Bummed out

[grayfin68]

So, a few weeks ago, I was talking to our lane manager about a PBA Experience League and he said as long as the house Pro would run it and we had enough interest, we would do a summer league.

About a week ago, the lane manager tells me that he has a better idea and we're going to do a Keggle pattern league instead. He gave me some reasons like it would discourage fewer bowlers because it is easier and the "PBA" thing intimidates people.

I was kind of shocked and disappointed because I was looking forward to playing the tough PBA patterns regardless of how tough they are. How else are you going to learn how to play on them if you never see them? It's not like we have a lot of options down here in the middle of nowhere.

So, last night I got the truth from the lane maintenance guy. It all comes down to them not wanting to go through the hassle of taping the lanes and doing all of the preparation and work that goes along with taping them and sending results in, re-conditioning if they don't come out right, and getting a volunteer to observe them.

I'm bummed but somewhat optimistic about the Keggle patterns. They're supposed to be tougher than the THS but not as hard as the PBA patterns.

[JoshWithrow]

I'd be happy with ANYTHING that wasn't our 10-to-10, drown the middle, bare on the sides, 39' THS. I looked at the kegel patterns and even though they're not PBA sanctioned they're an intermediary step in the right direction.

Instead of throwing people into the deep end of the lake to teach them how to swim, you throw them into the 4' waters first. I'm okay with that. Transitioning is okay in my book.

[grayfin68]

Originally Posted by JoshWithrow

I'd be happy with ANYTHING that wasn't our 10-to-10, drown the middle, bare on the sides, 39' THS. I looked at the kegel patterns and even though they're not PBA sanctioned they're an intermediary step in the right direction.

Instead of throwing people into the deep end of the lake to teach them how to swim, you throw them into the 4' waters first. I'm okay with that. Transitioning is okay in my book.

I agree that a transition is a good thing but we did the PBA Experience league last summer and we had a pretty full league. Either way, it's better than a THS, but I was really looking forward to see how much I could improve over last year's league.

[hbhammerhead]

i had that problem too with my house i was told that their would be a pba experience league this summer and i was really excited about it. a couple weeks ago i talked to them again and now there is not going to be one. i looked on the pba.com website and they have a search that shows the closest pba experience league to your zip code and it turns out that i will have to drive about 40 mins to get to one. i'm not really that upset...40 mins is not bad, but the way gas prices are nowadays and me having a big truck it's gonna kill my wallet even more. i guess i'm lucky that i will have a chance to roll in one. i don't know how they expect bowling to progress if bowlers have to go on a wild goose chase to find sport shots or pba patterns?? if they offered this at every house i'm sure that bowling would become a bigger more popular sport like in the old days. and i don't believe the part about being intimidated by the "pba" patterns. i know a lot of people want to roll on what the pros roll on to see how they match up.

[JoshWithrow]

Originally Posted by grayfin68

I agree that a transition is a good thing but we did the PBA Experience league last summer and we had a pretty full league. Either way, it's better than a THS, but I was really looking forward to see how much I could improve over last year's league.

We had one, too. And due bruised egos there wasn't that much interest in rejoining. Kinda sad, really. I never got to bowl due to work schedule conflicts, but I had hoped they'd get 1 or 2 going this winter, and they never did.

Ah well. My average falling isn't going to hurt my feelings. Too bad I can't speak for others.

[Hotshot]

They told me they will do a PBA league this summer and if they dont its HAMMER TIME on there heads :P!

[grayfin68]

Originally Posted by JoshWithrow

We had one, too. And due bruised egos there wasn't that much interest in rejoining. Kinda sad, really. I never got to bowl due to work schedule conflicts, but I had hoped they'd get 1 or 2 going this winter, and they never did.

Ah well. My average falling isn't going to hurt my feelings. Too bad I can't speak for others.

I know the people in our PBA League last summer knew it would be tougher and weren't worried about their egos. I think it is more about the management at the bowling center not wanting to have to bother with the extra work it takes with all of the taping and stuff.

I'm sure a part of it is to attract more bowlers but I think that's the reason that they want you to think because they don't want to come off as being lazy.

[Cobberz]

yeah it does suck, one of the houses i bowl in is an 8 lane house, it wasnt the PBA eperience but we got to do the kegel shots and they were fun...even though my scoring went down a bit..it will teach you to throw at spares more direct, how crutial speed really is, and definately hitting your mark, not to mention i really liked the challenge. It was funny that when all the top house bowlers got off the easy shot and onto the harder shot, they didnt score well at all, (due to not knowing how to adjust and play other lines) Im looking forward to being able bowl on the harder shots more often or maybe even get into a PBA experience league if i can find one close enough by

[Rowdy]

Gray, It's simple economics. Your house doesn't want to fork over the cash to the USBC for the league and incur the added expense of taping the lanes. The Kegel oil patterns are free,so the house keeps the dough. And you get stuck with an unsanctioned league. Welcome to the world the rest of us have been having to deal with.

[grayfin68]

Originally Posted by Rowdy

Gray, It's simple economics. Your house doesn't want to fork over the cash to the USBC for the league and incur the added expense of taping the lanes. The Kegel oil patterns are free,so the house keeps the dough. And you get stuck with an unsanctioned league. Welcome to the world the rest of us have been having to deal with.

Yeah, it really irks me because the manager told a bunch of us that the PBA Experience league was a go and the Pro was going to run it. I think the manager stepped on everyone's toes and did what he wants to do. The sad part is that the manager doesn't even bowl with us anymore. He's a very good bowler and I appreciate that he helps me and many others with our game (for free) when he has time but I'm pissed about this decision.

Having said that, I'm still going to bowl in the Kegel league because it will still be tougher than a house shot and something can be gained from it.