What bowling needs in a bad way

[MICHAEL]

All the Professional Bowlers are SUCH nice guys, with Nice cloths, clean shavened,,,, where are the bearded bowlers?
Where are the bad boys that don't wear shirts like a Nascar car driver, only difference is WHAT COMPANY is giving the bowler money to wear their product,,

I get it, its about money and advertising ect.

What brings in a crowed, and gets the publics attention: Guys like Pete Weber,,,, and his antics! Guys like Elmo, and Rush!

What bowling needs a Face Lift! Its a GREAT SPORT, but people demand more now!

I have a lot of ideas, but WHAT DO YOU THINK BOWLING NEEDS,,,????

Maybe just to get this going one of my ideas is: What makes professional wrestling so damn popular,,,,, its the trash talk and riverly between wrestlers,,,, (did I say wrestlers,,, sorry) professional actors! LOL

I don't want bowling to become a phony sport, but maybe a little more SPICE,,,,between bowlers.... HEY IT WORKED WHEN WEBER WENT BOWLONIC!! Lots of hits on U tube ect... It was like a spark of electricity back into the hum-drum, attitude that Joe the plumber has about bowling! It lacks a lot of PERSONALITY IN MY OPINION!!! The microphones on the bowlers is a great idea,,,, BUT THEY NEVER SAY A FRICKEN WORD!!! I want to hear that SELF TALK!!!

The SPORT THAT I love needs to gain more viewers, and get people back into this great game....

I know some of you might have that missing ingreadent.... what is it??? We can't let it die..... AMF goes bankrupt 2 times... and is hanging on by a thread!!! HELP! HELP!!!

[JJKinGA]

Even worse is the presentation. Other than a quick "these 4 bowlers averaved over 230 over 16 games to make te finals" there is no context. I would love a 5-10 minute here is how the matchplay went. I.E. bowler #5 missed by 10 pins by not stiking out in the game of match play. I want to know a bit more than, gee they just bowled well this week.

I also want to know what the cost is for losing the match compared to the potential to win. Even lame game shows do this. If Johnny gets this answer right he wins $5K and a chance for more but if he loses he only takes home $1K. I'd love have the drama of knowing that Pete's split after teh commercial break could cost him something other than his cool.

There is more drama after league than shown in the telecasts.

[MICHAEL]

good point about the presentation!!! LOL,,, you are right on in that observation!! VERY Boring! Maybe Iceaman should apply for that job... I bet I could spice it up!! Or maybe Aslan!!! :rolleyes:
sometimes the announcers VOICE PUTS ICEMAN to sleep while watching,,, zzzzz, ,, zzzzz,,,!!

[Aslan]

It's a mixed bag. As a traditionalist, I don't appreciate Pete Weber or Randy Pederson yelling at the fans. And I certainly don't appreciate Belmo and Sean Rash playing water bottle games and cussing each other out. But without that stuff happening...the general public appears to be fairly bored with bowling.

They've tried over the years to make it more "interesting" by having things like "trick shot bowling" and celebrity bowling and "The League" pro/am style stuff. But nothing has seemed to work yet.

Why people would rather watch golf for 4 hours than bowling...I have NO idea. But I will say that before I got into bowling...one thing that turned me off to bowling on tv was the high scores. It didn't seem "real". I mean, these guys were strking nearly every shot and on the rare single/corner pin spare they were easily picking it up. It just became "boring". Of matter of fact....what was the most interesting/exciting match in recent memory?? Well...Mika's 299 was exciting...but what made it even MORE special? Daugherty scoring 100. That's my favorite match in recent times...Mika coming a pin away from a perfect game...while watching a pro put up a score that I could beat 90% of the time.

I know it's not a popular idea...but I think we have to make bowling harder. It has to be like the 60s/70s when pros were beating each other 212-204 with precise spare shooting...rather than the current model of high rev/cranker/super balls where a 236 is considered below average for the pros and games are like 286-269.

And what about a year long tournament?? What about covering some of the early rounds rather than just the last 5 matches? Wouldn't the average bowler like to see a no-name pro shop owner from Tallahassee going up against Wes Malott in the preliminarys? It seems like we see 5 of the same 13 players every week. I've actually more enjoyed watching the amateur stuff on the internet. I want to see bowlers bowl that maybe, maybe, SOMEDAY I could play at that level...or at least enter the tournament. And again...you're watchign guys throw 228, 219, 265, 198...WAY better than me...but "beatable". It's not just "expected" that they're gonna strike every time.

