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Author Topic: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?  (Read 2910 times)

MrPerfect

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Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« on: March 03, 2011, 01:30:12 AM »
Since someone made a complaint about it in my league, I was just curious whether using a polyester ball as your strike ball would be considered sandbagging?

 

For purposes of the argument, I would note that I am still averaging over 210 with my Track Spare.
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jls

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2011, 09:34:48 AM »
Depends...If the lanes are flooded, then yes...But if your bowling on the desert, then no...
 
Around here we see many bowlers that will use their spare ball in the third game due to the fact they are bowling in bone yard...
 
 


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AlBundy33

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2011, 09:35:04 AM »
If it's the best way you can knock pins down, absolutely not. Some people just like to hear themselves complain.

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Locke

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2011, 10:03:51 AM »
I would say no at that average. We have a lefty at my house that rips the cover off a vis-a-ball on a medium pattern and out hooks a quarter of the league. If you are doing it to strike then it is not a problem. It is only sandbagging if you are doing to sandbag. I know that is a stupid sentence but its true.

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bighook69

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2011, 10:07:18 AM »
I guess it would depend on your intentions... are you using plastic and then when your team has a big game taking out the reactive and tearing it up? If not then I don't see what it matters... I know of plenty of situations when using plastic will yield higher scores than reactive.

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9andaWiggle

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2011, 10:09:48 AM »
Depends.  If you put it away and pull out something more aggressive when the game gets close, well yeah.  If you purposely hit the 3-6 every first ball and cover the spares, then miraculously find the hole when the game gets close, then yeah again.  But, if you throw it when the condition warrants, or all the time regardless of how the team is doing, then no.  I don't see anywhere in the rules that states you must throw (insert type of ball/coverstock here) for strikes if one is in your bag. Nor do I see where it states that throwing a different type of ball for a first shot is automatically considered sandbagging.

 

I think you just bowl with a bunch of whiny douchebags who can't compete.

 


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milorafferty

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2011, 10:14:09 AM »
I've seen a few cases where I knew the people were, but you can't do anything about it. One example was with a bowler using a polyester ball. He would only use it against teams that had a very low average, so instead of him bowling his usual 225+ that night, he would bowl around 200, which would still be plenty to beat a team of 120-130 average bowlers. THAT is sandbagging.

 

 

It depends on the situation of course. But YOU know wheither or not you are sandbagging.

 

There is a sure cure for being accused of sandbagging though, bowl scratch leagues. I'm sure the folks in the scratch league would love for you to use plastic.




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spmcgivern

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2011, 11:06:50 AM »
The only thing that would tell me it is sandbagging is based on you intentions like others have said.  Even if you use it exclusively for your league, you could still be sandbagging. 

 

Example, use plastic during league and average 210 as you have stated.  Then go to tournaments and pull out an arsenal of reactive stuff.  You then commence to averaging 230+ and making money.  I know too many people who have tournament equipment and league equipment and not that there is anything wrong with that, but to only use plastic during league, to me, looks a little fishy.

 

Now, if your league equipment is just older tournament equipment that you have replaced, then I personally wouldn't have a problem with it.  But if you are using plastic and just throwing it straight up 10 and hoping to carry, then most likely a different ball would allow you to score better.

 

All this goes out the window if you HAVE to use plastic in order to play the lanes at all because of the shot dictating the use of plastic.


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Edited by spmcgivern on 3/3/2011 at 12:08 PM
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MrPerfect

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2011, 12:45:49 PM »
I appreciate the responses. No I don't put the Track Spare away if the game gets close. Usually the lanes are so far gone by the time I get there I can only use the Track Spare, because it gives me the most consistent reaction through the night. I am going to try and pick up a Blue Backlash from a friend who just went staff with another company, but as of right now I'm enjoying using the Track Spare, because I think since I've started doing it my tournament bowling has greatly improved.

 

I don't know how to combat the tournament average comment though, because right now this is the only league I bowl. However, last year I booked 232, which is probably what led to the comment in the first place. Not sure what to do considering the guy that complained pasted my team anyways.
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trash heap

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #9 on: March 03, 2011, 01:51:30 PM »
What is your league going to do...have a BOWLING BALL patrol every night. Guys walking from lane to lane checking out what you are throwing. "SIR!! SIR!!, PLEASE STEP AWAY AND PUT DOWN THAT WHITE DOT!!!"

