BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: giddyupddp on December 11, 2017, 11:37:30 PM
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So what are everyone's thoughts on USBC proposals for bowling balls in the future?
Some proposed/rumored changes:
Lowering the allowed maximum differential values of a bowling ball from 0.060 to a number of 0.045.
Restrictions on how absorbent a cover can be - the more absorbent, the faster it can wick oil, generate friction and hook.
removed links per the bitch at 11th frame
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Idiotic reply on Facebook from Chad Murphy
https://www.facebook.com/USBCChadMurphy/posts/818683678308781
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Exactly the reply you would expect from the captain of the Titanic in its final hours. That is if he was bureaucrat douche bag as well.
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So they want to do this now. Akin to closing the gates AFTER the horses left the barn. Stellar Chad & USBC, just fu**in Stellar.
I left bowling & lesser shenanigans 25 yrs. ago just got back into it last year. Oh well, short lived return. What a bunch of total ass clowns!!!!!
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I'm scared to buy anything right now because I don't want whatever I buy to get wiped off the ball market.
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I'm scared to buy anything right now because I don't want whatever I buy to get wiped off the ball market.
Anything you buy now will still be legal, according to that Facebook post. I’m sure grandfather rules will be in effect, just as they are with the .060 diff rule.
I know we all hate the USBC, but they haven’t even announced the changes yet and we already have one guy in this thread saying he’s quitting...
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Cats and dogs living together, mass hysteria! LMAO!!!
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So would that mean Storm has to quit making the 16lb Hy-Road (diff barely legal today)? Going to be a rush on balls if they do this. Not sure why we need whole sale changes except maybe at the pro level (need prize money if going to cut out the ball companies then). Pretty much its still the best bowler who wins and not the richest. Plenty of ten year old balls whoop ass. Hell the ball companies are rereleasing many of them. Little late to put the reactive genie back in the bottle.
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Idiotic reply on Facebook from Chad Murphy
https://www.facebook.com/USBCChadMurphy/posts/818683678308781
I dont like Chad Murphy. However, I agree, the word "war" is just lazy, reckless "reporting" from Jeff Richgels.
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So would that mean Storm has to quit making the 16lb Hy-Road (diff barely legal today)? Going to be a rush on balls if they do this. Not sure why we need whole sale changes except maybe at the pro level (need prize money if going to cut out the ball companies then). Pretty much its still the best bowler who wins and not the richest. Plenty of ten year old balls whoop ass. Hell the ball companies are rereleasing many of them. Little late to put the reactive genie back in the bottle.
Exactly ^^^^^^^^^^^
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If the USBC wants to change the manufacturing regs to make a real difference they should:
1. Lower the max differential
2. Add a max top weight of 3.0 oz
3. Require the cg to be within 1" of grip center
4. Outlaw balance holes, and
5. Leave the current static weight restrictions in place.
JohnP
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Tbh, USB’s needs to put A LIMIT in the AMOUNT OF SURDACE TEXTURE that’s applied to a bowling ball as well..... Imo, I believe 1000, or 2000 (Along with reducing the diff) is plenty enough abrasive to dig in the oil.
So while many won’t like this or these changes, I believe some sort of integrity would be restored in the game just my .002.
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Tbh, USB’s needs to put A LIMIT in the AMOUNT OF SURDACE TEXTURE that’s applied to a bowling ball as well..... Imo, I believe 1000, or 2000 (Along with reducing the diff) is plenty enough abrasive to dig in the oil.
So while many won’t like this or these changes, I believe some sort of integrity would be restored in the game just my .002.
Integrity? What? If everyone has the same access to abralon pads etc how is limiting surface restoring integrity? This is a just a case of the unskilled being upset that the skilled continually beat their brains in.
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Skill doesn’t affect me at all; I ha e PLENTY of that. What is some of the past bowlers’ of all skill levels complain about? (Including the pro’s) DULL BALLS THAT BLOW UP A PATTERN TOO QUICKLY!
If a pro has a problem with these 500 grit dull pieces that AFFECT the trajectory of the path is goes down (and how soon), Then who are YOU or anybody else to say it’s not valid in some fashion?
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And if wasn’t such a big deal northface, then why are these companies turning the clock back and using pieces of the past with more moderate covers and diffs? Tell me that and MORE CONTROL PIECES????
