Author Topic: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord? (Read 3787 times)

mumzie · « **on:** April 04, 2005, 02:30:15 AM »

I keep reading posts on this board about "guess what I found on the rack?"...

Don't these folks realize it's STEALING to take balls off these racks? They're not there just so you can help yourselves.

When the settee gets crowded with bowling balls, I sometimes use the space on the rack to put down a ball I'm not quite ready to put away. Does that mean that you, in your selfish manner, think someone is "giving it away", and you can help yourselves?

?

Last I heard, the center OWNS those balls. Just like they own the shoes people rent. And if you take them, YOU'RE A THIEF!!!

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-- The way we see the problem is the problem.

Gene J Kanak · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2005, 10:36:36 AM »

I think that may be going a bit over the top, but I see where you're coming from. Personally, I love scanning the racks at foreign houses to see if any foresaken gems have been left behind. I've never taken one, but I can't say that I wouldn't if I saw something that I had always wanted to try. In my case, however, I would make sure that I either left another ball behind as a replacement or talked to the center manager to see if they'd be willing to take a reasonalbe cash offer. I don't see anything wrong with picking something off the rack, provided you leave something else or pay for it. I do agree that you shouldn't just take whatever you want. That's just my .02.
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I can't bowl 300, but I can bench 325 : )

qstick777 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2005, 10:36:53 AM »

I think most of the people are referring to balls found on the racks at non-busy/non-league times (at least I hope!).

I know that I have left some unwanted balls on the rack of the bowling center - better than throwing them in the trash. Figured they might be a better fit than a house ball for somebody.

Maybe it would be helpful if the centers offered a "recycling" program for unwanted balls.

The SuperHitMan · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2005, 11:06:07 AM »

"Does that mean that you, in your selfish manner, think someone is "giving it away", and you can help yourselves?

?"

Gene's right man.....calm down man!

Take a deep breathe Who-Sah......Who-Sah...
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Win

or go Home

It don't mean a thing if it aint got that swing!

Founder of the BrunsTrack Nation

charlest · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2005, 12:53:35 PM »

Mumzie,

I have to agree with Gene on this one (among others). We know when it's an "alley" ball and when it's an old ball that belonged to someone, who, for any number of reasons saw fit to "dump" it on the rack. I've left many balls myself and I know others have found value in those balls and took them home to be redrilled. They were NOT owned by the house. I never found anyone who wanted those balls I left on purpose, but knew someone, who I didn't know, might come across it. There were other balls that I didn't care what happened to them.

You should NEVER place your personal balls on a house rack for just that reason. I'm not sure why you thought it was safe to do that. If I'm not using a ball, it is either sitting in the settee area on a chair or it's in my bag.

Yes, if you steal rental shoes or an alley/center-owned ball, you are a thief. If you take an old personal ball that someone left on the house rack, you are NOT a thief.

MSC2471 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2005, 01:09:58 PM »

Speaking of open play and bowling balls, there was one time recently when I was putting my balls on the lanes I was bowling on and this gentlemen next to me went to pick up my new AMF VP2 and use it- I had to hold him up and explain that it was not an open play ball on the rack and that it was my own personal ball...

At my Tuesday league house there are at least 15-20 old balls that people could take home as their own with the manager's permission- all of them are 16 though and I throw 15 now, plus I have too many balls at home as is that my wife would kill me to add to the collection.

Matt

mumzie · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:23:37 PM »

quote:
Yes, if you steal rental shoes or an alley/center-owned ball, you are a thief. If you take an old personal ball that someone left on the house rack, you are NOT a thief.

How do you know the difference?

quote:
so Mumzie... what are you doing using the centers ball racks without paying some form of rent?

It's called lineage. While I'm bowling on that pair, I'm paying for the privilege. And - I'm referring to the type of tournament that fills the whole house...

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-- The way we see the problem is the problem.

baccala8872 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:29:51 PM »

We all know your recreational bowler is not going to pick a fingertip ball with 36 pieces of tape in the thumb and enjoy a Saturday with his buddies/family/whatever. They'll probably look at the ball as defective because the finger holes don't go all the way down!!

