Who would say the gathering event of bowling is a sport? Bowling is gaining traction here at FHC. In 2022, bowling almost didn’t have a varsity team. Two years later in the 2024 season, there were so many kids trying out that the coach almost had to make cuts from JV. However, the topic of bowling being considered a sport is up for a serious debate. Even people who don’t even play the sport have an opinion. Varsity soccer goalie, Kason Schneider, loves anything considered a sport.
“Yes, bowling is a sport because it requires a ball and team spirit,” Schneider states. “Competition and working as a team are a big part of the game.”
Schneider has been playing soccer for as long as he can remember and knows a thing or two about team spirit. Others who are new to the bowling world have also. Ki Scott is a first year bowler who provides his views on the game.
“I think of bowling as more of a hobby than a sport, but I also think it gets to a point where it can be a sport for certain people,” Scott stated. “If people play the sport very seriously and plan to play the sport competitively for longevity, then it can be considered a sport. In my opinion, a sport is a game where there has to be a level of skill, competition, and physical activity included in the game,” Scott said. ”And I think it has to be decently known/popular, with a complete set of rules.”
Bowling is a widely known game played by people from all around. In fact, people are actually wanting to go to college for the game or even make it to the PBA (Professional Bowling Association). The PBA has received 75% more viewership over the past two years. This is giving players at FHC inspiration to become really good at the craft and become a pro. Andrew Payne has been bowling for two years and is returning for a third. He has been a leader in the sport for a while, and players look up to him. Andrew is a big part of the bowling community at FHC.
”While bowling might be easier to learn than other sports, bowling requires the player to have 100% focus to be successful in competitions, and regardless of what sport it is,” Payne said.“Being better than the next team is always a difficult challenge.”
Not only does bowling require tons of focus, but it requires a bunch of skill. Sports are a rough topic. There are many that are considered sports, but some are just so debated people can’t come to an agreement. More people who aren’t in the sport are seeing the game from a different point of view.
“A sport to me is something that has a set score,” Haughee said. “Bowling has a set scoring system, so to me it is definitely a sport.”
Jonah Haughee is a student here at FHC and doesn’t have anything to do with bowling, but rather sports such as football and golf.
“Just like football, if you score a touchdown, you get 6 points,” Haughee said. “Bowling is the same way. You get a strike and it’s worth 10 points.”
Most rankings have bowling just out the top ten games played among competition games. One of those individuals who help with that stat is second year bowler, Jasker Bentley.
”I would say bowling is not necessarily a sport just by the fact that it’s just head-to-head competition,” Bentley said.
Bowling is a unique game that is considered a team sport but weighs heavily on individual effort. However, Jasker states that he doesn’t think it’s a sport because of the head-to-head aspect.
It is a conflicting topic with many different answers and opinions. The final say comes from someone who many consider to be the bowler who has the most passion in the game here at FHC. Tommy Wells, a sophomore bowler this year, has been playing since his youth and loves the game of bowling.
“Yes, bowling is a sport because it requires skill, strategy, and competition,” Wells states. “I would say a sport is something that requires competitive and demanding skill/effort.”
