Fall bowling leagues now getting underway

Labor Day and the Jerry Lewis Telethon are coming up and league bowlers all over Prince William County are dusting off their bowling balls and shaking off the rust of inactivity acquired over the summer as they begin the 2009-2010 league bowling season.

In the five bowling centers in the county, things are picking up in a big way with the start of the fall leagues, which generally run from late August through mid to late May. Most of the adult leagues have had their organizational meetings and are beginning their official league games. Youth leagues will start their season in a few weeks and will fill up the centers on Saturdays.

This is always a special time for bowlers, not only to begin competitive bowling again but also to meet new friends and renew old friendships. If you want to get in on the action, there is still time to join a league, as many teams are looking to fill vacancies. To sign up, contact one of the bowling centers highlighted be-low.

Bowl America Woodbridge: 703-494-9191

At the Woodbridge center, over 25 leagues are underway. The array of leagues covers the waterfront, including some that are ladies only and others that are men only. Most are mixed leagues and there are some for seniors and some for church groups. A few leagues do not allow smoking and in December, the entire Center will go smokeless. There is league bowling every day, including Sundays.

Bowl America Manassas: 703-368-2161

More than 22 leagues have begun their season in this center. One league, the Wheels Rolling League, pits bus drivers against bus drivers; another lines up teachers and other employees from area schools against each other. There are leagues for seniors, some for churchgoers and still others for high rollers. Some of the best bowlers bowl on Sunday mornings.

Bowl America Bull Run: 703-368-6256

There is lots of activity at the Bull Run center, where over 13 adult leagues have already begun to bowl. There are leagues for senior bowlers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; ladies only on Wednesday mornings; and mixed leagues on most evenings. The big shooters, both men and women, show up on Monday nights for the Monday Night Classic League. Sundays is also full of league activity starting with the Sunday Early Risers in the morning followed by the Sunday Early Starters in the afternoon and the Sunday Night Rollers in the evening.

AMF Centreville: 703-830-3700

The Centreville center runs several leagues during the week and focuses much of its attention on open bowling in an attempt to offer an all-around balanced program. This fall you will find the Beer and Pizza adult mixed league, 10 for 10 mixed youth and adult, Strikes and Spares adult mixed and the Thursday Night Mixers adult mixed. At this center, there is always something going on for adult and youth bowlers.

AMF Dale City: 703-670-2111

In Dale City, the adult mixed leagues operate on Monday through Friday and a ladies-only league on Thursday morning. Youth leagues have not started yet but Saturday mornings and early afternoons are reserved for the young bowlers. These leagues are the Peewees, Bantams and PREPS followed by the Junior Majors and the Special Guys. There is a lot of excitement among bowlers now that the new fall season is here with many bowlers returning from last year and a fair share of new faces this year.

Gil Sanchez is a freelance bowling writer for the News & Messenger. He is a member of the Bowling Writ-ers Association of America and the United States Bowling Congress Advisory Council. Reach him at 703-587-6792 or at .