Jumping back and forth between the forums here and elsewhere, I've determined that if you average 180-230 but don't carry a PBA card, to a lot of people you are spoken of with disdain.
It seems that beginners throwing 130 averages with straight balls are sometimes given more respect than a guy averaging 210.
Granted, some people at ALL skill levels are such donks as individuals that they invite ridicule, but why must we lump everyone in this scoring range into the same box and speak ill of them? Especially since 99 percent of us here are "house hacks," too?
To me, someone averaging 230 -- which is a 690 series everytime they shoe up -- is not a talentless hack. They may be programmed to bowl well on the one condition they see, but they have no control over that. If they've got one time per week they can bowl, they are at the mercy of what is laid down at that time.
And I know we sometimes joke about our own abilities (or lack thereof), but when we refer to someone as "just a hack," I think that goes a step too far. Saying such almost assigns disrespect to the very people who are serious enough about the sport that they spend money on it, practice at it, read bowling magazines, visit sites like this one, etc. If those people are "hacks," who besides the pros actually gets respect?
Jess
