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Author Topic: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules  (Read 27477 times)

Gizmo823

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Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« on: September 16, 2013, 08:47:12 AM »
I know I've posted something about this before, but I wanted to get some input.  I honestly don't think it has any chance of happening first of all, so I don't need any "reality checks" so to speak, but I was after some real suggestions as far as how to present it.  I want to send something to USBC to see if they will amend a rule or put in a provision for ambidextrous bowlers to be able to bowl with both hands.  I don't feel that it's unfair or any different to switch hands during a set or to pick up certain spares than it is to change balls or move where you're playing, it just seems like extra versatility to me.  Obviously they can do this on tour, though most don't mess with it. 

I fully understand why they don't currently allow it, there's all kinds of problems that arise with averages and handicap, BUT to fix this or allow for it, I have a suggestion.  If you are an ambidextrous bowler and want to have the option to use both hands, you waive ever getting handicap, period, for as long as you're sanctioned.  Even if you just decide to bowl with one hand in the future, to keep from having a mess figuring something out, if you choose this option, you forfeit handicap for the rest of your "career."  Now I think this is a perfectly reasonable proposition, but for some reason I doubt they'll go for it.  That's all I got though, I don't have any better ideas or suggestions.  I doubt they'd have many people that would go for that in the first place, which would make it easy to manage for them, so it shouldn't be that big of a deal.  Somehow though, I think I'll just get a polite email back saying no. 

But from their side, what can a reasonable argument against it be?  Yeah it creates handicap nightmares, but if you completely remove handicap, there's no issue, right?  They can't say it's unfair, because isn't it just as unfair for somebody who can afford equipment to lug 6 new balls in and use them against people with years old equipment?  Or for someone that can play 4 different arrows to move around all night while some people are stuck at 2nd arrow?  And obviously none of that is unfair, but that's the point.  I've put in a lot of time and practice, not to mention a couple seasons, bowling lefthanded, which I don't feel is any different than practicing up with one hand, or buying more equipment, or developing your mental game, etc.  I think it's just another way to be versatile, and I'd really like to have that option.  Thoughts?
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Armourboy

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Re: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« Reply #16 on: September 16, 2013, 05:52:03 PM »
Really its one of those thing that wouldn't bother me too much either way, but just looking at it from a USBC, tournament director, PBA, etc. point of view it would just make things much simpler to say that if you start a game right handed you bowl that game completely right handed.

It keeps the rules easy and clean for you and the people you are bowling against. I have a strange feeling if they allowed you to switch back and forth they would spend half your matches dealing with allegations of cheating.

Tex

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Re: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« Reply #17 on: September 16, 2013, 08:47:09 PM »
The being able to use either hand during a game has been voted on at the ABC and USBC many times. It is always defeated rather soundly. Always seems to have some discussion and bottom line from my memory is an unfair advantage for the few that can do it.

Ringing10

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Re: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« Reply #18 on: September 16, 2013, 11:48:08 PM »
How many balls would have to bring to league/tournaments? As the balls would have to be drilled lefty and righty. If something happens on the right side and you want to move to the left, you would need something more than the ball you throw at 10 pins.
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TDC57

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Re: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« Reply #19 on: September 17, 2013, 12:23:51 AM »
I have bowled with both hands during a season but of course not on the same night. I don't think it creates an advantage that should be illegal. Being able to use either hand is because you're either ambidextrous or you practice a lot to become proficient to use either hand. Being good at both hands is not an dirty trick. It is only a handicap nightmare if you do it to affect your average (sandbag). Funny though you can bowl two-handed and also with your dominant hand and that's okay. I have a guy in my league that is bowling two-handed (just starting and is horrible at it and also with his dominant (right) hand. He bowls poorly two handed and then uses only his right hand when he needs to bowl well. Which type of bowling should really be illegal?

Jorge300

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Re: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« Reply #20 on: September 17, 2013, 12:08:38 PM »
Gizmo,
     I understand your points as well.
 
I have had a teammate in college who could do this. And I saw first-hand the advantages and disadvantages of it. He was forced to use one hand or the other at the start of any tournament. His averages were like the ones in my example. having watched this, even if it was legal, I don't see an advantage in switching hands to shoot a spare. Unless you average the same and have the same skill level with both hands ( a very rare occurance I would think). Perception may be it is easier to make a 10 pin LH versus RH....but that is not always reality. You will always have a better side, probably your dominant side. There are reasons your other hand has a lower average. I am guessing part of it is more missed spares (along with maybe less strikes). If bowling in league was like it was in High School and college, where you could substitue people in and out, would you honestly bring in someone to shoot your 10 pin if they had a 10-20 lower average than you, regardless of the hand they threw with? I know I wouldn't. So why switch hands for it? I know my old teammate, had to always throw a ball or two before he was comfortable with the other hand....especially if it had been a little while since he switched. You won't have that luxury if you switch in the middle of a game. While the Human brain is a wonderous thing, I find it hard to believe it can turn itself around to be in time and on pace with the opposite hand after rolling a number of shots with the other. JMHO.
 
As far as the twohanded bowler.....that to me sounds like sandbagging. If he wants to learn to bowl twohanded, go for it, but that is what practice is for. If he continues to bowl a game or two twohanded and then switch to one handed to improve his scores.....it needs to be documented so his average can be rerated if he bowls any handicap tournaments. Similar to someone bowling in a non-Sports certified league on Sports patterns.
Jorge300

TDC57

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Re: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« Reply #21 on: September 17, 2013, 03:03:27 PM »
Jorge,

I couldn't agree with you statement about the two handed bowler. I think it's sandbagging also. I guess I'll find out this week as we bowl against him. People have already brought out the rule book and are finding it tough to do or say something because it seems to be ok in there. Have to see how this plays out.

DrBob806

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Re: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« Reply #22 on: September 17, 2013, 08:07:57 PM »
Basketball players can drive the lane and switch hands in mid-air for a layup. Basketball players are allowed to dribble with both hands as well.

We allow wrist supports, changeable soles & heels on shoes, many people don't know how to keep score, and lanes can be damn-near blocked/walled....yet bowlers who can roll it with either hand are shunned. It doesn't make any sense to me at all.

batbowler

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Re: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« Reply #23 on: September 17, 2013, 10:48:55 PM »
Just look at all the pro's that do the same thing. Oh, wait none of them switch hands while bowling on tv. If there was a benefit, I'd think the pro would be doing it! Just my $.02, Bruce
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Gizmo823

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Re: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« Reply #24 on: September 18, 2013, 07:45:27 AM »
There's a lot more good points in there.  Yeah I suppose that thinking that I could just change hands late in the second game or third game and be warm and ready to go is ignorant, and yes I have considered the extra equipment issue.  However, I take 2 balls just about everywhere to begin with.  I also have practiced using both hands at the same time, and I suppose that might have been where it started. 

It appears the general concensus is that it's better the way it is, and you guys all make some good points.  How about this instead, what do you think about at least seeing if they will sanction the two different hands separately so I could "sub" for myself without creating a huge problem?  Thoughts?
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itsallaboutme

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Re: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« Reply #25 on: September 18, 2013, 07:57:14 AM »
Join the PBA, you can throw it however you want. 

Gizmo823

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Re: Bowling with both hands, USBC rules
« Reply #26 on: September 18, 2013, 01:08:57 PM »
Thanks for the constructive input, as always. 

Join the PBA, you can throw it however you want.
What would you be if you were attached to another object by an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis?