Author Topic: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe" (Read 3329 times)

txbowler · « **on:** September 11, 2009, 06:59:01 AM »

Sometimes I wonder if bowling is bashed because it takes no god given ability to be a good bowler.

I don't care how fast or good of a football player you are. If you are a 5'3" white guy, you aren't playing in the NFL. And for that matter, you can rule out the NBA as well.

But in bowling, you can be 300+ lbs and be a good bowler, and you can be 5'3" 130 lbs and be a good bowler.

Bowling and maybe golf are the 2 sports where you can get on TV because of your skills without having a physique like Terrell Owens or Kobe Bryant.

A lot of average joes want the opportunity to be recognized as one of the best at something. For some, being the best at their jobs, or being the best parent is all the satisfaction they need. For others, who may not be blessed with the size and strength to succeed at other professional sports, can succeed in bowling.

Is that a bad or good thing?

Spider Man · « **Reply #1 on:** September 11, 2009, 04:51:53 PM »

Bowling may involve skill, but people cringe when they see a Flapper on the lanes.
--------------------
"If you disagree, I'm available for a fight"
-Unknown

Imagine Whirled Peas

Graaille · « **Reply #2 on:** September 11, 2009, 05:13:00 PM »

It is also one of the few sports that those who:
1. has a physical disability (note the story about a year ago about the gentleman who shot 300 even tho he's completely blind in one eye and 90% blind in the other.)
2. extremely young or extremely old. I've seen 7 year olds bowling alongside 75 year olds.
3. Men and women can compete alongside each other equally (or with various handicapping systems in play)
4. Participants can eat, drink (both alcohol and non-alcohol based beverages), smoke, be medicated (legally and not-so-legally) while participating w/no particular penalties.

So if 99% of the population of the world can participate in a sport, it can't be a great sport . . . right?

AngloBowler · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2009, 06:14:19 PM »

quote:
This is why I see bowling as 90% skill, 10% sport

What's the difference? Don't sports require skill?
--------------------
Reporting from England

BowlingWolf · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2009, 06:44:38 PM »

quote:
quote:
This is why I see bowling as 90% skill, 10% sport

What's the difference? Don't sports require skill?
--------------------
Reporting from England

Exactly.

Having skill simply means that one has put in enough time to master whatever task may be at hand--it can be a sport, writing, playing a musical instrument, shagging, etc.

Bowling is a sport if taken seriously and if achieving the highest level of play is desired. But if one just seeks to have fun and not really aspire to be competitive enough to play with others as good or better than oneself, then it is done as a recreation (other games played with this mindset qualify as a sport or physical recreation the same way, whether it's tennis, golf, hockey, martial arts, etc.).

--------------------
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.

Spider Man · « **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2009, 09:10:15 PM »

quote:
quote:
Bowling may involve skill, but people cringe when they see a Flapper on the lanes.
--------------------
"If you disagree, I'm available for a fight"
-Unknown

Imagine Whirled Peas

Flapper?

You asked for it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx2T2o0OQVY

--------------------
"If you disagree, I'm available for a fight"
-Unknown

Imagine Whirled Peas

astrodanco · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2009, 09:21:19 PM »

quote:
Bowling may involve skill, but people cringe when they see a Flapper on the lanes.

I do hope you're not implying that those of us with a pendulum arm swing (loose arm swing) who do not immediately stop our arms from swinging after the follow through are also "flappers." If you are, then you're also labeling most of the women professionals (with absolutely impeccable textbook form) as "flappers."

Edited on 9/11/2009 9:22 PM

pate08 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 11, 2009, 09:22:38 PM »

quote:
quote:
quote:
Bowling may involve skill, but people cringe when they see a Flapper on the lanes.
--------------------
"If you disagree, I'm available for a fight"
-Unknown

Imagine Whirled Peas

Flapper?

You asked for it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx2T2o0OQVY

--------------------
"If you disagree, I'm available for a fight"
-Unknown

Imagine Whirled Peas

Socks: Check
Drift: Check

We are ready for takeoff! haha

--------------------

astrodanco · « **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2009, 09:23:09 PM »

quote:
Quote
Bowling may involve skill, but people cringe when they see a Flapper on the lanes.
I do hope you're not also implying that those of us with a pendulum arm swing (loose arm swing) who do not immediately stop our bowling arm from swinging after the follow through are also "flappers." If you are, then you're also labeling most of the women professionals (with absolutely impeccable textbook form) as "flappers."

Edited on 9/11/2009 9:41 PM

Atochabsh · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2009, 09:39:09 PM »

I think anyone can bowl, just like anyone can shoot pool or play softball, tennis, golf. But to get really good, takes all the same things that being at a high level of any sport takes. It does take an innate ability, and the three Ds (drive, dedication and desire) not everyone, even with lessons and tons of practice will average 200.

What??!! 200? that's fish food these days. But even so, most people could not average 200 with all the help and practice in the world.

I'm sure many on these forums have watched Hoosiers. Its a documentary on mid west high school basketball. All those kids could play basketball. But only the truely talented moved on. Many more are left disappointed that they could not rise to the level needed to meet their dreams.

Erin

nextbowler · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2009, 10:36:48 PM »

Atocb.--Bowling, like all sports, is a natural selection process, the best
move up. The great thing about bowling, unlike other sports, is the rest of
competetors do not end up not having a place to play. They can still enjoy
the sport at their selected level.

Atochabsh · « **Reply #11 on:** September 12, 2009, 01:37:16 AM »

quote:
Bowling, like all sports, is a natural selection process, the best
move up. The great thing about bowling, unlike other sports, is the rest of
competetors do not end up not having a place to play. They can still enjoy
the sport at their selected level.

Absolutely. I agree 110%.

But unfortunately those that do not and/or cannot rise to the "cream of the crop" are relegated to "recreational bowlers", "social bowlers" and "house hacks", not worthy of recognition or reward for any of their accomplishments. But their membership pays the bills.

Erin

scotts33 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 12, 2009, 10:50:49 AM »

quote:
There are several components to athleticism. We normally think of speed and strength, but hand eye coordination is just as important ( think about shooting a basketball, throwing or hitting a baseball, and passing in football ). Hand eye is more important in bowling and golf, than speed and power, but it is a natural talent, not a learned skill.

That's why I am a hack Bob.

--------------------
Scott

BowlingWolf · « **Reply #13 on:** September 12, 2009, 12:40:50 PM »

quote:
Hand eye is more important in bowling and golf, than speed and power, but it is a natural talent, not a learned skill.

I disagree.

While it is true that some have better natural hand-eye coordination, hitting oneâ€™s visual mark with a bowling ball on a consistent basis is the result of well-taught proper fundamentals, which lead to good form, which in turn enable consistency, which ultimately equates to a learned skill.

As an example, I have a friend of mine who is a tremendous dart shooter and is also an expert police marksman. Now one would say that this individual has natural hand-eye coordination when observing him do his thing. But when I take him out to the lanes every now and then (heâ€™s not a bowler), heâ€™s all over the place, since he hasnâ€™t learned how the necessary coordination and put in the required practice time perfecting his form to consistently hit his mark, proving that the belief of natural hand-eye coordination is more myth than an innate natural trait, for the most part (there are always exceptions).

--------------------
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.

nextbowler · « **Reply #14 on:** September 12, 2009, 06:50:07 PM »

Eye-hand coordination can certainly be improved through training.

Author Topic: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe" (Read 3329 times)

txbowler

Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

Spider Man

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

Graaille

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

AngloBowler

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

BowlingWolf

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

Spider Man

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

astrodanco

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

pate08

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

astrodanco

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

Atochabsh

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

nextbowler

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

Atochabsh

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

scotts33

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

BowlingWolf

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"

nextbowler

Re: Bowling - The Sport for the "Average Joe"