Could it have been an under lane return system like this:
http://www.candlepingame.com/capital.html and the ball return is just outside of the picture frame?

In an era dominated by bowlers from Detroit, St. Louis, Chicago, and Cleveland, Bomar was one of the greats of Chicago. Puzzling to me is that there is no ball return on either side of Buddy. How did those guys get their bowling balls returned?

When my father was a young boy, he worked at a bowling alley as a pin setter. He told stories of how the young hooligans would roll the ball down the lane trying to hit him as he was setting the pins. They found this game more enjoyable than what the alley was intended for. I think he got 5 cents for every set of pins he would set. He also said he could tell the good bowlers without even looking at them. He would listen to how the ball touched the lane. The quieter the better, because when a ball is dropped, who knows what direction it will go when friction takes over.

Shaking hands with the head pin.

I've always had great admiration for people, whether they be athletes or not, who have overcome disabilities, and gone on to do things most of us will never attempt or accomplish.

Bowling has always been a challenge to me; no matter how hard I try, getting a score over 100 would be a milestone.

Just as attractive six decades ago as they are today.