Stars & Strikes leagues get the ball rolling

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Bowling alleys are known as places where families, friends and coworkers can get together to play a traditional game as a form of entertainment. It is also common to form bowling teams, known as leagues, and play against each other.

The Whiteman Bowling Center, Stars & Strikes, is gearing up for their fall leagues and will begin registration in late August.

Leagues are 32-weeks long and starts in late August to early September, and ends in April. The bowling center hosts a league for each day of the week, which are: Sunday Night Mixed, Monday Morning Seniors, Tuesday Night Men's, Wednesday Night Intramural, Thursday Night Ladies, Friday Night Couples and Saturday Morning Youth.

A bowling league consists of certain teams and the league decides how many people will participate on the team and can also decide what the rules will be, according to Phillip Wagner, 509th Force Support Squadron bowling center manager. However, the teams do have to abide by the governing body of rules, which comes from the U.S. Bowling Congress.

"Anyone interested in joining is welcome and we can put people together on teams," Mr. Wagner said. "We also offer the customer to join the available leagues.
"In addition to the recreational sport, players will likely meet new people and it is a great way to make new friends," Mr. Wagner said.

Master Sgt. Cristofer Valenzuela, 509th Maintenance Squadron first sergeant and an avid bowler on the Whiteman league, said he enjoys the leisure aspect while also getting to spend time with other Team Whiteman members.

Aside from the relaxation and enjoyment aspect of being with family and friends, prizes will be given out weekly.

"We encourage all Team Whiteman members to come and get away from daily stresses, get some food and throw the ball and knock some pins down for a few hours," he said.

To find out more about cost and to sign up for the bowling league, contact the bowling center at 660-687-5114. For more information search Stars&Strikes (all one word) via Facebook. Facebook statuses include the menu, cost and current updates.