History of Professional Bowling
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Questions and Answers

What percentage of children aged 6 to 18 list bowling as their favorite activity?

12 percent

According to the White Hutchinson study, how much more involved are children in bowling compared to other age brackets?

80% more involved

What core principles does PBA bowler PW attribute to his life and the sport of bowling?

Hard work, dedication, pride

What motivation does PW express for continuing to bowl every morning?

<p>He believes bowling will never lose its magic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What trend is observed regarding participation in bowling after the age of 18?

<p>There is a steep drop off in participation after the age of 18.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did professional bowlers experience from the 1960s and 70s to today?

<p>Professional bowlers now supplement their income with second jobs and face decreased sponsorships, unlike in the past when they were well-paid and widely celebrated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for King Edward III's ban on bowling in 1336?

<p>The ban aimed to keep his troops focused on archery practice.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the first modern indoor bowling alley built in the United States?

<p>The first modern indoor bowling alley, Kickerbockers, was built in 1840.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was nine-pin bowling banned in several states during the 19th century?

<p>Nine-pin bowling was banned due to concerns about gambling and racketeering.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the introduction of the tenth pin affect the legality of bowling in the United States?

<p>Adding a tenth pin circumvented the law that banned nine-pin bowling, allowing the game to continue.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'gutter-balled' imply about the current state of professional bowling?

<p>It suggests that the sport has experienced a significant decline in popularity and prestige.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What social demographic shift occurred in bowling lanes at the turn of the century?

<p>Bowling alleys transitioned from being dingy, male-only spaces to more accessible venues for the public.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How was bowling perceived by the working class in the early stages of its popularity in England?

<p>Bowling was so popular among the working class that it caught the attention of the monarchy, leading to bans to ensure productivity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the 'grandfather of modern bowling' and what organization did he help create?

<p>Joe Thum; he helped create the American Bowling Congress.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant technological advancement in bowling occurred in the mid-1930s?

<p>The introduction of pinsetting machines to replace young boys.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did 'Beer Leagues' influence professional bowling in the 1930s and 40s?

<p>'Beer Leagues' recruited top bowlers from various breweries to compete against each other.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the PBA's establishment in 1958?

<p>It increased public interest in bowling and established a professional tour for bowlers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which pro bowler was the first athlete to receive a $1 million endorsement deal?

<p>Don Carter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the prize money for the PBA's Tournament of Champions in 1965?

<p>$100,000.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What social impact did bowling have in the 1960s according to recreational bowlers?

<p>Bowling became a popular weekend activity for families, with alleys packed with people.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'action bowling' and how did it differ from professional bowling?

<p>Action bowling involved informal, high-stakes matches often associated with gambling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Mike Limongello's earnings change as he got better at bowling?

<p>He went from $200-300 per game to $1,500 per game.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What notorious situation did bowler Iggy Russo find himself in during an action bowling match?

<p>He faced a dilemma where winning or losing meant danger from different parties.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which two major companies were sponsors of the PBA tour in the 1960s?

<p>Coca-Cola and Ford Motors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What scoring average had to be achieved to qualify for PBA competition?

<p>A bowler needed an average of over 200 points per game.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a common tactic used by action bowlers like Ernie Schlegel during matches?

<p>Feigning drunkenness to mislead opponents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did the U.S. Armed Forces play in the popularity of bowling during the 1940s?

<p>They promoted bowling, contributing to its growth as a billion-dollar industry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Manzione mean by the term 'domino effect' in relation to bowlers leaving the action scene for the PBA?

<p>The 'domino effect' refers to how the departure of skilled bowlers to the PBA prompted others to follow, creating a trend of migration from the unorganized bowling scene.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did ego play in some bowlers' decision to join the PBA?

<p>Ego motivated bowlers to prove their skills as the best, not just regionally but on a global scale.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the article, how did the popularity of bowling change from the 1960s to the 2000s?

<p>Bowling's popularity declined significantly, with membership and sanctioned alleys cutting in half since the 1960s, and league bowling's contribution to business dropping from 70% to 40%.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a major financial issue for the PBA by the year 2000?

<p>By 2000, the PBA was deeply in debt, prompting its purchase for $5 million, which was less than the price of a minor league baseball team.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred in the average yearly salaries of PBA bowlers from the 1960s to the 2010s?

<p>In the 1960s, top bowlers earned twice as much as top football stars, whereas by the 2010s, the highest earning bowlers made less than rookie NFL players' minimum salaries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Walter Ray Williams Jr. suggest about the financial viability of a career in professional bowling?

<p>Williams Jr. noted that most professional bowlers do not earn enough from bowling alone and often have to take additional jobs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the bowler identified as 'PW' claim about the amount of practice needed to compete in the PBA?

<p>He claimed to have practiced 6 hours a day for ten years, totaling 21,900 hours, to reach professional status.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some technological advancements that have been criticized for making bowling easier?

