I was sitting here watching the race and ordering some bowling stuff off the net.  I ordered the Hook again system from ebonite and it got me thinking (no cracks from the peanut gallery I do it every once in a while).  What addicts you to this game?  I mean during the nice weather up here I play golf all the time, but I am not addicted.  I am using the same set of clubs I got as a graduation present from high school.  Yeah they are old.  there are tons of things I do, but what makes not only me, but all of us like this.

For my part of it I think in some way it lets me relive being young again.  Is bowling some huge athletic sport no.  As bad as my knees are though when I go play softball our basketball or whatever I am a step slower and while I can really compete I get very frustrated because I feel I should be able to do better.

Bowling is new for me.  It is something I always saw as a kid cause my parents did it, but never did.  I picked up and I keep seeing myself getting better.

So, what does it for you?
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I don't really play cards and I am not 79, but it fits together somehow.

I think what gets me is with bowling is that no one will ever be perfect. Someone can throw 100 shots perfectly into the pocket and not all of those 100 shots are going to be strikes.

Another thing is how the game really tests you. It tests you physically and mentally. It is a true challenge.

I also like the tech stuff with the game...particularly the bowling balls. The constant change that equipment goes through is great. Example--tonight at the center a guy came in to throw a few games. He has not bowled in leagues since the early 80's. He had a yellow AMF Angle and recently was given a Rhino X. He was throwing with the same release and style he used then for the AMF Angle, then he switched to the Rhino X and the thing hooked off of the lane for him. He had that cupped release(topped the ball) with the slow ball speed to get the ball to move, similiar to the release many league bowlers used with that older equipment to get it to move. The change from then to now is awesome.

Finally, I love the competition. There are 2 stages of competition that I acknowledge 1----you vs the lanes-pins-carry etc... and 2----you vs the other guy. I am into the game completely during the league for the team. I am the anchor man, and I love the pressure when it comes down to me and the other team's anchor to step up and it is going to be decided by what the 2 of us do.

Bowling is a great sport. It is family oriented, buddy oriented---and simply makes for a great night out for some of us.