I saw on the 11th frame.com that the USBC starting 2014/2015 season will only give out one LIFE TIME AWARD for a 300 game or a 800 series, and a 900 series. No more multiple awards.
Also no more 11 in a row award.

Discuss.

Yes that goes for a 900 ring as well. I will edit my post.

I don't blame USBC one bit for limiting the Rings and Awards giving out. I think it is a smart move on their end. When honor scores are being put up even on the toughest shots like the US Open, what is left to challenge us? The equipment is getting so good which helps with the honor scores. Lanes conditions can be modified any way shape or form to help with area. I love the quote from Cain stating "Given that more than 50,000 certified perfect games are rolled in a typical season". Granted some of those are multiple from the same person. I'm sure it will save them a decent penny worth. Just my 2 cents.

The biggest problem I see in all of this is the small leagues. The eight team league that has a bunch of 160 to 180 something bowlers.

I am in a league like that and every year in the league meeting they ask if we still want to be a USBC sanctioned league. And every year its a close vote. My fear is this will turn the tied the other way. My gut tells me next time this comes up they will vote NOT to be sanctioned.

I just wonder if this will happen across the country and the USBC will lose even more members.

I agree.  What's the actual benefit to sanctioning for the majority of your league bowlers?  At least in my center i can't count on both hands the guys/gals that bowl tournaments, so there's no benefit there.  They don't care for the coaster/magnet awards, no benefit.  Although for us its only $18 per year, it doesn't give you all that much. 

Good discussion.

My question to add would be:

What do you expect for your $18-$20 a year?

And you should realize that your answer should not cost more than $18-20 in value.

And you should not get more value where as your fellow bowler gets less.  And I think this is where USBC might be going.  Every year, the high average guys, earn the free ring.  And even if that is $30-40, he is making a profit on his dues.  The money comes from somewhere.  That somewhere is your fellow bowlers.  The 130 average bowler who never throws 300 but still pays his dues.  He is paying for your free ring because your $18 didn't cover the cost. 

Under this new plan, now the 130 average bowler can expect the same value for his dues - 1 free ring per lifetime per type of honor score.

So if they are only giving out one award for 300s, 800s, and 900s, what happens to the awards for multiples in a single year? Are they getting rid of the rings that indicate the number of those achieved in a single season?

EDIT: Actually now that I think about it, I can't remember if those were for a single season or if they were lifetime. Could someone clarify, as I don't have the latest rule book nearby?

BL.

If your talking about being recognized for your score, yes you will. But they will only pay for one ring per event for a life time. If you want a ring for every time you shoot an honor score, you will have to pay for it.

It is all about the money, BTW...Here is the quote from Commander Cain,

""With this change, USBC takes another meaningful step toward our vision of redefining the organization," Cain said in the release. "I want to clearly emphasize that cost savings was only a small factor in the board's decision-making process approving the change. This is primarily about a philosophical shift to make USBC membership about supporting and protecting the sport."

Uh, that ship sailed a long time ago and supporting and protecting the sport are the least of your worries, Commander Cain! BTW, numbers are lower in 2013 for sanctioned bowlers then they were in 1916. Hmmm.........

I liked the idea for the bowling videos they sent out. The issue I had with the approach was the first video was at a decent price point. While nothing in the video was ground breaking it was nice to watch. So the next video arrives and the cost for that video was a joke. I could not see paying for a dvd at that price when you can youtube something as good or better for free. I just felt like they wined and dined me on the first then tried solving all their problems by charging so much on the next dvd.