USBC sanctioned versus non-sanctioned leagues

[Aslan]

The only one giving a negative reaction is... You. And frankly, that's par for the course. Everyone else laughed at my posts, said your posts were insulting, and one person even took the time to send me a PM thanking me for calling you out for the victim you always bemoan yourself to be.

Wait...so I LOST the popularity contest?? Well thats disappointing. First I lose the ball giveaways and NOW the popularity contest...bummer.

I think your small sample size has no statistical relevance. You picked an easy target, flamed a post, and got a few people that are not in my fan club to say "yay!" And I'm sure the more cowardly of them probably did take the time to PM you and congratulate you....I say cowardly...because you and them continue to dodge the source...only TWO have ever taken me up on my challenge/request/invitation to PM me directly (rather than clog forums with off topic nonsense) to voice their "issues". Internet tough guys...what ya gonna do...it's a sad commentary on society...but I digress.

So...I guess we're both victims...or maybe neither of us are...it's hard to say. But since pointing out trolling and flaming and general poor forum posting etiquette is not in any way successful...and the bad behavior/form is actually reinforced it appears....and pointing it out leads down the path to being labeled a "victim wannabe"...I will give up that strategy when dealing with trolls/flamers and simply fight fire with fire. You wanna post publically rather than take it private...okay. You wanna derail threads with your personal issues with me....okay. You wanna post random images with no content relevance...okay. It's rather juvenile and quite honestly beneath me to engage you at that level...but I see no other recourse than just to ignore you outright...because you're obviously not being asked to stop...and are actually being encouraged...so it's fine. No victim here. I look forward to the fun and games that will transpire...all in the spirit of good times, good bowling, and high scores of course.

[sprocket]

I'm a little late to this topic but in my area I'm not even aware if there are non-sanctioned leagues. I guess I was under the assumption that all winter leagues were sanctioned and that only some summer leagues were unsanctioned. I'm almost sure that's the way things used to be. Have times changed in that regard?

[dnhoffman]

Wait...so I LOST the popularity contest?? Well thats disappointing. First I lose the ball giveaways and NOW the popularity contest...bummer.

I think your small sample size has no statistical relevance. You picked an easy target, flamed a post, and got a few people that are not in my fan club to say "yay!" And I'm sure the more cowardly of them probably did take the time to PM you and congratulate you....I say cowardly...because you and them continue to dodge the source...only TWO have ever taken me up on my challenge/request/invitation to PM me directly (rather than clog forums with off topic nonsense) to voice their "issues". Internet tough guys...what ya gonna do...it's a sad commentary on society...but I digress.

So...I guess we're both victims...or maybe neither of us are...it's hard to say. But since pointing out trolling and flaming and general poor forum posting etiquette is not in any way successful...and the bad behavior/form is actually reinforced it appears....and pointing it out leads down the path to being labeled a "victim wannabe"...I will give up that strategy when dealing with trolls/flamers and simply fight fire with fire. You wanna post publically rather than take it private...okay. You wanna derail threads with your personal issues with me....okay. You wanna post random images with no content relevance...okay. It's rather juvenile and quite honestly beneath me to engage you at that level...but I see no other recourse than just to ignore you outright...because you're obviously not being asked to stop...and are actually being encouraged...so it's fine. No victim here. I look forward to the fun and games that will transpire...all in the spirit of good times, good bowling, and high scores of course.

[Aslan]

If ya can't flame it nor mock it...make it appear that it's too long to read or has too many spelling errors...THEN flame/mock it. But it beats having to come up with an intelligent response!!

dang it...that wasn't nice...trying to live my new motto...WWSD (what would sprocket do)..failed. Next time.

[classygranny]

I'm a little late to this topic but in my area I'm not even aware if there are non-sanctioned leagues. I guess I was under the assumption that all winter leagues were sanctioned and that only some summer leagues were unsanctioned. I'm almost sure that's the way things used to be. Have times changed in that regard?

Actually, around these parts most leagues are sanctioned. One of the prominent reasons is that it provides some protection to the league for non-payment of fees (with a formal course of action). Sad to think that we would have that much of a problem that we couldn't even enjoy an unsanctioned league. I checked with several "bowling" type people...avid bowlers, bowling center workers/league coordinators/managers, league secretaries/presidents...and most of them feel this is the biggest factor of why the unsanctioned leagues are difficult to find, if at all - in our area.

[Aslan]

Does anyone that has played in both see a noticeable difference in teams starting the league then not showing up?

I only ask because I've been in 2 leagues…one non-sanctioned and one sanctioned…and the sanctioned league started out with 9 teams and now has 10…after about 10 weeks.

The non-snactioned league started out with 9 and by about week 9 was down to 6. A few teams either never showed up or just stopped coming.

[sprocket]

Does anyone that has played in both see a noticeable difference in teams starting the league then not showing up?

I only ask because I've been in 2 leagues…one non-sanctioned and one sanctioned…and the sanctioned league started out with 9 teams and now has 10…after about 10 weeks.

The non-snactioned league started out with 9 and by about week 9 was down to 6. A few teams either never showed up or just stopped coming.

That doesn't surprise me. To me a sanctioned league just seems "official". A non-sanctioned league just sounds like a bunch of people getting together to bowl. Maybe they will continue to show up, maybe they wont.

I think some non-sanctioned summer leagues in my area may be different because they usually have a gimmick like getting a new bowling ball at the end of the season or bowling on PBA patterns.

[J Anderson]

That doesn't surprise me. To me a sanctioned league just seems "official". A non-sanctioned league just sounds like a bunch of people getting together to bowl. Maybe they will continue to show up, maybe they wont.

I think some non-sanctioned summer leagues in my area may be different because they usually have a gimmick like getting a new bowling ball at the end of the season or bowling on PBA patterns.

I thought that since the USBC has an agreement with the PBA to let them use PBA patterns in their sport leagues that any league using them would have to be sanctioned.

Since the USBC has a number of rules about fees and dropping out of league, there is or should be a higher level of commitment in sanctioned leagues. While the anecdotal evidence suggests that's true, it makes it harder to recruit new bowlers who are wary of committing to anything past next week.

[Perrin]

Most of the leagues around here are sanctioned. THere are some that aren't though. usually themed leagues. have-a-ball, fundraisers, bowling with local sports teams etc etc.

I am joining one of the local non-sanctioned leagues after the new year. will have to see what I think...

I've always assoctiated sanctioned with controls to prevent cheating and etc....

[Aslan]

it makes it harder to recruit new bowlers who are wary of committing to anything past next week.

I had that problem. I wanted a gal pal of mine to join the sanctioned league with me and she said she would figuring it was like 10-11 weeks. But she called ahead to verify...and it was like 23-26 weeks so she politely declined...not wanting to commit to that long of a league. : (