Women’s pro tour to re-launch

[Aslan]

With the pba and now pwba back their players need to be promoted. Couple of examples that should have garnered big attention: Dick Weber is a guy a lot of sports fans and non bowlers have heard of. Hell he was on the letterman show a ton of times, dave was good friends with him. There was a tribute video of him made by Bill Mccorkle who brought together many of webers friends and family for the project in 2005. Fast forward 9 years later and the first pba senior tour national event for players over 60 was conducted and named the dick weber classic. Any guess on the winner??? Bill mccorkle wins his FIRST national titile in that event. With all the human interest stuff on espn i think that could have been a 30 second spot on sports center at least.

Example 2: A lot of you may snicker at this one but hey no publicity is bad and i think this could have been HUGE in a lot of tv media. We here all about these athletes like jason collins and michael sam and in reality these guys are at the lowest level of their professional sport. Ever heard of Scott Norton? The guy has won 3 career national titles and should be held in a higher regard as far as national attention. I don't think he would have any problem with the attention.

I just wonder sometimes about the marketing departments of our organizations and what in the hell they are doing. Are they calling espn, cnn, fox, msnbc, nbc, etc.??? Whoever has been in charge of promotions and marketing in these organizations should be fired immediately. Maybe next time i will tell you how i really feel.

This is a slippery slope though. Unfortunately our society now would get completely bored of a guy like Dick Weber or Mike Limongello or Barry Asher. They want to see Rash and Belmonte fight or PDW attack a fan in the stands. They want a circus for their entertainment dollar. But is that what we want to encourage? Many people have said PDW is a nice guy in person and that his antics are more for show than anything. Is that what is necessary to get ratings? Thats sad.

And the game has gotten too easy. Back in the day a guy like Earl Anthony or Mike Roth or WRW all stood out from the competion...PDW as well. But now...it's a crapshoot who makes the TV finals. Many regard Belmo as having the best chance...but not always. Watch a video of the PBA/Pro bowlers from the 60s. You'll see the pros shooting in the 180s/190s. Oh sure, there's an occasional 236 game or even 1-3 runs at a 300...but fast forward to now and it's 256-224, 219-201, 224-198, 254-251, etc... If a guy throws in the 180s it's an epic disaster.

I think my ideas will still work (if I could ever get the head honchos to listen):

1) Centers promote youth leagues by working with area elementary schools to essentially bribe them into fielding teams. Then middle schools. Then High schools. State USBC then gets involved to promote statewide High School tournament with full-ride scholarships to college on the line.

2) PBA Tour ends...now there's a December/January tournament at EVERY USBC sanctioned center with TWO spots up for grabs that will get you into a massive national pool of contestants all competing for a spot in the end of the year Finals.

3) And the new PBA "tour" is a reality show following the field as they work their way through elimination rounds getting to the finals. Big money payouts in the finals for the top 4-8 bowlers. Also automatic bids to next year's field on the line for 8-16 top finishers.

4) And centers need to tier their leagues. Even though it may discourage some initially, >191 (A Division), 130-190 (B Division), < 130 (C Division). And maybe the center tournaments are only open to the A Division league guys. That pushes everyone to get better AND it creates many, many more high average leagues. It also keeps the leagues fun and competitive without necessarily requiring handicap. If you tier the leagues, they all become scratch leagues...and everyone strives to be in the "A" Division (>190) because thats the pool that is eligible to make the tournament.

Under the above proposed ideas....the youth movement starts, fueled by local centers and helped by local USBC chapters. The USBC can then work to get the college teams more visible and get more of them. And the end of year tournament requires that participants have bowled in ONE sanctioned league at the center they ultimately compete in the tournament at...so even the current PBA guys would have to join a league with the rest of us.

