How do I Sub?

[Fuzzifus]

My replies, though they may sound harsh, are not meant to be. I simply get perturbed by people doing things the wrong way for the wrong reasons. I can appreciate that you have a passion for this sport that most of us on this site love.

[unclemantis]

My replies, though they may sound harsh, are not meant to be. I simply get perturbed by people doing things the wrong way for the wrong reasons. I can appreciate that you have a passion for this sport that most of us on this site love.

I APPRECIATE the harsh words and you guys helping to push me into the right direction. Again I come into this topic clueless. I have NEVER subbed. I only know what I know

[bjeffe1234]

A lot of bowling centers have special league rates for league bowlers and most of the time don't distinguish between subs and rostered bowlers (you still show up on the recap sheet). When they see you bowling league nights, they see you as a league bowler. So, depending on how often you open bowl, you can actually save quite a bit.

Another thought, you can offer to pay the lineage for the person that you are replacing. They can pay the prize fund portion. That way they don't feel taken advantage of.

[unclemantis]

A lot of bowling centers have special league rates for league bowlers and most of the time don't distinguish between subs and rostered bowlers (you still show up on the recap sheet). When they see you bowling league nights, they see you as a league bowler. So, depending on how often you open bowl, you can actually save quite a bit.

Another thought, you can offer to pay the lineage for the person that you are replacing. They can pay the prize fund portion. That way they don't feel taken advantage of.

I would have to enter a leauge to get the special rates. If I sub I won't get the rates? I won't mind paying my way if need be but again it is the commitment issue as well as i even if I do join a leauge and after a few weeks i am not happy with one of the players then I can't back out.

[ecub]

As most have already concluded, it will be difficult to find a team that requires a sub. If the league already started in the Fall (August/September) 2012, then teams have already been established, INCLUDING subs. People understand work schedules, illness, etc. so along with establishing regular players, they establish who their subs will be. A team is normally usually already determined prior to the summer of 2012. A normal team roster, will probably consist of 6-8 bowlers, even if it's a 4-5 person per team league. Even if a team is still in need a sub, they may know other bowlers from other leagues that could bowl as well. Unfortunately, FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS PREFERRED THAN STRANGERS. This is more so for competitive leagues.

Of course, some bowling centers have leagues that start late in the year (January/February 2013). You may still be able to find a spot to sub. Whatever the case, the easier way to find out is when you visit a bowling center, ask to see if you can get league standings for the leagues there. This sheet will tell you what teams are in what place, bowlers/teams scores, averages, etc. Look for a team with normally allowed number of bowlers. What I mean is, if it's a 5 person team, look for a team that has ONLY 5 people. Look under the column for GAMES, which maybe abbreviated as GMS, GAM, etc. If you see a team where majority have allot of games, while 1 or 2 people have less, then I'm sure that team WILL require a sub. You can probably approach that team and ask them.

One thing to keep in mind, even though you can probably only spend about $20/week and if by chance you do get to sub for a team, be prepared to buy a round of drinks or 2 or maybe even buy food. The idea is for the team to know you and like you.

[unclemantis]

As most have already concluded, it will be difficult to find a team that requires a sub. If the league already started in the Fall (August/September) 2012, then teams have already been established, INCLUDING subs. People understand work schedules, illness, etc. so along with establishing regular players, they establish who their subs will be. A team is normally usually already determined prior to the summer of 2012. A normal team roster, will probably consist of 6-8 bowlers, even if it's a 4-5 person per team league. Even if a team is still in need a sub, they may know other bowlers from other leagues that could bowl as well. Unfortunately, FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS PREFERRED THAN STRANGERS. This is more so for competitive leagues.

Of course, some bowling centers have leagues that start late in the year (January/February 2013). You may still be able to find a spot to sub. Whatever the case, the easier way to find out is when you visit a bowling center, ask to see if you can get league standings for the leagues there. This sheet will tell you what teams are in what place, bowlers/teams scores, averages, etc. Look for a team with normally allowed number of bowlers. What I mean is, if it's a 5 person team, look for a team that has ONLY 5 people. Look under the column for GAMES, which maybe abbreviated as GMS, GAM, etc. If you see a team where majority have allot of games, while 1 or 2 people have less, then I'm sure that team WILL require a sub. You can probably approach that team and ask them.

One thing to keep in mind, even though you can probably only spend about $20/week and if by chance you do get to sub for a team, be prepared to buy a round of drinks or 2 or maybe even buy food. The idea is for the team to know you and like you.

Seems to me at this point that it is going to be more of a pain to sub than to just sign up for a league. But then that proves a problem in finding a team that will take me.

