Fall league meeting tonight

[boatman37]

Friend/teammate is going. Will let you know what was said, etc. Fall league starts 9/1

[boatman37]

ok. On the structural side we will have (3) 3rds instead of (2) 1/2s. Fees will still be $20, same as last year. On the COVID/safety side masks are required at all times except while sitting at your table and while on the approach but you have to wear it while walking from the table to the approach. Full lane courtesy meaning you cannot be touching the approach at all when there is a person in the next lane on the approach. This will slow things down as we usually are getting our ball wiped down, hand blower, etc while the other is on the approach. That's fine but they wanted to push the start time back and with the changes we likely wouldn't get done until close to midnight so start time will stay at 6:00 or 6:30 (can't remember what it is). And now mixed league so women are allowed. Looks like probably 12 teams (5 man teams). We have one on our team that probably won't be back due to finances caused by COVID, one that might not bowl because he has 2 very young grandchildren and he doesn't want to put them at risk, and one that won't bowl because he is the father of those 2 grandkids and just started a new job. So might only be me and one other as returning team members.

[boatman37]

Confirmed 3 of the 5 of us not coming back this year. Ultimately all due to COVID. 2 because of the risk and 1 because of a reduction in income due to it

[Ryster]

My Fall league starts 9/11. No changes to format/structure/guidelines. Bowling as usual. A few people have dropped off, some due to the pandemic and others for other personal reasons. However we also picked up some people so from what I understand there is no net change to the size of the league.

Hopefully everyone will follow the guidelines this Fall. If the PA Governor and Secretary of Health saw what was going on in our center right now on the evening adult leagues, they would certainly not be pleased.

[boatman37]

My Fall league starts 9/11. No changes to format/structure/guidelines. Bowling as usual. A few people have dropped off, some due to the pandemic and others for other personal reasons. However we also picked up some people so from what I understand there is no net change to the size of the league.

Hopefully everyone will follow the guidelines this Fall. If the PA Governor and Secretary of Health saw what was going on in our center right now on the evening adult leagues, they would certainly not be pleased.

We had 16 teams last year. They said the other night they were thinking 12 teams this year but they opened it to women too.

Seems Dr. Levine might be in some hot water. The Carlisle car show violated the restrictions but they received a waiver from Dr. Levine. Butler county has a large car swap meet and fairs that had to be cancelled. Apparently they tried to get waivers and were told no waivers period. Somehow Levine approved one for Carlisle and the local news channels handed the waivers over to local state reps who aren't happy. When Levine was asked she said she could not comment on legal matters.

Not trying to say waivers should or should not be permitted but the point is certain people are being allowed to carry on as usual while the majority are made to follow the rules.

[Ryster]

We had 16 teams last year. They said the other night they were thinking 12 teams this year but they opened it to women too.

Seems Dr. Levine might be in some hot water. The Carlisle car show violated the restrictions but they received a waiver from Dr. Levine. Butler county has a large car swap meet and fairs that had to be cancelled. Apparently they tried to get waivers and were told no waivers period. Somehow Levine approved one for Carlisle and the local news channels handed the waivers over to local state reps who aren't happy. When Levine was asked she said she could not comment on legal matters.

Not trying to say waivers should or should not be permitted but the point is certain people are being allowed to carry on as usual while the majority are made to follow the rules.

There is definitely a lot of ambiguity from the state when it comes to the guidelines. Some businesses follow them to the letter, others loosely follow them, others don't follow them one bit. Enforcing them is virtually impossible. A lot of law enforcement officials do not want to fine businesses who are simply trying to survive at this point. The guidelines are so varied by industry that it is becoming impossible for people and businesses to know if they are doing the right thing.

The Dr. Levine/Carlisle issue is kind of interesting. In reading the "confidential agreement", there are definitely some questionable aspects to the waiver. It definitely hurts all of the businesses and people who shut down and canceled their events and is unfair to them. I get that the Carlisle Car Show is a huge event and a boost to the local economy. At the same time, all of the other events that took it upon themselves to cancel due to the Governor's and Health Department's orders took an economic hit by following the rules.

It looks really bad, and I don't see how Dr. Levine is going to come out of this one unscathed.

