THE HISTORY OF BOWLING The history of bowling is traceable to ancient Egypt.

A discovery made in the twentieth century revealed an ancient Egyptian grave that contained, among other objects, bowling pins and a bowling ball. This dates the first bowling equipment as being nearly 5200 years old. Bowling has evolved since that time and it is estimated that anywhere from 65 to 95 million people play the game today. The game of bowling is presently appreciated in more than ninety countries worldwide. In the beginning of the history in the year 1930s, Sir Flinders Petrie, an anthropologist from Britain, found a variety of objects buried in the grave of an Egyptian child. Some of the objects appeared to be crude and ancient bowling equipment; this allowed Petrie to trace the game of bowling to the year circa 3200 BCE. This assertion is not accepted by all historians however; some researchers like William Pehle, a German historian, argue that the game of bowling can be traced to regions in Germany and to the year 300 CE. There is some considerable evidence documenting the fact that bowling was a very popular game in England in the late 1360s; in fact, Edward III, the reigning king at the time, had banned bowling games because it was causing his military to avoid archery training. Historians also assert that King Henry VIII enjoyed bowling during his rule ship and that he may have used a cannon ball as a bowling ball when he played. The way bowling has been played has also changed over time. Many of the earliest games involved the use of a ball that was fingerless; todays bowling balls have two to three finger holes intentionally drilled into the balls for ease of grip. In Edinburgh, Scotland, one version of ancient bowling involved using a ball absent of finger holes that was then heaved at bowling pins; the bowler however, would flop down onto the lane when casting the ball and land on his stomach. There were a number of game variations and the game of bowling remains equally diverse today. Some researchers trace the game of bowling to games like bocce, played in Italy, and petanque, played in France, which later led to lawn bowling in Britain.

Its evolution started by the Germans, English, and Dutch colonists brought different bowling variations to America. The earliest documented American reference to the game is made by the author Washington Irving in his story about Rip Van Winkle; having been asleep, the character is awakened by the loud, crashing sound of ninepins. The first location that was made a permanent site for lawn bowling activities may have very well been established in Battery, New York: this location is still identified as Bowling Green. The game of bowling was acceptable entertainment for a period of time and then it became unacceptable in some areas. In the early 1840s, the game was banned in Connecticut and no one was allowed to maintain ninepins; this may have something to do with the game of bowling being associated with gambling activities at the time. Nevertheless, the game still remained one enjoyed by many and many people had bowling lanes installed in their newly erected mansions. The ninepin game of bowling proved popular until the ten pin game came into being sometime in the late 1800s. The ten-pin variation of bowling proved most popular in places like Illinois, Ohio, and New York. Ball and pin weights and sizes differed from one location to the next until Joe Thum, a restaurant owner, decided to call forth representatives from a variety of bowling clubs. By 1895, the American Bowling Congress was established and the game of bowling was on its way to being regulated and standardized. With the American Bowling Congress was an association for males, by the year 1917 another congress was formed for female: the Womens International Bowling Congress. By the late 1920s, there were regulations put into place at many bowling alleys that threatened to cast out any players who gambled when they bowled or gambled on bowling games. The latter regulations were again changed in the mid 1970s, when gambling once again became acceptable in a number of bowling alleys in Reno and Las Vegas, where the casino environment thrives. By the 1940s, bowling alleys were regulated inspected by law and in the same year the first National Negro Bowling Association, now changed to the National Bowling Association, was established. A year later a Hall of Fame was created: the ABC hall of Fame, and from 1941 to 1945 many military members in World War II played bowling after 4500 alley beds were built by the military. By the late 1940s, arrow markers and dots appeared on bowling lanes in Brunswick to improve bowling accuracy.

By the late 1950s, the Professional Bowlers Association was established by a sports newscaster and an Akron based attorney by the name of Eddie Elias. In the early 1960s, the first disabled association for bowlers was established too; the American Wheelchair Bowling Association. Later, in 1978, an African American bowling pioneer by the name of J. Elmer Reed was the first African American to ever be officially inducted into the ABC Hall of Fame for bowlers: formerly, the Hall of Fame was a white only honor. In the early 1980s, a pro tour for women was established: the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour. A year later, the ABC-WIBC collegiate divisions, the Youth Bowling Association, the American Junior Bowling Congress, and the Young American Bowling Alliance were formed for youthful players in the United States. Finally, it was not until the early 1990s that females could be inducted into the ABC Hall of Fame: a decision made only after women activists protested the exclusion of females from the prestigious title. Bowling balls, bowling pins, bowling shoes, and bowling ball styles all evolved from the creation and eventual development of the sport. Thus, the use of bowling equipment is intricately woven into the history of the bowling game itself. Nowadays more than 65 million people play bowling games on an annual basis. Presently, bowling games are played with different bowling balls made of a variety of materials and consisting of varying weights. Modern bowling balls are made to perform well with surface variations and can be chosen to further enhance a bowlers playing style. The bowling balls in use today are nothing like the first bowling balls used in games like lawn bowling. Bowling balls during the Medieval era were asymmetrical and they were not exactly round in shape; their unique shaped allowed for the balls to have a natural curve when they were tossed. The first bowling balls had an asymmetrical shape because it affected the balance of the ball as well as its spin. The earliest bowling bowls were absent of the finger holes one would find on modern bowling balls today too. Bowling balls were originally created out of a wood material identified as lignum vitae. By 1905, the first bowling balls made of rubber materials were offered. Later, in the early 1920s, a newer kind of bowling ball made of rubber was offered by Brunswick Corporation: the ball was identified as the Minerality. This ball proved popular until the 1970s. Even later, bowling balls were created out of polyester materials and by the mid 1980s; the most popular bowling balls were manufactured with materials consisting of urethane. Today, bowling balls are made with one of three distinct exterior coatings including polyester, urethane, and reactive urethane.

Just like bowling balls, bowling pins have changed over time in terms of their overall design. The first bowling pins, just like bowling balls, were made of wood materials like Maple. Sometimes the pins were made of stone. Pins were shaped through the use of a lathe tool. Wooden pins were coated with a plastic exterior coating and the pins are given a high gloss finish with a polyurethane coating. Today, the size and weight of bowling pins is strictly regulated by the American Bowling Congress. All pins have to be no greater than 4 3/4 inches in width and they can must be exactly 15 inches in height which this allows for an uniformity in terms of pins design. Every pin is designed so that it weighs exactly four pounds too. Pins are offered in standard varieties, they come in duckpin, and candlepin forms as well. In the 1930s, archaeologists found bowling pins in Egyptian tombs; these pins, along with bowling balls were dated to circa 320 BCE. This finding is the earliest known reference to the game. Some historians argue that bowling and bowling equipment came from Germany sometime around 300 CE. This German link is associated with the game of Kegelspiel or Kegal: a game using nine skittles or pins and rolling balls. The first written documentation of the game is traced to England during the reign of King Edward III when he banned the military from participating in the game because it caused them to neglect their training in archery. Some historians believe that King Henry VIII used a cannon ball to bowl; interestingly, this same king banned the game for the elite members of society because the game was causing so many to neglect the duties of their trade. As mentioned earlier, the very first bowling games were played on outdoor lawns. Bowling alleys as they are now appreciated were not really developed until the late 1950s and the 1960s. The first alleys were erected in the western region of the United States and a lot of money to build. A bowling alley was erected in Santa Monica in 1959 that cost nearly USD 2,000,000 to complete. Another bowling alley was created in California in Indio in the 1960s at the cost of USD 750,000. By the year 1962, a total of nine alleys had been created in the western United States; the largest being situated in El Cajon: the Parkway Lanes sported sixty alleys for bowling and cost one million dollars to develop. This bowling alley also maintained five acres of space for parking.

