Every time I log into Facebook lately — between negative posts and bickering arguments on bowling forums — I’m told just how awful bowling is. Literally every single time.
It really amazes me that so many people go out of their way to let others know how bad our sport is. If you’re so cynical about it, why are you still doing it?
If any of you have the answer, please, feel free to enlighten me.
But back to my point: I’m sick of it.
We talk so much crap about our own sport, but, then, when others — those who don’t bowl — belittle our sport, we’re offended? Again, explain this to me.
So in today’s article, we’re going to do the exact opposite: we’re going to talk about some of the positives of bowling, because I for one am sick and tired of all the negativity in the world.
Up first, the relationships:
I have met every single one of my best friends through bowling. Every. One. And this is true of many bowlers. This sport, as much as any other — or more — is very personable. I am still friends with virtually every bowler I competed with throughout my life — all the way back to youth bowling. And while I understand that other sports offer similar experiences, with team sports, you typically become friends with your own teammates, not your competitors.
Next, the challenge:
Listen, I get it: “bowling isn’t as hard as it used to be.” I know. You don’t have to tell me. But you still can’t tell me that there is no challenge in it. The challenge of getting better. The challenge of being your very best. The challenge of competition. The challenge of winning. No matter where you look in our sport, there are challenges. Are they as challenging as yesteryear? Maybe not. That isn’t for me to say. But they still exist. And I still find them every bit as fun and as exciting today as I did when I first started all those years ago.
The thrill of victory:
Winning is fun. It always has been, it always will be. And I dc if I’m bowling league, pot bowling, a PBA event, or playing Monopoly; I enjoy winning. I have seen and heard people say that “winning doesn’t mean as much anymore.” Excuse me? Please, explain this to me as well. Does winning not mean as much in the NFL anymore because the game has become higher scoring? Does winning not mean as much in basketball because they shoot more threes now and allow more travels? Does winning not matter in tennis because players hit it harder than ever? I think not. Winning is always fun. It never comes easy. And it never gets old. I don’t care how good you are or how old you get. Winning is winning.
And last but not least, the variety and individuality:
There’s no one way to bowl. There’s no right way to bowl. Sure, there are basics and fundamentals that most everyone has to get down. But everyone is so different and unique. Even the best in the world, though they share similarities, their styles all differ quite a bit. And you can get good at this game with a variety of styles and approaches. And I love that. There’s no cookie cutter style that you have to have in this sport to find success. And not only can styles vary, so too can body types. In bowling, you don’t have to be 6’5″+. You don’t have to be a super athlete. You don’t have to be able to run a 4.4 forty yard dash or have a 42″ vertical leap. Sure, it 100% helps to be athletic. Duh. But not to the degree it takes in other sports. In bowling, no one is shut out. No one body type is really at an advantage or disadvantage. Not majorly, anyways. And you have to appreciate that aspect of bowling.
Now, obviously, these aren’t the only positives of our sport. I could sit here all day and tell you everything that I love about bowling. But we’d be here all day, so instead, why don’t you comment below in the comments section and tell us what you love about our sport. Please, try to refrain from negativity; don’t be “that guy (or girl).”
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