I am not a league secretary, but something about your post compelled me to respond. Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and a passion for bowling!
There are ways to get the ball rolling for a league, but in order to make it a reality, you have to get the attention of the league coordinator or the house manager, and prove to them that it will be worth the time and effort.
Start by organizing a group to come in and practice during an open time slot, preferably a time slot that could be used for a league. Just call a few of your close friends to come down with you, and encourage them to see if they can get one person to come with them. If you can get a group together that regularly comes in to bowl, you can then suggest that a league be started.
After you have had a regular "practice" group for a while, ask the manager if it would be possible to get a sport shot put down for your "regular" practice bowlers. Maybe just on 2 or 3 pairs, if not more. Start small if you have to. Once your group has been regularly doing this for a few weeks, it will be apparent that it may be worth it to form a league out of your group.
Offer to do some of the legwork; show up during other leagues and recruit bowlers. Make up a flyer that allows people to turn in their personal info and bowling info (avg., USBC #, etc.) and measure the interest level. Hand one out to every person and give them a quick rundown about what you are trying to do. It won't work to just leave a pile of flyers at the desk, BTW. If you can get enough flyers turned in to the center, you can have a good base of bowlers to start from.
Another simple yet effective thing I have seen is where open bowlers are invited to leave their information if they are interested in leagues. Someone at the front desk does this when the bowling is paid for, and usually it is right after a group of people just had an enjoyable time bowling a few games. One center I saw actually would give away 3 free games if the person at the desk did not ask if you were interested in a league. If anyone turns in their info, have them referred to your league first!
All of these suggestions should only be implemented AFTER you have the permission of the manager or someone with authority in the center. Tell them that you think you can round up enough people to start a new league, and if they will allow, give them some suggestions to help you. Again, you might have to do the legwork to start with, but if you want it bad enough, it will work! I was able to help FINALLY get a scratch league started in my center, and it was because I went around talking it up to everyone I knew. Even some I didn't know! You can do it!
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-SawFreak~
Predicting my next opponent runs into a BUZZSAW!
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Proud original member-
F.O.S.
