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Author Topic: Pros in local tournaments?  (Read 11675 times)

n00dlejester

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Pros in local tournaments?
« on: April 13, 2008, 11:37:24 PM »
So yesterday I bowled in the NJ State Tournament, and lo and behold Parker Bohn III was there for the 9:00AM singles/doubles squad, and the 12:30PM 5-man team squad.  So we start the day bowling doubles, and the first game he fired a 300.  He was part of about 10 brackets and obviously destroyed anybody.  Because of this people near my pairs (I was on 3-4) were saying that having a pro is a non-PBA event is just not fair.  One guy made the analogy that "it's like having Ryan Howard playing for the high school varsity team."  

I personally think having pros in local events is fine.  The talent gap between the pros and the locals (at least on a THS, which this tournament was) is nowhere near the talent gap between local and pro baseball players.  And it was a lot of fun watching him tear it up on a THS (he shot 780 for doubles, and a low 7 for singles).  What are your thoughts on all this?
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n00dlejester

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #16 on: April 14, 2008, 10:24:05 AM »
Sportskraz, sorry dude.
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tenten

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #17 on: April 14, 2008, 10:27:02 AM »
I think it's great that guys like Parker stil support their local and state events
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9andaWiggle

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #18 on: April 14, 2008, 10:33:42 AM »
I have mixed emotions about this...

On one hand, it's pretty cool that amateurs can mix it up with the pros.  Not many other sports does the average fan have that opportunity.  However, it kinda sucks going into a tournaments knowing you're an amateur and someone with "Professional" status is likely to throw up some great numbers.  Although, there are plenty of bowlers on a THS format that can do the same, so I dunno.  Probably more a mental thing there.

On the other hand, it's kinda sad if the Pro's are hitting amateur tournaments because they aren't making enough off of tour to support themselves and their families.  But it's cool if they're doing it because they enjoy mixing it up with different bowlers in different locations.

All in all, I reckon there's more good from having the Pro's bowl in "amateur" tournaments than bad.


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jch922

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #19 on: April 14, 2008, 11:25:33 AM »
If you want to keep the pro player out then the tournament commitee should put it in the rules, if not in rules they have as much right to be there as anyone else.

AngloBowler

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #20 on: April 14, 2008, 11:42:05 AM »
If people are ok with pros bowling in "amateur" tournaments, then maybe there should be less complaining about people who "aren't good enough" bowling in flagship events, like the US Open...
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SrKegler

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #21 on: April 14, 2008, 12:02:02 PM »
A few years back some of the midwest regional bowlers questioned whether the exempt players should be allowed in the regional competitiion.

Guess everyone is supposed to have their "niche".
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ccrider

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #22 on: April 14, 2008, 12:07:08 PM »
The pros got to eat too.
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nextbowler

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #23 on: April 14, 2008, 12:21:55 PM »
A professional competing against amateurs in any event in which skill is a
major component, does not equal a level playing field.  In a tournament, I
bowl to win, not to give my money to a professional.  I would not bowl the
tournament, as the likelihood of me beating PBJ3 is not very high.  I also
fail to see how anyone else's bowling makes you a better bowler.

KDawg77

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #24 on: April 14, 2008, 12:23:54 PM »
Lisa Wagner bowls the Georgia State Tournament. Granted, she's not a card-carrying proanymore, but really.....
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jhutch769

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #25 on: April 14, 2008, 12:26:21 PM »
There is no score in bowling that you can't beat yourself, or at least tie..

Dan Belcher

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #26 on: April 14, 2008, 12:35:08 PM »
quote:
I would not bowl the tournament, as the likelihood of me beating PBJ3 is not very high.
If that was the case, I wouldn't bowl in any tournament some of the better non-professional regional bowlers enter, because they can beat me 9 times out of 10...

In a tournament, I bowl to compete.  I know the odds of me winning aren't good, but that's not the point for me.

MAJM

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #27 on: April 14, 2008, 12:36:53 PM »
quote:
The talent gap between the pros and the locals (at least on a THS, which this tournament was) is nowhere near the talent gap between local and pro baseball players.


You willing to put money on that? I've bowled with Ricky Ward in league a few times when he was still on tour. Now Ricky isn't the best of the best like Parker, but he was a member for a long time. He made 790s look like it was 620s on a THS. Now I'm nothing in this sport but Ricky bowled on this team with some of the best our area had to offer and they couldn't keep up with him. While they were averaging 220-225 he was in the 245-250 range and made it look easy. Don't kid yourself, there is a HUGE talent gap between pros and locals in any sport.
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Edited on 4/14/2008 12:37 PM

who_knew

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #28 on: April 14, 2008, 12:37:49 PM »
I think it is great that some of the pros get out there and mix it up with regular bowlers.  If someone is THAT concerned that they may have to bowl a pro, go enter an ABT event or some other event that prohibits them from bowling.  Sure, everyone wants to win, but there are a LOT of people out there who would love to see a pro bowl in person and get a chance to meet them.

dw23

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #29 on: April 14, 2008, 12:38:47 PM »
Any USBC event (State Tournament or City Tournament) should be open to pros bowling. Any scratch area tournament should also be open. I would have a problem with a pro trying to bowl a handicap club event (i.e. ABT) although I don't think any would try that anyway.
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MAJM

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Re: Pros in local tournaments?
« Reply #30 on: April 14, 2008, 12:39:27 PM »
quote:
A professional competing against amateurs in any event in which skill is a major component, does not equal a level playing field.  In a tournament, I
bowl to win, not to give my money to a professional.  I would not bowl the
tournament, as the likelihood of me beating PBJ3 is not very high. I also
fail to see how anyone else's bowling makes you a better bowler.



Judging by that statement you've never competed on any serious level.
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