Author Topic: bowlersparadise.com message from Brian Voss (Read 9923 times)

BrunsMike · « **on:** January 16, 2007, 12:10:25 PM »

Im not sure if anyone else has seen this but here it goes. I just got this in an email update from bowlersparadise.

A Case For Change.
By Brian Voss

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I recently started a thread in the PBA.com forum about the need for change in the sport of bowling. The topic generated quite a bit of interest from other forum members, so I thought it might be a good idea to write my first column for this series about the topic of changing the sport.

In my PBA.com thread, I focused primarily on changes that I believe could help revitalize the competitive aspect of the sport (versus the recreational side), but for this column I'd like to widen the scope of that a bit. Before going into my argument, I'd like to ask that you consider my perspective as a player who has dedicated 25 years of his life to pursuing excellence on the bowling lanes and trying to help promote the sport not only here in the United States, but throughout the world. I would, of course, love for things to change for the better in the sport because it ultimately benefits me, but more importantly, given where I am in the context of my competitive career, more so for future generations of people interested in pursuing bowling as a competitive outlet or as a business career.

First off, let me start by saying that it is abundantly obvious that nearly every indicator of healthiness in the industry is on a trend of decline in the U.S. League bowling membership is down over 70% from its heyday back in the late 1970's. The number of certified bowling centers has decreased over 25% during the same period. Profit margins for bowling equipment manufacturers are decreasing and the equipment market is stagnant. Tournament participation is down at the local level and PBA prize funds are about the same as they were back in the 1980's, without even adjusting for inflation. But at least the men have a Tour. The ladies' Tour has been defunct for a few years now.

Yet to blame any one group of people or any specific industry organization for all of these problems, which has been the approach I've seen in public and private forums for as long as I can remember, is a really myopic view of how I feel we need to change. We've also heard all of the pleas for the industry to "work together" and become a unified force that can conquer these problems as one. That would be nice, but I don't feel that all of the different groups in the industry with all of their divergent goals and objectives are necessarily the end all be all answer either (besides also being an overly idealistic notion).

Instead, it's really the responsibility of everyone in the industry to redefine what we want to see the industry become and then make those changes a reality. Right now, I'm not sure I've heard any particular individual or group lay out what that vision might be for the future for the rest of us to follow. To me, the most obvious goal for all of us is to stop the declines and get the trends moving in a positive direction. Every person, group and company in the industry needs to look at the particular trends most relevant to themselves and figure out a logical plan for how to turn them around. Once they have success, it will inspire everyone around them, including their competitors and groups in other areas of the sport, to change for the better.

That's really the main reason I'm with Elite Bowling now. I see it is an opportunity for me to help change things for the better in the industry. Everything I have in my life I owe to the sport of bowling, and at this point in my career it is time for me to do everything I can to ensure that the next generation of bowlers has it better than I did. Hopefully, before I'm through, I can be one of those individuals who will help inspire others to make this sport great once again.

Brian Voss

If you would like to keep up with Brian and his quest to make our game great once again log onto www.elitebowling.com for the latest updates.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 198
Thur. Nite Ave: 218
http://www.BrunsNick.com

BrunsMike · « **Reply #31 on:** January 19, 2007, 09:56:04 PM »

You guys make me proud when everyone can have a very intelligent conversation like this without jumping down each others throats. Thank you for being civil for at least this one post and making this one of the best ever topics that I have posted here. I have not fully read every response but from what I skimmed through, I saw alot of great points and good ideas.

Again, thank you.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 197
Thur. Nite Ave: 217
http://www.BrunsNick.com

JessN16 · « **Reply #32 on:** January 20, 2007, 12:44:29 AM »

I posted this same thing in another thread but I guess I need to add it here:

I've actually done recruitment programs for bowling leagues. I have never -- not once -- had someone tell me "I won't bowl because scores are too high."