The exact date when bowling shoes were first used and manufactured is unclear. In certain cultures it may have been that footwear while bowling was optional, however, since the game of lawn bowling occurred outdoors, it is relatively safe to assume that shoes were worn by participants in the game. Of what little traceable history there is related to bowling shoes, historical records indicate that a Dermative shoe was introduced in America in the year 1888. The shoe was crafted out of leather and had water resistant properties. These early shoes were so versatile that they proved beneficial for those who enjoyed boating, cricket, tennis, or bowling. Over time, bowling shoes were crafted with stronger stitching: since lanes were oiled down so that the ball could move done the lane with greater ease, bowling shoes had to offer superior grip. In Malaysia, the first bowling center was built in the year 1961 in Pulau Pinang or Penang called International Bowl. In 1965, Malaysia Tenpin Bowling Congress, MTBC, was established under Raja Kamaruddin Udar. The first Malaysia victory outside from Malaysia was in 1970 at the FIQ Asia Championship in Hong Kong. MTBC has been deregistered in 1973. In 1974, Dato PS Nathan reestablished the congress by rename it to MTBC 74.

BASIC RULES AND REGULATIONS Bowling is played with 10 scoring frames. Each frame is one turn, but each player get two throws in each frame except for the tenth frame if a strike or a spare is scored. The number of pins knocked down with both throws is added to your total score. Each frame must be completed by each player in regular order. At the end of the game the player who has the most points wins. A game might be also played on two lanes, a pair of player, immediately adjoining each other. Members of the competing teams, doubles and singles entrants shall successively and in regular order bowl one frame on one lane, and for the next frame alternate and used other lane until 5 frames are bowled on each lane of the pair. Foul in bowling gives differ definition from other sports. Foul in bowling means that when any part of the player touches any part of the lane or the foul line during or after delivery. The delivery counts, but any pins knocked down are not recorded. When a dead ball is called, the delivery of the ball does not count and the correct pins must be respotted. And player is allowed to throw again the ball. A ball declared dead if the following problems occur: i) After a delivery, attention is immediately called to the fact that one or more pins were missing from the setup. ii) A human pinsetter interferes with any standing pin before the ball reaches the pins. iii) A human pinsetter removes or interferes with any downed pin before it stops rolling. iv) A player bowls on the wrong lane or out of turn. v) A delivered ball comes in contact with foreign obstacles.

Legal pin fall is pins to be credited to a player following legal delivery as below: i) Pins knocked down or off the pin deck by the ball or another pin. ii) Pins knocked down or off the pin deck by a pin rebounding from a side partition or rear cushion. iii) Pins knocked down or off the pin deck by a pin rebounding from the sweep bar when it is at the rest on the pin deck before sweeping dead wood from the pin deck. iv) Pins that lean and touch the kickback or side partition. v) All such pins that are termed dead wood and must be removed before the next delivery. No pins may be conceded and only pins actually knocked down or move entirely off the playing surface of the lane as a result of legal delivery is considered. Illegal pin fall is happened when any of the following occur, where the delivery is counts but the resulting pin fall does not: i) A ball leaves the lane before reaching the pins. ii) A pin rebounds after coming in contact with the body, arms or legs of human pinsetter. iii) A pin is touched by mechanical pinsetting equipment. iv) Any pin knocked down when dead wood is being removed. v) Player committed fouls.

Bowling, like any other sport, has a set of DO'S and DON'TS that must be followed so that all can enjoy the game. The rules are based on common sense, and express courtesy and good sportsmanship. Here are ten of the most important ones: 1) DO yield the 'right of way' when two bowlers are on adjacent lanes, and simultaneously ready to bowl, the bowler on the right delivers first. The other bowler ought to remain off or to the rear of the approach area. This rule doesn't apply if the bowler on the left is shooting for a spare. 2) DON'T take a practice swing with your bowling ball on the concourse or behind the approach. Wait until you are upon the approach itself before doing any practice exercises. 3) DO be ready when it's your turn to bowl. Remain in your lane area while your teammates are bowling, don't wander off. 4) DON'T use an excessive amount of body gyrations at the foul line after delivering the ball. Confine your body 'English' to your own lane. 5) DO bowl immediately when it is your turn. Once you have your ball, assume your stance and start your delivery, it isn't necessary to wait for lanes on either side of you to be cleared before you bowl, just observe the 'right of way' rule. 6) DON'T bring food or drink into the settee or bowlers area, a drop of liquid or any type of foreign substance spilled on the approach could cause a slip and serious injury. 7) DO wait until you have completed the frame before checking your score. Don't come back to the scorekeeper after the first ball has been rolled. 8) DON'T bench jockey while others are bowling. Friendly bantering is an accepted part of the sport, but don't overdo it. Be a good competitor. 9) DO return your bowling shoes to the counter control desk after bowling, and if you've borrowed a 'house ball' return it to the storage rack.

