Sandbagger Prevention League Results and Thoughts

I’m not gonna lie: managing the Sandbagger Prevention League was a lot more time consuming than I anticipated. I was basically managing seven leagues all at the same time and these silly things called work and life kept getting in the way. But I finally have results for our 27 week season. Thanks again to all that participated.

The final scratch averages were as follows, with Sam as our simulated sandbagger:

Matt 1	219
Matt 2	213
Matt 3	205
Zach	200
EBH	174
Sam	173
Doc	157
Lauren	112

The goal of the SPL was to identify a league in which good bowlers were rewarded, sandbagging was not beneficial, and not so good bowlers were kept in competition so they would be driven to get better.  As a baseline our eight bowlers participated in a scratch league with predictable results as follows:

Matt 1	105
Matt 2	102
Matt 3	96
Zach	84
Sam	61
EBH	57
Doc	32
Lauren	3

The scratch league results are nearly identical to the list of averages. Sam and EBH swapped spots, but their averages are only a pin off so I think that is negligible. While sandbagging is clearly not beneficial in a scratch league, we also see that poor bowlers are kept well out of competition with everyone else. Scratch leagues are great for advanced bowlers or groups at a similar skill level, but they are not for an all-inclusive league.

Using the same scratch scores I broke our bowlers down into two divisions based on average. Sam and EBH dominated their division and Matt 1 and Matt 2 ran away with theirs. Two rounds of divisional brackets were used to determine the division champions. The winner of each division then bowled head to head to crown a league champion, with the championship match being 100% handicap based on the higher average of the two bowlers. EBH defeated Matt 1 for the league title.

Another scratch divisional league awarded 1-4 points based on how the bowler’s series ranked within their division in addition to one point being awarded for each game won in head to head play. I didn’t use the brackets to determine the division champions this time and so the bowler with the most points in each division squared off for the league title: Sam and Matt 1. This time the better bowler prevailed and Matt 1 was the league champion.

Competition was pretty good within the divisions, especially the top tier division with the three Matts and me. Only 19 pins separated the best and worst averages and most matches were pretty close. The lower division had a greater disparity between the best and worst averages and the standings were not as close as a result.

Next I tested the traditional 100% handicap league with the following results:

Matt 1	90
Matt 2	88
Lauren	75
Matt 3	71
Sam	68
Zach	65.5
EBH	54
Doc	32.5

The best bowlers came in first and second, but the worst bowler finished third. A skilled sandbagger could also take advantage of this league to climb the standings. These results are not overly shocking because the better bowlers averaged so much higher than the worse ones and so the large skill difference negated the benefit of the handicap. I am also not a skilled sandbagger and had a difficult time plotting Sam’s results to cheat the system.

Another 100% handicap league assigned one point per game won in head to head competition, but then also awarded 1-8 points based on how the bowler’s series ranked that week. Using the same games with this small scoring change resulted in the following standings:

Matt 1	210
Matt 2	207
Zach	174.5
Sam	174
Matt 3	168
Lauren	149
EBH	125
Doc	103.5

The mid-level bowlers were particularly punished here because they lacked the benefit of a high skill level and a high handicap; though, competition between bowlers of comparable skill was much better. A combination of awarding points based on how a series ranks each week and the division format could render a pretty competitive league.

The same two league styles were also used in an 80% handicap based system to see if a lower handicap would alter the results. The regular league results were as follows:

Matt 1	96.5
Matt 2	95
Matt 3	75
Sam	70
Zach	67
Lauren	50
EBH	49.5
Doc	39

And the league that awarded 1-8 points based on series resulted in the following:

Matt 1	225.5
Matt 2	223
Zach	185
Matt 3	181
Sam	165
EBH	129.5
Doc	100
Lauren	93

The straight 80% and 100% handicap league kept the closest competition with 57.5 points separating the first and last place bowlers. While the scratch league results came the closest to reflecting the bowlers’ skill levels, the 80% handicap league that awarded series points also came pretty close.

