By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor

Is anyone else sick of this Major League Baseball mess? I sure am.

Baseball has lost all nostalgic value, and its rich history is the only factor that doesn’t completely turn fans off from it.

If you ask me, it’s time for a new national pastime.

One could say football is taking the front seat in American sports and that basketball is riding shotgun, but I would argue that another sport deserves the recognition as America’s pastime.

Bowling.

Hear me out.

Bowling is an individual sport, for the most part, making salary caps and minimum pay obsolete. Baseball is riddled with problems dealing with salaries and money.

Bowling alleys outnumber baseball diamonds by an overwhelming margin in the U.S., making it an easy sport to watch or play.

Here’s something you would never have to say when watching bowling: “So what if Bohn III is leading the PBA in points-everyone knows he juices up before every game!” I doubt Professional Bowling Association has much of a problem with steroid abuse among its members.

Plus, everyone loves to bowl! Men, women, children-heck, even the elderly can succeed in this great sport. How many old men and women do you see breaking out the bat and balls to go hit a few at the park? Not many. Elderly bowling leagues are great alternatives to bingo halls for our older Americans. Bowling is a sport that truly brings families together, and a sport that challenges you to do better the next game.

Are you convinced yet? If not, just wait until Manny Ramirez is making $1 million per at bat and complaining about it. Wait until the Twins and Expos are distant memories, while the Yanks are dishing out half a billion dollars to their players.

It’s time for baseball to pass the torch. Sammy Sosa, meet Walter Ray Williams, Jr., PBA all-star. Ichiro, meet Norm Duke, future American sports hero.

Get ready, America. Hear the crash of the pins. Smell the sweet fragrance of bowling shoe disinfectant. Here comes our new pastime.