Bowling
leagues
are advised to check their
bowling rules, if they utilize the handicap
system to evaluate "competition
between
teams with varying abilities."
The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) became the "administering"
organization,
January 1, 2005.
The USBC provides educational material
for league competition and many references are found here.
Make sure your investment of time and money is
well
managed.
Choose your league carefully.
This file updated: Nov 6,
2009 (Section 10: Updated Search
Keywords
Statistics)
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A
surprising number of
leagues do not
use the handicap
format correctly. Every
team in
the league should receive a handicap value, every
week, for every game bowled. Hopefully, viewers
may discover interesting aspects that they had not previously realized
or considered.
As some may enter, while looking for other information, subject target
links are not utilized in the file.
Relevant items may catch their eye
as they scroll through the
file. The aim is to improve knowledge. "FILE
SECTIONS" have information or links for the following frequent
questions (FAQ) or subjects:
1.) Check to be sure your league is using the recommended handicap
system (handicap every team, every game).
2.) Handicap methods found to be used in leagues. Several are
detrimental for league
competition for awards.
3.) Table comparison showing examples
of the recommended and detrimental handicap systems.
4.) How to change a league rule. Also a "handicap
explanation sheet" that can be used for league meetings..
5.) Handicap calculator charts, League team schedules, Team &
personal
games sheets (PDF files at Bowl.com)
6.) Prize fund
distribution examples & formulas to easily calculate values
for position or points money.
7.) Comments league operations, procedures - study results handicap percentages impact.
"Don't miss the fun."
8.) References for where to
find
important information in league rules,
sanction kits and the operations manual.
9.) Links for other information
and resources, including Museum Database "individual honor scores
800+,300"
10.) StatCounter statistics for this website. 1.)
WHAT IS THE KEY for
recognition of accomplishments in bowling leagues that
use a handicap system?
Using the correct handicap method is
key to
maintaining everyone's interest level for the whole season.
Points seem to get the most attention
for games and series
won. Usually a 4-point or 7-point system.
(Examples: 1 point for games, 1 for
total series, or 2
points for games, 1 for total series.)
(Other formats: "Match Points"
compete "head to head",
"Peterson Points" see section 7 below.)
"Bowling league high scores" can provide
numerous opportunities
for team and personal satisfaction.
The importance of this factor
increases as the season
progresses. The points race for the
league's championship may be the domain
of a small percentage
of the
league's teams.
Adopting the correct handicap method should help
ensure that
every team does have a real
opportunity to be involved in the competition for
other
league awards available.
THREE
SEPARATE TIERS .
visualized as a PYRAMID . constitute the bowling world.
The broad base contains the
largest portion, the handicapped
leagues that use
a system designed to:
allow
equitable competition between teams with widely varying abilities
.
Every team should have a handicap
added
to ensure proper
evaluation of all scores.
Full involvement in all opportunities of league
competition should enhance experience.
The center portion is classified
and more compact with a set-range for team averages.
It would take a lot
of extra work to do this fairly for all leagues in a center.
Average targets could disqualify bowlers who prefer to
stay together as a team.
The narrow top where highest
caliber teams bowl 'scratch' - - thrive on the challenges of the game.
(A national proprietor president
estimated it
will never be more than
5%, maybe 10%.)
The "2x2 RULE"- -
is the
key that improves competition for handicapped leagues:
EVERY LEAGUE Should
Determine Handicap
Correctly - - - (just like tournaments).
Use two parts (percentage
allowed and the same basis for
every team)
covering the two aspects of
competition, both high
scores and points won
Every
team should receive a handicap value, otherwise that
omission is counter-productive.
Prizes should be awarded to those who
truly
deserve this
recognition for accomplishments!
(Putting an * next to NEW
season high scores, suggested
to note the LATEST HONOREES.)
LEAGUE HANDICAP COMPONENTS:
Suggested League Rule:
Handicap will be ____% (such as 90%)
of the difference between
average and a
basis figure of _____ (base or
scratch figure
set higher than the
highest average in the league)
Handicap shall not be limited, unless
otherwise provided by
league rule.