10) DON'T linger at the foul line after releasing the ball. As soon as your ball hits the pins return to your seat. Beside those 10 dos and donts, there are also many thing more that need to be look out for. Etiquette in bowling can be divided into 3 main points that are: i) General bowling etiquette Always wear bowling shoes. Street shoes will ruin the approaches and equipment. Keep nasty language and outbursts in your head. Nobody wants to hear it. Keep any food or drinks away from the lanes. Spilling anything can damage the equipment and also be dangerous for others. Remove your street shoes away from the lanes, especially if wet. If any of that water ends up on your bowling shoes, you might end up on your face in the middle of a lane. ii) Dealing with bowlers on your own lane Be ready to take your turn. Dont make everyone wait. Dont step over the foul line. Its against the rules and can also result in you tracking oil all over the approach, which is dangerous and ruins the enjoyment of the game for others. Dont use someone elses ball unless given permission. Use common courtesy. iii) Dealing with bowlers on surrounding lane Yield to the bowler to your right if youre both up at the same time. Stand off the approach and out of the line of sight of the other bowler until she finishes. Do not intrude on the adjacent lanes in any way. That includes throwing your ball onto the wrong lane, standing or playing on another lanes approach, or doing anything that infringes on the adjacent bowlers lane.

EQUIPMENT 1. Shoes Bowling shoes is a special footwear just for bowling. Bowling shoes are designed to mimic any style of flat shoe from regular dress shoes to athletic shoes. The sole of the non sliding foot is generally made of rubber to provide traction, while the sliding foot's sole is made of a smooth and flat material that allows a bowler to slide into his release with a rubber heel to allow for braking. Rental shoes are typically leather and rubber on both feet for durability. These shoes can be bought, but most casual players rent the shoes each visit to a facility. Players must be very careful while wearing them that the soft material does not get wet or excessively dirty; if it does get wet or dirty, it will not slide properly, and could damage the approach surface.

2. Balls Bowling balls vary, depending on the type of bowling game. Ten-pin balls are large, up to 27 inches in circumference or approximately 8.59 inches diameter, and have as many as twelve holes, typically three holes. The balls come in various weights from 6 to 16 lbs, with the size and spacing of the finger holes often smaller on lighter balls to accommodate smaller hands. Different kinds of balls are available for different styles of bowling. There are balls for hook shots and balls for bowling straight. Balls for other games vary, e.g., candlepin balls which fit in the palm of the hand need no holes. Unlike most sports, the ball can be different weights based upon the player.

3. Gloves A bowling glove is a glove with a metal wrist support and a textured face that offers support in order to enhance grip. There are different glove styles, including those with a full metal finger design and ones with an uncovered portion for the middle and ring fingers. There are also wrist guards. They allow a bowler to keep their wrist locked into place to generate revolutions on a ball or assist with position and/or weak wrists.

4. Bags Traditionally, personal bowling balls are carried in special zippered bags, along with shoes and a polishing cloth. Some bags are only large enough to fit shoes, while others can accommodate multiple balls, resembling roller bag luggage.

