As was stated, they are making these exceptions for the time being to try to give bowlers and bowling centers as many options as possible to allow for competitive bowling. It's not a perfect scenario by any means, but that's why it's an exception. Under normal circumstances, these measures aren't allowed. We aren't operating under anything close to normal circumstances, so they're doing whatever they can to try to make it possible for bowlers to bowl/compete while still being responsible. Also, keep in mind that it didn't say that leagues/centers were required to apply these exceptions; they are options that they're being given.
As is the case with anything, you're free to form your own opinions. However, some of you guys and gals are clearly exhibiting genetic fallacy = you hate USBC, so anything they do is automatically bad/wrong. Have whatever opinion of USBC that you want to have, but this idea makes sense for the time being.
The waivers make sense and are definitely an option. The truth of the matter is that bowling centers are kind of "stuck" right now. Some states opened bowling centers, but banned leagues until further notice. Some states have reopened bowling centers, but banned groups larger than 25. Most states are putting occupancy limits on bowling centers when reopening. Some states haven't even committed yet to opening bowling centers. Centers that rely heavily on leagues for recurring revenue are really at a disadvantage. The house I bowl in is a very heavy league house. There are nights when there are 300+ people in there. Doesn't matter what the USBC does, that type of crowd will not be allowed for the foreseeable future in our "new normal".
Using one lane per team is an option, but in a house with 24 lanes where all lanes are in use for leagues, it will not work when a state requires an empty lane between each occupied lane. Now a house is down to 12 lanes that can be used at any given time. League sizes will drop, revenue will drop, and the bowling center will have to either stay open longer and have multiple shifts to accommodate the bowlers or try to survive on less business [or open bowling only.] There is simply nothing the USBC can do in those cases to help out.
It isn't that there is pure hate for the USBC, there is hate for the way it operates. They regulate the game and change/amend the rulebook ad nauseam. They can never make up their mind as to what needs to be regulated more (lane conditions, equipment, etc.) In the meantime, the local associations are kind of left out there on their own to do "whatever". I have seen first hand how our local association operates, and it is mind boggling. There are people in the association that have a true, earnest love for bowling and do everything they can to grow and promote the sport. There are others that are drunk with power and feel they have some sort of "authority" over everyone else instead of making it a collaborative endeavor.
The USBC needs to seriously think about having a group of people who lobby the states on behalf of the bowling centers and bowlers to convince state authorities that bowling can be reopened responsibly. A pandemic task force, if you will. If they can get national association representatives to work on that, that would be worthwhile. If they want a future for the sport, they should get out there and do some of the grass roots work to help push it along.
