From: ashley@oasis.gtefsd.com (Bob Ashley)
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Re: Tactic vs. Strategy vs. Ethics vs. Legality
Date: 15 Sep 92 21:47:46 GMT
Reply-To: ashley@oasis.gtefsd.com
Organization: GTE Federal Systems Division

In article 712@acsu.buffalo.edu, v051r9bf@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (When will Mergle EVER shut up?) writes:

		[ storyline omitted ]

>
>So my question and inquiry is this---
>
>** What sort of sportsmanship is there in this?  Has anyone out there been
>** either wrongly or righteously 'accused' of this?  How did you take it
>** or what was your reaction?   
>

General Playing Rule 17 addresses this sort of thing ... specifically,
Article c, regarding misrepresentation of averages.

However, it is often VERY hard to prove, especially in the summer when the
schedule is much shorter.  I bowled in a summer league where 1st place team
won $2700.00 ... the team that eventually won it had done exactly that ...
laid low for the first third of the season, then started pouring it on.  On
the second to the last week, I believe every one of their bowlers crossed
the 600, the top two being 688 (anchor) and 671 (leadoff).  They were the
number two seed in the final week's position round and proceeded to win the
opening two games by 120 and 200 pins.  The leadoff finished the night with
a 721 scratch ...

Their entering averages were up near that range (used that for one week), but
after five weeks, I had seen where none of them had come close to those numbers.

The general manager of the house knew that they were sandbagging, but she also
took a realistic approach ... how the heck are you going to prove it??

		[ more omitted ]

>Please, I am not refering to anyone specifically of this group---this has been
>my observance for the past 10 years I've been bowling.  
>
>If I had it my way, I'd make a league bowl scratch 15 weeks and then assess
>handicaps based on those games for the 16th week.  

Hmmm ... I can't agree with that, as most of my leagues are mixed, with averages
as high as 190 to as low as 90.  That would drive away those new bowlers who
don't have the experience ... and want to get it.

However, This is why some leagues use ENTERING AVERAGES for the first few weeks
of their schedule.  If you have someone with a 190 book average who might think
about bowling 140's to just scrape up some easy wins and get handicaps, this'll
make them think about it.

I tried to cite this very thing in my company league, but a few of the captains
cited rustiness.  Entering averages got voted down in my league, but I'll
still contend that it'll effect most everyone.  Oh, well, life goes on ...

>Whether it's deception, strategy, subconscious, calculation, or ethical; I'll
>never know.  But in the sportsmanship and spirit of the game, I wish every-
>one would try the best they could.  It's utopian and about impossible, with
>drinking and other matters on bowler's minds.  But it would make for the
>utmost in fair play.

I usually don't see much problem of that in my Winter leagues, per se, mainly
because there is not that much money involved.  Most of the people are coming
out to have fun and enjoy the sport.  I still like to see entering averages be
used for the first couple of weeks:

	1) Keeps those who are tempted semi-honest
	2) You don't have to wait to calculate handicaps, ergo
	   you know right away whether you've won or lost   :-)

>
>..........................................................................
>
>--Mergle                                William L. Priester Jr.

I'm not sure you can ever eliminate it altogether ... there will be that
one team that just has to test the waters.  I guess it all depends on your
league and it's overall goal.


Bob - bowl well, win the games, have fun, and meet a single female bowler  :-)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Ashley                        Internet:  Bob.Ashley@oasis.gtefsd.com

Software Engineer, (703)-818-4656  | Winter Leagues 1992-1993
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Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling