Too hard to join a league... : (

[J Anderson]

It's still a badge of honor, Just ask someone who just shot one for the first time. While there are a lot of bowlers who have multiple 300's, there a lot more who have only one and for them it's a badge of honor.

One of my friends got his first 300 a few years ago, long after earning his P.B.A. card by cashing in P.B.A. regional tournaments. The people he was bowling with barely even congratulated him for a good game let alone a 300, because they all thought that he must have already hit 300 several if not many times.

[Aslan]

Here's something to mess up your numbers. We had four 300s last season, two by the same bowler. This season, one so far. The twenty previous 300s have been thrown by a total of four bowlers.

I've given up on the "extrapolate from bowlingboards" theory. I'm just gonna ask the USBC. I sent them an email, hope to hear something back.

[vdubtx]

I've given up on the "extrapolate from bowlingboards" theory. I'm just gonna ask the USBC. I sent them an email, hope to hear something back.

Will be interesting to hear the real numbers from them when/if you get a reply back.

[Aslan]

Will be interesting to hear the real numbers from them when/if you get a reply back.

If I were a "betting man"....based on everyone's input...nationwide...a total guess....total guess...53,799 in 2012.

Anyone wanna play "guess how many jelly beans are in the jar?" And it's not "Price is Right Rules"...it's who is "closest" not "closest without going over"...so no guessing "1".

[bowl1820]

Here's some old info I dug up:

"The American Bowling Congress, the governing body of the sport, reports that in the 1968-69 season, it recorded 905 perfect games in league and tournament matches; in the 1998-99 season, it recorded 34,470."

"In 2001 Despite ABC membership shrinking to 1.7 million bowlers, there was a staggering 42,163 perfect games"

From 2008:
"How is it difficult to launch a 300, or Perfect game? There are an estimated 4 million more avid bowlers in the United States, if each of these bowlers, bowl an average of 20 games per year (which would be a very conservative estimate), which means there are at least 80 million games bowled In the United States each year. In a normal year, there will be between 40000 and 50000 shocked perfect games, according to the USBC, the Official Guardian's annual game statistics published. By doing a little math shows that 0.0005 to 0.0006 percent of all games shattered in a typical year could be a game 300."

[JaMau24]

OMG!! It's funny that you mentioned the ring! I was actually going to ask if they still do that!! So they still give out rings? I was going to ask but then got wrapped up in the stats/numbers (because I'm a dork) and forgot.

Also...I know theres a lot of ole timers on here...youth challenged if you will...does anybody remember bowling back in the 60s/70s? Do you notice the difference in the way a 300 is treated now versus then? Any interesting stories? How many do you remember back then per alley? I didn't start bowling till the 80s...but only casually; so I don't really remember.

Well, remember, I'm still young. It's of my understanding though, that whenever you bowled an honor score, or an achievement, the USBC would always give you something to recognize that score or that achievement. Whenever a 300 or 800 was bowled, you would get a ring for EVERY time you did it (need someone else to confirm that). Then years ago they changed it to only giving you a ring for a 300 or 800 ONE TIME each season. Now the USBC, effective this new season, is only giving one more lifetime ring if you bowl a 300 or 800. Each year they have gotten rid of other awards, like the triplicate award, or 7-10 split conversion award. Did I mentioned they also raised the USBC member fee this season, and they also made it to where you have to pay for a summer membership as well!? In other words, they are getting a lot more money, and giving out a lot less awards and rings. I heard they are going to do away with the 11 in a row award next season too.

I just don't understand why they get so cheap. One ring a season for each a 300 or 800 seems totally reasonable, ESPECIALLY when you consider they redesign the ring each season. I'm also upset that I picked up a 7-10 split (absolutely shocked me and still can't believe it) during the summer, and what do I get!? I get to go to the USBC website and print out a stupid certificate! LOL

Anyway, I'm still hopeful that at some point down the road, things will change again for the better, or they will get someone in charge that will change it for the better.

[Aslan]

At the risk of Jamau24 hating my guts (more than currently)...i have to disagree.

JaMau...what used to be a once in a lifetime thing for amateurs has turned into a 1-2 times per season thing. I think the USBC has just recognized that it's not the accomplishment it used to be...so they aren't awarding it like they used to. And I think thats actually a good thing.

Can you imagine in 1964 bowling a perfect game...you biggest life achievement...getting a ring you cherished your entire life...your name on a plaque at your local alley...then some kid shows up and says, "Oh...you bowled a 300 once? I bowl one per season. I had two this year...I'm kinda annoyed if I don't get at least one per season."

I mean, this used to be a BIG BIG deal. And for better or worse...a matter of individual opinion...it's just not anymore. I bet guys bowl them nowadays and don't even want to fill out any paperwork...even if they could get a ring...they just figure it aint worth the bother....because they already have 5 and one from that same year.

Ya know aht I mean?

[JaMau24]

I mean, I'm fine if you have that opinion. I don't like the fact that it's only one more in your life time, but I'd be just okay with it IF:

1. If you do put that rule in place, then not only do you need to NOT increase the sanction fee, but you need to DECREASE it.

2. If you do put that rule in place, then you need to have one design on the rings from now until they change the rule again (if that ever happens). If they are going to have it where you can't get a ring again, then the ring I get for this season, needs to look the same as the ring in 5 years (or next year even). The problem is, they are going to keep remodeling the ring every year, and the people who bowl a 300/800 will never get the newer remodeled ring. Make it one generic design.

[vdubtx]

USBC used to give an award for every honor score given, couple years ago they changed that to 1 free award for each honor per bowling year. Of course the free rings are the very basic and any upgrades you pay for yourself. Beginning next bowling season 14/15 they are changing to lifetime awards.

You can still purchase ring, plaque etc if you want after you have bowled additional awards.

[vdubtx]

Jason, I don't think paying for summer sanctioning fees is correct. That may be a local association thing but for USBC you pay one time per year only. Sanctioning covers bowling year August/July.

If someone begins bowling in a summer league they would need to sanction for said league, and then again sanction for the next fall season.