Chris Hardwick's bowling...same thing...it's so cool watching people bowl that on a GOOD night...I could beat! Maybe not Chris consistently...but it just seems more interesting.

[MICHAEL]

It's a mixed bag. As a traditionalist, I don't appreciate Pete Weber or Randy Pederson yelling at the fans. And I certainly don't appreciate Belmo and Sean Rash playing water bottle games and cussing each other out. But without that stuff happening...the general public appears to be fairly bored with bowling.

YOU many not like it, you may not appreciate it, but YOU WILL WATCH it each week.. LOL...LOL.

Its what the public seems to thrive on, in your face reality stuff!! (:)

I don't personally care for it, but I am a super hero, above all that stuff!! But the general public needs it!! :D

[dnhoffman]

<--- Bearded bowler, checking in.

Question: You know how you shave like a man?

Answer: You don't. That's how. You don't shave...

[Mudpuppy]

Full contact bowling / mixed martial arts?

[Aslan]

Full contact bowling / mixed martial arts?

Yeah...sounds like good tv...but where does it end? Surfing would be way more entertaining in shark infested waters with them wearing chum suits. The javelin throw...WAY more exciting with live targets. Nascar/Demolition Derby mix?? How bout golf where if ya take too long to line up your putt an aligator comes out of the pond and attacks you? A football that has a 1/100 chance of exploding when it crosses the goal line? Basketball with all white players??

Well...maybe the last one wouldn't be that exciting.

How bout 2-way bowling where ya loft the ball over the set in front of you...to hit the set in front of the other guy and vice versa? How bout red pin bowling except if ya don't get a strike some from the audience gets to hit you in the head with a hammer? Or the obvious one...PBA Cosmic Bowling....I mean, if I gotta practice on Saturdays under those conditions...then it's only fair that PDW has to bowl with blaring Jay-Z music, the lights off and 6-year olds running around on the lane next to you screaming because their brother used their ball.

[MICHAEL]

Yeah...sounds like good tv...but where does it end? Surfing would be way more entertaining in shark infested waters with them wearing chum suits. The javelin throw...WAY more exciting with live targets. Nascar/Demolition Derby mix?? How bout golf where if ya take too long to line up your putt an aligator comes out of the pond and attacks you? A football that has a 1/100 chance of exploding when it crosses the goal line? Basketball with all white players??

Well...maybe the last one wouldn't be that exciting.

How bout 2-way bowling where ya loft the ball over the set in front of you...to hit the set in front of the other guy and vice versa? How bout red pin bowling except if ya don't get a strike some from the audience gets to hit you in the head with a hammer? Or the obvious one...PBA Cosmic Bowling....I mean, if I gotta practice on Saturdays under those conditions...then it's only fair that PDW has to bowl with blaring Jay-Z music, the lights off and 6-year olds running around on the lane next to you screaming because their brother used their ball.

It doesn't need a lot, (bowling the sport), but it does need something to get the TV ratings, that would translate into more interest, which would translate into a renewed interest in boring, I mean, Bowling!!

Most of the better bowlers have NO PERSONALITY!! We need some guys, and gals, with swagger!!! kockey, maybe even a little boastful, and full of themselves! Guys and Gals you want to watch, just to see them win, or lose! MORE PERSONALITY! The sport itself doesn't need a face lift, just the PBA bowlers!

Pete Weber comes the closest to what I am talking about, Like him or hate him, he gets attention, and people will tune in to watch him bowl!

Would like to see a Woman Pete Weber type!

[dnhoffman]

Chris Barnes pants had the most personality at last weekends Viper...

[Aslan]

Chris Barnes pants had the most personality at last weekends Viper...

I know I'm gonna get criticism for "arguing for arguing sake" here...given we're talking about men's pants. But I gotta say...if we really want to spice up pro bowling in terms of fashion...Ernie Schlegel in bell bottoms and some sort 1/2 pirate 1/2 wonder woman shirt circa 60s/70s...I mean, there's really no beating that. The first time I saw the video I thought to myself, "wait...the PBA LET him wear that??"

Ice...I just think if you push the envelope with PDW or Rash/Belmonte...yes, great entertainment...more viewers. But ultimately you get to a situation where PDW goes into the stands after a fan or Belmo and Rash just start throwing punches. And NO MATTER how much it increases the ratings...even if it's hypocritical on their part to some extent...the PBA will condemn it.

