I was playing around with this idea the other day, but I'm curious as to if anyone would be interested in it or not. I know it wouldn't be nearly the same as an actual bowling league, where half the fun is the people you're with and the team camaraderie whilst battling your opponents, but would anyone be interested into forming a makeshift Hatrack Bowling League?
I can think of two ways to do it. Either teams would form by location, in that wherever there are three or four (depending on team size) Hatrackers in an area, they could meet and bowl three games then post their scores so we could actually have people get together. Or we have people form teams with whoever they want, and over the course of a week everyone bowls (which makes it much more flexible) and then posts their scores (or sends their scores to me and I'll post the standings and the stats). Either way it'd work completely on the honor system. The flexibility of having it be whatever day of the week is best for you might make it cheaper for a lot of people too, since most alleys have special days where it's cheaper to bowl, I know we have dollar days at a local alley here for dollar games.
So does this sound like something people would be interested in? You could still go bowling with other people, your own friends and family if you want, just record your own score while you do it. I can easily see how the appeal might not be there if you can't actually bowl against the team in person that you'd be facing, but I think there is a chance that it'd be fun enough to try. A little team spirit and friendly competition I think would be good, and if we ended up doing geographic teams, I think it'd give us all a great reason to hang out with each other. And come on, you KNOW you guys love bowling.
Any takers?
[ March 05, 2008, 07:10 PM: Message edited by: Lyrhawn ]
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Well, considering there are actually people around here - and that I need a life outside of my department - I think it could be fun. Posted by Liz B (Member # 8238) on :
I hate bowling and I suck at it, yet this sounds strangely fun. I would be interested if there're any interested hatrackers in my area to bowl WITH.
I'm in Leesburg, VA, and would be willing to travel to Chantilly or Herndon/ Reston, or possibly Tyson's Corner. Maybe even Manassas.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
For those of us with no life, can we post scores from some kind of virtual bowling video game?
Posted by RackhamsRazor (Member # 5254) on :
I haven't done a bowling league in several years, but I would love to participate in one. I'm certain I could convince RackhamsRazor to play along, if we could manage not to have games when she has too much vet school stuff going on.
Carrie?
--ApostleRadio
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
I assume you are talking "easy bowling", as most of you don't know the beauty and frustration of "real bowling"?
-Bok
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
Oh dear god, Bok.
I am AWFUL at candlepin. I'd never played before moving up here, but we go every other friday with my school and I'm MISERABLY BAD. I could at least break 200 with good ole' 10-pin bowling.
I'd definitely be up for a hatrack bowling league. I already go up to the place in Davis Square. How many other Boston people do we have here?
Posted by Erasmus (Member # 11496) on :
I love to bowl and would definitely take part...
but... anyone live in Texas? haha
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
You go to Sacco's? That's old school candlepin. Most candlepin lanes are of higher quality than that.
That said, the place is pretty cool.
-Bok
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
We can't all live in New England Bok .
It looks like people are hooked on the idea of forming teams by geography, which is great, that's my preferred method as well so we can actually get teams together physically so Hatrackers can hang out. I'm thinking we could have mixed trios, since it's easier to find three people than four anywhere, and that might include more people. If a group of two wants to adopt a member from another area that is willing to bowl alone, then they could do that too.
pooka -
I think a virtual bowling league would have to be a separate thing, since I can easily get a 280 on fake bowling, and can rarely break 150 in real bowling. Ahem, "easy" bowling according to Bok. Are there any Hatrackers around you pooka? Come out and bowl!
Hopefully we can get like 10 teams (30 people, maybe not so hard) so we can really mix things up and we're not constantly playing the same teams. And we'll have to work out a handicap since I'm guessing everyone here aren't PGA bowlers (I know I sure as heck am not).
I'm excited people are actually up for this! I wasn't sure how the idea would come across.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: We can't all live in New England Bok .
Sure you can, but you guys are too stubborn to realize it.
Oh, and we don't want any of you anyway
-Bok
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
Lyr, just to let you know, that up here it's actually rather a pain (though not as hard as it once was) to play 10 pin. Just about every alley in MA, RI, NH, VT, and ME are candlepin, I'd bet.
In greater Boston (population: a couple million), I know of only 2-3 10 pin places.
-Bok
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Wow I didn't realize it was THAT prevalent. If New Englanders can't make it work, I suppose we could set up a separate mini-Candlepin League for you, or try and have that fit into the 10 pin league, but I have no idea how that'd work fairly.
I'd have to leave you out just because New England is stubborn and weird, and refuses to conform. Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
Hey, we were here first!
