Middle Tennessee Bowling Association

  The American Bowling Congress was not the sport's first regulatory body when it became a reality during a 15 hour meeting on September 9, 1895 in New York City's Beethoven Hall. However, it was the first American group which overcame the internal disputes and revolts to emerge as an important lasting organization. One of the early arguments was a standardized scoring system and Louis Stein's proposal of 300 for a perfect game finally gained approval, and remains today. Samuel Karpf of New York was appointed the first ABC Secretary.

  ABC's founding meeting included representatives from only New York City, Brooklyn and Buffalo, but the organization showed proof of its soundness in less than a year. A January 13, 1896 meeting resulted in men from eight other cities joining the Congress, including such distant places as Kansas City and Quebec, Canada.

  Those initial years saw the institution of programs and rules, which although later modified, still form the fundamental structures for today's game. Lanes were certified beginning in 1900, the Award Programs started in 1908, the first rule concerning lane conditions was passed in 1908 and Convention Delegates received financial statements starting in 1912.

 

  ABC Headquarters moved to its present home of Milwaukee when Langtry succeeded Karph as Secretary in 1907. Langtry operated Langtry-McBride Lanes in Milwaukee. Those formative years also saw the start of the ABC Tournament in 1901 in Chicago. There were 41 team entries and the event lasted four days. A far cry from the present 8,000 teams and lasting 100 days..

 

Elmer Baumgarten took over as Secretary in 1932 and the Congress began printing its own publication, The ABC Bulletin, which was changed to the Bowling Magazine in 1934.

  A step toward the preservation of bowling history came about in 1941 with the formation of the ABC Hall of Fame and induction of eleven charter members. In 1984 the National Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum was opened in St. Louis.
 

  The election of Frank Baker as Executive Secretary in 1951 opened an era of spectacular growth as ABC membership reached 2 million in 1956-57 and 3 million just three years later. Automatic bonding of league and association funds was approved. The ABC Awards Program was upgraded during the 1950's and a Seniors Program was added in 1963. Technology became a popular word from the end of World War II to the present, as ABC approved the use of automatic pin setters and plastic coated pins. Al Matzell and Ken Hurley assumed the duties of the Executive Secretary position during the 70's and then Roger Tessman assumed the duties through 1989. During this time, membership grew to approximately 4.5 million bowlers. Darold Dobbs became the eighth man to hold this position in May, 1989. ABC is the worlds' largest sports organization. 

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In 1994, ABC changed the constitution to permit female bowlers to join the American
Bowling Congress.

TJ Van Patten of Nashville was a Life Member of the ABC. Mr. Van Patten died during the 1995-96 bowling season. Jim Bevins of Knoxville was elected 9th Vice President in 1993 of the ABC. Some of the services offered by ABC are:

1. Uniform playing rules
2. Awards Program

3. Supplies

4. Bonding for League Officers

5. Charity help

6. Uniform equipment
7. Tournaments
8. Enforcement of rules

  During the years of 1995-98 there were many changes made by ABC and WIBC. The materials for leagues were combined, as well as the Rule Book. Also, the birth of the single delivery system was born. This program turned the everyday operation of ABC/WIBC to a private company. ABC/WIBC still has the final control of the Rules and Bylaws. In 1996-97, ABC Executive Director, Darold Dobbs died of cancer. He visited Nashville many times, and was well thought of in the Nashville Bowling Community.

  On June 8, 2002, Jim Bevins from Knoxville, Tennessee was installed as the 89h President of the ABC. Jim had served many years on the Board as Director and Vice President. He is the only person from the state of Tennessee to serve as President of the Congress.

  In March of 2003, was the first time in history the ABC Delegates were asked to approve merging with the WIBC and YABA organizations to form one organization. The vote was 630 for and 632 opposed. The merger failed because it required a 2/3rd majority vote. However, in March, 2004 the merger was approved by the three organizations. The new organization will be named the United States Bowling Congress (USBC). Each association will decide if they want to merge as one organization.

  On May 5, 2005 the ABC and WIBC Delegates approved the United States Bowling Congress proposal to unify the membership organizations with more than the required 2/3rd's majority. WIBC Delegates vote result was 1,743 for and 716 opposed. The ABC votes was 898 for and 274 opposed. The YABA Board of Directors also approved the plan. At this time the TSBA and the TWBA will not merge.

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