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Author Topic: Seen the new schedule?  (Read 7262 times)

The Bowling Pariah

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Seen the new schedule?
« on: June 28, 2011, 02:22:42 PM »

PBA’s 2011-12 Season Begins with World Series of Bowling, Concludes with Tournament of Champions

by Bill Vint June 28, 2011 07:40
SEATTLE – The Professional Bowlers Association World Series of Bowling returns for a third consecutive season, starting a new season of PBA competition that will culminate with the PBA Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas in April.

The new season will get underway with the multi-event PBA World Series of Bowling Nov. 4-20 at South Point Bowling Center in Las Vegas and it will end April 8-15 when the PBA Tournament of Champions returns to Red Rock Lanes. In addition to PBA Regional, Senior, Women’s Series and National Tour title winners who are eligible for the Tournament of Champions, PBA Tour event winners during the 2011-12 season will receive exemptions to advance directly into the 36-player finals field for the 2012 event.

The 2011-12 season will also produce the most extensive online coverage of PBA Tour competition in history, with more than 250 hours of live coverage on pba.com’s Xtra Frame planned, including four new “Xtra Frame Tour” events. Additional details regarding television coverage, tournament formats and more will be announced soon.

2011-12 PBA TOUR SCHEDULE

Nov. 4-20 – Third annual PBA World Series of Bowling (Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship, World Bowling Tour Finals presented by the PBA, Viper Open, Scorpion Open, Chameleon Open, Carmen Salvino Classic, Earl Anthony Touring Players Championship, Earl Anthony Touring Players Baker Doubles Championship and PBA World Championship), South Point Bowling Center, Las Vegas (Xtra Frame and ESPN).

Jan. 20-22 – PBA Xtra Frame Cheetah Open, Fountain Bowl, Fountain Valley, Calif. (Xtra Frame).

Jan. 23-29 – United States Bowling Congress Masters, Sunset Station, Las Vegas (Xtra Frame and ESPN).

Feb. 3-5 – PBA Xtra Frame Shark Open, Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Mich. (Xtra Frame)

Feb. 17-19 – PBA Xtra Frame Don Johnson Memorial Open, Sequoia Lanes, Columbus, Ohio (Xtra Frame).

Feb. 20-26 – U.S. Open, Brunswick Zone Carolier, North Brunswick, N.J. (Xtra Frame and ESPN).

March 30-April 1 – Xtra Frame Dick Weber PBA Playoffs, Woodland Bowl, Indianapolis (Xtra Frame).

April 8-15 – PBA Tournament of Champions, Red Rock Lanes, Las Vegas, Nev. (Xtra Frame and ESPN).

 Apparently, there will be four events that are exclusive to the Xtra frame pay service, so if you really want to see them, you will have to fork over some cash IF you don't already have it. As hard as it is to get viewers, sponsors, and publicity, why would you make it harder and more expensive for the people who might want to watch you? Its not like you're the NFL, NBA, or MLB with people standing in line to give you money for goodness sakes.
The Ancient Evil Survives!

 

Dan Belcher

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #16 on: July 21, 2011, 11:41:00 AM »
I just asked Tom Clark about this on Twitter. His response: "as we speak we are looking into HD cams for use on Xtra Frame .. expect improvements. Thanks"
 



ImBackInTheGame wrote on 7/21/2011 7:01 AM:
 I think they just need to step up the video quality a little.  It's good, but not great....



Xx 12 X 300 xX

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #17 on: July 21, 2011, 11:45:20 AM »
To get very good crisp video quality, you also need very good lighting.   It's hard to do Xtra frame with only a few free standing lighting pieces.   You almost need to create a tv set on the extra frame pairs.   The HD cameras would help even more.


Dan Belcher

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #18 on: July 21, 2011, 11:51:01 AM »
Lighting is huge, but I think the first concern is the low resolution they currently use on Xtra Frame. Even if they had the proper lighting to improve contrast and visibility, it'd still be hard to see anything when it's so lo-res that it's pixelated.
 



Xx 12 X 300 xX wrote on 7/21/2011 11:45 AM:To get very good crisp video quality, you also need very good lighting.   It's hard to do Xtra frame with only a few free standing lighting pieces.   You almost need to create a tv set on the extra frame pairs.   The HD cameras would help even more.




Xx 12 X 300 xX

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #19 on: July 21, 2011, 11:53:26 AM »
Yeah, it needs better resolution so you can enlarge it on your screen and watch it like a regular program.    With the ability to link your computer to your TV set, the resolution should be the 1st problem to tackle for the viewers.
 
Edited by Xx 12 X 300 xX on 7/21/2011 at 11:54 AM

ImBackInTheGame

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #20 on: July 21, 2011, 11:56:03 AM »
Awesome!  
 
I would assume the costs would go up thought if they go to HD cams?  It's already kind of expensive for what it is. Keeping in mind, I don't even have cable or dish because it's expensive...
 
Dan Belcher wrote on 7/21/2011 11:41 AM:
I just asked Tom Clark about this on Twitter. His response: "as we speak we are looking into HD cams for use on Xtra Frame .. expect improvements. Thanks"
 



ImBackInTheGame wrote on 7/21/2011 7:01 AM:
 I think they just need to step up the video quality a little.  It's good, but not great....



Dan Belcher

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #21 on: July 21, 2011, 11:56:52 AM »
Yes. I have watched Xtra Frame on my 46" TV several times. Even with all the pixelation, it's still pretty freaking awesome. 



Xx 12 X 300 xX wrote on 7/21/2011 11:53 AM:Yeah, it needs better resolution so you can enlarge it on your screen and watch it like a regular program.    With the ability to link your computer to your TV set, the resolution should be the 1st problem to tackle for the viewers.

