So below I'll post both what I sent them and their reply.  Their reply was expected, but I'm not really sure the guy gets what angle I'm working, or in other words I didn't get the information I was hoping to get, only statements regarding rules I already know and understand. 

Hi, my name is Luke Rosdahl, member ID 5900-1840.  Before I get to the point of this letter, I’d like to address a letter I sent last year about the state of bowling.  In it I made some harsh accusations towards the USBC, and had some strong opinions based off some false information or lack of information.  I see and understand things differently now, and whether or not the person reading this is the same person that read that or even if no one remembers, I still feel like I should apologize, so sorry for whoever had to read it!

As far as this letter, I’m an ambidextrous bowler, though predominantly right handed.  It’s been a few years since I’ve recorded a sanctioned average left handed, but have continued to practice, and am now what would be considered a “scratch” bowler with both hands, though I currently don’t have a sanctioned average to reflect this.  It’s fun, but at the same time frustrating because of the limitations of the current rules.  I find myself in several situations, whether with tricky spares, or when a lane condition has broken down severely, that I lament not being able to switch hands to combat.  I bowl a second shift scratch league, and half the league is behind a men’s league, the other half is behind a mixed league, so the transition or carrydown is different depending on which league we are bowling behind.  Because I have the same sanction number for both hands, I can’t show up and practice and decide which hand would be better to bowl with that night, as it’s viewed as a change (which requires a league meeting, a vote, and a qualifying reason to do so) rather than me effectively “subbing” for myself. 

Inasmuch, I have some questions and a few propositions.  I realize that this sort of thing is uncommon, and have had several discussions with people regarding the current USBC rules as they are and I fully understand why they are in place.  I can definitely see the challenge in trying to maintain fair play and prevent cheating where handicap, average caps, and different divisions based on average are concerned.  The lesser of my propositions is to allow me (and other ambidextrous bowlers, of course) to have a separate sanction number for each hand.  I would gladly pay a separate sanction fee, this way it would at least allow me to “sub” for myself, should I see or feel the need or want, and it would be easier for tournament committees to track and verify averages for other ambidextrous bowlers who would qualify for handicap or different divisions based on which hand they use.  The greater is to make a provision for ambidextrous bowlers to use both hands interchangeably during league play or tournaments, as is allowed on the PBA.  Obviously this is where the problems arise, however I have considered them (at least the ones I’ve thought of or that have been pointed out by others), and have a solution to offer.  Any bowler wishing to use both hands interchangeably would forfeit any and all handicap that they may be eligible for, and their entering average for any league or tournament would be the higher established average of either hand, or at minimum be equal to the average that handicap is based on, AND they would be required to bowl the highest division in a tournament or league where the divisions are separated by average. 

This would not be viewed as a very enticing proposition for most ambidextrous bowlers, and thus would not be requested often, I realize that.  I have also spent quite a bit of time thinking about it, however, and I see it as the only “fair” way to accomplish what I’m asking for.  As far as “fair” goes as well, I don’t see the ability to use my other hand to shoot a difficult spare or to find fresh oil on another side of the lane as being unfair or any different than changing balls, moving, or making other adjustments.  I see it as an extension on or another facet of versatility, such as bowling two handed.  The ability to be versatile and to make adjustments are key teachings of coaches, both certified by the USBC and otherwise, and again, I simply see this as another tool or ability in line with that. 

Other than considerations that I have addressed above, I see no reason not to allow it, however I won’t be ignorant enough to assume that the USBC hasn’t at one point or another discussed this issue at length and has reasons why this isn’t allowed, and that would be one of my questions.  I’m sure it would be something very obscure and unpopular, though I’m not sure why that would be a reason to disallow it.  Whether by rule change, adjustment, or special allowance based on the conditions I’ve stated above, would it be possible to grant my request?  If not, I’d simply be curious what the reasons would be.  I’d just like to be able to use the full range of my versatility, and am more than willing to be held to the conditions I’ve stated above.  Thank you very much for your time and attention.

Luke Rosdahl


Dear Luke

 

This is in reference to your e-mail of October 8, 2013.

 

USBC Rule 118b says a right-handed bowler must always bowl right-handed. Similarly, a left-handed bowler must always

bowl left-handed.

 

The exception is scratch tournament. In scratch tournaments you can bowl with either hand unless the tournament rules state otherwise.

 

The reason you cannot do it in handicap league or tournament competition is because the average is based on the delivery hand that was used to establish the average.

 

Based on the way  the game is scored, there is no way to separate right and left handed deliveries in a frame or game.

 

It is possible to capture right and left handed averages by game or series. However, it would be very difficult to control and enforce. For these reasons, there has been no support for this type of flexibility from leagues and tournaments to consider such a proposal. A proposal to change the existing rule would require two-thirds approval  and support of the USBC delegates.
 
 

We have had only a handfull of bowlers over the years express interest in this type of flexibility to alternate right and left handed deliveries.

 

 

If you have questions regarding this information, please feel free to contact me.

I understand, I just don't think it's unfair.  I've put in work practicing and developing the ability to bowl lefty, and I don't see it being ANY different from being able to play the ditch, or loft gutter caps.  Whether you move in and find fresh oil at 5th arrow or find fresh oil by switching hands, I see zero difference.  Lots of people that will never be able to hook it from that deep either, but that's apparently "fair."  As you have the same sanction number for both hands, I haven't been allowed to show up and decide, it's considered a switch that requires good reason and a team captains meeting, and it's permanent for the rest of the year unless you're just switching for a few weeks due to an injury or something, even in our scratch league. 

I two can bowl both. As I see your opinion it is wrong on one point.  You are going to be better one way or the other that is the way it is.  You can establish avgs with both hands on a particular league. You can warm up with both but once the league starts you have to designate a hand. The reason it is not allowed to switch during an event is it is an unfair advantage.  You are the 1 percent that are capable of doing this 99 percent no matter how much they practice couldn't do this.  I had to go right handed for two years if I wanted to bowl I tore tendons in my left forearm. I was in a high roller league that had handicap based off of 220 and they had to have a league meeting to allow me to bowl right handed. When I established a 180 avg after having a 235 avg left handed nobody raised a stink til I got way better very quickly in three months I was shooting 600s and after 6 months I was shooting 700s but they were spotty so my avg was staying fairly low. Just below 200 that's when people started complaining. At that point they had nothing to stand on I was established. The second year I was able to come back left but I brought both with me and warmed up both and designated which hand I would bowl with that week. Once the lights come on that's it no switching and I agree with that. You will always have an advantage on the left side. Less traffic plain and simple.  I do like the free hook on the right side though my ball speed is high and that free hook is nice. But as I said it will never change cause they will always see it as an unfair advantage.

Yeah and that's why I stipulated that you'd have to forfeit any kind of handicap completely, bowl scratch and/or highest division in anything, only "fair" way to do it.  Guess I'm a big minority in this though . . funny, everyone always said hard work pays off.  Maybe I'll just sit on my ass and cry until I get special attention or everybody else's legs cut out from under them. 

Quote from: Gizmo823 on October 11, 2013, 07:38:06 AM

I understand, I just don't think it's unfair.  I've put in work practicing and developing the ability to bowl lefty, and I don't see it being ANY different from being able to play the ditch, or loft gutter caps.  Whether you move in and find fresh oil at 5th arrow or find fresh oil by switching hands, I see zero difference.  Lots of people that will never be able to hook it from that deep either, but that's apparently "fair."  As you have the same sanction number for both hands, I haven't been allowed to show up and decide, it's considered a switch that requires good reason and a team captains meeting, and it's permanent for the rest of the year unless you're just switching for a few weeks due to an injury or something, even in our scratch league. 

Your comments are true in the fact a bowler should be able to compete in any physical way he can to win.  And as the response from USBC states, that is the case in scratch events.

The problem comes from the USBC trying to prevent some people from taking advantage of the situation in handicap events.  I agree with you, I should be able to do anything I can to get the ball from the foul line to the pins and score the highest.  But when you are trying to level the playing field with participants of differing abilities competing together, you have to protect the innocent from those who aren't so innocent.

I was going to say choose isn't the right word . . but I wouldn't go out there if I had the money or didn't have a family and a couple jobs . . so choose really is the right word. 

You would have a legitimate complaint if the rule was made after you started bowling left handed. 

There is a place where you can bowl any way you'd like.  You just choose not to compete at that level.