Wii Bowling for Seniors is Exercise

BRIGANTINE-- With both matching shirts and their game faces on The "Hot Pins" are here to win. "We've got a good team of players, a lot of good players," said bowler Ruth Martin.

The two teams of four senior citizens were all business as they grabbed their controllers and took aim in a Nintendo Wii bowling competition at the Brigantine Civic Center.

"We think we're doing really well and they take it very seriously. We did a whole bunch of practice weeks to start," said Linda Nace, Senior Site Manager. It's all to prepare for a contest sponsored by the National Senior League. However, before the team could compete they said they had some learning to do.

"We seem to know which buttons to push now which we didn't know in the beginning," said Nace. Part of the preparation, before taking to the virtual lanes, was to create their own Nintendo Wii characters.

"They made mine up. I have little blonde hair and a little face," said bowler Laura Bauder. It looks like a lot of fun but it's all-apart of a competition with 300 sites competing in 24 states. This team even has a coach.

"I keep track of the scores, strikes, spares during the competition. I had to help them learn the game," said coach, and high school freshman, Joe DiBuonaventura.

Once a week the team's coach will keep scores and submit them online. The competition is in its third week and runs for close to 2 months. While the "Hot Pins" say competition heats up, it's actually all just about staying active. "Its exercise, you're moving your arms," said Bauder.

They say there is no "I" in this team, and support every bowler. "One doesn't do good the next time they do better," Bauder. The "Hot Pins" maybe on a hot streak they say they are also having some fun.

"We have a great time yeah. Especially when we make a strike, everybody dances," said Bauder. "They're all thinking they are getting a banquet at the end and I am sure we'll set something up," said Nace.

The teams at the Brigantine Civic Center are the only Atlantic County contestants. They're playing competitors from as far away as Florida and California. The top teams from each conference will advance to the Open Bowl playoffs.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524