Author Topic: Rules question - USBC rule on sanding a ball during game ! (Read 13481 times)

thirtyclean · « **on:** May 30, 2008, 01:21:22 AM »

Does anyone have experience in a matter that happened last night in our league.
An opponent caught a guy sanding the ball during the game. They took the ball out of paly from that point. Are there any repercussions dealing with the game that he used the ball ? Do they forfeit the game ? Just wondering. The ball was just taken out of play.
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Thirtyclean (Well maybe 29, or 28, most of
the times !)

DanH78 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2008, 02:08:33 PM »

quote:
I believe this rule came about when the bowlers discovered the abrasive pad in combo with urethane balls.As the balls smoothed out in competition bowlers were constantly renewing the finish and the oil could not stand up.The BPAA complained the balls were taking the oil and protective finish off the lane and exposing the wood prematurely.Thats why polishing was allowed. No harm to lanes. Today's finishes and oils are much more durable and this rule has outlived it's purpose.A side benefit was the need for two bowling balls,one sanded and one polished.This pleased the ball companies. Greed will prevent this rule from being overturned.Unfair competition was never the reason for the rule.

I feel this rule puts the guy who cannot afford an array of equipment at a disadvantage. To remain competitive bowlers should be allowed to change,by hand,the surface of the ball. After all once changed,if not for this rule, the ball would still be legal.

Making the bowler aware of the rule and taking the ball out of play was the proper decision.

A petition would be needed to get this rule rewritten.

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It's all about the X

Ding ding ding, we have a winner. Also, people would sand the ball, but not wipe the residue off, thus causing more damage to the lane.

Has it outlived it's purpose? Maybe. But I still think it's a good rule
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It IS next year!

« **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2008, 02:10:20 PM »

Quote

Stupid rule. Serves no true purpose, other than making me take more balls on league night. Not worth starting an argument during league over.
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Some rules may appear stupid until you're negatively impacted by their non compliance. What if you were really lined up, and everything was carrying perfectly, and your opponent grabs some 120 grit, makes his ball a "sponge" and starts throwing right on your line? What if you had the front 7 or 8 strikes and the 9th shot went high, not because you missed, but because your shot changed prematurely?

Instead of sanding your ball to create hook, learn how to move on the lanes, or take one ball that's got more surface to begin with. Some rules are there not because of how they impact YOU, but how their non compliance may affect OTHERS.

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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff

rackattack · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2008, 03:57:38 PM »

quote:
and your opponent grabs some 120 grit, makes his ball a "sponge" and starts throwing right on your line? What if you had the front 7 or 8 strikes and the 9th shot went high, not because you missed, but because your shot changed prematurely?

No need to eliminate the rule.You can polish your ball using approved polish. Why not allow a bowler to rough up the ball using approved abrasives ie 800 grit and above? if he's accurate enough to throw over your line with enough consistency to alter your shot he would not need a sponge just enough surface to face up properly.

Besides there is nothing stopping him from pulling a 120 grit pre-sanded ball out of his bag and ruining your line with the rule in place now.

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It's all about the X

« **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2008, 05:29:56 PM »

Quote:

No need to eliminate the rule. You can polish your ball using approved polish. Why not allow a bowler to rough up the ball using approved abrasives ie 800 grit and above? if he's accurate enough to throw over your line with enough consistency to alter your shot he would not need a sponge just enough surface to face up properly.

Besides there is nothing stopping him from pulling a 120 grit pre-sanded ball out of his bag and ruining your line with the rule in place now.

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So which one? Don't eliminate the rule? Or go ahead and rough up the ball with 800 or higher? Sounds like double talk. Obey the rule or eliminate it?

I understand your second point, but the thread is about "changing the surface during play". My example could have been a better one, but thoughtful responses get you nowhere around here. I'm just stating that the rule is there for a reason, like it or not.

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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff

rackattack · « **Reply #20 on:** May 31, 2008, 06:03:37 PM »

quote:
I'm just stating that the rule is there for a reason, like it or not.

I agree.My point was you don't need to eliminate the rule,just modify it to reflect modern conditions.The current rule does not ban sanded balls, just when you can do it.The REASON,as I stated was to protect the lane surface from being burned by constantly fresh sanded balls. NOT to protect other bowler's bowling enjoyment.
Today's oils and finishes are much more resilient and the need is no longer there.
The current rule does not ban altering the surface.Clearly polishing and cleaning changes the surface of the ball and is allowed anytime.A light scuffing would ,in my opinion, fall into the same category.

I did not mean to single you out but your example is an excellent argument to ban sanded balls altogether.I agree THAT should be a rule.But now we're really off topic.
I don't think an altered ball that is still legal except for when it was altered rates expulsion or forfeiture. Removing the offending ball from play is enough in my opinion.
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It's all about the X

« **Reply #21 on:** May 31, 2008, 06:47:06 PM »

Thanks. On a slightly different topic, has the USBC decided to "ban" anything more coarse than 500? It seems like there has been some movement in that direction, but I don't know if they've finalized anything.

That would definitely open a can of worms...

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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff

Author Topic: Rules question - USBC rule on sanding a ball during game ! (Read 13481 times)

thirtyclean

Rules question - USBC rule on sanding a ball during game !

DanH78

Re: Rules question - USBC rule on sanding a ball during game !

Re: Rules question - USBC rule on sanding a ball during game !

rackattack

Re: Rules question - USBC rule on sanding a ball during game !

Re: Rules question - USBC rule on sanding a ball during game !

rackattack

Re: Rules question - USBC rule on sanding a ball during game !

Re: Rules question - USBC rule on sanding a ball during game !