When it makes sense to let the other guy go ahead of you.

[DMS]

Slightly different perspective...

I'll usually just lay back and let the other bowler make their attempt at converting the split. The reasoning is that I don't want to interrupt their 'Zen' for the frame. For me, waiting makes me get tight. I always bowl better in practice because the pace is quicker. Bowling with eight people on a pair, and waiting for my turn to cycle back, just slays my physical 'feel'. I like tourneys for this very reason - the pace is usually lightning quick. As such, I don't want to do that to the other bowler... I want to let them have the time they need to work out while their body is still in 'bowl' mode, and get it over with.

Additionally, I like to let a player on their 10th frame go ahead and close the frame before getting up to bowl mine. Again - want to let them keep their energy state to finish the frame.

For me, it's just a matter of human respect. In my perfect world, they'd hang back and let me hit that split without making me pause, watch (or try to ignore) their shot, and then have to get back into my game head.

I never say anything about it, and just go with the flow. However, I have other folks I know that do the same thing when we bowl together / against each other, and they tend to be the kinder individuals at the center.

[foreverincamo]

ROBLV1, our league has a " no re-racks " rule unless the rack is missing a pin. Must be nice to get rid of a bad rack.

[RobLV1]

ROBLV1, our league has a " no re-racks " rule unless the rack is missing a pin. Must be nice to get rid of a bad rack.

A question for bowl1820: Can a league adopt a rule the negates a USBC rule?

[Tony]

wow 250 average??!!! Last time I saw someone average 250+ in leagues, was when I bowled with and against a HOF bowler. And on a beat down synthetic surface with a wick machine (summit) that broke constantly. That's pretty awesome to watch..... anyway...

I used to be superstitious. If my towel drops to the floor or someone touched it, I had to refold it. Wait for the bowler to pick up a his split. Don't walk between the ball rack and scorers table. these were no no for me. Then about a decade ago, I felt my life was unbalanced mentally. I went back to getting myself centered for personal reasons. I somehow applied this to my bowling since it's the only place I found peace of mind from the outside world. These superstitious just got in the way of my "peace", so I accepted things for what they were and just bowled.

Long story short, over time I learned to accept these things that use to bother me and just bowled. I've performed and done very well with a dropped towel, split on the other lanes, and walking between the ball rack and scorers table. I don't have to bowl angry to bowl well like that lefty PBA dude from the 80's/90's.. what's his name???? Jack or jess stayrook?? I was a pre teen or younger when I remember this guy saying he bowls well when he's angry on TV. He reminded me of the hulk in The incredible hulk TV show.

These superstitions work for many bowlers, but I don't have any superstition anymore when it comes to bowling. Less to worry about. Whatever works for you, do it. Just don't let us wait lol

I'm not particularly superstitious, in this case I've just seen it happen too many times, even with really good bowlers. It happens once or twice a night so I would guess the guy who wipes his ball off for 10 seconds every shot probably holds the game up far more than I do !

The 250 guy is fun to watch, and a nice guy, he subs in one of my leagues and is a regular in the other, I've seen him throw 10 or more 300 games, he has well over 100 !

[J Anderson]

A question for bowl1820: Can a league adopt a rule the negates a USBC rule?

I believe that unless the USBC rule includes language that explicitly says that a league may adopt a rule that modifies or even contradicts the USBC rule, the league cannot negate the USBC rule.

[bowl1820]

A question for bowl1820: Can a league adopt a rule the negates a USBC rule?

Since your talking about reracks

this is right on point.


Puzzle #17
The Re-racker – January 7, 2016
How many times can a bowler re-rack? Last week during night league one of the league's high average bowlers decided to re-rack because one of the pins in the rack was slightly off set. This bowler re-racked 8 times for one frame before he got a rack that satisfied him. But here is the kicker he left the 10 pin. Yes some of us were wondering when he was going to actual roll his ball down the lane.
Answer
According to Rule 7a, Pins Improperly set, it is each player’s responsibility to determine if a setup is correct. The player shall insist that any pin(s) incorrectly set be respotted before delivering the ball, otherwise the setup is deemed to be acceptable.
Since it is ultimately the player’s responsibility for an accurate setup, restricting the player from respotting pins would be against USBC rules. However a league or tournament could adopt a rule requiring approval from an official after a bowler has respotted pins X amount of times, a number stated in the rules.
If a machine is consistently setting up pins incorrectly, the bowling center should be notified so adjustments can be made to the machine to avoid situations like you had.

[bowl1820]

I believe that unless the USBC rule includes language that explicitly says that a league may adopt a rule that modifies or even contradicts the USBC rule, the league cannot negate the USBC rule.

AFAIK that's basically it, Unless the rule say's the "Unless otherwise provided by league or tournament rule" or similar you can't change it.

But in regard to the rules that don't say that, going by past experience you can amend or place a limit on them as long as it doesn't violate this is from the rule book:

USBC Rule 100 - Leagues>100a. Qualifications>1. All leagues must meet the following requirements: g. Govern themselves by USBC rules. Other rules may be added, but must not conflict with USBC rules.


In the case of foreverincamo's "our league has a " no re-racks " rule unless the rack is missing a pin." you'd have to check with the USBC rules dept . to see if it actually conflicts with Rule 7a, Pins Improperly set or if it's allowed limitation on reracks.



IMO I say it does conflict since it doesn't allow reracking off spot pins.

Because If you go by what I posted above:
"Since it is ultimately the player’s responsibility for an accurate setup, restricting the player from respotting pins would be against USBC rules."
That league rule appears to conflict with rule 7a

"However a league or tournament could adopt a rule requiring approval from an official after a bowler has respotted pins X amount of times, a number stated in the rules."

The statement above also says you can limit how many times a player reracks without approval. But it doesn't say you can limit what can or can't be respotted.



Note: I just sent a email to the rules dept and asked, so we'll see what they say.

[fordman1]

A question for bowl1820: Can a league adopt a rule the negates a USBC rule?

The only time you can over rule a USBC rule is when it says "unless the league votes to change it" So the next time the head pin is in front of the 2 pin on the 1st ball you can rerack it!
2nd ball is a whole new story. Unless the pin falls down and has to be stood back up you shoot it where it stands.
Ever see the 10 or seven slide across the deck and stand next to the other? If it happens you have an easy 7-10 split conversion.

[bowl1820]

ROBLV1, our league has a " no re-racks " rule unless the rack is missing a pin. Must be nice to get rid of a bad rack.

Okay, Got a reply from the USBC. Going by this reply if the pins are off spot you can rerack it, the league can only limit how many times you do it.

Question:
Can a league have a rule that says "no re-racks " unless the rack is missing a pin."?


Reply

Good Morning ,

This is in regards to your email below.

According to Rule 7a, a player may reset pins if they believe the setup is incorrect. There is no limit on the number of times the setup can be reset during a game or series. However, leagues or tournaments may adopt a rule that would limit the number of re-racks a bowler may use.

Please let me know if you have further questions or concerns.

Jennifer Land
Rules Counselor

Follow up Question:

Thanks for the reply, but it doesn't quite address the original question. Could you elaborate please. The league is limiting what you allowed to rerack not how many times you do it. They say you can only rerack the pins if one is missing. If the pin(s) are just off spot then you are not allowed a rerack.

Can the league set that kind of requirement on reracking?

Reply from the rules dept.:

Good Afternoon,

If the setup is incorrect (off set) or pins are missing, that cannot be limited. What can be limited is excessive re-racking when there are issues with incorrect setup or pins missing. The rule prevents a delay of game.

Jennifer Land
Rules Counselor

[RobLV1]

foreverincamo: I think a league meeting is in order! LOL