RESPECT ************* (submitted by Randy Veach of San Marcos) I have just come off of one of the most disappointing seasons in my 30 plus years of bowling. Unfortunately my disappointment was not centered on my bowling success. I had a few good scores, my average remained relatively stable and, even when the monitor at Nationals asked me if I needed the bumpers raised, I was satisfied with how I bowled. My issues revolved around the state of bowling itself. I realize that bowling like everything else evolves. New equipment makes the once lofty 300 game so common place that bowlers on the next lane may not even notice when it occurs. 225 average bowlers celebrate strikes on the approach like Tiger Woods sinking a putt to win the US Open and it is expected that every member of both the bowler's team, and the opposing team, high five a 10 pin pick up. However these are just the changes that have occurred in the sport (activity if you are a Jim Rome fan) and are now part of the culture. My problem is with a general lack of respect that has manifested itself recently. I have read Steve Lindsey's articles on "sandbagging" and I agree with most of what he had to say. We all like to win, however cheating to win just means that you value the win more than you do your self-respect. AND SANDBAGGING IS CHEATING. However I feel that is just one of the symptoms of the increasing disregard for the game, teammates and opponents. Leagues used to represent the bowlers. However it seems that many leagues have taken the attitude that the bowlers are better off if they just come in and bowl and not question anything. NEWS FLASH- A league sheet from a league in Mexico is NOT a book average and holding a meeting 8 weeks into the league to tell the membership "we have always done it" and "if we don't take them they won't bowl" is nonsense. But apparently this was one of things the bowlers don't need to know. I would appreciate the respect of informing me before I commit $1000.00 in league fees. Also, league meetings held the first night of bowling, especially for a scratch league, are an insult to the bowlers. Most avid bowlers are planning their schedule and making up their teams weeks before the league starts. To leave entering maximums open until the first night makes no sense. Several times I have tried to put a team together only to find out that we are 1 pin over, reorganized the team to fit (sometimes ending up 6 or 7 pins under), and then on the first night having the league approve a 1 pin increase. No respect there for all the teams that worked to come in under the cap. As for the teams that show up 1 pin over expecting to get a rule change because if the rule isn't changed the league will lose a team, I find this on the same level as stating that one of the bowlers sometimes fouls so allow an inch over the line for that bowler or he won't bowl. After all it's only an inch. But the leagues are only as good as the bowlers demand. If bowlers don't show up for the meeting to review and approve the rules, they have no room to complain. I realize most leagues are run by the same people for years at a time and they are the people you have bowled with for those years, but YOU HAVE A RIGHT to question rules you don't understand or agree with. If the vote goes against you and it is intolerable, vote with your feet. These meetings need to be held far enough in advance that the members have the opportunity to find other options if need be, again just as a matter of respect. With league fees at $25 or $30 dollars a night bowlers can be committing a thousand dollars for one winter league. That is not pocket change. How about the centers? Their respect for the bowler has diminished significantly over the last several years, especially for scratch bowler. I have even been told by center staff members that they would rather not have Scratch Leagues because scratch bowlers complain too much. Open play and most handicap leagues are not going to complain about a Polish Block, the 5 pin off spot on lane 22 for 3 weeks running or being moved when they have the first six, due to a breakdown. If you are not seeking a type of customer then you have no obligation to cater to them. And I have no problem with this. However if the center chooses to floor a league they have an obligation to the members to provide reasonable and consistent conditions. No one expects the lanes to be perfect, but when the machine breaks down and only one lane on a pair gets dressed, no parking is available, the lane goes down for 45 minutes, the birthday cake didn't get cleaned off the approach, etc. the bowler is stuck. They pay for the session regardless of the problem. And, if they decide they can no longer tolerate the service, they have to pay more to quit or lose their USBC membership. If bowlers are expected to respect the centers, the centers should respect the bowlers. Playing music during a league session in not disrespect if I get to pick the playlist, and flash photography is fine if they are shooting the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition on the lanes. Otherwise it is not what I signed on for. This lack of respect carries over to the individual. Most leagues have one lane courtesy. I have heard bowlers say that they just wait for two lanes implying that they do not demand it and therefore it is ok. What about the other bowlers on that lane? While this person waits to get two lanes they are stuck and eventually find that every other pair in the house is done while they are in the 3rd frame. Regardless of the time schedule they are on, "two lanes" is in control. Actually in many cases the person demanding two lanes is the same person running out a double across two lanes or screaming "YEAH" at the line because they carried a Brooklyn, so maybe they wait for two lanes to protect the persons on the adjacent pair. I have great respect for anyone that donates their time and effort to the USBC at any level. However, the Association is about the bowlers and bowling. Bowler counts have been going down for decades and participation in tournaments seems to have declined faster. So why take the exclusionary attitude regarding participation? If someone wants to bowl, pays the local association fee and the entry fee, and has a valid USBC book average, let them bowl. Maybe other "local" bowlers will be more inclined to enter if they know that there will be a reasonable turn out and prize fund. Remember, the Association represents the bowlers, they do not rule them. Sandbagging, false averages, crammed down last minute league rules, bouncing balls in the settee area, kicking ball returns, slow bowling in the name of "gamesmanship" all indicate that many bowlers do not respect the sport, their fellow bowlers or even themselves. So perhaps it is no surprise that leagues and centers do not respect the bowlers. Perhaps we have earned the lack of respect. Respectfully Submitted, Randy Veach