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Let me start by saying that if you have been around this sport for any length of time, you can plainly see that the game has lost ALL integrity over the last few years.

While my opinion here may be shared by others, it would also be harsh to the loyal bowler who loves the game for what it is, A SPORT.

First off, ask yourself how most centers make the majority of their money. It's not from league play that much is for sure. Try open play. Looking at it from the centers perspective, this change that I propose would do nothing to affect their revenue from an open play perspective. It would however, bring INTEGRITY back to the game I love.

I stated in an earlier post that the PBA needed to be kept in tact for the simple reason that the level of talent out there is second to none. Please, save all the arguments for another thread. If you think that the "amateurs" out in the world are sooo much better, then tell them to get their PBA membership and we'll find out.

Bringing the integrity back would require a few years and the loss of the "wannabe and whiner" bowlers. The "wannabe's" are the ones who think just because they can average 225 on a house pattern that he/she can hang with the best on tour. The "whiner" is the one who dumps it up 10 and then bitches when the ball doesn't end up in the pocket.

This sport can do without these two types AND their money!!!!

Is it just me or has the USBC really gone off the deep end??? Someone just the other day made a very valid point. Say Joe Bowler, who averages 165, by the stroke of God, happens to shoot a perfect game. The USBC steps in and verifies the lane condition and then DENIES the perfecto. This scenario I'm sure has played out in the past more times than I could think of. What gives the USBC the right to tell this person, who most likely will never throw anything close to this again, that their perfect game is not what it seems to be, PERFECT.

Enough with the ramblings, on to the big picture....

The powers that be at the PBA need to get off their high horse and see that this isn't a cash cow. They do however hold the ultimate standard when it comes down to having the best bowlers in the world compete from week to week.

The PBA should embrace the idea of ACTUALLY sharing the patterns the National Pros bowl on. Forget the PBA Experience. Make it a reality.

ABOLISH the USBC for the simple fact that they can't manage an empty paper bag. They try to decide what numerous patterns are legal and what aren't. PUHLEEZE.

In sharing the patterns, most league bowlers would probably find it interesting that they can bowl on the same thing the pros do. Is the baseball diamond any different in size (other than Little League)??? How about a football field? Granted, a golf course does change the location of the holes from day to day, but the course remains pretty much the same. Even for the pros. If you don't believe me, then let's funnel every green towards the hole and see how many pros shoot under 60.

The PBA should take over from the USBC in the lane maintenance standardization so that all players are competing on an "equal" field of play. Then, and only then, can anyone say they could actually score on a pattern that the Pros bowl on.
Honor scores would then have some credibility to them rather than having a dime a dozen 300's and 800's thrown. This sharing of patterns would weed out the undesirables and probably lose some bowlers. In my opinion, this is what bowling NEEDS to restore some credibility and integrity.

Open play wouldn't be affected by laying these patterns out because the majority of these bowlers wouldn't be reading the lanes quite like a seasoned league bowler or scratch player. It would however draw more open play from the seasoned player and scratch bowler who would want to sharpen their skills on the PBA patterns.

For anyone who doesn't think what I've said to be true, here is some info for thought. Take any of the exempt players and some of the top regional guys, check their averages out on house shots and see what they do to it. THEY WHACK THE CRAP OUTTA THEM. Give them the tour shot and most of them struggle to average 25 pins LESS than what they would do on a house shot. BELIEVE IT!!!!!!

Don't get me wrong, every dog has his/her day and can score with the best of them. All I'm saying is that we need some consistency with regard to lane maintenance to let everyone know that the guys we see on TV every week are as good as they really are.

To the powers that be at the PBA, you hold the key in this. You can help the USBC or make them fold. You have the $$$$$$$$$. You can make bowling a credible sport once again. Quit thinking of trying to put money in your pockets for just a minute and really think about what I've said. Force them to make all lane patterns equal as to what the PBA uses. Granted there will be a dip in the amount of bowlers, but eventually they will come back, and come back knowing that all things will be equal. So whatever they bowl, they know it will have been done on a condition that the best in the sport are bowling on.

A rule of business is when a company finds itself in a position of stagnation; it needs to do one of two things: FOLD or EXPAND. Diversify itself so it may prosper for the future.

This is my $0.02 on what needs to be done.......

Steel_B