Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 14, 1991 TAG: 9103150046
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By GENNY ELIAS/ SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
For those more athletically minded, there are various track activities available as well.
Spring and summer are the best times of year for people to join bowling or volleyball leagues, organizers say. Fall and winter are the most competitive seasons for those sports.
Interest in bowling wanes in the summer months, when people want to get out into the sun, according to Lou Ann Bramlett of Hilltop Lanes.
For those considering bowling, now is the time to try it out because the season is shorter and the practices don't apply to tournament scores, Garnett Wickline of Viking Lanes added.
At the four Roanoke Valley alleys, a starting bowler can rent shoes and spend a good 2 1/2 to 3 hours playing for only about $5.
Some bowling centers report that league numbers are up, while others have posted a decline. Richard Brenner, general manager of Vinton Bowling Center, said he believes the sport needs to start appealing more to the younger generation.
To meet this end, his center, as well as Hilltop Lanes, has instituted "bumper bowling." In this type of bowling for youths, air bags are placed in the gutters so that players aren't discouraged by throwing a lot of gutter balls, Brenner explained.
Another tactic employed by the bowling centers is to have adult-youth leagues. In these, a parent and a child bowl as a team against others.
At the Vinton Bowling Center, registration runs through the middle of May. Call Brenner at 344-2055.
At Hilltop Lanes, registration is open now until the end of May. Contact Lou Ann Bramlett or Jeff Garrett at 366-8879.
Viking Lanes has registration in April and May; call Garnett Wickline at 342-6753.
And Lee-Hi Lane's registration runs through April. Contact Helen Crowley at 389-0000.
Although volleyball does not have as many organized areas to play as bowling, there are games available for interested parties.
In Salem, women ages 20 to 70 can meet Wednesday mornings to divide into teams and play volleyball at the Baptist Children's Home auditorium until the end of May. The play is not competitive, and there is no charge. Play resumes in the fall with the start of school. Those interested should call Joyce Cobb at 389-5837.
The Roanoke Valley Volleyball Association is almost ready to begin its outdoor summer season. There is a $150 fee per team. Registration begins in the first part of May, practice will be held the week of May 20th, and play will begin the following week at the field on Apperson Drive, said Glenn Adcock, chairman of the association.
Adcock said players range from teen-agers to senior citizens. There is no strict dress code; players wear T-shirts, shorts and tennis shoes. The association strongly suggests, though, that players invest in a pair of knee pads, which cost about $15, Adcock said.
Volleyball teams are divided into five levels: A, considered the best; BB; B1; B2; and the recreational league for beginners.
The association has found that interest in competitive volleyball declines during the summer months, Adcock said. Last year 51 teams signed up, which was the best year ever, but still quite low compared to the 62 teams signed up for the winter league.
For single players interested in joining a volleyball team, Adcock suggested coming to the practice sessions the week of May 20th. Those who only leave their names and numbers have a far less likely chance of being chosen, he stressed.
Those interested in more information on volleyball should call Adcock at 343-7094. The association's leagues are open to anyone interested. Players younger than 18 need to have parental consent.
In Botetourt County, the Parks and Recreation Department offers its own co-ed volleyball leagues for adults.
According to Recreation Director Ken Myers, volleyball is the fastest-growing sport in Botetourt, with 14 teams signing up last year. The cost is $85 a team. For more information, contact Myers at 992-8316.
For more athletic, outdoors-type youths, there is the Hershey Track and Field, a series of competitive events sponsored primarily by the Hershey Co. The local, state, regional and national events such as the 50-, 100-, 200- and 400-meter runs as well as the mile run, 4 by 100-meter relay, standing long jump and triple jump. The June competition is separated by ages and sex: boys and girls teams that are 9 to 10 years old; 11 to 12 years old; and 13 to 14 years old, according to Dan Jones, assistant youth sports supervisor for Salem.
Jones said that of the 100 to 125 participants last year, the 9- to 10-year-old girls team went to the state in the 4 by 100-meter relay.
There is no charge, and registration begins during the first part of June. Anyone in Salem wanting more information should contact Jones at 375-3057.
Ruth Wilkinson, the supervisor of athletics for the city of Roanoke, said registration for the Hershey Track and Field events begins in the third week of June there. The city also sponsors a separate track program starting in the middle of June that runs for six weeks. Those events are held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. There is no charge to participate. Young city residents interested in signing up should contact Wilkinson at 981-2237.
Roanoke County also participates in the Hershey Track and Field. There, the contact is Marsha Patton at 387-3061.
Myers said Botetourt is considering joining the Hershey Track and Field events for youths in 1992.
by CNB