NOVEMBER 2014 -
9
Is The Corporate Approach Having A
Negative Effect On Bowling?
By Mary Lynly
With the increased effort to get bowling in the Olympics, which seems to have a
more positive look these days, what do we have in common with our global coun-
terparts? According to World Tenpin Bowling Federation President Kevin Dorn-
berger: “USBC is one of our 108 members and while they are an active one they
do not have the influence they could have, largely do to their recent lack of inter-
est in the sport (although that does seem to be changing some). In most federa-
tions the communication occurs between the federation and competitive/
tournament members.”
When asked about the similarity of our local and state association system Dorn-
berger said: “Very few have the equivalent of local associations, of course none
are as large as USBC. There are some in Europe that have club structure, I guess
similar to leagues but more about competition and meeting social needs. Some
federations have regional groups. In general I think the national federation has
more control over them than USBC. The smaller federations are autonomous.”
More and more professional bowlers are making the trek overseas to pro tourna-
ments that have more lucrative prize funds and, more and more bowlers from
other countries are taking part in U.S. PBA events.
Travel is expensive and it’s not like two or three Pros and even families can get
into a motor home and drive around the U.S.A. Are we able to fit into the global
mold? How many moms like Candy Cook (Steve Cook’s wife) will travel and
home school their kids on the way to help their husbands/wives fulfill their dream.
Quite a scenario it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
One person's view about bowling in the U.S.:
“It's sad to see what is going on with bowling. Our local board has vacancies and
we try to bring new people on but no one wants to be that committed so then we
operate at half capacity. With our parent organization taking awards away, it will
been interesting seeing what we will do to be able to provide awards. We couldn't
go with the usual award source as their minimum order was way more than we
needed, so we went with our State award source but the cost to our association
will be a consideration. I would imagine all other associations are currently going
thru the same thing. And, most importantly, our association did not raise our local
fees this season and kept USBC cards the same price. This will be killer for sure.
Is USBC reaching out to aid us? No. Makes me wonder if our state is reaching out
to local associations since they have volume purchase on their side? I don't think
so.
Thankfully, I have been able to communicate with another association in CA to
send me an awards program we could use for a sample. Not all the other associa-
tions will seek out like I did. And what if associations do nothing? Bowlers are
going to get discouraged and not want to sanction leagues and away goes
leagues as we knew them.
And then there is the rating USBC is doing on local associations. First, if you
serve on your board you had to go online and take their test. Most of our board
members did but not all so that hurt our rating. Next, depending on the size of
your association, you have to put on clinics for new bowlers. We are at 2,000-plus
so are required to put on 3. Then, we need to report the number of entrants in our
various City tournaments and if we don't get enough to participate, that hurts our
rating too. It's crazy. Is this how USBC is involved anymore? Where's the help?”
From a state association leader across the U.S.:
“We also have this terrible feeling about USBC. We can't see where it is going
and they are no help to local and state associations. Oh well, we were in bowling
when it was the best.”
How are things going for your association? Good news? Let’s hear it.
Any news is welcome.
Read it online!