I have not bowled in a league in over 15 years and the last time I bowled in a league it has always been with my mother and grandfather and 1 or 2 other people.

I wonder when the next season starts. Here is a link to the area that I am currently residing http://www.leaguesecretary.com/bowli...-by-state.aspx

[bowl1820]

I have to say your all making subbing sound more difficult than it is.

If you want to "sub" (fill in that night for a missing bowler) All you have to do is go down to the bowling alley before a league starts bowling that night.

1-Stop at the front desk tell them your there to sub if a team needs sub. and/or go see the league secretary and ask/tell them.

2-Walk up and down and look at the monitors see if a team has a blind, stop and ask them if they want a sub.

Then wait and see, If no one needs you, then go home try again some other night or every night if your want. (subbing on every league you can is a great way to get experience on different conditions.)

FYI:
1-A lot of leagues have whats called "Roaming subs" this means you can bowl on any team that needs you.

2-Some leagues don't allow roaming subs but have teams with "Rosters" these are teams with a set number of bowlers they can have. if you sub on them you can only sub for that team . (Example 4 regular players and 2 sub's)

3- Paying: most leagues don't make subs pay. Some might, most don't.

4- Some teams might make you pay that's between you and them. Most teams don't, but they might.

5- If you don't have a USBC card you have to get one, the league secretary will give you the form .fill it out and pay for it and they'll give you a temp. card till you get your in the mail.

6- If you sub most places consider you a league bowler and you get the league bowler rates they offer.

7- Entering average: open bowling average is meaningless. The league has it's own rules for entering averages, they'll tell you what to do.

8- looking at the standing sheets is a waste of time to see if someone needs a sub. Now it can help you see if a team needs a regular full time bowler(they have a vacancy, lost a bowler etc.)

9- Most leagues also don't allow "subs" on certain nights (position rounds, last two weeks of bowling)

[billf]

One thing that can help is being courteous and friendly with the alley staff. After being there so much while on waiting for me eyesight to heal I became friends with all the employees. People started hearing about the blind guy bowling 40 games or more a day and averaging 195 on the Monday Mens league. Before long my phone was going nuts with people asking if I would sub if they gave me a ride (blind people shouldn't drive).
Subbing so much is what actually got me my initial core group of clients to coach.

If there are any open lanes while the league is bowling, then bowl. Show them what you can do. While trying not to be obvious, they will watch. My first non-sanctioned 300 was done this way. Not to sub but to practice during the summer league. When I turned around after the last throw the entire league was standing there. It wasn't too long after that they talked me into bowling in that league too.

[unclemantis]

One thing that can help is being courteous and friendly with the alley staff. After being there so much while on waiting for me eyesight to heal I became friends with all the employees. People started hearing about the blind guy bowling 40 games or more a day and averaging 195 on the Monday Mens league. Before long my phone was going nuts with people asking if I would sub if they gave me a ride (blind people shouldn't drive).
Subbing so much is what actually got me my initial core group of clients to coach.

If there are any open lanes while the league is bowling, then bowl. Show them what you can do. While trying not to be obvious, they will watch. My first non-sanctioned 300 was done this way. Not to sub but to practice during the summer league. When I turned around after the last throw the entire league was standing there. It wasn't too long after that they talked me into bowling in that league too.

That is a neat idea.

Problem is the lanes that separate the league from open bowling during that time is about 4 lanes. Also no guarantee I will be on the lane closest. I will give it a try once a week.

[billf]

I have been open bowling for a couple of months and I have established a CONSISTENT average of between 160 and 170 on HTS late night practice.

An average is just that. If I were to run into you at the bowling alley and you said your average was between 160 and 170 I would look right at you and say, "So only 165" and walk away. Why? Because an average isn't about, around or between any two numbers. It is what it is. You keep your games on your app on your phone so it will give you your actual, up to the date, right now, average. It won't say between, around or about but a real number. Those are facts and a "real" or "serious" bowler that wants to sub on my team had better know his average at a minimum.

We do have a guy with a 185 average and another at 164 on our team. I don't mind averages that low in a handicap league but I do need to know what I can realistically expect out of any player on my team on any given night. If it's a situation where I know ahead of time that I need to make up an average of 15 extra pins a game I need to know that BEFORE hand, not after. There was one day a teammate was injured at work. He wanted to bowl and I'm always OK with that. He said he would probably be about 30 pins under average though and would sit out if we wanted. Derrick and I both said "I got it" at the same time. Rod bowled an average of 15 pins under each game but Derrick and I both shot in the 790s destroying the other team. That doesn't mean that there aren't any off games. There always will be for any of us but they are the exception not the rule. Am I making any sense?