Actually a point of clarification. The ABC did not relax the rules in 1977. They actually tightened them in 1976, requiring essentially even oil to be applied gutter to gutter. The rule was referred to as amendment 4. This rule was very unpopular and not consistently enforced partly due to lack of accurate measuring devices and partly due to variations in interpretation by local secretaries. It was under this rule that Glenn Allisons famous 900 was disallowed. The rule was not changed until approximately 1985 when the limited distance dressing rule was introduced. It allowed oil to applied in any manner but could not be applied our buffed past 28 ( later 24 ) feet. The limited distance dressing rule was changed under the so called system of bowling in 1989. It allowed long oil, but required at least 3 units of oil to applied out to the gutter. That is still the rule we have today.
Unlike the experience of the gentleman from Pittsburgh scoring in the Pacific Northwest took a huge jump with the introduction of soft yellow dots and shore Ds in 1974. Prior to 1975 there had been only 2 800 series in the history of our association going back 40 years. In the 1975 season we had 6 800 series, one by a bowler who had never previously cracked 700. My own average increased from 199 in 1974 with a hard rubber ball to 214 in 1975 with a Columbia Carmel white dot.
