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Author Topic: USBC Sport Conditions  (Read 1556 times)

Fluff E Bunnie

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USBC Sport Conditions
« on: August 15, 2006, 12:05:35 AM »

I keep thinking about this.  What do you think?

Why can't the USBC have their own specific patterns for sport conditions?  Like say they had 5 or 6 patterns like the PBA and called them a specific thing and specified exactly what they were.  The criticism that I keep reading about sport conditions is that it is too open to interpretation and a lot of people do not think that sport conditions are the answer.

Well, what if USBC sanctioned leagues had to use a pattern?  Like say, we are using USBC Sport Pattern 2 for this tournament.  Or...  Our league rotates between USBC Sport Patterns 1 - 3 or something like that.

My first thought would be to say that everyone should use the PBA oil conditions which would unify the sport, but if you have to pay the PBA licensing fees to use them then that is never going to happen.  So what if the official governing body had specific patterns like the PBA?  Then what if that all USBC sanctioned events had to use these patterns?  

I don't know about the politics of bowling, but it seems like this would be the best way to do it.  You need something like what the PBA is doing but for non-PBA events.

Other theories I've heard is going with one sanctioned ball, but that would hurt all of the ball manufacturers.  Another thing I heard was to increase pin weight, but then the bowling centers would have to absorb that cost and they can't/won't pay for it.


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shelley

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Re: USBC Sport Conditions
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2006, 09:17:19 AM »
I like the idea of a "standard" sport pattern, but the USBC not only isn't going to go for it, they're going in the opposite direction and allowing for more interpretation of the what it means to be sport compliant.

Under the new rules, the ratio requirements vary depending on the type and condition of the lane surface.  Older wood lanes have different requirements than newer synthetics.  Ratios vary from 2:1 (the old rules) to 2.5:1, 3:1, and 4:1 depending on the condition of the lanes themselves.

The USBC could at least put out a few "standard" patterns that adhere to the guidelines while still allowing for modifications or completely different, new patterns.

SH
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spmcgivern

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Re: USBC Sport Conditions
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2006, 09:33:33 AM »
I think the idea of variation is ideal in Sport bowling.  The consistency of bowling surfaces is a joke even in the same bowling center.  It is nearly impossible to try to achieve a set pattern taht has any consistency from center to center.  This is why there is an allowable variation.  The only negative I see with varying shots in sport bowling is the same problem you have now with a house shot.  One house could put out an "easier" sport shot and then people will flock there to bowl on sport conditions.  It would be beneficial to the proprietor, but not to sport bowling.

One thing I do think is that the PBA patterns should be changed every so often to keep the upper echelon of bowling on their toes.  It seems that soome of those patterns are not any harder than a house shot. (for the pros)
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Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: USBC Sport Conditions
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2006, 10:11:05 AM »
That's what I am saying.  If one place puts out an "easier" one and a "harder" one wouldn't it be better if those were specific patterns that had numbers or names?

It seems like if you wanted everyone to be sold on the sport condition idea, you need to make it some sort of marketable thing that you can take from place to place.

Then you can have your open bowling doing whatever, and leagues and non-PBA tournaments using 'Sport Patterns'.

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kmanestor22

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Re: USBC Sport Conditions
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2006, 11:10:37 PM »
There are no "catch-all" patterns.  Bowling centers have different conditioning machines, different oil, and different lane surfaces.  A wick machine cannot put out board-by-board patterns like the PBA uses.  Not everyone can afford new machines. Also lane surface makes a huge difference. One pattern could be very difficult in one house and like a house shot in another.  Don't get me wrong, I would like very much to have patterns like that availible.  I just don't think the answer is to force everyone to use one or a certain set of patterns.  I think the answer is to better reward the sport patterns scores so that would make starting or joining such a league more desirable.
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ThongPrincess

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Re: USBC Sport Conditions
« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2006, 12:20:31 AM »
I like the idea of labeling sport patterns.  Some of the patterns berak down to close to a house shot fairly easily.  Others hold longer.  I see people post high scores from Sport Sanctioned leagues and find it interesting.  I have bowled a Sanctioned Sport league for 2 years.  The highest average is in the low 200s at the start of the league, but generally is in the 190s by the end of the season.  This is from bowlers with 220+ on a THS.

I do know that our league puts out an easier pattern for rounds 1 & 4, but they do not use the easiest patterns.  The middle 2 rounds they put out tougher patterns.

As for awards, there is a different awards program for Sport Leagues.

http://www.bowlingmembership.com/sportbowlingsite/sb_awardsindex.asp
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Djarum

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Re: USBC Sport Conditions
« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2006, 03:37:39 PM »
The problem with having a standard or standard patterns is that this directly controls the shot the house is allowed to put out, and the centers don't want that. They want to control the shot as long as it is a certified shot.

Dj
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janderson

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Re: USBC Sport Conditions
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2006, 11:20:05 AM »
quote:
There are no "catch-all" patterns.  Bowling centers have different conditioning machines, different oil, and different lane surfaces.  A wick machine cannot put out board-by-board patterns like the PBA uses.  Not everyone can afford new machines. Also lane surface makes a huge difference. One pattern could be very difficult in one house and like a house shot in another.


All true.

There seems to be a common misconception that there are only a few ways to dress a lane that are sport-bowling compliant.  The compliance rules dictate the ratio only based on the surface.

A flat pattern (1-to-1) will generally be more difficult than a pattern with a slightly higher ratio (2-to-1 or 3-to-1) but all can be compliant with the sport bowling guidelines.  The flat pattern is also generally the only pattern that can be duplicated on all machines.
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