In my two leagues, a sad occurrence has occurred, (at least I think it is sad), several times this year.  I as secretary and we as a league members have had several bowlers just quite because of "WHAT THEY SEE AS LACK OF SCORES / EQUITABLE CONDITIONS" Etc.  Now mind you I am no Revolutions and I have never bowled in a league with any bowler who has averaged 225+ let alone 230-240ish. I am high or near high in both my leagues as well as high in one house with 210. Profile will reveal that I am no hack, I concur I am not a pro either.  These guys are sad to basically admit they are in NEED OF EXTRA HELP to bowl 190-200 games.  Proprietors are stuck, give them scores and lose them to boredom or make it tough and they quite because of frustration.  So i have developed a list that I am going to post in my league notes.  I amsure that it will for sure tick them off, it needs to be said.  Feel free to add any comments to the list.  Give me permission i will use yours as well ( i will not use your name ).

1. If you stand on the same spot every week and hit the same mark every week and are NOT WILLING TO MOVE.... you have no right to quit.

2. If you can not change at least two things about your game, IE: hand position, speed, rotation degree, speed.... you have no right to quit.

3. If you bring 6 balls in the house and can not make a one pin spare.... you have no right to quit.

4. If you bring 6 balls and they all are drilled the exact same with exact covers...... you have no right to quit.

5. If instead of buying a new ball, you have not taken at least one lesson from a "QUALIFIED COACH"  ...... y h n r t q.

6. If you can not GUARANTEE that your speed, rev rate, target accuracy, rotation degree, etc etc etc are the EXACT same for the last 10 weeks why do u expect the shot to be the exact same very week ................ y h n r t q.

7. If you have not ever averaged over 200 on todays house shots....y h n r t q.

I could go on foreverrrrrrrrrrr but i am interested in the ball reviews people's thoughts....


NOD

Edited on 1/26/2005 9:29 AM

Edited on 1/26/2005 9:31 AM

I know why they quit, and I really do not care if anyone thinks I am condescending.  When they FEEL THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO THROW THERE SCORE SHEETS AT ME BECAUSE THEY BOWLED POORLY, or YELL AT ME BECAUSE THE SHOT IS NOT THE SAME AS LAST WEEK.... etc etc etc

When a bowler had / has a legit reason for quitting I amongst the last would hold resentment or judgement.  BUUUTTTTT when a guy quits because of back problems and is WONDROUSLY HEALED to join another league in the Ray Charles classic / adult bumper bowling league across town. And when they YELL out every week THIS SHOT SUCKS.... as have as much right to ruin his night as he ruins mine.

Like wise I offer / give free lessons every Friday night and have / do invite all who wish / want to attend.  Of course to work at the game would never be an option.  Bowl 3 games a week and averege 200 is what they want???

I am secretary in one and bowl one.........

Nod

Edited on 1/26/2005 9:51 AM

My God, I'll never be able to quit! LOL

I understand your frustration, but you'll probably make more enemies than friends with that list.  Think long and hard before putting that up, because it has a good possibility of giving you a less than envious title that will stick with you for a while.  My suggestion would be to call a league meeting about people taking out their poor bowling on you - if it comes to it, aske them to leave if they can't control themselves.  Besides, it is not your job to ensure lane conditions.  Oh yeah, and next year I'd tell them to stick that secretary position up thier a** because you're not there to take their abuse.

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9~

Keep your balls on the lane and your mind in the gutter!

I understand the sentiment, but consider the following:  most 190-200 average bowlers understand that conditions will not be identical from week to week.  But the once or twice a week bowler does have the right to ask for some consistency in lane conditions and ball reaction.  Why?  Well, bowling balls now often cost over $200 a pop (drilled).  Many of these folks work for a living and can't afford to keep four or five strike balls that need to be replaced every 100 games or so.  These folks come in to bowl reasonably well (and many know they will have bad nights) have some chance of competing and to hang out with friends.  When proprietors are constantly screwing around with the shot or when they deliberately make it harder to carry (some do to make it easier to hit the pocket), it gets these folks discouraged.  They are not there to be professionals or even top amateurs.  They are there to have fun.  Bowling is an entertainment business and relative consistency allows them a comfort level.  Added to this is the carry problem.  For these folks (and often for better players) the illusion created by allowing them to hit the pocket but not carry is to give them the illusion of bowling well, but not the reward (higher scores).  Eventually, even good players (real scratch bowlers) can become discouraged when carry has been made difficult (poor cleaning of backends, weak kickboards, deliberate softening of backends) because they lose the good shot/reward feeling.    Just something to consider.
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"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them on long winter evenings."