95yj
11-30-2012, 12:27 PM
Sandbagging is an old and sore subject but the league down here is facing it and it really shows up because of the format of the league. We are not in the States and therefore no ABC rules (17a) apply. The issue gets discussed every year but no one figures out how to do anything about it and the house (who runs the league) doesn't want to throw out any teams or players for financial reasons because we are a small island and the main men's league is only 12 teams of 4 players.
The format of the fall league, which I think is the biggest issue, is 13 weeks twice a week. Playoffs consist of the top eight teams playing a round robin with the other seven teams with individual averages frozen to the end of the first 13 weeks. Top two teams of the round robin play off against each other for first and second. There is no prize money as each team is sponsored with all league dues paid and no extra money for prizes, banquets or the like. This last statement makes sandbagging even more ridiculous.
It seems that every year there's an issue with sandbaggers. This year, there's a team with eight bowlers, all but one carrying between 160 and 177. The one honest guy has a 190+ average. Most individual averages in the league are between 170 and 210 with the mean around a 190. The team finished the year with a 684 average (four players) but through six playoff nights has won 35 of 42 points and is carrying a 798 average. Four of their 160-177 bowlers are carrying, 191, 197, 197 and 215 averages in the playoffs. The 177 bowler with the 215 playoff average consistently misses the pocket in leagues and is burying every ball in the playoffs. We bowled a scratch 900+ (four bowlers with no handicap) and lost by 40 some pins.
The league will probably not change their playoff format. Anyone have any ideas on how to minimize the appeal for teams to sandbag, use pin management, cheat or whatever term you want to use? We are looking for ideas to present in the captains' meeting before the next league starts. We could probably walk in with a 650 average and manage to make the top eight teams and then carry an 840 or higher in the playoffs, but that's not an acceptable solution.
The format of the fall league, which I think is the biggest issue, is 13 weeks twice a week. Playoffs consist of the top eight teams playing a round robin with the other seven teams with individual averages frozen to the end of the first 13 weeks. Top two teams of the round robin play off against each other for first and second. There is no prize money as each team is sponsored with all league dues paid and no extra money for prizes, banquets or the like. This last statement makes sandbagging even more ridiculous.
It seems that every year there's an issue with sandbaggers. This year, there's a team with eight bowlers, all but one carrying between 160 and 177. The one honest guy has a 190+ average. Most individual averages in the league are between 170 and 210 with the mean around a 190. The team finished the year with a 684 average (four players) but through six playoff nights has won 35 of 42 points and is carrying a 798 average. Four of their 160-177 bowlers are carrying, 191, 197, 197 and 215 averages in the playoffs. The 177 bowler with the 215 playoff average consistently misses the pocket in leagues and is burying every ball in the playoffs. We bowled a scratch 900+ (four bowlers with no handicap) and lost by 40 some pins.
The league will probably not change their playoff format. Anyone have any ideas on how to minimize the appeal for teams to sandbag, use pin management, cheat or whatever term you want to use? We are looking for ideas to present in the captains' meeting before the next league starts. We could probably walk in with a 650 average and manage to make the top eight teams and then carry an 840 or higher in the playoffs, but that's not an acceptable solution.