Anyone who has gone, is the length and volume similar to last year?

     Is minors tighter than team?

I haven't been yet but if you look at the history of patterns the last few years (readily available on bowl.com)

Teams the last 3-4 years has been 38 feet

Doubles/Singles ranges from 39-42 feet over the same time period.

I'd venture to say for this year teams will be the same length as well as the minor events.  When they make the change to only 4 people on a pair for the minor events, I'm sure you'll see that pattern closer to 39 feet rather than 42 from last year.

They would NEVER put out 33 feet.

Exactly, it will be 38-43 for for the patterns.

The end.

If it were short, I'd be *so* happy! I love short patterns, lol

38-42 ft, with about 6 loads 2 to 2.  Also, they may be using the ability of the flex machines to utilize both fire and ice oil on the forward and reverse runs. 

HAH 33ft --- imagine all the people traveling, spending thousands, and shooting a pleasing 440.

 

Lol most already do that anyways regardless of pattern length

My guess would be in the 40 to 42 foot range.

I remember well bowling on short oil in the 1980's at 24 feet. Granted they crowned that 24 feet heavily and resin balls hadn't come into play. But scores skyrocketed during that period.

A 33 foot pattern could be very score friendly. I doubt they would wall them up but certain styles would kill that pattern.

The PBA cheetah pattern is 33 feet and is probably their highest scoring pattern.

But there would be a lot of bowlers who brought only their newest hook monster and would be lost. But there are also bowlers each year who are lost because they can't get a ball to ripple on the longer pattern.