Sponsored Bowling Alleys Results:
Bowling Shirts » Types of Bowling » Bowling Alleys

Bowling Alleys: Lanes, Leagues, Shoe Rental, Bowling Balls, Brunswick And AMF Bowling Alleys

By:

Published: October 10, 2007

Bowling alleys are buildings that contain several bowling lanes and are sometimes referred to as bowling centers. Regardless of what they are called, though, there is little doubt that bowling alleys have contributed immensely in the development of bowling. This is because many traditional alleys were originally built to serve as venues where bowling is played at competitive levels. The idea of holding bowling leagues was, in fact, what prompted owners of bowling alleys to build them in the first place.

Bowling leagues were previously major events in many bowling alleys, with many bowlers regularly showing up often for nine straight months. Still taking place to this day, bowlers can hone their bowling games through regular practices. At the same time, they can watch other bowlers enjoying practice games, although usually along separate lanes.

Needless to say, these players take bowling leagues rather seriously, hence, their commitment to regularly go to various bowling alleys to further improve on their games. It does not matter if they do not have the needed set of bowling equipment, because most bowling alleys are actually equipped with such.

Interestingly, when players visit bowling alleys and use the free bowling balls, the balls provided  to them are referred to as house balls. The bowling balls of these kind, as furnished by the alleys, are usually customized, with the added feature of carrying specially-designed finger holes.

As for the shoes, it is likewise interesting to note that bowling alleys also allow shoe rental in their midst. Renting shoes in bowling alleys is not actually uncommon, since most bowlers are into the sport just for fun. In such cases, purchasing the needed bowling shoes is definitely not practical, and this is where renting shoes becomes an important consideration.

Admittedly, bowling is one sport that has enjoyed tremendous popularity for quite some time. For this, two major bowling companies should be credited. One is Brunswick, whose founder, John Moses Brunswick, established bowling alleys where he standardized the rules for bowling. Consequently, these bowling alleys became the venue of many competitive bowling games. One example is the 1902 bowling games sponsored by the American Bowling Congress, considered by many as the first major US bowling tournament.

The other major bowling company that helped improve bowling was the AMF. The AMF was largely responsible for introducing the automated pinspotter system many alleys use. This company also made it easier for bowlers playing in bowling alleys to keep track of their scores by introducing the automatic scoring system.

Sadly, despite the revolutionary concepts of both bowling companies, many bowling alleys are presently experiencing a decline in attendance, with many regular patrons gradually finding less time or interest in playing the sport. All across the US, many bowling alleys are either closing shop or finding various ways to entice bowlers to return. Despite the decline, bowling is sure to be around for decades to come, providing a fun activity for many to enjoy.


Sources:
"Bowling." Wikipedia -- The Free Encyclopedia. 9 Oct. 2007. 10 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_alley.

Johnson, Kelly. "Bowling Alleys Shut Down as League Play Declines." Sacramento Business Journal. 16 June 2000. American City Business Journals, Inc. 10 Oct. 2007. http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2000 /06/19/story8.html.

"Bowling Ball." Search. CNET Networks, Inc. 10 Oct. 2007. http://domainhelp.search.com/reference/Bowling_bal l.

Stimpert, Desiree. "Before You Buy Bowling Shoes." About, Inc. 10 Oct. 2007. http://shoes.about.com/od/athleticshoes/bb/bybbowl ing.htm.

"The History of Brunswick." Brunswick Bowling. 10 Oct. 2007. http://www.brunswickbowling.com/history?noCache=87 7:1191982558.

"The Original Bowling Company." AMF Bowling. 10 Oct. 2007. http://www.amfbowling.co.uk/TOBC/history/default.a spx.
Featured Bowling Alleys Products: