Tuesday, Mar. 11, 2008
Bar offers Wii bowling league
Kristin Babcock
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ReprintJoAnna Smith was first in line Monday to sign up for a new bowling league at Freddy T’s Bar and Grill.
The 10-week league hits the tenpins using a big-screen TV and the Nintendo game system Wii. So instead of rented bowling shoes, Smith picked up a wireless controller, swung her arm through the air and rolled her virtual bowling ball down the lane.
“It’s my local bar, so I am here all the time,” Smith said. “I don’t have a problem making a fool of myself here.”
Wii Bowling is offered at the bar and grill by the Midwestern Unusual Sports Association. Shawn Catlin owns the seventh branch of the alternative athlete organization in the Kansas City area. He started with a kickball league in the summer of 2007. He plans to offer flag football and dodgeball later this year.
“We attract a lot of nontypical athlete people,” he said. “Jocks aren’t usually the ones to play kickball. I mean, when was the last time you played kickball? Usually it’s in elementary school. This is something different for adults.”
Catlin said Wii seemed like a good fit for alternative sports fans. He has found the ones who play kickball or other alternative sports are ones who want to meet people. For instance, Mike Valent moved to Olathe last week. After meeting a few friends playing kickball, he joined the Wii bowling league.
“It’s just a different thing most people don’t think to do at bars,” Valent said. “I think it will be a good time.”
Catlin said he’s been surprised how many from corporate and medical professions have joined MUSA.
“It’s a chance to meet different people rather than a meat-market bar,” Catlin said.
And, it gives an alternative for people who don’t like to go to the gym.
“You’d be surprised how much energy you use, how much calories you burn when you play kickball,” Catlin said.
Smith, who had tried Wii bowling only once before, said she was more concerned Monday about getting used to the gaming system.
“I like bowling, but it’s not as physically challenging as bowling,” Smith said. “It moves a lot quicker and you have a challenge of having to follow along the lanes without actually holding a ball. It’s a lot of fun.”