Strike!

Where I'm from, when you use the term "bowling" you're referring to a game using slim pins and a ball roughly the size of a grapefruit. We call it "candlepin," differentiating it from "big ball bowling," or "duck pin." I didn't toss one of those heavy, finger-drilled bowling balls until I was in college.

Lore dates the invention of bowling all the way back to 1881, conceived in the town of Worcester, 50 miles or so due west of Boston. According to the Massachusetts Bowling Association, just 23 candlepin bowling alleys now remain. Down from 40 just a decade ago. 

There are a few in New Hampshire and a dozen in Maine. But bowling, as I know it, is on the ropes. 

Say it ain't so!

"I saw this college team bowling championship. Each team had their own coach. What kind of strategic advice is a bowling coach going to give? ‘You know what? This time Timmy, I want you to knock down all the pins.’ ‘You sure?’ ‘Trust me!’" – Jim Gaffigan