How do I Sub?

[unclemantis]

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.

Last night I went to the house to try and sub. I was told that they didn't need anyone right now and if they did he already has someone on standby from another league and he would be priority. WTF?

I hung around until the 4th frame and checked in again and the secretary said that if there was a need for a sub then I would have been known right away.

So I stayed for a game and watched a few players. Man some funny stuff at times.

So do I just keep showing up each night of the week until I luck out?

I can't invest $20 a week for a league. I was hoping to be able to sub so that I could interact with other bowlers and bowl on fresh oil and bowl for free :P

There is a whole new community about Subbing.

Thoughts folks?

[swingset]

Every house is different, if you showed up to my Saturday night mixed league any week, you'd have a spot. It's full of no-shows, we can never get them all filled.

Then I've bowled some scratch leagues where subs were more numerous than spots. Get a list of the leagues from the counter, show up on those nights and see if you can get in. That's what I used to do.

[explorer05]

You could check in every week or see their is a different league. Also find out if you have to pay for the prize fund or both. In our league the sub pays nothing the roster bowler pays it. That way it easy to divide the money at the end of the year. It is up to the roster bowler that he or she sub for wants to give them money. Good luck!!

[Fuzzifus]

I bowl 3 leagues a week. I have never, in my time bowling, asked some random fellow who showed up at the lanes to sub. Generally, I have enough friends and others that can fill in if I need someone.

[scottymoney]

If you can't invest $20 a week, I think you need to find another sport.
Whatever you do don't take up golf cause those fees will kill you!

[e-tank]

If you can't invest $20 a week, I think you need to find another sport.
Whatever you do don't take up golf cause those fees will kill you!

arent there cheaper leagues as well? I know my house had a pizza and beer league for $10 a week

and i agree with fuzzifus, i havent been bowling long but if one of my teammates or myself miss a day we just make it up

if you were trying to join a half filled team that would be a different story but you said you cant pay for league fees

[CeKnauss]

As I alluded in your other thread, social connections mean more to league bowlers than most things, as most of them are there to socialize, unless it is a sport or competitive league. People they recognize will have priority. I too have been turned down just because people don't know me, but you have to accept this and just get to know people.

League bowlers don't mind paying for their subs as the sub doesn't get prize fund in the end, but if they know you just want to bowl for free or even get that impression, they won't ask you to sub. They see it as disrespect. It appears as though you are more interested in bowling for free than bowling for the team and for fun.

Even though you consistently average that during open play doesn't mean people have any reason to believe you. Only once you prove it in league and have a certified average will people believe. I know this sounds rough, but open play averages don't really mean much to most people. I learned this very quickly. You'll hear a lot of people state things like: "Well you talk the talk, but do you walk the walk?"

Finally, if you want to get noticed, you have to go more than that one night. If you keep returning just one night a week and keep asking the same people who seemed disinterested the first and subsequent times, you will likely get a bad rap.

Best tip: go to meet new people, to have fun, and most of all, don't be disappointed if at first you don't succeed.

[ArtVandelay]

I completely agree with the money aspect. If you go to sub, you should probably be prepared to pay full price and even buy a beer or two as gratitude towards the team you bowl with. THAT would make you REALLY popular in our league. Hahahaha.

But dont be discouraged. The league im in rarely has open spots. You might just go to the bowling alley, and leave your name and number. Explain that you are relatively new to the area and missed the start up, but you would like the league secretaries to have your info because you would love to sub on occasion. Or ask them if they know of any leagues having trouble filling spots and if you may contact the secretaries of those leagues. Most open leagues have reachable secretaries and sometimes those secretaries actually work for the alley.

But you may have also come to the wrong night. My league is a company league. If you dont work for the company, or know someone who does, you arent eligible. And thats not to be mean, its just because the company pays for a portion of the lineage so we dont have to pay quite as much. They want their money to benefit their people. So you may have just showed up on the wrong night.

Good luck.

[Fuzzifus]

I can't invest $20 a week for a league. I was hoping to be able to sub so that I could interact with other bowlers and bowl on fresh oil and bowl for free :P

This comment also irks me. You want all the benefits of a league, for free. True, when I call in a sub I cover the league fee for them, but they usually do offer to pay it though I do not let them.

[unclemantis]

This comment also irks me. You want all the benefits of a league, for free. True, when I call in a sub I cover the league fee for them, but they usually do offer to pay it though I do not let them.

First off. THANK YOU for the kind and harsh words. These replies are what I expect from this board and the reason that I continue to return and interact and ask for help. The tough love helps.

The economy is tough for me tright now so if I can help to not pay for bowling as much as I have been for open bowling then I would love to.

The idea of NOT wanting to pay is the reason of Subbing is half true. I would be willing to sub and buy a few beers.

I spend about $15 to $30 a week for opening bowling of about 3 to 5 games per visit.

I feel I am good enough to start scoring sanctioned games. Also since the season has already started I figured subbing would be a good idea now and then.

i am not ready to commit to a full season investment.

With all that said I guess I just need to keep trying. I will try once a night at one house and then the next week try once a night at another house.

Don't get me wrong. I love to see other people bowl but I am not a very social person and I have a hard time approaching strangers.

Any other ideas? I my eyes are open!

Again thank you again!