Candlepin Bowling and me (See below for my last season's stats!)
Candlepin bowling is one of my passions. I started bowling in a league when I was in 8th grade, back in 1990. Ever since, I've been in a league almost every year (currently I'm taking time off to pursue a masters degree, but I plan on returning to the alleys possibly in Summer 2008). For me bowling has always been a great once-a-week social and physical activity that breaks up an otherwise monotonous week of school and/or work. For the last few years I've bowled all year round, usually with only one Monday off for Labor Day (also if Xmas or New Years falls on a Monday, or if it's snowing really bad). From May to August I was in the Monday Night Couples League at Lanes & Games in Cambridge MA, a somewhat competitive league where you bring in your own team to compete. From September to April I was in the Diehard Bowling League at Sacco's Bowl Haven in Somerville MA, the league I joined when I first moved to Medford. Check the Links page for the websites of both of these bowling alleys.
Some Background on Candlepin Bowling
Unfortunately candlepin is not as widespread as it should be. When most people think of bowling they think of the ten pin variety, which uses rather large and heavy bowling balls (too heavy for me!). Candlepin bowling uses much smaller balls which is one of the reasons why anyone can easily play. I also believe it is more exciting since any pin that falls and stays on the alley (called "deadwood" or simply "wood") is in play and can be used to knock other pins down; this does not happen in ten pin because all deadwood is removed from play before the next ball is thrown.
Below is what a candlepin bowling score looks like, which happens to be the highest game EVER bowled (officially). My personal high is 169, bowled on July 18, 2000 in Lynn, MA.