LANE SPECIFICATION

A regular bowling lane, including flat gutters, kickbacks, and the approach must be constructed of wood and/or other synthetic materials which have been tested fully and approved by the United State Bowling Congress. The approach extends from and is exclusive of the foul line and shall be an unobstructed level approach not less than 15 feet in length, free from depression inches or more and not less than the width of the lane. The foul line must not be less than 3/8 inches or more than 1 inch in width, extend across the entire width of the lane at a minimum and be distinctly marked or embedded between the lane and the approach. When a bowler stands the full distance back on the approach with the heels of the bowling shoes positioned at the far back edge of the approach, a distance of about 75 feet exists to the head pin. Many bowlers will take five steps from 15 feet away from the foul line and over-stride to reach the line to deliver the ball leading to poor balance and tempo. Because the approach extends 15 feet back from the foul line does not mean any given 5-step bowler must stand that distance from the foul line when assuming the stance position and getting ready to bowl. The set of guides located 12 feet back from the foul line are also useful to align player but it is not indicate a bowlers that using either 4 or 5 steps stand 12 feet from foul line. Many bowlers struggle reaching the foul line and therefore release the ball into the approach surface rather than beyond the foul line on to the lane surface where oil conditioner exists to help skid the ball properly down the lane.

The opposite is true for bowlers who do need to stand further from the foul line and get the feet moving more quickly and stretch out steps to achieve improved balance, leverage, and ball speed than standing too closely to the foul line. These are good reasons to consult a certified coach if you are learning to bowl or is you are seeking to improve your game. Make sure your footwork matches best with your natural stride and pace of steps. Dimensions of the lane are as follows:

1. the kickback is 24" above the pin deck at the highest point and 17" above the deck at a lower point. 2. the tailplank is 2" maximum thickness and the pit cushion is 9 7/8" thick. 3. the pin spots are fiber spots 2 1/4" in diameter. 4. the center of the 7 & 10 pin spots are between 2 1/2" and 3" from the edge of the pin deck and the centers of the pin spots are 12" apart set in a equilateral triangle formation. 5. the gutter (channel) width is 9 1/4" in width. 6. the gutter is 1 7/8" beneath the lane surface. 7. the lane is made of tongue and grooved bed stock. typically laid on edge or of a synthetic material giving the appearance of boards sitting on their edges. 8. the center of the head pin spot is 60 feet plus or minus 1/2" to the foul line. 9. the overall length of the lane to the pin deck is 62 feet 10 3/16". 10. the lane is 41 1/2" in width.

The lane and approach markings allow for a maximum of 7 guides embedded in or stamped on the approach at each of the following points: 2"-6", 3'-4', 6'-7', 9'-10', 11'-12', and 14'-15'. Seven targets or visually seen the arrows may be embedded into or stamped onto the lane 12'-16' distance past the foul line and must be uniform in length and in shape and must be at a maximum of 1 1/4" in width and 6" in length. At a distance 33'-44' beyond the foul line, there maybe 4 targets uniform in appearance no wider than a single board nor longer than 36". Each series of guides 6'-7' past the foul line must be parallel to the foul line and circular in shape with a maximum of 10 guides not to exceed 3/4 inches in diameter.

The Pin Deck The tail plank must be a Maximum of 2 inches in width and the back line of pins are 3 inches further on. Each pin is 12 inches from its neighbor in any direction (as measured from the center of each pin) so the pins are in an equilateral triangle with the head pin 34 and 3/16ths inches from the tail board.

Bowling Pins Pin Composition: Pins are shaped from Maple wood, which is then coated with a 3/32inch-thick layer of plastic.The pins weigh between 3 lb 6 oz and 3 lb 10 oz.

WORLD TEN PIN BOWLING RANKING WORLD BOWLING TOUR 2012 (MEN) Total ranking points 358 327 248 223 204 176 174 169 137 135

P 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Last name Koivuniemi Fagan Barnes Rash Palermaa Belmonte MacLelland Jones O'Neill Barrett

First name Mika Mike Chris Sean Osku Jason Dan Tommy Bill Dominic

Federation Finland USA USA USA Finland Australia Canada USA USA England

WORLD BOWLING TOUR 2012 (WOMEN) Total Ranking points 280 273 269 265 157 151 137 133 115 110

P 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Last name Dorin-Ballard Parkin Kulick Johnson Andersson Asbaty Flack Pllnen Pluhowsky Macpherson

First name Carolyn Missy Kelly Liz Sandra Diandra Nina Krista Shannon Wendy

Federation USA USA USA USA Sweden USA Sweden Finland USA USA