Unable to afford the $500 registration fee to join a bowling league, Homer asks an anesthised Mr. Burns for the money and receives a check. Meanwhile, at Springfield Elemantary, Bart's "Down with Homework" T-shirt incites a student riot that leads to the implementation of a uniform dress code.

Homer's bowling team, the Pin Pals, begins to win after Homer initiates team-supporting cheers. Mr. Burns recovers from his stupor and discovers the cancelled check he gave Homer. He decides to replace Otto as the team's fourth member, but the team suffers, since he can barely roll the ball down the lane.

The Pin Pals make it to the league championship match against the Holy Rollers. Two pins away from victory, Mr. Burns takes his turn. Otto tips over a novelty machine and the vibrations help the Pin Pals win by knocking down the pins. Back at the school, Principal Skinner's dress code demoralizes the students until a rainstorm soaks through the uniforms, revealing psychedelic colors. The children go wild.