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Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
EDITORIAL: USBC'S Back Up Gutter Ball in the Gutter
Shortly after starting BOWLING HOOD, I wrote a review of what I thought of the redesigned http://www.bowl.com/ and new policies but reserved myself to write a part 2 followup.
Here it is: I don't get what it is that's supposed to make more people flock to http://www.bowl.com/.
What is it that's supposed to make more people flock to it? I don't see it.
There is none. It's on the front page of the site and unless you go there regularly, or have someone tell you about it like BOWLING HOOD is doing here, you'd miss it.
If anything concerns me more than that, it's the USBC policy about the website forum - moderating comments before posting.
What prompted my passion is the current firestorm in St. Louis where Kurt Greenbaum, St. Louis Post Dispatch Director of Social Media, chose to play Internet cop by calling a school about a post to one of their forums made from their location that eventually forced the person who wrote the item to quit.
This is about the decision makers and their decision makers on how to process the Internet to market people. It seems some enjoy the power of managing Internet communications. They like being in the position of what they think is right and wrong, what benefits their site and what doesn't.
However, when it comes down to cold hard research and data, some twist the 'Net's usage and makes it is unmanagable for users, especially in bowling.
The life or death of bowling growth will depend if USBC - and the PBA - uses the Internet correctly to do reach-out marketing. .
Right now, I see the PBA doing just many things correctly using the 'net, but not http://www.bowl.com/. BOWLING HOOD finds USBC decisions proprietary, arbitrary, inhibited and regressive and that's what prompted me to write a part 2 review.
For the record, I am not a dues paying PBA member. I am a dues paying member of the USBC and volunteer for the St. Louis USBC.
Last week, I attempted to post on the http://www.bowl.com/ forum the story of Andy Cline's PBA Experience 300 game. I posted the link, and it was rejected by the USBC, who no longer allows people to see outside sites. And BOWLING HOOD hears there are issues involving no reporting of the three 300 games shot in the same game by Dale Butler, Don Griffin and Joe Nolan.
Respected bowling writer and bowler Jeff Richgels recently wrote an excellent article about the exclusion of two prominent bowlers from the USBC Hall of Fame ballot. Yep, it was critical - and Richgels couldn't post a link to his must-read article and blog.
So I registered my complaint to Mark Miller of USBC Communications, the person who rejected my post.
Here's what I got. The USBC doesn't want people reading other web sites, even if they are bowling related. They want the attention on them.
The Internet's slang, the web connects people with information. That's what makes the 'net great. It is raw and open, generates emotion and it's emotion that gets people to act and do something.
http://www.bowl.com/ generates little positive emotion and breaks rather than creates links in that web, thus creating negative emotion.
Institutional style websites like http://www.bowl.com/ are throwbacks to newspapers. They're losing readers and going bankrupt. Sites that do well are that have out-of-the-box appearance, presentation and use. The PBA's site is attractive, presentation is middle-of-the-road, and is user-friendly.
Navigating bowl.com is like trying to configure all the components to operate a PC.
The USBC has a newcomer on its communications staff. Pete Tredwell comes in from ESPN as Vice President of Media.
BOWLING HOOD has learned he's ticked off some upper crust folks at the PBA. That's because Tredwell chose to use the PBA Forum to ask this question:
I'd like to hear what this group thinks. I want your opinions. Hoping people take this seriously, and don't use it as a platform to make jokes.
The joke is being perpetrated by the USBC on its members.
The question should have been raised on the bowl.com forum.
Why? Because USBC membership dues make bowl.com and the forum possible
Some at PBA headquarters are unhappy their forum is being used by USBC staff for USBC research. I can't blame them. Yes, the PBA and USBC has a partnership. But that partnership is contractual for things like PBA experience leagues, it's not open-season for resource or data sharing.
Well, that might be the right way to go. After all, those people on the PBA site - 175 posts in just a week - couldn't do that in forums at bowl.com. Because it's moderated. Moderated for negative people and negative thoughts according to Mills.
USBC staff thinks negative thoughts are bad. So, I think I've got this straight:
USBC Communications wants input from people
USBC won't do it at bowl.com because it doesn't want negative people
USBC uses a partner's (PBA) resource (their forum) for research
PBA staff not happy they're being used for that purpose
PBA however is gracious and keeps the thread up allowing real time posting
USBC gets hammered with negative comments in the PBA forum because of the above
However, there were several posts praising Tredwell for "sticking his neck" out on the PBA forum with his question. USBC members do appreciate transparency.