Don't get me wrong...I definitely felt for Randy Pederson in regards to that fan....that was a tough loss. And if I were Sean Rash...I'd have long ago decked Belmo and knocked that smug look off his face. But you're talking about a sport where the biggest penalties are usually handed out for taking too much time between shots...I can't see the old timers that remember the Salvinos and Dick Webers finding a fight between two young punks wearing the most god awful looking flourescent jerseys THAT exciting.

And these guys don't get paid enough to make it worthwhile. What did Rash make last year in winnings? $193,000? What, another $200,000 in sponsorships? When you're an NBA player making 4 million a year...and you get a $25,000 fine for punching a guy...thats about on par with your alley fining YOU $315. You'd be aggravated...but you could pay it and still afford your rent. If Rash gets fined $25,000 for punching Belmo...thats like you getting fined $3200. I'm sure Iceman has an extensive savings...but that would take a healthy bite out of your vacation plans with the lovely and talented Mrs. Iceman I bet, no? A pro bowler makes 1/10 what big time pros make...making fines a rather big deal. So we have to find a way to make the game exciting in a non-fineable way. And they've tried just about everything without much success. Maybe it's just a "fact" that rolling a ball at 10 pins isn't that exciting??

It is for ME!! But I don't know....others tend not to agree. : (

[circlecity]

Where is Happy Gilmore when you need him!!! I can totally see Chris Barnes playing Shooter McGavin.

[MICHAEL]

Ice...I just think if you push the envelope with PDW or Rash/Belmonte...yes, great entertainment...more viewers. But ultimately you get to a situation where PDW goes into the stands after a fan or Belmo and Rash just start throwing punches. And NO MATTER how much it increases the ratings...even if it's hypocritical on their part to some extent...the PBA will condemn it. If punches are thrown they would have to wear protective gloves! (Can't damage their hands)!

Just think of how many crossover fans we would get from professional Wrestling!!! I could be hired as a prop,,, Pete jumping over the rail, and taking on Iceman! People would love it,,, Iceman would love it,,,,
America would love it!

[dnhoffman]

The only time bowling has been on Sports Center in the last five years is when PDW went nuts with the infamous "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? I AM!!,!"

[zdawg]

The only time bowling has been on Sports Center in the last five years is when PDW went nuts with the infamous "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? I AM!!,!"

I remember when I was a kid I used to love watching clips of John McEnroe outbursts on TV, and while I was very into tennis at the time and McEnroe was past his prime at that point, he just mesmerized me more than say the young guys of that era (Agassi when he had long hair, Ivan Lendl, etc). I guess its like a train wreck, I was just waiting to see what would happen next - and I still thoroughly enjoyed the tennis, just the outbursts spiced it up a lot. And while I'm sure some of the old timers (and most tennis officials) did not appreciate his antics, there is no doubt that McEnroe on TV = RATINGS and new fans.

[dnhoffman]

I'm telling ya, let me and Iceman bowl in a TV final wearing wife beaters, loser gets pepper sprayed and tapered by the winner. Off the chart ratings...

[Hampe]

Maybe it's just a "fact" that rolling a ball at 10 pins isn't that exciting?? I think for most people it really just isn't. For us, yea, it's cool and fun to watch the pros....we can appreciate what they're doing. But for most people, watching a bunch of stiffs roll one strike after the other really just isn't that interesting.

Sure bowling USED to be a lot more popular on TV back in the day when there were like 10 channels to watch....but there just isn't enough going on in a bowling telecast to interest the typical short attention span of 2013.

[MICHAEL]

I think for most people it really just isn't. For us, yea, it's cool and fun to watch the pros....we can appreciate what they're doing. But for most people, watching a bunch of stiffs roll one strike after the other really just isn't that interesting.

Sure bowling USED to be a lot more popular on TV back in the day when there were like 10 channels to watch....but there just isn't enough going on in a bowling telecast to interest the typical short attention span of 2013.

GOOD point Hampe, now we have 10,000 channels, and a much shorter attention span, due to GMO's, and Diet Choke! LOL What is the solution? How do we save this GREAT GAME CALLED Boring, and get the public back into the sport!

Iceman knows there has to be a WAY!

How about putting one of those Cardash-en Chicks on the payroll,,, Have her all dressed up to kill, with a hot outfit bowling Brad Pitt,,, ?? I think if that happened you would see a 100 percent resurgence in bowling with all the copy-cat-bowlers that would appear after seeing how Cool it was that a hot chick with no talent likes the sport, and that its a Guy magnet!!
I think bowling needs to look at REALITY TV, and try to figure out how to get some higher octane in the sport. MAYBE going into the bowlers life style, and family,,,, before each event! Going to their homes and following them through a day with all the drama you see in ALL REALITY SHOWS,,,, yawwwwwwwwn,,,,, double Yawwwwwwn...