The Takeaway

There is really no way for a bowling league to fairly compensate for a 100+ pin difference in average between bowlers.  As a scratch league the lower average bowlers are more likely to feel that they can never catch up to the high average bowlers, probably resulting in them quitting instead of using it as motivation to get better.  In a handicap league the better bowlers are essentially punished for their skill and mid-level bowlers become fodder for those with high averages and high handicaps. When you factor in prizes for winning the league, most improved average, etc., the temptation for sandbagging is pretty strong. I know, no groundbreaking results here.

The divisions within a scratch league idea did work out pretty well, though. When bowlers averaged within 20 pins of each other their point totals stayed close while still reflecting the bowlers’ skill levels. The ability to advance to a higher division could serve the motivator role without being too overwhelming. If payouts are kept within divisions they will be a bit smaller which in turn could further discourage sandbagging. This could be tweaked to work at the individual and team levels.

Now there seems to be a growing divide among bowlers, at least if you can trust those on Facebook groups as a representative sample. I’ve seen many conversations where good bowlers belittle the accomplishments of others in house leagues, essentially stating that it isn’t real bowling since the ball does most of the work. I disagree to an extent, the ball doesn’t throw itself down the lane, but there is most definitely a difference between accomplishments on a THP and sport patterns.

I think there is a great desire for bowlers to try out the sport patterns, but the USBC and local centers do not make them easy to come by (at least not in Pittsburgh). A drive needs to be made to make USBC sanctioned sport leagues the norm in league bowling. This gives good bowlers the motivation they need to get even better and provides practical experience for tournaments. House leagues still have their place at the junior level and in beginner leagues since they are a great way to learn bowling basics. Much like junior bowling, I think the introduction of coaches at beginner leagues for those that wish to utilize them would also help push new bowlers to improve. The scheduling of coaches could be the responsibility of the local USBC chapters and could also help promote the various coach certifications.

As it stands there is no set milestone in place, other than honor scores, to entice the majority of bowlers to improve. If they do not set personal goals then they are perfectly content showing up every week to go through the motions. If the USBC can include minor ways to reward good bowling, like becoming eligible to move into a higher tier league (i.e. graduating from a THP beginner league to a sport league) then perhaps the talent pool will improve so that handicaps are no longer required to “level the playing field,” effectively eliminating the sandbagger to a dark place in bowling’s history.

Summer Practice #4

Where did the summer go? I expected to get in two practice sessions per month this summer to stay fresh and try out a few new ideas to improve my game. Yet here I am, exactly one week until the start of fall leagues and about three practice sessions short of my goal.

But the old saying of quality over quantity has prevailed this off-season. While I didn't hit the lanes as much as I would have liked, I made each session count and I think I have benefited from the time I did spend in the bowling center. I've become more comfortable playing different areas of the lane by striking from the first, second and third arrows with regularity. I've also gotten better at adjusting from one ball to the other by switching between them from frame to frame. And I learned what doesn't work. Speed changes do more harm than good for me, and so I will move that further down the flow chart of adjustments.

For my last practice session I wanted to shoot a straight three game series to see if I have improved over the summer, or at least to make sure I haven't gotten worse. My first game was a 243. I was striking fairly easily and my only open was a 10-pin. I had some difficulty striking my second game, but was able to pick up my spares until I could adjust. In the tenth frame I left the 3-10 and when I attempted the spare my ball took out the 3-pin and grazed the 10-pin just enough to make it spin, but not fall. I finished that game with a 199. I did pretty well in the third game, throwing a turkey and a four bagger, but I also left a 4-10 split and missed the 4-7 in the tenth frame to finish with a 216. It was a pretty good way to finish the off-season and I'm really looking forward to starting the season.

