League Bowlers are a special kind...

When I came into this business, the only things I knew about league bowlers were the things I learned from The Big Lebowski. My goodness, was I in for a surprise. There are a few different kinds of league bowler.

The Old School League Bowler
This LB will forever live in the past memories of bowling's hayday, when you could still smoke inside, the menu consisted of 10 items of the greasy variety, leagues ruled 90% of the business and a league bowler was held at the utmost authority and respect. Due to the downfall of the business, especially in our corporate setting with 2 private centers in town, corporate has done anything and everything to bring in open bowlers to cover the loss. The Old School Bowler HATES the everyday open bowler. They believe open bowlers have no business being even 2 lanes away from them. The Old School Bowler also fails to remember that the center is a BUSINESS. They want free stuff, deep discounts, and for their lineage (fees for league lane rental) to always stay at the same price year to year. These bowlers are great when it comes to reliability of returning year to year in the same league. They however will always be grumpy complainers about everything. And they know it ALL. Don't believe me? Just ask them. You can spot them with a handful of quarters for the missed spare bank and a bowling bag from the fifties stored in a center locker they have rented since the center opened.

The "In it for the fun" League Bowler
This LB could care less about handicaps, winning points or oil patterns. They just want to have fun and drink beer. These bowlers are more concerned with their social conversation during leagues than if their teammate picked up their spare. This LB will only join a league if their friends are in it, and very rarely want to sanction with the USBC. You can spot them with house shoes and a house ball. However, these LBs can very quickly convert to a hardcore league bowler from the moment they decide to buy thier own bowling shoes.

The Hardcore League Bowler
Leagues 3 nights a week at 2 different centers, practice sessions twice a week, and a tournament almost every weekend. This is normal for what I like to call a hardcore league bowler. You can spot them right away with their Storm shirts, wristguard or glove, shoe bottom coverlets and bag with 5 custom fitted bowling balls... which they will use everytime they bowl-one for every situation. These bowlers go where the competition and money is. You can usually find them hanging out with Chad in the Pro Shop, or at any USBC Local Association meeting.

The Characters
These LBs are one of a kind. They are vocal, weird, hilarious, ridiculous and/or mind boggling in their behavior. These are the LBs I have the most interesting stories about. But that is for later blogging....

Now don't get me wrong. I love my league bowlers. They give my business consistent, dependable business week to week. This blog is for my own release of frustration, annoyance and dumbfoundedness. LBs arent the only ones who cause these feelings. I came into this business with no previous bowling experience or knowledge. I had to learn about the special species that frequent my business. And I have witnessed some truly intriguing stories, situations and gossip rampantly encompass this business more so than any other experience of my life. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it....