Gutter Bowling Fines 1

I hear America bowling, Cal.
I hear the great thunder of balls careening down waxed alleys,
the crash and smash and toppling of hard wood pins.
Though Love ignites, roll a strike!
Let the Muse despair, throw a spare!
Excerpt by Jack Conway

The State of New Jersey is dusting off the law books in its efforts to avoid bankruptcy. Holiday Bowl in Oakland is one of almost 60 bowling alleys in the state of New Jersey being fined for allowing leagues to conduct informal 50/50 raffles as part of their fundraising efforts.

Bowling attracts fans from across all demographics, but it undoubtedly holds for many an image of sport for the working man/woman. Ralph Kramden, of the Honeymooners, was a very serious bowler who put his job at risk to bowl in the league championship. Archie Bunker was another working class American suffering through a recession with his bowling league being a sanctuary. Laverne and Shirley not only bowled, but Laverne’s father owned a pizzeria and bowling alley that was the center of community life. More recently a book Bowling Alone : The Collapse and Revival of American Community, authored by Robert Putnam, uses this popular American pastime to examine how we have become disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and our democratic institutions.

Today, over 100 million bowlers play in over 90 different countries. Many of these bowlers belong to leagues, and in America the 50/50 raffle is often a part of the evening. It is used to raise funds to support the leagues activities, and raise money for events while keeping league dues affordable to everyone. For New Jersey bowlers, those fees may see a significant increase.

Many bowlers are serious sportsmen with scores to prove it. David Mutch, Andrew Raab, Tom Stellingwerf, Jim Zimmerman, James DeMarco, Paul Chiariello, and James Duncan are just a few of the local players recognized for outstanding play in the Bowling Museum’s list for hometown heroics. There are also the many younger players and senior citizens who bowl for sport and for an affordable evening out. The leagues maintain their affordability by offering the 50/50 to offset costs and allow for people to contribute as their finances allow.

New Jersey has cited 80% of the bowling alleys in the state for 50/50 violations. The bowling alleys themselves do not profit from the 50/50, but a zealous prosecutor could ultimately hold them responsible since many are aware and help facilitate the activity during the course of the evening. The bowling alleys, while not profiting from the activity, are now being forced to pay a $3,000 fine with a second offense reportedly as high as $15,000.

As the 50/50 raffles being conducted are informal, there are not binding parameters on how the money can be used. Many leagues use the funds to offset the cost of tournaments or dinner banquets, and others donate a portion to local charities. The estimated $180,000 dollars in fines on these independently owned businesses will do little to mend the economic nightmare that continues to haunt New Jersey’s budget, but it will certainly impact the social fabric that bowling alleys provide for many people.

In the video below, Mike Walsh reads from Bowling Across America: 50 States in Rented Shoes. His book chronicles his goal to bowl in all fifty states and that special part of America he met on the journey.