I live in Chicago.  Back in the day, my father was part of the North End Travel league.  From what I understand, this was one of the premier travel leagues in the country.  Right now, the only travel league (that I know of) in the Chicagoland area that I know of is a Senior league.  

When I went to college in Terre Haute (small town for those that don't know, less than 100K residents), they had a very good 3 man travel league, where the team captains got to "draft" two other bowlers.  I got to sub in the league a few times and it was pretty cool.

I come on here and see that there are still some travel leagues, but most seem to be in smaller towns.  Do any of the bigger cities (NY, Detroit, LA, Dallas, etc.) still have travel leagues?  If not, how come?
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The clock on the wall says 3 O'Clock...last call...for Alcohol!
"I love a martini -- but two at the most. Three I’m under the table; Four, I’m under the host."  Dorothy Parker

Edited on 4/20/2005 10:28 PM

In the LA area, up until about 5 years ago there was a series of travel leagues that bowled on Wednesday nights at 9PM.  I believe there were 7 - 9 centers the leagues visited.  There was a mixed group, ladies only, and I think there were 2 men only groups each bowling at a differnt house.  The centers liked it because they had a group there almost every week.

Slowly due to politics within each group, all except one has fallen apart.  The ladies went out about 3 years ago.  It was a shame politics ruined the league.  I enjoyed the challenge of bowling in the different house. Some of the houses we all knew were going to be a struggle and others were average and ego boosters.

There is a daytime ladies travel league still going.
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It's not that life is too short.  It's that you are dead for sooooo LONG

Until last year, there was a big travel league here in NY, but no more. I believe it was a summer league. I heard that the guy running it wasn't going to do it anymore.
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Bowl to win Baby

here in northern california and northern nevada we have about 20 centers who bowl each other in home and home matches.  you could call it a travel league.  we get some real challenging shots on occasion, depending on the age of the center and/or management's attitude.  we also get the cake house shots as well.  it allows those involved an opportunity to bowl in different centers and to travel a little.

The Dallas / Fort Worth area has 4 divisions (that I know of) in the TCBA (Travel Classic Bowling Association).  We have the Fort Worth South (which I bowl in), the Fort Worth North, Mid-Cities and the Dallas divisions.  It is a very nice and competitive league.  In the Fort Worth South, we have 18 5-man teams.  Not sure about the others.
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-Corey
I'm not even supposed to be here today...

yes, i agree that the level of player is not what it could be.  however, i have found that the higher level player's would not bother with it or for some reason feel that it is beneath their diginity or skill level.  at least that is my experience.  some of the center's teams however do have some quality players.