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Lowering the diff, and REDUCING the diff WOULD make it a more playing field where it would take A BOWLERS’ skill as you say to show the SKILS the bowlers really have; Isn’t that what’s it’s about WITHOUT always needing help?
As you say it’s about SKILL, NOT how much help a bowler can have without the skill.
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Ginormous diffs, ultra low rg’s, asymmetry, and “super†covers are all things that were never needed. Bowling was just fine without them.
They were ALL a result of USBC being reactive instead of proactive, and the ballcos desire to exploit human nature in order to sell product.
Now, I’m not ragging the ballcos like I used to. They only did what the public thought they wanted, and they did it WITHIN THE EXISTING RULES. It wasn’t the ballcos fault the rules sucked.
If you can’t take a medium strength ball, with a medium RG rating, and a diff of .o45 and play 99.9% of all THS shots you will ever see, then the problem isn’t the ball. :o
It cannot be said enough: CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION. This, and your physical abilities, are what truly dictates your ability to score.
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It cannot be said enough: CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION. This, and your physical abilities, are what truly dictates your ability to score.
"Condition" can refer to many aspects of bowling. Many people consider only the oil patterns.
I'd suggest a few minor physical changes, that should help restore the concept of "hitting the pocket" to something close to what it used to be.
1. Make sure all gutters on either side of the pin deck are of legal depth or deeper. Most are so shallow these days that they're almost part of the pin deck.
2. Reduce the liveliness of the sideboards at the pin deck. Today, pins explode faster off the side boards than they do when the ball hits them. That will reduce the advantage of pure ball speed. Heck, I'd go so far as to make the side boards absorptive of energy; so pins will never bounce back onto the deck
3. Over time increase the weight of pins from the current Almost balsa wood like weight compared to the power of the current balls. This has to be done over time or too many people will whine. Maybe it should done only for sport and PBA leagues. Maybe from the current 3 lb. 8 oz./3lb. 10z. to 4 lbs. or maybe even more.
3b. They consider reducing the hollow spaces inside the pin to one instead of 2.
Doing these and let the proprietors oil however they want. I think bowling will require more precision and skill than it does now to post good scores.
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Skill doesn’t affect me at all; I ha e PLENTY of that. What is some of the past bowlers’ of all skill levels complain about? (Including the pro’s) DULL BALLS THAT BLOW UP A PATTERN TOO QUICKLY!
If a pro has a problem with these 500 grit dull pieces that AFFECT the trajectory of the path is goes down (and how soon), Then who are YOU or anybody else to say it’s not valid in some fashion?
Exactly, Brian Voss was butt hurt he got his dick kicked in and starting behaving like a child to ban dull bowling balls. The problem is when Johnny come lately uses a 500 grit ball throwing it all over the lane. If you can repeat and are breaking them down "the right way", trust me, the "PROS" dont have a problem.
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You made my point northface 500 grit is called ADVANTAGE, not pure talent as you put it.
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What happens if he didn’t use that 500, it’s called ‘equal opportunity’.
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You made my point northface 500 grit is called ADVANTAGE, not pure talent as you put it.
Is Brian Voss outlawed from using a 500 grit pad on his ball? No. Explain to me how hes at a disadvantage
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This reminds a lot of how the 460 drivers ruined golf and made golf courses too short, maybe for the pros, but for many it just made the sport a little more fun..... I don't care what rules either golf or bowling makes for the professionals, so if pros whine because of x, y, or z I don't really care. There can be rules for the PBA that do not have to apply to the masses. USBC is not for professionals and is constituted of a membership that is over 90% not shooting honor scores or have 200+ averages so it always makes me wonder why it is always worrying about these subjects? How about doing something to increase membership?
I don't see how these proposed new rules will help grow bowling? I understand the need for rules but rolling back equipment rules is not going to grow the sport nor give it the elusive integrity that so many whine about. Do what golf did and cap the equipment where it is now and promote sport leagues or different type of house shot leagues for those who want a challenge but to try to go backwards never works. Just my $0.02......
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I completely understand your point I do; again I’m not talking about who can use what.... to have any resemblance of ‘ integrity’ in this game, all these low tag, high diff balls, these super rough surfaces ARE NOT NEEDED.
If the game is all about ‘skill’, why does one need the ‘advantage’ of said things?