The reasons people are getting out of leagues, as it's been communicated directly to me, are: Disposable income, too many demands on their time, don't want to be away from (non-bowlers in) the family, and the big one -- other entertainment choices. The next most popular excuses concern the condition of the bowling center and the attitudes of its management. Also, as we've lost blue-collar manufacturing jobs overseas, our recruiting pool has shrunk.

The standard ball, as best I can tell, is an idea hatched by the pros not to save bowling, but because there are panties in a collective wad over the fact an amateur can buy hook in a box.

The PBA itself is in trouble. Bowling as a league sport may be, for reasons that have zero to do with a ball. Recreational bowling is doing fine.

The uncomfortable truth for all of us -- from Brian Voss on down -- is that we may be headed for niche sport status, and there may come a day soon when we're not able to go into just any bowling center and expect to have a league available to bowl on at any given time during the week.

Person-to-person recruiting of other bowlers is time-consuming, tiring work, but given the choice between that, or telling three-fourths of your diehard league bowlers that their arsenal was declared illegal overnight, I'll take the recruiting.

Jess

Edited on 1/20/2007 1:45 AM

trash heap · « **Reply #33 on:** January 20, 2007, 10:39:30 AM »

I have recently watched some broadcasts of events from the 90s and I recall hearing announcers stating that the PBA put out a High Scoring pattern for the televised event. Yes it brought excitement for those telecasts...the scores were high...but there is a price! If 300 becomes too common it loses its mystique!

Yes its exciting and in the short term draws in viewers but let's face it in long run it does the damage!

Look at some of these stats from PBA:

PERFECT GAMES ON NATIONAL TV (Look how many are in the 90s)
(17)

Jack Biondolillo vs. Les Schissler, 216 (Akron, OH, April 1, 1967);

John Guenther vs. Don Johnson, 189 (San Jose, CA, Feb. 1, 1969);

Jim Stefanich vs. Glenn Carlson, 243 (Alameda, CA, Jan. 5, 1974);

Pete McCordic vs. Wayne Webb, 249 (Torrance, CA, Jan. 31, 1987);

@Bob Benoit vs. Mark Roth, 255 (Grand Prairie, TX, Jan. 23, 1988);

@Mike Aulby vs. David Ozio, 279 (Wichita, KS, July 31, 1993);

Johnny Petraglia vs. Walter Ray Williams Jr., 194 (Toledo, OH, March 5, 1994);

Butch Soper vs. Bob Benoit, 236 (Reno, NV, July 12, 1994);

C.K. Moore vs. Parker Bohn III, 192 (Austin, TX, Feb. 2, 1996);

Bob Learn Jr. vs. Johnny Petraglia, 279 (Erie, PA, April 6, 1996);

Steve Hoskins vs. Walter Ray Williams Jr., 234 (Rochester, NY, Oct. 15, 1997);

Parker Bohn III vs. Chris Sand, 246, and Mike Mullin, 191 (Reno, NV, May 9, 1998);

Steve Jaros vs. Ricky Ward, 200 (Chattanooga, TN, Feb. 13, 1999);

Mike Miller vs. Danny Wiseman, 266, and Tim Criss, 224 (Reno, NV, June 20, 1999);

Norm Duke vs. Walter Ray Williams Jr., 213 (Tacoma, WA, Jan. 5, 2003);

Mika Koivuniemi vs. Jason Couch, 248 (Windsor Locks, CT, Dec. 7, 2003);

Tony Reyes vs. Parker Bohn III, 215 (Taylor, MI, Nov. 5, 2006)

@ - 300 game in title match.
*******************************************************************************

HIGHEST SINGLE MATCH ON NATIONAL TV
579, Mike Aulby, 300; David Ozio, 279 (Wichita, KS, 1993);
Bob Learn Jr., 300; Johnny Petraglia, 279 (Erie, PA, 1996)

LOWEST SCORE ON NATIONAL TV
129, Steve Jaros (Lake Zurich, IL, 1992)

