1969 Firestone Tournament of Champions Introduction

[royplayer]

Bowling, in my opinion will never come back. When 10 year old kids are rolling 300's and 800 series then where is the skill. Most people watching PBA telecasts now don't realize how difficult the conditions are, and when they see a pro roll a 170 game they think anyone can beat that guy. Some think of those great bowlers they know who bowl on nothing but easy house shots and have 20 or 30 300's, those same people who couldn't average 160 on a sport shot.

[altfactor]

This is a black-and-white kinescope of what originally was a color broadcast.

It was common in the 1960's for color programs to be preserved only in B&W.

[spiderlarry]

Growing up in California, the telcast was delayed, coming on in the afternoon around 4:00. It was so dramatic, waiting to see the introductions to see which five bowlers made the telecast. My favorite was Don Johnson.

[yOuGoTiPoDeD]

I used to count the minutes on Saturday in a tedious enthusiastic way. Such a pity how the sport has died out like it did. I hope it comes back.

[dougcondor]

The PBT came on every Saturday at 3:30PM (Ohio) for 13 weeks (January thru April) - and nothing else could beat it in that time slot back then!

[thiswilldoblue]

All have short & very slow approaches...bit different to what we see today.