Is bowling a sport or a game?
- Thread starter GeorgeF
- Start date
This is a debate I have almost every week with someone who works at the bowl...
I don't think that you could really call it a sport here in Australia, I'd say it is in the US with the PBA and all. I mean technically, yes, if you looked at the definition in the dictionary, tenpin bowling would classify as a sport anywhere. But almost everyone that I talk to who aren't bowlers do not consider it a sport, they consider it a social game that people enjoy from time to time as a way of getting mates together, or for corporate functions, etc. Though you might argue it is the same with golf, the difference between the two is that golf gets tv/radio coverage, has solid sponsor backing, which bowling clearly lacks.
To me, in deciding whether bowling is sport, you have to take into account public interest and money. Public interest is almost nil... over the Perth Cup last weekend, the state's biggest bowling event, at any given time the maximum number of spectators was only about 50 I'd say, and that figure would have comprised mainly of competitors and their immediate families. Certainly, more people would show interest in bowling if there was ANY form of media coverage, but that can only come with big money from sponsors.
The prizefunds are much much smaller than any "sport" here in Australia, even if you won every tournament there is, after deducting airfares, accomodation, entry fees, etc. you wouldn't be left with a hell of a lot. I think it is pretty safe to say that in all the "sports" in Australia all the top athletes can comfortably make a living out of their sport as a profession, and I wouldn't know for sure but I would think that in Australia only Belmo makes enough to do that through bowling.
If there was someone or some company willing to put hundreds of thousands of dollars into firstly increasing the prizefunds, then into some sort of media coverage which would then hopefully attract more interest, then in years to come we may have a sport on our hands. But unless James Packer decides to get into tenpin bowling, I can't see bowling as a sport.
I don't think that you could really call it a sport here in Australia, I'd say it is in the US with the PBA and all. I mean technically, yes, if you looked at the definition in the dictionary, tenpin bowling would classify as a sport anywhere. But almost everyone that I talk to who aren't bowlers do not consider it a sport, they consider it a social game that people enjoy from time to time as a way of getting mates together, or for corporate functions, etc. Though you might argue it is the same with golf, the difference between the two is that golf gets tv/radio coverage, has solid sponsor backing, which bowling clearly lacks.
To me, in deciding whether bowling is sport, you have to take into account public interest and money. Public interest is almost nil... over the Perth Cup last weekend, the state's biggest bowling event, at any given time the maximum number of spectators was only about 50 I'd say, and that figure would have comprised mainly of competitors and their immediate families. Certainly, more people would show interest in bowling if there was ANY form of media coverage, but that can only come with big money from sponsors.
The prizefunds are much much smaller than any "sport" here in Australia, even if you won every tournament there is, after deducting airfares, accomodation, entry fees, etc. you wouldn't be left with a hell of a lot. I think it is pretty safe to say that in all the "sports" in Australia all the top athletes can comfortably make a living out of their sport as a profession, and I wouldn't know for sure but I would think that in Australia only Belmo makes enough to do that through bowling.
If there was someone or some company willing to put hundreds of thousands of dollars into firstly increasing the prizefunds, then into some sort of media coverage which would then hopefully attract more interest, then in years to come we may have a sport on our hands. But unless James Packer decides to get into tenpin bowling, I can't see bowling as a sport.
Brunswick Tech
Banned
The dictionary definition of both a game and a sport are identical..................
amagill
Active Member
I like to think of it as a sport, as I say to many of my friends, that put s***t on me, saying it is not a sport, I tell them to go and bowl 10 consecutive games & tell me it's not a sport!!! I know alot of the public don't consider it a sport, but even I remember watching the old Coca Cola Classic tournaments on channel 9 more than 10years ago, bavk then I fell it may have been more recognised as a sport, rather than a game, today, i'm not so sure though.
We definitely need an injection of some sort to really get the general publice recognising it as a sport.
We definitely need an injection of some sort to really get the general publice recognising it as a sport.
M
mr_change
If you say it is a game you are right, and if you say it is a sport you are right.
A sport is a game or that has a physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules which can either be played in a competion and/or for recreation.
A sport is a game or that has a physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules which can either be played in a competion and/or for recreation.
C
ChRisTiger
Being a sport or a game. .
Playing bowling and golf in a state level and competing everywhere gives me all sorts of pressure.
But all my life, I have never felt so much pressure on my shoulders when I tried out for the Tasmanian Rachuig Team for the first time this year.
Luckily I got over the line.
The feeling I had after a nailbiting final day, can't be matched by any hole in one anywhere
The point is. It doesnt matter what people thinks or how its defined, It's how we define it individually and the passion that we have for it.
For me its life changing
"Bowling is a sport where legends are born"
-3 under
Chris Acuavera
Playing bowling and golf in a state level and competing everywhere gives me all sorts of pressure.
But all my life, I have never felt so much pressure on my shoulders when I tried out for the Tasmanian Rachuig Team for the first time this year.
Luckily I got over the line.
The feeling I had after a nailbiting final day, can't be matched by any hole in one anywhere
The point is. It doesnt matter what people thinks or how its defined, It's how we define it individually and the passion that we have for it.
