Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

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bowl1820
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Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by bowl1820 »

Short version is the USBC finally listened to everyone, studies the situation etc. and figured out the current lane dressing rules no longer work with todays ball technology. So they are suspending the 3 unit minimum rule and sitting back to watch what happens, then figure out what to do from there.

You can read the report here:
http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net ... Report.pdf

Excerpt:
SUMMARY
The research has shown the current lane dressing rules by USBC no longer are applicable because of advancements in technology.

The research and testing by the Equipment Specifications and Certifications team is an ongoing commitment to its educational effort and dedication to the idea that USBC needs to continually explore all facets in bowling while thinking about the future of the sport and the integrity of the competitions conducted in the sport.

In addition to the research and data gathered,USBC believes the engagement of all stakeholders in these topics is extremely important to build a brighter future for the sport and a better USBC of which everyone can be proud.

I like this part here, It basically states what most of us already knew

The modern bowling balls drastically alter any oil pattern applied to a lane surface,to the extent that by the end of a league session the pattern is totally different than the starting pattern. Most patterns likely do not comply with the current three-unit rule,required at the time oil is applied, by the end of a league session.The existing enforcement policy of one inspection per year does little to ensure continuous compliance.

The ability to govern and uphold policies, the very reason for USBC’s existence, must be for meaningful cause with the ability for its governing body to enforce. The three-unit rule in the current environment no longer makes sense,and therefore,suspension or elimination of the rule is required
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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by MegaMav »

Instead of improving the scoring environment by standardizing and enforcing it like a true governing body, USBC has made a decision to become even more hands off with our SPORT.

You will see lane surfaces continue to be destroyed by lack of conditioner covering the outside part of the lane.
Proprietors can wall them up as much as they want now with no chance of repercussion.

Next, USBC will abandon lane certification and be completely hands off with both hands out.
USBC should be renamed to USBCA. United States Bowling Collection Agency.

There is something important you left out of your post with the press release.
A clarification of the gripping holes rules. How *I* interpret it is, gripping holes cannot be altered beyond gripping or gripping installation purpose. No pocket holes beneath or on the side of gripping holes.
Mo Pinel seems to think as long as depth of the hole isnt violated its OK to drill thru the bottom of a thumb slug or Switch.
I disagree. I'm going to call USBC this week and get a ruling on that.
Shocker, USBC isnt clear and also have some grammar issues on the press release.
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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by guruU2 »

It is now official: the USBC has entered the Twilight Zone.
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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by snick »

Sanctioned averages just became meaningless.
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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by b3y0nd3r »

More importantly. what can we expect to see? Less oil being used(to save money) or more oil being used(to protect lanes)? Please post theories!
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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by Glenn »

I believe that we are already seeing the trend. In my area, the total volume of oil runs somewhere between 22 ml and 19 ml on the house patterns that are 40 feet. The high cost of a container of lane conditioner is the driving factor. The sidebar is that, recently, some of the leagues are requesting that challenge patterns be put down for their leagues. I don't know if that is a push-back on these light-oil house patterns and high scoring, or not.
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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by kajmk »

"Next, USBC will abandon lane certification and be completely hands off with both hands out.
USBC should be renamed to USBCA. United States Bowling Collection Agency." - MegaMav

Wait for Earl's closing statement.

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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by TomaHawk »

Technology is always...and...always will be ahead of USBC.

Let us not forget, Earl quit bowling because ABC standardized the super short oil pattern. Talk about a complete failure. If the greatest bowler in the history of the game could not convince the geniuses at ABC / USBC to rethink their policies, who the hell can?
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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by Mongo »

With today's equipment, there is no difference between 0 and 3 units.
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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by rf67pccb »

I believe at least the 3 unit rule protected the lanes somewhat. Once that rule was removed then houses went to 8-10 dry boards to supposedly help scoring. This damages the lane surface and only helps bowlers with speeds 17 or higher which does not encompass most bowlers. IMHO it was a terrible decision and is causing a drop in USBC membership.
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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by RobMautner »

In other words, the USBC has totally dropped the ball in terms of maintaining the integrity of the equipment, so they throw up their hands and say, "Oh, well, it's out of control, so now we'll do more of nothing to preserve the game." How long are we going to keep paying sanction fees to an organization that has done nothing but ruin the sport we love?
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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by Glenn »

What resurrected this thread?

Rob, I have not seen you posting on here for a while - I may have missed it. How you doing?

I am sticking my neck out by advocating that all (sanctioned) leagues and tournaments should be played on one of the published KEGEL or USBC Oil patterns rather than some "unknown" local house shot condition, and post the oil pattern in use in the bowling center. I believe these local THC oil patterns tend to favor the local bowlers over the out-of-town competitors coming in for these local tournaments. I think that change could eliminate some of the controversy over this 3-unit rule.
Last edited by Glenn on September 20th, 2020, 5:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by kajmk »

Whatever the reason, it's good to see more activity and bowling chat going on
Glad to hear from y'all.

Good point and position by Glenn.

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Re: Equipment Spec's has ruled to suspend the 3 unit rule!

Post by MegaMav »

RobMautner wrote: September 20th, 2020, 12:56 am In other words, the USBC has totally dropped the ball in terms of maintaining the integrity of the equipment, so they throw up their hands and say, "Oh, well, it's out of control, so now we'll do more of nothing to preserve the game." How long are we going to keep paying sanction fees to an organization that has done nothing but ruin the sport we love?
When they abandoned sport classification the organization was dead to me.
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