Curious condition

Bowling Digest, Winter, 2004 by Bob E. Saxon

An article on "sport bowling," featuring Steve Wunderlich, appeared in the Fall Preview 2004 issue of BOWLING DIGEST. Beneath Steve's picture reads the caption, "Wunderlich and his comrades at Bowling Headquarters have been brewing up an all-improved sport bowling program." Does that mean we can expect square bowling balls and brick approaches next year?

That is the purpose of sport bowling, folks, to make the game more "challenging"--which translates into lower scores and fewer awards--which means more money for somebody.

It's called "sport bowling" now, but no matter what the name, it is intended to replace bowling as we now know it, and to be in every house and league as soon as possible.

Our sport is the only one where every effort is suddenly being made to keep scoring down.

Are we really expected to play, and enjoy, a game where picking up spares is made even more difficult--and striking will become all but impossible? I don't think so.

If this push for "sport bowling" is allowed to continue, bowling is finished. Kids will lose interest and we senior citizens, who still like to shoot a 200 every now and then, will just stay at home.

And what about ball sales? We will no longer need three or four balls, because one very hard plastic one will be easier to manage.

Somebody needs to wake up. The game of bowling is a challenge. Trying to score on doctored lanes is not.

Bob E. Saxon

Paducah, Kent.