Individual Method -
Set basis higher than any person's average in the league,
such as 210.
If 90% handicap is allowed,
single game
handicap (210-Average) x Percentage, such as (210-175) = 35 x .90 =
31.5 (use 31)
Team handicap for a single game would equal the sum of all of the
handicaps of the team's players.
Team Method -
Set basis higher than the highest team average in the league,
such as
1050.
If 90% handicap is allowed, the single game handicap would equal
(1050-Team Average) x Percentage, such as (1050-850) = 200 x .90 = 180.
The 2 Handicap Components - (additional
comments)
BASIS
might be set as often done
for
bowling tournaments, as a function of team size,
such as, 1000 for 5-players, 800
for four, 600 for three, 400 for two, 200 for singles.
It could also be set closer to
the league’s actual ability by setting the value:
a.) GREATER
than the HIGHEST AVERAGE for the league,
b.) with
ALLOWANCE added to provide for improvement (estimate 10 pins for
player),
c.) and
finally rounded up to a CONVENIENT NUMBER for ease of use.
[Example: High
team average 720, five-per-team (add 5x10=50) yields 770,
use 800]
PERCENTAGE,
such as 80%, 90%, 100% (NOTE:
see research statistics, in
Section 7).
Higher
percentage has been adopted by many leagues. Studies
have shown important benefits.
Even at 100%, the higher average team still
has an edge. Lower average teams are more involved,
higher-average teams will still be
well-served by their talent and experience.
Handicap example:
(BASIS - TEAM AVERAGE) X PERCENTAGE = HANDICAP
[(800 - 720) x
.9 = (80) x .9 = 72 pins per game, drop fractions],
[72 x 3 = 216 total for a 3-game series]
Then, if the
team
bowls a 770 game scratch, their total score with handicap would be =
842)
"League Recap Sheet"
handicap methods, scores,
how points
won, choose file: HTML
or PDF
(2 pages)
As games progress,
telescorer
boxes indicate scratch and handicap scores to the current
frame position.
2.)
HANDICAP METHODS
"FOUND TO BE USED BY LEAGUES:"
A.) Individual
methodof
handicapping is used in many magazine articles for examples, because it
is the
Best means to get everyone involved in
all aspects and the fun
of competition.
Note - some leagues, do not
think to adopt the
individual method that would
Take
advantage of a computer's ability to do the extra work and
Provide more opportunities for
everyone to get the fullest
enjoyment for their efforts.
The team handicap is then calculated
as the sum of the
individual members' handicaps.
B.)
Team method of handicapping
is most common. Many leagues use the recommended method,
but others introduce
problems into league management, by using
distortions of the handicap system.
Examination of statistics posted on the Internet provides many examples
of questionable practices,
that prohibit bowlers from having their true achievements receive the
recognition that they deserve. ** Do not be misled by
insufficient handicap instructions found on some
recap sheets used by leagues.
Following are 4 examples of
distortions that have a major impact on
league scores competition:
* BEWARE
of handicap based on "Difference
Between Team Averages" of
Team and Opponent
Team average difference handicap can
only determine which
of 2 teams wins their scheduled games.
Score comparison really has no
significance for the whole
league, because half of the teams have
ZERO handicap and the rest get a DUBIOUS number
based on
whom they
happen to bowl.
The fact that every team is not using a
handicap is a
significant indicator that a major problem exists.
Competition for high scores is
distorted. Accomplishments
deserving recognition are overlooked.
Team games and total series scores will
not reflect "how well the
teams bowled
over average."
- - >> (See
team score
examples in Section 3 below, for a detailed example of the problem.)
*
BEWARE
of league formats with a "Combination
of Individual & Team
and Opponent Methods"
Some leagues have adopted "Individual
Handicap" for Individual
Scores for Game/Series Awards,
combined with
"Pin Diff" between
"Team & Opponent" for Team Scores for
Game/Series Awards.
The true team handicaps
would best be calculated by adding the individual handicaps
for a team total.
If the problem is explained, perhaps the
league could try the
"right way" the next round or half season.