 

Edited by Xx 12 X 300 xX on 7/21/2011 at 11:54 AM



ImBackInTheGame

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #22 on: July 21, 2011, 12:11:15 PM »
I watched quite a bit on my 42" and it really wasn't that bad, but an upgrade would be phenomenal! 
 
Dan Belcher wrote on 7/21/2011 11:56 AM:
Yes. I have watched Xtra Frame on my 46" TV several times. Even with all the pixelation, it's still pretty freaking awesome. 

BrianCRX90

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #23 on: July 26, 2011, 04:35:10 PM »
Not a stop in Fort Worth or Dallas for 4 years is not only ridiculous but insulting. This excuse for a tour if you want to call it that is a joke. I wish everyone would ban Xtra Frame just to make a point to the PBA to stop this garbage.
It's been 10 years of this "bowling season" horsecrap and it's gotten worse in the last 3 years. 
 



JessN16

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #24 on: July 31, 2011, 03:46:22 PM »
I've been one of the most ardent supporters of the tour for years but I'm done after seeing this s**t. Putting four tournaments on pay-per-view was the final straw.
 
There are so many things wrong with this setup -- not to mention the tour's leadership -- that I don't know where to start. And it wouldn't do any good anyway. Have at it, guys. I'm sorry it's come to this but you did it to yourselves.
 
Jess



kidlost2000

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #25 on: July 31, 2011, 05:21:23 PM »
I know a lot of people that feel the same as Jess.
 
Bowling isn't going to appeal to most casual viewers especially against the NFL. If it doesn't appeal to bowlers, then it won't exist.
 
It is an EASY money grab for ESPN. They can fill air time that no one will watch because of football and get paid by the PBA to do it. The NFL is back, and the PBA has no chance at any point on Sundays. That is why most channels have paid advertising at that time when they don't have football games to show.


"Get out of bowling what you want because that is all there is." 
…… you can't  add a physics term to a bowling term and expect it to mean something.

chatnboy

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #26 on: July 31, 2011, 10:29:52 PM »
listen all...this is "OUR SPORT"!!!!!if we dont recruit and bring more bowling fans into the fray...there will be no more bowling audiences for the PBA!!!!we cant count on them to do it....because they are on life support right now!!!so let us who really love bowling go and bring in the masses.....and let's keep "OUR SPORT"alive!!!!


Go hard or go home!!!!!Bowl your best...ALWAYS!!!

TwoFourEightNineNine

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #27 on: August 20, 2011, 01:11:33 AM »
I sense the frustration that may come about with how the sport at the elite level has changed. It is no longer like in the old days where a day job for the touring pro was bowling. Today, with the economy, change in the sport's culture, and the way the sport has evolved (which is another discussion), it's necessary for such professional bowlers to be creative with how they gain their income. It's just the reality of the situation.
 
The World Series this year will allow the serious bowler to compete at a professional level while being able to live a balanced life outside of the sport - having a job, caring for their families, etc for the rest of the year. By taking only two or so weeks of the player's time away from their personal life, success in the World Series will be seen as a bonus financially and personally, and non-success will mean that the serious bowler has been given the opportunity to compete at a professional level without having to rely on bowling for income (given that person has a steady form of income the rest of the year).
 
Looking at the schedule for the rest of the year the schedule has been revamped and my perspective about it is that players with jobs and family commitments will be likely to be more available for their tournaments considering many tournaments are on the weekends. Players who may rely on the PBA will fortunately/unfortunately make the transition into a life where they must work a job outside of professional bowling and bowl part time.
 
From a "holistic" perspective, I can see this style of managing a professional sports league can work for many players - where this type of schedule will allow more athletes to be able to live a balanced, productive life, and be offered an opportunity play a game at a high level.  
 
In essence, what I am saying is, "Times have changed. Get a job where you can earn a consistent form of income for you and your family. Live a healthy, balanced life at home... and yes, you can still bowl as a pro!"  


Two Four Eight Nine Nine
 
Edited by BOWL24899 on 8/20/2011 at 1:12 AM
24899

kidlost2000

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #28 on: August 20, 2011, 05:28:11 AM »
So, the PBA is part time? Yep that is what it looks like.
 
As far as recruiting goes, recruit for what? Recruit people to not watch football and watch bowling, when I as a bowler can't even stomach the shows they put out? Going to pass on that one. I'd have better luck recruiting them to bowl leagues where it actually matters more so then not watching the NFL.


"Get out of bowling what you want because that is all there is." 
…… you can't  add a physics term to a bowling term and expect it to mean something.

Polish_Hammer

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #29 on: August 23, 2011, 01:07:09 PM »
So what does it do to the regional tour circuit? Do the elite bowlers now attend these events on a more regular basis to supplement or does it die off altogether?



Sunshine n Lollipops

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Re: Seen the new schedule?
« Reply #30 on: August 23, 2011, 07:25:54 PM »

 Why do you insist on getting hung up on whether they are full time or part time.  Most pros have taken the summer off.  You also continue to get hung up on what the prize fund is.  Pro has a choice, bowl for that money or don't.  It doesn't affect you in the least. 

 

Goddamn, you guys bitch about the money, the show, the announcers, the format, the time slot, the venue, the number of tourneys, the sponsors, the sponsors' commercials, the fans at the center.....what am I missing?  Sounds to me like you won't miss it at all when it goes away.  Perhaps you would feel better if you would only get it thru your thick skulls that the Tour of the 70's, 80's, and 90's and Chris Schenkel and Bo Burton are gone forever, never to return.  Time marches on and things change.  Own it for chrissakes. 



 Don't believe in the Uzi, it just went off in my hand.  I, I believe in love.