I want to apologize 1st and formost about the pot sitution comment but the bowlers from up here in the nj and ny area was very disappointment with shot. if your starting off a new tournament why make them damn near impossible. The true scratch bowlers i.e ( Anthony Chapman, Chris Johnson, Tony Walton, Fero Williams and the David Lees )of the world only count for 10% of the tournament bowlers. if im starting off a tournament i would put out something playable where  to make the cut is around 200-210 not 230 or 180. Take the Rodman for example the shot is not dead easy but they let you play. if i remember you anthony and chris you guys lap the field with easy. all im saying is "The CREAM will all rise to the top"
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Next Level Proshop
Union, NJ

"THE BOWLERS WILL NOT BE DENIED"

javascript:quote(if your starting off a new tournament why make them damn near impossible.);

Jeff and I appreciate you sharing the concerns of those bowlers.

Sometimes as bowlers we have to remember that tournament directors only have limited control over what happens after the foul line. TDs can ask for a lane condition (or ask for not a certain condition), but in the end, they still get what the center puts down regardless. I've heard this out of the mouth of other directors as well--"I can ask for a specific pattern, or a general pattern and they may even tell me they will put it down, and then I still end up with the house shot."

Sometimes you get an attempt by the center to place a specific pattern, or just a "tough" pattern, or "not-house shot", and what the center thinks is "tough" or "easy" is not what the directors envisioned, or may not actually play as "tough" or "easy" for numerous reasons (ball choice, number of people on the pair, number of games, how folks play them, etc).

I'll just say that we ended up with a pretty tough pattern. Hopefully this year's participants can identify with getting something a little different then what you hope for, and realize that applies to both bowlers and those running the tournament. Hopefully they will keep that in mind when deciding whether or not to return.
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Latise Parker
40 Boards & A Ball
www.40boards.com

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I tend to think the Rhodman is easy, minus the challenge of carrying the corners at bowlerama.

Its a long-standing question I have. People say the best bowlers will rise to the top. If thats the case, then why does the shot even matter? I guess its the sense of accomplishment--losing shooting 230s versus losing shooting 180s. To me a loss is a loss is a loss.

It's ok to go the rhodman and put my $125 plus pot and bracket money into the pocket of someone else because I got to get strikes (just not enough) in the process? Nah, not ok for me as a bowler.

As a bowler however, I'd rather make shots. If I'm going to shoot 230s and hand my money over to someone, I could have just as easily did a paypal transfer and stayed home and watched "Law & Order: SVU." As a bowler, I'm going to go and bowl on whatever because I'm a competitor. I also know that some days my shot is going to be on the lanes and I'm going to take advantage of it and eat well. Others days it will be a grind--tough condition or not.

However, as a tournament director, its my goal (and my duty) to send the event in the direction of what the majority want--which is why I'm encouraging any and all feedback.
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Latise Parker
40 Boards & A Ball
www.40boards.com

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