Bowling Facts

Bowling Facts

Modern bowling began in northern Italy as a game called “bowls”. The game later spread to Germany, Holland, and England, where it was played on grass (the bowling green) and was known as nine pins. Bowling is successful because almost anyone can participate. It attracts people of all ages, races, religions and economic status.  Over the years, bowling has become one of America’s most popular individual sport. The casual bowler rarely takes the game seriously and bowls just for fun.

Bowling became an indoor sport in London in the 1600's and was soon brought to America. In New York City (which was then called New Amsterdam) during the 1800's the sport was "ninepins" and was so popular that a law was passed to forbid its being played. As you can imagine, bowlers were not too pleased with this law and devised a way to get around it: They added a tenth pin! Thus, bowling as it is known today was invented.

Dutch immigrants from Holland brought their love of bowling to the colonies. The common people of the colonies enjoyed their ninepin game in the alleys behind the taverns. This is where bowling alleys most likely received their name.  Now they are called bowling centers. The upper class people bowled on their manicured lawns. The Dutch had a great influence in establishing a permanent site for bowling when they set up America’s first bowling lanes in 1623.

In 1895 the American Bowling Congress, which continues to govern all of the rules of bowling, was organized. Bowling hit its pinnacle of popularity when it became an official Olympic event during the summer games in 1992.

Bowling balls are constructed of synthetic plastic or hardened rubber and have a circumference not more than 27 inches. The official ball weighs between 8 and 16 pounds and usually has three bored holes to assist the bowler in controlling the path of the ball.

Bowling lanes are constructed of hard maple wood or laminated surfaces. The bowling lane is 63 feet long and 42 inches wide. It is 60 feet long from foul line to the first pin. Range finders or spots are engraved in to the lane 10 to 15 feet down the lane and are used to help the bowler aim the ball toward the pins. Attached to both sides of the lane are 9-inch wide channels or gutters to catch errantly thrown balls. 

Additionally, a 15-foot approach or runway prior to the lane provides a delivery area for the bowler. The foul line separates the approach and the lane, crossing the foul line results in no points for the bowler. Bowling pins are 15 inches high with a ¼ inch base. They are placed at the end of the lane in an equilateral triangle design; the center of each pin is 12 inches from the next pin.

The object of the game is to knock down the ten pins with the ball.A game in which one person bowls against another is called "singles". A game with two players rolling against two others is called "doubles". Teams with five players on each side can compete against each other. Champions in singles, doubles and team events are declared in most tournaments. The champion is the person with the highest score. In team competition, the championship is often awarded to the team with the highest accumulative score. 

SPEAK LIKE A BOWLER 
Bowling has a language of its own, if you don't believe it, look at some of the terms. Would you understand the following remarks ifyou knew nothing about bowling?

"Don't LOFT the ball." "Use a smooth FOLLOW-THROUGH." "Don't linger on the APPROACH." 

That;s all folks.