HIGHEST LOSING SCORE ON NATIONAL TV
280, Norm Duke (Peoria, IL, 1994)

TWO-GAME HIGH ON NATIONAL TV
570 (300, 270), Bob Learn Jr. (Erie, PA, 1996)

THREE-GAME HIGH ON NATIONAL TV
850 (300, 270, 280), Bob Learn Jr. (Erie, PA, 1996)

FOUR-GAME HIGH ON NATIONAL TV
1,129 (300, 270, 280, 279) Bob Learn Jr. (Erie, PA, 1996)

HIGHEST AVERAGE FINALS ON NATIONAL TV
276.50, averaged by five bowlers in four matches (Erie, PA, 1996)

MOST 300s IN TOURNAMENT (Individual)
4, Walter Ray Williams Jr. (Mechanicsburg, PA, 1993);
Dave Dâ€™Entremont (Peoria, IL, 1995);
John Bauerle Jr. (Erie, PA, 1999)

MOST 300s IN TOURNAMENT (Aggregate)
24, Peoria, IL (1995)

MOST 300s ON PBA TOUR IN ONE SEASON (Aggregate)
210 (1993)

MOST 300s IN ONE SEASON (Individual)
8, Kelly Coffman (1994);
Dave Dâ€™Entremont (1995);
Eric Forkel (1995);
Steve Hoskins (1998);
Parker Bohn III (1999)

You can only ride the wave for so long before it crashes.

Edited on 1/20/2007 11:50 AM

JessN16 · « **Reply #34 on:** January 20, 2007, 12:01:00 PM »

If interest in televised events waxed and waned with the scoring pace, we would have been able to track it over the past few seasons, but there's been little to no correlation.

There's a reason that the big band swing music my parents grew up on isn't still played on pop radio today, and it has nothing to do with the quality of trumpet players.

People's tastes change. You couldn't have made 20 cents televising kids riding around parking lots on BMX bikes 30 years ago, but now the X-Games make money hand over fist.

When we figure out the best way to market our sport, we may not fix it but we may at least ensure its continued survival in some form or another. The standard ball has zero bearing on that.

Jess

trash heap · « **Reply #35 on:** January 20, 2007, 04:13:38 PM »

So why is bowling becoming popular in High School?

Bowling has it place. Bowling isn't a sport that was invented 50 to 60 years ago. This sport has stood the test of time. Its not some FAD or the signature of generation. Many generations have played this game. It is a great game!!

I know plenty of young people that love to bowl. I have approached many an asked them if they would like to join a league or sub. Most are interested. The problem is getting to these individuals. In the past there was no need to recruit. High School competition could be the ticket!

Bowlers are not identified with one thing! The X-Games target a younger crowd, easier to sell to advertisers if they know their targeting audience. Bowlers are not so easy. They are all ranges of age and all types of income. I wouldn't be surprised if PBA telecasts has higher ratings than other sports.

BrunsMike · « **Reply #36 on:** January 20, 2007, 04:51:25 PM »

quote:
I wouldn't be surprised if PBA telecasts has higher ratings than other sports.

The fact there is, the PBA Telecasts are ranked very low on the ratings because of their general viewing population. I don't know how true this is but, I heard that a rerun of simpsons had better ratings then a Live PBA Telecast.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 197
Thur. Nite Ave: 217
http://www.BrunsNick.com

trash heap · « **Reply #37 on:** January 20, 2007, 05:49:28 PM »

I meant other sports like Darts, Billiards, Poker, and things like that. I mean bowling does have viewers. It definitely has more viewers than other programs out there in cable. Theres definitely a place for it on TV.

pin-chaser · « **Reply #38 on:** January 20, 2007, 09:04:42 PM »

I am constantly amazed how bowlers with ~10 years experience talk about the 70's as if they experienced it and how they know the industry. How come, when bowlers who have 30-40+ years experience speak out very few with less experience give them the benifit of doubt?