So, if my buddies and I see something on the rack that we like, we take it and then go to Sports Authority or Modells and get some pre-drilled 20 dollar ball and leave it there the next week in its place. That pre-drilled ball will probably get 50 times more use at the center than the one we "swiped".

Just a thought.
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Golf is the only sport where you shout "Fore!", shoot six and write down five.

Oskuposer · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:47:04 PM »

90 percent of my arsenal would probably b house balls that i traded 4 or that i took cuz they have been there 4ever or bcuz i asked the management
here is a list of wut i got off the rack
DZ
DZ2
Speed zone vapor
Bolt
Tiger
Slingblade
Paranah
and i think a couple more

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Good bowler use the big B and when they do they create a Storm
Kiall Hill
A.K.A.
The Chipmunk
"Its a trip 4 fest"
"God Dam it"
"Yea but the Brunswick ones get all ten down"

TTforshort · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:47:47 PM »

I have to agree with mumzie.

How does one know that the house didn't buy the ball from a customer? Maybe they take trade ins on sales of new balls and use them for house balls. The honest thing to do would be to ask the manager before taking the ball.

If it is on the rack, I have to assume it belongs to the house.

TT
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"Following the course of least resistance makes for crooked rivers and crooked men."

Bjaardker · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:54:16 PM »

I've taken 3 balls from houses off of the racks. Every one of them I've asked the house if I could take it & replace it later.

If it was something I kept for more than a week or 2, I ALWAYS brought back something in exchange.

Taking a ball without asking or replacing IS stealing. However, I do see it as more of a bowling ball exchange.

Overhand · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:59:14 PM »

Since you don't own the house, it's appropriate to ask the manager.

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Well, there's always the story of the Paladin on his wedding night....
Sayeth his demure young bride, "I offer you my honor."
"I honor your offer," quoth he.
So the motto would be, "Honor, Offer, Honor, Offer," all night long.

michelle · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2005, 04:09:55 PM »

Don't know about where most of you live, but the Penal Code in my State (Section 31.03 of the TPC) expressly states that A person commits an offense if he unlawfully appropriates with intent to deprive the owner of property. It goes on to state that Appropriation of property is unlawful if: (1) it is without the owner's effective consent

Effective consent includes consent by a person legally authorized to act for the owner.

And if you believe (or more importantly, the house could demonstrate) that the ball would have been worth $50, you just graduated to a Class B Misdemeanor charge. Now ask yourself whether it is worth the potential fine of $2000, confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or a combination of fine and confinement. Community supervision for up to two years is also an option available to the court.

Theft is theft people. Walking off with a ball maintained in the house racks is no different than if you decide to walk off with a giant Sponge-Bob have-a-ball league cardboard cutout.

Edited on 4/4/2005 4:04 PM

charlest · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2005, 04:12:45 PM »

quote:
quote:
Yes, if you steal rental shoes or an alley/center-owned ball, you are a thief. If you take an old personal ball that someone left on the house rack, you are NOT a thief.

How do you know the difference?

All house balls in every house I have ever been in, since about 1959, are marked in one way or the other or are veyr obviois intheir appearance or drilling pattern. All also have conventional holes with drillings and no names to personalize them and no inserts. Most are, in fact, marked "House Ball" or in some other obvious way. If you can't tell a house ball from someone's OLD personal ball left on the rack, I'd be VERY, VERY surprised.

SprayNpray · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2005, 11:08:03 PM »

Windoor, ship your bowling balls to me instead! I'll pay all shipping costs... can't believe you wouldn't want to get something for them. I am dead serious... PM me if you want!

I agree with mumzie, by the way. I have seen plenty of decent balls on the racks over the years, but I have never even had a second thought about actually TAKING one! I guess it never occurred to me that it was even an option, with or without permission. If I didn't buy it or trade something for it, it isn't mine, therefore what right to I have to take it (w/o permission at least)?
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Predicting my next opponent runs into a BUZZSAW!

Member- FOS

LUCK is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Author Topic: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord? (Read 3787 times)

mumzie

Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

Gene J Kanak

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

qstick777

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

The SuperHitMan

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

charlest

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

MSC2471

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

mumzie

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

baccala8872

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

Oskuposer

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

TTforshort

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

Bjaardker

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

Overhand

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

michelle

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

charlest

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

SprayNpray

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?