*Shakes cane at the South and West cantankerously*
-Bok
Posted by Pegasus (Member # 10464) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bokonon: Hey, we were he-ah first!
Fixed that for you.
As a New Englander I had not realized the prolificacy of candlepin, although I am not an avid bowler. The big place in our community is 10-pin.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
quote:Originally posted by RackhamsRazor: I haven't done a bowling league in several years, but I would love to participate in one. I'm certain I could convince RackhamsRazor to play along, if we could manage not to have games when she has too much vet school stuff going on.
Carrie?
--ApostleRadio
I'm totally in. I should give fair warning that I'm horrible, though. Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Hey, in Rhode Island they're weirder, they have duckpin . Slightly bigger ball than candlepin.
And... I looooove bowling (of all kinds, though I like ten pin better because I don't accidentally throw the balls through the air as much), though I don't know if I'd have much time for any sort of regular bowling.
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
Carrie,
Sounds great. Don't worry, I'm not so great either, I just really enjoy it. And Annie rarely breaks 100. We will all enjoy being awful together.
--ApostleRadio
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
So we have our first Trio perhaps? Where are you guys located?
Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :
I remember duckpin bowling! Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
Raleigh/Durham area
--ApostleRadio
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
Ahhh... here's the thread. We should meet in Allen Park, since Thunderbowl Lanes (largest bowling alley in the world) is located there. Oh yeah, I've not played in like 10 years so I'm probably no good. Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Highland Park would probably be more in between us, you're in Wyandotte right? I guess it'd depend on where our third team member is located. I know there are other SE Michiganders here, but I can't think of anyone other than Hamson (and I think Flaming Toad?) off the top of my head.
I don't suppose Thunderbird Lanes would work? That's much closer.
I'm sure we could work out the logistics later, and you don't necessarily have to be good, just consistant. That's the magic of a handicap, it makes it someone who sucks can play someone who is good, you just need to make your average and we're fine.
I'm disregarding whether or not you actually WANT to play. You're being dragooned into service for the honor of the Mitten State, for Hatrack camaraderie, and gosh darn it all, because bowling is awesome .
Besides, we can talk about BSG in between frames. Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
hehehe ok
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
I live in Texas!
West of Fort Worth.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Woohoo! Alright, I suppose our next order of business is to figure out a place to be awful. Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
quote:Originally posted by Pegasus:
quote:Originally posted by Bokonon: Hey, we were he-ah first!
Fixed that for you.
As a New Englander I had not realized the prolificacy of candlepin, although I am not an avid bowler. The big place in our community is 10-pin.
You from CT?
Myr: I actually first learned about it (and played) in MD. Fun game. A little easier than candlepin.
-Bok
Posted by RackhamsRazor (Member # 5254) on :
Well, you are in Durham, and we are in Raleigh. Perhaps there is somewhere in between? I haven't been bowling here since we moved down, so I have no idea where the "good" lanes are. Do you know of some places?
--ApostleRadio
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
I don't off the top of my head, but I'll ask around tomorrow to see if anyone in my department does.
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Yeah, the clearing of the pins takes away a lot of the complications involved with candlepin! Most people don't believe that it is a real bowling type when I try to describe it Posted by Starsnuffer (Member # 8116) on :
Lyrhawn, I live in SE Mich also (Hamson's my friend, and we're both in highschool so there's at least partially the issue of telling parents we're going to meet folks from "The Internets") So I'm not necessarily volunteering us, but it's possible.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I didn't know that. Well if you guys can, that'd be awesome. Let me know what you guys come up with, if you want to, and if you or your parents need to know anything to ease your minds.
Posted by Pegasus (Member # 10464) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bokonon: You from CT?
I'm from Maine actually.
For the record, I'm not likely to be available to participate, though this does sound fun!
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Got my first response to the mass email inquiry:
quote:In Raleigh (if you want to go that far), I like Capital Lanes. It's REALLY trashy and redneck, but it's where the "serious" bowlers go. David and I were on a league for a couple of years and we bowled there. Lots of leagues.
In Cary, there's an AMF on Buck Jones Road that's OK.
I'll keep you posted if I figure out any more. Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
Baltimore is reportedly the birthplace of duckpin bowling. How odd. My average score when I took 10 pin in college was 140. We learned about how to calculate handicaps, but I would have to look it up again.
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
I'm fine with any place, Carrie, so we can do it wherever you want when this all gets started. Annie said she is in so long as we aren't attempting to adhere to a strict schedule, which I assume we are not. You guys both have school stuff going on, and I have a floating schedule at work....
