LL Bowling? (poll added)

by marinerschas2 on Dec 28, 2007 12:44 PM PST

Right now i'm re-reading that LL Beer thread from February, and i found a section where people were talking about bowling and the idea came to my mind.

What if we do a LL Bowling night?

Most alleys offer a fairly cheap lane rental option per hour ($10-$25) and all you have to do is pay for shoes. Other options are pay per person, per game or Join all the teenagers on a Friday/Saturday night unlimited bowling 2-3 hour session or everyone pays per game.

Would anyone be up for doing this on a friday/saturday night sometime within the next month? Most alleys have beer on tap, cheap pitchers and usually let you bring your own drinks in as well.

Post if your interested, and if you know of a good alley in the area. If you know the name, i'll make some calls for weekend pricing or rental fees.

I love bowling, i'm decent at best (130-160 avg) but i figure its another LL social event we could do.

Post if you're interested.

Organized options for bowling
1: Rent a lane: Generally $10-25 per lane. Usually good for up to 5 people a lane. Also have to pay for shoes if you dont own any.
2: Pay per game: everyone pays per game (varies from $2ish a game to over 5) plus shoe rental if needed
3:Rock'n Bowl/Moneybowl: varies from $10-20 a person and usually includes shoes and unlimited games. Rock'n bowl is filled with teenagers,black lights, loud music and beer. Money bowl is mainly 18+ plus chances to make money hitting certain pin combos.

there might be more options, but thats generally the normal bowling alley fare

Poll

when would you want to bowl? (multiple answer)

Monday-Thursday weeknight

5 votes

Friday Night

3 votes

Saturday Night (moonlight/money bowl night usually)

6 votes

Sunday Night

2 votes

16 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

This would be

completely and utterly awesome

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 26, 2007 9:46 PM PST reply actions

Si.

by Fett42 on Dec 26, 2007 10:13 PM PST reply actions

Acme Bowl in Tukwila

I might actually be able to make it if it's there. Wouldn't drink though.

When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade.

by Mariner John on Dec 26, 2007 10:56 PM PST reply actions

Bavasi would be there

but he doesn't have any balls.

Bavasi > Clayton Bennett. IT'S DAMN TRUE

by Vernitis on Dec 26, 2007 11:10 PM PST reply actions

I'm gonna be in Seattle for a week comin up soon..

So maybe.

by SethGrandpa on Dec 27, 2007 12:01 AM PST reply actions

I'd do it.

If it is in Seattle and not at Sunset Bowl in Ballard. That place has short lanes, and they went to shit once it got popular. I'd be for Kenmore Lanes.

Jose Vidro (DH - Ms) was arrested today in an Idaho Bathroom for having a wide stance and sucking.

by CapSea on Dec 27, 2007 12:27 AM PST reply actions

Kenmore Lanes would be perfect

Seriously...Who the FUCK steals another mans bobblehead?

by RED29 on Dec 27, 2007 9:44 AM PST up reply actions

Kenmore has synthetic lanes, don't they?

I get a ton of hook on my ball when I bowl there, but not so much on the real wood lanes at Robin Hood.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 9:58 AM PST up reply actions

Um...

I don't think so. I get standard spin there. I mean, I can't guarantee they're not synthetic but I can assure you the problems are much more pronounced at Sunset, as well as a few other places. I haven't been to Robin Hood Lanes in years, but I do remember that place being pretty good too. It used to also be dirt cheap.

Jose Vidro (DH - Ms) was arrested today in an Idaho Bathroom for having a wide stance and sucking.

by CapSea on Dec 27, 2007 10:09 AM PST up reply actions

I was drunk last time I bowled Kenmore

to be honest, so maybe it was a fluke, or just the oil conditions. Birthday party, you know how they go.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 10:16 AM PST up reply actions

They suck balls at oiling their lanes

They do it once a week. So if you come the day before it is oiled, there are sometimes some problems. Otherwise it is fine. Got a 265 there once, and knock down over 200 once ever 2 or 3 outings (~7-10 games). Can't say I've ever had that kind of success at any of the others.

Jose Vidro (DH - Ms) was arrested today in an Idaho Bathroom for having a wide stance and sucking.

by CapSea on Dec 27, 2007 10:20 AM PST up reply actions

I didn't mind the extra bite,

I just wasn't used to it because I usually throw a much gentler curve. It was kind of fun to throw a big hook for once!

