Lane conditions?
Ball technology (cores/coverstocks)?
Pins?
Gutters/side boards?
Other???
My vote goes to lane conditions.
After being humbled on sport and PBA patterns, it is easy to see that averages can (and do) drop 20-40 pins for most players. While I do not think going to that extreme for most THS leagues is an option, there has to be a happy medium (say 5:1 ratio?).
I realize ball technology has run wild and that has contributed somewhat to scoring. However, I also believe the ball technology has allowed bowlers of differing styles to play on the same conditions. In my minds eye, limiting ball technology would be akin to forcing golfers to use one club. A small guy might tee off with a driver while a big guy could cover the same ground with a 5 wood or even an iron. A stroker and cranker can both play the same pattern with different balls. They just use different lines and different balls. By requiring tougher lane conditions, we would place the emphasis on accuracy and repetition. For those who argue "resin killed bowling", I don't think that's the case. It is not too difficult to score with urethane (or even plastic) on the walled up house shots as long as there are dry boards on the outside.
I also realize that Pandora's Box has been opened. "Wall-babies" will cry the blues if we tighten up the lanes. However, we may regain some of the bowlers who have given up because the sport has become a carry contest.
What are your opinions?
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Jon (in Ohio)
CHROME WON'T GET YOU HOME!
F.O.S. Proud Saw user...see profile.
Edited on 12/13/2007 4:15 PM
