By Maggie Downs
The Cincinnati Enquirer

At the Greater Cincinnati Bowling Association's annual city championship, participants have a lot to spare.

Money for Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, that is.

Steve Fehr paticipates in the citywide bowling championship at King Pin Lanes. (Michael E. Keating photo)

Organizers hope the tournament, which started last weekend and continues Jan. 17 and 18 at King Pin Lanes in Anderson, will raise more than $5,000 for the hospital as it crowns the city's top bowler.

After a sharp decline in recent years, increased participation at this year's tournament, now in its 98th year, is a sign that the sport is picking up momentum again, said Gary Crooker, executive director of the bowling association.

Last year, 98 teams and other individual bowlers raised $3,400 for the hospital. This year, an expected 120 teams are projected to raise more than $5,000. The all-time low was 65 teams in 2002

Bowlers pay $21 per event, such as doubles and singles competition. One dollar of each entry goes to the hospital. The tournament also raises money through split-the-pot drawings.

"Any money we make at this goes to the children," Crooker said.

Founded in 1895, the Greater Cincinnati Bowling Association has 9,500 members. In its heyday in the 1970s, the local organization included as many as 40,000 members.

Interest is growing again and the number of high school bowling teams is one reason.

"We're not yet seeing all the effects of it, but we will," Crooker said.

Events catering to younger folks are another reason. Glow bowling - a game played under black lights with neon balls and glowing pins - is drawing a more diverse crowd to the alleys.

"Any way to expose people to bowling," Crooker shrugged.

Erv Hoinke, owner of Western Bowl and operator of the Hoinke Classic tournament, said he always encourages young people to bowl.

"It's like any sport. You have to get the youth involved or the sport will die," he said.

The Queen City still claims one of the largest bowling organizations in the nation. And the city has several professional bowlers to call her own. Brian Himmler, 30, of Anderson, has been in the top 25 on the professional circuit for seven years.

But on Sunday, Himmler was at the GCBA tournament to kick back with lifelong buddies.

"It's a fun game anyway," he said. "But it's more fun when you have a chance to bowl with a bunch of friends you grew up with."

Are you ready for some bowling?

You still have a chance to roll with the best of them. The Greater Cincinnati Bowling Association's annual citywide championship continues Jan. 17 and 18 at King Pin Lanes ,7735 Beechmont Ave. Cost is $21 per bowler per event. Also, the association's tournament will be held at Western Bowl Feb. 15.

Information: www.gcbabowl.org.

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E-mail mdowns@enquirer.com