I did bowl competitively in the hey day of the 70's when nearly 10M bowlers existed. Bowling was the thing to do. Double shifts, wall to wall, mourining leagues and afternoon school sessions. Just oiling in the afternoon was a pain having to oil through a full house of open play.

And YES, the lanes were walled then... 10-10 top hat. Averages were about 20 pins less... the good guys were in the upper 220's lower 230's using yellow dots. There was 5-10 300 games in our scratch league every year even a couple 800's (actually 1100 for 4 games).

I experienced it and it is SAD that bowling has become what it is. I agree with alot of what is said here: ie... all bowling centers back then had a couple full time co-ordinators to solicite potential bowlers to fill the house, cleanliness and courteousy was the delivered nearly everywhere while pricing was fair to the public. The difference is the centers catered to all bowlers where as today centers do virtually nothing except raise price which does not create a value to the consumer.

But to ignor the fact that the scoring pace is a problem is plain and simply ignoring one problem. And despite what you read here in this thread, I personally know of 5 bowlers that have quit because of the scoring pace being a joke and I was another one for the last two seasons. So while bowlers are not quitting at a pace that is alarming to those posting here does not mean it is not significant. But there is another side to the issue of the scoring pace... it is demoralizing to the point that bowling 300's are a joke... people laugh at those who do it. We all have seen it. Achieving perfection by shooting 300 and you get no congratulations and worse get laughed at. This can not be good for the game. If 300 are too easy to shoot, then we have paced the scoring pace too high. I should be honored and respected by all.

To the guy who stated that bowling is an established sport, it has been an organized sport since before the year 1900... which makes it over 100 years. And yet, every record has been shot in the last 10 years... with much fewer bowlers who bowl once a week instead of practing and bowling several leagues in several houses. (I perosnally blame point money as a contributor to the reduction in bowler bowling multipul leagues since you pay over the amount every week to get something back in the end. I know I would bowl more leagues per week if they were not 20.00 or more each and there is nothing wrong with the concept of paying the top 3 in each catagory).

The bottom line is that we (the bowling community) should seak out all the knowledge and experience that we can to fix bowling to restore and guarnetee it's survial. And the vast majority of that experience comes from those who have been around the longest. Brian Voss has commited himself to doing what he can which includes teaching the bowling community. Sometimes listening and trying to understand is harder than expressing points of view with less experince. While I may not agree with all of which Brian may be saying, at least he is saying and doing something over than just talking words.

Finally, if you think Brian Voss is a lone voice in the wind, look at the foundation 300 organization (who has been proclaiming similar points of view for decades and doing thins differently) and listen to the phantomradioshow which has had 100's of guests over the years that are saying the same things. We all should do more listening and learning.
--------------------

Bowling Tips and Articles at: www.bowlingknowledge.com
IRC: Internet Relay Chat on Dalnet #striketalk. 24x7x365

JessN16 · « **Reply #39 on:** January 21, 2007, 06:49:14 PM »

quote:
So why is bowling becoming popular in High School?

Bowling has it place. Bowling isn't a sport that was invented 50 to 60 years ago. This sport has stood the test of time. Its not some FAD or the signature of generation. Many generations have played this game. It is a great game!!

I know plenty of young people that love to bowl. I have approached many an asked them if they would like to join a league or sub. Most are interested. The problem is getting to these individuals. In the past there was no need to recruit. High School competition could be the ticket!

Bowlers are not identified with one thing! The X-Games target a younger crowd, easier to sell to advertisers if they know their targeting audience. Bowlers are not so easy. They are all ranges of age and all types of income. I wouldn't be surprised if PBA telecasts has higher ratings than other sports.

