BUTLER TWP - No one knows exactly why it is happening.

Rich Kline, who is the head machinist and general Jack of all Trades at Sherwood Lanes, said about 80 percent of the men bowling in leagues on Monday and Tuesday nights at the house are averaging better than 200 per game.

As a whole, bowling averages at Sherwood Lanes are among the highest in Butler County.

"Some (like it). Some don't," Kline said. "A lot of guys like to bowl some good games. Some of the better bowlers, they see all the Joe Schmos scoring high and don't like it as much."

There might not be one reason for the spike in scoring averages. Instead, there could be several working together to produce higher-than-normal results.

One of the main reasons could be the AMF equipment that replaced the Brunswick equipment once was used there.

When the Pennsylvania State Bowling Association tournament came to Butler last year and used Sherwood Lanes as one of its venues, some of the equipment was overhauled.

New pins were one of the most obvious changes.

"For some reason, the pins seem to fly around a lot more," Kline said.

Darryl Nowakowski, 67, of Butler has been bowling for 30 years. He said his bowling average is "a little bit better" at Sherwood Lanes.

"I'm not bowling as well as I used to," Nowakowski said. "Some people say it's because I'm getting older."

But Nowakowski said he really noticed a difference several years ago at Sherwood Lanes. However, the improvement has been marginal this year, he said.

"The alleys don't seem to be the same every week," Nowakowski said.

Trent Slater, 39, of Hoover bowls at several houses all over the county. His scoring average is about five to 10 pins higher at Sherwood Lanes.

He said the averages were much higher at the house in the past.

Another change that came with the state bowling tournament was an automated lane-treating machine. The new equipment is supposed to dress the lanes consistently.

Since the switch, however, several bowlers said scoring averages actually have dropped bit.

"In years past, you used to be able to slam a door (hit the head pin straight on) and still get a strike," Slater said. "They have a new oiling system and all new pins, but you can still roll pretty high here."

Not all the bowlers are rolling scores that would make Walter Ray Williams Jr. envious.

Some are struggling at the lanes.

One anonymous bowler pulled out last week's results, pointed to his score in the 150s and said, "I usually average around 200."

Others grumbled about bowling far below their average.

But Slater said Sherwood Lanes still provides bowlers a better opportunity for higher scores.

"You have a chance here," Slater said.

Slater brought up another interesting explanation for the high scoring averages: good bowlers.

"They're a lot of good bowlers here," he said. "That could be a reason."