YOUNGSTERS STRIKE UP FUN AT BOWLING ALLEYS

If the future of any sport is its younger participants, then bowling in this area appears to be in good hands.

Both West Park Lanes in Cape Girardeau and Jackson Lanes have thriving youth programs that feature upwards of 100 participants at each center.

And both those centers also participate in a youth travel league that includes bowlers from Poplar Bluff and Dexter.

"The young bowlers are the future bowlers of your centers," said Joe Seib, who heads up the youth program at West Park Lanes. "Whether they continue to bowl here or at some other center, they are the future of the sport. That's why it's important to give them as much recognition as possible, as much coaching as possible, as much enjoyment as possible."

Said Pam Brown, who directs the youth program at Jackson Lanes, "Getting the younger kids involved is important. Usually after they've gone through the youth program, they're fired up and ready for the adult leagues."

Both Seib and Brown list competition, making friends and simply learning the game as some of the major benefits to the youth programs.

"They enjoy the competition and they make friends," Brown said. "And for those who compete in the travel league, they get to meet kids from other towns."

The youth leagues at West Park Lanes compete each Saturday morning. The ages of the participants range from 6 to about 18. There are about 100 boys and girls spread out over 26 teams.

At Jackson Lanes, the youth leagues also compete each Saturday morning and there is also a Tuesday afternoon youth league program. A total of 108 youngsters participate in the youth program, which is spread out over two divisions: Bantam/Prep (11-under) and Junior/Major (12-18).

In addition, Jackson Lanes has a program where physical education teachers from Jackson's public and parochial schools bring their classes to the center to bowl several times a week.

"I've had adults who will start bowling again and say, `Gosh, I haven't bowled since high school, when my PE class came here,'" Brown said.

Both centers rely greatly on volunteer coaches who devote plenty of time and energy to the youth leagues.

"We probably have about six or eight coaches out there working with the kids on a regular basis," said Seib. "Most of them have kids who are bowling in the junior program. They're a real help. We couldn't do a lot of it without them."

Said Brown, "We have about six to 10 coaches who come every Saturday. We have a wonderful group of parents and grandparents. They're just bowlers who enjoy being with the kids. They're a big help."

While some of the main goals of the local youth programs are to teach the game and have fun, some pretty accomplished young bowlers have been produced at both centers.

"We've got kids who average from about 185 on down," Seib said. "They're pretty good bowlers. Some have achieved some pretty good awards. We've had a few who have rolled 300 games in the past."

At Jackson Lanes, in fact, John Litzelfelner, a high school senior, recently rolled a 300 game, and he averages in the 205 range, which is extremely impressive. On the female side, Brown said Kandra Bowers averaged in the 190s last year, which is equally impressive.

"We've got some wonderful bowlers," said Brown.

West Park Lanes and Jackson Lanes have both had youth programs for a number of years, but interest has never been higher.

"It just keeps growing," said Brown.

And Seib figures that will remain the case because bowling is something that can be done at any time of the year, by just about any age group.

"Bowling is one of the few sports where it can be done summer, winter, whatever. The weather really has nothing to do with it," he said. "And physically, it's a sport where just about all ages can participate. We have some adults who are probably 85 and still bowl."