The 11th Frame: 2013 USBC Open Championships to feature different lane patterns for team, minors

http://www.11thframe.com/page/blog_id_5435

Actually, I find this as no big surprise. The pattern the last couple of years was challenging for Team event. If you tried to break down the same pattern with less bowlers and significantly less practice time, you would have to sacrifice the entire first game of Doubles and probably part of the second game to get the pattern scoreable. I would assume they Minor events pattern would have less volume or perhaps a higher ratio to allow players to have a better look from the start. But we will have to wait and see what they come up with.

rollingthunder I think you're overthinking what it takes to be successful at that tournament.  I don't think you're going to find many bowlers taking 10 balls, they have game plans in place before they leave home.  We drove last year and took the same number of balls we take every year.

It comes down to shotmaking, if you're not cashing a ball is probably not the reason.  I am not saying this in a condescending way, I mean it seriously.  would find someone in your area that has had regular success and ask them to help you figure out ways to get you over the hump.

Too often we blame equipment...I would be if we had Riggs' team bowl with 2 balls each they would still shoot 3200+ year in and year out.

I live on the east coast, so I have to fly to Reno.  I bowl during the summer. I fly Southwest so I can take a 3 ball tote and be under the weight limit.  BBExpress is just too expensive.  Carrying 4 or more balls would be an advantage.  Since I can't, I will bring abarlon pads and polish.

But under the old oiling rules, the pattern was for team plus a squad of minors.  Now, just a squad of minors.

I live on the east coast, so I have to fly to Reno.  I bowl during the summer. I fly Southwest so I can take a 3 ball tote and be under the weight limit.  BBExpress is just too expensive.  Carrying 4 or more balls would be an advantage.  Since I can't, I will bring abarlon pads and polish.

if you take southwest you can check the triple tote and carryon a double and still check a bag and carry on a small bag

I fail to see have this will increase entries in the tournament. They are expecting 10%-12% less bowlers than last year. Now they are going to make you take more equipment( and yes equipment is the part of the game even at the highest level) spend more money to do so, and make it more difficult for the average player.

Here is a novel idea, if you are going to do this crazy idea, DO NOT POST THE PATTERNS OR PROGRAMS FOR PATTERNS. Make everyone figure it out when they get there. That at least will make it more fair.

I fail to see have this will increase entries in the tournament. They are expecting 10%-12% less bowlers than last year. Now they are going to make you take more equipment( and yes equipment is the part of the game even at the highest level) spend more money to do so, and make it more difficult for the average player.

Here is a novel idea, if you are going to do this crazy idea, DO NOT POST THE PATTERNS OR PROGRAMS FOR PATTERNS. Make everyone figure it out when they get there. That at least will make it more fair.

I'm willing to bet they were expecting 10-12% less bowlers.  Changing the patterns has nothing to do with increasing entries in the short term.  Squad equality is the bigger issue that's being addressed.

In this day and age there is no way to "hide" the pattern.  Releasing the pattern makes is the fairest way for the majority.  While some wont be able to practice on it, they do offer lanes in or around the tournament that will play pretty close to the actual pattern.