On Dec. 1, the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) will make it’s annual debut on ESPN, and it plans on making the occasion a historic experience. A blue dye will be added to the lane conditions for ESPN’s telecast of five World Series of Bowling championship events. The PBA teamed up with Brunswick – its official lane maintenance provider – to conceive and test out the lanes that will be used exclusively for the ESPN telecast, held at South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada.
PBA commissioner, Tom Clark, spoke to the website about the challenges that bowlers will face during the event,
“Throughout its history, it has been difficult to describe the challenges players face in our sport,” said Clark.
“How oil is applied to the lane, and how it transitions as competition progresses, is something no one is able to see with the naked eye, and those are critical variables in scoring and player strategy.”
He also discussed the advantages to the viewing public about the unique new addition,
“For the first time ever, we’re going to add dye to the oil so that bowling fans on site and watching at home on ESPN will literally be able to see how the pattern of oil looks on the lane. We are sure it will be educational and insightful for all levels of fans tuning in and we hope to learn from this experiment and improve it moving forward.”
According to PBA.com, the new look is scheduled to debut during the Cheetah Championship, which uses the 35-foot PBA Cheetah oil pattern. The Viper Championship (39 feet), Chameleon Championship (43 feet), and Scorpion Championships (47 feet).
The World Series of Bowling will be taped Saturday and Sunday Nov. 2 and 3 and will air on ESPN beginning Dec. 1 at p.m. ET.
For more information, visit PBA.com
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