The Young American Bowling Alliance (YABA) was a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting youth participation in bowling. It was formed in 1982 through the merger of the American Junior Bowling Congress (AJBC) and the Youth Bowling Association (YBA). YABA served as the leading youth bowling organization in the United States for 23 years, until it was consolidated into the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) in 2005.

History

Bowling programs for young people began to take shape in the U.S. in the early 20th century. In 1936, Milt Raymer, a high school teacher, initiated an intramural bowling league in Chicago. This program grew into a city-wide initiative involving over 8,000 boys and girls[1]. The National Bowling Council supported the expansion of this program across the country in 1945, which led to the establishment of the AJBC in 1946. The YBA was formed in the 1963-64 season by the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA)[1].

The creation of YABA in 1982 aimed to unify these separate organizations under a single umbrella, focusing on promoting healthy competition, physical fitness, sportsmanship, and good citizenship among young bowlers[1][3]. YABA's membership included nearly 400,000 youth bowlers under the age of 22 by the late 1990s[2].

Mission

YABA's mission was to provide opportunities for all youth to learn and participate in the sport of bowling. It achieved this by establishing playing rules, providing supervision, and offering leadership and teaching programs. These efforts helped maintain amateurs' status while encouraging participation in organized bowling events[1].

Dissolution and Legacy

In 2005, YABA became a part of the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), merging with other organizations like the American Bowling Congress (ABC), Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC), and USA Bowling. This consolidation aimed to eliminate duplicated services and strengthen the governance of bowling in the U.S.[2]. The merger ensured the continuation of valued youth programs under the USBC's guidance, marking the end of YABA as an independent organization.

The legacy of YABA continues to influence youth bowling through the programs and initiatives now managed by the USBC. These efforts ensure the sport remains accessible and engaging for young bowlers across the country.