Vanport Bowling News

09/24/2025

We want to let our readers and supporters know that the VanPort Bowling News weekly newsletter is going on hiatus, and updates to the website will be limited for the time being.

This decision doesn’t come lightly, but with the start of a new full-time job and ongoing commitments, there simply isn’t enough time to give the newsletter and site the energy and attention they deserve.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has read, shared, and supported VanPort Bowling News, especially Mt Hood Lanes, Park Lanes and Kern Park Flower Shoppe. This isn’t a goodbye just a pause and we hope to return with new ways to share Oregon bowling news in the future.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of bowling in our community.

Thank you,

Jim Ferretti

09/08/2025

09/04/2025

Talk among yourselves!

USBC has announced new national tournament rules and specification changes for slow oil-absorbing high-performance (urethane) balls.

Click below for the full story, which includes links to the FAQ, research findings and a summary video.

https://bit.ly/4lZ6BI4

08/28/2025

The Northwest Women’s Bowling Tour’s recent decision to put transgender participation to a membership vote has sparked strong reactions across the bowling community. One of the voices at the center of this discussion is longtime Northwest bowler Mikayla Barber.

In an exclusive interview with VanPort Bowling News, Mikayla shares her journey, her love for the sport, and her response to the ongoing debate. The story also includes a statement from Tournament Director Sean Daniels on why he chose to put the issue to a vote.

(By Jim Ferretti) -- When the Northwest Women’s Bowling Tour announced that members would vote on whether transgender women could participate in its tournaments, the decision set off a firestorm of debate across social media. Tournament Manager Sean Daniels said he wanted the membership to decide,...

08/16/2025

07/22/2025

Well, this is sure to be a talker.

Over the past several months, USBC has conducted research, engaged a third-party working group of technical experts and key stakeholders, and held a formal comment period with bowling ball manufacturers to address concerns about urethane bowling balls and their impact on competition.

USBC’s concerns:

• Lane pattern integrity – Urethane balls can alter lane patterns more quickly, disrupting the intended lane pattern design and creating imbalances between different styles of players.

• Competitive Fairness – When urethane and reactive equipment are both used in the same competitive environment it causes competitive imbalances between different styles of bowlers.

• Player development concerns – Increasing reliance on urethane may reduce player versatility and hinder long-term skill development, particularly among younger and developing athletes.

• Governance and integrity challenges – Urethane balls can measure softer over time, making it difficult to distinguish between natural aging and tampering. These issues have contributed to protests and confusion at events, creating enforcement challenges and questions around competitive integrity.

USBC’s next steps include continuing to evaluate this matter by considering both previously received feedback and any additional input moving forward. All stakeholder feedback and ongoing research will be presented to the Equipment Specifications Committee at its next scheduled meeting in late August or early September.

To answer the poll go here - https://bit.ly/4lzWGcu

07/02/2025

Bowling Icon Champ Husted Passes Away at 94.

MILWAUKIE, Ore. — Champ A. Husted, the longtime owner of Milwaukie Bowl and a key figure in the Oregon bowling community, has passed away at the age of 93.