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 10:33 AM PST up reply actions

I am so freaking down

Bowling is a great activity for netrats.

Hardball Review Because we need another blog about the Mariners.

by etowncoug on Dec 27, 2007 12:43 AM PST reply actions

all right!

getting some interest. i need some short reviews of alleys in seattle. sure i could give you detailed reviews of all the south end alleys, but you guys don't like the drive, even though Daffodil Bowl in puyallup is the best bang for the buck. 2.25day/2.75 night, $2 shoes and $10 rocknbowl that covers shoes and 2 1/2 hours and $15 rentals. Plus the lanes are only a couple years old and the house balls are lovely...

anyways, seattle alleys anyone?

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 12:50 AM PST reply actions

There's Garage Bowl

on Capitol Hill - around the Pike/Broadway area.

It's got a full bar and waitresses that come by to take orders - pitchers of beer are reasonable.

My buddies and I usually play pool in the other room, but I would be down for bowling even if I haven't played in years.

I know that the price for pool is ok, but I'm not exactly sure what the prices are like for bowling...anyone?

BTW, it's 21+ there - sorry to the minors

"You just got AJ-aculated on! In Baltimore?"

by wwbaker3 on Dec 27, 2007 12:58 AM PST reply actions

the whole alley is 21+?

or just certain sections... that kinda sucks for me at least

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 1:13 AM PST up reply actions

Option #3

The have good old fashioned "moonlite" bowling at Robin Hood Lanes in Woodway/Edmonds on Saturday nights at 8:45. It's $15.00 (or $13.00 pre-paid or for Robin Hood league bowlers).

No smoke machines, no loud music, just bowling for $$$. They do turn the lights down for it, but there aren't any strobe lights, lasers, or any of that crap.

Full bar (although service is a bit slow at times), moderate prices for booze. All ages allowed, and they accept reservations over the phone.

Just a thought for the older crowd that might not care for the light shows, smoke machines, and blaring pop music.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 9:57 AM PST reply actions

Depends on when and where

But I'd be up for this, absolutely. Any of the options are fine with me.

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby

by thejew4u on Dec 27, 2007 10:02 AM PST reply actions

I am totally down

Garage is nice but as mentioned it's more of an adult joint and pricier than usual. Plus the food is crap.

Roxbury Lanes on the butt end of West Seattle is meh but an option if all else fails.

Kenmore Lanes are solid.

by Gomez on Dec 27, 2007 10:03 AM PST reply actions

Also

Here's a fun fact Chas may get a kick out of: I was a 3 year letterman on my HS bowling team. I wasn't very good (~130 average at my best) but there I was.

by Gomez on Dec 27, 2007 10:04 AM PST up reply actions

I don't think my high school had one.

I think they tried to open one up near the end, but they didn't advertise it well.

Jose Vidro (DH - Ms) was arrested today in an Idaho Bathroom for having a wide stance and sucking.

by CapSea on Dec 27, 2007 10:09 AM PST up reply actions

It was pretty popular in Vegas

Every school had enough of a team to field full JV squads, both men and women, and every meet was super packed and pretty competitive. Every team had at least a couple of reliable 160+ bowlers and some teams had some legit 220+ bowlers, guys who could've gone pro if they wanted to.

Sadly, the place to be back then, the Showboat casino, with its 100 awesome, professionally maintained lanes, has since met the wrecking ball. I'm not sure where the schools bowl now, though the Station locals casinos have all opened up bowling alleys, which I'm guessing has helped fill the void.

by Gomez on Dec 27, 2007 10:20 AM PST up reply actions

We didn't have one

nobody wanted to drive 100 miles to practice

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 27, 2007 1:00 PM PST up reply actions

we had a golf/bowling class in high school

fall and spring they played golf, and they focused on bowling in the winter months. To top it off, it counted as one of your PE credits. Only bad thing was the $189 fee for the class. Thats what stopped me

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 2:33 PM PST up reply actions