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If you notice the bowling center are mostly older, hence older kick backs. USBC has a minimum and maximum setting for flat gutters. It has to be on the local association to enforce these. The kick backs support the pinsetter and to add more cost to owners to replace these with super absorbent kick backs would close most centers. They could have them cover the kick backs with something that absorbs the energy, but once again, it's an added cost to the owners. I don't see very many messengers with my 15-16mph ball speed, but I do with these young guys in the 18+ mph ball speed. With the high performance equipment coupled with high rev and ball speed, I see more messengers with them. The few two handed bowlers I have seen, they have wicked sick messengers! I don't think making changes in kick backs and gutters with really hurt the high rev, high ball speed players as much as the slower speed, lower rev players. As the bowling world is getting older, me included, I don't think a lot will change our game. I would prefer weaker bowling ball for myself and rely more on being accurate and making better shots. The stronger bowling balls have hurt my game more than helped. Just my $.02, Bruce
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Giddyup, you make a great assessment very well stated.
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If you notice the bowling center are mostly older, hence older kick backs. USBC has a minimum and maximum setting for flat gutters. It has to be on the local association to enforce these. The kick backs support the pinsetter and to add more cost to owners to replace these with super absorbent kick backs would close most centers. They could have them cover the kick backs with something that absorbs the energy, but once again, it's an added cost to the owners. I don't see very many messengers with my 15-16mph ball speed, but I do with these young guys in the 18+ mph ball speed. With the high performance equipment coupled with high rev and ball speed, I see more messengers with them. The few two handed bowlers I have seen, they have wicked sick messengers! I don't think making changes in kick backs and gutters with really hurt the high rev, high ball speed players as much as the slower speed, lower rev players. As the bowling world is getting older, me included, I don't think a lot will change our game. I would prefer weaker bowling ball for myself and rely more on being accurate and making better shots. The stronger bowling balls have hurt my game more than helped. Just my $.02, Bruce
Yesss someone gets it ^^^^^
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I love how the same people who have bashed USBC for not doing enough to regulate the scoring environment are also the ones complaining about these proposed changes. Would it have been nice if these things had been done years ago? Sure, but as I've said over and over again, high scoring paces are NOT what has hurt the sport. Bowlers are two-faced as all hell. Many say that they want lower scores, yet they're the first ones to complain after they shoot 580 for a few weeks in a row. The game has suffered because time has past it by. There are 50,000 recreational activities, both real and online, that people can be involved in these days; that wasn't the case 30 years ago. Also, getting younger bowlers to commit to a 33-week season just isn't a thing like it used to be.
Lastly, in regard to skill level, outside of the league environment, the best bowlers with the most talent still win 99.9% of the time. Sure, if you put them on a house shot where ANYBODY can score, the playing field becomes more level, but in truly competitive environments (Open Championships, PBA, big money events), the best bowlers still win because they're the most skilled.
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Fact: A 900 was shot with an IQ Tour Gold, 0.029 pre-drilled differential.
Fact: A 900 was shot with a Hustle Ink, 0.030 pre-drilled differential.
The only thing lowering the diff in balls will do, is even further the advantage the high rev rate spray and pray guys have on these over-walled house shots, that high flare balls can blend out for the average or below average rev-rate bowlers.
Oil absorption rate is not even close to being the primary factor in hook potential. Footprint of the point of contact of lane and ball, and CoF dictate hook much much more than oil absorption of the ball.
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If you notice the bowling center are mostly older, hence older kick backs. USBC has a minimum and maximum setting for flat gutters. It has to be on the local association to enforce these. The kick backs support the pinsetter and to add more cost to owners to replace these with super absorbent kick backs would close most centers. They could have them cover the kick backs with something that absorbs the energy, but once again, it's an added cost to the owners. I don't see very many messengers with my 15-16mph ball speed, but I do with these young guys in the 18+ mph ball speed. With the high performance equipment coupled with high rev and ball speed, I see more messengers with them. The few two handed bowlers I have seen, they have wicked sick messengers! I don't think making changes in kick backs and gutters with really hurt the high rev, high ball speed players as much as the slower speed, lower rev players. As the bowling world is getting older, me included, I don't think a lot will change our game. I would prefer weaker bowling ball for myself and rely more on being accurate and making better shots. The stronger bowling balls have hurt my game more than helped. Just my $.02, Bruce
Good points, the "old guard" wanting these changes are actually hurting themselves.
