Sandbaggers

[Bunny]

Does your league not use the prior season average or the book average for the first few weeks of league? If not, perhaps your league should institute that rule next time. That helps keep sandbaggers to a minimum.

Spoke with the Manager last night. The desk guy overheard and went, "Who? KB and those guys?" So they know what's going on.

Anyway, the league will implement your suggestion next season! Very Cool!!

Thanks vdubtx for the excellent (and easy) solution!! "You said it Man, nobody f's with the Jesus!"


By the way-That team was in last place after the second week. Serves 'em right!! They came up to us afterwards and asked "How many games did you win?" Not, how'd you roll 'em? What a couple DB's. We bowl them next week. I'm totally going to use "Bush League Psych Out" on them and get into their heads!

[Aslan]

There were only 2 players that I can say without a shadow of a doubt DID NOT sandbag in week 1. Bunny and that Tom guy with the dredlocks who coming into last night had the highest average in the league (180 I think).

Everyone else sandbagged at differing levels. Guys like me and a few other guys I was watching...we were "trying"...but if we missed a spare here or there...we didn't really care because it was week 1. Then...other sided of the spectrum...I saw:

- 1 guy walked up and just dropped his ball in the gutter. It didn't "roll" in the gutter...he just walked up and pushed it in the gutter.
- Two ENTIRE TEAMS decided to bowl left-handed (and they are right handed bowlers).
- I watched 1 guy (that Bunny referenced...who carries a 160+ average and last night bowled TWO 200+ games)...bowl at least one frame between his legs.

It was a joke. I mean, I had an excuse. My FIRST league....FIRST time playing at that alley...FIRST game ever on those lanes. So my 112 was pretty much legitimate...AND...better than I bowled last night.

I feel..all leagues should use book averages from the previous season going into week 1...unless it's a new bowler to the league. There's virtually no way to sandbag if you do that. If a person was in more than one league...use an average of their averages. Nobody is gonna tank an entire season just to set themselves up for the next season.

But...I feel good about our team's chances. I know it's just for fun...but we came into the night in second place...one game behind the leaders. The leaders got beat by the sandbaggers last night...so we're gonna be in first place. And the sandbaggers had to "stop sanbagging" last night in order to beat that good team...where as we had a BAD night (overall, especially game 3) so their averages skyrocketed while our averages actually went down (Me and Buddy). You and Babs...your averages probably went up...because you guys played amazing, especially in the second game. But those 2 guys...they started out at 150-160 and both through near 600 series...so we'll be getting some decent handicap pins next week despite being the top team (team to beat). And from here on out...all we need to do is take 2 out of 3 games and have more pins at the end. We don't need to take all 4 points...3 out of 4 the rest of the way and we should be solid.

And god forbid...I fix my game...those guys are gonna be pretty pissed if our worst player (me) with a 114 average bowls a 529 series. But...lets not put our eggs in my basket...because my basket is a friggin abortion right now. But if you and Babs bowl like you did this week...and Buddy bowls like he did LAST week...we're talking 1800+ scratch...at LEAST a 2400 handicap total each week.

[vdubtx]

Spoke with the Manager last night. The desk guy overheard and went, "Who? KB and those guys?" So they know what's going on.

Anyway, the league will implement your suggestion next season! Very Cool!!

Thanks vdubtx for the excellent (and easy) solution!! "You said it Man, nobody f's with the Jesus!"


By the way-That team was in last place after the second week. Serves 'em right!! They came up to us afterwards and asked "How many games did you win?" Not, how'd you roll 'em? What a couple DB's. We bowl them next week. I'm totally going to use "Bush League Psych Out" on them and get into their heads!

Cool. Glad could help.

Is the league sanctioned via USBC?

Aslan mentioned in comment below yours that some guys bowling left handed. They can't just do that. They have to have separate average for left hand vs. right and they cannot switch between games. In USBC certified competition where handicap is involved, you must be right-handed or left-handed corresponding to the hand you established your average with and stick with it once a competition begins. A bowler can be allowed to change hands during an event if they are injured.

Seems like your league officers are not real serious(or not sanctioned) or just simply don't care.

[Aslan]

I don't think it's a sanctioned league. It's just a "fun" league...I think. Bunny would know.

[Aslan]

Well...we played the sandbaggers last night....didn't go well.

It sucks...because it was actually a close and very good match between two very good bowling teams. They brought close to their best, we brought close to our best...and it could have went either way. But...they had a nice little handicap built up...in part due to their BS week 1. And it was frustrating and Bunny mentioned it...but they seemed not apologetic at all...they actually bragged that in response to "cheaters never win" that they have 2-3 trophies at home that beg to differ.

I wish we coulda beat them. Even just 3 out of 4 points. Even though it's only week 3, that was essentially for the championship. I think our team is stronger than the rest of the teams...and I think they're team has already played the 2 best teams...so it's clear sailing for them.

Oh well...whatta ya gonna do. I can't say it was "ALL" sandbagging effect. I mean, their 108 average bowler broke 125 twice. I thought my 635 handicap series might be the best this week...then I look over and she's got something like 697. And...our aces (Bunny and Buddy)...got off to a rough start in game 1. Eventually they got back in form...but game 1 we were just a little "off" for some reason. And it seemed like the lanes were just heavy, heavy oil...nobody's balls were hooking much...just a tough start. And it's hard when you lose by 2 pins...as we did in game 2...because you think about every frame...and if you just woulda been an inch this way or that way. I mean, in game 3 I almost picked up a 4-6 split...inches...less than inches. And game 3 the gin started kicking in...and suddenly I wasn't quite as sharp....so despite having a much better game this week (I think I raised my average 10 pins)...I coulda done better as well.

But...it was a fun night...and thats what that league is all about...FUN. And ya know what...we gave a very good team....that came in with a little padded averages...we gave them a run for their money.

[bowlerRob2]

Things are not always as they seem. Here is how our 12 week spring league ended average wise with the two guys I bowl with regularly:

Me: 182
2: 190
3: 204

Here are our averages after week 6 of winter league.

Me: 198
2: 170
3: 188

It's easy to pass judgement just by numbers alone but I can say for sure, those guys are struggling (esp #2). The first week we just sorta joked about me suddenly being the "top dog" and I laughed along with it too. Now I really wonder WTF, but they are definitely NOT sandbagging.

[Aslan]

I don't think what you posted meets the definition of "sandbagging".

182 vs 198??

We're talking about a team with 2 guys that are 150-250 bowlers who bowled like 112....left-handed....and then bragged about it.

New term, "sandbragging"?

[bowlerRob2]

I don't think what you posted meets the definition of "sandbagging".

182 vs 198??

We're talking about a team with 2 guys that are 150-250 bowlers who bowled like 112....left-handed....and then bragged about it.

New term, "sandbragging"?

I was referring to my teammantes #2 and #3 not me. They were afraid to be called sandbaggers and I just said, don't worry just get your game back in order cuz I can't keep this avg up forever LOL

[mjoyce]

The fun league I'm in combats this by giving all new bowlers a 125 averGe for the first 3 weeks. After the third week you get whatever your average is from those first three weeks. All bowlers established I the league carry their average from the prior year. It helps. The first year everyone bowled for average the first week and it was a mess of low average/high handicap. But luckily there are only 6 teams and not really any bagging.

[mike_thomas93]

Oh yeah you know I just realized my status updated to sandbagger ;p