Kenmore is good, for sure

The USBC city tournament was there last year around Feb. Nice place. I've been bowling for about 18 years in leagues, and have bowled all up and down the Puget Sound. There's a decent little joint in Renton called Hillcrest Bowl that I normally bowl at, good pricing, and a full bar there, and fun for any age. Let's settle on a day/time, but I'd definitely be interested. I don't usually get to go to all the other LL functions, but I'm always available Fri/Sat nights

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Dec 27, 2007 1:00 PM PST reply actions

If it were at Kenmore

I'd go. it's only like 10 minutes from me.

by chrisisasavage on Dec 27, 2007 4:13 PM PST up reply actions

plus there's gambling

by Matthew on Dec 27, 2007 4:30 PM PST up reply actions

Easy for me too

although I live in Renton, I work just up in South Everett, so I'd have a very short drive also.

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Dec 27, 2007 5:45 PM PST up reply actions

You should add a poll where everyone

can "vote" to show what their averages are, so we can see what the skill level would be.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 1:06 PM PST reply actions

average before or after drinking?

by Matthew on Dec 27, 2007 1:08 PM PST up reply actions

There's bowling without drinking?

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Dec 27, 2007 1:10 PM PST up reply actions

No kidding!

But I'd say call it an average of both.

I actually bowl better when I first start drinking, then eventually peak and start to get worse as the beverage consumption reaches critical levels.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 1:12 PM PST up reply actions

ah yes, the Ballmer Peak

by Matthew on Dec 27, 2007 1:20 PM PST up reply actions

I didn't know it had a name.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

yep

by Matthew on Dec 27, 2007 4:34 PM PST up reply actions

Windows ME was one of the worst products ever

And I'm a MS fanboy.

by Robert on Dec 28, 2007 11:40 AM PST up reply actions

It's worse than Vista?

I'm inclined to believe that MS re-hired the ME programmers for Vista...

"I restore a sense of childlike wonder to people's lives; you give them Zunes and Vista." -- Fake Steve Jobs to Borg employees

by PositivePaul on Dec 28, 2007 12:09 PM PST up reply actions

Probably the same people

The problem is that they rammed Vista down everyone's throats before all the serious issues had been worked out. They didn't rush XP onto every new system upon release the way they did with Vista.

by Gomez on Dec 28, 2007 12:48 PM PST up reply actions

I've run Vista full time since Beta 2

And I've never have had any problems with it and would go as far as to say that I have enjoyed using it far more than any other OS out there. 95% of the issues that people seem to have with it are due to the fact that their idiots.

by Robert on Dec 30, 2007 2:31 AM PST up reply actions

[they're]

I agree. I haven't run it as long as you have (only since August or so), but I've really enjoyed it. I can do everything I wanted, the drivers thing isn't an issue and the hardware on the PC that it's running on is over 2 years old.

I love how the most vocal complaint about Vista seems to be the security thing (Confirm or Deny?), which you can turn off in 3 seconds.

by Matthew on Dec 30, 2007 10:17 AM PST up reply actions

Everyone bowls better after drinking.

Jose Vidro (DH - Ms) was arrested today in an Idaho Bathroom for having a wide stance and sucking.

by CapSea on Dec 27, 2007 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

To a point.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 1:30 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe.

Or maybe, after bowling too much, you get progressively worse anyway and you just happen to be completely wasted when that occurs.

Eh? EH?? Okay, maybe not.

Jose Vidro (DH - Ms) was arrested today in an Idaho Bathroom for having a wide stance and sucking.

by CapSea on Dec 27, 2007 1:31 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah... That's the ticket!

It's umm.. arm fatigue, yeah...

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 1:40 PM PST up reply actions

I'm horribly inconsistent

I'll gutterball 6 times and bowl an 80 one game, and then fire 4-5 strikes in a row, nail several of my spares and get 160-180 the next.

by Gomez on Dec 27, 2007 1:58 PM PST up reply actions

i used to be like that

but have kinda leveled off.

however i have my flukyness too

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 2:01 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah

I'd have to put in a lot of practice before even thinking of joining a league, because my squad would probably kill me.

by Gomez on Dec 27, 2007 2:05 PM PST up reply actions

Join a handicap league and it won't matter.

and I don't mean wheelchairs, or that kind of handicap.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 2:11 PM PST up reply actions

I was in a handicap league

it was great. I'm a pretty weak bowler (I average between 90-100, can hit 150 if things go well), but I never felt like I was out of my depth.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Dec 27, 2007 2:14 PM PST up reply actions

i forget how handicap games work

can you remind me?

