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Author Topic: Do we really need the PBA?  (Read 2672 times)

srlunatic

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Do we really need the PBA?
« on: April 14, 2008, 07:49:44 AM »
Is the PBA something we need to advance the cause of bowling?  There is no professional bowling here in Europe yet bowling is definitely growing and the European Bowling Tour has done quite well here without being a professional organization.

So my question is....do we really need the PBA?

*this question may or may not reflect my views on the subject*
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Locke

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2008, 03:53:05 PM »
I think what we need is something closer to football or baseball. City or state teams of 5 pros that go out and play matches against each other. I think a lot more people can get behind a team than an individual.
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shelley

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2008, 03:54:33 PM »
Let me answer your question with a few questions of my own:

If we didn't have the PBA, what would you watch for 23 weeks on Sunday afternoons?

If we didn't have the PBA, how could I complain about the time that our local association meetings were scheduled?

SH
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Jorge300

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2008, 04:02:21 PM »
Do we really need the NFL?
Do we really need MLB?

Do we really need any place that showcases the best a particular sport has to offer.....the answer is NO. But do we want it, most definately, YES.

And we should have it, for those of us who have long ago dropped the dream of being a PBA superstar for the reality of a M-F 40hr workweek, supporting the wife and kid(s) at home, we get to watch those few who literally are the best of the best. I want to see them. I want to watch them bowl on tough conditions, against others who are just as good. I want to live my dream by siding with the rookie making his debut on National TV and hoping he shows up the others and wins. The problem is there are too few people like me. Johnny and Jdu house bowler don't care about watching the PBA, they aren't trying to get better, they never had a dream about being a PBA bowler. Somehow the PBA needs to find a way to connect to that bowler. They have brought in Rob Stone ( I hate the Hambone thing by the way) to bring some enthusiasm to the telecasts. But that isn't enough, and I'm not if there is a way to connect to the recreational bowlers. hopefully someone smarter then me can think up the magic answer, and soon.
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srlunatic

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2008, 04:04:04 PM »
Jorge,

Well the people have voted and they want the NFL and the NBA but not really the PBA.  The numbers and the lack of sponsorship may be telling us that.

Would the loss of the PBA really have much effect on bowling in general??
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When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —


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JoeBowler

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2008, 04:34:58 PM »
I pretty muchh agree. If the poublic doesnt support then it should go away.

I feel the same of the ladies tour why is the USBC pumping money into a program that failed. Sure it would be nice for the girls to have a tour to shoot for but it shouldnt be subsidsed.

We are bowlers and feel vested in the tours but we are but less than .01% of the population who cares if the PBA exists or not.
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KennyRambo

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2008, 04:47:21 PM »
If there's no higher level to strive to, what's the point of competing in the first place? The sport of bowling needs the PBA, the game of bowling doesn't.
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mrgriswold

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2008, 04:56:57 PM »
It might become moot unless they get better sponsorship.  

I see a parallel situation in my local house.  Our center management now believes they can survive without leagues.  They believe leagues are an unnecessary pain in the rear, that they can make more money with nothing but open bowling.  Leagues might disappear altogether by next fall.  If that happens, will they make it?  Who knows.  The average open bowler has probably never watched a PBA tournament and couldn't care less.  If a center can thrive without leagues, then I'd say bowling can do the same without a PBA.

But I don't think either is true.

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mrbowlingnut

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2008, 05:02:18 PM »
Nope but Tv in general is so pathetic that i still enjoy the PBA, i only watch history and education types of programs. If i am going to watch the boob tube i might as well learn something new, MTV and BET programming is an insult to all of young people out there.

I know i might get flamed but younger crowds need to get a clue about TV, for me PBA is still good TV.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2008, 05:10:22 PM »
The problem with the PBA is that it is an institution that uses bowling to make money. This is the focus, not the sport itself. The PBA might broadcast the sport, but it is IMHO not a good promotion for the sport in itself.

In fact, I do not miss such an institution here in Europe - even though noone can make a living from bowling, hardly any athlete without a big sponsor can do at all.


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DON DRAPER

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2008, 10:01:41 PM »
while we may or may not need the pba the bowling world does need an elite level for elite players.
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BrianCRX90

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2008, 10:20:38 PM »
quote:
The problem with the PBA is that it is an institution that uses bowling to make money. This is the focus, not the sport itself. The PBA might broadcast the sport, but it is IMHO not a good promotion for the sport in itself.

In fact, I do not miss such an institution here in Europe - even though noone can make a living from bowling, hardly any athlete without a big sponsor can do at all.


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No offense but did you realize what you just said? With that nonsense logic then no professional athletes from any sport should make money. And how utterly ridiculous you say that after this season when the PBA cut prize funds in half. Bowling should be about money, titles, then promotion. In that order. Ask anyone that has ever been on tour and that is reality!
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nd300

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2008, 10:43:27 PM »
1.Pro sports has sponsorships with many high profile companies.Many athletes do also.Walter Ray is the only pro bowler that I can remember in recent times that's been in any commercial for any sponsor. This is what bowling needs.Yes,I know that Joe Sixpack can't hardly name any pro bowler,but with the right marketing,this might be the thing to turn it around.
 2.Major television coverage is going to be impossible unless a major sponsor does step up to the plate.None of the major players in cable will replace the pro or college sports on the weekends with bowling.Too much megabucks involved all around.So how do we tell ESPN to move bowling to a more advantageous time slot against thew NFL,NBA,or MLB????
 3.Why not have the ball companies franchise themselves out and compete to sign the best current and new talent available???Then set up competiton of some sort.How you would categorize players is something I haven't thought of yet as this is a knee jerk reaction to the original posting.
 Maybe something along the lines of Brunswick Europe against Brunswick Japan,or Storm U.S.A. against Storm Australia...........
 To quote Jack Nicholson:
 "I'm just spitballing here"....................
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jd1319

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #13 on: April 15, 2008, 07:34:26 AM »
Bowling doesn't need the PBA to make people aspire to be better.  People aspire to be better due to personal pride.  People compete because they like the thrill of competition, hanging out with friends playing a game they love.  

The PBA is nice because it is a showcase for the elite, but it doesn't encourage anybody to bowl who doesn't already bowl.  People like to bowl because it's fun, and most people would rather go bowling themselves and have real fun than watch it on TV.  A hell of a lot more people go bowling on sunday afternoons that watch the PBA.
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no300tj

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Re: Do we really need the PBA?
« Reply #14 on: April 15, 2008, 08:06:46 AM »
I was in one of the local centers one Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago.They have the big screens that can be pulled down over the lanes. For fifteen minutes, I tried to get them to use them and put bowling on while we bowled. I was told " people do not like the screens being on while they bowl". I couldn't even get the other "bowlers" to leave the tv's on bowling. If the centers don't care because they are run by people who do not bowl and do not get it, then how can we expect bowling to grow or at least maintain current levels. It is very sad to watch bowling die in my area. I tell my friends this area is a bowling black hole. Everything is disappearing.
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