WATERLOO - Five frames into his first game Friday, Gabriel Torres' blaze-orange ball finally charted a course down the lane's center.

After weathering more than a few tours de gutter, the Irving Elementary fourth-grader was shocked at the sight of 10 pins tumbling.

"Strike," yelled the 10-year-old, as a mix of surprise and joy washed across his face. "Strike!"

If all goes according to plan, the staff at Maple Lanes Bowling Center will be hearing a lot more of those youthful victory cries in the coming months. The alley, along with three other Cedar Valley establishments, is offering two free games to kids every day this summer. The promotion is part of a national program designed to encourage youth bowling while providing youngsters with a safe space to hang out.

"It gives them something to do through the summer, plus it shows them what they can do in the sport of bowling," said Connie Rommel, Maple Lanes office manager and a director of Iowa's women's bowling association. "A lot of high schools around here have added bowling as a sport, and, for a lot of kids, it's the only extracurricular activity they do."

To qualify for free passes, parents can register at www.

kidsbowlfree.com. A week's worth of coupons will be sent via e-mail each Sunday. Other local businesses participating in the program include Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo, Valley Park Lanes in Cedar Falls and the Waverly Bowl Inn.

Valley Park and Maple Lanes, a stop on Waterloo's Trolley Kids route, welcome children 18 and younger to apply. The Bowl Inn's program is for those 17 and younger, while the promotion at Cadillac Lanes, also a trolley stop, is for kids ages 15 and younger. Free shoe rental is included at all sites.

"Bowling centers have idle time in the summer, so this is an opportunity for them to give something back to the community," said "Kids Bowl Free" organizer Bruce Davis. "In the end, if it gets more people bowling, well that's good too."

More than 475 bowling centers across the state are offering free games this summer. If parents want to bowl with their kids at a reduced rate, they can purchase a $23.95 family pass.

About 500 youngsters have already signed up for free games at Cadillac Lanes, said Kathy Erickson, the alley's event coordinator.

"We're seeing kids come in already," she said. "It's nice to be able to give them something to do; plus, it introduces them to a lifelong sport."

Ten-year-old Ebony Wilder isn't sure whether she'll be a bowler for life, but she does know she'd like to learn more about the sport. Wilder and her Irving classmates visited Maple Lanes on Friday as a reward for completing a reading program.

"This is fun," said the fourth-grader, struggling to support the weight of a pink bowling ball in her hands. "I'd do it again."