I plan to join a mixed (short season) fun league.  I asked if this league will be sanctioned and the bowling alley rep said we would be voting on it.  
What do you think, shall we pay to have it sanctioned?  My girlfriend asked me what are the benefits of sanctioning.  I really don't see much.  Other than it will be her first league, she can get patches, awards.  What other benefits are there to entice people to want to sanction?

As for me, I already have a 300, 299 ring, 11 in a row plaque and other awards that just sit in my drawer or are put away somewhere.  The only benefit to me will be if I want to bowl Nationals.

What do you guys think?  Sanction or not?

There is more to sanctioning than a few patches.  The bonding may be well worth it if your secretary runs off with your league funds.  Additionally, you will have average verification for tournaments and nice, standard rules which can be enforced by the local association and even at the national level if necessary.  The standard league rules from the USBC usually require tweaking to fit each league's needs but they're very complete and can save you a lot of hassle if someone decides that this "fun" league is more serious than most other people think.

Seventeen bucks?  Pay it and be done with it.

SH