And ultimately...maybe the "Tour" returns...once the base is built to support it. But it's going to take short term "pain" for long term "gain". Centers are going to have to virtually pay schools to get the kids in the center. And the hope is many of those kids like it and continue and then the centers collectively profit by it. And by telling a 209 average guy that he can't bowl in the B Division with his 2 pals or his wife...thats going to at least in the short term hurt league enrollment. But it's like the US economy...if we want to fix it, it will take some measures that will not be friendly to the stock market in the short term. Short term vs. Long term.

Part of what makes bowling great, more than any other sport, is that no matter how BAD you bowl in a game...or series...as soon as the next game starts, you have a shot at perfection. And I think that same spirit could fuel leagues as at the start of the league season...every bowler knows they not only have a shot at winning their league or throwing 300-games or whatever...but they also have a shot at making a HUGE tournament where they might get to be on TV and if they can just string enough good games together....maybe even a shot at big money.

I don't see any other ideas working. The interest in sport bowling is dieing. And we're about one generation from it perhaps being a thing of the past. The game has become too easy, the centers are all being turned into night clubs and arcades. And pros can't make a living at it. And no sponsors aren't going to sponsor something with such low interest. It's a "chicken and egg" scenario. Interst = ratings = big $$$$. Big $$$$ = interest.

[fortheloveofbowling]

1) I think that local centers should absolutely reach out to the local schools more often.

2) PBA tour ends???? Why end the top of the competitive portion of the sport? That would have a massive negative impact to every bowling related company. People still buy not only bowling balls they see on tv but a lot of other related products. Pro bowlers don't just make money bowling but do demo days, clinics, appearances around the world to promote their companies and the sport. You want to take their jobs away and destroy the ambassadors of the sport?

3) The only reality show they should do is show some of the highlights of qualifying. They did that a few back during one of the telecasts and it was well received.

4) That tier league thing kills me. That would have a catastrophic effect with even bigger declines in membership. You can not DICTATE what leagues someone bowls in. Two of my teammates are father and son and they average 175 and 208 and have been bowling mens leagues together for 25 years. They would be done if they were told you can not bowl in the same league. How about your sport league? Sorry Mr Aslan you can not participate in this league you are not good enough. How would that make you feel? There are plenty of high level guys that bowl a higher level league and then bowl with maybe their wives or a parent in a handicap league. You would then end extra participation as well. How about junior leagues? Tell some kids they can't bowl with their friends? There is a reason why there are handicap and scratch leagues. That idea would kill sanctioned leagues resulting in probably only 25% being sanctioned and i know you have problem with unsanctioned leagues.

I appreciate your passion for the sport and i'm not trying to be rude with my reply. I know you are constantly thinking about bowling as i am and obviously more intelligent than i but some things just can not be done. The problems that have resulted in the decline in bowling are vast and the powers that be need to think very clearly and not add more.

[Aslan]

2) PBA tour ends???? Why end the top of the competitive portion of the sport? That would have a massive negative impact to every bowling related company. People still buy not only bowling balls they see on tv but a lot of other related products. Pro bowlers don't just make money bowling but do demo days, clinics, appearances around the world to promote their companies and the sport. You want to take their jobs away and destroy the ambassadors of the sport?

It may be the top end, but it's the head of a dying snake. Many of it's players have 2nd and 3rd jobs. The prize money and TV coverage just isn't there. We may not like that and we may want to change that...and I do...but at some point people have to understand the reality of the situation. Until the sport is more popular, it won't get the coverage and won't get the prize money. All those high level guys will have a shot in the new format I proposed...but they'll have to earn it or earn an exemption. They still can be sponsored and ambassadors of the sport and coaches and do demo days and clinics. And manufacturers will still seek out the more popular guys to hock their goods. Nothing changes other than under the new format, they have a chance for a LOT more exposure to a wider audience AND they have a shot at MUCH greater cashes.

4) That tier league thing kills me. That would have a catastrophic effect with even bigger declines in membership. You can not DICTATE what leagues someone bowls in.

