Author Topic: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league? (Read 1608 times)

bamaster · « **on:** August 02, 2004, 07:36:01 PM »

I have learned to really dislike leagues. I've bowled scratch and handicap leagues, mixed and mens leagues, came in first place and dead last. No matter what the situation, I have absolutely no desire to ever bowl league again. I get asked all the time (especially since my book average is 206 or something pathetic like that).

I practice during my lunch break. And only when it's a couple weeks before a regional. So I guess I'm classsified as a tournament bowler. Not sure.

So... am I the only person who hates leagues?

Tony
http://www.allBowling.com
Rampage Forum - Rest in Pieces

agroves · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2004, 10:44:33 AM »

I don't hate leagues, but I learned to take them for what they are worth...expensive practice. Yes, you can go out and practice on your lunch break. Lets say you toss 3 games during lunch. The lanes won't transition much during that time, although the condition may not be the best to start with. If you bowled one league at least you get some practice a watching the transition of the lanes.

The main thing that irritate me about leagues are the people. I have seen it since I was in high school. There are a select few who think they are the greatest bowler in the world. If they don't score well with their 8 bowling balls then it is obviously the conditions fault not theirs. If they don't win the league then you are a sandbagger. The list goes on, I think you know what happens when they go out of town to a tournament. They fall on their face......

andrew
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FUFU

Wanna review my balls

amazingbg · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2004, 11:15:20 AM »

Bamaster,

I must say that when I read your dislike for leagues it started to make sense until I read "especially since my book average is 206 or something pathetic like that". This really got me going. I don't think that I would want you on my team with an attitude like that. Why is it that everyone thinks that they should be a 240 bowler. In my book, 200+ is still a good average. Sorry to bust you chops but sometimes this forum get to me.

channel surfer · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2004, 12:08:07 PM »

I find bowling leagues boring, more so because you bowl as a team, against another team. I like the man vs. man style. So if i joined a single man league, I would probably find it more intresting.
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www.csbowling.vze.com

www.bowlersdream.com - save an additional $3 off any $100 order by simply typing in CSB into the coupon code area at checkout.

Pinbuster · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2004, 12:10:42 PM »

I believe a lot depends on where you are in your bowling career.

Most people start with a little open bowling, get a little more serious, and then join a fun league so they bowl more frequently.

If their skills continue to progress then they start looking at more competitive leagues eventually moving into scratch leagues. But they end up honing their competition skills in the leagues and a few tournaments along the way.

Some continue to develop and wish to show their skills on a bigger stage. Like PBA regionals and other higher visibility tournaments. Often these players lose the competitive drive to stay in leagues. Leagues begin to be looked on as practice and social events rather than competitive environments.

Bowlers will stagnate at all levels. Personality and drive will determine what environments you like and dislike.

Overhand · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2004, 12:13:36 PM »

Doesn't anyone bowl league simply to socialize, have some laughs/beer? If I average 205 on the way, then cool.
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Yes, I urinate on my ball...it doesn't give me better reaction or make my hands tougher. It just makes me feel better.

JMAN 67 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2004, 12:26:33 PM »

Gang,

The point for leagues for me is three fold....
1. It is my one shot a week for "me" time. Career, wife, kids and the like take up all my other time.
2. As a few have said, it is an excuse to have a few cold ones with your buddies.
3. If you are fortunate enough to have a decent, fun team (as I have for many years), I still enjoy the competition. I can still sleep at night if we do poorly, but still get a charge out a a hard fought game. Win or lose!!

JMAN

Sir_rev-a-lot · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2004, 12:43:25 PM »

I find league to be an annoyance. there is way to much bull in them now. NObody ever wins the league, either they sandbagger, or stack a team, or they bring in a "super sub." There is always some sort of bickering. Somebody is not trying because they lost all of there brackets in the second game because of a pocket 7 or something along those lines. SOmetime type of petty crap is out there.

Another thing that bothers me is how everyone wants an exception to the rule book. "well bend it this way for me" NOOO. The rules were set at the beginning of the season, you knew what they were. NO Excuses. I am tired of this the rule should be changed to benefit me. Thats part of the problem, the ABC book has been so watered down in terms of its language to where alot of rules have a more vague meaning.

bamaster · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2004, 01:11:41 PM »

quote:
Bamaster,

I must say that when I read your dislike for leagues it started to make sense until I read "especially since my book average is 206 or something pathetic like that". This really got me going. I don't think that I would want you on my team with an attitude like that. Why is it that everyone thinks that they should be a 240 bowler. In my book, 200+ is still a good average. Sorry to bust you chops but sometimes this forum get to me.

Well, I understand how that can be misunderstood. 200+ is a great average for most bowlers. But it is all relative. I never said I should average 240, but I know that I shouldn't average 206 in any league. With the house conditions out there and the equipment at my disposal and the level of experience I have, there is no excuse for me not to average in the 220s.

The last league I bowled was mixed handicap and most of the bowlers wore rental shoes. I walked in, didn't know a single bowler in the house and asked if someone needed an extra bowler. My 206 was high in the league. I joined the league to unwind... to drink a couple beers and not worry about performance.

You know what the difference between a scratch bowler and a puppy? Eventually the puppy will stop whining. I swore to never bowl scratch leagues again. So the mixed handicap route was a breath of fresh air. But I sill don't like leagues.

jimensminger · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2004, 01:32:05 PM »

Tony,..you sound like you have a case of "fast-laners", it's hard to get the return you are looking for in a snail-paced entertainment environment..the rush and feedback ain't there. I've learned to relax, and enjoy the people, and let the bowling be secondary. jim
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www.dynothane.com

janderson · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2004, 04:03:40 PM »

There are times, as pointed out in several posts, where almost anyone is going to dislike league bowling. To me, it is the social aspect that will make or break league bowling for each of us. If you like the people and the environment created by the league, chances are you'll enjoy bowling in the league, otherwise, you won't.

Both 'Bones and Pinbuster raise good points: most of us are a product of our times and all of us are subject to burnout at one point or another.

Finally, some people just aren't geared up to the "team" mentality, regardless of the activity. Witness the popularity of the "X-Games" and other "extreme" sports where there is little or absolutely no concept of team. It is all individual performance.
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Kill the back row (or maybe this should read "make your spares, dummy")

Author Topic: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league? (Read 1608 times)

bamaster

Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league?

agroves

Re: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league?

amazingbg

Re: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league?

channel surfer

Re: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league?

Pinbuster

Re: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league?

Overhand

Re: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league?

JMAN 67

Re: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league?

Sir_rev-a-lot

Re: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league?

bamaster

Re: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league?

jimensminger

Re: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league?

janderson

Re: Am I the only bowler who hates to bowl league?