CDE Software: From the desk of Lance Rasmussen

As I was doing some browsing online, I came across an article written by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal’s author Gary D’Amato.  In this article, D’Amote writes:

He predicts the continued erosion of a membership that has been in decline for 25 years but doesn’t stress about it, saying the USBC still needs to “thin the herd.” The organization has 2.5 million members and the number eventually could fall below 1 million, Dalkin said.

This is quite an interesting statement to say the least, if this is indeed what the USBC’s Chief Executive Officer truly believes.  The article does continue on explaining that USBC will be stressing the competitive side of the sport instead of the recreational side.

“We’ve in essence convinced the general population it’s a great, fun game. And it is,” he said. “But in doing so, we’ve totally negated the athletic skills necessary to be a top-level bowler. It’s a conundrum we have.” 

Over the past few years, the ABC and WIBC organizations created the Sports league program, which carried forward with the merger to USBC.  In the middle of the 2006/2007 bowling season, USBC’s Sports program introduced the PBA Experience, which further gives the challenge of bowling on conditions that the professionals are shooting.  This has been a positive move towards bringing up the skills and caliber of competitive bowling.

If the casual bowlers are left to other pastures, who’s going to lead them?  The BPAA, who focuses on the centers or some other organization, may need to look at creating a bowling organization or program that caters to the casual bowler.  Perhaps building up the fun in the sport and expanding to support no-tap casual leagues would be a good idea as well.  

The one solid fact is membership has been declining.  What are the reasons, though?  Is it the perceived value of the membership charged each year declining?  This year, the USBC recently dropped its 299/298 awards and are making them part of the 11-in-a-row award, although recipients can purchase rings.  The range of lower average awards is good, but can it be made better.

Is there any work being done by the center or equally important, the league secretary, working at building up their leagues?  Or does the league secretary just show up at the counter and ask “so… who’s bowling the league this year?”  While many youth are working, instead of bowling, many just ignored as nuisances instead of being cultivated to become your next generation cash revenue. 

How about prices of lineage? Lineage has gone up over the years.  That’s a fact.  Then again, electricity, labor, parts, maintenance, taxes, insurance and many other things have greatly increased.  So you can’t blame the centers for raising their lineages.  With a conversation with a few proprietors, the high costs involved with the special needs of setting up the shots needed for the PBA Experience / Sports leagues has caused the centers to give the league a choice.  Pay more for lineage for the above and beyond TLC required… or don’t certify as that type of league.

There are a lot of opportunities for bowlers who enjoy bowling for its casual nature, while still providing a competitive atmosphere.  But is USBC devotes the majority of its efforts to the elite bowlers, it will definitely open up a lot of greener pastures.