The following excerpt is taken from The Book of Duckpin Bowling, by Henry Fankhauser and Frank Micalizzi.

The sport of duckpins was born at the old Diamond Alleys on Howard Street in Baltimore, Maryland. Diamond Alleys was owned by a couple of members of the old Baltimore Orioles minor league club -- Uncle Wilbert Robinson and John McGraw (you may remember McGraw as manager of baseball's New York Giants in the early 1900's).

At the turn of the century, bowling leagues operated only during the winter months. In the summer, many centers closed down. However, a few centers (including Diamond Alleys) remained open for open play during the spring and summer. Diamond Alleys had some smaller six inch balls that were used for such off-the-wall games as cocked-hat (using only the 1, 7, and 10 pins) and five back (using the 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 pins).

During one of these matches, Frank Van Sant, the manager at Diamond Alleys, was drawn into a conversation about the small balls. Someone suggested that a set of his old, battered tenpins could be made over into little pins to conform to the six inch ball. Several days later, an old set was sent to John Dettmar, a wood-turner in Baltimore. About ten days later, Van Sant gathered all his regulars and dumped the new little pins in front of them.

Within minutes, the little pins were set up on the tenpin spots and the first unofficial "small ball" game was underway. Only two balls were used, as in tenpins, and score was kept in the same way. When Robinson and McGraw (whose other hobby was duck hunting) saw the pins fly as the ball plowed into them, they remarked that the pins looked like a "flock of flying ducks." Bill Clarke, a sportswriter for the Baltimore Morning Sun, wrote a story on the fascinating new game and christened them "duckpins." The name has stuck ever since.

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What is duckpin bowling?
The same as tenpin bowling...only smaller. The balls weigh anywhere from 2-4 lbs. and are a little bigger than a typical softball. The pins are also smaller, about 2/3 the size of a regular tenpin. Duckpins can be found mostly on the East Coast of the U.S., and in Argentina and the Philippines. A great game for kids and seniors, but everyone does it. Give it a try!

Why haven't I heard about duckpins?
Because you haven't visited our site before...and the game isn't promoted very well. Duckpin bowling is REAL bowling to us on the East Coast. It's more challenging than regular bowling.

What can I do to help duckpin bowling?
Get out there and bowl duckpins. Join a league. Keep the game alive...and send us money. Sponsor us. Tell people about duckpins...

Where can I get duckpin equipment (balls, shoes, etc.)?
We don't sell duckpin equipment. Your best bet is to contact your nearest duckpin bowling center for their suppliers. You can also find duckpin equipment in some major sporting goods stores on the East Coast. Try some of these:

Where can I get duckpin bowling machine equipment?
As far as we know, companies like Brunswick, who used to make duckpin machinery, are no longer in the duckpin machine making business. Most replacement machinery comes from other bowling centers who stock up on this very old equipment. Try contacting them. Or keep your eyes open for a house that will be closing soon. It's sad, I know, but a good way to get duckpin stuff.