<p>Innovations like lane slicking machines, dynamic balls, and electronic scoring systems have been seen as making the game easier.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the number of perfect games rolled change from the 1968-69 to the 1998-99 season?

<p>The number of perfect games increased dramatically from 905 to 34,470 over the 30 years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Walter Ray Williams Jr. mean by professional bowling being relegated to the shadows?

<p>He implied that professional bowling has lost popularity and visibility compared to more entertaining forms of recreational bowling, often termed 'party bowling.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the average annual income for a PBA bowler, excluding expenses, according to the 2012-2013 season?

<p>The average annual income for bowlers outside the top ten was only about $6,500, indicating a stark disparity in earnings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the membership decline percentage for the United States Bowling Congress from 2000-2010?

<p>Membership in the United States Bowling Congress declined by 36% during that time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of bowling is considered America's favorite recreational activity?

<p>Bowling is regarded as America's favorite recreational activity, with 52 million Americans participating.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What motivated some professional bowlers to continue the sport despite low financial returns?

<p>Many bowlers, like PW, pursue bowling as their dream, valuing the passion for the sport over financial compensation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Bowling Popularity Among Children

More than one-third of children between 6 and 18 years old bowl, with 12% listing it as their favorite activity.

Bowling's Appeal to Young People

Bowling sees significantly higher participation among children compared to other age groups, with a steep decline after 18.

Bowling's Future

Despite a potential decline in participation, bowling has the potential to regain popularity in the American entertainment scene.

PBA Bowler's Work Ethic

PBA bowlers prioritize hard work, dedication, and pride in their craft, reflecting traditional values.

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Bowling's Enduring Magic

For dedicated bowlers, bowling retains its appeal despite changes in the sport's landscape.

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Bowling's Golden Era

A period in the 1960s and 70s when professional bowling reached peak popularity, with players earning large salaries and gaining international fame, comparable to NFL stars.

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Professional Bowling Today

Professional bowling has lost its former glamour, with players supplementing their incomes through second jobs and relying on modest sponsorships, while the sport is often associated with casual recreational activities.

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Bowling's Origins

Bowling likely started in Germany around 300 A.D. as a religious ritual, where participants rolled stones at clubs to seek forgiveness for their sins.

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Bowling in England (1336)

Bowling's popularity in England led King Edward III to ban it, believing it distracted soldiers from archery practice, highlighting its appeal even then.

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Bowling's Ban in England (again)

King Henry VIII banned bowling in England again, this time targeting working-class citizens who were seen to neglect their jobs due to excessive bowling, highlighting the sport's social impact.

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Bowling in Colonial America

After being introduced to the United States, bowling gained a strong association with the 'common man' and became a popular activity embraced by ordinary people.

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Kickerbockers (1840)

The first modern, indoor bowling alley in the US, representing a significant shift towards organized and standardized bowling.

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Nine-Pin Bowling Ban

Nine-pin bowling was outlawed in several states due to gambling and racketeering, leading to the adaptation of the tenth pin to circumvent the ban.

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Joe Thum

A restaurateur considered the "grandfather of modern bowling" who helped create the American Bowling Congress (USBC) in 1895.

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American Bowling Congress (USBC)

An organization established in 1895 by Joe Thum that standardized the rules and equipment used in bowling.

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Bowling Proprietors Association of America

An organization created in 1932 to represent bowling alley owners.

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International Federation of Bowling

An organization established in 1952 that governs international bowling competitions.

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Professional Bowlers' Association (PBA)

An organization founded in 1958 to promote and regulate professional bowling.

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Beer Leagues

Professional bowling leagues in the 1930s and 40s where bowlers were sponsored by beer companies.

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Golden Age of Bowling

The period from the 1940s to the 1970s when bowling experienced tremendous popularity and professional bowlers became superstars.

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Pinsetters replaced by machines

During the mid-1930s, automated machines began replacing young boys who manually reset pins after each roll.

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Wooden balls replaced by plastic

Wooden bowling balls were replaced by more durable and dynamic plastic balls.

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Action Bowling

A lucrative, high-stakes form of bowling that involved gambling and often attracted mobsters in New York City from the 1940s to the 1970s.

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Mike Limongello

A legendary action bowler who started his career in the 1960s and made thousands of dollars per game as a teenager.

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Iggy Russo

An action bowler who was forced to fake a heart attack to avoid being killed when his opponent bet against him.

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Lenny the Cane

A legendary action bowler who teamed up with Iggy Russo and became an expert in the gambling side of bowling.

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Ernie Schlegel

An action bowling legend who used trickery to his advantage, pretending to be drunk to deceive his opponents.

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Looking for fish

A term used to describe action bowlers searching for easy-money opponents who overestimated their abilities.

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Domino Effect

A chain reaction where the success of one thing leads to the success of others, causing a widespread shift. For example, when top bowlers left action bowling for the PBA, more top bowlers followed suit, leading to a decline in action bowling.

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PBA

Professional Bowlers Association, the governing body for professional bowling in the US.

