I think my high set for this season was a 666, I guess that could explain my season.

Our House Manager was calling me to enter the Summer PBA League. I bowled in it last year, but decided to cut back over this Summer. Last night, I went to the lanes where some of my teammates were practicing for Nationals. I talked with the Manager, who told me the PBA League had been cancelled, due to lack of participation. They had a requirement of 24 bowlers (8, 3-man teams), and never got past 12.

So, now there are only 2 of the 13 centers in our Association with a PBA League. Every Center had one last year. Interest seems to be dying.

Thats too bad Dennis.
I was surprised that we have a pretty decent turnout, with this being the first year my house has had a PBA shot league. It was promoted by the in house Pro Shop owner, so I'm sure that helped some.

I bowled the PBA league in another house the last couple of years, and we always had a nice turnout there as well. I did run into a few guys who would not even try it, fearing it would be too hard. Thats exactly why I want to do it, BECAUSE its harder.

Eraser, what I see in our area is a movement to the easier houses. Bowlers enjoy the 200 averages at these places, when they couldn't beat 190 consistently elsewhere.
2 Houses in particular, one that was rebuilt after a fire, and a second new one that replaced an older House, with same ownership, put out an easy shot where you can be 5 boards off outside and still come back, and 5 boards inside, and still hold the pocket. And, bowlers are driving for miles to bowl there.

While, other houses are losing teams in leagues, these houses are filled.

Now, the real 220 bowlers are congregating at the 2 houses that will have a PBA shot and tougher house conditions.

And the people that go to the cake houses will get eaten alive if they enter any sort of real tournament. "Average" means nothing. Average at a certain house, on a certain shot, is what counts.

cgeorg, these people don't care. They don't enter tournaments. The only competition is on theirown lanes. They never go outside of what they feel comfortable in. And, I think it is the vast majority of bowlers. Here anyways.

And, when asked, they proudly say their average is 220. And, that's that.

In fact, per my Pro Shop, the proshops at these lanes don't even sell aggressive balls like a Cell, because of the conditions. Just, too much ball for the house.

I don't think I've ever asked a bowler in person what their average is. I guess I just don't care. Comparing numbers means nothing - meet me on the lanes.

There is this one guy in particular who will not even consider the PBA league. He also happens to be a teamate of mine in the winter league. He is a good bowler..in this house..on the THS we bowl on. He would not even try the Cheetah pattern that was put out that we were invited to try one day when we were there practicing. Just throw a few balls...he would have none of it. We all did ...he watched.

I think he enjoys the fact, that in this house he is one of the better bowlers. He is afraid of failing, losing his reputation. He can hit the second arrow consistantly, but can he play the 5 board or play inside? That remains to be seen.
This is the mind set of a lot of one house bowlers I guess.
I think bowling on adverse conditions can only make you better bowler.

Eraser:

There are a lot of bowlers like that. I called last summer for Sport Leagues and I found about 5 of them. This summer? 2. People don't to bruise their ego.

I love bowling these guys, I break out my heavy oil ball and dry his line out and force him to move. I love when they finish the night 100 or more pins under average and wondering what happened to them.