It sucks, it's lousy and low-down. But frankly, it's that league's problem. If they allow that to continue then they must not have a problem with it. If it bothers the league in the easier house, if people there are complaining about their average manipulation, then they need to address that issue at their league meeting for next season.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning what they're doing. Like I said, it's low-down, it's bad sportsmanship even if it's technically legal. The league needs to fix that loophole explicitly. If you have an average from the league from last season, you must use it. If not, then you may use last year's book average. If not (probably only for new bowlers or those who took time off), then a current league average of N games.
Alternatively, they could increase the number of games required from 9 to 21. They'd have to miss seven weeks of the league in that case and that might discourage them from coming in late.
There is a rule, I can't remember the number, that addresses unfair tactics. It's the only real rule against sandbagging and isn't worded in such a way as to make it easy to kick people for it. Naturally, the trick is proving intent and only the most egregious cases are doable. If they don't want to change their league rules (they'll likely lose those teams, though maybe if others find out they're cracking down on sandbaggers they'll take their place), they could try to beat them across the head with the unfair tactics rules.
SH
Edited on 12/25/2007 8:33 PM
