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Author Topic: Can you switch hands for tournaments  (Read 2341 times)

bltbyj

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Can you switch hands for tournaments
« on: September 08, 2007, 02:51:34 PM »
A quick question, Can you switch hands for tournaments if you have if you have
an average for each hand? Example bowler walks in and a handicap tournament is
about to start so he has a 155 avg. left hand and can shoot low 700 but also
has a right hand avg. of 220. Can this be done? Can someone decide witch hand
they will use if they have an avg. for both? Can someone point to a rule?
Thanks to all who respond.

 

BrunsNick

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Re: Can you switch hands for tournaments
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2007, 11:00:49 PM »
If it is USBC sanctioned, then nope. You need to bowl the entire tournament with one hand.

If it is not USBC sanctioned, then its up to the tournament director.

If it is the PBA, then you can switch hands all day long.
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Edited on 9/8/2007 11:01 PM
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shelley

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Re: Can you switch hands for tournaments
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2007, 11:03:02 PM »
If you have an established average for each hand, you would declare before you started which hand would be used and use that average for determining which division you were in or how much handicap you had.  You probably could not bowl, say, doubles and singles left-handed and teams right-handed and combine the two for all-events.  You might be able to enter for each event twice, once with each hand, though the rules on how many times you can cash might hit you.  Most tournaments have rules stating that you may only cash once in any event.


Basically, each hand is its own "person" and you'd have to decide which person was going to bowl that tournament.

I'm not sure what "has a 155 average left hand and can shoot low 700", that would indicate to me that the person has possibly sandbagged with the left hand.  I don't know any legitimate 155-average bowlers who can walk in and expect to shoot a low 7.

A tournament might have a rule specifying that you use the highest average hand or that if you have both a left- and right-handed average, you must use your "dominant" hand.

SH

chaos10187

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Re: Can you switch hands for tournaments
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2007, 11:12:17 PM »
Didn't know the PBA let you switch up, all well. I guess they want the best, lefties, righties, or both?
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Atochabsh

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Re: Can you switch hands for tournaments
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2007, 06:15:42 AM »
If a tournament requires you to use your highest book, then no matter what hand you want to use, your average is your highest book.  

You can find USBC referance to this in the FAQ in the back of the 2006-07 book or intermingled in the 2007-08 book.  

Each tournament has its own rules, read them very carefully.  PBA rules are different then your typical USBC sanctioned tournaments.

Erin

LuckyLefty

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Re: Can you switch hands for tournaments
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2007, 07:49:13 AM »
I agree with Shelly.  Each "hand" average is considered it's own "person" in most tournaments(except the PBA obviously which is scratch).

REgards.

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se7en

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Re: Can you switch hands for tournaments
« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2007, 12:30:13 PM »
In a best 3 of 4 game tournament here, there was a guy that placed 2nd right and 3rd left, but had to toss the lower placement out. He only had a 118-120 average left if I remember. I shot 209, 267, 268 that day and placed 4th, so he had to have killed it lefty.
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BOWL119

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Re: Can you switch hands for tournaments
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2007, 08:18:55 PM »
quote:
If you have an established average for each hand, you would declare before you started which hand would be used and use that average for determining which division you were in or how much handicap you had.  You probably could not bowl, say, doubles and singles left-handed and teams right-handed and combine the two for all-events.  You might be able to enter for each event twice, once with each hand, though the rules on how many times you can cash might hit you.  Most tournaments have rules stating that you may only cash once in any event.


Basically, each hand is its own "person" and you'd have to decide which person was going to bowl that tournament.

I'm not sure what "has a 155 average left hand and can shoot low 700", that would indicate to me that the person has possibly sandbagged with the left hand.  I don't know any legitimate 155-average bowlers who can walk in and expect to shoot a low 7.

A tournament might have a rule specifying that you use the highest average hand or that if you have both a left- and right-handed average, you must use your "dominant" hand.

SH


While I do understand what is being said, it should not matter. Most tournaments you go to ask what your average is. They DO NOT ask if you bowl left or right.

If you are able to do both and have an established a high average of 160 then that is what you would have to use. But if you know that you can bowl with your other hand better, then who is to stop you.
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shelley

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Re: Can you switch hands for tournaments
« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2007, 09:23:07 AM »
quote:
While I do understand what is being said, it should not matter. Most tournaments you go to ask what your average is. They DO NOT ask if you bowl left or right.

If you are able to do both and have an established a high average of 160 then that is what you would have to use. But if you know that you can bowl with your other hand better, then who is to stop you.


They don't ask which hand you use because the majority of bowlers simply aren't competitive with their off hand.  Very few even have established averages with the other hand, much less the ability to bowl with it.  So you'd be asking a question that 199 out of 200 people would look at you funny for.

In the past, your average is printed on your sanction card.  Now that isn't the case, and if you need average verification, you need a letter from your association secretary.  If you have both a left- and right-handed average, the letter will reflect that.

If you're a dirty, cheatin', liar who bowls league with their off hand to set an artificially low average, then bowls with their dominant hand in tournaments, then you're sandbagging and switching hands illegally.  Of course it's difficult catch cheaters and it's even more difficult to get psusy TDs to do anything about it.

SH

stso927

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Re: Can you switch hands for tournaments
« Reply #9 on: September 10, 2007, 06:25:46 PM »
if each hand is considered it's on person, why can't i bowl doubles with my self? my average is within 5 pins with either hand. 187 left and 192 right.

bowl400

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Re: Can you switch hands for tournaments
« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2007, 06:49:37 PM »
back in 2002 during the usbc nationals in billings, a bowler entered the classified division with a below 180 left handed average.  he then bowled right handed and shot over 2000 all events.  he was well known for his exploits right handed in the abt environment, so he was busted and dq'd.  if you establish an average with your off hand and you enter a usbc certified tournament with that average, you must use that hand.  sure, you might get away with it if no one knows who you are, just don't shoot real high scores.  most people who do this are generally very skilled at this sort of theft.
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