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Why did bowlers leave action bowling for the PBA?

Top bowlers left action bowling for the PBA because it offered more structure, higher prize money, and a platform to prove themselves as the best in the world.

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Bowling's decline in the 1980s

Action bowling lost popularity as top bowlers joined the PBA, leading to a general decline in bowling's popularity and buzz.

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PBA's financial struggles

By the early 2000s, the PBA was deeply in debt and struggling financially. This led to its purchase by Microsoft employees for a relatively low sum.

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PBA's online strategy

Chris Peters, after purchasing the PBA, implemented an online strategy by revamping the website, streaming events live, and pitching coverage to networks.

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PBA's decline in the 2000s and 2010s

Despite online initiatives, the PBA continued to struggle, with declining bowling participation, membership, and sanctioned alleys.

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PBA bowlers' earnings

While some top PBA bowlers earn significant salaries, the majority earn modest incomes, with earnings declining compared to previous decades.

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PBA bowlers' expenses

PBA bowlers often have to bear significant travel expenses, impacting their overall earnings and making it difficult to sustain themselves solely on bowling.

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PBA bowling's time commitment

Becoming a professional bowler requires a significant time commitment to practice and hone skills, often exceeding 6 hours per day for years.

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PBA bowling's low return

Despite the extensive time commitment, many PBA bowlers struggle financially, earning modest incomes and needing second jobs to support themselves.

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Bowling's popularity

While the sport is still popular recreationally, league bowling participation and bowling center visits have declined significantly.

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Technology's impact on bowling

Technology's advancements have improved bowling equipment and scoring, possibly making the game easier and affecting its appeal and challenge.

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Study Notes

Professional Bowling's History and Decline

  • Professional bowling experienced a golden era in the 1960s and 70s, with top earners vastly outperforming NFL stars.
  • Bowlers were celebrities, enjoying high-profile endorsement deals (e.g. $1M endorsement for Don Carter) and lucrative prize money.
  • Today, professional bowlers often supplement their incomes with other jobs due to declining compensation.
  • The sport's glitz and glamour have faded, replaced by more modest sponsorships.

Origins and Early History of Bowling

  • Bowling possibly originated in Germany in the 4th century as a religious ritual.
  • Bowling gained popularity in England by the 14th century, but King Edward III banned it to favour archery.
  • In the US, bowling embraced a more common man image and became associated with the working class.
  • The US’s first bowling alley, Kickerbockers, opened in 1840 in New York.
  • Nine-pin bowling was prevalent, leading to the addition of a tenth pin to circumvent gambling prohibitions.

The Rise and Organization of Bowling

  • Joe Thum, considered the "grandfather of modern bowling," helped establish the American Bowling Congress (USBC) in 1895. This organization standardized rules and equipment.
  • Other organizations like the Bowling Proprietors Association of America and the International Federation of Bowling followed.
  • World War II and the introduction of automated pinsetters and modern plastic balls increased accessibility and popularity.
    • Bowling became a billion-dollar industry by 1945.

The Golden Age of Bowling

  • "Beer Leagues" where teams from different beer companies played in the 1930s-40s, brought the best bowlers to the spotlight.
  • Televised events with pro bowlers like Buzz Fazio, Dick Weber, and Don Carter drew millions of viewers.
  • The Pro Bowlers' Association (PBA) formed in 1958, boosting televised tournaments even further.
  • Sponsors like Coca-Cola and Ford Motors contributed to the burgeoning fame of the sport.

Action Bowling (1940s - 1970s)

  • An illegal activity, often involving gambling.
  • Top players earned significant amounts, particularly in New York. (e.g., Mike Limongello earning from $200-$1,500/game).
  • Mobsters involved, and bowlers found themselves betting on games in dangerous scenarios.
  • Characters like Lenny the Cane and Ernie Schlegel were known for their cockiness and use of tactics.

Bowling's Decline

  • The PBA saw a decline in popularity and finances by the 1980s and 1990s.
  • In 2000, the organization was bought for a relatively small sum.
  • The average PBA player makes far less than formerly, even at the top levels. (Top 10 average $155,000 and 20th-place earns $26,645 in 2012)
  • Many bowlers have to work second jobs, and even top stars like Walter Ray Williams Jr. often face financial limitations.

The State of Bowling Today

  • There are still many recreational bowlers, despite decreased participation in the PBA. (e.g., 52 million Americans aged 6 or older bowl)
  • A decrease in the PBA sport participation is thought by some to result in its easier nature (machines/equipment), but bowling remains America's recreational sport.
  • The study mentions a possible future revival, suggesting that bowling's youth appeal could be a catalyst. (e.g., 80% involvement in children between 6 and 18)

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Explore the rise and decline of professional bowling, from its golden era in the 1960s and 70s to the challenges faced by bowlers today. Learn about the origins of the sport, its cultural significance, and its evolution over the centuries. Delve into the stories of celebrity bowlers and the impact of sponsorships on the industry.

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