One of the new USBC rule changes for 2017-2018 season is leagues can now cap handicap scores.

100g. Handicap
5. A handicap game or series shall not be capped unless otherwise provided by league rule. If a league adopts such a rule, a game or series cannot be capped below the highest possible scratch score.

Seems like that would go without saying. Apparently not.

Never underestimate the stupidity of bowlers. Everything must be laid out.

Seems like that would go without saying. Apparently not.

Why would that go without saying?

Quote from: ignitebowling on July 25, 2017, 10:37:15 PM

Seems like that would go without saying. Apparently not.

Why would that go without saying?

Because if high games and series are set at (imaginary) numbers that scratch bowlers can't reach why would they bowl?

If it's a tournament where leading singles score for 3 games is 907 and you have 0 handicap you have zero chance to win.  If capped at 900, you have a .0000001% to at least tie.

Or if high game is 317 etc.

It will depend on the league or tournament.

Quote from: Aloarjr810 on July 26, 2017, 07:39:21 AM

Quote from: ignitebowling on July 25, 2017, 10:37:15 PM

Seems like that would go without saying. Apparently not.

Why would that go without saying?

Because if high games and series are set at (imaginary) numbers that scratch bowlers can't reach why would they bowl?

If it's a tournament where leading singles score for 3 games is 907 and you have 0 handicap you have zero chance to win.  If capped at 900, you have a .0000001% to at least tie.

Or if high game is 317 etc.

It will depend on the league or tournament.

Which is why they put this rule in, so there was a option to set a limit on handicap scores if a league so chose because there wasn't one before.

This rule doesn't do anything different than before.  Leagues could have capped the scores before or let them run as high as they liked.  This rule simply identifies a situation seen in leagues.  It does zero regulating.

I would agree with this rule, you shouldn't be able to go above the max score possible. For example this is from a very popular tournament and the leader with handicap score is above max score.

MEN’S SINGLES:
1 ED SOBLESKIE - MILTON, FL – 916 (PENDING)
2 KEVIN RORKE - BELLE VERNON, PA – 892 (PENDING)
3 RONALD SUAZON - COURTICE, ONT - 866
4 CHAD NOLAN - NORWOOD, ONT - 857
5 JASON BEAUDOIN - OMEMEE, ONT - 854
6 RONALD B MANN JR - ASHEVILLE, NC - 852

I would agree with this rule, you shouldn't be able to go above the max score possible.

Just to be clear, the rule says,

A handicap game or series shall not be capped unless otherwise provided by league rule.

So the rule is you can go over unless the league says otherwise.  So if no rule is in place, handicap scores can go over 300 or 900 (or however number of games).