The last BWAA Poll was released Saturday, and there is something very wrong in this polling system, when a team that beat 4 of the top 6 teams in the country, and rolled the highest 16 Baker series of any of the 4 sectional loactions, only moves up 6 spots in the rankings and the teams it beat barely lost a spot. Either those who are involved in the poll are not taking the time to look at all the data, or they are overlooking some key factors that should be taken into consideration.

I realize that more credibility is usually given to the Team Power rankings, but there are many top performing teams that cannot afford to attend as many tournaments as others, and therefore don't have the opportunity to receive as many points. This system demands that you attend many tournaments to rank high, or be penalized. I would hope that the BWAA does not rely on this poll to rank its own.

I think the BWAA poll members need to make some changes, or at least take a good hard look at how its polling is done and see how it can improve its accuracy and fairness.

Like most things the decision made by the voting members is probably somewhat political. (Their decision is probably subconsciously, if not consciously, based on their personal relationship or connections to the teams they're voting for.)

I don't know who you're talking about team wise, but these things have happened over the years, and usually the voters are actually correct in not making changes. Comparing baker scores from section to section is bogus. It doesn't matter. Sure, they beat some good teams, THIS TIME. Let's see them do it AGAIN.

I agree that politics must have a lot to do with it - and just old habits. Times change, teams change. Thats why each event needs to be judged on its own merit. The particular team I have in mind did do it "AGAIN", as the first time went seemingly unoticed by the BWAA. So, we'll see if they can do it a 3rd time......and maybe get some credit for their improvement.

That aside, here is another example of why I feel it is so necessary for the BWAA poll members to actually view the teams in action at some point in the season. There was another team, and my intent is not to
embarass any teams, so I do not want to name teams, that continued to rank high this year, but was not as competitive as previous seasons.It wasn't until they were denied a spot in the final 16 for Nationals that they were ranked lower in the last BWAA poll. Had the members had the opportunity to see this team early in the season, they would have seen the difference. Just a suggestion to improve the fairness in this poll, and I'm sure any other suggestions would be welcomed by the BWAA.

jamie

[ 04-17-2001: Edited: bowl4life ]

Well, good luck to whichever team(Kansas?) you are talking about. If they have proven themselves twice already, I hope they show their stuff again. I was a part of an under-rated program here at Penn State in the 80's, so I'm familiar with the plight of getting noticed. We always took the attitude that everything was decided on the lanes. I hope you do too.

Thank you and I agree. Whatever they have to prove it will be on the lanes. Good Luck as well to your Penn State team - and all the participants at the Nationals! They have all had to accomplish something to get this far....

well it looks like they're going to do more of the same!

http://www.bowlingfans.com/news/news11092001.shtml#6

Here's hoping the BWAA is a little wiser this time around! It wouldn't hurt for them to try and get to a tournament or two and observe the teams firsthand, either.

If there is a big discrepancy between the new Coach's Poll and the BWAA......well, we'll all be watching.