Bowling?

Did you know that Franklin Academy had a bowling team? I didn't. I was surprised to hear the news - My sister Margaret (who doesn't know she is my sister, but I have decided she is, so there) she earned a letter in bowling! I think that is great. My nephew, Devon (probably spelled wrong - he doesn't know he is my nephew) he bowled a perfect game. He has an amazing ring to prove it - a 300 game is really something. I have never done anything "perfect." Here he is at 16 already with a perfect game. That is also an accomplishment. The question does arise - is bowling a sport? My definition of a sport involves keeping score (check) using equipment (check) and getting paid for it (check) OK, so bowling is a sport. We use to bowl a lot - On the Wii game I can bowl 250 sitting on the couch, that is not a sport - it is fun, especially when you are laid up and can't play any of your typical sports. I gave Margaret a hard time about earning a letter in bowling - I was really shocked that FA had a bowling team; I didn't know - I went to school, played volleyball, softball, basketball, and soccer - I could have also played bowling - see that is the tricky part; you play a sport, but you don't really play bowling - you "go" bowling - No body says; "Hey you want to play bowling?" However, you do ask; "Hey do you want to go play golf?" You see the difference? I feel bad for giving Margaret a hard time - she played a sport and earned a letter, that is an accomplishment and I should not have kept on the way I did - it just seemed too funny to me...and everyone was laughing - so I kept going, too far! Bowling, it is a sport! If I say it enough times it will seem real. FA does not have a bowling team anymore -- that stinks! I made it through high school just because of sports. It was the only reason I went to school and the only reason I kept my grades at a passing level. I made good friends and I learned about a lot of things. Most of the time I was a bench warmer, I did not like being a bench warmer, but I was a great practice player. That is what the coaches liked about me - I pushed the starters to be better. What I enjoyed about playing any sport was putting on the uniform. I loved putting on my uniform (I wonder if the bowling team had uniforms?) warming up, walking out on the court or the field - away games to Ogdensburg(spelled wrong) we left school early - that was cool. One time two of our starters were in foul trouble and I played the entire game - When the game was over we would sit on the floor in a circle and Coach Baldwin would talk about the game - I fell asleep - I was so tired I actually fell asleep - Made the paper after that game - Coach Said; "FA's defense picked up when Lisa Stewart broke up several fast breaks and had several key steals." I still have that clipping. I still have a T'shirt that says FA Girls Basketball - it is thinner than a piece of paper, but I have it - we acquired it, well shall we say in probably not the best way. Losing is tough. It does teach you a lot, but it sucks! Winning was always the best! Though you learn more from losing. Who wants to learn more from losing - I'll stay a winner with less knowledge - We had a great time last night, and I do feel terrible for giving Margaret a hard time - it was just so darned funny! I respect anyone who has earned a letter, and for sure bowling a perfect game is one thing to be proud of. The question remains - is bowling a sport? It is a game, is it a sport? What do you think?