So much for writing twice a month during the summer. This blog as going to be about new opportunities for USBC members. Instead, I’d like to highlight the recently implemented award changes for the upcoming (2009-2010) season.
USBC embers, youth and dult, will notice that the traditional 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180 game awards have been replaced with 125, 150, and 175 game awards. two others, 225 and 275 game awards have been added to the list. With these game award changes, there are new average limits to be considered for earning the awards.
The series awards have changed also. The 200 series, youth and adult, has been dropped. For the youth, series awards now include 50 pin increments. 350, 450, 550, 650, and 750 series awards have been added. For adults, the 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 series awards remain. Both youth and adults have new average limits to consider for earning a series award. One example is an adult could earn a 700 series if their average was 210 or below. Now the average limit for the 700 series is 190 and below.
The ‘once in a lifetime’ has not been implemented yet and remains highly debated.
The honor score, (11 in a row, 300 game, and 800 series), awards for adults remain unchanged. Youth this season (2009-2010) will now be eligible for rings for their honor versus last season’s (2008-2009) medallion.
There are two new award programs, Bowlopolis (youth) and PBA Experience (adult). Bowlopolis is geared towards lower average youth bowlers. PBA Experience is being recognized as it’s own entity versus an option within the Sport Bowling framework.
Only time will tell if USBC has taken the right steps in their awards restructure. I encourage everyone to provide feedback (good and or bad) to this blog, to your association board, and to USBC. Any comments left on this blog will be forwarded to our state association board and USBC.
As always, good luck and good bowling!!!
6 responses so far ↓
bowler290 // November 10, 2009 at 5:41 am |
I really don’t care for the refrigerator magnet idea. The patch or pin was much better. Not being able to get a ring for your 298,299 scores is nonsense. That is a great achievement in the sport of bowling an should be rewarded.
Ed // November 22, 2009 at 1:35 pm |
Bowler290,
I couldn’t agree with you more. Everything USBC says publicly is to enhance a bowler’s experience. How do you enhance one’s experience by removing awards and making it harder to earn rewards.
Carol // November 12, 2009 at 5:38 pm |
I just bowled my first 600 series. It’s taken me 7 years in my league to accomplish this. My average is now 167. Nice to know after all my hard work, it now doesn’t get any award as the cutoff is 160 or below. How cheap can the USBC be that they can’t afford a $2 pin to recognize an achievement. How sad is that.
Ed // November 22, 2009 at 1:38 pm |
Carol,
I couldn’t agree with you more. Everything USBC says publicly is to enhance a bowler’s experience. I haven’t heard much feedback about the awards yet, but expect to. We have gone from yearly awards, to limited yearly awards, to soon being once in a lifetime. How do you keep bowlers coming back if they can only earn award once.
Ralph Doty // December 1, 2009 at 4:10 pm |
The lack of awards to deserving bowlers really sucks! I would be in a non-sanctioned league in a heartbeat right now if I could find one. I just bowled 76 pins over my average and at 71 that may not happen too many more times.
Ed Cotter // December 12, 2009 at 12:08 pm |
Ralph,
I have heard this more and more within my association. I wonder if USBC is even listening to us.