A League of Ordinary Gentlemen (2005)

Tracing the historical arc of the professional bowling tour, the film includes archival footage from the sport's glory days in the 1950's and 60's, through it's near extinction in 1997. The story takes a twist when three retired Microsoft executives purchase the PBA and immediately install Steve Miller as CEO. Miller, whose resume includes a 10-year run as the Head of Global Sports Marketing at Nike and a brief stint in the NFL, immediately sets about modernizing the PBA, transforming it into a slicker, more colorful media-friendly package. In addition to Miller, the chronicle focuses on four pro bowlers: Pete Weber, bowling bad-boy and son of legendary bowler Dick Weber, is trying to do his part by introducing a few controversial antics that are winning the sport much-needed media attention--despite offending some of its fan base. Pete's nemesis is Walter Ray Williams Jr., a straight-laced six-time world horseshoe-pitching champion, and with 36 PBA titles to his name the dominant player on the tour. Walter Ray clashes with Pete 'on the lanes' and CEO Miller 'off the lanes'; his conservative style doesn't jibe with the direction Miller is taking the new PBA. Also, there's Chris Barnes, a young father of newborn twins, who must leave his wife and sons at home and hit the road to compete for the winnings that his young family is depending upon. Finally there's Wayne Webb, a 20-time PBA champion who has fallen on hard times, and hopes to squeeze one more good season out of his career to stave off bankruptcy.