Bowling, The Wright Way - January 24, 2002 by Don Wright
Does Bowling Need Bellybuttons?

I recently read a column written by a Hall of Fame writer in which he quotes LPGA golfer Laura Diaz as saying that "the LPGA needs to acknowledge that a lot of people watch women's sports more for the women themselves than the sport".

"We have quite a few attractive women (on the golf tour) and we should use our looks to our advantage. After all, what's wrong with seeing an occasional bellybutton?"

I wonder how many women would be out to get a male reporter, or broadcaster fired for making a remark like that? The term "sexist," comes to mind.

The writer opined that "there are many attractive women on the Professional Women's Bowling Association national tour but you would never know it from the PWBA's drab dress code during competition."

I guess I have to agree with both Diaz and the writer. You only have to look at women's sports in general to realize that both are right.

Anna Kournikova is described by writers as beautiful, glamorous and sexy. She has had considerable coverage in Sports Illustrated even though after six years as a professional she has yet to win a singles tournament. She is currently ranked 74th out of the top 100. Many believe her failure on tour is due to other interests like modeling.

Playboy allegedly offered a six-figure deal to WNBA forward Lisa Harrison to pose nude for their magazine after she was the winner of their "Sexiest Babes of the WNBA" contest on Playboy.com.

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is their biggest seller and used to promote subscriptions for the magazine.

My award-winning colleague concluded by writing, "Listen, times change and you have to go with the flow. For some reason, belly buttons are fashionable these days. Many think that revealing outfits are one reason why women's pro tennis is enjoying such a surge in TV ratings and tournament prize funds."

Thus I say, down with any dress code and up with individuality.

"The PWBA tour needs all the help that it can get...a few belly buttons might just unbutton some advertising dollars on Madison Avenue."

He may be right, but for everyone who agrees there will be two who disagree. I recall watching a sports show in which several female athletes were discussing a photograph that was taken of a member of the women's swim team. The athlete had on a pair of shorts depicting the American flag and her arms were crossed over her bare chest. Most of the women on the show thought it lacked taste and should not have been done.

Now I realize that we are talking belly buttons here and not nudity; however, bad taste is in the eye of the beholder. The last thing we need to do is turn off our viewers and fans.

Times are changing and Venus Williams has changed tennis wear considerably. But tennis was more popular when there was good competition. What Billy Jean King, Martina Navratilova or Chris Evert wore had little to do with what made the sport popular. And, let's face it, not all tennis and golf stars look like Kournikova, or Annika Sorenstam.

I can't think of a women's sport in which there are not beautiful women, but call me a prude if you like, I don't think we have to exploit that to increase our audience.

How do you ladies feel about it?

I won't be making Billings this year for the ABC Nationals, or the Bowling Writers Association of America conference. I am missing it already.

I enjoy the ABC Nationals more than any other bowling I do. First, I like the vacation and I normally take two teams and the wives come along and it's just a lot of fun. But, just as importantly, the ABC always does it right. I know I hear people complain about late starts and so on, but the bottom line is the ABC handles between 10 and 17, 000 teams rather flawlessly.

I always enjoy attending the ABC Hall of Fame induction and missing out on Pete Weber and Norm Duke this year is really a disappointment.

Knoxville will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ABC Championship and I have every intention of being there. I know ABC always does a great job, but this should really be special.

See you on the lanes.