Best of Chicago 2012: Sports & Recreation

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

Best Bowler for Hitting the Pins Hard

Keith "Cap" Porter

by Ben Joravsky on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

If you want to witness the Babe Ruth of local bowling—as in, the hardest-hitting bowler in town—show up at Timber Lanes on a Monday night during the men's league, which runs from September through May. Then head in the direction of the loudest-crashing pins. You'll come face-to-face with Keith Porter, a 53-year-old barrel-chested man who doesn’t knock down the pins so much as blast them to smithereens.

Best Athlete

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

Runner-up Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

Best Draft Selection

Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

Runner-up Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Best Local Sports Blog

SecondCityHockey.com

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

Runner-up SouthSideSox.com

Best Blackhawks Bar

West End

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

1326 W. Madison 312-981-7100 westendwestloop.com Runner-up

Best Bulls Bar

Timothy O'Tooles

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

622 N. Fairbanks Ct. 312-642-0700 timothyotooles.com Runner-up

Best Cubs Bar

Cubby Bear

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

1059 W. Addison 773-327-1662

Best Sox Bar

Timothy O'Toole's

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

622 N. Fairbanks Ct. 312-642-0700 timothyotooles.com Runner-up

Best Chicago Fire Bar

The Globe Pub

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

1934 W. Irving Park 773-871-3757

Best Place to Watch College Sports

Timothy O'Toole's

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

622 N. Fairbanks Ct. 312-642-0700 timothyotooles.com Runner-up

Best Park for Pickup Basketball Games

Wicker Park

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

Damen and Schiller Runner-up

Best Chicago Pro Athlete Whose Number Isn't Retired

Norm Van Lier

by Ben Joravsky on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

A basketball player is usually judged by his numbers—points, rebounds, assists. But stats don't tell the full story.

Best Neighborhood Park

Humboldt Park

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

1440 N. Sacramento 312-742-7549 chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/humboldtpark Runner-up

Best Dog Park

Montrose Beach

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

Montrose and the lake Runner-up

Best Alternative to the Lakefront Path

North Branch Trail

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

Devon and Caldwell, north to Skokie Lagoons fpdcc.com Runner-up

Best Organized Bike Ride

Critical Mass

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

chicagocriticalmass.org Runner-up

Best Public Golf Course

South Shore

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

7059 S. South Shore 773-256-0986

Best Billiards

Chris's Billiards

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

4637 N. Milwaukee 773-286-4714 Runner-up

Best Bowling Alley

Diversey River Bowl

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

2211 W. Diversey 773-227-5800

Best Canoe/Kayak Rentals

Kayak Chicago

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

Multiple locations 630-336-7245 kayakchicago.com Runner-up

Best Beach

Montrose Beach

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

Montrose and the lake Runner-up

Best Sailing School

Columbia Yacht Club

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

111 N. Lake Shore Dr. 312-938-3625

Best Flying Mascot

Benny the Bull

by Ted Cox on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

Most sports mascots are lame, especially in Chicago. Southpaw of the White Sox, Tommy Hawk of the Blackhawks, Staley of the Bears: all plushy pushovers.

Best Gym

Galter LifeCenter

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

5157 N. Francisco 773-878-9936

Best Personal Trainer

Michelle Blakely, Blakely FIT

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

401 W. Ontario 773-680-6824

Best Yoga Studio

Bloom Yoga Studio

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

4663 N. Rockwell 773-463-9642

Best Pilates Studio

Helios Center for Movement

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

2258 W. Belmont 773-248-0920

Best Public Pool

Holstein Park

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

2200 N. Oakley 312-742-7554

Best YMCA Branch

Lakeview YMCA

on June 20, 2012 at 12:00AM

3333 N. Marshfield 773-248-3333 ymcachicago.org/lakeview Runner-up