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PBA/USBC HOF Chris Barnes The 2025 PBA50 South Shore Classic , held from June 23-26 at Olympia Lanes in Hammond, Indiana, was a pivotal event in the PBA50 Tour’s 44th season. This tournament, known for its competitive field and vibrant atmosphere, attracted top senior bowlers aged 50 and over. For Chris Barnes, a Texas native and PBA Hall of Famer, the event was a chance to redeem a rocky start to his 2025 season. Barnes described the first four weeks of the season as among his worst, with four of his five lowest PBA50 tournament performances. “I went down a path that was kind of dark and desolate,” he admitted, reflecting on his attempts to keep up with younger PBA Tour bowlers. A reset at the PBA50 Senior U.S. Open, coupled with practice sessions with his wife, Lynda, and twin sons, Troy and Ryan, helped him regain his form. This family support and a return to familiar techniques set the stage for his South Shore Classic triumph. Breaking Down the Tournament: Barnes’ Path to Victo...

🎯 Why Earl Anthony Still Matters in Bowling Today In a sport now filled with two-handed power players, explosive hook shots, and futuristic gear, Earl Anthony’s name still echoes across bowling alleys. Known as the "Lefty Legend," Anthony didn’t just dominate the lanes—he mastered them with consistent, elegant efficiency. So, what made his release so iconic? Why does it continue to influence bowlers today? This blog explores: Anthony’s backstory and record-breaking career A breakdown of his legendary release Expert takes on his form Championship moments that showcased his technique Practical ways bowlers today can apply his method Let’s explore how the quiet consistency of one man became the gold standard in bowling. 🏆 The Legend of Earl Anthony: Beyond the Stats Earl Anthony didn’t grow up dreaming of bowling stardom. He was a talented baseball pitcher before an injury redirected his focus to the lanes. Even more remarkably, he didn’t turn professi...

Bowling has long been a cherished American pastime, but over the past decade, a surprising demographic has fueled its resurgence: seniors. Across the country, over-50 bowling leagues are booming, offering a unique blend of camaraderie, competition, and fun. Whether you're a seasoned bowler or looking for a new social outlet, senior leagues could be the perfect way to strike up a healthier, more connected lifestyle. In this article, we'll explore why senior bowling leagues are more popular than ever, highlight their physical and social benefits, and show you how to find and join a league near you. Why Senior Bowling Leagues Are Growing in Popularity Senior bowling is far from a niche trend. According to the United States Bowling Congress ( USBC ), league participation increased from 1,053,129 members in 2021–2022 to 1,093,909 in 2022–2023. Much of this growth is driven by adults aged 50 and older returning to the lanes—or giving the sport a shot for the first time. 1. Camar...

  Surviving a Heat Dome at League Night: Bowling Struggles, Wins & Worn-Out Lanes 🌡️ Bowling Under a Heat Dome League bowling in the South during a heat dome is not for the faint of heart. With temperatures soaring into the mid-90s and humidity levels topping 90% , staying cool becomes just as important as hitting your mark. Thankfully, our center's HVAC system was holding strong—but the same couldn’t be said for the aging A-2 pinsetters . It’s a classic case of love the game, tolerate the conditions . 🚫 Lane Troubles and Late Nights We were originally scheduled on lanes 5 and 6 , but due to lane 5 being cannibalized for parts, we were bumped to lanes 3 and 4 —new territory for us this season. Lane 3 Problems We Faced: Pinsetter repeatedly dropped pins Multiple re-racks due to incomplete racks Games delayed, stretching the night to 3.5 hours We once again closed the building down— the last team out . And while our bowling center has a great c...

