U.S.-made game is great buy for gift

John Bassetti

Dot com all ye faithful.

With that clause (no Christmas pun intended), the holiday shopping season officially starts.

Bowlers who are searching for a gift may want to consider a toy for some family member or friend.

The item — a plastic-pin bowling game — is sold in toy stores and is very reasonable, from $8.99 on sale to $20.99 for a technologically advanced version.

Based on recent store visits, I found that K-Mart in the Hermitage Plaza had the best price at $8.99.

The game, called “Kid’s League,” included 10 colored pins and two black balls. The item was marked $9.99, but was on sale for a buck less. The best part is that it’s made in the U.S.A.

Yes, you heard right, the U.S.A.! Could you believe it?

The manufacturer is General Foam Plastics Corp. out of Norfolk, Va.

That’s not in China, that’s not in Malaysia, that’s not in India, that’s not in the Philippines and that’s not in Mexico.

Bowlers, if you’re serious about righting the ship that has listed toward the trade-deficit side, now is the time to make a move.

Similar bowling set games on this side of the border weren’t as cheap, but there might be some underlying incentive.

At one store, there was a 10-pin, two-ball “Big Ten” bowling set — or El juego grande de diez bolos, if you will — for $12.99. Stats Fun was the brand.

The most expensive was a Silly 6 Pins Bowling Game made by Milton-Bradley.

The attraction is that the six pins stand in a talking game base with realistic sound effects.

“Let’s get the ball rolling,” or “Nice shot,” are two of the responses from the base.

“Woo, hoo, I made it,” or “Where did they go?” other voices cry after pins either escape the ball or crash to the floor.

They all know when they’re up and when they’re down, a description on the box reads.

The pins, which wobble and joke, also announce the score for each frame.

What a deal for $20.99!

Oh, yeah, three AA batteries are required.

Although the sets are for ages 3-and-up, adults may have an ulterior motive in a purchase.

It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to comprehend the advantage of plastic-pin games over regular bowling.

Think about the savings, especially in these financially difficult times!

Oh, one other caveat: strikes not included.

Joe Yohn had 300 in Sanko Studio/ITAM Catering at Holiday on Dec. 1, while Amron Lanes co-proprietor Bob Diver had 300 in Ron Haus Mix Matchers at Amron on Dec. 5.

Teri Haefke registered 742 and Susan Mineo’s 267 was the top single among Wedgewood Ladies Trio bowlers.