This season, Michiel decided to try out something new - manual pinsetting at the McMurdo bowling alley. The bowling alley is one of (if not, the only) remaining manual pinset system in the world. On each alley, a pinsetter waits for the bowler to throw the ball and (hopefully...) knock down some pins. Considering that the lames are totally warped, knocking down pins is more a question of luck and power than finesse.
Once the pins have been knocked down, the pinsetter jumps off his/her perch and puts them in the rack so that they are out of the way. The ball is then placed into the chute for return to the bowler and the pinsetter jumps up onto the perch out of harm's way.
Bowling tournaments and games usually involve some drinking so the pinsetters wear bright pin-striped (naturally!) socks so that the bowlers can see their legs when they are working.
Pinsetters have the optional responsibility of jeering, cheering or harassing the bowlers with cymbal playing, boos, comments, etc. One pair of pinsetters even pre-prepared cut-out pictures and comments from magazines to stuff into the finger-holes of the balls before returning them to their bowler friends.
Bowlers also have the option to go Cosmic style and play in black light. Did you know that under a black-light, tonic glows fluorescent green? Very cool
Here are some photos of the bowling alley and Michiel at work:
