Traditionally, bowling has been perceived as a boring activity exclusively enjoyed by older men. Nevertheless, my research concentrated on two leagues in a bowling alley to investigate the different social interactions among players. The results revealed that bowling is not restricted to any particular age group or gender. Furthermore, it was observed that there exists a clear hierarchy among bowlers which isn’t influenced by their age or gender but determined by factors like their bowling average, ball type, and ball weight.
During my exploration of the bowling scene, I observed various social interactions among different groups of bowlers, especially those on the same team. My initial experience occurred on a Wednesday evening when I joined a bowling league. The majority of bowlers present were men, and despite searching thoroughly, I didn’t find any female participants. Later, I learned that this league was exclusively for men and women had their own separate league on Tuesdays. The male bowlers consisted mostly of middle-aged or elderly individuals but also included many younger men in their twenties. My next encounter happened during a Friday night bowling league.
The bowling alley had bowlers from different age groups, with a majority being individuals in their twenties. As I walked through the bowling alley, I observed an almost equal number of men and women. In the mixed league, it was required for each team to have at least two or three women. On my second Wednesday night visit, I joined a team made up of three people in their twenties and two in their late forties. While conversing with one of the younger men, I mentioned my observation of fewer women participating in this league compared to the Friday night league.
I inquired about the prerequisites for joining either league. The response I received was, “In order to join this league, you need to have a 180 average.” The individual also mentioned that this league is more competitive due to its exclusively male participants and the average requirement. The increased competitiveness of this league results in a larger prize money at the end of the season. When the bowler mentioned “average,” they were referring to the typical number of pins they knock down over three games. In each game, there is an opportunity to knock down 120 pins, and there are ten frames in each game. The term “frames” signifies each round where all bowlers take their turns.
During each frame, the bowler has the opportunity to knock down ten pins. If all ten pins are knocked down at once, it is referred to as a strike. A strike earns more than ten points. If a strike is achieved in every frame, a 300 game can be attained. This is the highest possible score and is extremely challenging to accomplish. Here is some strike terminology:
- Strike
- Double
- Turkey
- Four Bagger
- Five Bagger
- Six Bagger
- Seven Bagger
- Eight Bagger
- Nine Bagger
- Ten Bagger
- Eleven Bagger
- Twelve Bagger
Bowlers primarily judge each other’s abilities based on the average they maintain. Even if someone with a lower average defeats them, bowlers with a 250 average still consider themselves superior to those with a 185 average. The choice of ball also impacts the bowling hierarchy, as some bowlers invest more than $300 in a single ball. Various types of balls are created to aid in different throwing techniques, whether it be straight or curving. While sitting at the table with the bowlers, I overheard their discussion about their individual balls.
Some men used them as a way to boast among other men, claiming that another man’s poor bowling performance was due to his inferior and inexpensive ball. Additionally, I observed that male bowlers would mock each other based on the weight of their balls, likening it to their masculinity. An example of this is when they would say, “Wow, you’re only using that small ten pound ball. Did you borrow that from your girlfriend?” Or, “Be careful carrying that hefty sixteen pound ball, you might not be strong enough for it yet.” [pic] Within the bowling community, there exist various forms of social interaction.
The teammates engage in joking and teasing, while also offering bowling tips and playing card games. Two types of games are played in different leagues. On Wednesday nights, the men bowlers participate in a game called Kiddy Pot, which involves wagering money based on their performance. Missing the five pin, throwing a gutter ball, or missing the head pin twice results in losing a dollar. Being “hung,” when four members of the team strike or split during the same frame but one fails, leads to a penalty of two dollars for the person who misses the strike.
If all five members of the team strike during the frame, the next frame whoever misses the strike loses a dollar. At the end of the season all of the money lost playing this game is split among the players of the team evenly. [pic] [pic] The Friday night bowling league plays a different game than usual. This game is structured like poker, where every member of the team who throws a strike or a split will receive a card from the deck. Conversely, if you miss a spare or have an open frame, a card is deducted from your pile.
At the conclusion of each game, the winner is determined by the person with the strongest poker hand. Typically, female participants in this game are exempt from losing a card if they fail to score a spare or have an open frame. I’ve discovered that bowling possesses a intricate social structure complete with its own set of rules and terminology. It is inclusive of individuals of all genders and ages. Bowlers employ a unique language to communicate with one another. They tend to be welcoming towards newcomers who wish to engage in their conversations and inside jokes. By entering the field and joining a league, could I potentially acquire further knowledge?