You're right -- bowling is becoming more popular in HS. The state of Tennessee's championship tournament is exceptionally well attended (approximately 2,000 bowlers and spectators the last couple of years each) and we're starting to make inroads in Alabama, at least. Slowly, local boards of education are starting to realize this is a competitive sport. The big question for HS bowling is whether it will flourish across the board given that there aren't bowling centers in many rural areas.

The big question for the USBC is whether we'll be able to pick these kids up as league members after college or whether we'll lose them. My experience is we're losing them because (a) we don't keep them in the sport while they're in college and (b) these are the ones most likely to tell you they don't have time for a 36-week league.

This is where it will become imperative to offer alternative forms of league structure (short-season, PBA shot, etc.). As for the college problem, I bowled on ABC leagues throughout college, but ran into great resistance trying to get my leagues to recruit college kids because a lot of leagues would flat-out not want "their kind" on the league with them. Part of it was the kids' fault, too, because I did find a lot of them wouldn't pay regularly.

Again, standard ball is no part of this particular problem.

Jess

JessN16 · « **Reply #40 on:** January 21, 2007, 07:02:39 PM »

quote:
I am constantly amazed how bowlers with ~10 years experience talk about the 70's as if they experienced it and how they know the industry. How come, when bowlers who have 30-40+ years experience speak out very few with less experience give them the benifit of doubt?

The bottom line is that we (the bowling community) should seak out all the knowledge and experience that we can to fix bowling to restore and guarnetee it's survial. And the vast majority of that experience comes from those who have been around the longest. Brian Voss has commited himself to doing what he can which includes teaching the bowling community. Sometimes listening and trying to understand is harder than expressing points of view with less experince. While I may not agree with all of which Brian may be saying, at least he is saying and doing something over than just talking words.

Finally, if you think Brian Voss is a lone voice in the wind, look at the foundation 300 organization (who has been proclaiming similar points of view for decades and doing thins differently) and listen to the phantomradioshow which has had 100's of guests over the years that are saying the same things. We all should do more listening and learning.

I've listened to Voss's arguments. Chris Barnes took a 180-degree-opposite viewpoint on PBA.com's forums last year; why is Voss right and Barnes wrong?

Oh, that's right -- Barnes has a ball company endorsement contract. Well, Voss's mug is all over the Kegel site promoting the WTBA and standard ball argument.

My point is, I've listened to Voss. I gave him my open mind and ear, disagreed with his conclusions (I've carried a ABC/USBC card for nearly 20 years now -- is that enough time for me to be able to speak?) and got blasted for it on pba.com. I see part of that in your post too -- "We should do more listening and learning."

That's elitism (no pun intended towards the guy who gets paid by Elite) and I saw enough of it on pba.com to last me the rest of my life without getting the similar notion here.

To put it bluntly, I think Voss is full of s**t.

I think what's happened here is a combination of changing social factors in the United States, changing economic factors at the bowling center level, changing demographics in the makeup of the American blue-collar workforce and thusly the makeup of the potential bowler pool, changing attitudes in the amount of time one wants to devote to any recreational activity whether it's bowling or not (the "36-week phenomenon"), and vastly increased competition in the number of recreational activities that compete for people's dollars.

When you mix those ingredients up, you get a pretty strong cup of soup. But some bowling officials and bowlers like Voss think it's something internal in the bowling clock that's broken and they can fix it.

And, as I've said before, I think a little of it is jealousy and hurt pride.

As far as being "laughed at" if you shoot 300, here's my advice: Nut up. We've got such an inferiority complex to our sport where we look to outside sponsors, or the opinions of others for validation of our accomplishments. I don't give a tinker's damn whether some schmuck laughs at an honor score. People laugh at Mike Tyson today but I bet you they won't volunteer to go three rounds with him.

The standard ball is a perfect example of someone trying to force something onto me for my own good. Until you can point a direct correlation between the ball and bowling's troubles, it's just a bunch of hot air. I'm glad you know five guys who've quit because of the scoring pace; I know a whole league of 180 bowlers who got wiped out because the local tire plant dropped its entire third shift. I guarantee you that's had infinitely more to do with bowling's downturn than the ball.