It would not win me over, for I love to watch the sport, for what it is!! But average joe public, doesn't, and does like stuff like Judge Judy, and the over 100 different REALITY SHOWS that in my opinion are a total waste of my watching skills!!!!

But what ever WORKS!! There has to be a solution,,, could it be REALITY BOWLING??

The ship is sinking, and we here at Bowlingboard need to save this wonderful sport that we all love!! AMF having gone bankrupt twice,,,, we must end this downward spiral!!!

[J Anderson]

GOOD point Hampe, now we have 10,000 channels, and a much shorter attention span, due to GMO's, and Diet Choke!

While I do think that GMOs are an ecological time bomb waiting to blow up in our faces, I don't think they have anything to do with attention span. The attention span shortening is due to almost constant exposure to electronic media in childhood.

About 20 years ago a psychologist who had a syndicated advice column, addressed the growing problem of ADD/HD. This was around the time that many children were starting to be diagnosed as hyper-active, and being put on Ritalin.He described how when he was 8 or 9, he displayed all the symptoms of what is now called Attention deficit disorder. Due to the fact that he was being raised by a single parent who didn't have the time or money to take him to a doctor to be diagnosed and treated, and the fact that there was no such disorder back in the 1950s, his mother had to deal with this on her own. Her solution was to get rid of the television. I don't remember if she got rid of it completely, or just hid it in the back of a closet for a year, but within a couple of months her son had no symptoms of ADD/HD.

[Aslan]

It's not just bowling. I already went through this back when I was a big paintball player.

Paintball got very big in about 2002-2008. It was fueled by scenario play for woodsball folks and sppedball/XBall for the younger generations. And like bowling, it was fueled by huge technological advances in equipment. Leagues started at high schools and colleges and it even started showing up on TV and in video games.

But right around 2008/2009...it started to drastically drop off in popularity. Much of it was the economy. A byproduct of guns that shoot faster and are more exciting is a huge increase in paint cost (which is easily the most expensive part about paintball). What used to be 1000 rounds for a full day of play...became 2000-10,000 rounds for a day of play. 2000 rounds was about $50-$80.

But in my opinion, the biggest factor was online gaming. Why pack up gear, drive an hour to a field, unpack gear, get your gear working correctly (paintball guns are rather unreliable), run around in mud and dirt and bushes, and spend $200-$250 when you can sit in your shorts on your couch with XBox and shoot even cooler looking more realistic guns and missles at players from all over the country/world? All for a $99 annual fee and a $65 investment in the game itself?

Bowling is similar. Sure the equipment and easier conditions have attracted bowlers...and bowling is a relatively inexpensive sport in comparison...but every league night I usually have a $18-$75 food/beverage/bar tab...plus $10-$24 each night to play. It adds up quick. And like Hampe said, there's just so much competition online/cable/video games for people's interests nowadays.

Thats why I'm a firm believer in alleys really going out of their way to attract young bowlers. Even if it costs them money...if just 3-6 of the kids develop into bowlers and end up playing there in leagues...it'll pay for itself in the long run. But you gotta entice them off the couch and away from the XBox. The future of bowling, no matter what Bowlmor says, is and always will be leagues. You lose leagues...casual bowlers just cannot be counted on to provide sustainable business. And the best way to get future league players...teach young players how to bowl well at an early age...not just throw the ball in the gutter with the lights off and music blaring. Thats my opinion anyways.

[hondo]

This would bring spice to the sport. Always enjoyed this video. Thought it was a hoot.

http://youtu.be/Jlt1C84_MNk

[tr33frog]

This would bring spice to the sport. Always enjoyed this video. Thought it was a hoot.

http://youtu.be/Jlt1C84_MNk

Some of my favorites, lol!

[MICHAEL]

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/bowling-in-bikini-1_zps6e4e04f1.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/bowling-in-bikini-1_zps6e4e04f1.jpg.html)

[dnhoffman]

Reduce average age in that picture by a decade and we can talk.

[Mudpuppy]

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/bowling-in-bikini-1_zps6e4e04f1.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/bowling-in-bikini-1_zps6e4e04f1.jpg.html)

Winner winner chicken dinner. This would definitely help bowling. It should be put into law effective immediately if not sooner. And please ask Mr. Unaffordable Health Care to vacate his respective office because the Iceman is coming to kick butt and drink beer and he is all out of beer. President Iceman. Has a good sound to it. Bowling for one and bowling for all. Any foreign issues there will be a roll off between Iceman and the foreign leader we are having an issue with.

