Bennett posted a "dry lanes" related topic yesterday that generated a firestorm of responses. What's interesting is not the dry lanes question, but all the other unintended issues that were raised. Specifically, debate raged on bennett's other admitted actions -- quitting leagues after the official start of the season, expecting conditions that match up to new equipment, demanding the right to maintain a previous average, and failing to communicate concerns effectively to house management.
While bennett the person is probably a great guy who would be fun to share a beer with, his behavior exemplifies what's wrong with bowling (as a sport) today. As a whole, we've become a group of whiners and complainers who pack up our toys and go home if we're not given a funnel to the pocket or if conditions don't allow us to use the latest ball we just popped $200 for. The minute things are not comfortable, we quit and find something that's easier to conquer. It's the reason bowling as we knew it 30+ years ago is dying.
The next time you bowl league, look around and honestly count the number of bowlers left who are true warriors -- those who take the attitude that they will prevail and succeed regardless of the conditions before them. Those who take responsibility and blame themselves rather that slam the house when things don't go well. Those who make honest efforts to meet with house management and constructively work through problems.
If you're honest, you'll admit that these true bowlers are a dying breed.
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