I'm sure for all but a few exceptions, the limits were being adhered to, but I'm also sure that a small handful of places took some liberties. It's the way it always works. This is how our "normal" shots came to be so loose today - ABC/WIBC quit following up on checking patterns when honor scores came around, or houses were blocking shots and re-oiling afterwards. I'm not accusing every house of pushing the gray area, but there's always that possibility, just like there was that possibility years ago.

"Integrity" sometimes only lasts for the length of time it's "in vogue". I just hope it never loses its novelty with the PBA Experience league.

This is what I saw too Brian. First year of the Sport League we bowled one that was pure H..... We had several PBA players in the league and no one averaged over 190 and no one shot over a 650 series. That's how tough it was.

Next year, they changed the shot and the high average was around 240. Still Sport compliant (so they said), quite a few of the same players involved.

Why do you think one house in the mid west had the most Sport awards given out for both men and women? They must have had better bowlers....yeah right.

Erin

It all comes back to the integrity of the league officers and the bowlers.

Tapes have to be sent in every week, which means if they're not compliant, they're going to be excluded from awards and recognition. If someone is calling their league a "tough shot" then buyer beware. The lanes CAN be tough, but they may be a house shot, and there's no verification.

If someone is doctoring the tapes, then that's against the whole point for most people. It's about adapting and bowling better. When NoMoreHouseShots had our first sanctioned sport shot 300 we were all waiting for a week until they read the tapes. And when we got confirmation, it was worth all the work.

We do laugh at some of the leagues out there--there's one in Wisconsin that bowled on the same shot for like 20-some weeks and so they really just learned how to dial in on that shot. And their scores reflected it. In our league, we choose to switch pairs after two games and bowl two more. Often you get some interesting reactions depending on whom you follow. And we change patterns every eight weeks. We've chosen to stick with true Sport patterns of 2.5 to 1 for our lane condition. And in June when we start up again, I don't see how we'll ever go for the easiest shots out there. It's not what these bowlers want or pay for.

That's exactly my point, Angel. People would look at me like I had three heads when I would beat my chest for averaging 195 at the bowling center I used to work at. Why? Because it was about 20-25 pins lower than some of the averages from the easier houses. Yet when I'd go over there for sweepers, I'd clean up. I took pride in that 195 knowing how tough our shot was. Only 2 people averaged above 190 for a full season in the first 3 years I was there and I was one of those 2. The next highest average was in the mid 180's and everyone else was below that. Nobody came close to an 800. The highest series was 735. High game was a 298.

I'm not saying we had a crop of good bowlers, because we didn't. Our shot was brutal, the carry was tough, and you had to be accurate. Most of the "good bowlers" went on off to those easier houses. Me? I wanted that tough shot. I was asked to bowl at some of the easier houses and refused. I bowled on an easy shot for a long time and when I'd go out of town I'd come back with my tail between my legs. I wanted to learn how to be accurate and my 2 board shot gave me that "dose of reality" I needed and the weekly practice of bowling on a hard shot.

Sure, the honor scores are nice, but man, when they're almost handed out to you when you walk in the door in some places, what fun is that? Might as well be playing a video game.

Hey, my House is going to have a PBA Experience league. They just posted a banner Wednesday night. They are looking for a good amount of bowlers to make a commitment. A few of us signed up last night. I hope it flies.

I've always thought the PBA Experience leagues were a great idea. I just found out that my local center is starting one in the summer.

I'm slowly approaching a 150 average on my Wed Night league; I have a 164 in the Monday night Practice Plus league. I'd love to be a good enough bowler to consider joining. But I think I should get better on the house shot and maybe get another ball for heavier oil before I consider trying my luck on a PBA pattern. Maybe next year.

There's no shortage of good bowlers in the area. I'm sure they'll love it.

Just found out tonight that our house is hosting the PBA Experience starting in May. I just rejoined bowling this past winter league with an average of 191 with swings into the 150's on bad nights, I've learned to focus alot on my control and approach lately and cared little for the pin count in hopes of seeing something like this league to come along. I just want to have just that... the experience. Either way, idiot or not, I'll learn and come back for more.

See you all there

No PBA leagues around here just yet but I'm keeping my eyes open. Figures they'd offer it there Richard lol I desperately want to get into a PBA Exp. League, why would I not want to bowl on the same conditions as the pros and have my scores looked at as legit? I don't expect to do well in the beginning but I know how serious I am about the sport and I expect to get better. That's what it's all about.

One of the few local scratch leagues is talking about switching to a sport shot next year. Turns out that over half the teams are over the cap because the THS shot has been getting easier and easier as the lanes were upgraded and a new lane machine brought in. I'm thinking about joining and if they switched to a PBA Experience league that would be even better.

Signed up for PBA Experience league last night. 12 weeks over the Summer. Different pattern every 2 weeks. One stint being our heavy league oil, followed by Scorpion, shark etc.
House says they have had very good response, and could be half the House, 16 lanes.