There are many ways to look at this scenario. If a person purposely uses the wrong ball to keep their scores down then they are sandbagging. I don't worry about my average in every league I bowl, nor do I worry about others handicaps. My high book average is always above par so it doesn't matter.
If I'm bowling in a league for fun with friends or the wife, I have used the wrong ball to work on different parts of my game. I work on speed control, hand positions, changing tilt and roll control. I’ll work on controlling the break point or how to get length and above all being consistent enough to make it work for 3 games. Basically league bowling as a great practice opportunity.
When you practice by yourself you break the pattern down slowly or in a controlled fashion. In league you have 5-9 other people playing different lines with all types of balls depending on the type of league. This is a great time to work on keeping up with transition and learning to control a ball that may not match up perfectly. When you run in to a similar situation during the middle blocks of a tournament this information can be invaluable!
I don't consider using the wrong ball sandbagging then. I'm still trying to score but I'm learning at the same time. If I'm paying to bowl then I'm going to work on my game. If anything I'm hurting my team by not using the right ball. If I did this all season and built up some handicap only to change balls for the roll-offs and go big then that would be a different story.
I don't get wrapped around the axle with sandbaggers. People who feel the need to cheat to make an extra couple bucks can have it. I have more important things to worry about than if someone is purposely trying to bag for some pins. If I know they are I'll use that as motivation to bowl better when I face them, otherwise, who cares? It’s not like I’m bowling for a $50,000 prize fund! People worry too much about what others are doing when they should be worrying about themselves….but that seems to be the new American way………..
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Todd
"On the road to success, there is never a crowd on the extra mile."
USBC Bronze Level Certified Coach
Splintered Pinz Pro Shop
Redline Bowling Services
Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
