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Author Topic: Do we really want higher scores?  (Read 1109 times)

9andaWiggle

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Do we really want higher scores?
« on: September 15, 2003, 09:58:31 PM »
Just to cover the opposite side of the spectrum, are higher scores what we really want?  Currently, one house I bowl at has vigorous bracket activity (doubles and singles). I never hear of anything less than 500 winning the doubles.  Usually it is around 525-550, and singles cannot be won with less than 279.  Maybe the lowest I ever heard of winning was 269.

Therefore, do we want technology to keep improving to the point where the first time you leave that 10 pin, you're done for the day - just pack your stuff up and go because you're not even going to cash?  Seriously, 260 pins plus per man to win in doubles, every night, for 36 weeks?  We are in our 3rd week of bowling, and already I have witnessed 2 300 games (at different houses, but still).  At this pace I will see 24 "perfect" games this season - and we wonder why a 300 game is not as big a deal as it used to be.

Don't get me wrong, I love competition, and if the next guy outbowls me fine, I got beat.  But... At what point do we decide enough is enough and initiate some rules that will limit scoring for the sake of making bowling well a challenge again?  Or will we sit idly and let the scoring get to the point that awards are handed out like stickers in a kindergarten classroom?
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Why, WHY won't the last one just fall??  It's WIGGLING for cryin' out loud!!
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sheppy335

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Re: Do we really want higher scores?
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2003, 01:28:29 PM »
WOW! You must bowl with some AWsome bowlers or you have the easiest shot in the world. Our league brackets are always won with scores over 200 but you normally can shot anything over 220 and win. not saying lower scores don't win sometimes.
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9andaWiggle

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Re: Do we really want higher scores?
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2003, 01:47:33 PM »
It's a wall shot with EXTREMELY dry outsides and flying backends.  Not making excuses, but I doubt they have the min. units of oil outside of the 10 board. However, there are some genuinely good bowlers too.  Usually not the same exact guys winning it every week, but I think there are a few guys who "repeat" more often throughout the year.

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9-

Why, WHY won't the last one just fall??  It's WIGGLING for cryin' out loud!!
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep...

I wonder where they went? ;)

9andaWiggle

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Re: Do we really want higher scores?
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2003, 01:59:14 PM »
quote:
9, if you could take a poll of all the sanctioned league bowlers in this country tomorrow, my guess is that the vast majority would answer your question a resounding YES.


I think you're right on the money there, Bones.  I was just wanting to see if those whose thinking is "So what, highest score still wins" had actually thought about when enough will be enough.  It appears some of us have already considered that while others have not.

I'm not bashing anyone for thinking one way or the other, but if a respectable avg. is now 220, where it used to be 200, then what is to keep technology from making 240 a reality in another 10 years, and 260 the norm 10 years after that (at which point the only award worth winning would be the 900).

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9-

Why, WHY won't the last one just fall??  It's WIGGLING for cryin' out loud!!
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep...

I wonder where they went? ;)

seadrive

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Re: Do we really want higher scores?
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2003, 02:38:08 PM »
What's that, a measley 2 300's in 3 weeks.  Wow, you guys really suck!

Most of the leagues in our local house just started last week.  There was a 300 game shot on Tuesday, another on Wednesday, and yet another on Thursday.  At this rate, we'll have a hundred 300 games this season!

A teammate of the guy who shot 300 on Thursday had a 279.  They each had the front 8, then the other guy left a 10 pin in the 9th.  It's your typical crowned wall blend, with 50+ units in the middle and 4 units outside of 8, buffed to 43 feet, with screaming backends.  If you can turn the ball up, this shot gives you the world.

Interestingly enough, the guy with the highest average in this house (actually in all of eastern Long Island) doesn't put a lot on the ball.  He's just very accurate and very consistent, and he's learned how to adapt his stroker style to the shot.

Change the shot, and he'll still do okay, but he'll drop a good 30 pins off his 243 average.  That's right, a 243 average!
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seadrive
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