I've asked this before, but I was thinking about writing an article about the subject, and I don't know exactly how to go about it so I wanted to get some opinions.  What do you consider an aid, and what do you consider a crutch? 

I would say as a general rule, an aid is something that helps you improve your performance, while a crutch is something you NEED to be able to perform.  However, this is a little gray in bowling.  Is a wrist brace an aid or a crutch?  Is it dependant on the function?  Whether it's to support your wrist because of pain or to increase strength or stability?  What about drinking?  Some people will drink to calm their nerves or just relax them in general, while some will take advil, ibuprofen or aleve before league to achieve the same effect, while even others have preshot routines or rituals for that purpose.  Most of these people can still do well without these things, but not AS well as they could using them. 

Is it even a worthwhile topic?  The point of the article would be to help suggest things to people that would improve their bowling.  For instance, having a preshot routine is recommended to help with several different things, as is knowing yourself and what works for you.  Some guys turn on heavy metal before competing to get them amped up, other guys listen to classical to calm them down.  But where do we draw the line on what's recommended or "acceptable?"  I don't want to just write the same old stuff that people have been saying for years, I feel like there's a different angle or a different viewpoint, but I don't want to push it into abstract like I've been having a tendency to do lately.  Opinions?

In my opinion, a crutch is a physical product that a person cannot bowl without without having a legitimate medical excuse. Take my dad for example: he started using a brace because he had an idol in the area that used one when he first started bowling. He rarely ever bowls without it. It is a part of his routine. If he could not bowl nearly as well without it, it would be a crutch. However, he can bowl just as well without it, so in his case it is an aid that he dislikes bowling without. Another person on his team uses a brace because of numbness and weakness of his hand because of an injury at work, and without it he wouldn't be able to hang onto a ball. This I would also consider an aid because of medical excuse. Form a third example, there is a cranker in the area that uses a brace. Without a brace, he is so limp wristed that he cannot do anything special with a bowling ball. This, in my mind, is a crutch. I hope my view on this subject helps.

The mental side is so interesting.  Is it physically helping? Most likely, but after a while, it will take away more mentally than it was adding physically in the beginning.

Another thing I consider a crutch (for some people) is thumb tape.  Incorrect grip or fit causes blisters.  They then start using the tape they put on their skin.  It then becomes habit and then a crutch - can't bowl without it. 

I think you should try and fix the problem instead of putting a band-aid on it.

Another thing I consider a crutch (for some people) is thumb tape.  Incorrect grip or fit causes blisters.  They then start using the tape they put on their skin.  It then becomes habit and then a crutch - can't bowl without it. 

What about the people that use tape because they have severe swelling and shrinking issues? Personally, I use switch grip to get an approximate fit, and then shove my thumb in the hole with my shirt around it to shrink my thumb a little, or blow in the thumb hole to make my thumb fit rather than using tape. This works for me, but i would never be able to bowl without tape or switch grip to be able to get a good fit. Are tape and switch grips a crutch if you have swelling problems? In my opinion, it is a necessary aid for some people.

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Another thing I consider a crutch (for some people) is thumb tape.  Incorrect grip or fit causes blisters.  They then start using the tape they put on their skin.  It then becomes habit and then a crutch - can't bowl without it. 

What about the people that use tape because they have severe swelling and shrinking issues? Personally, I use switch grip to get an approximate fit, and then shove my thumb in the hole with my shirt around it to shrink my thumb a little, or blow in the thumb hole to make my thumb fit rather than using tape. This works for me, but i would never be able to bowl without tape or switch grip to be able to get a good fit. Are tape and switch grips a crutch if you have swelling problems? In my opinion, it is a necessary aid for some people.

I said "SOME people".  I think tape is a tool/aid for most.  Some folks get the tackle box out before their bowling balls.  They start doing minor surgery on their fingers/thumb/wrist before they even think about bowling.

lol, that's a slippery slope.  If you can't bowl blindfolded, you're using a crutch.

Technology improves in ALL sports, so i don't think it's a crutch.  Scores are inflating - but it's for everybody and that's a whole new topic.

Some people swell and shrink as a seasonal thing. It is cold outside, so right now I am using my smallest thumb insert. In the summer, I will move up 2 sizes. It doesn't fluctuate much while bowling. I may move up one size in the third game.  But that is off topic. I fully agree with your definition of a crutch and an aid. An aid could also be considered a learning tool. A wrist brace can be great for learning how to come out of a ball well for those that are just beginning.

Let's take it further. What about people that need to take 3 plus balls with them to a tournament. Learn to do different releases and change your speed, before picking up the next hook in the box ball of the month.