With all the discussion here and on other boards about the fairness, or lack thereof, of the ABC Tournament conditions, I decided to check how our teams' tournament averages stacked up against the team members' 2002-2003 winter book averages.
It's a given that the shot is going to be tough and not a THS. Combine that with the facts that for the most part we were two teams of tournament newbies experiencing the Stadium atmosphere, the tournament hype and the general competition for the first time. Also, we must admit that we are a group of house bowlers. Except for three guys who regularly bowl tournaments, the rest of us bowl league once or twice a week, none on a sport-compliant shot. Some of us have 20 years or more experience, while others of us have been bowling for two years. We're all middle-aged in average or less-than-average shape physically and mostly bowl for the fun of it. Some of us practice in between league outings, and others don't.
Granted, we all have higher averages currently than at the end of the 2002-2003 winter season, but since entry in the tournament is based on last year's book, we'll use that for comparison. That said, our book averages for 2002-2003 range from 135 (mine) to 206. The composite book average for our 10 bowlers is 165. Our ABC Tournament averages for this year range from 132 (mine) to 178, and the composite tournament average for our two teams is 151. That's only -14 from our composite book average. We all had good games and bad games, just as we do in league play. None of us "lit up the lanes" in Reno, but none of us completely tanked, either.
Considering all of the variables and the fact that we know we are THBs used to the THS, I contend that the condition in Reno is fair for all bowlers and does, in fact, reward those bowlers who have worked on their accuracy, spare shooting, and consistency in making quality shots. Sure, it'd be nice if we could all spend three months practicing on the exact pattern put down at the national tournament, but a bowler who knows how to read lanes, adjust and choose the proper equipment will do well regardless of opportunity to practice on the shot in advance.
It's just my 2 cents.
Deb