[boatman37]

Not sure how things are gonna look this year. 3 of our 5 aren't coming back so my wife agreed to give it a go. She will probably be about a 110 avg bowler based on the times we went for fun. I have to try to talk her into getting a ball. She uses the 6lb house ball but I don't really want her using plastic because of the effects on the oil. Think it will be that much of an impact? I'm going to try to talk her into an 8lb Twist. She already warned me she is only there for fun and doesn't want any advice. She thinks I take it too seriously...lol. So we also picked up a husband and wife. He is a no thumb bowler with about a 175 avg and she has about a 150 avg. Neither one of them can be there the first night due to late notice. I'm sure other teams will be in a similar situation too.

[J Anderson]

Not sure how things are gonna look this year. 3 of our 5 aren't coming back so my wife agreed to give it a go. She will probably be about a 110 avg bowler based on the times we went for fun. I have to try to talk her into getting a ball. She uses the 6lb house ball but I don't really want her using plastic because of the effects on the oil. Think it will be that much of an impact? I'm going to try to talk her into an 8lb Twist. She already warned me she is only there for fun and doesn't want any advice. She thinks I take it too seriously...lol. So we also picked up a husband and wife. He is a no thumb bowler with about a 175 avg and she has about a 150 avg. Neither one of them can be there the first night due to late notice. I'm sure other teams will be in a similar situation too.

I bowl in a league that used to have several couples that bowled in it. In most of the cases the husband and wife were on separate teams.

[Ryster]

Not sure how things are gonna look this year. 3 of our 5 aren't coming back so my wife agreed to give it a go. She will probably be about a 110 avg bowler based on the times we went for fun. I have to try to talk her into getting a ball. She uses the 6lb house ball but I don't really want her using plastic because of the effects on the oil. Think it will be that much of an impact? I'm going to try to talk her into an 8lb Twist. She already warned me she is only there for fun and doesn't want any advice. She thinks I take it too seriously...lol. So we also picked up a husband and wife. He is a no thumb bowler with about a 175 avg and she has about a 150 avg. Neither one of them can be there the first night due to late notice. I'm sure other teams will be in a similar situation too.

One person using plastic will have little impact. The oil will change during the course of the night regardless of ball type. Part of the challenge of bowling is "chasing" the shot and moving as needed.

[SRB57]

I got a call from a team member on the upcoming season. We will be bowling on one lane for each team. There will be a piece of plexiglass seperating the pair and you will need to wear a mask at all times. If you want a drink you have to by food. There will be a waitress cruising around if you want a pop or food. They will be cleaning the lanes between leaques and you can not enter the center until it is cleaned. It looks like a lot of extra money spent by the owners but that was the only way they could do it here in Western N.Y. Steve

[bowl1820]

I got a call from a team member on the upcoming season. We will be bowling on one lane for each team. There will be a piece of plexiglass seperating the pair and you will need to wear a mask at all times. If you want a drink you have to by food. There will be a waitress cruising around if you want a pop or food. They will be cleaning the lanes between leaques and you can not enter the center until it is cleaned. It looks like a lot of extra money spent by the owners but that was the only way they could do it here in Western N.Y. Steve

WOOO That sounds a tad Draconian, over the top. I wouldn't believe it till I saw it.

Their going to have entire leagues and customers standing outside till they clean all the lanes after a league (and I would think after open bowling too) before they let them in. Are They Going to do temperature checks too? they might as well go whole hog .

You "HAVE TOO" buy food to get a drink?? So if you want a coke or a beer you have to get a plate of food too? That's a money grab by the lanes, nobody should buy anything if that's the way it is.

"We will be bowling on one lane for each team" so will the team your playing against be on the same pair? will you still alternate lanes as you bowl? if your on the same pair there is no reason not too there would be no difference in how much your exposed to the other team.
"There will be a piece of plexiglass separating the pair (of Lanes)"?? what on the approach? or just between tables? if on the approach somebody is going to be running into that.

"you will need to wear a mask at all times." even when your bowling? Hmmm a lot of players won't go for that.

[Timmyb]

I got a call from a team member on the upcoming season. We will be bowling on one lane for each team. There will be a piece of plexiglass seperating the pair and you will need to wear a mask at all times. If you want a drink you have to by food. There will be a waitress cruising around if you want a pop or food. They will be cleaning the lanes between leaques and you can not enter the center until it is cleaned. It looks like a lot of extra money spent by the owners but that was the only way they could do it here in Western N.Y. Steve

Good Lord. We start the day after Labor Day. They told us in our league meeting "use our heads", and keep it safe. Rules in Wisconsin are, once you order a drink, the mask can come off. I don't believe we've had much of a change in this state with or without the mandate. They're going to keep a pair open between the two teams bowling each week, so there will be space to spread out. We'll see how that goes. We have one guy that won't be able to start right away, because he's a Navy lifer, and Uncle Sam won't let him come out and play....

