04/24/24
July 18, 2003
The NCAA has announced it's 88th official championship: Women's bowling. This article actually has a lot of interesting information about emerging sports and what they have to do to be official.
posted by Ufez Jones to other at 11:12 AM - 7 comments
Now, here's a sport that shouldn't separate men from women. The playing area and components are all the same (except for the clothes and shoes and weight of the balls -- ok, stay with me here). Strength is not a factor as much as accuracy (placement); gravity does most of the work. I'd love to see some co-ed competition here.
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:36 AM on July 18, 2003
Just as the PWBA is close to folding. Does anyone know if the scoring is comparable on the men's and women's pro circuits?
posted by mbd1 at 12:25 PM on July 18, 2003
Bowling is boring. Having two separate tours just because the players are of different genders isn't going to make it any more interesting. Or lucrative. I say mix it up! That might actually bring some new energy to the sport. Gosh, bowling is just about below golf for fast action and excitement. Good grief. Snooker (pool, billiards et al) is the next one that should just get rid of the gender separation. The women's game is in the same boat as the PWBA. C'mon!
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:24 PM on July 18, 2003
mbd1> The top men bowlers average 217-225 while the top women bowlers average 208-215. Yes there is a slight difference and I'm not sure why. As a life long bowler (grew up in the "YABA professionals" -- get scholarship $$ instead of cash), I'm still confused over why women have not stepped up in this sport (don't argue this...it's a sport). (note: pull stats from the PBA and the PWBA) Strength is a bit more of a factor than some assume. It's not the fact that the ball is thrown harder, but its that a different weight ball is used. Many women use 15# balls while men use 16#. That 1# makes a big difference in carrying weight through the pins. (physics lessons optional)
posted by meanie at 02:47 PM on July 18, 2003
Don't forget Curling as a candidate for going coed. Horseshoes too! Basically any game where the object is accuracy can theoretically coed. Darts. Bocci. But then again, these games have deeply entrenched 'bonding' traditions(read: drunken revelry) that aren't exactly unpopular.
posted by garfield at 03:01 PM on July 18, 2003
This is what I'm saying, garfield. "Coed." "Drunk." Two great tastes that go great together.
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:49 PM on July 18, 2003
Hmmm, that would have been the best sport for me while in college ... especially if beer and french fries (normal bowling alley cuisine) would have been included.