I'll begin by saying that while I don't often post on this (or any) public message forums, I feel this thread warrants a response.
I think this current set of changes to Junior Gold (return of the old format and the expansion of Jr. Team along with multiple opportunities to qualify) are the best changes I've seen to this program since I bowled my first Jr. Gold in 2004. Kudos especially to the WTBA for changing the age requirement for world youth events to 20, this change was also needed.
Essentially, it has never made sense to me how we as a country were content selecting our national team based on only one weeks performance each year, as opposed to a system which ensures that we field the most competitive team possible for international competition. The change to allow players to qualify out of the adult team trials is a huge step in the right direction. This is for a number of reasons. First of which being that it opens the team up to talent that would not have had the opportunity to qualify otherwise (non-youth members). Now, its important to look at other countries which we compete against, and note that in those nations, youth and adult status is not treated in the same manner it is here. For example, at last years World Youth Championships, guys like Osku and Jason Belmonte were still competing. By limiting our team based on youth vs. adult status, we were putting ourselves at a huge disadvantage to the rest of the world, and this particular change corrects that.
As far as the "second chance" to qualify goes, it makes complete sense from a team strength standpoint to select at least part of the team at the Adult Team Trials. The Team Trials are, in my opinion, a more fair test of ability than the Jr. Gold Championships. Here's why. Reason one is the single squad that Team USA Trials is. No squad inequity, no one house playing easier in the morning than others, etc. Every player in that tournament is exposed to the same lane condition at the same time, as opposed to two days difference in some cases at Jr. Gold. Second, the quality of the field at the Team Trials is head and shoulders higher than that of Jr. Gold. Jr Gold has recently (as evidenced by last years format change), become more of a participatory event, than an event designed to select our countries national team. Yes, there are still some players at Team Trials who perhaps should not be, but percentage wise, there is a much higher percent of players at Team Trials with the capability of making the team than at Jr Gold. This effects things in a number of ways. Higher field quality usually translates into lanes breaking down in a more "normal" manner. Additionally, this higher field quality leads to less distractions during the event, namely caused by those stubborn few entrants who have given up, and seemingly forgotten they are a part of a national event.
These changes are a huge step in the right direction of fielding the best team we possibly can each year to compete internationally. Kudos to USBC and WTBA for changing the age requirements, as well as the selection criteria and format.
Take Care, Happy Holidays
Tim Pfeifer
