USBC Improvements

[vdubtx]

I don't want this to turn into another thread that trashes the USBC. I think they have done an admirable job with their improvements of late.

One big kudo to them is with them going electronic and actually using the data they compile to their benefit. The recent addition of tournament averages for verifications etc is one major improvement that will help tournament directors re-rate known sand baggers or spot potential ones.

But, my personal experience with them showed up this past week.

I bowled my 9th 300 game last week, and I got an email from the USBC that my honor score was approved and shows up on my Achievements listing on Bowl.com.

Wow, that used to take months to get posted or even acknowledged!!

[J Anderson]

Maybe now that I know it won't take months to be acknowledged I'll finally roll a 300

[1VegasBowler]

The national office of the USBC is working hard and trying to make things better for everybody, and while we would like all of the ills be cured overnight, it's not going to happen that way.

While the raising of the dues has created complaints among the bowlers, sooner or later it was bound to happen, and the biggest thing here is bowlers saying they don't want to have their leagues sanctioned so that they don't have to pay the dues.

While this can certainly be done, it also has repercussions for those who want their honor scores recognized or who want to participate in USBC tournaments. Not sanctioned? No recognition.

Those who want to participate in tournaments get the bigger hit. People who want to play in a tournament have to be able to verify their averages within a certain date range. They also have to show that they have a USBC card for the current year.

If a submitted average cannot be verified, you have to bowl the scratch average of what the rules for the tournament are, which can be anywhere from 220-230 or maybe even 235. You think that a 170 bowler wants to be in a tournament that tells you that you have to use a 220+ average? I don't think so! lol

Don't have a USBC card for that particular year? Guess what? You're going to have to pay the dues in order to participate! And this includes participating in the USBC Open Championships!

For those who don't care about recognition or who don't participate in tournaments, being sanctioned is not a big deal.

But for those who do want those things, they'll end up leaving that particular league for another.

I do like the fact that the USBC has now come up with 3 different average categories so that things are much more equal. The 150 bowler doesn't have to compete against the 225 bowler. And by awarding championships in each of the 3 classifications makes it a bit more attractive as well.

Please don't get me wrong here either. I understand why people don't want to pay the extra money for being a member of the USBC. The cost of bowling in a league seems to go up every year, whether it's because of lineage, increasing the end of the season award monies or even getting new equipment.

Each individual has to decide what route they want to go, and that will be determined as to how far they want to take their bowling.

[NewToBowling]

I don't want this to turn into another thread that trashes the USBC. I think they have done an admirable job with their improvements of late.

One big kudo to them is with them going electronic and actually using the data they compile to their benefit. The recent addition of tournament averages for verifications etc is one major improvement that will help tournament directors re-rate known sand baggers or spot potential ones.

But, my personal experience with them showed up this past week.

I bowled my 9th 300 game last week, and I got an email from the USBC that my honor score was approved and shows up on my Achievements listing on Bowl.com.

Wow, that used to take months to get posted or even acknowledged!!

The procedure to get my ring was pretty painless. There was follow-up throughout the process via email and physical mail. When I wanted to upgrade I was given number to Keepsake and made the changes and necessary payment and ring came in a timely manner. It showed up on bowl.com about 3-4 weeks after achievement. Not bad.

My only regret was not understanding finger sizing so ordered a 7.5 which barely fits on my pinky. But I don't plan to wear it so no worries.

[Blacksox1]

Congrats vdubtx on the perfect game last week. Your center and league must have a good rep to quickly report scores to the USBC. Good scores and luck in Las Vegas at nationals.

[mc_runner]

Congrats on the 300! Impressive that it was confirmed/added so quickly.

On the local level the USBC is trying to still "add value" for members through tournaments, etc - a lot of bowlers I think still struggle to see the value of certification but especially for a larger league I wouldn't chance a non certified one. The bonding, rules enforcement, etc is worth it to me (plus, if you're doing one... no reason to not have all leagues since you're already paying for it).

[fordman1]

The procedure to get my ring was pretty painless. There was follow-up throughout the process via email and physical mail. When I wanted to upgrade I was given number to Keepsake and made the changes and necessary payment and ring came in a timely manner. It showed up on bowl.com about 3-4 weeks after achievement. Not bad.

My only regret was not understanding finger sizing so ordered a 7.5 which barely fits on my pinky. But I don't plan to wear it so no worries.

I used to have bowlers order the largest ring they could get because they said they didn't plan on wearing it just putting it on display so I guess size does matter.

[got_a_300]

I bowled my 9th 300 game last week, and I got an email from the USBC that my honor score was approved and shows up on my Achievements listing on Bowl.com.

Wow, that used to take months to get posted or even acknowledged!!

First off Congrats on the 300 vdubtx way to go

Now as for posting all of my Achievements they were all bowled before 1998 so unfortunately
nothing even shows up for me on bowl.com

I unfortunately haven't had a 300 game since coming back to bowling in the fall of 2011
after a 12 year lay off but I've been close a few times lately with a few 279's and a couple
of 289's but no cigar yet but I do feel one coming on one of these days. LOL!!!!!!