Well was looking at the new usbc rule changes for 2014-15 season, saw this change.

http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/rules/pdfs/2014-15Changes.pdf

USBC Rule 18 – Bowling Ball – Altering Surface
The use of polishing machines during competition will be prohibited.

Of course, after I had just convinced the senior bowlers that they could polish their balls during league play last season.

Any reason why?

I don't see anything that says why, I would assume because it is altering the surface.

i was under the impression that this was already illegal during competition as said above it is altering surface. i know at least usbc collegiate events they site the "dry towel" rule and assumed it was this rule.

No it wasn't illegal heres from  last years rule book:

Rule 18 – Bowling Ball – Altering Surface
Altering the surface of a bowling ball by the use of abrasives while bowling in USBC competition is
prohibited.
All bowling balls so altered must be removed from the competition. (See the USBC Equipment
Specifications Manual on BOWL.com.)
NOTE: If it is shown the bowler had prior knowledge his/her actions were in violation of Rule 18, the
game(s) in which the violation occurred is (are) subject to forfeiture. In addition, the bowler is
subject to dismissal from the league and suspension of membership.
Competition is defined as the remainder of the current game and remaining game(s) in the
series being bowled.
The use of approved cleaning agents such as isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and polishing
machines is permissible.

also

18/2 When may I alter the surface of my bowling ball?
c. Polishing – You are permitted to polish the surface of your bowling ball prior to certified
competition. However, once tournament or league play begins, the use of a ball spinner is
strictly prohibited; only an automated, self-contained polishing machine may be used.

Quote from: MI 2 AZ on August 05, 2014, 07:47:38 PM

Of course, after I had just convinced the senior bowlers that they could polish their balls during league play last season.

Any reason why?

I don't see anything that says why, I would assume because it is altering the surface.

After some thought, I came up with perhaps because there are now machines out there that do both resurfacing and polishing.  How would it be policed as to what was being done?

Or is it because Brunswick is being sold off?  (LustreKing)
: )

I doubt that is why, but now the machines that do both resurfacing and polishing may have made them think about it and finally get rid of that part of the rule.

That lustre king part is real old ( I remember back when it actually said lustre king in the rule book) and should have been removed long ago.

I'd like to find the old rule book that supposedly said you couldn't leave the bowlers circle except to go to the restroom! and see if that was real.

someone told me that long ago back when I first started and that's why they had the button on the monitor/projector that called the waitress.

I don't remember that rule.  I first started bowling ABC in '71 so it may have been earlier than that.  Even back in the early '70's  bowlers would wander - collecting or checking on jackpots, checking scores of other bowlers/teams, going to the bar or bathroom, etc.

And I too remember seeing Lustre King mentioned by name in the rulebooks - I think the earlier polishing machines used wire brushes so they were excluded because of the surface change.

The first Lustre King that I can remember seeing was about 1969-70 timeframe.  Prior to that, the center had the old (AMF?) one that had a clear top cover that you lifted and put the ball in the left side where the wire brushes were and it cleaned the ball there, then kicked the ball over to the right side where I assume the polish was applied and buffed.  I remember as a youth bowler, someone showed me that you could reach into the machine and pull a spring on the coin chute to get a free cleaning on those old ones.

Well was looking at the new usbc rule changes for 2014-15 season, saw this change.

http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/rules/pdfs/2014-15Changes.pdf

USBC Rule 18 – Bowling Ball – Altering Surface
The use of polishing machines during competition will be prohibited.

I can see this. When you think about it, with ball cleaners like PowerHouse Energizer, Tac-Up, etc., the ball polishing machines you see in an alley are either gone or rarely used. Why use those when you can get a towel, a few squirts of the aforementioned cleaners on said towel, put the ball on a spinner, and off you go..?

The handheld stuff all but killed the (use of) ball polishing machines.

BL.