Baker Bowling

Baker bowling is a format of bowling where a single line (game) of bowling is shared by an entire team.

In most bowling leagues, a bowler will bowl his or her own line of bowling. Everybody on the team will have their name on the scoreboard. The typical league session is three games or 30 frames.

With Baker Bowling, only one name - the team name - is shown on the screen. A bowling sequence is established. Each player on the team will bowl one frame until the game is completed. The first player in the sequence will bowl the first frame. The second player bowls the second frame, the third bowls the third frame. When the rotation is done, the process repeats.

The bowler that is normally scheduled to bowl the 10th frame will bowl the complete 10th frame. The next game is started by the ensuing player in the sequence.

The number of total "games" bowled in a Baker session vary. However the total games scheduled will normally allow everybody on the team to bowl from 20 to 30 frames which is normal for typical leagues. A three-player Baker team would bowl a total of nine single games to have everyone bowl 30 frames in the session.

Baker is a format that is commonly used to decide collegiate and high school team bowling tournaments. This includes the NCAA finals.

A Baker team can consist of two to five players. The figure below illustrates the turn rotation in Baker Bowling.

The lead bowler (Player 1) bowls frames marked in red, player 2 bowls frames in white, player 3 (3 or more per team) bowls frames in blue, player 4 (4 or more per team) bowls frames in pink and player 5 (on five player teams) bowls the frames in yellow.

• A two player team would play as per the line labeled "WE". This is your typical Scotch doubles sequence.
• A three player team would sequence as per the line labeled "THEY". Given player 1 finishes the game, player 2 would start and finish the second game. Similarly player 3 would start and finish the third game.
• A four player team would sequence as per the line labeled "US". Player 2 closes the game, so the next game would be started by player 3.
• The five player team sequences as per the line labeled "THEM".

Yes, this may be confusing to the average bowler. But once you get the hang of it, it becomes simple.

How can you try Baker Bowling

The Baker Format is suitable for two to five players on the lane.

On your next open bowling visit here, ask about Baker Bowling. Play Baker Bowling on a timed basis or on a game basis.

Place one name on the scoreboard. Then bowl in sequence like you normally would in a regular bowling night. Watch how your team can accumulate a score.