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But hook doesn't automatically equal higher scores. If that were the case, every high level bowler would be two-handed/no thumb. If rev rate were all it took to win, guys like Robert Smith would've won 100 tournaments. Yes, in certain environments, rev rate and speed are an advantage, but that isn't always the case.
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I love how the same people who have bashed USBC for not doing enough to regulate the scoring environment are also the ones complaining about these proposed changes. Would it have been nice if these things had been done years ago? Sure, but as I've said over and over again, high scoring paces are NOT what has hurt the sport. Bowlers are two-faced as all hell. Many say that they want lower scores, yet they're the first ones to complain after they shoot 580 for a few weeks in a row. The game has suffered because time has past it by. There are 50,000 recreational activities, both real and online, that people can be involved in these days; that wasn't the case 30 years ago. Also, getting younger bowlers to commit to a 33-week season just isn't a thing like it used to be.
Lastly, in regard to skill level, outside of the league environment, the best bowlers with the most talent still win 99.9% of the time. Sure, if you put them on a house shot where ANYBODY can score, the playing field becomes more level, but in truly competitive environments (Open Championships, PBA, big money events), the best bowlers still win because they're the most skilled.
I cant add. You get it. No matter what "rules" or "limits" are implemented, the same guys will win.
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But hook doesn't automatically equal higher scores. If that were the case, every high level bowler would be two-handed/no thumb. If rev rate were all it took to win, guys like Robert Smith would've won 100 tournaments. Yes, in certain environments, rev rate and speed are an advantage, but that isn't always the case.
If Smith was 25 today, he would be running over the tour. He was more accurate and repeated shots better than a lot of these younger guys do. Rev-rate and ball speed IS more important than anything on tour these days, just look at the numbers, and who is winning. You really think Jesper is splitting boards hitting a dime at 45 feet??? Ah, no
The oils today create more natural hold downlane, than what Robert had, when he was bowling on tour, plus there are higher volumes as well.
As a side note, hook potential is how you generate higher entry angles, that allows the ball to have a wider pocket, and use the side boards to also strike, whether it be done with the ball or hand.
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... There are 50,000 recreational activities, both real and online, that people can be involved in these days; that wasn't the case 30 years ago. Also, getting younger bowlers to commit to a 33-week season just isn't a thing like it used to be.
Bingo. Esports are growing and bowling is dying because people are inherently lazy and want to live the dream potato life in Wall-E. A lot of us grew up bowling because there was less to do indoors in the winter decades ago and fell in love with the sport. Not happening as frequently with the young ones who sadly are too lazy to even play video games but prefer watching other people do it over the internet (kid you not).
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... There are 50,000 recreational activities, both real and online, that people can be involved in these days; that wasn't the case 30 years ago. Also, getting younger bowlers to commit to a 33-week season just isn't a thing like it used to be.
Bingo. Esports are growing and bowling is dying because people are inherently lazy and want to live the dream potato life in Wall-E. A lot of us grew up bowling because there was less to do indoors in the winter decades ago and fell in love with the sport. Not happening as frequently with the young ones who sadly are too lazy to even play video games but prefer watching other people do it over the internet (kid you not).
Youre wrong, my friends son is a professional gamer and makes 6 figures a year. They arent "too lazy" they are picking up strategies and tactics to use themselves.
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... There are 50,000 recreational activities, both real and online, that people can be involved in these days; that wasn't the case 30 years ago. Also, getting younger bowlers to commit to a 33-week season just isn't a thing like it used to be.
Bingo. Esports are growing and bowling is dying because people are inherently lazy and want to live the dream potato life in Wall-E. A lot of us grew up bowling because there was less to do indoors in the winter decades ago and fell in love with the sport. Not happening as frequently with the young ones who sadly are too lazy to even play video games but prefer watching other people do it over the internet (kid you not).
Youre wrong, my friends son is a professional gamer and makes 6 figures a year. They arent "too lazy" they are picking up strategies and tactics to use themselves.
And diabetes to boot but to each their own (to be fair many of them do play real sports and hope they continue). Bowling is probably going to add 5 years to my life. Point is bowling isn't an short attention span grabber any more.
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Here is something to consider. I am not a pro, never have been. However I have had the opportunity to compete against and bowl with some great pros over the years. What I know is this. It is not about power, or even the ability to repeat shots. What has always distiguished the great players from high average league bowlers is versatility. The best have always been able to adjust to the shot, whether it is playing up the gutter or getting into 4th arrow.
