It sounds like they are attempting to bolster the feeding grounds for the pro and amateur pros in regular division. The division has been shrinking in size, so bracket money is harder to come by. If they move me back to regular division, I won’t go in brackets and it will definitely be my last tournament. I can compete in Standard division, but no longer in the Regular. The tournament director is a smart guy, but this is not the way to fix the issue. The best way is to use a combination of age and actual results at the tournament. I am not trying to play above my weight class, it’s exactly where I belong now. If I got no chance in hell of competing, no reason to go, period. I don’t have a legacy to protect or add to.

I sent an e-mail to the tournament director asking for clarification of the new green sheet question. Here is the reply.

******************************************************************

The USBC tournament staff has expanded the reporting of Rule 319a-2 on the Green and Pink Sheets.

This adjustment allows the staff to research a bowler’s current ability and compare the data to their tournament average or most recent league seasons, based on a single league or a composite average.

This addition will allow the staff to use the same criteria for everyone and ensure bowlers are competing against those of a similar skill level.

If you would report an average of 10 pins or higher (converted to a Sport average) compared to your current entering average, you will use that average to determine your division placement at the Open or Championships.

Sincerely,

Frederick “Chip” Aki

Assistant Tournament Manager/USBC Open Championships

O 817.385.8418 | C 817.307.7616

frederick.aki@bowl.com



United States Bowling Congress

621 Six Flags Drive, Arlington TX 76011

800.514.BOWL | BOWL.COM
*****************************************************************

So as I read the last paragraph. A current sport adjusted average that is 10 or more pins over your 27 game tournament average will be the average used for the tournament/division placing.

Currently I believe 3 of our team members will be changed and our team will move up a division and at least 1 doubles pairing moved up a division.

It is there to help pay for the better bowlers.

Because USBC thinks a 176 or higher converted average bowler and people who average 220+ on 2:1 conditions would go well together. I do not understand why so many people go to this tournament anymore outside of entertainment. The vast majority are donators. Should count as a tax write off for donating to pba/pwba and those who cant afford to leave their jobs to bowl said tours.

I received the same response from USBC, below was my response:

"Thank you for confirming my understanding of the new average rule.

However, I see a couple flaws with the reasoning for the new rule:  1)  Not all bowling alley THS are the same, some are easier than others, 2)  Unless USBC plans on creating a 4th or 5th division, I don't see how my 181 Standard-to-Sport average is of similar skill level as a PBA pro or high level amateur bowler."

I'll be surprised if I get a response.

I wondered what had happened on registration. I only register one team now and I was sure that I had read it would open on the 22nd. Then today I went to the Open site to make sure of the time when it would open and the date said the 29th. They sent no notice to me that they had slid it a week.

Last year there was some sort of technical problem and they delayed the registration opening one day to correct it.

I'm not sure how to administer the team roster now. I had put in the 27 game average for everybody but now you might not know the average till the day you leave. We had been using some to pairings in doubles to keep as many as possible in the standard division.

I wondered what had happened on registration. I only register one team now and I was sure that I had read it would open on the 22nd. Then today I went to the Open site to make sure of the time when it would open and the date said the 29th. They sent no notice to me that they had slid it a week.

Last year there was some sort of technical problem and they delayed the registration opening one day to correct it.

I'm not sure how to administer the team roster now. I had put in the 27 game average for everybody but now you might not know the average till the day you leave. We had been using some to pairings in doubles to keep as many as possible in the standard division.

This does pose a problem. The green sheet ask about a "current" average, not the previous season. We bowl on Memorial Day weekend, but my group is completing their green sheets now. Averages can change between now and the end of the season.