Bowling - the other sport of kings.
Once the pastime of European rulers, bowling is now a sport enjoyed by 95 million people worldwide. But for some, it is more than just a hobby. Today's kingpins rule on thrones of vinyl in golden-laned halls. For these connoisseurs of the alley, bowling is a way of life.
The sport's appeal is that anyone can play it. From bumpers to glow-bowl, league play to collegiate competition, bowling offers a niche for all who dare to brave the lanes.
"You can suck and still have a good time," said Archie Hayman, the shoe counter clerk at Holiday Lanes, 3101 E. Grand River Ave. in Lansing.
The alley's customers bowl against neon murals of the Lansing skyline that hang above the lanes. Holiday hosts both recreational and competitive bowlers, including those who might be overly dedicated, Hayman said.
"I could pick out 15 or 20 people who could start a bowling cult if they wanted to," he said. "They come in all the time."
Holiday Lanes holds league play nearly every night of the week. Players pack the alley, carting bowling bags that look like carry-on luggage and shoes that have evolved from grimy two-tone vintage to spotless street-chic. Almost every table is covered with rows of blue tickets that might be redeemed during the 50/50 drawing held every evening.
Jonathan Parker, a family and community services sophomore, plays for team "Holdin' it Down" on Friday nights.
"The whole thrill I get is bowling under pressure," he said.
Parker "holds it down" as his team's anchorman, the last position in the lineup. He never bowls without his lime-green T-shirt with his nickname, "Mr. Clutch," airbrushed across the back.
With three deep breaths and a quick five-step approach, Parker hurls the ball down the lane like a whip, often to the tune of ten falling pins. Although he has bowled since he was 5 years old, the perfect game has eluded him.
"A perfect game is perfect," he said. "It's 12 frames of perfection. That's 12 balls of perfection."
The competition is more relaxed at Marvelanes & Lounge, 2120 E. Saginaw St. in East Lansing. The alley offers "college night" rates that bring in students just looking for a good time.
Members of Alpha Gamma Rho, a professional agriculture fraternity at MSU, gathered for a few frames following Saturday night's basketball game. Agricultural industries sophomore Seth Earl said he began bowling once a week in high school out of boredom.
"At home, all you could do was play mini-golf, go to the movies and bowl. So we bowled," he said.
"We're all hillbillies," added Tyson Franks, a crop and soil sciences sophomore. "It's our workout in the off-season when we're not bailing hay."
Tootie Dennings works the front counter at Marvelanes and said she likes to have fun with the students who come in. She frequently teases regulars for breaking the ball returns or computer scoring systems.
"You can have fun messing with people here," said Dennings, a 20-year bowling veteran. "It becomes like family."
Forestry senior Meghan Johnson works at the snack bar at Marvelanes. She said she loves the atmosphere of the alley.
"At school, you're used to seeing students," she said. "You see other people at bowling alleys that you don't see other places."
Johnson, who normally bowls around a 130, broke her record by more than 80 pins Saturday night, hitting three strikes in a row. Dennings announced the streak over the alley's PA system.
Others take the sport to another level.
MSU Bowling Team's Andrew Copland said he treats bowling just like a varsity sport.
"I couldn't play football here, so I tried out for the bowling team," he said.
Copland, a telecommunication, information studies and media junior, said bowling competitions can become rowdy when players begin yelling, cheering and slapping high-fives. Although he doesn't consider himself a "bowling nerd," he does keep track of his favorite bowlers' games and stats.
"I love bowling so much," he said. "When it's on TV and only a million people are watching it, I'm one of those people."
