Post by Robin on Jan 11, 2004 14:40:45 GMT -5
Washington Post, Jan. 11, 2004.
(References this site.)
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1940-2004Jan8.html
Get Out
Try Duckpin Bowling
Sunday, January 11, 2004; Page M07
Call it Bowling Lite. Literally. Duckpin bowling -- invented over a century ago when an adventurous Baltimore alley manager decided to prune down some pins -- is similar to its ancestor, but on a smaller scale. The tiny pins are nine inches high instead of 15. And instead of weighing 10 pounds or more, duckpin balls are a relatively breezy 3 pounds 12 ounces.
The smaller size can make for big-time action. Wrap your hand around a ball, raise your arm, release and -- zoom! -- the little sucker speeds down the lane. A game is played in 10 frames, and you get three tries to knock down all the pins in a frame. You can score up to 300 points, but there has never been a perfect game in the sport's history, according to the Duckpin Bowling Proprietors of America.
Duckpin was at its most popular in the 1930s and never expanded much beyond the Northeast. (Check out that and other duckpin trivia at www.robinsweb.com/duckpin.) Several alleys in the region have shut their doors just in the past few years. (The plight of one -- the defunct Southway Bowling Center -- is recounted in a documentary, "This Is Duckpin Country," showing Saturday at 7 p.m. at Baltimore's Creative Alliance at the Patterson; 410-276-1651.) But there are still several left, and if you're looking for a cheap date or a sport the whole family can play, duckpin might fit the bill.
What to Expect: The feeling of power! Little duckpin balls roll much faster than weightier bowling balls. They're harder to control, but if you lack accuracy, you can still knock down some pins by force.
What to Bring: A short-sleeved shirt -- you'll get sweaty after a few frames.
Cost: Open bowling is about $3 per game, while leagues charge around $15 per week. Tony Sclafani
Where to Get Your Ducks in a Roll
Leagues play at all locations; prices are for open bowling.
Maryland
AMF Bowie Lanes. 15514 Annapolis Rd., Bowie. 301-262-5553. A hybrid alley with 12 duckpin lanes and 20 10-pin. $3.50 per game, shoe rental $3.25.
AMF College Park. 9021 Baltimore Blvd., College Park. 301-474-8282. A 40-lane alley, home to the Men's Duckpin Pro Bowlers Association Master's Tournament each November. $4.25 a game, shoes $3.25.
Dee's Lanes. 4811 Silver Hill Rd., Suitland. 301-735-9534. Has 24 lanes, with league play every night but Sunday, 7-7:30 p.m. $3 per game, shoes $1.50.
Seidel's Bowling Lanes. 4443 Belair Rd., Baltimore. 410-485-5171. Live roots music featured at the monthly "Duck 'n' Roll" series. Next concert is Jan. 30 (band to be announced). $2.50 a game, shoes $1.50.
White Oak Duckpin Bowling Lanes. 11207 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. 301-593-3000. White Oak's 24 lanes attract a family crowd. A snack bar serves surprisingly juicy hamburgers. Check out cosmic bowling Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. $3.25 a game, shoes $2.50.
Virginia
Falls Church Bowling Center. 400 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church. 703-533-8131. A kitschy, '50s-modern exterior greets you at these 32 lanes. $2.75 a game, shoes $1.50.
(References this site.)
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1940-2004Jan8.html
Get Out
Try Duckpin Bowling
Sunday, January 11, 2004; Page M07
Call it Bowling Lite. Literally. Duckpin bowling -- invented over a century ago when an adventurous Baltimore alley manager decided to prune down some pins -- is similar to its ancestor, but on a smaller scale. The tiny pins are nine inches high instead of 15. And instead of weighing 10 pounds or more, duckpin balls are a relatively breezy 3 pounds 12 ounces.
The smaller size can make for big-time action. Wrap your hand around a ball, raise your arm, release and -- zoom! -- the little sucker speeds down the lane. A game is played in 10 frames, and you get three tries to knock down all the pins in a frame. You can score up to 300 points, but there has never been a perfect game in the sport's history, according to the Duckpin Bowling Proprietors of America.
Duckpin was at its most popular in the 1930s and never expanded much beyond the Northeast. (Check out that and other duckpin trivia at www.robinsweb.com/duckpin.) Several alleys in the region have shut their doors just in the past few years. (The plight of one -- the defunct Southway Bowling Center -- is recounted in a documentary, "This Is Duckpin Country," showing Saturday at 7 p.m. at Baltimore's Creative Alliance at the Patterson; 410-276-1651.) But there are still several left, and if you're looking for a cheap date or a sport the whole family can play, duckpin might fit the bill.
What to Expect: The feeling of power! Little duckpin balls roll much faster than weightier bowling balls. They're harder to control, but if you lack accuracy, you can still knock down some pins by force.
What to Bring: A short-sleeved shirt -- you'll get sweaty after a few frames.
Cost: Open bowling is about $3 per game, while leagues charge around $15 per week. Tony Sclafani
Where to Get Your Ducks in a Roll
Leagues play at all locations; prices are for open bowling.
Maryland
AMF Bowie Lanes. 15514 Annapolis Rd., Bowie. 301-262-5553. A hybrid alley with 12 duckpin lanes and 20 10-pin. $3.50 per game, shoe rental $3.25.
AMF College Park. 9021 Baltimore Blvd., College Park. 301-474-8282. A 40-lane alley, home to the Men's Duckpin Pro Bowlers Association Master's Tournament each November. $4.25 a game, shoes $3.25.
Dee's Lanes. 4811 Silver Hill Rd., Suitland. 301-735-9534. Has 24 lanes, with league play every night but Sunday, 7-7:30 p.m. $3 per game, shoes $1.50.
Seidel's Bowling Lanes. 4443 Belair Rd., Baltimore. 410-485-5171. Live roots music featured at the monthly "Duck 'n' Roll" series. Next concert is Jan. 30 (band to be announced). $2.50 a game, shoes $1.50.
White Oak Duckpin Bowling Lanes. 11207 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. 301-593-3000. White Oak's 24 lanes attract a family crowd. A snack bar serves surprisingly juicy hamburgers. Check out cosmic bowling Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. $3.25 a game, shoes $2.50.
Virginia
Falls Church Bowling Center. 400 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church. 703-533-8131. A kitschy, '50s-modern exterior greets you at these 32 lanes. $2.75 a game, shoes $1.50.
