I was at Carolier to watch a few sessions this week and to be honest, I am shocked at the high number of people there to watch the bowling. I have been going to local PBA events for a long time, like the Open and the Johnny Petraglia Open here in NJ and one or two in NY.

I usually go in the mornings and afternoons because I liek to move around and watch a little bit of every bowler. I hate evenings because they are so crowded. This year, I absolutely cannot believe the sheer volume of people there every day all day long. I am 6' tall and I had a hard time seeing some of the action. And, on top of it all, Carolier charges a nice fee to attend each session.

I mean there are tons of people and Carolier is a huge place with lots of room and stands installed in place of tables and chairs.

This makes me wonder, in turn, about the finances of the PBA, the cutting down of the winner's share, the increase in fees to manufacturers and similar claims. If this many people are watching in person, then I know that many times this amount are watching on TV. How is that the PBA is still having or claiming they are having financial problems? or is it more a question of, like many big corporations, that they are not making enough money to satisfy themselves?

I don't know. I just wonder.

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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Unofficial Ballreviews.com FAQ

Edited on 3/28/2008 9:52 PM

I unfortunately didnt get down to there to watch due to work, but I was at Carolier for a JBT last weekend, and that place is huge. For a place that size to be crowded is incredible...... Im guessing the Open used both the upper and lower house right?

I hear ya man.  I tried to get to the noon shift about 45 minutes early to get my stuff together on Thursday, and it was so packed for the morning shift that it took me 15 minutes of driving around to find a parking spot.  The whole parking lot is completely filled everyday.  Then, they started having people park on Carolier Lane, which is the street that you take to get to the bowling alley, and it doesn't have any "no parking" signs on it, and they started making announcements that if you park there, you will get ticketed.  So basically they're saying "We don't want your money, we're full, even though we have a lot more room inside."
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-Ricky-
Member of the St. Louis, Missouri USBC Adult Rankings

MORE Speed = LESS time to PANIC... But since tearing my Rotator Cuff... I'm panicking :-(

Current Arsenal: MoRich LevRG, MoRich Awesome Finish, MoRich Awesome Hook, Brunswick Avalanche Solid, Brunswick Avalanche Pearl

Soon to add: MoRich N'Sane LevRG, 2 Brunswick Twisted Fury's, and 2 Brunswick Sidewinders.
(Ordered the Barbie, but found out I can't use it in PBA, anyone interested in a NIB 15 lb Barbie Viz?)

I know alot of people who attend baseball games but never watch it on TV so you may not be able to make that leap.