For me its life changing
"Bowling is a sport where legends are born"
-3 under
Chris Acuavera
bowlrig
Just A Bowler
As with many other sports / games, Tenpin Bowling is what you the individual make it.
If you want to make Tenpin your sport, (like George F, Belmo, Trotts, Gianotti etc) then so be it.
If you want to play socially - in league or not - and make it a night out each week with your mates and not take it to serious, then so be it.
As with many sports / games, it is only what the individual makes it.
Rob
If you want to make Tenpin your sport, (like George F, Belmo, Trotts, Gianotti etc) then so be it.
If you want to play socially - in league or not - and make it a night out each week with your mates and not take it to serious, then so be it.
As with many sports / games, it is only what the individual makes it.
Rob
GeorgeF
Hypercell = Hyperhook!
ok this is my take on it.......
Bowling in its current form is a game because there are variables in our game which does not make it fair for all players. The lane man has the ability to dictate who scores and who doesnt. Even laying symmetrical patterns doesnt help because with todays balls, the pattern is destroyed with a bit of traffic.
With sports in general most of the recognised sports have set and defined paramters in which players participate. Bowling has paramters but also has a huge variable which no gets to see, 'OIL'. The lane man has the power to ensure only certain people score if he wants....
This is the main reason bowlings bid to be included in the Olympics had failed. The IOC believed that results should be in the hands on a single person who had the ability to manipulate oiling patterns for certain bowling types.
This is where Kegel's standise bowling ball and patterns will revolutionize the game and bring it to a level where a true test of skill is measured without any biases. It is a long way off and will affect maybe .5% of the bowling community world wide, but it's a step in the right direction.
I have bowled for 24yrs, I love it. If anyone asks me, I always say its a sport, competing at National and International levels it leaves no doubt in your mind its a competitive sport. But from a technical side, it clearly doesnt meet the IOC guidelines as a sport which leaves the question, is bowling a sport or a game?
I think its a sport but also acknowledge is a game....
Thanks for the replies.
Bowling in its current form is a game because there are variables in our game which does not make it fair for all players. The lane man has the ability to dictate who scores and who doesnt. Even laying symmetrical patterns doesnt help because with todays balls, the pattern is destroyed with a bit of traffic.
With sports in general most of the recognised sports have set and defined paramters in which players participate. Bowling has paramters but also has a huge variable which no gets to see, 'OIL'. The lane man has the power to ensure only certain people score if he wants....
This is the main reason bowlings bid to be included in the Olympics had failed. The IOC believed that results should be in the hands on a single person who had the ability to manipulate oiling patterns for certain bowling types.
This is where Kegel's standise bowling ball and patterns will revolutionize the game and bring it to a level where a true test of skill is measured without any biases. It is a long way off and will affect maybe .5% of the bowling community world wide, but it's a step in the right direction.
I have bowled for 24yrs, I love it. If anyone asks me, I always say its a sport, competing at National and International levels it leaves no doubt in your mind its a competitive sport. But from a technical side, it clearly doesnt meet the IOC guidelines as a sport which leaves the question, is bowling a sport or a game?
I think its a sport but also acknowledge is a game....
Thanks for the replies.
RobbieB
Rodentus scientificus
Bowling is a sport. To my mind, a game is a recreational activity that doesn't require physical ability. Chess ia a game, as you can stand behind a beginner and tell him what to do. In bowling, as in other sports, you need the ability to repeat a physical action.
As far as the level playing field goes, I don't believe that George is correct. Technically, it is possible to develop a game where a complete bowler is competitive no matter what the lane condition by adjusting release etc. As far as saying no other sport has "variables in our game which does not make it fair for all players", how many 5' basketballers do you see?
All sports have a set of physical requirements which are necessary to succeed. I would argue that bowling at a high level is accessible to a much greater proportion of people than very many other sports. Yes, the lane man CAN have a great influence on the physical game required to score well, but that is true in other recognised sports, especially cricket, golf, off-track running, many skiing events, etc.
In my opinion, one major factor in the lack of recognition of Tenpin Bowling as a 'worthy' sport is the amount of physical help given to the bowlers by technology. Bowling is unique among sports in allowing technological aids to benefit those who are unwilling to develop beneficial physical traits. Name one other sport where you can strap on a physical device designed to render physical strength unnecessary?
Wriststraps, high powered bowling balls, exotic drillings - all are designed to overcome physical or technical deficiencies in ball release skills, skills which in most cases can be developed with practice and training. No other sport allows these technical shortcuts to high level performance. Where similar technical advances exist, such as in tennis or golf, they have strict limits imposed to protect the integrity of the game. In golf, courses are made more difficult, again to counter the improvement in technology. In bowling, on the other hand, we don't counter advances in technology by making the lanes harder, we make them easier. Go Figure.
At its best, bowling is not only a sport, but is one of the more difficult to master. No-one is going to take us seriously, though, when a anyone can basically have a 200 average handed to him by a ball driller, wrist strap and a lane man.
Cheers, Robbie.