PanAm Sports Organization | Visual Credit: panamsports.org In a move that has left the bowling community stunned, ten-pin bowling has been excluded from the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. This marks the first time since 1991 that the sport won’t be featured in the event—a major blow to athletes and federations across the Americas. Breaking a 30-Year Tradition For over three decades, bowling has been a consistent presence at the Pan Am Games, giving athletes a prestigious platform to shine. But that run has come to an end. Panam Sports recently announced that the 2027 Games will include 36 sports—bowling is not one of them. What makes this decision even more puzzling is the availability of ready-made facilities. The infrastructure built for the 2019 Games in Lima remains in excellent condition, yet it won’t be put to use for bowling this time around. A Growing Concern for the Sport’s Future This isn’t the first troubling sign. Bowling was also dropped from the 2025 World Ga...

  Practicing bowling isn’t just about knocking down pins—it’s about refining your skills with intent. If you want to grow as a bowler, it's important to separate skill-building from scorekeeping. In practice, your technique matters more than your scoreboard numbers . Why Tracking Scores During Practice Can Hurt Your Progress Modern automatic scoring systems start tallying results from your very first roll. While convenient, this feature can be misleading during practice sessions. Instead of focusing on form, release, or ball motion, many bowlers get distracted by their frame scores. Pro Tip: The practice lane is for honing your mechanics—not collecting strikes. Save the high scores for game day. Warm Up Before You Bowl: Small Habits, Big Results Productive bowling practice starts before the first shot. Taking time to warm up and check your gear prevents injury and improves consistency. Ask yourself: Did I stretch or loosen up? Is the ball fitting snugly a...

Improving your performance in any sport or skill-driven activity requires more than natural talent—it demands focused practice and a strategic approach to mastering your technique. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player aiming to sharpen your skills, breaking down your movements into manageable segments can help you progress faster and with greater consistency. In this article, we’ll explore the four-chunks approach —a proven method that breaks your technique into four essential phases: start, swing, slide, and release. You’ll learn how to focus on each stage, organize effective practice routines, and improve not only your core skills but also your spare (or recovery) game for overall success. What Is the Four Chunks Approach? Why It Works The four chunks approach divides your technique into four key components, making it easier to isolate weaknesses and build mastery step by step: The Start: Setting up your footwork and ball positioning. The Swing: Executing a cont...

This week featured a matchup between The Has-beens (that’s us) and The Powder Puffs. But don’t let their name fool you—they were sitting comfortably in second place in the league standings going into last night’s game. Meanwhile, following a dismal showing last week, we found ourselves once again at the bottom of the barrel. We entered the night with a +268 handicap compared to their +241. The Powder Puffs were on a hot streak: after starting the season 2–5, they had compiled a 23–12 record. We, on the other hand, brought a humbling 11–24 record to the lanes—but we were ready for the challenge. 🎯 Goals for the Night: Play the handicap – Bowling around or slightly above our average would help keep us ahead. Convert spares – Strikes are flashy, but spares win games. No giving away easy points. Stay consistent – One bad game can sink the night. Focus and teamwork were key. Win the majority (2 out of 3 games) – That would earn us 5 points (2+2+1), a big step up from 2—or...

The World Bowling League (WBL), set to launch in early 2026, aims to transform ten-pin bowling from a casual pastime into a global sports phenomenon.  Backed by League Sports Co (LSC) and the International Bowling Federation (IBF), the WBL promises innovative technology, celebrity star power, and high-stakes competition in iconic venues like New York’s Hudson Yards and Dubai’s Burj Al Arab. With a $3–5 million prize pool and names like Virat Kohli and Mookie Betts attached, the league has generated buzz. But in a crowded sports market dominated by soccer, basketball, and emerging ventures like esports, can the WBL survive? This article weighs the league’s bold vision against its challenges, exploring its chances of success without taking sides. Understanding the World Bowling League The WBL, debuting in Q1 2026, is a professional bowling league designed to elevate the sport’s global profile. It features six international franchises, each with four bowlers—two men and two women—fo...

