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Author Topic: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?  (Read 4812 times)

MI 2 AZ

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Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« on: October 20, 2015, 04:33:01 PM »
In the August issue of BJI in an article about the Bowl Expo 2015, Bob Burger urged proprietors to manage the leagues.  "Don't put your future in the hands of your league officers," he said.  "accept their help, make them feel like VIPs, but don't depend on them  for the success of your business."

I can see why the owners would want to control the leagues, but I don't feel that is in the best interest of league bowlers.  Wouldn't that kind of be like having pro sport team owners in control of the player's unions?  I don't see a lot of good coming out of this for the bowlers.

Am I just not seeing the benefits of this idea?

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Steven

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2015, 05:08:13 PM »
It can actually work well.
 
My primary scratch league is ruled by the house proprietor, who happens to bowl in the league. On the plus side, he cuts through all the crap and whining/sniveling bowlers are famous for. He sets league cap limits and established rules that benefit league participation instead of the special interests of vocal subsets.
 
The minus is that debate is sometimes limited. That can be frustrating. But overall, it works well. It really comes down to the personality of the proprietor. With the right guy there is definite benefit to the approach.
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milorafferty

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2015, 06:18:42 PM »
I bowl in leagues that are managed by the house and some that are not. I don't see a difference between them personally.
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Steven

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2015, 08:58:57 PM »
Quote from: milorafferty on October 20, 2015, 06:18:42 PM
I bowl in leagues that are managed by the house and some that are not. I don't see a difference between them personally.

 
On the whole, I agree. My sport shot league is run by a guy who's very competent and passionate. He's similar to the proprietor in that he doesn't put up with a lot of crap.  ;D 

Still, I think there are cases where a heavier hand is needed, and the proprietor can be an effective enforcer. It depends on the situation.
« Last Edit: October 20, 2015, 09:01:53 PM by Steven »
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charlest

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2015, 07:24:14 AM »
Quote from: Steven on October 20, 2015, 08:58:57 PM
Quote from: milorafferty on October 20, 2015, 06:18:42 PM
I bowl in leagues that are managed by the house and some that are not. I don't see a difference between them personally.

 
On the whole, I agree. My sport shot league is run by a guy who's very competent and passionate. He's similar to the proprietor in that he doesn't put up with a lot of crap.  ;D 

Still, I think there are cases where a heavier hand is needed, and the proprietor can be an effective enforcer. It depends on the situation.

Well, there you go!
Being run by a bowler is far, far different than being run by a pool player whose only interest is in impressing the the company and climbing the company ladder, as happened to our league. He treated us more like the dirt beneath his his shoes and treated the company bowling parties like they were freaking gods. And thus the future of bowling in Bowlmor managed houses.
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Bowler19525

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2015, 08:17:11 AM »
Quote from: charlest on October 21, 2015, 07:24:14 AM
Well, there you go!
Being run by a bowler is far, far different than being run by a pool player whose only interest is in impressing the the company and climbing the company ladder, as happened to our league. He treated us more like the dirt beneath his his shoes and treated the company bowling parties like they were freaking gods. And thus the future of bowling in Bowlmor managed houses.

This is unfortunately the predominant attitude in the industry these days.  Birthday parties and group events are more important than the league bowlers who have been customers for 20+ years.  My local house is having a tough time filling leagues, so they are focusing their attention on the bowlers using house balls or who have received plastic balls in the short season "have-a-ball" leagues.  They are working in conjunction with the local association and setting up plastic ball/house ball tournaments to try and attract those bowlers to tournaments.

It is frustrating to see dedicated bowlers trying to effectively manage leagues, only to get no support from the bowling center when it comes to resolving issues.  The bowling center is concerned only with the revenue stream and acts accordingly.
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spmcgivern

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2015, 08:24:16 AM »
Quote from: charlest on October 21, 2015, 07:24:14 AM
Quote from: Steven on October 20, 2015, 08:58:57 PM
Quote from: milorafferty on October 20, 2015, 06:18:42 PM
I bowl in leagues that are managed by the house and some that are not. I don't see a difference between them personally.

 
On the whole, I agree. My sport shot league is run by a guy who's very competent and passionate. He's similar to the proprietor in that he doesn't put up with a lot of crap.  ;D 

Still, I think there are cases where a heavier hand is needed, and the proprietor can be an effective enforcer. It depends on the situation.