What the super aggressive balls do is lessen the need for versatility. If you can blow up a pattern in a game it puts too much premium on power without the need to adjust. This is no more than an annoyance at the league level where people want to be rewarded for power and accuracy without having to be versatile. However at the highest competitive level the elimination of the need for versatility takes away an important dimension of the game. The power game has been around for 30+ years. The high friction level if the modern balls has severely lessened the need for versatility in favor of power and speed.
Bottom line, the super aggressive shell has allowed bowlers to negate the tremendous ability of modern lane machines to put out a multitude of challenging patterns
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Bowling study finds the obvious: lane patterns matter more than ball technology, other factors, Bowlers Journal reports
https://www.worldbowling.org/news/2014/05/bowling-study-finds-the-obvious-lane-patterns-matter-more-than-ball-technology-other-factors-bowlers-journal-reports/
If this is the case why change ball technology just change the patterns to make it more difficult.
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Make everyone use the same ball in any given setting. Let them adjust the surface however they see fit. The cream will rise to the top.
Or, let everyone use any ball they choose with any surface, the cream will rise to the top.
I see no difference. The person that figures out how to nock ten pins down the most wins.
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Me thinks this is about Chad looking like he has to do something about looking like such an asshat with all the lofting at the Open. The bowling world has to pay for his incompetence many times over.
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You can't bring back bowlers by continuing to believe in a failing business model. Many bowling centers/leagues are running today no differently then they did in the 50s,60s 70s etc.
Think of all the other businesses and how they have had to change over the years to keep up with the changes in society and what customers want. Most bowling centers and USBC are not on the same page of keeping up with society today.
If bowling is so easy today there would be no lower averages bowlers. There is. Then all of the bowlers who quite did so because there averages got too high and they no longer found it competitive? Plenty of lower average bowlers quite.
Judging by the law of averages most that quit bowling would be lower average bowlers. That means they left for other reasons. Yet many wish to ignore the obvious and chase rabbits.
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You can't bring back bowlers by continuing to believe in a failing business model. Many bowling centers/leagues are running today no differently then they did in the 50s,60s 70s etc.
Think of all the other businesses and how they have had to change over the years to keep up with the changes in society and what customers want. Most bowling centers and USBC are not on the same page of keeping up with society today.
If bowling is so easy today there would be no lower averages bowlers. There is. Then all of the bowlers who quite did so because there averages got too high and they no longer found it competitive? Plenty of lower average bowlers quite.
Judging by the law of averages most that quit bowling would be lower average bowlers. That means they left for other reasons. Yet many wish to ignore the obvious and chase rabbits.
At least in my area bowling centers are pretty much bars with lanes. Fine by me as I mostly bowl during the days. Let hipsters show off their lame bowling shirt at night in the glowlight if it will keep the places open.
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You can't bring back bowlers by continuing to believe in a failing business model. Many bowling centers/leagues are running today no differently then they did in the 50s,60s 70s etc.
Think of all the other businesses and how they have had to change over the years to keep up with the changes in society and what customers want. Most bowling centers and USBC are not on the same page of keeping up with society today.
If bowling is so easy today there would be no lower averages bowlers. There is. Then all of the bowlers who quite did so because there averages got too high and they no longer found it competitive? Plenty of lower average bowlers quite.
Judging by the law of averages most that quit bowling would be lower average bowlers. That means they left for other reasons. Yet many wish to ignore the obvious and chase rabbits.
At least in my area bowling centers are pretty much bars with lanes. Fine by me as I mostly bowl during the days. Let hipsters show off their lame bowling shirt at night in the glowlight if it will keep the places open.
Where exactly do you live?
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Okay, so what do the majority want?
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Regardless of what they decide, ill still bowl.
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I think it's a fantastic idea. and when the whole thing blows up maybe we can move on from USBC.
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Okay, so what do the majority want?
First the majority of USBC bowlers have averages below 200 and are not concerned with scoring that is out of control. They just get out and want to have some fun. Those bowlers who are trying to improve who have bought balls don't want to find out they are now illegal or can't get one like it again because some new rule.
