It’s sad that these non-New Englanders don’t have the bowling options we do, but we’re cooler than they are, and our football team is better. (Well, except for on one particular Sunday).
I must admit I used to be one of those big ballers, since I’m not originally from here. Ignorant of the wonders of candlepin, I thought playing with little balls couldn’t be nearly as much fun as the big ones. Boy, was I wrong — and sorry I’d waited so long to try alternate bowling styles.
I’m a total nerd who extensively researches before trying anything new, especially if it’s a game with rules. I found the International Candlepin Bowling Association, which offers a downloadable version of rules at www.bowlcandlepin.com, where you’ll learn all about deadwood (which, until recently, I knew only as an HBO series), pin specifications and other necessary rules.
Did you know a downed pin that crosses the deadwood line must be removed? Or that if your foot crosses the foul line you get no points? You should if you plan to take this game seriously. If your foot crosses that line, you’ll be entering a world of pain! (Come on, any bowling story should include a “Big Lebowski” reference!)
My first experience with candlepin occurred at Big 20 Bowling Center’s “Rock n’ Bowl,” an evening of psychedelic lights and classic rock mixed with top 40 songs. If you can handle listening to Gwen Stefani’s “B-a-n-a-n-a-s” right after rocking out to Led Zeppelin, you’ll probably love it. The place is adorable and authentically retro with manual score tables that read “Please keep all food and smoking materials in the upper back level.” The seats and booths are probably the same ones installed when the lanes opened in é0.
Learning to play was a little rough in the dark, but after a few frames I was starting to get the feel of the little ball. Getting three opportunities to knock the pins down was the only way I was able to score, considering how many gutterballs I threw. Candlepin is surprisingly harder than big ball. Well, at least it was for me. Winter, my 9-year-old daughter, revelled in rolling a much lighter ball and managed to score much higher than I did. And the boyfriend, a New England native, was popping off strikes and spares like he’s been playing with little balls all his life.
After getting hooked on candlepin, the three of us decided to check out other lanes in the area. It didn’t go quite as swimmingly as it did at the Big 20 in Scarborough. Although I called to find out the regular hours (9 am-9 pm) at Colonial Lanes, when we showed up at 4 pm a sign with “No public bowling after 3 pm” hung on the door. Needless to say, I was annoyed that we’d driven to Westbrook for no reason.
Luckily there was a second candlepin bowling alley just down the road: West-Port Bowling, an alley very similar to Big 20, with the same retro manual scoring tables and booths. There’s also a little kitchen with snacks and beer. We were excited to find an alternative to Colonial and scurried to the front counter where a “Cash Only” sign was posted. The lady behind the counter said the nearest ATM was next to Kohl’s. She gave another location, but I stopped listening. I was angry that I had to get back in my car, drive down the street, get cash and drive back to the alley. I did, indeed, get back in my car, but instead of heading to Kohl’s, we went straight home.
After that experience, I know what you’re thinking — I’ve gone back to big balls. But it’s not true. I will go back to West-Port, but with cash and a better attitude.
Once you go small, you’ll never big ball again.
Candlepin Bowling Alleys in Greater Portland
Big 20 Bowling Center,
328 Rte. 1 in Scarborough
883-’1
www.big20bowling.com
Mon.-Sat. 9 am-10 pm, Sun. 12-9 pm
Rock n’ Bowl Fri.-Sat. 7-10 pm ($10 per person, includes shoes and bowling
for the night)
Colonial Bowling Center,
399 Main St. in Westbrook
854-8936
Daily 9 am-9 pm
(There are leagues scheduled so call ahead)
Bowling Bowl,
7 Dunlap St. in Brunswick
725-5241
www.bowling-bowl.com
Mon. 6-9 pm, Tue.-Fri. 6-10 pm, Sat. 1-10 pm, Sun. 1-9 pm
Vacationland Bowling Center,
812 Portland Rd. in Saco
284-7386
www.vacationlandbowling.com
Sun.-Thu. 9 am-10 pm,
Fri.-Sat. 9 am-11 pm
Winter Glow Bowling Fri.-Sat. 8-11 pm