Bowling writers and bowling publications bring the bowling world to life for you in the written word. There are over 300 members of the Bowling Writers Association of America. You can learn virtually everything there is to know about bowling because of the endeavors of these loyal recorders.
Their reporting, naturally, can be negative, positive, or neutral. One day, they may be heralded for what they write and the next day shunned. It is up to the reader to decide. Today, I would like to pass some issues that are still on the table, in my mind, and lay them out for you to consider.
For instance, several weeks ago, my good buddy, Dick Evans, expressed a negative view regarding the choosing of bowlers for Team USA that's shared by a number of writers. Much has been written regarding the non-selection of players who placed higher in qualifying rounds in favor of others who were hand-chosen by a committee. Only the top six bowlers in qualifying rounds are automatically eligible as first-team members.
Participants are well aware of this rule prior to the start of the tournament. Consequently, the selection committee is not guilty of any rule infractions.
However, Evans indicates that, while all participants have paid their own way to try to represent their country, how can any parent feel when their child outscores and finishes anywhere from two to six or seven places over someone else who is hand-chosen by a committee? Evans feels that if the committee is empowered to exert this unbridled authority, they should merely preselect the team and foot the bill.
On the other hand, according to the USA Selection Committee, past experience indicates that chemistry among the players has been a major factor in the failure or success of teams representing the USA. Recently, Chris Barnes, one of the PBA's outstanding players, defended the committee's position by answering critics who questioned the system. Barnes explained that players who were selected over others were chosen in the interest of maintaining harmony and team spirit.
Each of their stances carries equal validity in my mind. However, I do wonder how I would feel if my child scored well and yet was rejected. Is my child a troublemaker and not a team player? Does USA Bowling employ a psychologist to determine who is best suited for harmony and team spirit?
Bowling writers such as Dick Evans and Jim Dressel share records that clearly indicate they are the most openly critical scribes to face issues headlong and display the intestinal fortitude to call a spade a spade. At the same time, I sincerely believe that no one involved in the sport of bowling has a greater passion for the game than they have.
This is not to imply that others do not share this fervor and emotion. Writers such as Chuck Pezzano, Don Wright, Bob Johnson, Bob Cosgrove, Matt Fiorito, Harry Page and numerous others, including Lydia Rypcinski, are equally as zealous and involved in the game.This seems like a broad statement and cannot be said without including my own name. I have been, on occasion, admonished for openly expressing opinions on inflated scores and averages created by doctored lanes. Like Mr. Evans, I have a few pet peeves. I am beset by several issues that have arisen over the past years.
One, I continue to be repulsed by outlandish reports of "great scores" being registered on Sport Bowling conditions-300s and 700 and 800 series and other nauseating reports of incredible scores. While big scores can be recorded occasionally on Sport conditions, I maintain "Sport Bowling" conditions parameters are much too forgivable. The allowances for the length of oil patterns are far too lenient. The only set rule is the 2-to-1 ratio, whereby no more than two units of oil in the center of the lane than on the outside, regardless of the amount of units.
Although unusually high scores are being registered on some Sport conditions, high scores and averages have been greatly reduced on "real" Sport conditions-conditions that feature a flatter pattern across the lanes-but these are few and far between. Today's bowlers lack the desire to meet the challenge of conditions that require quality shotmaking. I've come to the conclusion that I am "beating a dead horse." You decide.
My second grievance is the number of finalists in the Professional Women's Bowling Association's so-called tournaments. Before proceeding further, my strong opinions on this subject do not affect my utmost respect for John Sommer and John Falzone and their tireless efforts in keeping PWBA afloat. They are to be commended for their patience and perseverance. Nonetheless, how challenging is it for PWBA bowlers to make the top 24 finals? Or, better yet, how bad must a participant be to miss the finals when the entries seldom exceed 36?
In normal professional tournaments, approximately one-fourth of the field will survive to the finals; that is, in a field of 96 entries, 24 will meet in head-to-head competition. Conversely, three-fourths of participants in PWBA tournaments (other than the WIBC Queens and the BPAA U.S. Open) face one another week after week after week, year in and year out. If a one-out-of-four ratio were exercised, only about 10 bowlers would be eligible for the finals. However, in the interest of tournament play, 18 finalists, or half the field, would be a greater measurement of true competition. Unfortunately, tournament formats are planned far in advance and cannot be altered.
My third pet peeve may seem amusing to some, but it really bugs me. I was reminded of it at the recent PWBA Legends Reunion in Las Vegas. WIBC Hall of Famer Susie Reichley, a pro star of the 1970s and 80s, commented on the ceaseless "high-fives" being displayed in the bowling world. She asked, "Where did it all start? We never did it!"
I recalled a European bowling writer also expressing his displeasure of high-fives and other assorted quirky gestures by players participating in FIQ and other bowling events. These acts of gleeful success were imparted by Team USA players in international competition, eventually spreading throughout the bowling world.
I'm certain that these exhibitive acts were given birth years ago by PBA players who tried to emulate professional sport stars, particularly basketball and baseball players who started the high-five craze that later led to chest bumping and now to elbow knocking. The habit of exhibiting satisfaction for one's deeds has become such a malady; common single-pin spares now deserve a hand-slap, particularly in ladies and youth competition.
I contend that some of these high-five and hand-slapping fanatics may possibly derive greater exhilaration and satisfaction by transferring this pent-up energy to the ball-with accuracy!
My point is, take time to read about our game. Find out what makes it tick and how you feel about it. Hopefully, you can participate in the development and improvement of its culture.
ABC and PBA Hall of Famer John Jowdy is a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America.