The USBC should Stop obsessing on the past and trying to move backwards. Come up with one new idea or concept that tries to bring more people into bowling. And I know that is vague but I think some ideas they have had make sense but poorly executed. The entire concept of Sport bowling is great but at least in my area I have never seen one of these leagues promoted by the USBC or any ever exist in a house in my area. How about really getting involved with youth bowling and get the big companies that own a great % of houses on board instead my local Bowlero actually kicked the Sat morning youth league out of their house because they would didn't want to have to open, oil, and turn lights on a Sat morning.
Again just my $0.02, I don't claim to be the majority but doesn't want the sport of bowling to die, but it can also promote the game of bowling for the majority of USBC members who just want to have a fun time bowling.
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I think the ball companies would push back at this. Like really, really hard. And they're the side that has the money here, so...
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The equipment isn't to blame for what happened at the US Open. The US Open pattern has been 1:1 for a very long time and historically the best way to attack the pattern has been to start deep and go deeper. Bowlers have lofted the gutter caps for years.
So picking now as the time to roll back technology seems a bit late. Of the options, I guess the differential would be the easiest to implement. But I would also push to eliminate the antiquated static rules. This would allow bowlers to achieve similar drilling results with a lower differential core.
But if the goal is to grow the sport of bowling (league mainly) then league bowlers will have to rely on the local proprietors (or conglomerates) to assist. USBC will not be able to send out people/information to grow the sport. It won't work. Currently centers are making more money from open bowling thus spending their time and effort on growing this market.
Unfortunately, league bowlers are cheap and want discounts. I understand there are some incentives to have consistent lane usage, but it isn't enough or else the centers would be marketing leagues more. Once leagues are as profitable for the centers as open bowling, then the centers will market league bowling. The league bowlers will have to spend more for a given night. That is when USBC will grow.
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Again, defining what is sport and what is game is the most important thing here. Don't want to move your feet off of the big dot and get a nose bleed when you have to get left of 10? You get to play the game of bowling. You want to be skilled and push yourself and grow as a bowler? You get to play the sport of bowling. Either side can cross over, so if you're a sport bowler, you can be a house bowler, and if you're a house bowler, you can be a sport bowler. But there is not any difference between the 2 on the vast majorities eyes, except that one is harder and one is ruining the sport of bowling.
I feel like a broken record, but USBC needs to address the mixture of classifications. I'm not a pro bass Fisher, but I'm pretty sure I could catch a fish if I fished in a barrel.
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Again, defining what is sport and what is game is the most important thing here. Don't want to move your feet off of the big dot and get a nose bleed when you have to get left of 10? You get to play the game of bowling. You want to be skilled and push yourself and grow as a bowler? You get to play the sport of bowling. Either side can cross over, so if you're a sport bowler, you can be a house bowler, and if you're a house bowler, you can be a sport bowler. But there is not any difference between the 2 on the vast majorities eyes, except that one is harder and one is ruining the sport of bowling.
I feel like a broken record, but USBC needs to address the mixture of classifications. I'm not a pro bass Fisher, but I'm pretty sure I could catch a fish if I fished in a barrel.
Switch "pieces" to the 12 gauge and spray and pray! I DO NOT recommend the 1500 polished shells though...
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Again, defining what is sport and what is game is the most important thing here. Don't want to move your feet off of the big dot and get a nose bleed when you have to get left of 10? You get to play the game of bowling. You want to be skilled and push yourself and grow as a bowler? You get to play the sport of bowling. Either side can cross over, so if you're a sport bowler, you can be a house bowler, and if you're a house bowler, you can be a sport bowler. But there is not any difference between the 2 on the vast majorities eyes, except that one is harder and one is ruining the sport of bowling.
I feel like a broken record, but USBC needs to address the mixture of classifications. I'm not a pro bass Fisher, but I'm pretty sure I could catch a fish if I fished in a barrel.
How is this different than what we currently have? There have been sport leagues and THS leagues. Guess what.... 99.9% of bowlers don't want to bowl on sport. It is apparent in the lack of sport shot leagues. It is apparent in the dwindling numbers going to Nationals.
The only sport or activity I know of that has different ability levels playing at the same time is golf with different tee lengths. At least golfers of different ability can play together. You can't accommodate sport and THS in the same league thus people will migrate to the more common option.
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I use to treat the game as a 'Sport' and bowl all kinds of tourneys. Now as i get older, have more commitments such as kids and other sports stuff, i just want to go and have fun in league and not worry about shooting 130 every game. So at this point in my life, i prefer just THS leagues cause i don't have the time to put in to be somewhat competitive in a Sport league anymore. I don't want to leave the game and all the equipment for me gets me confused. I might as well just get a few different urethane's and have fun that way.
