USBC thinking of new rule changes/regulations?

[Blomer]

I was listening to a podcast, The Solid Nine, episode 40 and the guy was talking about how th USBC, according to 11thframe.com, that they may lower the differential in bowling balls from 0.060 to the neighborhood of .044-.048. They said that about 166 balls would become illegal and several brands would be out of business. One reason, i think it won't happen. Has anyone heard anything about this? They also mentioned something with regards to balls being tested for how much oil the cover absorbs and set a regulation with that.

[bowl1820]

Has anyone heard anything about this?

Yep, It's been discussed on some of the other forums and facebook. Mainly in regard to Chad Murphys Facebook post about Jeff Richgels articles.

https://www.facebook.com/USBCChadMurphy/posts/818683678308781

The 11th Frame: Looming new ball technology limits from USBC could ignite industry war
https://www.11thframe.com/news/article/9896/Looming-new-ball-technology-limits-from-USBC-could-ignite-industry-war

The 11th Frame: Proposed USBC oil absorption test for balls ‘not scientifically valid’ in current form, technical experts say
https://www.11thframe.com/news/article/9899/Proposed-USBC-oil-absorption-test-for-balls-not-scientifically-valid-in-current

[fordman1]

Might be a good read but not if I have to sigh up to facebook.

[bowl1820]

Might be a good read but not if I have to sigh up to facebook.

Got to sign up and pay to read Jeff Richgels articles too.

[JaxBowlingGuy]

I have heard they are also talking about a dry towel rule for all usbc play that would start in the 2019 season

[bowl1820]

I have heard they are also talking about a dry towel rule for all usbc play that would start in the 2019 season

There was a proposed rule change being talked about earlier this year, But I haven't heard of it being submitted to be voted on or being passed.


The rule currently states:
“The use of approved cleaning agents listed in the Approved Anytime section of the Approved Cleaners and Polishes list is permissible.”

The proposed change is to delete current text and replace with the following:
“Only a dry towel is to be used to clean the surface of a bowling ball during USBC certified competition. Should a foreign substance appear on the outer surface of a bowling ball which cannot be removed by a dry towel, an approved cleaner may be used with consent from a league or tournament official.”


USBC accompanying text:
"We would like to request your comments about a potential specification regarding the use of liquid cleaners during competition. The intent of the specification always has been to allow a bowler to remove dirt and oil from the ball during competition with the use of an approved liquid cleaner. Current specifications allow the use of cleaners provided:
1) It does not affect the hardness of the ball
2) It is totally removed from the ball before delivery
USBC’s approved use of liquid cleaners is intended only for cleaning the ball surface, not to alter the ball performance. USBC is aware there are some liquid cleaning products that do not technically violate the above hardness and residue specification, but do alter the performance of the ball on the lane. The intent of the specification is to prohibit the use of cleaners that alter ball performance during competition."


Now there is a rule in the US Open about only using a dry towel:
"Once competition begins, the outer surface of the ball only may be cleaned with a dry towel. NOTE: The tournament director may allow a player to remove foreign substances from the bowling ball surface with authorized cleaners on a case by case basis."

[Aslan]

I agree with the differential lowering idea. Screw the manufacturers...they've hurt the sport with they're "technology" and either it gets dealt with now or we wave "bye bye" to the "sport".

I disagree with the cleaner rule ONLY because some centers are just horrible and your ball comes back looking like a Dalmation with black spots all over it and gunk stuck to it. I dry towel has no chance of removing that and it would be a nightmare for league board members or USBC tournament officials to have to "approve" cleaning every time a ball comes back. Not to mention..."approved cleaners" are a waste of money. The ball manufacturers put soapy water in a spray bottle and charge you 15x as much as it's worth. Redunkulous.

[TCJ]

If they are going to make a rule changing the differential, the common sense manner of doing so would be to make it go into effect five years in the future so that large amounts of bowling ball companies production isn't completely wasted and turned into garbage overnight. Another question, however, is how many bowlers will have to buy new bowling balls because of this? It may be a huge expense for many people.

[fordman1]

Speaking of rule changes are there any standards for side walls? I know a long time ago I saw a video of a company that had some really bouncy side boards that I thought should be illegal.

[bowl1820]

Speaking of rule changes are there any standards for side walls? I know a long time ago I saw a video of a company that had some really bouncy side boards that I thought should be illegal.

Yes, it's in the USBC Equipment Specifications Manual:

See "Kickbacks"
http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/equipandspecs/pdfs/ESManual.pdf

Oh and what your probably referring too is most likely the "WAHSAM", Which is legal. Basically it just adds more bracing , tightening everything up and takes the play out.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a08qTyW-vs

[fordman1]

For something that could affect scoring so much it isn't mentioned much is it? What does the PBA use in Reno?