With all the excitement surrounding the new Barn Bowl and Bistro bowling center opening early in 2015, the question quite commonly asked is will it be big balls (ten-pin) or small balls (candlepin)? Those of us who grew up in Massachusetts, Maine or New Hampshire are familiar with candlepins and can share an anecdote or often fond memories from the small-ball bowling experience. However, most everyone else in America either has never heard of candlepins, or never had the opportunity to play the game.

Regrettably, today candlepins is a dying sport with diminishing numbers of the avid and faithful. This small ball bowling was actually invented in Worcester. Most bowling centers offering candlepins have closed. When Fairway Bowl, a popular candlepin bowling center on Route 9 in Natick, recently closed after 56 years The New York Times wrote: “Fairway joins a long list of shuttered candlepin bowling alleys.” In fact, the leading manufacturers of candlepin bowling equipment in the country, Bowl Mor and then AMF, actually stopped production of the candlepin pinsetters in the late 1960s. Though rebuilt and used candlepin parts are still available, there is only one small company, down from seven firms, which continues to manufacture candlepin bowling balls.

While the news may be disappointing to eager candlepin fans, interest in ten-pin bowling is thriving. It is universally acknowledged as the number one participatory sport in America. People of all ages, physical abilities and skill levels can easily enjoy the sport. We look forward to welcoming families, employee organizations, youths, seniors and a myriad of other groups to bowl together for fun, fitness, relaxation, to socialize and engage in friendly competition. Given the economics and inherent challenges of developing any business on the Vineyard, we are excited with our concept and progress and buoyed by the huge outpouring of community interest and support.

Robert M. Sawyer
Vineyard Haven