Leagues have changed their method, so all
teams can get proper
recognition for achievements.
*
BEWARE
of HANDICAP leagues that "only
use scratch scores" (NO handicap scores posted).
Some handicap leagues only post "scratch
scores" for team high
game and
series honors.
This severely degrades "equitable
evaluation" of scores for all
of the teams
across the league.
USBC Rule (117b Item 3) Prize
Qualification - Handicap Leagues is
an indication of the
importance
of this issue: All special prizes should be
awarded on a handicap basis.
That is the default because it is the
best policy.
Leagues can add additional scratch
prizes, if covered by league
rules or prize
list.
(Use the recommended handicap methods
where every team has
handicap for every game and series.)
*
BEWARE of
YOUTH LEAGUES(that do not use the recommended
handicap
procedures).
Some
YOUTH HANDICAP LEAGUES also are
found using
questionable practices, including:
using "team and opponent" or "difference between team
averages" handicap
procedures,
only posting "scratch scores" for team
high
game and
series honors in their HANDICAP leagues.
Kids trust that their leaders are
teaching them correct bowling
procedures, but miss that opportunity.
3.)
COMPARE HANDICAP Methods Basis
(Regular or Team and Opponent Average Difference)
(a.) Team numbers
correspond to team-average-ranking,
(b.) Team schedule has
these teams bowling each other (1-week during each round, or segment),
(c.) Every team bowls
a game 100 pins-over-their-average.
(d.) "Regular
handicap" uses basis=800 and percentage=90%,
Regular Handicap = (800 - TeamAvg) X .9 (and drop all fractions)
Example: (800 - 704) = 96, (96 X .9 = 86.4) drop
fractions, so use 86 for game.
Team & Opponent Handicap (where the higher average team gets
zero for handicap)
Example: (753 - 704) = 49, (49 X .9 = 44.1) drop
fractions, so use 44 for game.
Team
Avg
100
POA
Game
*
Game
Hdcp
Hdcp'd
Total Score
*
Game
Hdcp
Hdcp'd
Total Score
***
Re-calculate
T&O
POA Needed for
"League High 853"
if used T&O and these Percentages
Reg
90%
T&O
90%
90%
80%
100%
1
753
853
42
895
0
853
100
100
100
2
704
804
86
890
44
848
105
110
100
3
700
800
90
890
0
800
153
153
153
4
681
781
107
888
17
798
155
157
153
5
670
770
117
887
0
770
183
183
183
6
654
754
131
885
14
768
185
187
183
7
639
739
144
883
0
739
214
214
214
8
625
725
157
882
12
737
216
217
214
9
600
700
180
880
0
700
253
253
253
10
594
694
185
879
5
699
254
255
253
The team and opponent average difference handicap method
defeats the purpose of
handicapping. Every team is in jeopardy. their true achievements are
misrepresented and will not be recognizable.
League high scores are
the same as bowling in a tournament; every team
should receive a handicap
for every game, during the league's schedule. (A "pins over
average" POA tournament is sometimes
erroneously considered to be a different format, in reality it uses
a 100% handicap allowance.
If 100% "Regular Handicap"
had been used - - - Every team would have showed
a score of 900.) Online
searchable
(Index Option) rules CAQ (100g /3) average difference method
is Not Recommended. 4.)
HOW TO CHANGE A LEAGUE RULE:
(League Handicap Explanation - comment added Mar 28,
2009)
League
Handicap Explanation Sheet (in PDF format),
to aid league
discussion of methods.
Rule 122: Rules shall be adopted at a meeting
prior
to the start of the league schedule by the
board of directors, unless the league elects to have its
rules adopted
by the membership.
After the league schedule begins, a change in the league rules and
approved
prize list can be made
only with the written consent of every team captain or designated
representative.
5.)
LEAGUE HANDICAP TABLES, TEAM
SCHEDULES, INDIVIDUAL GAME SHEETS:
7). LEAGUE
OPERATIONS: Don't miss any of the fun, an
important
part of league competition:
TWO
CATEGORIES
FOR TEAM AWARDS (using both Scratch and
Handicap basis)
provide the means for everyone to have their achievements be
recognized, reflecting "how much
they were able to bowl over their
averages." Higher average teams may sometimes complain about
how many pins they have to give away for handicap. Close
examination would show that when the team and opponent average difference method is used, it is
the majority of other league teams that are giving away pins.
