The world of sports is quite dynamic and it gets a lot more exciting every year. But there is one question that has sparked numerous debates for many years about bowling. Many people wonder if bowling is a real sport or if it’s just a fun game. Some believe that it’s merely a fun activity while other hardcore bowlers believe that it is a legitimate sport. Before we can settle this debate, we need to understand the basics of bowling and what the term “sport” entails first.
So, read on to find the answer to this question and put this heated argument to rest.
What Does “Sport” Mean?
We need to figure out what “sport” really means to get to the bottom of this. Technically, it has more than one definition, but the legitimate Oxford dictionary states that a sport is any activity that requires physical exertion and/or skill. Each player or team comes up with winning strategies and they must take the activity seriously. These teams can compete against each other for fun or the entertainment of the audience. The activity is done in an energetic and lively manner until a party wins based on the rules of the game. So, we need to see if bowling meets the criteria of this technical definition of sport.
Is Bowling a Sport?
Now we get to the big question of whether bowling is a sport or not. In short, bowling is a sport and not just a game. Let’s explain why based on the above definition of sports:
- Bowling requires physical exertion; you pick up a heavy ball, aim it, swing it, and then you throw it as hard as you can to get a strike.
- It requires skill and finesse because you need to apply a torque motion with your wrist before you let go of the ball. Players have to learn how to balance the ball perfectly, work on their hook, and curve the bowling ball correctly for an accurate shot.
- Players do take it seriously and they try as hard as they can to win by having the best gear to help them play better. Even seasoned players believe that players are always serious when it comes to bowling because many choose to get custom-made bowling balls that have the perfect weight for their hook technique.
- Bowling has a fan base, whether it’s a live audience in the venue or people watching it at home.
- Each team competes against each other every season, whether it’s professionally or for fun. The game is always competitive.
- Players are always energetic, every player competes passionately and each round is exciting.
- The game has rules and there is always a winner at the end of each game. Sometimes it’s a draw, but most sports have that too.
The Evidence Proves That Bowling Is a Sport
You can see that there is a lot of evidence that proves bowling is a sport. Some people can be a little old-fashioned and think that sports should always be full-contact, but that’s not the case anymore. You can have activities and games like bowling played professionally and become recognized as a real sport. Some professional players understand that there are intricate details that go into making the perfect bowling ball- that there’s a science to it. You’ll also find that there are reviews published by these experts and this shows you how serious of a sport it is because there is such a variety of bowling balls available that cater to different levels of expertise. History has always shown us that the human race adapts to change and this is something that everyone needs to get used to. We all have different opinions and we all should accept that and respect each other. But, if we’re going to be technical and official, then bowling is without a doubt a sport.
Legitimate Bowling Leagues
If you need more to believe that bowling is legitimate and that it’s more than just a fun game, you’ll be surprised to learn that bowling has different organized leagues that compete against each other, and each player earns money by bowling professionally. There is the official Bowlers Association and the US Bowling Congress, which oversees and governs the sport and its players. And last but not least, bowling is officially introduced and included in the Olympics, making it a legitimate sport using any definition.
So there you have it, bowling is a sport! It’s clear now that we have multiple definitions of sport and that’s the beauty of it. You just need to accept the fact that all of these sport definitions are valid and that sports aren’t limited to a single category. This is one of the main reasons why the world of sports is so fascinating. And as you should be able to see by now, when it comes to bowling, it pretty much covers every aspect of the word “sport”.
