So, there have been a few matters circulating as the talk of junior bowling lately.  Even though I am moving up to the adult ranks next year, I sympathize with the junior program, and the direction it's heading after the USBC took over.
 
The first is next year's ring situation for Junior Bowlers.  We're being told that it has been passed that next year junior bowlers will NOT get rings for any accomplishments.  Instead, bowlers will get some kind of metal.  I know that personally, metals are sometimes hung for me, but a ring is a much bigger deal.  If you want a ring next year, be prepared to pay $80 for it.  PLUS the junior's dues are going up again.  Paying as much as the adults.  Their excuse... "The rings are a violation to some NCAA organizations" or something like that.

The other thing that is talk around here is how "within five years," as soon as a Junior Bowler graduates high school, they have to move up to the adult ranks.  I don't really understand this decision much, and I know I lasted as long as I can go in juniors, and am at that age to move up.  Only reason I stayed down is for JOG.  I know personally, I didn't go to my first JOG event until I was 20 years old.  It was really a life changing experience for me, and a big boost in my mental game, and it wouldn't have happened if I would have had to move up to adults right after I graduate.  It's unfortunate to think that 18 & 19 year olds are going to have to come right out of juniors and face against the toughest of competition.  Sure, it's going to be good for some.  Sure, it's going to be good for a select few that can beat them.  But what about the kids that get smashed week in and week out.  They're wanting to get the adult bowlers numbers back up, but I think this is going to make it go down a bit more, while taking the junior program with it.

Here's my question

What's the incentives to stay down in juniors now?  They've taken away some of the select few there are.

So bowl your 300s and 800s this year kids.

/end rant


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-Ricky-
Member of the St. Louis, Missouri YABA

MORE Speed = LESS time to PANIC

Current Arsenal: Brunswick Punisher, MoRich Total Shock & Awe, Lane #1 Enriched Uranium, Ebonite Eyeball, Brunswick Ultimate Inferno, and AMF Nighthawk Torque Pearl.

Instead of taking the awards away from all of the Junior Bowlers, there should be an alternate plan for USBC.  On the honor score forms there should be boxes asking what year in school we are in and some sort of box we can check that states that we are not bowling High School or NCAA.  Have the parents sign it too.  That would take the liability off USBC.  

Even though I haven't shot a 300, I am not bowling High School or Bowling NCAA in College.  I would like to stay a junior a couple more years.  I also fear Junior Membership will drop off for the better junior bowlers.  The better juniors will go adult that much quicker if USBC still proposes this plan.

Making the youth membership stop at the end of high school is ridiculous.  Some people (myself included 20 years ago) are not ready to bowl adult leagues when they are just out of high school.  If they want to cut the age limit back to 19 instead of 21, I could probably go along with that.

Youth bowlers, don't feel too bad about losing your rings.  They didn't start awarding them until 89-90, so people (like me) who shot 300/800 before then got $2 plaques.  I have heard rumors that ALL awards (including ALL adult awards) will be abolished in the next 5 years.  Yet, our dues continue to increase.  Maybe we should all have the goal of getting USBC jobs?