Brian, I really have to empathize with some of the people who work the counter. You're right, they take a lot of grief.

The people I am talking about are complaining a week before we even bowl. We haven't even bowled, and they voice their objection. How ridiculous is that?

Well, this team has won this league every year for the past 4 years. The last time they lost was when my friend and I bowled with our wives, and we won. That was my first year back. This team is a family team of Mother, Father and 2 sons. The Mother, a 175, and the Father, a 185, and the 2 sons both over 200, normally. But, both have been having the same trouble as I, although not as bad. It is the strongest team in the league. And, you know that the strongest teams will generally be near the top, even in handicapped leagues.

I guess they are just scared of me.

As a bowler I don't ask for much; a clean well maintained center, manageable lanes with some sort of shot but not necessarily an easy shot. I don't mind tough conditions, at least when I am not having difficulty with my mechanics, but give me something manageable, consistent and fair to all. Also just treat us right and deal with us fairly and not take advantage of us. When this doesn't happen, I have more issue with management, but I don't raise a stink about it.

Dennis, I think you have hit the nail on the head about the complaint from your match for next week. They are scared of you. They also like to dominate the league and will do anything to keep doing it. I've posted before about my former Saturday league and one team in particular, the President's. When a team came in as strong as them, or with the ability to knock them off, they would try their best to get around the rules, or not enforce them when those teams were involved or do things to throw the other team off. We were one of those teams that they tried to pull these stunts on, but it didn't work, since I knew the rules better than the Pres, and wouldn't let them get into my head.