I am in a 4 man scratch league that is one of the best in town.  The problem our league is facing is we have had quite a few teams drop out over the last couple years.  We have about half the teams we had just 3 years ago.  One of the obstacles we face is that our league bowls second shift starting at 9:00pm.  Unfortunately there is no room at this center for us to move the league to an earlier time slot.  One of the more frequent complaints we are getting is that the league gets done too late (roughly 11:15pm). 

In an effort to improve the league, one of the ideas the league is tossing around is switching to a 3 man team format for the next fall season.  This rationale would enable us to get done about 30 minutes earlier (roughly 10:45pm) and possibly be able to gain back some of the bowlers we have lost.

With that possibility facing us, what would you set the average cap per team at?  Some are making a case for a lower cap (ex 620) and others are looking to make it higher (640). 

Any thoughts, suggestions or new ideas are appreciated.

Skizzle,
     Our scratch league faced the same. We were a 4 person team and I have bowled it for 26 years now. 4 years ago we started losing teams and we went to a draft league. We have bounced between 3 and 4 person teams and we are currently 3 person teams and have been for 3 years now. We bowl 2nd shift and we get fresh strip and oil. Team captains are the highest 12 averages that bowled the league the previous season. Lowest of the 12 drafts first and on down the line. After each team drafts first person, next round is based on combined average with lowest picking first. We do no have a "cap" but we do look at highest to lowest and allow trades if league is not happy with difference. We usually end up with a 20 pin difference from highest to lowest team and have never had to use the trade option. The bowlers really seem to like the draft format.

I'm jealous that you are in an area that still has a scratch league.

If anything, go to a draft league, don't average cap it, that's basically the same thing but makes it harder on people trying to find teams.  Average capping frustrates people, and the last thing you want when losing teams is to make it even harder to get a team together.  Yeah some people will want to bowl with their friends, but you sign up for a scratch league for competition, or at least that's the way I look at it.  I almost have more fun bowling AGAINST friends.  Draft leagues are a lot of fun.  Or at least present it, have a mock draft, and see how people like it.  If people don't like it, just go back to the other way. 

I'm jealous that you are in an area that still has a scratch league.

I second that. Draft league sounds fun!

I'm jealous that you are in an area that still has a scratch league.

Likewise. The only scratch league in my area is a senior scratch league, and occasionally, there may be a summer scratch league. Otherwise, scratch leagues have gone the way of the dinosaur.

Cant help you with the cap, but going to 3 man definitely looks like a good idea.

Skizzle,

Problem with a draft is you might end up with guys on your team like that Jorge300 character...take off to Canada midway through the season ;-)