Our association manager always liked telling that story. I really don't think it is true, but makes the point that if a rule dispute arises you have no back up to settle the problem. I have seen as a league secretary and previously an association board member more than one instance where the association had to go to a league meeting and settle rules questions. One of the areas I have used the ABC or USBC in the past was pulling sanction cards on bowlers that don't like to pay their fees. In some cases it was the local association that notified me that I had just let a bowler into my league that was banned due to such violations. I could see un-sanctioned leagues getting ripped off by bowlers that like to get behind and refuse to catch up, then you have no recourse but to not let them in next year. They can just go to another un-sanctioned league and do it again.

Quote from: Joe Cool on July 31, 2014, 07:23:25 AM

Most leagues not interested in sanctioning are playing for a few dollars of prize fund.  I know it's hard for some to believe, but there are still people out there that just bowl for fun and to hang out with friends.  Prize funds are little to nothing.  Rules arguments never happen because nobody cares if there was a foul or not.  For those leagues (and there are a lot of them in some places), USBC certification is worthless. 

JoeCool, Would that have been the case for them in any case without the recent changes USBC made that bowlers are upset about?  Why didn't they go unsanctioned 10 years ago.  Most of them probably haven't bowled an honor score, so they will still get their ring if they sanction.  Most if not all of them don't bowl tournaments, so they have never need sanctioned averages.

That would be my discussion point back to them.  Why were they willing 10 years ago to pay a few dollars to sanction when they are practically in the same position now?

Thanks for the good discussion.  Unfortunately, my efforts fell on deaf ears and I was the only captain to vote for sanctioning.  On a good note, I think, since we are now basically just organized open bowling, we voted to lower our weekly fee and eliminate much of the prize money.  I usually did pretty well in the prize fund so it remains to be seen how paying $4 less per week and getting less money at the end of the season plays out. I just couldn't see paying full price for a league when my scores don't count for anything.

Thanks for the good discussion.  Unfortunately, my efforts fell on deaf ears and I was the only captain to vote for sanctioning. 

Quote from: BobOhio on August 01, 2014, 02:49:56 PM

How many rules do you have??? If any??

They basically said we are not a usbc league, but we are going to follow their rules with a couple minor exceptions.

You are mistaken, those "non-certified" leagues are not part of your association. Your association is the USBC local, the leagues are not part of USBC therefore they are not part of your local association.