Author Topic: Is the bowling center have to stick with league lane assignments? (Read 4461 times)

trash heap · « **on:** April 24, 2012, 05:46:42 PM »

This is in regards to pre or post bowling teams. You own and manage a bowling center. There is a Friday Night league. They agree to bowl 35 games each season. Nice little mix league. However you have two or three teams in this league that can't make it to league night throughout the season. At times you have 3 open lanes in the middle of that league.

As an owner, can you resize the league that night and get back thoese 3 lanes for open bowling?

The league has meetings and set the schedule for the year. League votes and states they are committed, but you see a lot teams not showing up and rescheduling their games.

I am not an owner, but I am posing this question as something I am starting to see more often. Especially around the holidays.

As a bowler I could care less what lanes I bowl on, but I know some bowlers get upset when they have to move.

Edited by trash heap on 4/24/2012 at 3:48 PM

Smash49 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 24, 2012, 09:07:29 PM »

It comes down to an agreement between the league and the house. As an ex proprietor I would never have empty lanes in the middle of the center on a regular basis. Pre and Post bowling is a privilege and the center basically can set rules as to how it is handled. The first issue is who is going to monitor the make ups and how is it actually fair. The point of bowling league is to bowl with the league. Most centers offer leagues at least 5 days a week. Find one you can attend. If the center reserves lanes for you one a given night and they go unused it cost them money. Yes you pay for your bowling but when you make up or bowl at a different time those lanes could be in use making money. Another factor is wanting oiled lanes. That is hardest to control. If the center doesn't have oiled lanes they most likely will not just go out and do it.

Smash49

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spmcgivern · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2012, 02:32:52 PM »

Maybe I am missing the main point. If some teams are pre-bowling, unless they pre-bowl against the actual team they are bowling against for that league session, how can you consolidate? I couldn't imagine trying to push a league down one or two pairs by trying to move teams around as league is starting up. The logistics involved are a bit too much to try and accomplish consistently.

Just to make sure I understand, are you saying for a 20 team league (lanes 1-20), lanes 9 and 13 have teams that have pre-bowled, you want to put the teams on 10 and 14 together and move the entire league down one pair to give you more room for open play? Would be wonderful, but I wouldn't have done this in my time managing. A lot of times the manager on duty may or may not know about the pre-bowling teams and wouldn't realize the issue until the time practice starts. Once you get within 15 minutes of practice starting, you can't start having half the league or more move just to give you another pair for open play. I see too much complaining coming from this.

If it becomes an issue with certain teams continually pre-bowling just so they can have their Friday's off, well, I bet that would be the only year they bowl on that night. Many people don't realize how a Friday night league affects their weekends until they do it. And if they start missing because of the affect it has, my bet is they won't do it again.

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

storm making it rain · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2012, 02:58:28 PM »

The lanes are actually being paid for if it is a guaranteed league. (which it should be) So moving them around unless it's a special circumstance doesnt make sense. Most leagues if something comes up will help the center out at least at our center.

Now Pre/Post bowling is another story. In my opinion you should never oil lanes just for the purpose of pre/post bowling (saying this as if the lanes weren't scheduled to be oiled) and you shouldn't hold lanes for pre/post bowling or let people pre/post bowl on busy busy days.

Just my opinion

spmcgivern · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2012, 04:11:49 PM »

While I agree in not making special arrangements to oil lanes for pre/post bowling. I do not agree with saying you can limit when pre/post bowling can be done. Maybe it is because I came from centers where league bowling was the major bread winner for the center. For some people, it is tough to arrange a time when the entire team can get together to pre or post bowl.

Now you are saying even those times may not be acceptable? So if a team comes in on a Monday night (typical slow night for bowling) and there happens to be a lot of people bowling league/open you will turn away the league bowlers? Our centers would usually try to be accommodating and set lanes aside for pre/post bowling as long as the time and date came from the league secretary.

Some centers are busy quite often, so to say you won't let them bowl on busy (or busy busy) nights will drive your league bowlers away.

Now to the point of the lanes being paid for by a guaranteed league. Yes, I agree, the lanes are paid for and the league may complain if the center tried to move bowlers around. But when bowlers per/post bowl, they don't pay for the bowling when they bowl. They already pay during league. So they are in a way taking your lanes for a period of time where the center can't make any money. But as I see it, that is part of doing business and part of what you do to keep your frequent customers happy.

storm making it rain wrote on 4/25/2012 12:58 PM:
The lanes are actually being paid for if it is a guaranteed league. (which it should be) So moving them around unless it's a special circumstance doesn't make sense. Most leagues if something comes up will help the center out at least at our center.

Now Pre/Post bowling is another story. In my opinion you should never oil lanes just for the purpose of pre/post bowling (saying this as if the lanes weren't scheduled to be oiled) and you shouldn't hold lanes for pre/post bowling or let people pre/post bowl on busy busy days.

Just my opinion

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

storm making it rain · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2012, 05:09:41 PM »

Maybe I worded that too strongly, and you took it the wrong way. I agree with most of what you said, there are always circumstances on lane availibility. I was more talking of "individuals" pre/post bowling, i'm guessing you're talking about full teams.

spmcgivern · « **Reply #6 on:** April 25, 2012, 05:16:50 PM »

Then I understand. Individuals pre-bowling is an odd issue. But at least they are done quickly for the most part.

