Pro Bowling: Athletes or just an Elite learned skill?

[Deberg_1990]

PBA Bowling on ESPN! The coverage is excellent!


Do you consider these guys athletes?

[philfree]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

any "sport" that has a bar that's accessible to the players during a match is not a sport.

So if you're playing golf it depends on where your playing if it's a sport or not?

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by philfree

So if you're playing golf it depends on where your playing if it's a sport or not?

I think the key is the "able to drink while playing" moreso than the physical presence of a bar.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

Indeed. I like forward to seeing you on Espn 8, The Ocho.

I think it would be more interesting than bowling.

In fact, now that I think about it, I would be much more likely to watch a video game tournament on TV than I would a bowling, golf, or tennis tournament.

[philfree]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

I think the key is the "able to drink while playing" moreso than the physical presence of a bar.

I'd say a person could drink while playing a lot of sports. And do you think Pro Golfers are drinking during a round? They aren't.

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I think it would be more interesting than bowling.

In fact, now that I think about it, I would be much more likely to watch a video game tournament on TV than I would a bowling, golf, or tennis tournament.

All of this

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by philfree

I'd say a person could drink while playing a lot of sports. And do you think Pro Golfers are drinking during a round? They aren't.

My rule applies specifically as to whether or not I feel it appropriate. For instance NASCAR is not a sport because I think it would be socially acceptable to operate race cars at a high rate of speed while drinking.

[philfree]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

My rule applies specifically as to whether or not I feel it appropriate. For instance NASCAR is not a sport because I think it would be socially acceptable to operate race cars at a high rate of speed while drinking.

So Nascar is not a sport because they can't drink and drive? I don't think that's what you meant.

[Mr. Laz]

skill, just like Billiards


Golf is borderline

[philfree]

As far as professional bowlers go I don't think being a pro bowler makes one an athlete but there are pro bowlers who approach their craft as an athlete therefore they are athletes in that regard.

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by philfree

So Nascar is not a sport because they can't drink and drive? I don't think that's what you meant.

No NASCAR is not a sport because I think they should drink and drive.

[Eleazar]

Its not a sport, its a game.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by philfree

So Nascar is not a sport because they can't drink and drive? I don't think that's what you meant.

That might just barely be interesting enough to watch.

[kcxiv]

ill cop out and name it a non athletic sport. there. haha

[Hydrae]

One of the original Microsoft employees (like #105 or something) bought the PBA a few years ago. Got the entire league for $5 million. Since then it seems like it has grown again in popularity. I bet it was a good investment overall.

[aturnis]

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