Bowlmor or Brunswick or whoever the hell it is in my area that runs all the lanes having a Sunday just for fun doubles league (two 17 week seasons as well) that gets me league priced open bowling on virtually every lane in the area (AMF, Brunswick, Bowlero) was an easy way to get me back into leagues. Not having to give money to USBC was the cherry on the sundae. Some of us don't want league to get ruined by money and drunk idiots kicking the ball return or unable to move around people with 12 balls (plus don't get a prize fund with $11 a week league with no up front fee lol, but is nice to pay the entire season for both of us at once and not have to fart around with envelope). That is what tournaments are for. Still yeah I can see how money draws people like flies but that is why have multiple leagues I suppose.

avabob · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2018, 05:59:02 PM »

The bowling boom arose because of two factors. First was the invention of the automatic pinsetter, combined with the emergence of the baby boom generation. Second was a young generation of post war adults looking for recreation options that were in short supply. The bowling industry was able to channel this population into organized league bowling. Great for short term, but not a sustainable model over the long term when put up against s host of other emerging recreational activities that did not require commitment to such s structured format.

bradl · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2018, 06:52:22 PM »

I still think that we aren't taking into account locale.

What I mean by that is that we are not taking into account what is occurring outside this country. When you have national teams and players bowling eachother, like for example, at PABCON, QubicaAMF World Cup, Men's and Women's World Bowling tournaments, etc., we can easily see that the reach for the sport is much further than just our local leagues in this country.

Bowling in Japan, S. Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, etc., is HUGE. When you have a tournament like the Japan Cup, in which PBA bowlers are flying over there just because of how prestigious it is, let alone that the prize fund is bigger than just about every PBA tournament in the US, that tells you alone how big it is just for even that country.

So I still wonder if we aren't taking the bigger picture into account..

BL.

HackJandy · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2018, 07:18:49 PM »

>the prize fund is bigger than just about every PBA tournament in the US

I have seen 4H kids win bigger prize funds than PBA checks. You know something is FUBAR when bowlers 30 years ago had much larger checks period even before inflation. SAD!

Author Topic: Bowling alone (Read 7929 times)

ignitebowling

Bowling alone

HackJandy

Re: Bowling alone

ignitebowling

Re: Bowling alone

HackJandy

Re: Bowling alone

MI 2 AZ

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Good Times Good Times

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MI 2 AZ

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AlonzoHarris

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bcw1969

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AlonzoHarris

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ignitebowling

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HackJandy

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avabob

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bradl

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HackJandy

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