I hate these corporate bowling alleys tailoring for kids. It's obvious that these chain bowling alleys only want to tailor to kids and not leagues anymore. This is the reason at an AMF house my Friday night league got terminated, or as I say "kicked out" so they could make time for glow bowl. The league was small and the only one but I've never heard of an alley kicking out a league to please open play bowlers. At this alley I checked up on their revenue so to speak on a Friday I had off league bowling at another alley and I didn't see that many people in it. Mabey when you charge over 4.00 a game that may be why.

Now AMF isn't off the hook solely. Brunswick is as much to blame. This freakin "Brunswick Zone" Taco Bell Blockbuster Walgreens Home Depot look alike crap is phoney and ridiculous. Look at these so called pit areas. They put in tables and stationary chairs with cheap kiddy furniture and call this a bowling alley.

So I go to practice at a Brunswick alley. One that is close to my house never has a lane open on the weekend it seems cause it's too busy with Birthday parties and glow bowl. We wouldn't want the serious league bowler to practice or anything. So I go 30 miles north to another Brunswick alley and when it's usually not busy it's packed this first time. I only get one lane but to make it worse I'm placed next to a birthday party. After just ignoring it I throw a few shots and this moron teenager asks me if I am a professional. I told him "If I was a professional do you think I'd be bowling next to the likes of you?". Then glow bowl comes on. After awhile I just went with it but after 6 games I went to throw a shot and even though I check my shoes every shot I didn't feel it coming but I stuck so bad I bashed my knee on the approach. I got so mad I kicked the ball return as hard as I could and I just left.. I'm sick of this BULLSH|T from these bowling alleys. Unfortunately the choices of independent bowling alleys in this country much less my area is getting slim. They are real bowling alleys most of them and don't appease to KIDS. I hate bratty kids, I hate birthday parties, I hate cheap a$s pit areas and I hate glow bowl. And if you don't like this post, then up yours!

Edited on 11/28/2005 4:33 PM

Edited on 11/28/2005 4:34 PM

It is suprising that bowling centers in other parts of the country are not taking steps to keep and attract league bowlers.  BrianCRX90 - do any of the centers have absolutely no times that cater to league bowlers' practice needs or do they have those times and those times do not fit your schedule?  (That is not an attack, just a simple, honest question).  Even the AMF centers here in Phoenix offer discounted ($6 all you can bowl for 2 hours) practice times and sessions, but usually early Sunday morning or on week nights after 9pm (leagues).  Independent centers are a mixed bag here: some do not offer any discounts at any time, others go out of their way to be friendly to the "serious bowler", but again, on their own terms early Sunday morning or late on weekdays.

I do not begrudge bowling centers their birthday party and rock-n-bowl profits on weekends, especially if it keeps the bowling center profitable and able to provide a home for leagues and tournaments.  It was no different in the 70's when you had "moonlight bowling" or "best ball" or "scotch doubles" instead of glow-n-bowl or extreme bowling or what have you.

League bowlers are notoriously "thrifty". I certainly am. Even so, I will purchase a beer or burger or something from the house to show my support, especially when it is a house that offers special rates and bonuses for bowlers.  How often do you see league bowlers sneaking drinks into bowling centers that have signs on the door asking that no outside food or drink be brought in?  I see league bowlers doing it much more than open bowlers.

When it is all said and done, there is a place and time for the "serious" league bowlers as well as the "fun-time" weekend bowlers.  Why should we begrudge the center owners from making money from both?

Phillip - great posts, and you're right, many failing center owners/managers don't realize the repeat business is so crucial in the entertainment industry.  A good friend of mine started as the owner of a single bowling center and has bought out seven more in the last 10 years.  All of his centers turn a profit because he understands how to generate repeat business.  To quote him: "The league bowlers allow me to keep the doors open.  The weekend bowlers allow me to turn a modest profit."  He's also an avid bowling fan.  His centers are modern, well-kept, well-managed, and ... go figure ... full.
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J.J. "Waterola Kid" Anderson, the bLowling King  : Kill the back row