We had our league meeting last Tuesday, which was pretty uneventful. My team is down two bowlers this year: my wife is not returning because we are expecting another baby in December and Joe, our lead off man who bowled great last year decided that 36 weeks is too long a season. One interesting change this year is that the league is accepting junior bowlers who are 17 and older. The only difference for them is that any money earned would be paid out as a scholarship so their junior/collegiate eligibility is not put in jeopardy. Its quite the risk to the junior bowler, I think, but who am I to say no, especially when the league is hurting to fill the teams.

Week 1 starts on August 26th and I can't wait to start where last season left off. Time to put it to the wood.

Keep Calm and Keep Bowling

On a whim this week I decided to check out the US Open standings. I was pleased to see that a former teammate and competitor from my junior days, Jacqui Reese, was competing. I was even more pleased to see that coming into Friday's match play she was tied for seventh, four spots away from making her first television appearance. After dominating the Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley women's bowling scene for about eight years it is great to see her excel at the highest level.

It was really a pleasure to watch Jacqui's junior career and if you were smart enough to really pay attention you could really learn a lot from how she approached the game. We were in the same Saturday morning and summer doubles league for a few years and I was lucky enough to bowl on her team for the junior team tournament back in 2002/2003. You could never tell how well Jacqui was bowling just by looking at her. Some bowlers wear their performance like a mask: if they are doing well they are all smiles, but if they are doing poorly they look angry or defeated. Jacqui had one look while she was bowling: determined. After every shot you could tell that she was analyzing what she just did and thinking about the next throw. It was very methodical, professional even, and it is the epitome of how a good bowler should concentrate on their game.

It took a long time for this lesson to sink in for me. When I was doing bad I felt even worse. I'd get mad. I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't make adjustments. The whole outing was a bust. I spent a little over two years away from bowling when I started college and when I came back I had a new attitude. I decided to take the Jacqui approach, at least for the most part. I refuse to let my performance get me so upset that I can't concentrate or make adjustments. I've said many times that every game, every outing, is a learning experience and you need to seize that lesson as it is happening rather than reflecting on a poor night of bowling once it is over. A bad week at league can stick with you the rest of the day, which is why leagues take place at night (this is contrary to the popular belief that we bowl at night so we can work during the day), but while you are in the moment keep your calm, remember what you know about how to adjust, and keep trying until you find what works.

I can't argue with the results. I averaged somewhere in the 181 range when I finished juniors. Once I made an effort to keep my composure I jumped into the 190s and have been on a steady increase ever since.

So good luck through the rest of the tournament, Jacqui, and thanks for being a great role model.

Keep calm and keep bowling.

Summer Practice Session #3

This past weekend I decided to hit the lanes for some more practice. I wanted to work on my timing when adjusting ball speed and also getting a few more revs on the ball by rotating or flicking my fingers at the point of release.

After being away from the lanes for four weeks the rust was quick to show. During my warm up in the first game my timing was completely off and I felt a bit uncomfortable. I had a difficult time hitting my mark and a lot of the little things I managed to correct over the last year and a half had returned. It took some time to reteach myself to not dip my shoulder, keep my back straight and follow through my shot, but I got back where I needed to be by the end of the game.

Once I was back in shape I started out by trying to add some more revs on the ball, hoping that this would help me out when the ball seemed to hit a bit flat or there was oil farther down the lane. At the point of release I would pull my middle finger up toward my palm and my ring finger out toward the back of my hand. Its not a dramatic movement, but that quick flick of the fingers at release did add a few more revolutions on the ball. I got the idea from an article that said to practice tossing a tennis ball win the air and make it spin without turning your wrist. One nice attribute of this technique is that it did not affect my accuracy and when I am bowling really well I feel I do this naturally. It is something I need to focus on a bit more, but with time this may become part of my regular release or at least a regular go-to adjustment.