--ApostleRadio
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
The way I'd imagined it, so long as you all bowl at some point during the week, the actual day doesn't really matter. So really it's whatever day your team can make it work the best on a week to week basis, that's up to you.
Though as of right now, it looks like it just might be a team or two playing each other, so it might be less of a League and more of a weekly showdown, but hey, we'll get it to work!
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
Hey Lyrhawn, I sent you my phone number via email... feel free to contact me.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Gotcha Telp. I'll be in touch.
Posted by Ivygirl1937 (Member # 10918) on :
Awww, I want to, but other than my mother, I don't know of anyone around here.
Oh, and I am really bad at it too, but it's so much fun.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Another option would be to form a team with other people, and then just go bowling with your mom. So long as you record your result, the team members can be anywhere.
Posted by Ivygirl1937 (Member # 10918) on :
That's true, although my mom is still a little distance away from me too...and I'd have to convince her to play with me. I think the bowling alley here in town has a deal on Saturdays and Sundays where you can play three games for five dollars or something like that. It's pretty amazing.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
We have $6 all you can bowl from 8pm to close and dollar days ($1 for a game, $1 for a drink, $1 for a hot dog...etc) at the place where I league bowl on Monday nights. I've been meaning to go up there on non-league nights to practice, but I keep forgetting. I need to buy my own shoes and ball.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Anyone else?
I was hoping that if we got enough teams we could start by the first week of April.
But that means we still need a few more teams!
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
I think it may be possible to make an online d20 based bowling MUD.
Posted by Starsnuffer (Member # 8116) on :
Want to make a list of teams somewhere in here so people can keep track/see if someone in their area is interested easily. (also for posting scores when that time arrives)
Posted by Liz B (Member # 8238) on :
It doesn't look like people in the DC/Northern VA area are interested, or close enough to me. Ah well. Have fun, everyone!
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Doesn't look like a lot of people in general are interested. But then, it might be that tons of people are interested but simply don't have the time! Which is certainly understandable.
Maybe we could get a summer bowling league going if people have more time this summer?
Posted by cassv746 (Member # 11173) on :
I think it'd be neat. But definitely don't have the time right now. How sad. I'd be up for it in the summer sometime if the three other Ohio people on here are.
Edited to add
Well the three other's I know of. Maybe there's really more and I just have no idea who they are. Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Well that gives you all plenty of time to form teams and work out a floating schedule. Maybe if we planned to start in May or June more people would have the time for it, especially Hatracker's college students. I think anyone interested in playing should either (or do both) post their desire to play and their location, so others can see it and contact you, or go form your own teams and come back to report it.
I'll organize people who've already expressed an interest later on this evening, thanks for the suggestion Starsnuffer.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Well, I bowled with some people in my department tonight, and I can safely say that I need practice.
LOTS of practice.
With swan dives, that is, because I took one tonight - into the lane. Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I have league bowling on Monday nights and decided to go early to get a little practice in. I bowled a 185, my highest game ever.
I followed that up with a 119, 120 and 107 in my actual games that counted for something. I have a steadily increasing 110 average.
Needless to say my team was happy for me that I bowled so well, but they really wish I could have done it when points were on the line.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Carrie, Rackham's Razor, and Apostle Radio (if I have the names right) are Team 1, from the Raleigh/Durham area.
Bowlers looking for teams:
Liz B in the Northern Virginia area
Launchywiggin in Boston
Erasmus in Texas, somewhere
Ivygirl1937 in an undisclosed location
PSI Teleport maybe, in Ft. Worth, Texas. You didn't actually say you wanted to or not, but, you posted here so I'll consider you a maybe.
Lyrhawn in Metro Detroit, probably with Telperion, also in Metro Detroit. And possibly also with Hamson or Starsnuffer as team mates. If we all played and we got two more people, we could have two SE Michigan teams.
Anywho, that's the current list of people who have expressed interest and where they are located. I'll update it as more people sign up.
Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :
I love the idea of this but I'm geographically challanged, and also there aren't any bowling rinks around here for mile and miles and miles...
SO - how about Wii bowling? I imagine there must ba a way to link the little white boxes together using the Power of the InternetTM.
I shall look into this and get back to you, but does anyone like the sound of this in principle?
Posted by Starsnuffer (Member # 8116) on :
One can tell there isn't a bowling alley near you because you called it a rink. Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Haha, I was just thinking the same thing.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
Oh, btw, I work afternoons and have strange days off so my only free night for bowling are Fridays. Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Eep. That could be a problem, I always work Friday nights. Until the summer anyway. My own schedule is pretty screwy, I work weekends mostly and have most of Mon-Wed off.
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