I have a Storm/Roto Matchmaker coming up this next Tuesday night, and was counting on a fairly large turnout from HS bowlers who are at the midpoint of their season, and not too far away from getting ready for regionals and state. However, I was informed yesterday that none of them could attend because the state HS board told them it could be construed as outside coaching, which would be a violation of the rules and subject them to disciplinary action. I personally feel this is completely ridiculous. Under the same "rules," they would also be banned from coming in to purchase equipment, because I would be "coaching" them on what ball to get, layout, bag selection, accessories, etc. I've had several new bowlers come in with hand me down balls who are grippers, and I've had to "coach" them on how to hold the ball properly and how to release it, is that against the rules too?
I know it's not my place, but I'm not sure if the state board really knows the details of what is going on. Seeing as how I stand to lose quite a bit of business because they don't understand what's going on, I'm a tad miffed. What is the proper course of action here? Usually for me that involves keeping my mouth shut . . but I had prepared for this based on the number of commitments, which now has been dropped significantly less than a week before the event based on nothing but passive ignorance in my mind.