Quote:

"Many 3 nights per week bowlers have now become 1 night per week bowlers BECAUSE of the ridiculous scoring conditions. Simple answer no??? I'm sorry, but I don't see it that way. The sanctioning bodies (ABC, WIBC, etc.) lose 1% of their membership every season, and this started in the late 1970's around the time that yes, urethane came out. When technology started to rule, the game got easier, and people stopped bowling."

I have to disagree. I think that a large part of the problem is that people simply don't have the time to bowl three nights a week. A lot of people cannot commit to a 35 week schedule because of their personal life, work, kids, etc.
I think that SOME people have quit because of the ridiculous scoring problems. Look at then versus now. Back in the 60s and 70s, people worked for 1 employer for 30 years, then retired. Now a days, a lot of people work for multiple employers.  

Typical Classic league for me(must bowl classic leagues because of average restrictions in most other leagues)$20 bowling
                                   $40 jackpots
                                   $40 brackets
                                  -----
                                  $100
                                    x3
                                  -----
                                  $300 per week

on THC all games must be 225 or better to carry brackets and 250 or better to cash jackpots.

I love bowling but $1200 a month is a big nut to crack.

I'm down to 1 night a week league and bowling pot games 3 nights a week.
It's just a matter of economics for me.

The big problem I see in handicap leagues is the average restrictions.They generally hold you to 210 0r under individual composit and 1000 team composit to enter.
You always find 3 or 4 super teams that have formed by putting the cream of the crop together averaging well over the cap dominating the league.To be competitive you must enter multiple teams and break them up after you establish or sand bag to gain handicap.

New team restrictions should be based on the highest established team average to be fair.This would give a true idea of the level of competition and eliminate the super team advantage.With level competition it's more difficult to sandbag on a routine basis.A 100% handicap would give the true 170-190 bowlers a competitive edge and keep the games interesting.

I don't think any bowler on any level wants to be a donater to a select few.I never begrudge a bowler of lesser ability a pot when I'm beaten.The fact is for that game they were the better bowler.I would not however pump $15 a week into a prize fund I, by league rules, have no real chance of sharing the majority of.
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President and CEO Visionite Stormy Buzzwick LTD

Edited on 4/13/2005 10:18 AM

Pin,
Your statement is true.The fact is I bowl as a second income and have for 30 years.The leagues I bowl in are money leagues (Sunday league pays out over $2000 weekly in pots and $4000 a half team) and the competition is high.I cashed $650 last night so the cost is offset.A three or four week slump will put me in the hole REAL quick though.

That part was personal to me and my point was league vs pot games.If I don't have a look in pot games I can pack it in and I'm out $20 bucks and linage cost as opposed to $100 league no matter what.

The second part of my answer was my take on league woes in general and meant as a general observation and not a personal one.

I hope you took into account both parts as I feel the second to be far more important than the first.
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President and CEO Visionite Stormy Buzzwick LTD