As far as the level playing field goes, I don't believe that George is correct. Technically, it is possible to develop a game where a complete bowler is competitive no matter what the lane condition by adjusting release etc. As far as saying no other sport has "variables in our game which does not make it fair for all players", how many 5' basketballers do you see?
All sports have a set of physical requirements which are necessary to succeed. I would argue that bowling at a high level is accessible to a much greater proportion of people than very many other sports. Yes, the lane man CAN have a great influence on the physical game required to score well, but that is true in other recognised sports, especially cricket, golf, off-track running, many skiing events, etc.
In my opinion, one major factor in the lack of recognition of Tenpin Bowling as a 'worthy' sport is the amount of physical help given to the bowlers by technology. Bowling is unique among sports in allowing technological aids to benefit those who are unwilling to develop beneficial physical traits. Name one other sport where you can strap on a physical device designed to render physical strength unnecessary?
Wriststraps, high powered bowling balls, exotic drillings - all are designed to overcome physical or technical deficiencies in ball release skills, skills which in most cases can be developed with practice and training. No other sport allows these technical shortcuts to high level performance. Where similar technical advances exist, such as in tennis or golf, they have strict limits imposed to protect the integrity of the game. In golf, courses are made more difficult, again to counter the improvement in technology. In bowling, on the other hand, we don't counter advances in technology by making the lanes harder, we make them easier. Go Figure.
At its best, bowling is not only a sport, but is one of the more difficult to master. No-one is going to take us seriously, though, when a anyone can basically have a 200 average handed to him by a ball driller, wrist strap and a lane man.
Cheers, Robbie.
Ash
I can't think of a title.
I believe that bowling can be both.
The "Game" aspect of bowling, is what you see growing in this country, glowing lanes, loud music, etc...
The Sport aspect is tournaments...
It is true that the Lane Man has the ability to set up the lanes so particular types of bowlers will score and others won't. The really simple solution, as I have said before, isn't standardising balls (and all the other notions flying around) it's standarised lane conditions. take that power away from the laneman. All you need to do, is give tournaments a classification, or grading if you will. then set a standard pattern for each classification.
The higher the standard of bowler in the field, the higher the grade, for example, the MTC would most likely attract a higher grade than say a local tournament, sue to it's prestige and field of entrants, and would thus get a more difficult standard pattern.
The "Game" aspect of bowling, is what you see growing in this country, glowing lanes, loud music, etc...
The Sport aspect is tournaments...
It is true that the Lane Man has the ability to set up the lanes so particular types of bowlers will score and others won't. The really simple solution, as I have said before, isn't standardising balls (and all the other notions flying around) it's standarised lane conditions. take that power away from the laneman. All you need to do, is give tournaments a classification, or grading if you will. then set a standard pattern for each classification.
The higher the standard of bowler in the field, the higher the grade, for example, the MTC would most likely attract a higher grade than say a local tournament, sue to it's prestige and field of entrants, and would thus get a more difficult standard pattern.
Easy Tiger
Active Member
Why can't we get a standard say 5 patterns and rotate them like in the PBA?
To answer a couple of Robbie B questions, here's a few strap on devices to help in other sports, Shoulder pads, Helmets, Shin Guards. When was the last time we saw a Tennis player using one of those small headed wooden racquets. I think every game in the World has had advances in Technology.
Thier is nothing wrong with our Sport, it does'nt help when our own Sportmen are putting it down, you wont see that in other Sports.
willey.
Thier is nothing wrong with our Sport, it does'nt help when our own Sportmen are putting it down, you wont see that in other Sports.
willey.
Arhery has changed due to the hi-tech bows that allow competitors to adjust the bow tension for distance and wind speed. Tennis as has already been mentioned has changed forever due new Tennis Raquets. Golfers can hit the golf balls further due to advancements in Club and Ball technology, the list is endless! They are all still sports, the only change is the bar has been lifted to a much higher level. No different for bowling.
RobbieB
Rodentus scientificus
delahro said:
And how have these sports reacted to the new equipment? Tennis has actively tried to reduce ball speeds with different balls, lower pressures. Golf is extending and tricking up courses, making the playing area more difficult to counter the new technology. You are exactly right, the bar has been lifted in these sports.
In bowling, the bar has been lowered. We have the equipment advantages, and still have easier conditions. There is nothing wrong with a high scoring environment per se, but to non-bowlers it reinforces the perception of bowling as being an 'easy' sport. It is hard to argue with that perception when competition is routinely held on a surface specifically designed to give bowlers as much margin for error as possible.
bowlrig
Just A Bowler
Just had a dumb thought, but what do you ask when you enquire about a tournament / league or what do the counter staff ask? How many games?
I know it is just a play on words but maybe it should not be called "a game" of tenpin bowling. Lawn bowls have ends, cricket has innings. What could we have?
It could maybe change the perception a little if the serious participants of tenpin stopped referring it as a game.
Just a thought
Rob
I know it is just a play on words but maybe it should not be called "a game" of tenpin bowling. Lawn bowls have ends, cricket has innings. What could we have?
It could maybe change the perception a little if the serious participants of tenpin stopped referring it as a game.
Just a thought
Rob
