It's baseball time and fishing time - time for golf and time for tennis.

But more and more, in Ann Arbor and elsewhere around the nation, it's bowling time - for men and women and children, for young and for old.

The keglers now seem to start about the time they climb out of the cradle - note 18-month old Doug Reynolds, son of Ypsilantians Barbara and Don Reynolds, as he shows form and enjoyment above. And note the range in age of others pictured on this page.

Just as it has elsewhere in the United States, bowling has mushroomed in Ann Arbor, much to the delight of proprietors of the five alleys which serve the city. A decade ago there were 300 local men's teams sanctioned by the American Bowling Congress. Today there are 952, according to Ray Hitchcock, veteran secretary of the Ann Arbor Men's Bowling Association. There are 100 sanctioned leagues, including the mixed leagues which have come into being since "Mother took up the sport." And there are at least 4,000 male bowlers in Ann Arbor and environs.

It's a similar story on the distaff side, says Sue Demarest, still hardly rested from the gigantic task of compiling final statistics after this week's windup of the 21st Ann Arbor Women's Tournament.

League competition is nearing the end of its 30 to 35-week run here but that doesn't mean bowling's over until next fall. Those close to the scene report a slight increase in open bowling - the "Let's go shoot a line or two" type -- and they trace it to interest aroused among non-bowlers through televised bowling programs.

VANISHING AMERICAN: Pin boys, once so vital to bowling, are about at the end of their line as more and more alleys become mechanized. John Allison, at work above, knows his pin-setting job at the Michigan Union alleys won't be available much longer. The Union management plans to put in automatic pin spotters during the summer.

GAME FOR ALL AGES: Bowling offers something for all and, as in other games, veterans like 86-year-old Al Smith - still a regular - often come up with words of advice for those just starting - like 12-year-old George Delton.

AND STILL IT STANDS: Delia Selent (facing camera) shows traces of dismay as the pesky pin remains standing. But the anguish is never too pronounced among competitors in the Elks Ladies League. (All photos on this page by Doug Fulton.)

IMPORTANT MOMENT: Getting the score properly recorded before it's flashed on the big board by the search-light-like machine at left is important. Here, 13-year-old George Airey marks while 12-year-olds Doug McCarthy (center) and Ron Stimpson do a double check.

OVER-ANXIOUS? He didn't mean to but young Robby Taylor almost followed his ball down the alley, so intent was he on getting all pins to drop. 'Twas a foul, sure, but that didn't dim young Taylor's enthusiasm for the game.

ALLEY AUTOMATION: Complex is the word for the equipment which has made pin boys pretty much obsolete in the world of bowling. The automatic pin spotters take up a lot of room, but bowlers and alley proprietors say they're more than worth the space and expense. It's a cluttery job getting in to repair them, however.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Bowling balls, of course, don't grow on trees or come all ready for use. Thumb and finger holes must be bored and proper spacing is important, especially to the serious keglers. Hank Platt operates the drilling machine at Huron Lanes, one of the few places in southeastern Michigan where such work can be done.

ONE FOR THE MONEY: Ralph Gerecke shows tournament form as he aims to pick up a spare. This one was especially important since Gerecke was bowling in the 19th annual Men's City Tournament now nearing conclusion. He got the pin down.