Perfect game (bowling)

For other uses, see perfect game (disambiguation).

A perfect game, also known as a 300-point game and sometimes simply as a "300", is the best score possible in Ten-pin Bowling. It consists of throwing 12 strikes in a row, one strike in each of the first 9 frames, and 3 in the tenth frame, since a strike counts as ten points plus any pins hit in the next two balls. In sanctioned league play, a 300-point game is usually commemorated with a ring, once the score is verified. Subsequent league 300s are denoted by setting "chips", or precious stones into the ring, so that skilled bowlers don't have to wear several rings. In casual play, a 300 game cannot be recognized officially by the Professional Bowlers Association, the United States Bowling Congress or any other organization, but may be honored by a "300 game" plaque, trophy, etc. sponsored by the local bowling center.

Historically, the 300 game was dauntingly difficult to achieve, but with the advent of new technology in the sport, beginning in the 1970s, it has become a slightly more feasible goal even for skilled amateur and semi-professional players. Such technological changes include the use of more "active" synthetic bowling pins, more forgiving lane conditions that allow a greater margin for error, and most importantly, bowling balls with modern "reactive coverstocks" that allow greater hooking action and consequently more leeway on strikes. (See Ten-pin bowling for more information). As a result, 300 games are somewhat commonplace, especially in professional play. A handful of them have even been broadcast on live TV. One of the most recent examples of this came in October 2006 when England's Paul Moor became the first man to register a score of 300 in the Weber Cup, the annual Europe versus America team challenge event. When Tony Reyes of the PBA accomplished a perfect game in a 2006 televised match, he secured a $10,000 (U.S.) cash bonus in addition to the tournament prize. Through 2007, there have been 18 televised 300 games on the PBA Tour, and two more on the Senior PBA Tour.

An 800 series (a three-game set with scores adding to 800 or above) is a more difficult feat to achieve than bowling a single perfect game because it requires more consistency and careful attention to the subtle changes in the lane conditions after every shot. However, in 1997, a 900 series –or perfect series (three consecutive 300 games in league play) was officially recorded, by collegiate bowler Jeremy Sonnenfeld. Teenager Robert Mushtare of Northern New York, claims to have bowled a perfect series 5 times over a few months in 2006, within a single season. He bowled some in league play, some in practice, but the ABC has investigated and certified only the last two of these.

Prior to that, Glenn Allison rolled a 900 series on July 1, 1982, but the approval and inspection process in place at the time resulted in disapproval by the ABC.

Other bowling games

A 300-point game is also considered a perfect score in duckpin bowling and candlepin bowling. Both games use ten pins, but use smaller handheld balls and smaller-diameter pins, but use the same pin spacing as standard tenpins; therefore, scoring is generally lower than tenpins. Because of this, no sanctioned perfect games have ever been recorded in the history of either duckpins or candlepins.

In five-pin bowling, native to Canada, 450 points is a perfect score. This score has been achieved, though less frequently than a 300 in tenpins.

Fiction

The concept of a perfect bowling game has been regularly used in fiction for either suspenseful or comedic effect. For example, In The Simpsons episode "Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder", Homer bowls a perfect game in a parody of The Natural. Later, the baby Maggie also apparently bowls one.

In the Family Guy episode Blind Ambition, Mort Goldman bowls a 300 game and becomes a local hero.

In a fourth season episode of Married… with Children, "Peggy Turns 300," Peggy bowls a perfect game immediately after Al breaks the record at their local alley.

In the series According to Jim, Jim (Jim Belushi) bowls the first nine strikes of a game when the power goes out at the bowling center. He returns the following day to roll the final three strikes and complete the 300 game.

See also

• Elliot John Crosby - UK's youngest 300 shooter
• Chaz Dennis - US's youngest 300 shooter

• Golden Set in tennis
• Nine dart finish in darts
• Perfect game in baseball