 

If someone made that complaint to me...I would tell them to mind their own business!!!
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MrPerfect

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #10 on: March 03, 2011, 02:23:08 PM »

 



trash heap wrote on 3/3/2011 2:51 PM:
What is your league going to do...have a BOWLING BALL patrol every night. Guys walking from lane to lane checking out what you are throwing. "SIR!! SIR!!, PLEASE STEP AWAY AND PUT DOWN THAT WHITE DOT!!!"


 


If someone made that complaint to me...I would tell them to mind their own business!!!
Yeah, I don't really know what to do. The league President hasn't said anything to me other than that someone complained.
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DON DRAPER

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #11 on: March 03, 2011, 02:25:38 PM »
Provided this ball meets USBC specs there is no problem using this ball.

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trash heap

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2011, 02:50:43 PM »
Wait...your league President talked to you about this? Apparently the President doesn't understand their position. Nothing can be done on this issue (There is NO ISSUE!). Basically the last post states it all...as long as the ball meets USBC standards.

 

Your President is playing let's all get along.  The President is approaching you, hoping you will NOT do this and keep the peace, because he/she can't take complaints.  If they would have taken care of it upfront then nothing would have been said to you.

 

It appears your league is run by whiney little brats and your President is just the messenger.

 

 



MrPerfect wrote on 3/3/2011 3:23 PM:

 






trash heap wrote on 3/3/2011 2:51 PM:

What is your league going to do...have a BOWLING BALL patrol every night. Guys walking from lane to lane checking out what you are throwing. "SIR!! SIR!!, PLEASE STEP AWAY AND PUT DOWN THAT WHITE DOT!!!"



 



If someone made that complaint to me...I would tell them to mind their own business!!!
Yeah, I don't really know what to do. The league President hasn't said anything to me other than that someone complained.
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se7en

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2011, 07:56:51 AM »
I threw an XXXL for an entire summer to work on my down-and-in game. Got an old one-ball bag out of the closet and forced myself to throw it since it was all I brought with me. I averaged about 25 pins less than the previous fall league. It was a lot of fun and a good experience. It seemed like I couldn't miss the pocket, as the control was incredible. I just couldn't carry the 5 or 10 pin that well most of the time. I'd say if you're doing it for similar reasons, then maybe consider using summer leagues to do stuff like that.
 


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spmcgivern

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Re: Is it sandbagging to use polyester?
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2011, 08:58:21 AM »
Saying you averaged 232 in the league last year and now averaging 210 is where the issue is with other bowlers.  Technically, you can use any ball you want, whenever you want.  But the intent in competition, and league is generally considered competition is to bowl as well as your abilities allow.  USBC Rules classifies "establishing an average below the player's ability to gain an unfair advantage in handicap or classified competition" as an unfair tactic and grounds for disciplinary action.

 

This league in which you are averaging is the the only league you bowl in, thus at the end of the year, an outsider looking at this situation could deduce you are "intentionally" averaging 210 when you are more than likely capable of averaging around 232.  If you do not use this average to bowl tournaments in which average is used as a classification or as a basis for handicap, then you are entitled to bowl with whatever ball you want.  But if you do decide to bowl using this 210 average as a basis, then I could see there being an issue.

 

As for the league competition, there is nothing the other participants can do if you are ONLY using the spare ball.  The only time I could see it being a problem in the league is the start of next season where you would use last year's average for the first few weeks and you go back to more aggressive equipment and start averaging 230+ again (assuming a 210 average garners you some handicap).

 

Personally, I wouldn't say anything about it.  I think this is one aspect of why many people want to instill a "tournament average".  Though your intentions may be honorable, others are not.
 



MrPerfect wrote on 3/3/2011 1:45 PM:
I appreciate the responses. No I don't put the Track Spare away if the game gets close. Usually the lanes are so far gone by the time I get there I can only use the Track Spare, because it gives me the most consistent reaction through the night. I am going to try and pick up a Blue Backlash from a friend who just went staff with another company, but as of right now I'm enjoying using the Track Spare, because I think since I've started doing it my tournament bowling has greatly improved.


 


I don't know how to combat the tournament average comment though, because right now this is the only league I bowl. However, last year I booked 232, which is probably what led to the comment in the first place. Not sure what to do considering the guy that complained pasted my team anyways.


I am not a pro-bowler, but I do play one on BallReviews.com
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