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Author Topic: is bowling a sport  (Read 4405 times)

cheech

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is bowling a sport
« on: April 23, 2009, 03:31:45 AM »
i am doing a speech for my communications class and i need to persuade people to think that bowling is a sport. so im asking for your guys help.so first of all:

is the general public opinion that bowling is just an activity or a real sport?

what could i argue that would make it a sport?

heres what i have so far:

it has a professional tour just like golf
long tournaments require you to be in shape
it is a game of strategy
its not just a bunch of fat drunks throwing a ball down the lane
i will try to explain basic ball dynamics and oil patterns

thanks for everyones help

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HG:300x2(SR300 both)
HS:792(SR300)
2004 NYSPHSAA team champions
2007 NYSPHSAA individual high game(300) and series(1411-6 games)
arsenal: sauce rival arch rival dead flush blue vibe scout jazz SR300 plastic
sacred heart university bowling, frosh.
greatest accomplishment:shooting 603 and not shooting one 200 game(130,173,300)...lol
p.s. go leftys
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Buddy Christ

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2009, 11:36:56 AM »
Make sure you include the definitions of activity, and sport.

Sport- an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
Activity- any specific behavior

To give a good closing argument, make sure you relate these two definitions as much as you can.

Edited on 4/23/2009 11:38 AM
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BKloss

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2009, 11:41:36 AM »
-proper fit and repetition of shots, same as golf in my opinion a club too long/short could hinder your performance
golf you can see the hazards (water trees sand) bowling the hazards are invisible for the most part until your throw
-as far as ball dynamics, maybe a timeline? Plastic vs urethane etc

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psaunders300

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2009, 11:42:26 AM »
cheech,

My 16 yr old son just completed a paper on bowling as a sport for school and used some of the same points that you and Buddy Christ mentioned. It has a lot of parallels to golf, so using that as a comparison is a good approach.


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Thanks,
Paul Saunders
USBC Bronze Level Coach
http://bowling.psaunders.net
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cheech

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2009, 11:45:47 AM »
ya i think i am going to relate it to golf as much as possible

i might put a slide of the different big words that go with bowling like RG, Differential etc then maybe put up a lane graph
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HG:300x2(SR300 both)
HS:792(SR300)
2004 NYSPHSAA team champions
2007 NYSPHSAA individual high game(300) and series(1411-6 games)
arsenal: sauce rival arch rival dead flush blue vibe scout jazz SR300 plastic
sacred heart university bowling, frosh.
greatest accomplishment:shooting 603 and not shooting one 200 game(130,173,300)...lol
p.s. go leftys
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Buddy Christ

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2009, 11:51:32 AM »
Some other good points:

1). As in other professional sports, you get paid in bowling, but only if you bowl well, which is unlike other sports where everyone gets their piece for signing a contract. [People like hearing about money, and the competition factor for earning their 'cut' will further drive the importance of actually trying in the sport. Not just some fat drunk throwing a sphere.]

2). Although it's not of a high importance, add the risk of injury from certain areas of the body exposed to the amount of stress it takes to bowl.

3). Make the point of most of society not taking bowling seriously because they're not good at it.

Good luck!
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another300

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2009, 11:59:51 AM »
Have him include a copy of the movie Kingpin.  Ok not really, that movie threw a big blow to the negative perception of bowling and bowlers.  Funny movie but portrayed bowlers as fat, beer drinking out of shape slobs.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2009, 12:10:11 PM »
Any (weird) activity can becoem a sport, if you define it as having a competitive touch. you can do almost any activity just for fun, but the "sport" starts where things become organized and even have a governing body.

Public perception is another thing, though.
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J_w73

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2009, 12:16:11 PM »
quote:
cheech,

My 16 yr old son just completed a paper on bowling as a sport for school and used some of the same points that you and Buddy Christ mentioned. It has a lot of parallels to golf, so using that as a comparison is a good approach.


--------------------
Thanks,
Paul Saunders
USBC Bronze Level Coach
http://bowling.psaunders.net


It has changed alot in the last decade but many people don't view golf as a sport either.  Most people think that if there isn't one on one physical confrontation then it isn't a sport.
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16-17 mph,350 rpm,PAP 5 1/2 x 3/8up, HighGame 300 x 3, High Series 782
Book Average 215 / 205,PBA Xperience ave180

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leftyinsnellville

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2009, 12:20:59 PM »
Being a fat beer drinker is not synonymous with being unable to perform in a sporting activity.  

Overweight people participate in professional sports all the time (almost every NFL offensive lineman).  

Some overweight athletes are even drinking while playing their sport (John Daly can't play golf without at least some alcohol in his system, and David Wells claims he was intoxicated when he threw his perfect game in '98).

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echidapus

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2009, 12:39:38 PM »
Bowling is shown on ESPN, "The total sports network".  

Is wrestling a sport?  It's sports "entertainment"  

What is more pressure then throwing your 36th strike in a row while prebowling?

The spelling Bee is also on ESPN is that a sport?
is Poker a sport?

Risk of injuries in bowling and warming up and training/practicing?
Bowling 2 handed has more physical training ability and more athleticism then 1 handed.  
It's a Winter "sport"



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High game 300, 298(no middle finger) 290, 290(no middle finger)
2 handed (279) 710
High series 804
High triplicate 774
High average 221
best game. when I was 6 I bowled a 158

I have a 16# morich awesome finish I want to trade.  1 season on it.    I am looking for 15# stuff
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pin-chaser

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #11 on: April 23, 2009, 02:51:17 PM »
1. Bowling is the #1 most participated indoor sport in America.
2. Bowling has been an olympic spectator sport (asking for perment status)
3. Bowling has a European Tour as well
4. Bowling in other countries in growing astoundingly
5. There is the Weber Cup - Bowlers around the world compete.
6. There is Team USA both Adult and juniors

... I could go on despite that I beleive bowling is NOT a sport and is not treated as a sport. But here are some good points to include... just dont let me be the audience.
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Kid Jete

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2009, 02:54:28 PM »
Bowling is about as close to golf as it is to checkers.  I don't understand why people compare the two.  Yeah every sport has some kind of similarity if you compare two of them but come on.  If anything I think golf is about the complete opposite of bowling.
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Dan Belcher

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #13 on: April 23, 2009, 02:59:16 PM »
quote:
Bowling is about as close to golf as it is to checkers.  I don't understand why people compare the two.  Yeah every sport has some kind of similarity if you compare two of them but come on.  If anything I think golf is about the complete opposite of bowling.
Just curious, but how so?  (I personally see a lot of similarities)
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jd1319

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Re: is bowling a sport
« Reply #14 on: April 23, 2009, 10:17:29 PM »
I think bowling, and golf are games.  IMO, sports are competitions where it's you against someone else, and you each have the ability to directly influence your opponet.  In bowling, you put up your best score and can only hope it's good enough.  Same for golf.  Tennis, your opponet makes a great shot, but you still have a chance to make a great play of your own.  Basketball, Baseball, Football, Hockey, etc...

As far as ESPN showing bowling, they also show the National Spelling Bee.
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