Ksucat is too nice of a guy to post this so I’m going to make a stab at it.

Why do so many bowlers seem to talk a good game and then will not try to back it up?

Why to they commit and then back out? And on top of that they don’t have the courage to let you know ahead of time.

Ksucat tries to organize teams to go to several local tournaments. He has had particular trouble this year with bowlers telling him they will go and then backing out at the last moment. In some cases they dodge his efforts to contact him or will call the day before the tournament and back out. This happened last weekend as at least two bowlers backed out just a day in advance.

I feel sorry for organizers because often they fight this constantly. They often put up their own money to cover these guy’s entries. In some cases the organizers simply give up and quit going to the tournaments altogether. Fortunately he has a group of 7 or 8 guys who are solid in paying and committing to go to tournaments but getting those last members is a bear.  

 

I have had the same problem.  I had people say yes to bowling CA State and I put out the reservation fee for the 2 teams $200.  When it came time to pay up and put their name on the line, all except 3 backed out of the deal.  I will eventually get my money refunded, but have to wait until July.

Nationals was a similar situation except I had not put out the money.  I ended up bowling as a sub, but it would have been more enjoyable to have been with friends.

Part of the problem is commitments for some tournaments need to be made so far in advance that schedules change.  Those situations I understand, if they give enough warning.  I am almost to the point of saying no more, but I don't want to stop bowling tournaments and there are not a whole lot of singles tournaments.
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It's not that life is too short.  It's that you are dead for sooooo LONG

Pinbuster bailed me out at the last minute to fill a spot.  Hated to call anyone the day before leaving, but didn't want the rest of the team to suffer.  I hope his Doubles score holds up, so he'll at least have something to show for the good deed.  I tried putting this tournament together about 6 weeks before going.  I had a solid 7, but couldn't get anyone to commit to the rest.  The biggest problem is that it would take a week for an answer from most, then they would say "no" and I'm stuck looking with much less time on my hands.  If you can't go or don't want to go with me, just say no as quickly as possible.  There's a bunch of kids that I had been listening to talk about wanting to bowl.  I asked a group of them if any wanted to bowl and a couple said they would.  Well, one backed out 2 days prior and the other finally let me know after I called the night before to set up ride arrangements.  I asked when he was planning to let me know he wasn't going and then hung up as talking to him would only aggrivate me more.

Now I see why my father doesn't do this anymore and why he holds grudges as long as he does.  Dad still tells the story of a young PBA member/non-casher that he took to Wichita ABC Nationals in 1989.  Since this was a while ago, I'll refresh your memory in stating that this was a very high scoring event at the time.  The new guy shows up and shoot 414 and 392 (yes, I have the scores memorized from years of hearing this story) in Doubles and Singles.  If that was the end of it, then everyone would have just chalked it up to a lousy outing and forgot about it.  However, this guy blamed everything he could except himself.  The complaint that blew Dad over the top was that Dad got the wrong squad times.  As many of you know, you don't even have a choice.  

I don't know how Dad put teams together all those years.  He'd sure complain about it, so I eventually talked him down from doing 4-6 teams a tournament to just 2.  He then decided it was my turn to enjoy the pain that goes with this responsibility.  I feel it now.  I have been burned by no-shows, non-payers and general whiners.  

No wonder tournament participation is down.  I'm still puzzled by the increased entries in the ABC National tournament.  How do you get people to commit that far in advance?  We are still looking to fill one final spot.  Darn old man we had said his body broke down.  He did give plenty of notice so I don't blame him, I'm just having trouble replacing our best bowler.

I believe two things have driven the increase in ABC national tournament.

One is the booster division. Before when there was only the booster teams and they were thrown into the regular doubles and singles. Before the booster teams had little chance of cashing in the individual events. Today they have their own doubles and singles and I believe that has attracted more entries.

Two is the inclusion of women in the tournament. Look at a team squad room before hand and I believe 10% of the bowlers will be women.

I also believe the majority of women are in the booster division.  Many (not all) are there bowling with their husbands/boyfriends. Before if the hubby went to nationals it was just him now with it being a family affair they simply make it their vacation.

Sawbones – I can remember the problem in years past as well but not as pronounced as it seems to be today. I have always tried to pay immediately when asked and it would take mine or someone in my family’s death to make me break that commitment. My word is my bond.

The same is true for leagues. I’m there every week but look around and how many simply come when it is convenient. You have to decide where your priorities lie and to many now it is to anything but the bowling.