[MICHAEL]

Reduce average age in that picture by a decade and we can talk.

PICKY,,, picky ,,,, picky!!!

Hey Iceman doesn't need any of that,,,lol,,, I have Manic to keep me happy!! But I am thinking average joe blow bowler!
What would get more of them back to bowling!! LOL

[Aslan]

Uhhh...that WOULD NOT help me. I get distracted by the 62 year old lady in our Friday league that smokes like a chimney, and is obviously anorexic...but has an amazing modified rack...so actual hotties in bikinis...no thanks. I'd just like to bowl. Being reminded that I am doomed to a life internet porn and isolation is for the other 22 hours of the day. :(

[dnhoffman]

But I am thinking average joe blow bowler!
What would get more of them back to bowling!! LOL

touche...

[MICHAEL]

touche...

Hey,,, I just looking for something to get people back to the lanes,,, if it takes hot chicks, then so be it!! BBL!!!

Bikini Bowling Lanes... owner Iceman, Kansas City MO. We do not skimp on the oil, just bring your bikini!! Bowl the way it was meant to be, Free from the shackles of heavy thick clothing!! And for the chicks, guys will wear speedo's ! LOL,,,

can you even fricken imagine the people you bowl with now wearing bikinis, and speedo's!!! LMAO!!!

[circlecity]

Chicks in Bikinis +1

[dnhoffman]

Hey,,, I just looking for something to get people back to the lanes,,, if it takes hot chicks, then so be it!! BBL!!!

Bikini Bowling Lanes... owner Iceman, Kansas City MO. We do not skimp on the oil, just bring your bikini!! Bowl the way it was meant to be, Free from the shackles of heavy thick clothing!! And for the chicks, guys will wear speedo's ! LOL,,,

can you even fricken imagine the people you bowl with now wearing bikinis, and speedo's!!! LMAO!!!

Write up the business plan, switch the location to the other side of the state, and I, ready to invest!

[Hammer]

I think that they should have the pros bowl on freshly waxed approaches in their stocking feet on alleys that are oiled from side to side
and up to 10 feet away from the pins.The audience watching the game will be waiting to see who will fall on the approach first and how hard of a fall it will be. With oil only 10 feet away from the pins you wonder if anyone will get a strike or if anyone can bowl over a 100
game.

[Hampe]

can you even fricken imagine the people you bowl with now wearing bikinis, and speedo's!!! LMAO!!!
Lol.....thanks Iceman. That is definitely one mental image I could have done without.

[J Anderson]

Maybe we need a theme song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6U4E7rUQFg

[sprocket]

I'd like to see pro bowlers in full scuba gear including swim fins. Bowling, of course.

[Hammer]

How about pros bowling on alleys that are bone dry with asymmetrical bowling balls with 1000 Abralon surface. Then we can see who can control the ball the best with hand positioning. Talk about coast to coast bowling.

[sprocket]

How about pros bowling on alleys that are bone dry with asymmetrical bowling balls with 1000 Abralon surface. Then we can see who can control the ball the best with hand positioning. Talk about coast to coast bowling.


Surprisingly I'm guessing they would loft the RIGHT gutter. Years ago I bowled some games on a completely stripped lane and it was a RIOT! Anything in the middle, even with no hand, would hook into the left gutter. Tossing it 20 feet in the air and landing it on the first board seemed to be the best shot. That is, if it didn't land directly in the gutter. The ball would roll out so fast that it wouldn't continue to hook into the left gutter. It would be dead though, so angling it from as far out as possible gave the best entry into the pocket.

[Bunny]

At least the obstacle course challenge thing the did last Sunday was better than the speed challenge the week before. That was totally lame and apparently not very well thought out since the ball returns and racks couldn't keep up.

[Hampe]

At least the obstacle course challenge thing the did last Sunday was better than the speed challenge the week before. That was totally lame and apparently not very well thought out since the ball returns and racks couldn't keep up.haha.....yea that was pretty dumb. Bill O'neill's reaction waiting for his ball was pretty funny though :)

[Bunny]

haha.....yea that was pretty dumb. Bill O'neill's reaction waiting for his ball was pretty funny though :)


I like how he kicked the ball return but not hard.

And did you see Belmo throw his last ball sooooooo slow but still got a strike. His form was the same as when he rips it.


