The pins and balls in duckpin bowling aren’t as forgiving to beginners as the larger, heavier 10-pin bowling, but according to competitor Jerry Middleton it is what keeps him coming back to Shenandoah Bowling Lanes. The sport is believed to have started in Baltimore, and while duckpin enjoyed its peak in the 1960s, only around 60 alleys remain in the United States.
“It’s like a mind game,” says Middleton during a decidedly low-key tournament at Shenandoah.
Six bowling lanes are squeezed inside the second floor of the old brick building at the alley, which has been open since 1948. Its maple wood floors and vintage fixtures still largely intact, the only thing that is out of mid-century character is the Black Keys and Alabama Shakes playing on the radio.
Here’s a collection of images from a tournament at Shenandoah.
Josh Miller stands next to a rack of duckpin bowling balls during a tournament at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
George Daugharty, right, watches his duckpin bowling ball roll down a lane during a tournament at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Pins sit on a bowling lane for duckpin bowling at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Jerry Middleton casts a shadow on a wall as he prepares to bowl a duckpin bowling ball during a tournament at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Jerry Middleton watches as his son Jon hurls a duckpin bowling ball during a tournament at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Scott Asbell reaches for a duckpin bowling ball during a tournament at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Scott Asbell, center, tallies up the score during a duckpin bowling tournament at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
An old photograph hangs on a wall at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, a duckpin bowling alley, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
A neon signs glows outside of Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, a duckpin bowling alley, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Jerry Middleton, left, picks up a duckpin bowling ball during a tournament at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. The sport, which is mostly played in the Mid-Atlantic, enjoyed its peak in the 1960s. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
A pin stands in a lane at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Jerry Middleton reaches for his duckpin bowling shoes after a tournament at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Owner Scott Asbell’s dog Charles chases after a tennis ball after a duckpin bowling tournament at Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Mount Jackson, Va. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
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AP Images is the world’s largest collection of historical andcontemporary photos. AP Images provides instant access to AP's iconic photos and adds new content every minute of every day from every corner of the world, making it an essential source of photos and graphics for professional imagebuyers and commercial customers. Whether your needs are for editorial, commercial, or personal use, AP Images has the content and the expert sales team to fulfill your image requirements. Visit apimages.com to learn more.
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