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The equipment isn't to blame for what happened at the US Open. The US Open pattern has been 1:1 for a very long time and historically the best way to attack the pattern has been to start deep and go deeper. Bowlers have lofted the gutter caps for years.
So picking now as the time to roll back technology seems a bit late. Of the options, I guess the differential would be the easiest to implement. But I would also push to eliminate the antiquated static rules. This would allow bowlers to achieve similar drilling results with a lower differential core.
But if the goal is to grow the sport of bowling (league mainly) then league bowlers will have to rely on the local proprietors (or conglomerates) to assist. USBC will not be able to send out people/information to grow the sport. It won't work. Currently centers are making more money from open bowling thus spending their time and effort on growing this market.
Unfortunately, league bowlers are cheap and want discounts. I understand there are some incentives to have consistent lane usage, but it isn't enough or else the centers would be marketing leagues more. Once leagues are as profitable for the centers as open bowling, then the centers will market league bowling. The league bowlers will have to spend more for a given night. That is when USBC will grow.
Well stated sir.
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Tbh, USB’s needs to put A LIMIT in the AMOUNT OF SURDACE TEXTURE that’s applied to a bowling ball as well..... Imo, I believe 1000, or 2000 (Along with reducing the diff) is plenty enough abrasive to dig in the oil.
So while many won’t like this or these changes, I believe some sort of integrity would be restored in the game just my .002.
Good in theory but impossible to enforce. -- JohnP
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I agree John, sadly. It is what it is.... ???
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I agree John, sadly. It is what it is.... ???
Thing is with surface grit you have to make an exception for urethane. It doesn't blow up the shot like reactives at low grit and for guys like me I have to keep them at low grit to use them on anything but bone dry lanes.
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I use to treat the game as a 'Sport' and bowl all kinds of tourneys. Now as i get older, have more commitments such as kids and other sports stuff, i just want to go and have fun in league and not worry about shooting 130 every game. So at this point in my life, i prefer just THS leagues cause i don't have the time to put in to be somewhat competitive in a Sport league anymore. I don't want to leave the game and all the equipment for me gets me confused. I might as well just get a few different urethane's and have fun that way.
And there you have it. Simple, well stated, and straight to the point.
There are people who want to be competitive level bowlers, and will spend the time and money to do so. For those, there should be a place where they can do that.
BUT, the vast majority of bowlers just want to go bowl a few games, hang out with friends, drink a beer or two, have a good time, and go home. They’re not REALLY trying to get all that much better, or conquer the sport, just out to enjoy themselves.
They bring their cheap plastic and urethane balls, do their thing, have all the fun they can, and go home to real life.
And, if bowling ceases to be fun, they will go find something else to do.
BOWLING IS A GAME. A RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY. NOTHING MORE THAN THAT.
Yes, it has a sporting side, but that side is the real niche, and the sooner we “serious†bowlers figure that out, the sooner we can start concentrating on how to make bowling fun again instead of trying to make it fair.
And remember: “He who is not content with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to haveâ€â€”——Socrates
Go bowling. Take friends. Have fun. Repeat.
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I use to treat the game as a 'Sport' and bowl all kinds of tourneys. Now as i get older, have more commitments such as kids and other sports stuff, i just want to go and have fun in league and not worry about shooting 130 every game. So at this point in my life, i prefer just THS leagues cause i don't have the time to put in to be somewhat competitive in a Sport league anymore. I don't want to leave the game and all the equipment for me gets me confused. I might as well just get a few different urethane's and have fun that way.
And there you have it. Simple, well stated, and straight to the point.
There are people who want to be competitive level bowlers, and will spend the time and money to do so. For those, there should be a place where they can do that.
BUT, the vast majority of bowlers just want to go bowl a few games, hang out with friends, drink a beer or two, have a good time, and go home. They’re not REALLY trying to get all that much better, or conquer the sport, just out to enjoy themselves.
They bring their cheap plastic and urethane balls, do their thing, have all the fun they can, and go home to real life.
And, if bowling ceases to be fun, they will go find something else to do.
BOWLING IS A GAME. A RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY. NOTHING MORE THAN THAT.
Yes, it has a sporting side, but that side is the real niche, and the sooner we “serious†bowlers figure that out, the sooner we can start concentrating on how to make bowling fun again instead of trying to make it fair.