In the game of bowling, a powerful hook and high rev rate might catch attention—but what truly separates good bowlers from great ones is their feel at release . Developing a smooth, consistent, and versatile release can dramatically improve your shot-making, increase your adaptability to various oil patterns, and boost your scores. This guide walks you through effective release drills , discusses the importance of a proper ball fit, and explores techniques to help you develop a better feel —all essential for bowlers looking to take their game to the next level. 1. Mastering the Foul Line Release Drill One of the best ways to isolate your release mechanics and build consistency is by practicing the foul line release drill . This simple yet powerful exercise helps you focus solely on your hand position, rotation, and follow-through—without the distraction of footwork or approach timing. How to Do the Foul Line Release Drill Stand at the foul line in your normal stance. Perform...

Wow—week 5 of summer league already? It’s been a wild season so far, and I’m sure there are more ups and downs ahead. I started with the GB5 and stuck with it through the 10th frame of Game 2. For Game 3, I switched to the Black Venom, but I was never fully satisfied with the ball’s response. I ended up bouncing between the two for the rest of the game. I didn’t break out the hybrid last night, and honestly, I doubt it would have made much of a difference. We were assigned to lanes 19 and 20, which I usually perform well on—even though they're on the high end of the house. I should be very familiar with these lanes by now; we’ve bowled on them three out of the five weeks so far. Still, everyone in our group struggled last night. Most had difficulty hitting their averages, and even the two “stronger” players on the opposing team had a rough go. One guy, using a Black Widow Mania, was the only bowler out of eight who got any real motion out of his ball. Despite the struggles, we...

In Las Vegas, Nevada, the PBA50 Tour witnessed a breakthrough performance as Tom Daugherty clinched his inaugural senior title. The 50-year-old from Riverview, Florida, outshone a competitive field of over 300 bowlers to claim the prestigious 2025 USBC Senior Masters championship at Sam’s Town Bowling Center. This triumph marked not only his first PBA50 victory but also a major title, adding to his impressive record of four PBA Tour wins, including one major. Daugherty’s journey to the top was remarkable. After finishing 12th, ninth, and sixth in his initial three PBA50 tournaments, he showcased his potential by earning the top seed for the stepladder finals. On Saturday, he bested the qualifying leader, Parker Bohn III, to secure the No. 1 position. In the championship match, Daugherty faced Bohn III again, delivering a commanding 233-185 victory. The match began with a strike, followed by a challenging 7-10 split, but Daugherty quickly regained momentum with five consecutive strikes,...

Andrew Anderson clinched the 2025 PBA Tour Finals title, defeating EJ Tackett in a dramatic championship match on June 8, 2025, at Steel City Bowl & Brews in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This victory marked Anderson’s second title of the season, both against Tackett, intensifying their rivalry. With a $35,000 prize and his sixth career PBA Tour title, Anderson solidified his comeback as a top-tier bowler. Explore how Anderson triumphed in this high-stakes bowling tournament and what it means for his legacy. Intense Group Stages Set the Stage The 2025 PBA Tour Finals showcased the top eight point earners from the 2024 and 2025 seasons, split into two groups based on cumulative points. Group 1 featured EJ Tackett, Bill O’Neill, Kyle Troup, and Graham Fach, while Group 2 included Anderson, Anthony Simonsen, Jason Belmonte, and Marshall Kent. The event used dual oil patterns—46-foot Petraglia and 40-foot Monacelli—challenging bowlers’ precision and adaptability. In Group 1, Tackett led the...

Learn the secret to better bowling scores with the Three P’s of lane play: Perceive, Process, Perform. Discover how mastering this strategy improves consistency and decision-making. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned league bowler, one truth remains constant in the world of bowling: success on the lanes is driven by your ability to adapt. In a sport where oil patterns change by the frame and every shot has consequences, consistent performance requires more than just throwing the ball the same way every time. That’s where the Three P’s of Lane Play come in: Perceive, Process, Perform . This simple yet powerful framework helps bowlers make smart adjustments, develop sharper instincts, and build confidence frame by frame. In this article, we’ll break down each of the Three P’s, explain how to integrate them into your game, and provide practical tips for bowlers at every level. Why Lane Play Matters More Than You Think Before diving into the Three P’s, it’s important ...