Looking forward to this Sunday. Rooting For Josh!

[dnhoffman]

The obstacle courses are funny... but only for bowling nerds like us. I still don't know what they can do to draw new people to viewing/participating in the sport.

[MICHAEL]

The obstacle courses are funny... but only for bowling nerds like us. I still don't know what they can do to draw new people to viewing/participating in the sport.\

That could be fun!! but might be hard to produce on the lanes without damage? How about a lottery type of bowling!

Lets say they program into the computer a PARTICULAR leave that you must have THAT SHOT!

Then you have to pick it up! So two things would have to happen!

Say on your screen once a game ONLY per person, It gives you a 7, 10 must have leave! You throw your ball, and wow you get the 7, 10! THEN YOU HAVE TO PICK it up! If you do, you get 1,000,000!!

remember this only happens ONCE per game, per bowler!

You could also have other leaves that pay MUCH LESS, like the 7, 6, 10 split,,, ((((which I picked up Sunday on league))) (:) it could be 100 bucks!

But REMEMBER,,, it has to be , THAT LEAVE which is VERY HIGH ODDS, and then you have to pick it up!

IT would be a form of lottery/sport/skill/luck sort of thing!

I don't think it would even be an issue as far as payout goes, due to the extremely high odds in the alley favor.

But that don't keep people from buying lottery tickets, which are even much higher odds.

All it would take is a programmer, with some creativity, and advertising slogans like! Bowling for Cash!

What's great about this idea, is you get to bowl, and have fun, AND JUST MAYBE, go home with a lot of CASH!!

This would work for League, and recreational bowlers! One shot at money per-game!

Some spare leaves that you must HAVE the FRAME could be as easy as 1, 2, leave, for 10 bucks. But then you must LEAVE THAT, and pick it up!

[Aslan]

Tossing it 20 feet in the air and landing it on the first board seemed to be the best shot.

But thats always how I bowl... :confused: :rolleyes:

[MICHAEL]

But thats always how I bowl... :confused: :rolleyes:

Your are an obstacle!! LOL Aslan!

[LastCallKillit]

This is pretty entertaining, but the other guy isn't a real pro as far as I know. A guy like him would be pretty cool, he's mind kinda dude lol


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp02wTZeGxY

[Hammer]

Question? What is the chick that is sitting on the floor behind the chick with the all red bikini doing? Hmmm! I know what it looks like to me. How about you other folks?

[zdawg]

This is pretty entertaining, but the other guy isn't a real pro as far as I know. A guy like him would be pretty cool, he's mind kinda dude lol


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp02wTZeGxY

He's not a pro bowler, but he is a bowling enthusiast. He's a former pro wrestler, that must've come up with the idea to do kind of a Jerry Lawler/Andy Kaufman gimmick where he claims to be able to beat any pro bowler (the way Kaufman used to claim he could beat any pro wrestler). It's entertaining as long as you realize its an act and he's not serious (like pro wrestling)

[MICHAEL]

Which of the 3 would you vote for to become Miss Bowing Woman of the year!!

to vote, just put

1. woman on the left
2. woman in the middle
3. woman on the right

the fourth one can be chosen blind, and I will post it for those that don't like any of the above!
If you do chose the one that is sight unseen, you cannot chance your mind!

Then an imaginary drawing will take place, and one lucky bowler will get to go out with his choice!

Good luck, and let the imaginary contest begin!!

[Hammer]

I vote for the chick in the black bikini that is in the background between the middle chick and the one on the right in the red bikini next to her. I like a woman in black especially when it is a black bikini. YEAH!

[GoodGravy]

Need to market better and get much bigger and better sponsors:

To put it in prospective: Average salary for a PUNTER in the NFL is over $800K. What was the average payout for the Viper last week? When a pro PBA bowler wins an event, it should be a BIG deal. Instead, you see him pick up the trophy, smile, grab his shirt and thank his bowling sponsor and say it is the best equipment in the world, blah blah blah, and then it is over. At some point he gets handed a check that quite frankly, is a bit of a joke considering this is suppose to be a PRO event.

There is a very successful model for making a sporting event stand out . It is done all the time, just think about the last time you watched Monday Night Football and two 3-7 teams played each other. You still watched it, got to bed late and the next morning the boss yelled at you for being late....Why? Because you have been sold on the idea that you CAN'T miss MNF.