And remember: “He who is not content with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to haveâ€â€”——Socrates
Go bowling. Take friends. Have fun. Repeat.
You can take it fairly seriously (almost 25 ball arsenal now yikes) and still treat it like a game. There are at least some of us that love bowling the game not crushing the competition in bowling the sport. I would rather throw 20 above my average and lose than throw 20 under and win. I pretty much compete solely against myself and enjoy that bowling gets me out of the house and actually is a somewhat healthy activity.
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You can take it fairly seriously (almost 25 ball arsenal now yikes) and still treat it like a game. There are at least some of us that love bowling the game not crushing the competition in bowling the sport. I would rather throw 20 above my average and lose than throw 20 under and win. I pretty much compete solely against myself and enjoy that bowling gets me out of the house and actually is a somewhat healthy activity.
Exactly my point.
Way more like you than not.
Your biggest focus isn’t on kicking asses and checking people off your list, you just want to enjoy yourself.
If bowling (the game) is fun and thrives, then bowling (the sport) will do well also.
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Amen Juggernaut.
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This is where I’m at in the game as well: I’m in a MAJOR SLUMP for going on 2 months now (marriege problems can’t focus or concentrate), BUT IM having so much fun and really learning the game in all aspects, while treating it as it has always been supposed to be ‘FUN’.
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This is where I’m at in the game as well: I’m in a MAJOR SLUMP for going on 2 months now (marriege problems can’t focus or concentrate), BUT IM having so much fun and really learning the game in all aspects, while treating it as it has always been supposed to be ‘FUN’.
I was in a horrific slump which coincided with problems with my slut bag ex, when she was terminated, the slump mysteriously went away.
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Lucky you sir, mines is gonna stay awhile, but again, as long as I’m having fun and enjoying life, out with friends/family, that’s all that matters. Won’t last forever.
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It cannot be said enough: CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION. This, and your physical abilities, are what truly dictates your ability to score.
"Condition" can refer to many aspects of bowling. Many people consider only the oil patterns.
I'd suggest a few minor physical changes, that should help restore the concept of "hitting the pocket" to something close to what it used to be.
1. Make sure all gutters on either side of the pin deck are of legal depth or deeper. Most are so shallow these days that they're almost part of the pin deck.
2. Reduce the liveliness of the sideboards at the pin deck. Today, pins explode faster off the side boards than they do when the ball hits them. That will reduce the advantage of pure ball speed. Heck, I'd go so far as to make the side boards absorptive of energy; so pins will never bounce back onto the deck
3. Over time increase the weight of pins from the current Almost balsa wood like weight compared to the power of the current balls. This has to be done over time or too many people will whine. Maybe it should done only for sport and PBA leagues. Maybe from the current 3 lb. 8 oz./3lb. 10z. to 4 lbs. or maybe even more.
3b. They consider reducing the hollow spaces inside the pin to one instead of 2.
Doing these and let the proprietors oil however they want. I think bowling will require more precision and skill than it does now to post good scores.
Good points. If they would just stop the "length" patterns that would solve the scoring issue. Buff the oil to the pins and require a minimum of 3 units on all parts of the lane. Not just the boards oiled. Dry, crisp clean back ends inflates scores. But they won't do this because it will cost the centers more money in oil.
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I think it's a fantastic idea. and when the whole thing blows up maybe we can move on from USBC.
We could do that anyway. There is the TNBA. I think there are a few others as well. I know USBC is the big dog, but if enough people don't like how they run things, then maybe someone else should try to step up and do it better.
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I've started this season in the worst slump of my career. I normally bowl a sport league over the summer and 2 leagues over the fall but this past summer, with the birth of my daughter, I took the summer off and am only bowling 3 games a week.......that makes it tough.
I'm grinding this year as somewhat of a throw-away year but I'll re-discover myself this summer and get back on the horse.
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My average is down ten pins this year, All we get for league is a head run over whatever's been left over since the last time they ran a head run.
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My average is down ten pins this year, All we get for league is a head run over whatever's been left over since the last time they ran a head run.
Wow! Hey DP3! sorry to hear about your issue. We've gotten just the opposite at Marlow Hgts!! Lanes are WIDE OPEN! Every night is a veritable strike fest! We've had 10- 300 games shot to date! (just stupid silly) And one guy is responsible for three of those!