It wouldn't be as restrictive as you are making it. Much like tournaments, those with lower averages would be welcome to move up...they just can't move down.

Two of my teammates are father and son and they average 175 and 208 and have been bowling mens leagues together for 25 years. They would be done if they were told you can not bowl in the same league.

They would both be allowed in the A Division amd the guy with the 175 would just be at a disadvantage as would their team.

How about your sport league? Sorry Mr Aslan you can not participate in this league you are not good enough. How would that make you feel?

Relieved and in agreement. I don't belong in a scratch league nor a sport league and have the average to prove it.

How about junior leagues? Tell some kids they can't bowl with their friends?

I'm not sure it would apply to youth divisions; those would likely be based on age. If there were THAT many youth leagues...that would be awesome!

There is a reason why there are handicap and scratch leagues. That idea would kill sanctioned leagues resulting in probably only 25% being sanctioned and i know you have problem with unsanctioned leagues.

It would be a change...and bowlers hate change. But bowlers also wanted higher scoring...and got it. They also wanted high performance equipment...and they got it. They've gotten everything they've wanted and it's contributing to the downfall of the sport as a whole. It might be time to stop giving them what they "want" and start giving them what the sport "needs".

The problems that have resulted in the decline in bowling are vast and the powers that be need to think very clearly and not add more.

You are correct...it may be impossible to solve at this point. I predict in 12 years there won't be a PBA...at least not as we know it. By then they might even make changes to the game that make it less recognizable to us such as scoring changes that have recently been proposed by the International Bowling folks.

There are lots of excuses why we can't change things...but at the end of the day, what we're doing isn't working. Last I checked...I suck at basketball. So, could I join an 8th grade basketball team so that I'm super tall and better than all of them?? No...because I'm too old. Does that make me NOT want to play basketball? Yup. So, should the basketball governing body allow me to play on the 8th grade team? Nope. They don't want to lose me as an interested basketball player...but sometimes you just have to do things to protect the sport even if there are short term problems.

One of the BIGGEST problems with bowling is EGO. I would say EGO has done more to kill this sport than anything. EGO has pushed people to demand big hook equipment so they can appear better than they actually are with less practice/work. EGO causes bowlers to wear robotic wrist supports. EGO keeps 210 average bowlers in handicap leagues. EGO keeps players bowling in their houses they are used to rather than play in other centers and tournaments. So many bowlers simply can't risk going into a better league or tournament or harder pattern and walk out with a 155-157-147...their EGOs can't take it. And I don't know how we change that. It's a mindset that I don't really understand and it's so foreign to me that I just find it strange.

Think of it like this. Lets say my stupid idea happened. Aren't there some bowlers in your center...that if they made the field of participants..you'd tune in each week to watch and see how they are doing and what the rest of the field is looking like? What if it's the pro shop guy from your center who has sold you some bowling balls? What if it's a guy from this very website...like VDubtx? Or Rob M.? Or even dare I say a Mudpuppy or an MHwite or and Iceman?? Wouldn't you tune in each week to see how they're doing? Wouldn't you be rooting for them? Or against them? And many of the pros will make the cut...so you'll have the big names there as well.

Wouldn't it be interesting to hear about the 66-year old Iron worker who qualified in Missouri and it's only his 3rd year bowling? And now he's out there opposite a woman from Queens NY that has been bowling all her life and is turning 74 and considered the best 50+ year old female bowler in the US. Wouldn't it be interesting to see the youngest entrant, a 19-year old that is taking time off from college to pursue is dream of being a pro bowler and he's facing Walter Ray Williams Jr.; arguably the best bowler to ever pick up a ball. You'd have barbers, mechanics, tattoo artists, corporate CEOs, school teachers, and the unemployed...each with a story...all chasing a $1M+ payday that only 4 of the 120,000+ field are going to receive. The champion also gains a lifetime exemption into the tournament. The other 3 of the final 4 also get $1M+ paydays. And everyone that finishes in the top 25% gets an automatic exemption to next year's field (since they'll be still bowling when Fall/Winter leagues are starting).