As a final thought, think about when they televise the PBA...at the same time as football and during the season when everybody is making a run at the playoffs. Going to be hard of the PBA to make a lot of ratings that way.....oh, and don't get me started on most PBAers look like they drink beer for breakfast. If it is to hot outside and you need some relief from the sun shine, just snuggle up under Wes or Stu's bellies for some shade. You are professional athletes for crying out loud...look like one!!!

Sorry, that last comment was probably not to fair or nice...but I'm to lazy to hit backspace and I might knock over my beer that I'm having for breakfast.....

[Aslan]

Need to market better and get much bigger and better sponsors:


Unfortunately, sponsors only "sponsor" to make money. And since most people see bowling on ESPN ONLY because ESPN needs to put some content on opposite NFL football and pro golf…they aren't gonna get sponsors to line up.

And I think bowling is a unique sport in that equipment and the game has made it so much easier and higher scoring; that the average bowler sees a pro bowler bowl a 259 and thinks, "thats pretty good…but I can see 6 guys do that at my Thursday league…so…who cares?" Granted, yes…the pros are doing it on harder patterns…and people don't see the 10-40 qualifying matches, etc… But if you're a good golfer, would you rush to tune in and watch a tournament of golfers that are "sort of" better than you?? Or a football game of players from your local YMCA? If most league bowlers struggled to break 200…and there was a small group of 35 pros that were rolling 270-300…it would be a "sight to see". But I can see a 300 game nearly every Friday…which is way more exciting in person than it is to watch 2 guys on TV score 278-258.

Not to mention…they're playing at the "Odor Eaters Championship" with high end sponsors like Dexter and Denny's and Motel 6.

It is what it is. I used to love to play paintball…but most people found it unwatchable on TV. And I grew up loving ice hockey…but it's still about the 5th most popular sport in the US in terms of TV ratings. Yet NASCAR is about #2…which I for the life of me can't figure out. I got bored watching electric cars go in circles when I was 7…but man…I've known my fair share of folks that RELIGIOUSLY will tune in to Nascar.

[MICHAEL]

Unfortunately, sponsors only "sponsor" to make money. And since most people see bowling on ESPN ONLY because ESPN needs to put some content on opposite NFL football and pro golf…they aren't gonna get sponsors to line up.

It is what it is. I used to love to play paintball…but most people found it unwatchable on TV. And I grew up loving ice hockey…but it's still about the 5th most popular sport in the US in terms of TV ratings. Yet NASCAR is about #2…which I for the life of me can't figure out. I got bored watching electric cars go in circles when I was 7…but man…I've known my fair share of folks that RELIGIOUSLY will tune in to Nascar.

I don't get the NASCAR thing AT ALL, driving in a circle for hours,,,, not going anywhere!! LOL I agree with you on that Aslan!! LOL I know there is something there, I just can't figure out WHAT IT IS! :confused::confused::confused:

there is a way to turn this around,,, we need to solve the dilemma! Put on your bowing Hat, and think!!
I don't think Bowlmor has the solution for OUR AREA! WE are league bowlers! Not cosmic, light show glitter bowlers!
We are meat and potatoes types!!

[Aslan]

there is a way to turn this around,,, we need to solve the dilemma! Put on your bowing Hat, and think!!


I think you gotta make the game harder, increase grass roots league play down to the youth level to build a better base, and you need a better format. The most popular sporting tournament is NCAA March Madness. Why? Because it has a huge field, including cindarella possibilities. So, just brainstorming here, but why not on January 8th, start a nationwide qualifying period. Take the 20,000 USBC sanctioned bowlers with the highest book averages and put them in a 3-month qualifying tournament. Those player bowl two weekends a month at designated centers in their area, then we trim the 20,000 to 5,000. March through June, again, two weekends per month, that number gets trimmed down to 2500. Then, June-August, that number gets trimmed down to 128. And in the last 3 months, those 128 bowlers are put in a single elimination tournament where the final 8 bowlers receive money. If you make the final 8 you get $50,000. 3rd and 4th you get another $100,000 each. 2nd place takes another $400,000. Winner takes a million.

In this format, you have the PDWs and Norm Dukes and Walter Rays…starting at the same level as Iceman and vdub…and they spend month after month getting to that field of 128. Then, seeding based on averages to that point…and off ya go! You got 6 games. TV could choose each week which qualifier they want to televise…probably the region where certain better known pros are.

But this format serves more than just drumming up more interest. It serves the USBC and bowling as well. Because suddenly being sanctioned means a GREAT deal more. Only sanctioned averages count. And each bowling center gets a max number of spots…so if your bowling center is cheating or has easy conditions…too bad…they can only send a certain max number. And it makes league play more competitive because you're not just playing for a trophy…the better bowlers are playing for a ticket to Reno and a shot at 1 million dollars.

