Her love for the game keeps her coming back after 60 years

A lot has changed since Vernice Baumstark started bowling.

Baumstark, 85, of Cape Girardeau has seen the come and go of three bowling alleys in Cape Girardeau. The pins have gone from wood to plastic. Gone are the days of human pinsetters.

But over the 60 years Baumstark has bowled, two things haven't changed: her shoes and her love of the game.

"We just bowl to have a good time and for recreation," she said. "Plus the socialization, of course."

Baumstark started bowling at a bowling alley at the Knights of Columbus building in 1942. She said she got into it because her husband was a bowler and they needed another person for the league.

"I just fell in," she said. "They needed another bowler, so I just started bowling."

Although the faces have changed and Baumstark has lessened her schedule from two nights a week to one, she still makes it to the Women's Twilight League night every Monday. She still wears the same shoes she began her career with.

Teammate Tee McGee of Cape Girardeau said Baumstark is an inspiration for all women who bowl.

"She is a lot of fun, very energetic," McGee said.

Baumstark admits she has never thrown a 300 game, and she doesn't bowl 160 like she used to, but that doesn't slow her.

Even if she wanted to, her teammates wouldn't let her hang up her shoes.

"They won't let me quit," she said. "I guess I'm just their grandmother."

Just don't ask her to compete on race day.

"She's a big NASCAR fan," McGee said.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 171