[SRB57]

Well Guys it's either this or no bowling. I have not been there yet but will go next week and see what it's like. We will be on the same pair just staying on one lane all night. I am pretty sure you only buy food with alcohol not pop which is true in all the bars and restaraunts in ny. Steve

[Ryster]

WOOO That sounds a tad Draconian, over the top. I wouldn't believe it till I saw it.

Their going to have entire leagues and customers standing outside till they clean all the lanes after a league (and I would think after open bowling too) before they let them in. Are They Going to do temperature checks too? they might as well go whole hog .

You "HAVE TOO" buy food to get a drink?? So if you want a coke or a beer you have to get a plate of food too? That's a money grab by the lanes, nobody should buy anything if that's the way it is.

"We will be bowling on one lane for each team" so will the team your playing against be on the same pair? will you still alternate lanes as you bowl? if your on the same pair there is no reason not too there would be no difference in how much your exposed to the other team.
"There will be a piece of plexiglass separating the pair (of Lanes)"?? what on the approach? or just between tables? if on the approach somebody is going to be running into that.

"you will need to wear a mask at all times." even when your bowling? Hmmm a lot of players won't go for that.


Here in PA, the "must buy food with alcohol" is a rule put in place by the Governor. Our bowling center has to abide by it or they lose their liquor license. Soda can be purchased without food.

On the morning and afternoon Senior leagues, it is one team per LANE, with an empty lane in between. So the leagues do not alternate lanes, and the team you are bowling against is 2 lanes over.

However, night time adult leagues are business as usual. Two teams per pair, no distancing, etc.

PA has a mandatory mask mandate for all indoor activities including recreational sports. Additionally, indoor recreational sports groups cannot exceed 25 people. Most bowling centers are ignoring the 25 people guideline, and only requiring masks to enter the center. Then, once in the center, masks come off. If a state official came in the center during evening leagues, it would not be a pretty sight.

Bowling in a mask is no big deal at all. I have been doing it for 10 weeks now. There are maybe 7 of us on a league of 70-80 people that wear masks the entire time.

Our bowling center's league participation is down 40% so far for the upcoming fall season. Overall, people just don't feel comfortable coming back at this point.

There are other local centers with strict masking requirements as well as temperature checks for all customers. Some proprietors are more serious about the guidelines than others.

[J Anderson]

Bowling in a mask is no big deal at all. I have been doing it for 10 weeks now. There are maybe 7 of us on a league of 70-80 people that wear masks the entire time.

Our bowling center's league participation is down 40% so far for the upcoming fall season. Overall, people just don't feel comfortable coming back at this point.



Looks like you have at least 60 people who are perhaps a bit too comfortable.

The rules here in CT allow removing the mask on the approach. My local center is requiring the mask to enter and is taking temps as people enter. All the house balls have been removed from the racks and open bowlers must request one from the desk. The way they are enforcing the mask rule is basically watching the concourse area like hawks for people without masks on. As long as you stay in the settee area they don't say anything.

As you say bowling in a mask is no big deal, I keep mine on except to drink coffee. The only exception I can see is for people who wear glasses. I would guess at least 75% of league bowlers have decided they don't like wearing masks and won't follow the 'Mask on except for bowling' rule unless some one on their pair makes a fuss about it.

[mc_runner]

Bowled week 1 last Wednesday, about the same experience up north a bit John. Leagues are a lot smaller, but we're doing 2 lane buffers between each pair of teams (assuming there were x amount set aside for the league and we were able to add in space given about 1/2 the number of teams). about 25% of people wearing masks including myself while bowling, not a big deal but annoying when having water or whatever.

[boatman37]

First night of fall league tomorrow night. They voted in a mixed league so wife still plans to bowl with us. Probably order her a ball tomorrow night so she doesn't have to use the plastic house ball. Probably go with a Twist or something. She throws straight and will never try to hook so whatever we get cheap. PSO said absolutely plastic so probably a Twist or something. He said some of the veterans that weren't at the meeting won't be happy about it being a mixed league now so they don't want to give them anything else to complain about...lol.

