We are a struggling league, and allowed a couple teams who although have improved during the season are still well below the skill level of many of the top teams.

  Too many top tier teams are threatening to quit the league if a Team Cap for handicap is not enacted.  Right now handicap is set at 90% of 230 (with no team or individual max).

  Anyone ever have to set rules to try and keep all parties happy.  If the league loses just a couple more teams it will most likely dissolve before next season.  Thanks.

90% of 230 is an INSANE amount of handicap. The max i see around here is 80% of 210 or 220.  Rather than a max handicap try lowering your handicap percentage to one of those for starters.
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Ive Eaten From The Insane Root That Imprisons Reason

We have 80% of 230 with a max of 50 pins per bowler in our league. Also have a 10 pin max drop rule to prevent sandbagging. League is very competitive with 26 teams this year.

Agreed! 90% of 230 is INSANE!! Our entire area is either 80% of 210 or 220....Id quit too if it was 90% of 230!
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900 Global
http://www.900Global.com

I also agree that 90% of 230 is uncalled for.  Basically the lower average teams were upset that 1 (count that 1 bowler) who could average 228-230 each year is in the league.  Our handicap was 80% of 220, but the lower average teams felt they were giving him free pins, so they decided to "punish" talent.

The bowler still averages 230 or so, but he has to give up more pins and never gets rewarded for actually bowling well.

Everyone else would fit into the 80% of 220 rule as no one else is higher than 218 or so.  Basically bad bowlers who are not willing to be "challenged" and get better by bowling competition that is better than them.

Edited on 4/25/2010 6:08 PM

Why is everyone complaining ?  You are bowling in a handicap league, with all bowlers from being very bad to very good.  As long as you are not 100%, the higher average will always win if both bowlers hit their average exactly.  Why base it on 230 ?  Well, because many of you house hacks are now averaging that or higher.  Why give someone averaging 225 extra pins by making the base 220 or even worse 210 ?

I''ve seen 150 average bowlers hit 650 or higher and when they do, all you hacks do is complain that they are getting too many pins, but when they hit under 400 (and they do) you say nothing becasue they are suppose to bowl bad.

Handicap leagues are tough to bowl in.  You have to give the lower average something to shoot for without taking the fire out of the higher average bowlers.  Not easy.

If you are that good, then you should not mind giving up some pins to the lower average bowlers, if you do, then go bowl in a scratch league.

To answer the question, one of my leagues had an individual max, say 50 pins.  This kept the handicap more reasonable and sent a message to the lower average bowlers to go practice.



Edited on 4/25/2010 6:26 PM

I would not bowl in any league or tournament that was 100% !  Our state and local tournements went to this base and I and many others stopped bowling in it.  They lost entries and went back to 90% of 230.