Next I wanted to try increasing ball speed by holding the ball higher at the start of my approach. My problem with increasing speed in the past is that my timing would become erratic and as a result I could not consistently hit my target. I usually hold the ball at about waist level, so I decided to try lifting it up level to my chin. It was awkward at first to be sure, but I eventually got the hang of it. It will definitely take some practice to get used to the change in stance and even more practice to be able to change back and forth between my normal approach and this adjusted one. One thing I like about this bowling center is that it tracks your ball speed. My normal delivery is typically 15.6 mph (I checked back in a post from last summer and it was the exact same speed), but the change in height only increased the speed to just over 16 mph. Is this slight change in speed significant enough to risk feeling uncomfortable and missing my target? At this point I'm going to say "No, it isn't." I have proven that other small adjustments, such as moving my body up/back/left/right, are just as effective and serve the same purpose as changing ball speed. They also do not carry the increased risk associated with not being comfortable with an adjustment. I think this season I will push the speed adjustment further down on my adjustment list, reserving it for situations for when all else has failed.

For my last game I tried one of my new favorite practice methods: throwing over each of the right four arrows for a strike. I struck on each with the C-System and then started to work my way back right with the Python until I ran out of frames. I like this game because it really lets me see what my ball can do on every part of the lane and allows me to see how each ball compares in those areas. Another benefit is that it forces me to play areas I don't usually consider, so if I ever face a particularly challenging lane condition I will be able to play these lines with confidence.

While my scores were a bit lower this session, I think over all it was very beneficial. I learned some things about what adjustments will work and what will not so that I can be prepared for the upcoming season. I think I can get in at least two more sessions before the start of league, so from here on out I plan to play real situation games to fine tune my decision making. I want to start this season throwing as well or better than I was at the end of the last one, and so far I think I have put myself in a good position to do just that.

Summer Practice Session #2

Over the weekend I made a trip to the bowling alley for my second practice session of the summer. This time out I planned to work on different wrist positions. After posting video from my last session and the expert analysis of Matt from Bowling Roller Coaster, I also decided to work on not falling off my shot.

After a few frames to warm up I began to bend my wrist in toward my body at the start of my delivery. This cupping position allowed me to get a few more revs on the ball and generated a stronger reaction when the ball started to hook. While this will be a valuable resource on heavier oil, it does come with the drawback that I was pretty inconsistent at hitting my mark. I think that is something that will go away with more practice, but for now I will have to weigh the pros and cons of making this adjustment during league play.

After shooting a game a piece with each ball using the bent wrist technique I spent another game and a half focusing on holding my position at release. When I am at the top of my game I can do this naturally, but after spending some time away from the lanes once league ended I found myself reverting to some bad habits. I also paid a bit more attention to how far I drift on the approach from where I start my delivery on the second row of dots to where my sliding foot finishes at the foul line after release.  It turns out I consistently drift ten boards right from my first to fourth step. I don't feel this hurts my game at all, but it will be something to consider working on for another session.

Even with all of the different adjustments I am working on I have still managed to average 200 over 7 games. I hope to carry the success from last season right into this fall and I think these practice sessions are a tremendous help so far.

Summer Practice Session #1

As I mentioned before, I have decided to forego a summer league this year to develop a practice regimen focusing on a few weak points in my game. For my first session I wanted to work on playing different lines and areas of the lane.

I started by throwing five frames to warm up and set a baseline, which was my typical line of standing with my left foot on the 24 board and throwing over the 8 board at the arrows. Once this was established I moved my body and mark right so that I would roll over the first arrow and strike consistently. After a couple tries I found a good line and was able to carry pretty well. Then I moved my body left and my mark to the second arrow and tried to strike from there. Even though this line was only two boards different than my baseline I found this to be the hardest to strike with regularity. I eventually threw a few good balls and decided to work further left to shoot over the third arrow. This brought me to a part of the lane I rarely consider, but I was able to manage some success quickly.

In addition to gaining familiarity with what my go-to ball can do on various parts of the lane, this exercise also helped me get a bit more comfortable throwing in areas I seldom use. Throwing at the 4 or 5 board doesn't have to be scary or intimidating because the ball will come back to the pocket. On the other hand, when done correctly, throwing closer to the center of the lane can also be useful on particularly dry lanes on league night. Gaining versatility will allow me to be prepared for varying and changing lane conditions and make me a more difficult bowler to play against.