And as for who's saying it -- Brian Voss, me, you or the janitor -- a good football player won't automatically become a good football coach. When it turns to words instead of athletic skill, there are many more variables that go into the equation.

Jess

REVerse · « **Reply #41 on:** January 21, 2007, 07:51:22 PM »

quote:
Golf technology is the same way. Longer balls and stronger clubs. Tennis went from the wood racquet to the carbon racquet.

I am just tired of the smokers and the drunks. Some of my fondest memories growing up around were bowling centers. Some of my nightmares were too. Bowling has always attracted the drunken redneck smoker. I saw a lot of stuff in bowling alleys growing up that was not too pleasent. It has not changed much. Now its gang bangers.

The sad thing here is the center that allows smoking has the best lane conditions. The smoke free facility is beautiful, but the weekend shot is horrible and caters more to birthday parties. Everyone bowls house balls and the oil from Friday (9AM league) ends up at the pins on Saturday night. Instead of falling, the pins just stand there and slide around vertically without falling down. Split city...

This redneck hates smoking. LOL. My league status is substitute because I can't tolerate smoke.

Here-Just a few gang-bangers. Mostly wigs. They stay to themselves.-

Anymore, I am more of an open bowler and enjoying bowling with my son and coaching the youth of the YABA on Saturday mornings.

We stay away from the "alleys" and bowl at centers. Yes, some "alleys" are poorly managed and give the sport a bad rap.
--------------------
Ray
Beer and Brunswick. It doesn't get any better.

pin-chaser · « **Reply #42 on:** January 21, 2007, 08:22:09 PM »

JessN16,

Thanks for your reply. I have not heard anything that Barns has said on that subject and I am very interested in reading it. Can you provide a URL where I might read it?

I dont proclaim to know the answers but have been active in searching for some solutions for several years (as some on this forum might know). I have learned alot and have alot more to learn.

And like I said, I dont agree with everything that was said in that article, but I do respect the fact that someone (with such a large audience) is and has been saying something for years. Especially because he has lost income over that persuit.

I am sorry that I offened you or anyone else, all I was trying to say was I believe Voss understands more than I and many of us on this forum just how much of an impact that todays technology has had on the scoring pace. And that there are many reasons that todays scoring pace has had a negative impact on the sport of bowling.

I do understand there is many reasons for the attrition rate that bowling has been experiencing. And I believe there are many reasons that we can solve as I am sure there are many that we cant. And we should solve all the easy ones first while working on a plan to solve the harder ones. It has taken decades to get here, I am sure it will take decades to recover the maximum possible.
--------------------

Bowling Tips and Articles at: www.bowlingknowledge.com
IRC: Internet Relay Chat on Dalnet #striketalk. 24x7x365

JessN16 · « **Reply #43 on:** January 22, 2007, 12:22:05 AM »

quote:
JessN16,

Thanks for your reply. I have not heard anything that Barns has said on that subject and I am very interested in reading it. Can you provide a URL where I might read it?

I dont proclaim to know the answers but have been active in searching for some solutions for several years (as some on this forum might know). I have learned alot and have alot more to learn.

And like I said, I dont agree with everything that was said in that article, but I do respect the fact that someone (with such a large audience) is and has been saying something for years. Especially because he has lost income over that persuit.

I am sorry that I offened you or anyone else, all I was trying to say was I believe Voss understands more than I and many of us on this forum just how much of an impact that todays technology has had on the scoring pace. And that there are many reasons that todays scoring pace has had a negative impact on the sport of bowling.

