Put me in the camp that thinks the BPAA will be the de facto sanctioning body for bowling sometime within the next decade. Unlike many, though, I don't see this as coming about because USBC brass is out of touch at the national level, though ... rather, I see it as a continuing lack of interest in volunteering/service from the local levels working up rather than incompetence seeping downward (although both do happen).
At any rate, that's not important. What's important is how it will change our leagues. What do you think happens?
Here's the important stuff:
1) Bonding: Easily the most important practical consideration for sanctioning these days. The BPAA would certainly find a way to make this happen or else they might as well just not have any leagues.
2) Rules enforcement: I would guess the BPAA would just adopt whatever the USBC playing rules are at the time.
3) Awards: This is still a big thing to a lot of people. I can't see the BPAA suddenly throwing money at this issue, especially with scores continuing to escalate. My bet is that all awards of even remotely significant value (rings, plaques, etc.) become buy-it-yourself-when-you-win-it.
4) Playing conditions: El Oh El. Get ready to say goodbye to most of your playing condition rules. First thing to go will be anything concerning decking tolerances (as they're the most expensive to fix). I would expect the minimum unit rule is also in the gunsights. You think lanes are walled up now, just wait.
5) Equipment specs: I would expect whatever ball testing is being done now will cease. Current rules will probably continue. Some things could feasibly be rolled back, like the static weight rules or maybe even the differential limit. Whatever the case, it will be open season for technological development.
6) Nationals: Here's the interesting one, IMO. Do we still have it? Will it always be in Reno? Will it NEVER be in Reno again? Will it just go on a tour around the country to certain major BPAA centers? Do they get rid of the scale room, most of the rules officials and just run it like a big state tournament?
7) Hall of Fame/Records: I would think the BPAA would utilize a historian or similar position and maintain these, but you never can tell.
Biggest practical problem at the local level that I see, provided you get the bonding worked out, is whether the BPAA through its houses will back league officials' decisions when disciplining scofflaw bowlers. Example would be the guy who insists on sanding his ball during competition. Under today's system, he gets the boot. But when the BPAA is running it, does he just go to the center manager and b*tch, threaten to take his business elsewhere, etc., and the manager come down to the league president and force him to let the guy bowl?
Jess