Qualifying tournaments would be going on every weekend…but the field only has to participate in two qualifiers per month…so they can still have their regular jobs and family stuff. And there can always be other incentives…like side pots at each qualifier or even best poker hand or things like that. Bowling ball manufactures will still have the opportunity as well as bowling apparel and accessories manufactures to add additional prizes at whatever qualifier they choose. Sponsors will still be needed to televise the various levels.

But I think the advantage of that style format over what we have now is…you're gonna have more "stories". Like reality television has shown…audiences want "stories". They want to hear the story of Iceman and how he went from the field of 20,000 to be in the final 16. Or the pro shop owner from Mississippi…or the guy who just joined his first league the year before. And you'll still have the celebrities…Norm Dukes, PDWs, Walter Ray…you can bet the "pros" aren't gonna suddenly disappear and give rise to an all-amateur tour. But rather than the pros playing in 32 tournaments and making $200,000 or less…they're playing for a chance at a million plus. And they still can get most of their money from their sponsors.

I think that format beats seeing the same 15 bowlers every month…having to add "gimics" to get people to tune in.

[dnhoffman]

I don't get the NASCAR thing AT ALL, driving in a circle for hours,,,, not going anywhere!! LOL I agree with you on that Aslan!! LOL I know there is something there, I just can't figure out WHAT IT IS! :confused::confused::confused:

there is a way to turn this around,,, we need to solve the dilemma! Put on your bowing Hat, and think!!
I don't think Bowlmor has the solution for OUR AREA! WE are league bowlers! Not cosmic, light show glitter bowlers!
We are meat and potatoes types!!

NASCAR : "you sure do like goin left..."

[LastCallKillit]

He's not a pro bowler, but he is a bowling enthusiast. He's a former pro wrestler, that must've come up with the idea to do kind of a Jerry Lawler/Andy Kaufman gimmick where he claims to be able to beat any pro bowler (the way Kaufman used to claim he could beat any pro wrestler). It's entertaining as long as you realize its an act and he's not serious (like pro wrestling)


Yeah he seems pretty funny. I thought it was liek back yard wrestling he did?

[zdawg]

Yeah he seems pretty funny. I thought it was liek back yard wrestling he did?

It was an actual organization, although one that is relatively lower tier...nothing like the WWE but everybody has to start somewhere.

Despite the fact that the outcomes are predetermined and you're supposed to do everything you can to prevent injuries, if you've never taken a fall in one of those rings, trust me it hurts ;)

I'm guessing he retired because he didn't see himself being able to make it up to the WWE level as it does take a major toll on the body.

[LastCallKillit]

Ohhh gotvha

[tccstudent]

I think you gotta make the game harder, increase grass roots league play down to the youth level to build a better base, and you need a better format. The most popular sporting tournament is NCAA March Madness.

You mean like the AMF 600.00 in league tournament that was done the last few years. While that tournament covers the bases you listed the problem is there is little to no media attention which does not help the sport grow. In order for the PBA to have better payout then we must grow the sport and make the sponsors more profitable from local bowlers. Once that is done then you can have more sizzle when it comes to the televised events.

[Aslan]

You mean like the AMF 600.00 in league tournament that was done the last few years. While that tournament covers the bases you listed the problem is there is little to no media attention which does not help the sport grow. In order for the PBA to have better payout then we must grow the sport and make the sponsors more profitable from local bowlers. Once that is done then you can have more sizzle when it comes to the televised events.

I think to garner the attention, you need the pro bowlers to take part. It has to be a USBC sponsored and PBA sanctioned event which would bring in the big name guys to bowl against everyone else. If it's just a tourney of league bowlers…I mean we already have the USBC open, regional USBC tourneys, TNBA tournaments, and the ABT. And guess what? Nobody except me, Bunny, and about 122 other people in the US can tell you anything about 3 out of 4 of those. The pros have to show up…and thats gonna be hard. Bowling has always been a very small group of pros…and they tend not to like the idea of bowling against some schlub because bowling is a game that can go either way. Pete Weber and Randy Perterson bowled against some amateurs at the last Spring Nationals and I think they got their *** handed to them. Some of the guys on this website, even on USBC patterns, when they get hot…can take down a pro. Maybe not in a series…maybe not 6/10…but in a "game"…I could beat a pro in a "game". If I had the game of my life and they twisted their knee…but still, it could happen.