I do understand there is many reasons for the attrition rate that bowling has been experiencing. And I believe there are many reasons that we can solve as I am sure there are many that we cant. And we should solve all the easy ones first while working on a plan to solve the harder ones. It has taken decades to get here, I am sure it will take decades to recover the maximum possible.
--------------------

Bowling Tips and Articles at: www.bowlingknowledge.com
IRC: Internet Relay Chat on Dalnet #striketalk. 24x7x365

I haven't been on pba.com recently enough to know where to find Barnes' link, but his argument on limiting balls was that it took "tools out of (his) toolbox" to do so and it would provide an advantage to players whose game matched up better to the kind of skid/roll characteristics a standard ball would provide.

I also didn't mean to respond as vehemently as I did; the problem with pba.com is that I've seen this argument come up so many times there, and you've got a handful of instigators and then a dozen or more guys that jump in behind them with "good post," etc., to the point where there's no room for a counterargument.

Jess

REVerse · « **Reply #44 on:** January 23, 2007, 06:02:32 AM »

Bowling has changed. Limiting how the ball reacts or blaming the equipment ("hook in a box") is not the answer to Mr. Voss' concerns. A novice bowler will not be able to score any higher with a Scorchin Inferno vs. a house ball.

Has anyone been to the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC? Take a look at the bowling lanes there. The balls are made from wood and have two finger holes. Not to mention narrow lanes, etc.

Taking the "state of the art" out of bowling will damage it beyond repair.
--------------------
Ray

I'll have a PBR and two pickled eggs please...

Djarum · « **Reply #45 on:** January 23, 2007, 09:33:17 AM »

quote:
With all due respect to Brian Voss, but this is coming from a guy who uses bowling balls from a company that has an MSRP price for their balls at $398!

Mr. Voss, that is a problem! A bowling ball should be no more than $100. The problem is bowlers constantly blame the ball and not themselves. Ball companies would not put out 500 balls a year if bowlers were willing to actually learn the game.

If all manufactures made one plastic ball, one urethane ball, and one resin ball and that was it, maybe costs would not be so high.

How come people learned how to bowl and excelled in bowling with 3 piece pancake technology, but now if the ball is not $300, made with the most advanced resins possible, and asymetrical its not desired by bowlers?

Why are bowlers the ones who want the easy way out? How come someone today can be a 220 average bowler in a year with a Robo Rule, but someone playing golf for a year with a $3000 set of clubs is still going to struggle breaking 100?

Ball manufactures have made bowling to easy. I challange any bowler to bowl a league season even on todays legally walled conditions with a Columbia U-dot and better yet, on a PBA condition. I further challange the PBA to do the same.

The point is, at $5 a game in some centers, if someone does not shoot at least 250 they have not got their moneys worth. So the ball companies and the USBC gave away 52,000 300 games last year so people can get their moneys worth.

Unfortunately bowling is dead and cannot be fixed. Too many people see pros shoot 190 on television after watching or hearing about guys like Robert Mushtare shooting 5 900 series in a year.

It cannot be fixed. I wish I were like some of these people and averaged 220 and shooting 300's and 800's all the time, yet with my eyesight I have only managed to average 190-202 over the past 20 years.

Or maybe if I could afford $300 for a ball, I could buy a 300 game. Brian, I respect your game and career, but if guys like you want to impress me, instead of throwing a $398 ball on television next time, throw a 1984 Star Trak pancake block urethane Force 3...oh, I guess you want a ball that "matches up to your game, hooks in oil, and helps with pin carry, and helps you win..." never mind actually bowling.

I just love how you take Voss's open minded and broad opinion, and staple your narrominded one right on top! Great Job!

Dj
--------------------
The views and opinions of Djarum expressed on BallReviews.com do not necessarily state or reflect those of the BallReviews.com.

Author Topic: bowlersparadise.com message from Brian Voss (Read 9923 times)

BrunsMike

bowlersparadise.com message from Brian Voss

BrunsMike

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JessN16

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trash heap

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JessN16

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trash heap

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BrunsMike

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trash heap

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pin-chaser

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JessN16

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JessN16

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REVerse

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pin-chaser

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