| Trouble viewing the Madison USBC Bowling Association E-News? Click Here for the online version. |
 |
| March 16, 2009 |
|
• Something you would like included in the E-News? •
• Contact the Madison USBC BA •
City Tournament Checks in the Mail
The 2008-09 Madison USBC Bowling Association Championship Tournament is now concluded and checks are in the mail. The MBA would like to extend thanks to our tournament sponsors:
And of course, thanks to all who participated in the 2008-09 tournament. This year 88 teams competed, a 25% increase over last year (70 teams). We hope you enjoyed your tournament experience and look forward to seeing you for the 2009-10 Championships.
League Challenge Winners
Congratulations to these leagues for their teams' top seven finish in the pins over average League Challenge portion of the Association Championship Tournament. These leagues will be presented with a check over the next couple of weeks.
Ask the Pro Shop
Dear Pro Shop, Can you match the prices I find on the internet? Pro Shop Answer, Finally some conversation about this! For the most part the internet companies buy from the same distributors as your local Pro Shops. When it comes to the ultimate "price" of the purchase, the internet may have additional cost after the purchase which includes shipping and the price to get the ball drilled. We experience it weekly. The price the shop offers tends to be the same after all is said and done. Still, even if you do purchase from the internet - it's not free from problems. "It seems the biggest problem is the match up". Says Bob From Phoenix Pro Shop. Andy from Schwoegler's Pro Shop summed it up best, "We can help pick out the right ball for the bowler. This is what we do every day". At your local pro shop, we can assist in your decision by not only supporting your choice but ensuring the right amount of hook, for example, if your looking for a specific ball reaction. What are other advantages to shopping from your local pro shop? You are shopping locally, and you get someone to watch your bowling style which helps match your equipment purchase to your needs much better. Give one of your local pro shops a call.
Dream Lanes Team Tournament
The 47th Annual Dream Lanes Team Tournament will be running from March 21 through April 30, 2009. First place listed at $3000, based on 400 teams. The certified three person team tournament is handicapped 85% to 690. The cost per team is $75.00. There are a number of side events - brackets, a special March weeknight prize fund, cash on the lanes, and a squad sponsor incentive. Download the tournament flyer for complete rules and details.
Brother Witnesses Supernational (Again?)
Same Headline, Different Brothers by Jim Herfel 
Sometimes it takes people longer to achieve a personal goal than they anticipate, but the good ones always keep trying. This was the case for longtime MBA member Dan Herfel (pictured) on Thursday Feb. 12, 2009. Dan bowls on the Bourbon Street Grille team in the Wally Warner league at Bowl-A-Vard Lanes and currently averages 204. Dan has been chasing the elusive 300 game for many years. This night would be different - he thought. He started out the night with a 7 split leaving an open his first frame. Conjuring up images of another wasted game in his quest, he promptly salvaged the game with a score of 236. The next game was different - he was on fire. Striking in the first 10 frames, Dan left a stubborn 7 pin on the 11th shot as yet another obstacle stood in his way to perfection. With a 289 game in the bag for the second game, Dan - who is not one to back off of a goal - rolled another great game and ended with a 276. While he missed his shot at 300 he did achieve another of his goals, his first 800 series - an 801. Knowing my brother as I do he'll keep trying for 300 and won't stop until he gets it. Nice job bro' keep on rolling!
From Years to Weeks
Michael Haack, Secretary, DeForest Suburban Dave Wolff is the President of the DeForest Suburban league and has been bowling in the league for a long time. He enjoys bowling, but often work takes him out of town, and he misses a few nights a season. However, he still has maintained a 202+ average over the past ten years. Until recently, he had two prior 300 games. One in 1989, and the other happened on 01/21/93. That was, until recently. On 02/17/09, Dave threw the third 300 of his life. It was his second game that Tuesday night at Rude's, and he ended with a 690 series. Incidentally, Dave's team won that game, by one pin. Work took him out of town for the next two nights of bowling, but he was back on 3/11/09. His first game that night was, you guessed it, his fourth lifetime 300. He scored 688 that night. On 2/17/09, Dave was saying how it had been 16 years since his last 300. Well now it's just been 3 weeks. Nice work Dave!
Building A Better League
Bill Dennis, Association Manager, Madison USBC BA I get asked a ton of questions about what is the right way and wrong way to do things. Often these questions are rules related, sometimes league related, but most often there really is no "answer" as much as there is a "preferred method". So, I'm going to take some space in the E-News to offer suggestions and advice for leagues. The subjects will range from roles of the officers and board of directors to league formats to awards. Hopefully, your league can benefit from some of these suggestions. Or, you can submit ideas that your league uses to pass on to others. Bear in mind, these are my personal opinions - but they are gleaned from more than 20 years experience in league bowling of all types. Playoffs This time of year, as the weather turns nicer, it gets more and more difficult to drive through the sunshine and singing birds to the final weeks of league. This is especially true if you and your teammates are mired in or near last place. Where is the tailenders tournament this year? There is a good way to combat this by using a multi-week playoff system to determine your league champion. The National Football League does it, the NCAA does it (March Madness), even the league steeped in venerable traditions has adjusted itself to a playoff system with (gasp) wild-card teams (Major League Baseball). A lot of leagues have incorporated some method of multi-team playoffs into their regular league schedule. "When you're finished changing, you're finished" - Ben Franklin So how about a different format and playoff system for your league? If your league is still using the "first half, second half, roll-off night" format - you are missing out. In my Tuesday night Wisconsin Telephone League at Badger Bowl, our typical playoff system lasts the final three weeks of the season and involves a full one half of the league - eight of the 16 teams! We divide our league, by average, into two divisions. In the first half of the season, every team bowls against every other team once. This takes 15 weeks and produces two division champions. We do the same thing the second half of the season, producing two more division champions. The top two non-winning teams (most points for the year) from each division are wild card teams. In week 31, these eight teams are seeded by record and by division into a playoff bracket. If a team wins both halves, they get a first round bye. In week 32, the remaining four teams bowl against each other, and in week 33 the two finalists roll off for the championship. Meanwhile, the teams not in the playoffs (or knocked out) compete in other contests: a team event, a singles event, and a doubles event. The benefits to this system are great. Most teams in the league are not mathematically eliminated until late in the year - providing greater incentive to ignore the golf course for one more night. Plus, the year end "tournaments" for non-playoff teams provide additional financial incentives. With a little creativity, you can get more teams involved and interested in the end of your bowling season and offer more competitive opportunities for your league members. Next Issue: Special Prize or Fundraising Nights 
We Need YOUR Stories Too!
Stories may include bowling tournament, fundraiser, or other event information, human interest bowling stories, or bowling success stories or first time accomplishments. The MBA E-News is available for use by everyone involved with bowling in our jurisdiction - proprietors, league officers, tournament directors, and members. Promote your tournament, league, or bowling fundraiser, congratulate your bowlers, recognize their accomplishments - this newsletter is for you. Please send your completed story to the Madison USBC BA. Be sure to include important details - dates, times, game scores, links to more information, pictures, or whatever you think is important. |
|