Ready, set, bowl

By RACHEL JACKSON, The BayonetJanuary 8, 2010

Jim Reaves:
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ready, set, bowl
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FORT BENNING, Ga. - Children ages 6-18 and adults are invited to participate in bowling leagues, beginning Saturday and Sunday at the mall bowling center.

Children and parents can participate in the adult-youth league "Bowling is a great sport because it's a sport for both young and old," said Jim Reaves, USBC certified youth bowling coach. "You have little ones up to people who are 100 years old who are still bowling."

Reaves said he is looking for beginner and expert bowlers for the youth league.

"I teach beginners the basics of bowling - the four step approach, how to be accurate and hit the target marks, how to keep score and how to throw a straight ball," he said.

"For the experts, I teach at their skill level."

In order for children to succeed at bowling, Reaves said most of all they need drive and dedication.

"I show the children how to bowl, but it's up to them to use the skills I give them," he said. "If they want to learn, they will learn. Like any other sport, the more you work at bowling, the more you will succeed."

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Want to join a league'

Youth League

Who: Ages 6-18

When: 9:30 a.m. every Saturday. The league begins Saturday and runs until mid-April.

Where: Mall bowling center

Cost: $7.50 per week. Includes bowling and shoes. League members can win prizes , including scholarships, bowling shoes or bowling balls

Adult-youth league

Who: For children ages 6-18 and adults. There will be three-person teams consisting of two adults and one child or one adult and two children

When: 1:30 p.m. every Sunday beginning Jan. 17 and ending mid-April

Where: Mall bowling center

Cost: $11-$15 per week. It includes bowling and shoes. League members can win prizes such as scholarships, bowling shoes or bowling

Want to join a league' For more information, call the mall bowling center at 706-544-2233.

Did you know'

Aca,!Ac Bowling is believed to date back to 3200 B.C. in Egypt.

Aca,!Ac Bowling was first mentioned in American literature in Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle, when Van Winkle awakens to the sounds of "crashing nine-pins."

Aca,!Ac Today, more than 95 million people in more than 90 countries bowl.

Jim Reaves:

Aca,!Ac 59 years old

Aca,!Ac Coaches the youth bowling league. USBC certified coach

Aca,!Ac Has coached for six years and bowled for 35 years