Just from reading the latest posts, it really sounds to me like the easy conditions are killing bowling in general.

I too applaud DJ for putting the necessities before the fun. It is true that this is the generation graduating with the most student loan debt in history. I'm cheap and I still found it easier to have the cash to bowl tournaments when I was in college. And all I can remember saying in college is, "I can't wait till I graduate and get a real job so I can bowl more!" I had more $ in college to bowl with (thanks EMMTL) then I do now, LOL.

Someone mentioned that they think another issue is there is just too much to choose from sometime. I also echoed this sentiment a few weeks ago after VMSBT at Gaithersburg. Mind you, I got the crazy look from the 2 folks I was talking to. Now I know at least one person shares my thoughts. I think when you have only a handful of people bowling, when they can choose a bunch of differnet things, its hard to pool everyone in one place.

That said, on the flip side, its only a handful of guys that will actually travel all over to bowl the different things. I still think this is part of the problem, I'm just not sure how much of a difference in entries we'd see if there was less choice.

I also like the idea of an even lower entry fee. It certainly makes sense, because as was pointed out, less money doesn't mean less payout as long as more people participate. For every dollar you drop the entry by, you need enough new bowlers to make up the difference to keep the payout the same. I use this theory when I run ladies side action and I tried to use this logic for the women's tournament we ran. The only thing is, you die an even quicker death if folks still don't patronize the event. Why? Because then you don't even get your Mike L's because they are going to choose the event with more cash to win if its running on the same day.
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Latise Parker
40 Boards & A Ball
www.40boards.com

Edited on 11/15/2007 2:40 PM

I understand, But bowlers like Mike L dont care what the entry is for the tournament if they have 100 Brackets. Take a look at Big Daddys in Philly his entry fee is 45.00 and DC Bowlers Drive all the way down there including myself and he only pays top 5, But the Brackets and doubles make the tournament. I mean bowlers that dont bowl anything in our area are at Big Daddys...isnt that something. I dont even know why I go..
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Darnell "DBum" Bell

You know the best part of Big Daddy's...it falls into that poorly managed yet well supported category I mentioned earlier. The reason I say it's poorly managed is because they have their hand in the cookie jar...dip dip dipping! And "we" support it because someone perceived as one of us is running it. And all the brothers know what I mean by "we" in that sentence.

Shoot, you might see me there this year too for once, coughing out a lung from the chain smokers.
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STAY FF MY BLCK!
...Mr. Straight Ball prays his ball will hook one day!
40 Boards & A Ball
Is your ball ready to cross 40 Boards?
http://WWW.40BOARDS.COM

The bottom line is there is no pleasing everyone.  

Entry fee $30, you get 50 guys that bowl for $250
Entry fee $80, you get 30 guys that bowl for $500

Either way, your bowling for the same ratio.

I see both sides of this because i run a center here in front royal and trust me it is IMPOSSIBLE to make everyone happy, all you can do is try to make MOST happy.

Make them tough you lose the "donaters"
Make them easy you lose the "good bowlers"

I say run a $40-$50 tourney, make them playable, kinda like gaithersburg was at vmsbt 2 weeks ago and you could probably get a mixture of both.  +120 to make a 6 game cut isnt that outrageous, but for $80 you do lose some of the guys that are less talented.  Tobys quick and cheap get a good turnout because of 2 factors, great location, and for $49, bowlers that probably dont have a chance will at least give it a try.  

Once again I, in my opinion, feel that if the directors would get more consistant with dates, whether it be 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th sunday it could draw some more entries.  I know that couple Sunday morning leagues don't help but there are plenty of guys that don't bowl in those that should bowl.  

I know York use to get 100+ brackets with a $30 entry fee, he raised it to $40 or $50 whatever it is and cant get 30 people or 30 brackets.  

Its not just like this in tournaments, its the same way in leagues.  I bowl on Monday nights in Manassas, 32 teams of 5, pay $22 a night and i tried to bump it a $1, which in reality is $5600 more in the prize fund at the end of the year, and you woulda thought I said raise it $10.  Bowlers in general don't understand the money issue.

Like I said ill be at whatever tournament I think I have the best opportunity to make the most money at and it makes no difference to me if its a dead wall or a sport pattern and I know there arent too many people out there like me, but I just don't understand why???

And yes if you cant afford it then yes trust me you are making the wise and correct decision not to bowl, but guys that can but wont because the shots too easy or the shots too tough is really the guys that i have a beef with.  If you are a bowler and have the time and finances, get your azz out here and see how good you really are!
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"Typical House Bowler"

Edited on 11/15/2007 11:00 PM

Hey Mike, I won't be bowling the next monday night session at the ice skating rink known as Ft. Meade .  James and Nate are taking classes monday nights for the next 8 weeks so we might be back for the final session.  Plus I'm taking over someone's spot in Waldorf for awhile and in Laurel until the end of December.  I'm trying not to burn myself out with bowling like I did 2 years ago so I'm trying not to put in more than 6-9 games a week now unless I really get the urge.

You say your shotmaking is off, I could never tell lol.  You seem to be one of the only few that can get the ball to read and get a little angle out of the end of the pattern on the right side on mondays.  Keep up the good work.

....Another thing I see from the crowd that does not bowl competitive tournaments is that they know they cannot compete for a stretch longer than 3 games because that is the format they are used to bowling.  Quick and easy striking for three games then they can collect and pack up is what they're used to.  Although not everyone shows it, I think everyone honestly knows where they're at.  They know that their 220 avg isn't the same as some of you guys' 220 avg and they know deep down they can't compete "in your environment".  That's the real reason why most of "the book" isn't out there bowling.  

Alot of people also live average, boring lives, working for a POS boss at a job they dread going to in the morning and their league night is their escape from the BS they have to put up with that we don't see.  League night gives them a chance to step out of their character and become a "superstar" for a few hours, showing off their new ball and striking up a storm to put on a show for everyone.  If they average 215-220 year in and out doing that then that's all they care about.  They don't really care about the extra accolades bowling competitively on the weekends so it's not like anyone can make them come out and be something they don't want to be.  They might small talk you up like they're going to give it a go on the weekend, but we should know by now who is BS'ing and who is for real out there.
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-DJ Marshall
...The Twelve In a Row Pro Shop.  Hyattsville, MD
Coach: University of Maryland Baltimore County Mens Bowling