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 2:22 PM PST up reply actions

I can't, off the top of my head

but the internet can.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Dec 27, 2007 2:24 PM PST up reply actions

Same idea as a golf handicap.

I have a 140 average, but I can bowl against 220 guys because of my handicap. If we both bowl exactly our average, it would be a tie.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 2:27 PM PST up reply actions

everybody wears a special hat

that shocks you every 30 seconds causing you to forget what you were thinking about.

Oh, not that kind?

by Matthew on Dec 27, 2007 2:27 PM PST up reply actions

Damn

That sounded like fun.

My mother got this tennis-racket like bug zapper for Xmas, and my siblings took turns smacking each other with it.

by Gomez on Dec 27, 2007 4:46 PM PST up reply actions

I've been bowling for quite a while in a league

with averages ranging from near 115 all the way up to 215. Just get a group of friends together and use it as an excuse to drink every week. My buddies and I have been bowling together since junior leagues about 12 years ago, and we still meet up every Wednesday night and lay down about 8 pitchers during our 3 games. Good times...

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Dec 27, 2007 5:51 PM PST up reply actions

so i'll give kenmore a call

what works for you guys? friday nights, saturday nights? i'll ask what they usually do for weekend nights as well.

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 4:37 PM PST reply actions

so i gave kenmore a call

no rocknbowl, no moonlight money bowling either. They offer a steepish rate for bowling as follows:
$4 a game, plus $2 for shoe rental.

the lane rental option is damn expensive at $40 a lane

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 4:40 PM PST up reply actions

the lanes on 164th in Lynnwood

used to have something like $10 entry fee then $.25 game nights on like Tuesdays or something. shitty beer and food though and no gambling.

by Matthew on Dec 27, 2007 4:44 PM PST up reply actions

Brunswick Majestic.

Those lanes SUCK though.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 6:00 PM PST up reply actions

No deals, huh

You'd think, with how much bowling alleys in town are struggling, that they would try to be more accomodating and offer deals, but there you go.

Clarify how the lane rental works: how long do you get it for? $8 a head plus shoes is steep but it might be do-able if all else fails.

by Gomez on Dec 27, 2007 4:44 PM PST up reply actions

lane rental works as followes:

1 person pays a flat fee. $40 in this case. You get that lane with up to 5 people on it for an hour. Rather than pay per game, you pay per hour. Shoe rental is extra of course.
However they have a rather steep rental price compared to the $15 an hour down here, so rental i wouldn't think is feasable

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 4:49 PM PST up reply actions

$40/hour is ridiculous

you'd be lucky to get two games in with 5 people on one lane.

by Matthew on Dec 27, 2007 4:53 PM PST up reply actions

Friday and Saturday are always expensive there.

Monday through Thursday, though, can be as cheap as 1.75 a game depending on the time.

Jose Vidro (DH - Ms) was arrested today in an Idaho Bathroom for having a wide stance and sucking.

by CapSea on Dec 27, 2007 4:55 PM PST up reply actions

i'm calling a ton of alleys right now

and putting the info into an excel sheet. i'll post a screenshot when im done.

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 5:09 PM PST up reply actions

so i've called a few,

hopefully this doesnt break it.
heres an excel sheet showing detailed pricing

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 5:29 PM PST reply actions

If you're checking as far south as Puyallup,

then try some of the places in Renton, such as Cascade Lanes or Hillcrest Bowl. Also, check HiLine lanes in the Burien/White Castle area. As for pricing, I think Hiline or Magic (I always forget) does the money bowl mentioned earlier, with the colored pins. Relatively low flat rate gets you three games, plus a chance at winning back some money. 18+, and I think they do it on Saturdays

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Dec 27, 2007 5:49 PM PST up reply actions

heh i only did puyallup

because its only 10 minutes away from me. I could check into the other ones as well, but i just wanted to randomly throw that one up. Its cheaper down here people. Nah, i don't mind going up to seattle or north to hang with these guys

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 5:51 PM PST up reply actions

I'm just a bowling alley bum, I guess

I'm to bowling alleys what Corco is to Washington Highways. Comes with hitting up all the tourneys and being in a travel league that had me bowling in everett one week and port orchard the next

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Dec 27, 2007 5:54 PM PST up reply actions

i'd say look into non-FriSat nights

I don't see any reason something like this couldn't be done on a weekday evening.

by Matthew on Dec 27, 2007 5:55 PM PST up reply actions

true

most of the prices are pretty universal most nights. per game rates are maybe 50 cents cheaper and rentals are about the same.

however wouldn't the weeknight drinking hinder people for the next work day?

