There’s something about bowling that’s different from other sports.

Most other sports, if someone gets really, really, really good at the game, they turn professional — and they go away.

They go off and compete against other people who are really, really, really good at the same thing.

With few exceptions, bowlers don’t do that.

Those who can stay around and torment those who can’t.

Of course, they don’t do it on purpose, or to be mean, or to show anybody up.

They just can’t help themselves. They do what they do.

They step up on the approach and bowl strike after strike, pick up spares when needed, bowl their 220 or 230 or 240 ... whatever ... and get ready for the next game.

Last Tuesday night in the Strikes and Spares League, Charlie Kremer bowled a perfect game for the third time in as many weeks at Family Bowlaway. He is averaging 250 through nine games this season.

In that league, Kremer is bowling with and against some of the best competition in the county. But even those guys raised an eyebrow over that achievement.

Imagine how a bowler like me looks at that.

This guy has averaged 250 for nine games. I’ve bowled two games over 250 in my life.

When I asked Charlie how many 300 games he’s bowled in his lifetime, he shrugged and admitted he had no idea. He guessed he’s bowled 20 of them or so.

I haven’t sniffed a perfect game. My all-time best is 267. I’ve never started a game with more than six strikes in a row.

I’m a 170-average bowler. There are tons of guys out there like me. I’ll roll a 200-game here and there. I’ll also roll a 130. Last week, I started my series with a robust 116.

Then again, I only bowl once a week. I asked Charlie how many leagues he’s in and he said he only bowls once a week.

“I just bowl for fun,” he said.

Oh, well. So much for that excuse.

Charlie Kremer bowls the same way every time. Same release, same form, same ball speed, same everything. Most top bowlers do it like that.

Me? I’ve been compared to Fred Flintstone.

Sometimes my approach has seven steps, often times double digits.

My wife’s counted as many as 15.

My arms flail, I throw off the wrong foot ... technique-wise, I’m a disaster.

I only own one bowling ball. No wrist-band ... I don’t even use a towel. My shoes have to be coming apart before I replace them.

Old-school? Maybe.

I’m too cheap to change, more than likely.

My bowling game is worlds away from Charlie Kremer and others like him.

But I bowl in the same house, on the same lanes, and I do it for the same reason.

I enjoy the game.

While I battle every night to reach my 170, I watch 200’s pop up on the screens and can only shake my head. Relax, Mr. Flintstone. I’ll never leave ya.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle