What happened? Someone got their feelings hurt? Can't discuss the lousy Usbc here? I wouldn't care if they folded. Another sanctioning group will take over. People act like we need them, they need us and that's how it works. A member suggested to them to raise the fee....ok..what if another member suggested to lower the fee? Give me a break. This is and was the worst organization that ever tan bowling. Again, its not the 5 bucks, or 1 dollar..its we got nothing in the past and now they want more for doing less.
It's a joke and the joke us on the bowlers. When is the last time the Usbc inspected a lane at anyone of your locations? Case closed.

Hope they figure something out. Between them and the owners of the PBA bowling has some obstacles to overcome.

Has the Usbc grown the sport? No. Did the Usbc lose a million or so members? Yes. Has the Usbc cut back on programs? Yes.  Does this sound like a rate increase is justified? No. They are a sinking ship, throwing more cash at a poorly run company will not make it better. They need new management, new ideas etc... Running the same system will get the same results with or without an increase.

Has USBC grown the sport - If you look at the number of high school and collegiate bowling programs out there, yes, USBC has helped grow the sport.

Did USBC lose a million or so members - Technically, I guess you could say that, but you have to realize that the number of certified bowlers was going down long before ABC, WIBC, and YABA merged to form USBC. Now, as many others have discussed, those losses were inevitable (at least to some degree) due to the changing landscape of sports and entertainment. Sure, if USBC were a flawless NGB, I'm sure a few bowlers here and there would have hung on, but if you blame USBC for the majority of those losses, I think you are WAY off base.

Do they need a dues increase? - If the organization is going to continue to exist, they probably do.

12XSECH, In the end, it's clear that you don't like USBC or believe in the people running it and what they're trying to do. You're entitled to that opinion, and you're certainly not alone. Okay, so if you want that organization to go away, I certainly hope that you have a very detailed plan that lays out who needs to take control and what specific actions they need to take to bring bowling back to where it belongs. I'll be honest; all I'm hearing is that you KNOW that USBC sucks and is doing it all wrong. Okay, so tell me who/what wouldn't suck and what specific, realistic steps those people/entities can take to make the changes that you imply are so easy to make.

Why is it that the PBA can't draw the ratings?

Five years back when I was member of a Monday night men's league in my area, there would be probably about 8 guys out of 100 that watched the PBA the previous day. Wouldn't be surprised if it is now 5 out of 100. I am sure this kind of ratio is probably the same across many centers today in the U.S. Maybe in areas where bowling is more popular there is more.

Now go back 40 - 50 years ago; I am sure there were more watching PBA.

What happened?

Any old timers out there that would like to chime in,

What made it exciting back then for you?

What kept you coming back for more week after week to watch it?

Is the PBA really that different today than back then?

Not an old timer, but I can give one possible reason. Options. When I was a kid, we had three TV channels. You watched whatever was available.

You cant use the argument that there are many other things for people to do with their time now. If that is the case, why has golf and tennis rose up to where they are now? The baseball league I play in has more teams then ever before, the adult baseball league is huge all over the country. Go to a golf course and try to get a tee time...around here they are all booked. So people are still out doing things with their time...its just not bowling anymore. The parent child leagues use to be big around here, now its down to nothing.
I cant fix the usbc problems but like I said before, this management team that they have has failed and are continuing to fail. Change needs to start at the top, not with the 10 dollar an hour guy that answers the phone.
I also dont know any kids that watched the high schoolers on espn. Just like baseball or football the kids want to see "Tom Brady", Mike Trout etc... and in bowling they want to see Weber, Belmonte....They dont want to see Johnny Jr from Oakmont HS. Stars bring out fans, not 16 year old amateurs.

12...you must not of read the other thread where I did explain how other sports took off. I know people who want to be able to go outside and can reenact what he/she sees on the TV for cheap or no additional money than what has already been spent. Someone has a single golf club, he/she can hit one ball around the back of the yard. Basketball? Shoot hoops. Hit a baseball or throw a baseball...all cost NOTHING to do once you have the equipment AND you can play them at home without going anywhere. Bowling? Not so much. You have to spend and spend and if you want to practice or just toss a ball for the heck of it, you have to get in your car and drive to the local alley and pay. Nothing like the other sports. SO I can absolutely see why someone stopped bowling or following bowling and switched to golf or baseball or basketball or whatever.

And yes, golf is on the way down as well. In my area, 3 courses within 15 miles have closed within the past 2 years. 

Golf in most areas peaked about 10 years ago. 

You could always play those other games in your yard and had to drive to a bowling center to bowl, so that sure isn't the reason participation is down.  A lot of people will say it's because of more options of entertainment.  This is partially true, but essentially bowling has been priced out of it's blue collar background.

This topic is one of the craziest things I have read in awhile. I can't believe the time and energy some people have spent complaining about a $5 increase of dues to a whopping grand total of $15 for a year. You can argue all you want that it is not about the money but let's be honest. That's exactly what is is about. Because I can guarantee you wouldn't have written all these posts if the dues didn't increase. So of course you are upset about the money. At least be honest about that.

 As for what they are doing with it?  I have no idea and honestly I don't care. I choose to join a league and bowl. I don't want to be involved with those decisions.  If you do then great. Get involved in your local or state organizations and try to make some changes. Instead of basically complaining like a bunch of school girls in the locker room. Do you seriously think for your $15 you should be sitting in the executive meetings deciding the best route the USBC should take. Should they consult every member and try to please each and every one of us.  That would work out great.  They would then only have 40,000 different ideas to try to implement. Did you ever think the money may be going to pay for operating expenses?  The cost of printer ink has gone up, pens, pencils, paper, staples. A million things have increased in price. So even if the $5 doesn't go to anything new to increase membership or programs who cares.  Other expenses in the world have increased and good for them to hold out this long in increasing the dues.

It's now going to be $15 dollars a year for dues. And I for one think it is still one of the best deals going