(Possibly, complainers should join or start their own scratch league.)
Most leagues divide their schedule into 2 halves, or use rounds where
every team bowls every other
team within a segment and also include "team position weeks" to fill
scheduled contract. At season's
end. the "team champion" is determined by a "roll-off"
scheduled between the half or round winners.
League high scores may be determined for each half or round, for
handicap and scratch recognition.
Usually leagues set a rule that a team is eligible for only 1 game and
1 series, and determines which
score (for the handicap or scratch categories) should take precedence
for posting on the standing sheet.
Usually the prize of greatest value is used; if the scores are of equal
value, the scratch award is used.
It is good to divide the honor periods, considering that it is harder
to "bowl over average" as average
becomes more established, as the season progresses. The league's board
of directors would resolve
any unforeseen issues
that
develop during the season.
(Handicap
Percentage) Many years ago, ABC and
WIBC analyzed statistics for a four-year
period,
the impact of percentage on
the team points accumulated towards
winning the league championship.
Their research was published in a small blue pamphlet "The Facts
About League Handicaps."
The study included numerous leagues sanctioned at that time - - men's,
women's and mixed formats.
The results showed that, even at 100%, the higher average teams or
bowlers have a decided edge.
A handicap of 116% was found to be needed to even out the
competition to a 50-50 probability.
League
Handicap
Percentage
Championship
Won by
Team with Average Below
Median in the League
Championship
Won by
Team with Average Above
Median in the League
70
0 out of 100
100
out of 100
75
0 out of 100
100
out of 100
80
0 out of 100
100
out of 100
85
6 out of 100
94 out of 100
90
11 out
of 100
89 out of 100
95
24 out
of 100
76 out of 100
100
30 out
of 100
70 out of 100
+See valuable additional comments in
Mythbusters (Section 5) about league
competition aspects.
(Example: Will a lower-average team or the higher-average team
be more likely to win?)
A comment about the bowling pyramid: It is a good structure. The broad
base encompasses most bowlers.
Some move up to the other sections. In addition to bowling in
leagues using handicap, this author also
enjoyed competition in scratch (no handicap) team leagues: 5 person,
trio, doubles and singles formats.
Over the years, "simultaneous participation" in
handicap leagues
continued to provide good competition.
An interesting singles format was the Peterson
Points system. In
addition to points awarded for winning
games/series, bonus
points are earned for bowling well during matches, for a determined
pin-block-size.
If the size was set at 50 pins, an individual bowling a 573 scratch
series, would earn 11.46 extra points.
A 5-person team level approach could use a 250 value for 1-point
additionally earned The system is used
usually for scratch leagues, but handicap leagues would include
handicap in the pin-block determined.
Serving as secretary for many leagues, members enjoyed having
their accomplishments be recognized.
Adopting 100% handicap percentage improved league competition and
increased enthusiasm of the teams.
Trust the system. When all aspects of league competition can be fully
utilized, it works well. The best leagues
are organized in a way that every team has a "genuine opportunity" to really share the fun and
prizes !!!
Unique League
using
Divisions + Double-Format
Points (Handicap + Scratch) Results Full-Round-Completed.
Comments about historical items and possible changes "Bowling
Leagues
of the Future"
8.)
REFERENCES FOR INFORMATION regarding the 2009-2010 USBC Playing Rules: You can obtain
materials to sanction (USBC
new term is certify/certified) your league
(application and
membership cards) from local representatives. The local groups
(men, women and
youth) have the option
to be combined
or operate as unmerged associations. If there is no contact
information
posted on the
bulletin boards, ask someone
on the bowling center staff, or contact USBC at 800-514-2695 Ext
3158.
Documents
in
.PDF format require the newest version Adobe Reader before
download.
Get the newest version FREE at www.adobe.com
If you do not personally have
the books
referenced, you can check the following links:
(Forums comments - indicate
possible navigation problems during processing.)