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 5:59 PM PST up reply actions

I think what you're going to find

is that most alleys are full with league bowling from about 5:30 until about 9:00.

Most open bowling is only at certain times on the weekends, moonlite, cosmic or rockin' bowling, after 9:00pm on weeknights, or during the day Mon-Fri.

It's next to impossible to get open bowling in the evening anywhere.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 6:04 PM PST up reply actions

and with my experiance

the alleys with open bowl in the evenings are usually horrible in quality.

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 6:05 PM PST up reply actions

Pretty much. If they have lanes open,

there's usually a reason. If I could make it, I'd really vote for Robin Hood moonlite bowling, but I'm biased because that's my "home" alley.

But it is really easy to get a reservation, the lanes are pretty good, and you get decent service if you are a decent tipper.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 6:08 PM PST up reply actions

yeah

robin hood is my favorite from that list so far (besides the home alley). The moonlight bowl is always fun too.

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 6:12 PM PST up reply actions

I like it because it's just bowling for $$$,

no lasers, smoke machines and all that junk. Depending on when and where this happens, I might be in on this LL gathering.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 6:16 PM PST up reply actions

Exactly. It's not too expensive

and coupled with the prospect of winning some or all of it back is always good. You can book a couple of lanes for your groups (they usually cap at 4-5 people per lane, since they want everybody to be at the same pace). Good way to go, I say

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Dec 27, 2007 6:20 PM PST up reply actions

I think Robin Hood will even go up to 6.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 6:21 PM PST up reply actions

They may do that, but they like to make sure that

everybody finishes their 3 games in roughly the same time, so they like to keep it around 4-5. At least that's how it was at Hillcrest when I worked there during High School

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Dec 27, 2007 6:23 PM PST up reply actions

They prefer the lower number,

but they'll cram more in if the demand is there.

I don't personally like having that many on a lane. Too crowded, and too long between frames.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 6:32 PM PST up reply actions

Greedy bastards...

I hate having that many people on a lane. It drives me crazy. I have enough trouble with being on a five man team, but at least we all know each other and we keep up a good pace. Of course, we bowled a team last night that didn't have a member younger than 65 (we're all 23+/-) and they were...so...slow... we were the last ones to finish. Terrible

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Dec 27, 2007 6:36 PM PST up reply actions

If it can be done on Sunday night

I think I would prefer that. I just don't want to kill a friday or saturday night stuck in Edmonds (b/c of the alcohol) unless we flesh out something additional to do. But, that's just me.

by Matthew on Dec 27, 2007 7:04 PM PST up reply actions

Any bowling alley worth your patronage

is going to be very busy on weeknights with the leagues, as mentioned. My league takes 20 of the 24 lanes in the house, and most leagues require a pair to be used as a "buffer" between the league and open bowling, as well as an additional pair available in the event of mechanical failure. We bowl from 6:30 until about 10.

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Dec 27, 2007 6:18 PM PST up reply actions

Highline Lanes in Burien might be good

they do the rock n' bowl thing and it's like $15 per person including the shoes.

by chrisisasavage on Dec 27, 2007 6:16 PM PST reply actions

Be a real bowler, just buy your own shoes!

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 6:16 PM PST up reply actions

hey now

some of us can't justify spending $30 for a pair of dexters.

by marinerschas2 on Dec 27, 2007 6:46 PM PST up reply actions

It's a great investment, even if

you only bowl occasionally. I've saved the cost of my shoes 1,000 times over already, just by not paying for rentals. It's not like spending hundreds on a ball, you can get decent shoes for a very reasonable price.

I overvalue prospects

by Thingray on Dec 27, 2007 6:50 PM PST up reply actions