Quote from: milorafferty on November 11, 2015, 01:18:13 PM

Just so long as it's not YOUR time and money though, right?

I believe in supporting my local area. I support the kids that bowl for the local high school team.  The past two years  I dedicated my time and help by coaching. I had taken time to study and learn all I can to be a better coach. I spent plenty of my own money to be certified and get my clearances so I that I can coach. Did I want any money in return? Nope, I did it because I love the game and the sport of bowling. 

I much rather give my money at the local level then give it to some professional.

Yet you complain about the national body not doing anything. Does that even sound like a reasonable argument?

Membership has been declining consistently for decades. We are at lifetime awards for honor scores, so considerably more money in their budget even without a dues increase so now what. Just seems kind of odd for the governing body of any sport to behave like a tournament promoter don't you think?

USBC is trying to decide where to spend their limited resources. The membership has refused to allow a price increase since 2008, so USBC is spending their time promoting the areas where the bowlers show some personal effort. It takes time and money to go to a tournament. To show up on league night in your hometown? Not so much.

Honestly, I don't think USBC is without fault, but they can not operate without funding. It's the same as we have in government, vote out the ones you don't like and replace them.

Quote from: morpheus on November 11, 2015, 01:47:12 PM

Membership has been declining consistently for decades. We are at lifetime awards for honor scores, so considerably more money in their budget even without a dues increase so now what. Just seems kind of odd for the governing body of any sport to behave like a tournament promoter don't you think?

USBC is trying to decide where to spend their limited resources. The membership has refused to allow a price increase since 2008, so USBC is spending their time promoting the areas where the bowlers show some personal effort. It takes time and money to go to a tournament. To show up on league night in your hometown? Not so much.

Honestly, I don't think USBC is without fault, but they can not operate without funding. It's the same as we have in government, vote out the ones you don't like and replace them.

As a member, I would rather see them spend resources on promoting our sport to increase membership rather than promoting their tournaments to an dwindling base of members. Best of luck, you can't fix stupid and the USBC/BPAA is all stocked up

And one last thing...I'm really tired of the USBC labeling anyone with a difference of opinion as "negative". Pretty sure our country was founded on principles of free speech and individual thought so I will not blindly agree with the decisions made by our governing body when I believe they're not in the best interest of the paying membership that they supposedly support.

The USBC can only do so much. Owners of alleys expect Bowlers to do league. Putting out flyers on tables will not get people to join.

CBB, The league should run itself. I can see the owner helping, but it is up to the league to draw its membership. The league is what makes the rules, prize fund, and banquet. Not the owner. Owner is responsible for have lanes available and meet the USBC requirements. I am sure for additional charge they will keep the scores and averages, and report them to USBC on a weekly basis.

They care about the Cosmic Bowling more. Where I live the owners are a-holes. They don't care about Bowling Leagues.

They should care about all customers. Not one over the other. I don't know why this is, but some owners just don't get it.

I like Milo's post. $6.00 a game is the future if not now. Who is going to pay that?

This statement is mostly what I want to comment on most. If you really think about it, $6.00 is probably where the price should be? This is the price we must pay for our need to have more strikes:
 
Bowling balls are more porous
which causes more lane oil to be applied
which expensive lane machines must be purchased (and maintained) to apply the oil
once the oil is on the lane, the bowling center must have humidity and temperature in check

Because if the oil pattern is not right, and the league bowler doesn't throw his normal series  (was - 600 series) for the night, due to his reactive (was - $250 oil soaking) ball not hooking, he will quit the league.

ALL OF THIS COST MONEY!

[

This statement is mostly what I want to comment on most. If you really think about it, $6.00 is probably where the price should be? This is the price we must pay for our need to have more strikes:
 
Bowling balls are more porous
which causes more lane oil to be applied
which expensive lane machines must be purchased (and maintained) to apply the oil
once the oil is on the lane, the bowling center must have humidity and temperature in check

Because if the oil pattern is not right, and the league bowler doesn't throw his 600 series for the night, due to his $250 oil soaking ball not hooking, he will quit the league.

ALL OF THIS COST MONEY!


[/quote]

I agree somewhat. $6.00 a game is a lot for people. If a Family of 4 goes in and Bowls 1 game that is $24.00. Plus Soda, Snack, Beer, Etc. People are hurting. Really the only ones buying Balls are the Hard nosed Bowlers. That is why You see Online Shops giving away Balls and people flock to them. I agree that League Directors need to help get members but the House should do more to promote it. It is in their best interest. I think once the economy gets better (if it ever does) Bowling will prosper better.

txbowler,

My statement was more a generalization pointing a specific scenario. Sorry, but I have to disagree. I have seen plenty of bowlers with averages below 190 complain about the lanes. They used to seeing their ball react a specific way from week to week. When the ball doesn't hook (too much or lack of oil, or what ever) they will get upset.

Membership has been declining consistently for decades. We are at lifetime awards for honor scores, so considerably more money in their budget even without a dues increase so now what. Just seems kind of odd for the governing body of any sport to behave like a tournament promoter don't you think?

I try not to be negative...but then I see stupidity like this. When membership declines at most things, what happens? Dues goes up for the remaining members. That hasn't happened for the USBC. How can you bring more bowlers in when you can't advertise, you can't run programs because there is no money. The reason the USBC wants more entries at it's tournament, is because the that is where they get the money they need to continue to exist, since the league bowlers won't add 1 red cent to their dues in almost 10 years. Maybe if they were getting the majority of their money from league bowlers, like in years past, they would be more focused on them. As is true in any business, you cater to the area where your money comes from. And the lifetime awards?!? They went to that to save money, since again membership won't allow a dues increase in almost 10 years. Even with the dwindling membership, the amount of award scores is going up. With less money coming in, you can't keep spending what you don't have. This is simple economics, and it should be obvious to even the simple people, like you.

    Now, don't take this as a 100% endorsement of the USBC. They have made their mistakes and will make more in the future. But, they can't try to better without the funds to run their organization. Unfortunately, I am not bowling at the moment due to injury, but an extra $0.25 or $0.50 a week is no big deal. It should be the least we can do for the USBC, and if they don't make good decision at that point, we can find someone who will. But you can't berate them for what they are doing now, if you aren't willing to fund them to the point that they can do their job. Again, simple.