June 8, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jason Overstreet
International Bowling Campus Communications
(800) 514-BOWL, ext. 8380
jason.overstreet@bowl.com
On the Web: bowl.com


USBC DEVELOPING NEW RED, WHITE AND BLUE CONDITIONS; BPAA TO ASSIST IN TESTING

ARLINGTON, Texas - The United States Bowling Congress plans to introduce a new series of lane conditions for certified competition. The group of patterns is designed to provide bowlers a better description for the difficulty of traditional "house" conditions.

As part of the plan, leagues and tournaments will have the option of using oil patterns falling into USBC Red, White or Blue condition categories. USBC Red pattern will be the most forgiving condition, USBC White will be more challenging and USBC Blue will be the most difficult of the new "house" conditions. USBC Sport Bowling conditions will continue to be the most challenging level of oil patterns.

"We know that lane conditions have a tremendous impact on the sport," USBC Vice President-National Governing Body Neil Stremmel said. "House shots can be very easy or reasonably challenging. Knowing the difficulty of the condition helps build credibility for the sport and adds a new fun element for bowlers."

The new condition categories are scheduled for testing later this year in cooperation with the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America. The conditions should be available for tournament use in spring 2010 and for the fall 2010 league season.

"This program can provide proprietors an excellent marketing tool to attract and maintain league bowlers," BPAA President Jim Sturm said. "Red, White and Blue can be used like stepping stones to progressively increase a bowler's interest in the competitive side of the sport. We are eager to test the program and hear feedback from customers and proprietors."

Use of the USBC Red, White and Blue conditions will be completely optional and the patterns will be available for download at no cost.

"A primary goal of the project is to make the USBC Red, White and Blue conditions easy for bowlers to understand and proprietors to utilize," Stremmel said. "The industry's lane machine manufacturers have been extremely supportive in making sure this program will work for nearly any center wanting to participate."

As part of the effort to gain attention for the new condition categories, USBC is sponsoring a stop on next season's Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour. The Red, White and Blue Open presented by USBC will be held at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kan., Dec. 7-13. The finals telecast will air Jan. 3 on ESPN.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

Bowling Proprietors' Association of America
Founded in 1932 and headquartered in Arlington, Texas, BPAA represents the business interests of bowling center owners worldwide. BPAA's mission to enhance the profitability of its member centers and its vision is to be an essential resource to bowling centers and to lead a united, growing, more prosperous and highly regarded bowling industry.

I just read this article over at the other site. I wonder how many centers will actually use these different patterns, especially the more difficult ones.

At least I finally know what the Red White and Blue Open on the PBA schedule is about.

...And so it begins, how long before they don't sanction honor scores on the red pattern?

Five minutes after the meeting they had before this release. Coupla guys left over stealing the last doughnuts:

"Hey, no one said anything about honor scores on the Red..."

Sucking wind through teeth. "Ooooh, yeah, can't let that happen. Yeaaaah, just don't say anything until the first one comes in. We'll deny it and blame it on the league that sent it. Whatever they say, we'll say they should've done the opposite."

"So, the usual, then? Great! Hand me that last boston creme--f***ing love those."

Or at least make the award for honor scores on the red pattern an even cheaper trinket like a pin or patch.

Here's an interesting perspective.

We just figured out our association "average" 116086817 pins knocked down. This was for adults only;men and women combined. 157 average

So why is USBC trying to promote stuff that a majority of the bowlers probably don't care about or care to understand? Is it possible that by making different names for patterns etc.... they hope to stir up more interest from these bowlers in the sport? IMO, its pretty clear that a majority of bowlers are there to have fun, some minor competition and socialize.

Erin

It's like the sport shot leagues and now the PBAX leagues, another gimmick to try to grow the sport, but nationwide the average is around the mid 150s for women and I believe the mid to upper 170s for men. I agree that those numbers mean that at least half, but more like two-thirds, are there for fun and socializing. Plus the handicap situation means bowlers don't have to improve to still be able to "compete" with the better teams.

Basically I see this as another soon to be failure in terms of helping the sport.

It would be nice if individual leagues could have the choice of which pattern to use so that those that want a little more challenge can choose the harder pattern. I just don't see that many proprietors doing that though.

Leagues can do this now, with negotiations with the center. But USBC must be considering eliminating all awards from any league that doesn't some how, certify a specific condition. That's all I can see with this motion. And this will put a lot more pressure on the centers since they would be responsible for gettingg the shot down and having it verified.

I can just see it now "Come bowl at Joe's Bowl, easist more fun shot in the area", "no certification or membership needed".

Erin

The average golfer shoots over 100 for 18 holes, yet there are still course slopes and ratings.

This is very true. I think it gives your average a little more validity as far as others can compare. For instance, how does anyone know how easy your THS is that you average XXX on? I think this is an attempt to help bowlers identify with each other as far as skill level across the U.S.