She is usually around 100-130 so we will see how she does. She is only there for fun and doesn't care how she does so whatever she gets she gets. I will post her scores too. Will also post how many teams and members. Last I heard about 14 5 man teams. I think we had 18 last year. But I was wondering this. The womens league bowls the same night and time as us. Wonder why they don't just merge the 2 since ours is mixed now? I'm sure some wouldn't like that on both sides but I'm all for bigger leagues. Both are sanctioned too. There was about 5 4 women teams last year so only adding about 20 more people or so

[bowl1820]

LThe only exception I can see is for people who wear glasses.

Yeah I wear glasses and the mask causes me to fog up lot, We don't have to wear one while bowling though.

[SRB57]

Well I went to my normal leaque house to pratice today. There are clear plastic sheets between the pair going from the scorer to the tables where you sit. You go in one door and exit the other door. masks at all times and it really did not bother me much as I shot 963 for 4 games. We may be alternating lanes in leaque but still not sure. Will no everything next tuesday when leaque starts. Steve

[J Anderson]

Well I went to my normal leaque house to pratice today. There are clear plastic sheets between the pair going from the scorer to the tables where you sit. You go in one door and exit the other door. masks at all times and it really did not bother me much as I shot 963 for 4 games. We may be alternating lanes in leaque but still not sure. Will no everything next tuesday when leaque starts. Steve

Even though USBC now allows teams to compete on separate lanes instead of sharing a pair it would seem that some people have figured out having two teams share a pair and having every other pair vacant allows the same amount social distancing as putting single teams on every other lane.

[boatman37]

Well week 1 down. The 2 guys that got Covid back in early March in our league when this all started were both there tonight bowling. The one had a lung removed about 10 years ago and was in ICU for a few weeks when this hit. Rules were masks at all times except when sitting at your table with your team and when on the approach. Mask on at all other times. We didn't do any skipping lanes or anything. The other rule was we have a set of tables up near the approach and another set further back. The odd numbered team will sit at the ones closer and the even numbered ones will sit in the back set. By odd/even I mean lane assignments, not team number. So it will alternate.

On to the bowling...my wifes first night ever bowling league. She said she didn't care for it and was bored but she said she signed up so will stick it out...lol. I'm fine if she doesn't want to do it. She bowled 87, 73, and 86 using an 8lb house ball. I was going to order her a ball tonight but wanted to see if she is going to stick with it first.

So we had a bye tonight but league rules state you need to bowl within 50 pins of your teams average to get the win. We couldn't calculate our average until my wife finished her 3rd game. In the end we won game 1 by 14 pins and won the next 2 pretty easily.

I started out with the Uppercut but after about 5 or 6 frames it started cutting too hard so I kept moving in. Switched to the Squatch for game 2 but just wasn't feeling it then end of game 2 switched to the Glam. Struggled with some spares tonight so need to get that figured out.

Had a 205, 173, and 199 (577)

[J Anderson]

Well week 1 down. The 2 guys that got Covid back in early March in our league when this all started were both there tonight bowling. The one had a lung removed about 10 years ago and was in ICU for a few weeks when this hit. Rules were masks at all times except when sitting at your table with your team and when on the approach. Mask on at all other times. We didn't do any skipping lanes or anything. The other rule was we have a set of tables up near the approach and another set further back. The odd numbered team will sit at the ones closer and the even numbered ones will sit in the back set. By odd/even I mean lane assignments, not team number. So it will alternate.

On to the bowling...my wifes first night ever bowling league. She said she didn't care for it and was bored but she said she signed up so will stick it out...lol. I'm fine if she doesn't want to do it. She bowled 87, 73, and 86 using an 8lb house ball. I was going to order her a ball tonight but wanted to see if she is going to stick with it first.

So we had a bye tonight but league rules state you need to bowl within 50 pins of your teams average to get the win. We couldn't calculate our average until my wife finished her 3rd game. In the end we won game 1 by 14 pins and won the next 2 pretty easily.

I started out with the Uppercut but after about 5 or 6 frames it started cutting too hard so I kept moving in. Switched to the Squatch for game 2 but just wasn't feeling it then end of game 2 switched to the Glam. Struggled with some spares tonight so need to get that figured out.