Well, there you go!
Being run by a bowler is far, far different than being run by a pool player whose only interest is in impressing the the company and climbing the company ladder, as happened to our league. He treated us more like the dirt beneath his his shoes and treated the company bowling parties like they were freaking gods. And thus the future of bowling in Bowlmor managed houses.
Though I can see, and have seen, several BowlMor houses with crappy managers, not all BowlMors are managed by non-bowling "I don't care" types.

Today's bowling environment isn't what it used to be.  In some cases, a new approach is required to liven things up.  Someone from a different background might have an idea that can help generate better league turnout and better leagues in general.  With saying that, if a bowling center ends up with one of those types, they unfortunately won't be there long.

A lot of times a non-bowling manager just doesn't know what is expected from league bowlers.  I don't want league bowlers to walk over the manager, but there needs to be a transfer of information in a professional manner.  Help managers and proprietors and the return can be great.
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Steven

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2015, 09:30:45 AM »
Quote from: charlest on October 21, 2015, 07:24:14 AM

Well, there you go!
Being run by a bowler is far, far different than being run by a pool player whose only interest is in impressing the the company and climbing the company ladder, as happened to our league. He treated us more like the dirt beneath his his shoes and treated the company bowling parties like they were freaking gods. And thus the future of bowling in Bowlmor managed houses.

 
The example I gave for "proprietor" is a privately owned house owner, not a lower level Bowlmor Manager trying to move up the food chain. This is an apples-and-oranges comparison.
 
After watching my daughter's experience bowling league in an AMF/Bowlmor house, I wouldn't do it, but that's the topic of another discussion. 
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SG17

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #8 on: October 21, 2015, 08:13:06 PM »
I bowl a sport league in a small 12 lane house, independently operated.  the owner/proprietor at that house would do a great job of running leagues if he had the time, we actually tried to get him to run our sport league and he said no due to the time he puts into running the center.

you guys have already hit the nail on the head, it depends on the owner/proprietor/manager on if this works.  a good one that actually gives a damn about the leagues and league bowlers it can work.
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trash heap

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2015, 10:40:51 AM »
It's going to be Mena Pine all over again. I think there are going to be proprietors not following USBC regulations for a league.  Most owners want to do things their way.

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Perfect Approach Pro Shop

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #10 on: October 22, 2015, 01:24:09 PM »
      I would not say they should manage, but they should be a key player. One of the centers I bowl in (center where my pro shop is located) is family owned. They do not reach out to promote leagues. The scratch league I have bowled in for 26 years folded this year and I saw no signs of concern. If I was a center owner, I would 1) be calling every non-league bowler and trying to sign them up for a league and 2) call every 1 league bowler and try and get them in a second league. I would also offer 3 free games of practice per week to all league bowlers that could be use anytime except peak open play hours like Saturday evenings. a good proprietor should be able to see what works and what does not and incorporate the goo d all leagues and eliminate the bad. I think there are too many proprietors out there that have the "It's your league, do what you want as long as I am getting my 33 weeks of linage" attitude.
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J. Helton
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trash heap

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2015, 03:31:15 PM »
Quote from: Perfect Approach Pro Shop on October 22, 2015, 01:24:09 PM
I think there are too many proprietors out there that have the "It's your league, do what you want as long as I am getting my 33 weeks of linage" attitude.

Leagues need to do what they want. There are league rules and regulations that need to be followed and voted upon by the members. I can see most proprietor's not wanting to deal with that.

The proprietor's responsibility is to have lanes available for league, and work with the league arranging pre/post bowling. With most centers having a computer system, I am sure something can be worked out with the proprietor about keeping scores, setting up a schedule for the league, and keeping track of averages.

In my opinion, all other league business needs to be done by league members, especially the Treasurer duties. It takes no effort at all to create a bank account and deposit money into it.

Don't get me wrong there are some proprietors that manage leagues and do it well, I just think that is the exception.
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spmcgivern

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2015, 08:31:09 AM »
trash,

Do you think the proprietor should be involved in expanding leagues?  Getting new members to join leagues and also join the leagues that are better suited for their abilities?  I understand the desire to keep the proprietors out of day-to-day activities of the league, but in general, they need to be more involved than most are.
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trash heap

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Re: Should Proprietors Manage Their Leagues?
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2015, 11:50:37 AM »
Quote from: spmcgivern on October 23, 2015, 08:31:09 AM
trash,

Do you think the proprietor should be involved in expanding leagues? 

Most definitely. To me its a win win situation. League gets new members, proprietor gets another paying customer. That is how I got into a league. Proprietor was seeing me come in on a regular basis. Knew how well I could bowl and asked me if I was interested in joining a team in a league. Team was short a person.

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