Suddenly...it's not just die hard bowling fans watching the program...it's housewives who are rooting to the grandmother or the hunky single dad. There are people who only bowl once every 3 years but they're watching too because they know a guy who's brother is in the field. Some people will just tune in because one of the qualifying events took place in their hometown center and they want to watch and see how much of it made the TV show. And this isn't some "Housewives of Orange County"...or "American Idol". This is a show that people are watching and thinking, "Ya know...I bet with some time and effort...I could bowl well enough to be on that show!"

Hard Knocks, 4th and Loud, Iron Chef, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, 16 and pregnant, The Amazing Race, Splash, American Ninja Warrior, The Bachelorette, etc... People tune into this garbage every day...and it gets huge ratings!! Imagine a bowling oriented reality show...an activity that nearly every American CAN do and HAS done. Rooting for their favorite Pro, or their friend, or their cousin, or their uncle, or a person from their hometown, or a kid that went to school at their alma mater. I mean...this could be WAY more interesting than anything that has been done. Expensive. Lots of locations to film at...all over the country. Lots of editing work, pre-production, post-production. But you want to get bowling back in the living rooms of everyday Americans...THIS is how you do it.

[fortheloveofbowling]

That was so long and full of non informed information based on your limited time involved with the sport i stopped pretty early. Agree to disagree and move on. I tell you what i will do for you though, i occasionally run into Andrew Cain and at very very very best a passing acquaintance. I will run that tier program and maybe a few other of your insights past him without bias towards the subject and relay the answers back to you. Fair enough?

[rico]

Anything to advance the game and capture interest for all bowlers, male and female alike, is certainly a good thing...let's hope it catches on and proprietors invite the new tour events back each year....if pro am events are involved, I urge local bowlers to participate to support the cause....the talent level is unbelievable so expect to see a good show if you can attend an event....

[rico]

Good news.....don't know if there is TV scheduled or not?.....let's hope people support the pro-ams so the proprietors renew for future events....sure is a lot of talent to watch with ladies....I for one will attend if not too far from me once the schedule is released....thanks for sharing this with us....

[Aslan]

That was so long and full of non informed information based on your limited time involved with the sport i stopped pretty early. Agree to disagree and move on. I tell you what i will do for you though, i occasionally run into Andrew Cain and at very very very best a passing acquaintance. I will run that tier program and maybe a few other of your insights past him without bias towards the subject and relay the answers back to you. Fair enough?

Not sure why a failed PBA Tour pro would be the best person to ask...but okay.

After he and you "poo poo" the ideas...ask him how well the current and latest models have worked. I got an idea!!! PBA "The League"!! Nope...that didn't work. "Oooooo...how bout a bowling obstacle course!!" Nope...tried that one. Visible Oil? Make it easier so more people will want to do it? How bout making bowling alleys more like night clubs to attract younger folks?! Dang. Tried those already. Oh well...I'm sure if we just stay the course, eventually the PBA will merge with the PWBA (Professional Wii Bowlers Association) and maybe that will save it!!?

Everyone that "poo poos" my ideas...they all just want more money and coverage for the tour...but have no real ideas on how to make that happen. Sure, IF that happened...it would fix things. But once you get turned down for sponsorship by Motel 6, Dennys, and Odor Eater...you're kinda at the bottom of the barrel. You could try a "Lingirie Bowling League" or "XBA" with scantialy clad women. But football tried that with no success. And do you really want to see Wes Mallott in a thong? Me neither.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Andrew Cain is president of the USBC.

[Aslan]

Andrew Cain is president of the USBC.

Well, then asking him makes more sense. I knew who you were talking about, but I just remember him as one of those bowlers that was technically a "PBA Pro" but never really won anything on the Tour. I didn't know he left the tour and became president of the USBC.