The Lebowski-Inspired

Wade Litton gets his bowl on at Leflore Lanes.


The Average Joes enjoyed an inside joke last August while posing for a "Leflore Illustrated" article that never came to fruition. Members are, from left, Kevin Horne, Charlie Swayze, Jimmy Horne, Drew Pinkston, Ryan Robertson and Litton. Not pictured: Alan Ellis and new member Ricky Robertson.


Swayze in fine form going for a strike.


Walter the Bowling Ball in all his radiant glory.

The Greenwood Amateur Bowling League wrapped up a fun season Thursday night at Leflore Lanes. At least three teams inspired by their own cool bowling shirts were in attendance. The Delta Dirt pays tribute to them by publishing The Article That Almost Was about The Joes from August 2007.

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As bowling has recently gained popularity in Greenwood, one league team stands out as being particularly enthusiastic about the sport. The seven members of The Average Joes arrive on Thursday nights at Leflore Lanes in their distinctive, above-average shirts to – as team member Wade Litton put it -- “drink beer and have a good time.”

But don't let their laid-back attitude fool you. The Average Joes finished second in the city tournament in March.

In addition to Litton, 27, team members are: Kevin Horne, 26, Jimmy Horne, 53, Charlie Swayze, 26, Drew Pinkston, 30, Ryan Robertson, 27, and Alan Ellis, 24.

The team has a picture of character Walter Sobchak from the Coen brothers' cult classic, “The Big Lebowski,” emblazoned on the backs of its shirts with the line, “Mark it zero, dude!” The quote is taken from a scene in the film in which the unstable Vietnam veteran (John Goodman) threatens to shoot a competitor for not canceling out his frame after accidentally bowling with a toe over the line. The film chronicles a few days in the life of a California slacker called “The Dude” (Jeff Bridges) who enjoys drinking White Russians and league bowling.

Forming The Average Joes was Swayze's idea when he moved back to Greenwood from Jackson. "It's something to do in Greenwood in the winter time when there's not a lot to do,” he said.

Kevin Horne just enjoys the fellowship. "It's all about the camaraderie,” he said.

Robertson appreciates the diversity. "It crosses age barriers," he said. Litton even received a bowling ball as a gift from an older, more experienced player.

"They're the most enthusiastic team in the league," said Melanie Everett, who has managed Leflore Lanes for 17 years. Everett has bowled since she was seven years old. “It's the only sport my parents introduced me to,” she said. “I promote it as being a family sport.”

Everett said The Average Joes stand out from other teams. “People come in with team shirts with sponsors -- Trustmark, Heartland Catfish -- but these guys have a theme," she said.

The Joes are even thinking about new shirts for the upcoming season. One team member suggested a “Miami Vice” theme of baby blue with hot pink collars.

The Greenwood league currently has 11 teams and completes September through mid-May yearly on Wednesday or Thursday nights.

Greenwoodian Michael Mosley, 35, has been a regular Wednesday night bowler at Leflore Lanes for about six months. He did not bowl prior to moving to Greenwood from San Francisco more than two years ago.

Mosley said he likes the sport because it consists of “10 pins, 10 frames, one man, one ball.” He owns his own camouflage bowling ball, which he named Walter after the movie character. “Unlike most residents of the Delta, I did not own anything that was camo, so I thought a camo bowling ball would fulfill my quota. Being a huge fan of 'The Big Lebowski,' it just had to be named Walter,” he said.
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SIDEBAR:
Bowling Facts from Leflore Lanes:

* Bowling is the No. 1 participant sport in the United States, with 68 million people bowling
* The rules are the same for young, old, male or female
* Bowling is the No. 1 choice for birthday parties for children 12 and under
* The youngest person to bowl a perfect 300 was only 10 years old
* Bowlers use 134 muscles during the basic four-step approach
* The life span of a bowling pin is 12 to 18 months
* Bowling is the fastest growing high school varsity sport
* An average bowler swings 864 pounds full circle in a three game series
* Bowling three games is equivalent to walking one mile
* The average adult bowler burns 240 calories per hour