Had a 205, 173, and 199 (577)

Maybe when your wife gets to meet some of the other teams in the league she won’t feel as bored. I know that I do not enjoy bowling the vacant team as much as having some human competition.

[Ryster]

Even though USBC now allows teams to compete on separate lanes instead of sharing a pair it would seem that some people have figured out having two teams share a pair and having every other pair vacant allows the same amount social distancing as putting single teams on every other lane.

At least some centers are actually following the distancing guidelines. The center I go to is business as usual. Two teams per pair, no vacant lanes in between. They tried getting creative with seating, but it made no difference (and actually made it worse.)

On the Senior summer leagues, they were doing one team per lane with an empty lane in between. Next week, they announced they are changing the Senior fall leagues to two teams per pair, with an empty pair in between. Evening adult leagues will remain business as usual of two teams per pair with no empty lanes in between.

League participation is down 40% for the fall compared to last season. Hopefully things will gradually pick back up over the next several months.

[boatman37]

Maybe when your wife gets to meet some of the other teams in the league she won’t feel as bored. I know that I do not enjoy bowling the vacant team as much as having some human competition.

Maybe but her and another girl on our team are the only 2 females in our league from what I saw...lol

[Ryster]

Went to the doctor today for my annual checkup. The doctor was not pleased to find out I was bowling. Apparently that throws me in the "high risk" group for catching Covid-19, and I was given explicit instructions on how to get tested when, not "if" but when, someone on the league gets the virus. Doctor said it is a certainty that someone on the league will come down with it and not to call their office. Find a local testing site and go there was the instruction.

That discussion certainly didn't inspire confidence in the safety of bowling right now. Thankfully my fall league is looking like it will be only 24-30 total bowlers so hopefully that will help reduce some of the risk.

[boatman37]

Went to the doctor today for my annual checkup. The doctor was not pleased to find out I was bowling. Apparently that throws me in the "high risk" group for catching Covid-19, and I was given explicit instructions on how to get tested when, not "if" but when, someone on the league gets the virus. Doctor said it is a certainty that someone on the league will come down with it and not to call their office. Find a local testing site and go there was the instruction.

That discussion certainly didn't inspire confidence in the safety of bowling right now. Thankfully my fall league is looking like it will be only 24-30 total bowlers so hopefully that will help reduce some of the risk.

Yeah I'm pretty sure somebody in our league will get it again. the only way not to get it would be to stay in your house and nobody come in or out until this is over. Just have to be as careful as you can. My 2 step-sons were tested for the antibodies and both were negative. One is a supervisor at a plastics manufacturer and his employer required it for everyone and the other is a detective so is always around others and one of his co-workers tested positive so anyone that had contact with that person was tested to see if they had ever had it. Not sure why they didn't test to see if they currently had it

[Ryster]

Yeah I'm pretty sure somebody in our league will get it again. the only way not to get it would be to stay in your house and nobody come in or out until this is over. Just have to be as careful as you can. My 2 step-sons were tested for the antibodies and both were negative. One is a supervisor at a plastics manufacturer and his employer required it for everyone and the other is a detective so is always around others and one of his co-workers tested positive so anyone that had contact with that person was tested to see if they had ever had it. Not sure why they didn't test to see if they currently had it

I agree. Just have to remain as careful as possible. Last night was our last night of summer league. I was so glad that it was over. It was only 10 weeks, but it was not very fun. It is a sanctioned league, but the vast majority of the people on the league treat it as though it was not sanctioned. General disregard for basic league rules, equipment rules, etc. I made the decision last night to find a different summer league next year.

Fall league starts next Friday! It is a competitive, scratch league with a good group of people. Always a fun time.

[boatman37]

I agree. Just have to remain as careful as possible. Last night was our last night of summer league. I was so glad that it was over. It was only 10 weeks, but it was not very fun. It is a sanctioned league, but the vast majority of the people on the league treat it as though it was not sanctioned. General disregard for basic league rules, equipment rules, etc. I made the decision last night to find a different summer league next year.

Fall league starts next Friday! It is a competitive, scratch league with a good group of people. Always a fun time.

Ours is the opposite. Our summer league is very competitive with guys coming from 50 miles away. Payout for the 1st place team is always at least $1500. Our fall league is more recreational with some older folks in there. I guess the Wednesday fall league is more competitive but I'm not in that one. Our Tuesday league was the only one that was strictly mens but now this year its open to mixed