Don't
miss your league's organizational meeting - It is important !!! UBL
= Ultimate Bowling League
"Enhanced League Format" - National project started in 1999.
Divide a league into divisions, so
more teams could be involved in roll offs for league championship. Bowling's Team Concept
- - - (1997 book by Charles Martin, PhD)
ISBN 1-57034-060-9 (pbk)
Covers numerous aspects of
competition. (Locate it by using your preferred search engine. ) Bowlers Journal
International Excellent magazine, 2009 (96th
Year) January issue has BJI Almanac.
History of Bowling
- - Interesting tidbits, ancient to contemporary times.
Database for Scores:
- - Check 800/900 series, 300 games, by Name or City(bowlers residence)
Perfect Secretary
League software available from Treasure Software. Bowling League
Secretary - BLS
League software available from CDE Software. League Secretary
Another web site for leagues to post their team standing
sheets. The Foundation
group's Home Page dedicated to research the technical difficulties of
equitable bowling. Phantom Radio
(Current Show) Phantom Radio
Previous (339+ Shows, since May 2002. Use "Search
Forum" link to find person/topic.) Ask The
Phantom Q/A sections for the numerous aspects of competition and
bowling
conditions.
Foundation
Newsletter (2009 June) - Integrity Threatened (Handicap
Manipulators Sandbagging Offenses) Bowling Organizations
(historical timelines):
2005 - - United States Bowling Congress (USBC) combined ABC, WIBC,
YABA, College and USA Bowling
2003 - - Contemporary Bowling Association (Bowling Proprietors
Association of America - BPAA)
1998 - - College Bowling moved to be under the direction of the ABC and
WIBC
1989 - - USA Bowling - United States Tenpin Bowling Federation (USTBF)
for
international competition
1986 - - Team USA
1982 - - Young America Bowling Alliance (YABA) combined AJBC, YBA and
Collegiate groups
1966 - - Collegiate division to bridge gap between youth and adult
bowling,
1964 - - Youth Bowling Association (YBA)
1951 - - Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ) (currently has
80 member nations)
1946 - - American Junior Bowling Congress (AJBC)
1932 - - Bowling Proprietor's Association of America (BPAA)
1916 - - Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC)
1895 - - American Bowling Congress (ABC) 5443 bowling centers are
Certified
in the
United States (USBC July 31, 2008 Report).
3873, as of Dec 1, 2007, are members of the BPAA (noted in Bowlers
Journal International - 2009 Almanac). 10.) "StatCounter" Statistics
have been a great tool
for adding content to this
website.
That is a service provided by Aodhán Cullen and
his team, located
in Dublin, Ireland.
It checks country, state, city, search engine and keywords, or
direct links from other websites.
Recent statistics (7-30-05 to 10-31-09) for this website
(51-months of
USBC administration): 87.01% viewers located in the
United
States, 12.63%
for 120
other countries, 0.36% undetermined.
The U.S. is followed by Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia,
Malaysia, Phillipines and Singapore.
Every state is represented in the viewer counts, led by NY, CA, VA,
TX, IL,
OH, FL, MI, NJ and PA.
(Note: the real locations can be distorted by the way that service
providers route their connections.)
15.37% of the searchers entered the keywords "bowling league" or the
search string was not decoded. 84.63% of the searchers were
looking for more specific information
regarding numerous bowling topics.
362 keywords or phrases were examined for this analysis period.
The bowling file was created, in 1997, and has grown over the
years. StatCounter added April 12, 2004. Learning what keywords
were used by www searchers helped determine
items to be added. The most unique addition was the
formulas to help divide a
league's prize money (Sept 2004).
StatCounter places a cookie, just to determine which
viewers may return
to the site at a later date.
StatCounter does not store personal information. Viewers' geographical
location is the main interest.
It blocks recording loads done by me for any of
the files, so statistics are not inflated.
If you entered the URL address directly yourself, that is shown as "No
referring link."
If you have saved the URL, I hope the information that you found here
has helped you to enjoy bowling!!!
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