Here's the problem as I see it.  I would have no problem bowling in a league that awards first place to the team that bowled the most pins over their TRUE AVERAGE.

 

Here's my idea (which is now not doable, but is probably getting close).  Your true average is based on a 2 year running average of all games bowled in any league or sanctioned tournament.  But here is the catch.   At the start of the year, nothing is reset.  You have 300 games at 183 in the bowl.com computer.  At the end of the 1st night, you now have 303 games and your average is what it is.  You sandbag in league, but become great at tournaments, your average will reflect that.  You bowl great in summer leagues, your average will reflect that.  Will it stop sandbagging, no.  But it will sure as heck hedge the number, and they will have to work extremely hard to pull it off.   

 

I myself don't mind giving HDCP to a bowler when I know that is their true average.  Others may have a different opinion.

 

 

I'll have to apologize to Mr. JOE FALCO...the above quote has now put itself on equal ground with the "give your opponents a chance to beat you" quote, as being one of the dumbest things I've heard.

Explain to me BEARD...how exactly do you think one gets to be a high average bowler?  Do you think one merely wakes up one day and "poof" they are Walter Ray or Norm Duke?  Maybe it really is just the ball, huh?  EVERY (did you catch that? EVERY) high average bowler once was NOT a high average bowler.  These bowlers have put in their time, praticing, learning, and often getting beat on by better bowlers.  Any "advantage" (that would be SKILL for those of you incapable of understanding what it REALLY is) was earned by the bowler via the work they put in over the YEARS of their career.

How about this...since you feel the playing field is so unfair.  How about every high average bowler just give up in the 5th frame?  We will continue to do this until YOU say it is okay for us to take part again...would that be FAIR to you?  I mean, after all, we've had this advantage (did I mention that this "advantage" was SKILL) for years, right?

Storm...are you seriously going to suggest that ONLY the AMF and Brunswicks of the world are LAZY?  There are too many bowlers, many of whom comment on this and many other message boards, that complain about the centers they bowl in and the proprietors that do nothing other than open the doors.  YOU may not be like that.  If so, good for you.  I'd like you to try floating the idea of divisional leagues in your center and report back what happens.  However, for the vast majority of us...the proprietors are LAZY.

We have more bowling centers in the Detroit area than most places.  You would think, with constant competition, that proprietors would be keeping things in great condition, looking for ways to attract new customers.  Sadly, no.  Many centers look like they did in the '80s (or earlier), with maybe some new carpet or some computerized scoring...that's it.  Very few centers have done much.  I've bowled leagues in at least 10 different centers, but currently bowl in only 1.  Do you know how many of the centers contact me (by any means) about league offerings?  ZERO.  I am a bowler and don't get contacted...what do you think happens with the average, just for fun bowler?  NOTHING.

Joe Falco,  I know of bowlers who have had their sanction cards pulled by USBC, and others who went on a probationary period for sandbagging, so trust me, it CAN and DOES happen on many leagues and mostly for tournament averages, the extra pins they get on the league is just a bonus.  I knew a guy who always kept his average under 205 to get into a lower class at tournaments, and his average every year was between 203-204 religiously.  The people who got busted for sandbagging in our area admitted they had done it for years, and only got CAUGHT because they got a little too greedy and shaved too much off to raise flags up one season.  It is VERY hard to prove because the ones who do it and do it well, you would probably never suspect it.  No offense Joe, but if you are naive enought to believe that all bowlers are honest, decent people who would never stoop to sandbagging, I have some prime swamp land to sell you, dirt cheap.  It's not about the actual amount of money for some of these slimeballs, it's about getting away with it, the thrill of cheating the system, trust me when I tell you that.  I, personally, work too hard on my game to EVER toss away pins on purpose, but I can only speak for myself, but it is one main reason why I don't like 100% (or higher) handicap.

 

Also, even though I advocate for 90% handicap in most cases, I always feel the handicap should be based over the highest average in the league from the previous season.  This way, every bowler starts out with some form of handicap and none of the high average guys are getting pins above the cap.  They are getting enough pins from the 90%, they don't need any extra above the average max.  My big men's league on Tuesdays went to 100% of 240 this season because I was high average with 236 last year, and while I don't like 100% for reasons previously stated, I also look forward to the challenge this season, and will definetely keep my eyes peeled for any sandbagging.  This is a great, competitive league and we went to a Pederson Point system this year, so I think they wanted to go to 100% handicap since we were trying out this new system from the traditional 8 point system.

 

I do find it funny when some people say to me "since you have such a high average you should be out on tour, or go pro and bowl regionals, and leave the leagues alone for the lower average guys".  I am sure many of you higher average guys have heard the same thing many times.  I will say this, if I could make more on the PBA tour, or through the regional program as I make at my regular job, I would do it in a heartbeat.  This past PBA season, for example, there were only (4) pros who made more than I do at work, and I get to go home to my wife and kid every night, and enjoy bowling leagues and tournaments at my own pace, in my own time.  That doesn't even take into account all the expenses pros incur traveling and such when I was comparing what they make to my salary, I am sure if it was all factored in, I probably would be higher on that list.  It is just not worth it when PBA guys make peanuts compared to what they SHOULD make, so I bowl in two houses close to home, hit decent tournaments whenever I can, and still love to compete whenever possible.  There is nothing wrong with that, but that's just my .02.