STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

BOSTON, April 13 -- Legislators are aiming to strike down a law
that bans people from drinking while bowling.

While most other states allow people to drink alcohol at tables near the
lanes, Massachusetts requires would-be candlepin kings to drink their
liquor at a bar, if there's one on site.  The bar can be in the bowling
alley, but must be located in a separate room.

And all that walking back and forth interferes with the flow of the game,
said the sponsor of a bill eliminating the prohibition, which does not
extend to soda or other non-alcoholic drinks.

"You get people running back and forth all of the time, it slows the game
down," said House Government Regulations Committee chairman Daniel Bosley
(D-North Adams).  Bosley filed the proposal (H 2324) on behalf of the
owners of Valley Park Lanes in North Adams.

Bosley, who no longer bowls - he cited "bad knees" - filed the same bill
last year.  It passed the House but died in the Senate. The committee
approved this year's version today.  Bosley said he doesn't believe the
change will create alcohol-related problems.

"I don't think people are getting drunk and bowling," he said.  "They still
have to drive home."

Valley Park Lanes owner Don Soule said the change would make his life
easier.   "It's just a pain in the ass.  You have to watch people (leaving
the bar area).   People here for bowling aren't here for hard drinking.
They just want a beverage."

Soule said his 18-lane alley has a restaurant, a large bar and a 250-person
banquet facility.  But the law requires bartenders to police bowlers
leaving the bar when their frame is up.   Soule added that many other
alleys - but not his - overlook it when their patrons drink near the lanes.

"I've never had any problem" with people drinking too much at the alley,
Soule said.  "Course, since I follow the law, I don't let people take
alcohol out in the bowling alley."

"People would like to be able to take a beer and bring it out to the table.
 In other states, it's allowable," Soule added.  "It's being done anyway.
Why not change it?"

Also at today's executive session, which was attended by only Bosley and
Rep. Michael Festa (D-Melrose), the committee approved a bill (S 353)
allowing liquor sales on Sundays.  The committee has already approved
similar legislation, but Bosley said he was afraid the legislation would
die in the Senate without a push first in the House.

The Supreme Judicial Court is deciding the state's appeal of a decision
ruling that the current law is unconstitutional.  Right now, only liquor
stores within 10 miles of other states' borders can open on Sundays; a
lower court has ruled that all businesses should be treated the same.

"The courts will either close them all down or open them all up," Bosley
said.  "Having the courts make legislation is not a good idea.  Standing
pat is not an option."

 

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