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Midwest report
April 27 , 2006

You get a Strike and Everyone else Looks for a Handout

This week, I am writing about a phase of bowling, that as far as I know, has never been written about before. I am boldly going where no bowling columnist has gone before. If you listen closely you can hear the theme to Star Trek. I am writing about hand slapping in bowling.

The hand slap dates back to Nine Pin Bowling in England. After getting a strike or spare a bowler would slap the hand of the next bowler to keep the string of marks (strikes and or spares) going. That was it; you hit just one hand, the bowler on your team that followed you.

When I was bowling in the youth leagues in the 60’s and 70’s, we would slap our teammate’s hands. We never considered slapping the hands of the other team. This was a ritual that everyone followed. I believe leagues were more competitive back then and teams were more interested in winning.

I am not sure when, but at some point, it became the responsibility of the bowler to give their mark to everyone in the bowling center. Today even if you do NOT get a mark, you have an obligation to walk around the center with your fist and hit fists with everyone.

I interviewed a total of 50 bowlers from the Old National Bank/Aramark league at River City Recreation and the Arc Angels league from Arc Lanes and there were only two people who said they do not like to slap hands: Brian Eger and Tony Schoenbaechler.
Brian said, “I appreciate the enthusiasm, but it is overdone.” Tony added, “I will slap hands only if I have to, otherwise I won’t.”

On the pro side of the hand slapping issue is Charley Burge who said, “I grew up doing it and it is better than butt slapping.” Kevin Gibson and Randy Robertson agreed they do it to be good sports. Jeff Cox, mentioned, “I slap hands, because I am not a talker.” Jeff Proctor said, “I like to hit hands, but only when I get a mark. If I missed I don’t want to hit anybody’s fists.” “I do it to congratulate bowlers on a good shot,” added Greg Nixon.

When it comes to hand slapping some women do it a little differently, explained Linda Gentry, “Our team, the Hoosier Belles, hit hands like the men for spares, but on our strikes we do high fives. On our second strike in a row we hit both hands up high, three strikes in a row we hit both hands up high and then we hit our right hands together, and four strikes in a row we hit both hands up high twice.”

Barb Myers said, “I share my marks with everyone. It is a matter of sharing, unless you miss, than you just complain about it. I ask Pat Brewer if she slapped hands, she responded, “If I ever got a mark I would let you know if I slap hands.” Carolyn Cooper did not hesitate, “Yes, it builds team camaraderie and its fun.” Suann Mills had another reason, “It helps me stay warm. It is always cold in the lanes.” Jane Bruce of the Dunsworth Construction team said, “Our whole team shares marks with everybody, because we are good sports.”

Allen Herke thinks, “Hand slapping is very close to being a superstition. I just want to share the love.” Tony Noelle agreed, “It is custom to hit hands with everybody.” Kirk Freeman said, “It helps keep the momentum going.” Lindanelle March added, “I like to give my marks to other bowlers and hit fists for misses.” Nancy Lewis stated with a smile, “I slap hands to try and hurt the other team’s hands.”

I do not like to slap hands or have my hand slapped. I don’t mind tapping my teammate’s hands and people who are on the way, other than that I will point at you, but that is it. I have been blowing my nose and people hit my hand or writing a check and people whack me on the shoulder or arm. If I never slapped another bowler’s hand again, I would not miss it, but that is just me. I am apparently in a very small minority.

Last week’s winner of the three free games at CJ’s and Willow Bowling center is Ruby Reibel. Ruby knew that Dick Weber and Mike Aulby have both bowled on the David Letterman show.

This week’s question is; how many pins do you knock down in a 300 game? The winner will receive three free games from Arc Lanes.

Until next week, may the high scores be yours!

"Jeff Crowley covers bowling for the Evansville (IN) Courier Press. He has graciously allowed AlabamaBowling.Com to republish his articles. Jeff can be reached by e-mail at crowleyja@courierpress.com

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