I think the OP wanted to know about adjusting lane assigments based on teams not being present for one reason or another.

storm making it rain wrote on 4/25/2012 3:09 PM:
Maybe I worded that too strongly, and you took it the wrong way. I agree with most of what you said, there are always circumstances on lane availibility. I was more talking of "individuals" pre/post bowling, i'm guessing you're talking about full teams.

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

trash heap · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2012, 06:09:29 PM »

Yes. That's what I am talking about, whole teams pre/post bowling. I guess its more noticeable when you have a league with uneven teams. Say you have 17 teams in a league. 3 teams are out (they have pre bowled or going to post bowl). That Friday night you basically have 4 teams bowling on 8 lanes. Could those teams be put together eventhough they are not competing against each other to have 4 additional lanes for the center.

spmcgivern wrote on 4/25/2012 3:16 PM:
Then I understand. Individuals pre-bowling is an odd issue. But at least they are done quickly for the most part.

I think the OP wanted to know about adjusting lane assigments based on teams not being present for one reason or another.

storm making it rain wrote on 4/25/2012 3:09 PM:

Maybe I worded that too strongly, and you took it the wrong way. I agree with most of what you said, there are always circumstances on lane availibility. I was more talking of "individuals" pre/post bowling, i'm guessing you're talking about full teams.

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

Edited by trash heap on 4/25/2012 at 4:11 PM

Pinbuster · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2012, 06:10:48 PM »

I'm not sure how you would have 3 lanes with nobody on them in the middle of the league assuming you bowl a match on a pair.

Now if a team was bowling unopposed that night because the other team pre/post bowled then they should bowl on their assigned lanes.

I don't believe you should pair up two unopposed teams that night. The pre/post bowled teams probably bowled unopposed so the team at the regular scheduled time should have the same condition.

If you had an empty pair I guess the house could compress the league and change lane assignments unless the league contract with the house says they can.

joeschmoe · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2012, 06:45:27 PM »

Personally, I think it would show disrespect to the league to have open bowling while league is going on. Especailly if you're talking one or two pairs of lanes. If your talking half the house in a mid size center say 28-32 lanes thats different then Im OK with that. But if that's my center two or three lanes of open play doesn't make or break me at the risk of alienating the league.I understand what you're saying about putting the odd number of teams together to keep the extra pairs of lanes available for open play or what have you. I dont agree with putting open play that close to a league in session.

"Hay Steve, the bleachers are melting!!!!!!

Smash49 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2012, 07:42:02 PM »

Here is what happens. When you allow people to just come in whenever and pre and post bowl. A bunch of guys decided they wanted to bowl a 16 week Saturday night league. That was fine except they had season tickets to the OU football games also. So for half the league they pre or post bowled. The secretary didn't care until they won the league! League bowlers started coming to the desk going WHY did you let them do that? It's not fair! So we started having the league officers be present for the pre and post. Well that's a hassle. Oh and you get the I don't want to bowl on those lanes people. You also get the why can't I pre or post bowl on Saturday night during cosmic bowling. Just don't do the cosmic bowl so we can make up! You also get the I don't want to bowl against those guys because I just don't like them type people. One league voted to have 33 officers that could call in a pre or post bowl! No that's not going to happen either. Pre and Post bowling is a for emergency only and is a privilege and not a right. Ever wonder about the kid that shot all the 900's?

Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
IBPSIA Certified Technician
Bowlers Journal International's Top 100 Coaches!!! 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010(73),2011(84)
USBC Register Volunteer

trash heap · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2012, 08:23:50 PM »

Joe,

I got little laugh out your statement. I have 3 bowling alleys in my area. The biggest one is 20 lanes.

joeschmoe wrote on 4/25/2012 4:45 PM:
Especailly if you're talking one or two pairs of lanes. If your talking half the house in a mid size center say 28-32 lanes .

trash heap · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2012, 08:31:59 PM »

Agree.

Unfortunately most league bowlers don't want to hear that statement. All it takes for few to do it frequently in a league, then it becomes an issue that everyone wants to do it.

My opinion on this subject is take the loss, if you can't get a legal lineup for the night. My wife and my in-laws were on a team together. There were times we went together on vacations in the fall. Well we paid our money in advance and said see you in a couple of weeks.

Smash49 wrote on 4/25/2012 5:42 PM:
Pre and Post bowling is a for emergency only and is a privilege and not a right.

spmcgivern · « **Reply #13 on:** April 26, 2012, 09:34:50 AM »

I guess I was lucky in my experiences with pre and post bowling. If it is being taken advantage of, then yes, some restrictions are necessary.

I know here in Houston around Rodeo time, many people and teams will pre or post bowl for nights missed. Maybe this is just here, but there usually aren't too many complaints. But then again, can't say it is taken advantage of to the point Smash said either.

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

sdbowler · « **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2012, 08:46:18 AM »

When I worked at the bowling center we would not move the league around. As someone else stated lots of times the center did not know who was not going to be there. Now IF two teams were bowling alone and BOTH of them wanted to bowl together as long as it was okay with the league officials then we would move them. I think that only happened once in the years I worked there part time then full time. Most of the time people want to just bowl and get out of there to go and drink or just go home.
We would state that we did not want anyone to makeup during prime time open play. So that meant Friday night, Saturday all day, and Sunday all day. Now we knew that we would have to be a little flexible with that. So we would state that IF you had to we would allow you to bowl then however you may be right next to open play. When I was working I would still try to be polite to them and leave a pair open if I could, usually it was just one lane. As far as the oil, it was what it was at the time. No oiling just for them.