we start our men's league here in the city where i bowl tonight.  it seems like 60 to 70% of the bowlers that bowl in the leagues, both tuesday and wednesday are in their late 50's to late 70's.  i don't know what it's like in other places, but when i bowl in state and at state high 5 it seems that way also.  i'm only 37 but even my team is older with me being the youngest by about 8 years, and that guy is my brother, then the other three are 52 58 and my dad who is 64.  is bowling an older generation sport, and if so is it going to die out as members start dropping into the "gutter"

200 league average 3 leagues

victory road.            burst

clear ebonite ball W/ebonite bowling pin inside

Usually I read these type topics and just listen because our area hasnt seen a huge drop. Letme be the 1st to say...its hit here too. Never got phone calls before about teams needing more and more bowlers. Really understand now how much this is dropping. Like always....the kids are the future of the sport! Proprieters really have to do a  above average job on making sign ups more fun and interesting.....got to keep the kids in it for the long haul, because its true...seems like the only ones bowling steady are the middle 50 guys that are ok in their current financial situation. Hope its really just the eonomy and not the sport.

Ironically bowling is thriving as a recreational activity while declining competitively.   I think the game as a sport needs to re invent itself along the model of golf.  Only a fraction of golfers are anything other than recreational, but the game is still respected as a sport by course management, and the public.  Let proprietors make money the best way they can off their lanes, but clean up after the birthday parties, and promote challenging conditions.  They really have an opportunity to go such a route on a low risk basis right now.  As the cash flow comes more from non leagues, they can put out the challenging conditions without alienating  the bulk of their revenue source who can only tell an easy condition by the presence of bumpers. 

With regard to younger people wanting to bowl regularly or be involved in the sporting aspects of this game, 3 of the best bowlers in one house in which I bowl regularly are 3 young men who are in the 19 - 24 year old range. On the house shots, they average between 230 and 252 for the season. All 3 throw in the higher ball speed range, 17 - 20 mph at the backend  (Qubica speed guns) and are in the higher rev range, 375 - 500+ rpms. They also bowl regularly in other house and in PBA regionals. All are also quiet, respectful and just plain nice guys.

 

As opposed to a few years ago, many leagues are on the rise in team numbers again, although some men are STILL dropping out due to loss of jobs or reduction in pay. That said, the main reason we learn for not being able to fill some spots in line-ups is that potential replacements are bowling elsewhere that night or are already bowling in too many leagues.

 

And, might I add, that here in NJ, "OFFICIAL" unemployment is still around 10%, while practical unemployment is closer to the 18-20% range.

 

 

i see what you guys are saying, and i do think that the economy is a big issue right now.  but most of our youth bowlers go on to college and then don't come back.  now i am saying this from a small city, only ab out 5000 in our metro area, but after last night it is depressing.  2 fewer teams than last year, and only one guy that i didn't know who was new.  it used to be that 5 years ago when is started here, the only reason i got on the team was because my dad was a founding member of said team.  now i'm the captain, and only my dad is left from the originals.  our bowling proprieter does a good job, but as a stated originally, it really seems to be thinning out around here, and the next closest shop is 45 min away so we are not loosing to other alleys.  how do you get the video game 20 year olds to come in and stop wii bowing, and start real bowing?

200 league average 3 leagues

victory road.            burst

clear ebonite ball W/ebonite bowling pin inside