19th century bowling — Spectator sports

Bowling at the Glens Falls Athletic Club quickly became a spectator sport.

“The lady friends of members of the Association are cordially invited to attend,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls announced in a March 6, 1890 report about an upcoming bowling match against the Troy Bicycle Club team.

“This is expected to be a very interesting contest, as the Trojans are very expert players, and those who have been selected to compete with them are the best in the section.”

Glens Falls did, in fact win the match.

The Trojans won 2,923 to 2,487 in a rematch at Troy on March 14.

“Our boys were not accustomed to play on alleys as short and narrow as those owned by the Troy club, which operated against their making higher scores,” The Morning Star reported on March 17. “When the Trojans were worsted here they claimed that their playing was adversely affected by their not having much experience with such long alleys as those at the Association rooms.”

There were no hard feelings between the teams.

“After the contest, the Glens Falls team and several gentlemen who went from here to witness the game were treated royally by the Troy club, who left nothing undone to contribute to their pleasure.”

The Glens Falls team requested a rubber match, and the Troy team agreed to participate if it could be held at a neutral alley.

Next up, the Glens Falls Athletic Association held an inter-club match between the “kids” and the “old fellows.”

“Games will be called at eight o’clock sharp,” The Morning Star reported on March 21. “It is anticipated that this will be an interesting contest, as ‘the kids’ are quite proficient in this pastime.”

Saratoga Spring visited Glens Falls next.

“They came, they played, but they did not conquer,” The Morning Star reported on March 27, of the match that Glens Falls won by 350 points.

“There were quite a good many spectators present, many of which were ladies, the latter occupied seats in the gallery, and they did not fail to applaud the good points made by players on both sides.”

Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs had another unexpected match.

Saratoga Springs and Troy had been scheduled compete at Glens Falls, a neutral alley, The Morning Star reported March 31.

“A telegram was received soon after the arrival of Saratoga that the Trojans would not be able to come here.”

So the host Glens Falls Athletic Club hastily put together a local team that defeated Saratoga Springs by 272 points.

“There was a good-sized crowd of spectators, many ladies as usual, occupying seats in the gallery.”

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