Types of bowling leagues
Fortunately for us bowlers, there are different leagues to choose from if considering joining a bowling league. Depending on whether you’re looking for a nice leisure day at the lanes with friends or family, or if you’re in it too win, there is a league for all of us.
Here are some leagues that most bowling centers, if not all of them, will have available throughout the year. For the younger age groups they have youth leagues. For the senior age groups they have senior leagues. They also offer men’s leagues, women’s leagues, mixed leagues, and scratch leagues.
Some leagues can be highly competitive with large prize funds being payed at the end of each night. Some funds are payed at the end of the season. Prize funds are funded from the collection of bowler’s fees, and sometimes donations. Scratch leagues are known for competition, and are more for the competitive type of bowler. The reason for this is that they don’t award bonus pins nor do they have a handicap system, to equalize the level of competition. Other leagues can be much less competitive, more sociable, and less expensive. These leagues, on the other hand, don't have a pay out at the end of each night or season.
No matter what type of league you decide to join you’ll have to find something to fit your preferences and your time schedule. There are leagues for summer, spring, winter and fall, with winter probably being the busiest because of the weather (depending on where you live). Some leagues bowl weekly--others bowl bi-weekly, day or night. This will depend on the bowling center you choose.
League Fees
League fees are generally used for prize funds, trophies, plaques, mugs, and anything else to award to 1st place teams. They are also used to fund parties at the end of the year with catered food, open bars, and prizes. As far as numbers go, you can expect to pay any where from $2.00 a game to $4.00 a game. Most leagues bowl three games a night. Don’t forget your shoes--that’s another $2-$4 dollars if you don’t own your own. The average league and venue will cost about $10.00 for one night session, with the league meeting once a week.
Benefits to Joining a Bowling League
There are indeed quite a few benefits to joining a bowling league and one of them is the endless fun. It’s a great way to get the family together or some old friends who enjoy having just as good of time as you do. Or it’s a great way to escape from your everyday norm and loosen up before you go back to work. You will also meet a lot of new people and make new friends along the way and that’s always something to look forward to each and every week.
Finding a Bowling League
In finding a bowling league you really need to find one to fit your competitive preferences and, most of all, fit your time schedule. Call around to your local bowling centers or just pop in for a visit and ask them about the types of leagues they have available. Also ask about the times, the days, and the costs for each of them. Then compare them to other bowling centers and choose the one that best suits your needs. You might have to call in advance (rosters fill up quick and there is someone just like you looking to do the same). Good luck and happy bowling!