After playing around with these lines I threw one last game reverting back to my baseline, which still worked best (that's why it was my baseline). I struck the first 7 frames and then left a 10-pin in the eighth. As I was two steps into my delivery in the ninth frame the lights went off in the bowling center and the blacklights came on. It was 11AM, birthday party time. Since there were no accompanying lasers I couldn't see individual boards and my last two frames were a bit off. I still finished with a 244 game, but it could have been a bit better.

Luckily, early in the last game I took a video of my delivery for analysis. The line I'm playing and delivery are typical of what I was throwing in league this past season.

Starting at the footwork I noticed that my first step does come slightly left as recommended, forcing me to walk a straight line to the foul line and allowing a straight arm swing. I start my delivery from a crouched position to compensate for the fact that my sliding knee does not bend much at the point of release. This results in the ball landing about 4 feet out on lane instead of seamlessly from my hand just over the foul line. Also, the toe of my sliding foot points inside rather than straight ahead, which I find offers a bit more balance. Which brings me to my balance leg, which is elevated instead of sliding on the approach. This can be an issue sometimes causing me to fall off my shot to gain balance, but since this is pretty much how I have bowled my entire life I think I have adapted fairly well.

My shoulders stay pretty level and square to the foul line when I am throwing well. If I dip my right shoulder or open up my shoulders then my accuracy tends to suffer. You'll notice that I start with the ball pretty close to my body just under waist level, resulting in a backswing that peaks just even with my head. I also stay behind the ball until the point of release when I rotate my thumb from about 3 o'clock to about 11 or 12 o'clock. I plan to work on ball and wrist positioning over the summer so the backswing and hand position could vary.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts and analysis of my video. I'm far from text book and always looking to improve, but for now it gets results.

Mixed League 2012/13 Recap

After a sub-par performance in the 2011/12 season I sought some valuable experience over the summer by joining a league that bowled on PBA patterns. The league placed an emphasis on accuracy and adjustments and as a result my fall league scores reaped the benefits. In addition, I added a new ball to my arsenal, the Brunswick C-System Alpha Max, which has become my new go to ball. I have been able to strike with more regularity and my spare shooting has greatly increased now that I have a system to determine the number of boards I need to move for each spare shot.

Last season I threw 39 200 games and 7 600 series compared to 53 200 games, four of which were 250 or better, 17 600 series, and two 700 series this season. My high game and series this season, a 279 and 730 respectively, were both personal bests. My low game, a 136, and low series, a 516, both came on the first week of league. This also means that I didn't throw any series under 500 all season, a first for me.

One big problem I managed to correct this year was my difficulty in adjusting to lane transitions. Last season my second game average plummeted while I took several frames to adjust to changing oil conditions. This season I got progressively better from game to game, averaging 196 in game 1, 201 in game 2, and 208 in game 3. By gaining the knowledge and confidence to make quick adjustments I was able to continually improve as the night wore on.

When I started this blog my goal was to achieve a 200 average by the end of the 2013 season. Despite gall bladder surgery which kept me off the lanes for 20 days I was able to reach my goal and then some. My 202.48 average is another personal best and over ten pins better than last year's final average. Once I fully recovered from my surgery and had some experience with my new ball, say from week 11 on, I averaged 208.

While I benefited from the PBA Experience league last summer I have chosen a different course of action for this summer's training. I plan to spend a few days each month at the alley working on a few weak aspects of my game. These include changes in ball speed and hand position, as well as getting comfortable in playing different parts of the lane. I also want to gain familiarity in how each of my balls react under the same conditions so that I can seamlessly transition between the two during league play. In addition I plan to utilize video of my form to identify potential problem areas that can affect the ball's performance on the lane.

I hope to have a productive off season and pick up where I left off when league starts back up in August. How are you spending your summer?