Tough Times for Other Sports, Good Time for PBA By Dick Evans
07/29/07
While other sports are being dragged down by human mistakes, the Sport of Bowling and PBA are avoiding scandals with help of machines and computers Corporate America plus all the television networks and cable companies should be taking a closer look at the sport of bowling if they want to avoid scandal. July 26 was a terrible day for the reputation of sports organizations and events.
Meanwhile, the Professional Bowlers Association was one of the few sports organizations that has not been confronted with rule controversies or player problems.
This is not to say the all PBA players are angels, but they sure appear to have angel wings compared to other sports that are having mud slung in their direction these days.
And that should bring sponsors and TV networks banging on the PBA's doors at its office in Seattle.
Perception and reception go hand in hand and right now the PBA should have a winning hand.
Part of this clean reputation is traceable to bowling itself and also to the United States Bowling Congress.
The USBC is working hard to change rules to make bowling once again a challenging sport. And then there are all the inventions that has taken the human factor out of bowling when it comes to scoring.
Foul lights, automatic pinsetting machines and computer scoring device have eliminated the need for human decisions since they have eliminated foul calling judges, pin boys who could influence how many pins that fell, or scorekeepers who could make mistakes accidentally in scoring.
Name another sport that does not depend on human beings to make some tough decisions? Every sport I can think of needs officials and they are human and they can make mistakes and they can be bought.
But not foul lights, automatic pinsetters or computerize scoring machines.
And then there are the athletes themselves.
Most pro bowlers today do not drink like those in the old days. Twenty years ago I knew of a lot of PBA players who had drinking problems. Today I know of none although I am sure there may be a few. The PBA even goes so far as not to allow a member to drink even a beer at a tournament site.
And PBA players know that timing and coordination are the key ingredients in a successful bowling game. That means there is no use for extra muscles so that eliminates the need to take steroids to add bulk and if you do drugs then the chances of your eye-hand coordination being razor sharp is going to turn dull.
Thirty years ago I would not rave about PBA players being in good physical shape.
I knew several who would drink before, during and after matches. And I knew a few players who probably tested marijuana.
But today's PBA player is in good physical condition. They run, they lift bowling balls and they eat right.
They know if they are not sharp in every frame and every game and every match they are going home and the only ones they will have to blame will be themselves because nobody bribes a foul light, automatic pinsetter or computerized scorer.
Email address: Evans121@aol.com
Column
While other sports are being dragged down by human mistakes, the Sport of Bowling and PBA are avoiding scandals with help of machines and computers Corporate America plus all the television networks and cable companies should be taking a closer look at the sport of bowling if they want to avoid scandal. July 26 was a terrible day for the reputation of sports organizations and events.- Tour de France leader Michael Rasmusen was sent home over doping allegations.
- Falcon Quarterback Michael Vick was in court about dog fighting allegations.
- Giants' slugger Barry Bonds was approaching the home run record while fighting steroid use rumors.
- The entire National Basketball Association was staggered over the alleged betting on games by a referee.
- The National Football League Commissioner was coming down hard on players who were acting like children.
- Pro wrestling still was reeling from the memories of what one of its gladiators did to his family and himself after apparently taking steroids.
Meanwhile, the Professional Bowlers Association was one of the few sports organizations that has not been confronted with rule controversies or player problems.
This is not to say the all PBA players are angels, but they sure appear to have angel wings compared to other sports that are having mud slung in their direction these days.
And that should bring sponsors and TV networks banging on the PBA's doors at its office in Seattle.
Perception and reception go hand in hand and right now the PBA should have a winning hand.
Part of this clean reputation is traceable to bowling itself and also to the United States Bowling Congress.
The USBC is working hard to change rules to make bowling once again a challenging sport. And then there are all the inventions that has taken the human factor out of bowling when it comes to scoring.
Foul lights, automatic pinsetting machines and computer scoring device have eliminated the need for human decisions since they have eliminated foul calling judges, pin boys who could influence how many pins that fell, or scorekeepers who could make mistakes accidentally in scoring.
Name another sport that does not depend on human beings to make some tough decisions? Every sport I can think of needs officials and they are human and they can make mistakes and they can be bought.
But not foul lights, automatic pinsetters or computerize scoring machines.
And then there are the athletes themselves.
Most pro bowlers today do not drink like those in the old days. Twenty years ago I knew of a lot of PBA players who had drinking problems. Today I know of none although I am sure there may be a few. The PBA even goes so far as not to allow a member to drink even a beer at a tournament site.
And PBA players know that timing and coordination are the key ingredients in a successful bowling game. That means there is no use for extra muscles so that eliminates the need to take steroids to add bulk and if you do drugs then the chances of your eye-hand coordination being razor sharp is going to turn dull.
Thirty years ago I would not rave about PBA players being in good physical shape.
I knew several who would drink before, during and after matches. And I knew a few players who probably tested marijuana.
But today's PBA player is in good physical condition. They run, they lift bowling balls and they eat right.
They know if they are not sharp in every frame and every game and every match they are going home and the only ones they will have to blame will be themselves because nobody bribes a foul light, automatic pinsetter or computerized scorer.
Email address: Evans121@aol.com