pinboys

A pinboy, also known as a pinsetter or pin chaser, was a human operator responsible for resetting bowling pins and returning bowling balls in bowling alleys before the advent of automatic pinsetting machinery. This role was common from the early days of bowling until the mid-20th century.

Pinboys worked in the area behind the bowling pins, often in a dimly lit pit. Their duties included standing the pins back up in their proper triangular formation, clearing away any fallen pins, and retrieving the bowling balls that had gone through the pinset. They would then place the balls onto a ball return track. This was a physically demanding job that required quick reflexes and agility to avoid being hit by balls or pins.

The work was typically performed by young boys, often teenagers, due to the nature of the tasks and the pay, which was generally low. They worked in shifts and were paid based on the number of games they serviced. Working conditions could be dusty and noisy, and safety was a significant concern. The introduction of automatic pinsetting machines, such as the Brunswick-Balke-Collender machine in the 1940s and 1950s, gradually made the role of the pinboy obsolete. These machines automated the resetting of pins and the return of balls, leading to the decline and eventual disappearance of pinboys from most bowling establishments.