Just thought I'd throw this out there.  Does anyone know the reason why the ball returns currently sit on the back 1/3 of the approach?  I can understand why they would in an old house, due to the location of the old telescore systems.  However, in new houses, why not have the ball return completely behind the approach with a rack underneath (that is accessible from both sides) for people to store a 2nd or 3rd ball without clogging up the return?  Seems to me this would be a simple thing to design and implement into new centers.  

Also, why are the concourse areas not designed to accommodate today's bowler?  Most people bring at minimum a 2 ball bag, more use 3 and 4 ball rollers, and several drag a 6 ball roller (or more occasionally).  Therefore, why are centers still designed and built with only enough storage room for an old vinyl Brunswick one ball bag?

After reading the responses in my "How would you improve your center" post, it is becoming clear to me the real reason why league bowlers are quitting;  The centers are simply failing to change with the times and meet the needs of their customers.

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Why, WHY won't the last one just fall??  It's WIGGLING for cryin' out loud!!

i thought the set up at the abc in knoxville was great anyone else think so?billy

Herein lies the problem- there are still lots of centers in business that were built in the 1950s-early 60s (my center included) that have the ball returns in the traditional location.  To move the return back would entail probably ripping up the approaches and moving back the powerlifts, provided there is space underneath the lanes themselves to do this. Extremely expensive- and the cost would be passed on to the bowlers.

Many centers built in the 50s originally had above-ground returns, and the lanes were installed on top of the concrete- making it financially unfeasible to convert to undergrounds.

My center originally had above grounds, and were able to convert in the early 70s- evidentally there was some space between the lanes and the pad on which
the building was constructed.

Houses built in the last 20 years or so are all level(most of them anyway) which makes it difficult for spectators to watch the action. This was done to accomodate the handicapped IMO.
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Sometimes ya get chicken salad
Sometimes ya get chicken -----