The group serves as a built-in fan club and a support system. There is nothing better than coming home and being able to brag just one more time about that nearly perfect game, or when the bottom fell out, receiving one more note that says not to give up. Bowlers are competitive by nature, and sometimes just talking about scores isn't enough. We feel the need to compare and compete. It seems online bowling leagues are popping up everywhere in several variations.
Teams can be any number of bowlers, and like real leagues can be scratch or handicap.
After the teams are formed, members bowl as usual in their league and then come home to report the scores to a person who acts as the league secretary. The standings are e-mailed to everyone or published as a web page at the end of the week. The two major differences is whether it's for fun or if the bowlers ante up a prize fund. The greatest thing about these leagues is that without spending the money to bowl another league, I find myself coming home to root for my team who are bowling in different states. I watch my e-mail on the day the league sheet is sent, seeing how my team stands.