Born in Hamilton, Michael Bates has enjoyed a bowling career that has spanned forty-five years. As 5 pin bowling began to organize in the 1960's, Mike's parents, Joan and Dick Bates, ran the Youth Bowling Council (YBC) program at Bol-o-Drome Lanes on Parkdale Ave. in Hamilton. As such, Mike joined the YBC program under the watchful eyes of Hall of Famers, Pat McNeil, Pat Mahoney and Irene Witley. However, it was Dick Bates who dedicated his time to ensure that Mike, along with his sisters, Sharon, Joann and Pat were involved in bowling and other family activities. Specifically, through his employer, Dofasco, Dick coached Mike in both baseball and hockey and, in the latter, Mike received an award as best league goalkeeper in 1969.

Mike also enjoyed considerable success as a youth bowler, enough to attract an invitation to the selection camp for the 1983 Canada Winter Games. Held in the Lac St. Jean area of Quebec, Mike qualified for the Ontario men's team. In reality, the Ontario teams, both men's and ladies, were so strong that neither team lost a game during the entire tournament. Ontario was so dominant that 5 pin bowling was dropped from the Canada Games and, to this day, we struggle to get re-instated.

This victory, as well, propelled Mike into the adult ranks and more championships followed. In the Open, Mike has qualified twenty-two times, with twelve as a single, seventeen on the men's team and five times on the mixed team and he has also coached on two occasions. Overall, three teams have bowled nationally, winning a silver medal in 1999 in Regina, with Mike being named to the National All-Star team. The mixed team in 1984, coached by a very young John Conti, won gold in Saskatoon, with Mike bowling lead-off, and followed by Hall of Famers, Irene Witley, Pat Mahoney, Ian Wilson, and Lloyd Ormerod.

As well, Mike bowled in the Master Bowlers' Association (MBA) from 1978-2008 only to have his career interrupted with a severe knee deterioration. In twenty-six years in the tournament division, Mike averaged 260.26 for over 1000 games, one of the highest averages on record. He won seven tournaments and, as well, won the Mark Ten accuracy contest four times and this is more than any other male bowler.
At the national level of the MBA, Mike excelled as well, winning team gold six times in addition to two silver medals. In the singles, Mike won silver in 2002 in Thunder Bay but redeemed himself three years later in Red Deer, Alberta by winning the gold medal.

In open tournaments, Mike has been a top bowler as well. He won the CBC television series and $27,000 in 1993 and, when seeded to the show the following year, won another $10,000. In addition, he won the 2006 Sherwood Challenge and the first prize of $8,000. In 1992-93, Mike bowled the highest average at Sherwood Centre in Hamilton with a 274 mark and followed that with a perfect game at Sherwood the next year. As well, Mike has bowled an 1117 triple and 3010 ten game score.

Over the years, Mike has had the privilege of seeing his family excel on the lanes as well. His wife, Cheryl, has enjoyed provincial and national success and their son Matt, and daughter Keri, have both bowled nationally with the Master Bowlers' Association. In the Top 90 Ontario poll in the year 2000, Mike was voted number twenty-two, his wife, Cheryl, was number forty-two on the ladies side and his sister, Sharon was number ninety. Mike is also on the list of the top 100 five pin bowlers ever to participate across Canada.

Off the lanes, Mike has contributed to bowling as a volunteer. Mike served locally with the Hamilton 5 Pin Bowlers' Association for five years and, with the Master Bowlers' Association of Ontario, Mike was a board member for twenty years, serving as both Treasurer and Vice-President. He chaired the 2008 MBAC nationals in Burlington and the event was a success, both on the lanes and also financially. Mike even dabbled in ownership as he partnered with Bob Talbot in Hopedale Bowl in Oakville for the 1992 and 1993 seasons. Away from bowling, Mike joined Red-D-Arc Welder Rentals in 1981 and today is their international fleet manager, a position that has given him some extensive travel opportunities in the United States, Mexico and Europe. Moreover, a return to the lanes is on the horizon and both the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers' Association and the Master Bowlers' Association are looking forward to his return.