Wii bowling league ‘like family’

SCV seniors join in national event

Three strikes, you’re ... doing pretty well.

You’re not out — you’ve got a turkey when you’re playing with the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center’s two Nintendo Wii bowling teams: the Alley Oops and the Stars and Strikes.

The teams bowl on Tuesdays and Thursdays from about 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Senior Center, and they’re always looking for new bowlers, regardless of skill level.

“We had people who didn’t even know how to do this,” said Bernie Katz, a veteran Wii bowler.

Bowlers with disabilities are also encouraged to join. Mary Gallant said most of the bowlers playing now have some sort of physical disability; the league has also welcomed Alzheimer’s patients.

The teams bowl for seven weeks, facing off

against other senior teams around the country as part of the National Senior

League Games, aiming for a berth to the state championship.

Katz said about 1,600 seniors nationwide are Nintendo Wii bowlers, some as old as 102. The

local league has been active the last five years and is now a close-knit group.

“We’re basically just like family,” Katz said.

And much like a family gathering, those who

join can expect a team atmosphere with a lot of laughs.

“We actually have been told we make too much noise,” Katz said with a smile.

Katharine Lotze Joe Gotto helps Erma Jackson align her Wii bowling shot March 1 at the Santa Clarita Senior Center. Gotto and Jackson are on the Stars and Strikes Wii bowling team.

Katharine Lotze/ The Signal (See additional photos on signalscv.com) (Above) A senior takes her turn at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center during a Wii bowling tournament on March 1. Approximately 1,600 seniors nationwide compete in Nintendo Wii bowling as part of the National Senior League Games. ( Right) A homemade award for Wii bowlers who score a perfect 300 sits on a table in the room where the Alley Oops Wii bowling team plays a game at the SCV Senior Center. Awards are also available for those who bowl three strikes in a row. Seniors of all ability levels are invited to participate in the games.