Modern-day bowling columns -- such as those unveiled by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune on April 3 of this year -- may well reflect the direction in which the game is evolving, with more emphasis placed on recreational rather than competitive aspects.
From an era that once featured and promoted scratch leagues, professional bowling, "pot games" and competition, there has been a steady and ongoing change toward focusing on such things as cosmic bowling, unsanctioned "fun" leagues and bowling birthday parties. And entities such as the United States Bowling Congress and the Bowling Proprietors Association of America have seemed to follow suit in promoting such an "evolutionary shift."
Earlier this year, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune sports department, under the direction of Scott Peterson, made major changes in its bowling coverage. For decades, H-T columns emphasized competitive bowling, including full coverage of local tournaments and area bowlers' accomplishments. But for the past three months, fledgling bowling writer Jason Swancey has taken a more modern-day approach, utilizing many items that focus on non-competitive aspects.
If a reader wants information about cosmic bowling, "Crazy 8s" or a rock 'n' bowl concert series, the Herald-Tribune sports pages -- every other Sunday -- is one place to look. Likewise, if a reader seeks information about a breakfast special at an area center, a "modern" H-T bowling column may be a good source.
On the other hand, there has been no mention of any Sarasota or Manatee County bowler's accomplishments in the past six H-T columns, dating back to mid-April. Further, there hasn't been a single reference of an area tournament in that time frame.
By contrast, in the last seven columns authored by the previous columnist, there was extensive promotion of area tournaments, including results of seven events and 13 items providing advance information. There were also nine items pertaining to regional and state tournaments and six items about Professional Bowlers Association competition.
In all seven H-T columns written by Swancey since April 3, there has been only 16 area bowlers' names mentioned with reference to on-the-lanes accomplishments, with only one such mention in the past six articles. In dramatic contrast, bowling columns published on Examiner.com cited 153 area bowlers' achievements in the two-week span -- June 13 to June 26 -- between the past two H-T columns.
Recent notable accomplishments include three state tournament champion bowlers from Sarasota, a number of local tournament winners and cashers, and a dozen bowlers with perfect games; however, there has been no mention of such feats in the Herald-Tribune.
Instead, a breakdown of the seven "modern-day columns" written by Swancey reveals references to the following: cosmic bowling and the like (5 items), bowling center and summer league promotions (6), and fund-raisers, local tournaments and local high scores (1 each).
The last Sarasota Herald-Tribune column with emphasis on competitive bowling appeared on Feb. 26, and to view its contents, click here
By contrast, for a sample of one of the H-T's modern-day columns, with emphasis on the recreational and abstract aspects of the game, click here ... and compare it to the series of what might be considered "old-style" bowling columns that appear regularly in Examiner.com by clicking here
However, if a reader prefers to read about Xtreme bowling rather than local tournaments, a breakfast special rather than locally rolled perfect games, or references to cornhole or frisbee rather than the PBA, perhaps a modern-day column may be right up your alley.
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