Bethesda Magazine published a piece lightly covering the history of bowling, including duckpin, in the greater Bethesda area. Its a bit of a trip down memory lane for those of us from that area.
Parkersburg WV Duckpin News from Turn of Century
Duckpin came to Parkersburg in the early 1900’s and the local newspaper recently republished a few short, old pieces regarding the sport. Note how they focused on it being healthy, safe, and moral.
Of Duckpins and Destinies – a Rubberband Duckpin Documentary
Andy Kelemen put together this 8 minute short documenting a group of rubberband duckpin bowlers in the Pittsburgh area. View it free on Vimeo.
The Guardian features link to DPBA match
It is only a brief mention, but noteworthy as it is from an International news outlet.
Read just past the Soccer article to 3) and they have a link to the YouTube video of John Gorman’s victory over Wes Hamner.
Free summer bowling for kids
Want something fun to do with your kids this summer? There is a program that gives every child 2-free games each day in the summertime and all you have to do is register for it.
Not all bowling centers participate, but you can see a list of your local participating centers at the web site. Sign up! Why not, even if you only go a few times. Great rainy summer day activity!
If they really like it (and who wouldn’t?) look into signing them up for a kids fall league. They’ll make new friends, learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and develop better coordination in an atmosphere of fun and competition.
Find The Thirsty Duck in Milwaukee
The Thirsty Duck has opened its second location and this one is in Milwaukee. Like with the original location in Sussex, WI, the Milwaukee venue also offers mini-duckpin lanes.
The six lanes are about 25 feet in length and use regulation duckpins with manual pinsetters, aka “pinboys”.
Recbar to open second location with duckpin bowling
Yet more duckpin lanes coming to Indiana. Probably the “mini” type of course, but it still could be part of a start to something bigger and better. Recbar is adding to its Kentucky location by opening another across the river in New Albany Indiana. They offer food, craft beer, pinball and arcade games, as well as a t least two mini-duckpin bowling lanes.
Shorty’s Will Bring Duckpin Bowling to Pittsburgh’s North Shore
A new venue in the North Shore area of Pittsburgh will open soon featuring indoor/outdoor spaces, craft beers, and duckpin bowling as well. Wondering if it will be regulation or the more common short-lane duckpin. The company developing Shorty’s Pins x Pints hopes to build several more throughout PA/MD/WV.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – The Latest North Shore Attraction? Duckpins, Pinball, and Beer Pong!
Indianapolis set to get more duckpin bowling
Rise Brands, a developer of entertainment venues, is set to open their first Indiana location and it will have a version of duckpin bowling. Early information seems to indicate that the lanes will be about 25-30 feet with a shortened approach. They will be using the Qubica/AMF string machines as pinsetters.
Pins Mechanical Company currently operates two other venues with similar duckpin bowling, one of which is in Cincinnati, Ohio. According to a briefing given by the company to obtain its license, they are booking over 1000 games a week in the Cincinnati location. They also expect to do very well with youth birthday parties before 8pm.
The company also has two arcade-type locations. Their motto is, With the motto “when life gives you balls, play with them,” Pins will serve an array of craft beer and cocktails.”.
Indystar – A pinball, bocce, foosball, ping pong and duckpin bowling bar is coming to Mass Ave.
Could Indiana become the new center of duckpin Bowling? This developer thinks so.
A developer, Pat Hagan, is planning on building a full 10-lane duckpin bowling center in Franklin, Indiana. After seeing the lanes at Fountainsquare and observing the crowds waiting to play, he decided that Franklin’s restaurant district needed a similar venue. Based on a TV interview on local WTHR, he is already looking to option two other locations in the Indianapolis suburbs for even more duckpin lanes.
Hagan plans to have both the arcade-style mini-bowling as well as almost full-size duckpin lanes. There is some issue with regulation lanes being just a bit too long to fit into the historic building so they will have to be shortened a little. However, Hagan indicates he will get as close to regulation as possible under the circumstances.
“Pending state and local approvals, Hagan hopes to be open this spring after installing 10 duckpin lanes. The bowling alley will have beer and wine service and concession-type foods provided by a local restaurant or two—think pizza, hot dogs and wings.”
The center is located at 27 West Monroe Street Franklin, Indiana 46131.
UPDATE: The mini-bowling arcade lanes will be ready to open in early Summer while the longer duckpin lanes will take longer and should open in Fall 2019.
Indianapolis Business Journal – Duckpin bowling coming to Franklin
Duckpin World 