Since more people in wheelchairs are taking up the sport of bowling these days, I’ve long wondered about something. Is it possible for someone to join the PBA/PWBA if that person happens to be in a wheelchair? If I remember the requirements correctly, a person has to maintain a 190 average or better in a league sanctioned by the ABC (for women, the WIBC) for two years. There are some good wheelchair bowlers out there who could easily meet these requirements. Would the professional leagues reject them, nonetheless?
Rachel Newstead
Interesting question.
I did some looking around and found the American Wheelchair Bowling Association at http://www.awba.org
From their front page:
“The A.W.B.A. serves wheelchair bowling just as the American Bowling Congress (ABC) and the Women’s International Bowling Congress (WIBC) serves able-bodied bowlers. The A.W.B.A. does not break up existing leagues and organizations, but serves to strengthen clubs and leagues that are already formed.”
So there are a fair number of AWBA bowlers in ABC and WIBC leagues. The Pro Bowlers Assciation website says that their only requirement is a 190 average in an ABC or WIBC league. Since there are wheelchair bowlers in ABC/WIBC leagues, presumably all they need are the numbers and they’re good to go.
However, at the bottom of the AWBA “about us” page, it says:
“The record for highest ABC league average ever compiled by a wheelchair bowler is 200 and is held by Walt Roy, a paraplegic. Al Uttrecht, also a paraplegic, is the runner-up at 196. Phenomenal!”
Assuming their info is correct, this means the two best AWBA bowlers are only 6 and 10 points over the minimum needed to join the PBA. They could join, but their scores probably wouldn’t attract much notice.
By the way, welcome to the SDMB!