Brian, I can see how this activity pays the bills. But, I fail to see how it promotes the sport. I don't see the new wave of Cosmic Bowlers joining leagues. Someone mentioned here that they joined a cosmic league. Never heard of such a thing. Most of the kids who do this are flinging the ball, lofting it a half lane, some hit the rack when it is down. There is NO attempt to learn the sport. At this level, it is not a sport, but a game, and an excuse to drink beer.
Even Erin said she put a ball through the ceiling tile. Surprised it doesn't happen more often.

I never said it promotes the sport, Dennis. Bowling is more about "entertainment" than "sport" to a lot of the younger generation. It's almost laughable, almost the same way the WWE is a laughable representation of wrestling. It's sad, but it's the way it is anymore. More money is spent on cosmic bowling garbage than on league bowling, and that, to me, as both an avid bowler and as someone who worked in bowling center, is a sick and sad downward trend.

That's why, nowadays, bowling centers are much, much more than just lanebeds, ball returns, pinspotters, mini fast-food joints, and smelly house shoes. They're now "family entertainment centers" with arcades that rival ones I went to as a kid. Some places even have rooms exclusively for parties, most have automatic pop-up bumpers, and a few even have attached or adjacent roller skating rinks and/or miniature golf (or "putt-putt" as it's known around these parts). Even the snack bar is getting to grow with menus that you'd only see in restaurants 10-20 years ago.

The industry is trying rid itself of the terms "alley" and "house" to shed the image of fat guys wearing t-shirts or "wife-beaters" in a smoke-filled location chugging down pitchers of beer like they're water. No, we can't have that anymore. We have to become a "family-oriented fun multiplex" that has more overhead and a higher payroll than Chuck E. Cheese.

Times have changed a lot more than just the color of bowling balls and lane surfaces. And truthfully, I absolutely hate it.

Well Brian, I guess we have to roll with the times. Bowling Centers are in business to make a profit. And if that necessitates Cosmic Bowling, then so be it.

There is such a dramatic difference in the clientel. As the 30-60 year old league bowlers leave, in their polos or team shirts, still clean cut. In comes a crowd of hip hugging pants, short-short skirts, tri colored hair, piercings all over, and I am sure I don't see all of them, and they are all hanging all over each other. This may be a generation gap. But, I see a lot of younger people dressed more presentably then these people, but they don't bowl. There is a whole group of people that are missing.

I guess it's like the skiers being upset when snow boarders were allowed on the same slopes. It wasn't the snow board as much as it was the image of the users.

I can't imagine this activity or dress taking place at my golf club. At least we still have dress codes, and they don't include cargo shorts or T-shirts. Happy Gilmore couldn't get in wearing a Hockey jersey.

Dennis, I have seen some of the younger bowlers you described talking on a Cell phone on the approach and when they throw thier ball. They have Blueberries and lap tops and seem interested in everything but bowling. I sit and wonder why they bother?

ALMOST.....LOL

But it has happened, Lefty (I think it was) found a video of someone doing it.

Erin

Found that video. Crazy!!!!

With your talent, I can accept an almost. LOL Thumb stuck, huh?

How do you score the ceiling tile ball? It never came down and hit the lane, but, did cross the foul line. I guess automatic scorers would not see the ball to score.

Where's that video, Dennis. I'd like to see it.

I really meant, that I found it when it was posted. Here is another.

Brian, Lefty found it.

Thanks, Dennis. I saw it when Lefty posted it in another thread. The guy seemed like he was shocked at least. Not like those kids on those other videos from the link you posted. I had a couple of kids like that try and do damage like they did in the center I used to work at, and I immediately truned their lanes off and told them they had to leave. Yet another reason why so much money goes to "Cosmic Bowling"...to pay for the repairs from idiots like that.