I understand the feeling of someone disrespecting the game, but remember they are having their own good time so why not focus on your own good time? At the end of the night, does it really matter what they do? I know in my leagues there a few less than desirable people bowling, but what's the point of letting them have an effect on you. All you're doing is getting yourself upset and all it does it hurt your chances of a good night. Focus on the game at hand, enjoy yourself and the company around you, it might make for quite a good night.

Yeah, if you're going to let these things bother you it is probably time to hang them up.  I have a team mate who smokes, sometimes have to wait an extra minute or two between games but no big deal.  We have a team that when a guy strikes they do the old "da da duh, da da" ESPN theme.  They have such a great time and laugh so hard, who cares?       

With LGD 100% on this one....

It's a game...it's fun...stop taking it so seriously.  People rib each other in much more mainstream sports....why should bowling be different?  Just smile and have fun with it.

Shipper,

I agree with Steven. Not much you can do when the "class clown" has an audience, so to speak.  Find a way to block it out, or brush it off and concentrate before you throw your next shot. That way you can still enjoy your game.

The world (and bowling) is full of all kinds of people: tall ones, short ones, skinny ones, chubby ones, quiet ones, loud ones, intellectuals, and unfortunately a small percentage of "village idiots" too...  Somehow we must find a way to peacefully coexist.

Then you need to bowl in Senior (or Legends if that's what they're called now) regionals and other area tournaments if that is the atmosphere you crave.  It's obvious your temprament isn't geared to the league setting.  Too bad.  You'd probably have a good time hanging with your team while bowling if you could just relax a bit.   

And now you know why so many young people don't bowl except for moonlite doubles.  They're not looking to go to a funeral home or church.  So when guys are yelling from the dugout in their baseball game, they are disrespecting the sport?  How about during a pick up basketball game.  How is it major league hitters can hit the ball with thousands of fans yelling at them to get a hit or strike out, yet a bowler can't get a strike unless it is absolutely quiet when he is on the approach?  I remember watching my dad and uncle bowl in the 60's.  Good bowlers, 190 + averages which was excellent for the day.  Their league didn't act like a Sunday sermon was going on.  Why do you guys insist on letting this menial garbage distracting you?   

You want it quiet?  Bowl in singles tournaments, not in leagues made up of teams.   

And now you know why so many young people don't bowl except for moonlite doubles.  They're not looking to go to a funeral home or church.  So when guys are yelling from the dugout in their baseball game, they are disrespecting the sport?  How about during a pick up basketball game.  How is it major league hitters can hit the ball with thousands of fans yelling at them to get a hit or strike out, yet a bowler can't get a strike unless it is absolutely quiet when he is on the approach?  I remember watching my dad and uncle bowl in the 60's.  Good bowlers, 190 + averages which was excellent for the day.  Their league didn't act like a Sunday sermon was going on.  Why do you guys insist on letting this menial garbage distracting you?   

You want it quiet?  Bowl in singles tournaments, not in leagues made up of teams.   

 LGD,

 I don't really think he, or I, am talking about bowling in a church. I never really expect people to act like church mice, heck, I don't even expect them to be real quiet, but we are talking about people just yelling out at random moments, not caring whether they are being distracting to some of the other players on the league.

 I am all for having a good time, and even yaking at and with your friends while bowling, but just blatantly yelling "Who's your Daddy" or "Come get you some" at the top of your lungs during other bowlers approaches is just disrespectful.

 Unlike at a baseball or basketball game where EVERYONES focus is on what is happening, and EVERYONE knows why you are yelling, and probably either expecting you to yell (or even yelling themselves), bowling is an indoor event where yelling has never really been the "norm".

 You try to make a comparison to yelling at a baseball game = to yelling at a bowling center, but you know it is not the same, so stop trying to make ridiculous comparisons that don't work. We both know you're smarter than that.