First, i know this place is mostly for video game design. But i don't see many other places for game design beyond video games, and i have no idea where else to go for guidance with designing a sport.

I had an idea today for a new variety of bowling that i think would be best played with duckpin balls and pins. Problem is, those are apparently really expensive. A quick look online has a single ball going for $60-$80 US, and candlepin balls aren't better.

Less recently i wrote rules for another sport that would require mostly original equipment, and i don't even know where to start with getting totally custom equipment made. I guess talk to a smith or welder?

If anyone here has experience with this sort of thing, how do you get equipment for experimental games/sports without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on it? Is this why apparently nobody makes new sports?