How a bout making "two-handed" deliveries illegal?  This makes a huge difference in "pin carry".

And what? you're jealous? Boy, that's enough reason to make it illegal.

How about just defining the difference between the Game of Bowling and the Sport of Bowling?

Yes please

That's what people just can't seem to comprehend. In the competitive environment, the best bowlers still win 99.9% of the time. The only place where the equipment muddies the waters is in the THS league environment where people can spray the lanes and still hit high flush with good carry all night long.

If you put most house hacks (myself included) up against a true pro on a tough pattern, that pro could dominate them in most instances using urethane or plastic even if the amateur were allowed to use whatever he or she wanted. Talent still wins out the overwhelming majority of the time.

Also, let's not forget that equipment layout, coverstock prep, and selection is a new element that makes today's bowlers have to think about and account for more than the bowlers of yesteryear. Now, instead of just having one or two balls to think about, you have to mentally scroll through your entire arsenal to determine when and if better options are available. To some, that isn't as skillful as changing hand positions, lofting, etc. To me, it's a different type of skill that bowlers in the past didn't have.

Agree with all below
And makes me all the more positive in asking why is the USBC concerned with or considering going backwards with equipment? As others have said there are so many alternative to bowling the USBC should just be concerned with maintaining membership levels and trying to come up with ideas that will bring in new bowlers just to replace those who retire from the game.

That's what people just can't seem to comprehend. In the competitive environment, the best bowlers still win 99.9% of the time. The only place where the equipment muddies the waters is in the THS league environment where people can spray the lanes and still hit high flush with good carry all night long.

If you put most house hacks (myself included) up against a true pro on a tough pattern, that pro could dominate them in most instances using urethane or plastic even if the amateur were allowed to use whatever he or she wanted. Talent still wins out the overwhelming majority of the time.

Also, let's not forget that equipment layout, coverstock prep, and selection is a new element that makes today's bowlers have to think about and account for more than the bowlers of yesteryear. Now, instead of just having one or two balls to think about, you have to mentally scroll through your entire arsenal to determine when and if better options are available. To some, that isn't as skillful as changing hand positions, lofting, etc. To me, it's a different type of skill that bowlers in the past didn't have.

How about just defining the difference between the Game of Bowling and the Sport of Bowling?

Don't even get me started on this topic.

USBC does this, itll be enough for a lot of people to say "fuck it" and move on. And once theyre gone, theyre not coming back.

Agreed.

Many still argue that bowling has lost sooooooo many league bowlers because it was too easy and scores were too high?  Look at all of these pro bowlers from years past continuing to echo this as recently as Bo Burton.

Then you look at bowlers and society up until the late 80s and what was available for your entertainment dollar vs late 80s moving forward to today and you can see why so many people would no longer wish to commit to 32-36 week leagues.

Here is the funny secret..many bowling centers are using a failing business model and not adapting to todays bowlers/consumers. I am 36, I started bowling league as a junior in 1996-97 roughly and really enjoy bowling. I do not wish to continue bowling in 36 week leagues every year.

Lots of businesses and restaurants fail, including large chains. None are immune to bad business and failing to keep up with changes in society. League bowling is failing in that market and bowling center owners and USBC can't figure  out why. Lets blame scores and equipment. By that logic USBCs open championship should be growing every year because of how difficult the conditions are....but it is not.

Everyone in league should be averaging 190 plus because bowling is easy.....yet when looking across many leagues we see plenty of lower average bowlers no different then in the 1950s to 1980s aka the golden years.