But I guess negative thoughts by negative people about the USBC should best go to an unmoderated PBA forum.
That's called having your head in the sand. If you're going to be on the web, you gotta take the bad with the good. It's 2009, not 1959. Enough with the Wally Cleaver - group hug attitude.
There is a big difference between criticism and negative thoughts.
1. Criticism is analysis supported by facts and alternative solutions
2. Criticism is an analysis that can result in positive reinforcement opinion
3. Negative comments are opinion and/or emotional based without alternative solutions or facts
Criticism is good. Negative is bad. And I don't think a lot of decision makers understand or get it.
So if BOWLING HOOD was Czar of All Things USBC Web Site Related, we would
1. Unmoderate the forum for real time posts
2. Moderate them for content
3. Remove negative posts with no constructive solution or fact
4. Ban and block offenders IP addresses 30 days for the first offense
5. Ban and block offenders IP addresses permanently after a 2nd incident
The Czar would take his chances reaching over 200 million people, from the normal to nuts, with a goal of landing one percent as members. That's two million people. Wouldn't that nearly double the existing membership number? Would that be a bad thing? Maybe - some might say they're not the right type of customer.
Bowling must connect with everyone, no matter what. Bowling isn't in a position to be picky or choosy.
It's nice I get to choose to have my own blog. The length of this column would never be published in a newspaper unless I owned it.
So USBC, let membership choose what's best for them - not what you think it is.
What prompted my passion is the current firestorm in St. Louis where Kurt Greenbaum, St. Louis Post Dispatch Director of Social Media, chose to play Internet cop by calling a school about a post to one of their forums made from their location that eventually forced the person who wrote the item to quit.
This is about the decision makers and their decision makers on how to process the Internet to market people. It seems some enjoy the power of managing Internet communications. They like being in the position of what they think is right and wrong, what benefits their site and what doesn't.
However, when it comes down to cold hard research and data, some twist the 'Net's usage and makes it is unmanagable for users, especially in bowling.
The life or death of bowling growth will depend if USBC - and the PBA - uses the Internet correctly to do reach-out marketing. .
Right now, I see the PBA doing just many things correctly using the 'net, but not http://www.bowl.com/. BOWLING HOOD finds USBC decisions proprietary, arbitrary, inhibited and regressive and that's what prompted me to write a part 2 review.
For the record, I am not a dues paying PBA member. I am a dues paying member of the USBC and volunteer for the St. Louis USBC.
Last week, I attempted to post on the http://www.bowl.com/ forum the story of Andy Cline's PBA Experience 300 game. I posted the link, and it was rejected by the USBC, who no longer allows people to see outside sites. And BOWLING HOOD hears there are issues involving no reporting of the three 300 games shot in the same game by Dale Butler, Don Griffin and Joe Nolan.
Respected bowling writer and bowler Jeff Richgels recently wrote an excellent article about the exclusion of two prominent bowlers from the USBC Hall of Fame ballot. Yep, it was critical - and Richgels couldn't post a link to his must-read article and blog.
So I registered my complaint to Mark Miller of USBC Communications, the person who rejected my post.
Here's what I got. The USBC doesn't want people reading other web sites, even if they are bowling related. They want the attention on them.
The Internet's slang, the web connects people with information. That's what makes the 'net great. It is raw and open, generates emotion and it's emotion that gets people to act and do something.
http://www.bowl.com/ generates little positive emotion and breaks rather than creates links in that web, thus creating negative emotion.
Institutional style websites like http://www.bowl.com/ are throwbacks to newspapers. They're losing readers and going bankrupt. Sites that do well are that have out-of-the-box appearance, presentation and use. The PBA's site is attractive, presentation is middle-of-the-road, and is user-friendly.
Navigating bowl.com is like trying to configure all the components to operate a PC.
BOWLING HOOD has learned he's ticked off some upper crust folks at the PBA. That's because Tredwell chose to use the PBA Forum to ask this question:
I'd like to hear what this group thinks. I want your opinions. Hoping people take this seriously, and don't use it as a platform to make jokes.
The joke is being perpetrated by the USBC on its members.
The question should have been raised on the bowl.com forum.
Why? Because USBC membership dues make bowl.com and the forum possible
Some at PBA headquarters are unhappy their forum is being used by USBC staff for USBC research. I can't blame them. Yes, the PBA and USBC has a partnership. But that partnership is contractual for things like PBA experience leagues, it's not open-season for resource or data sharing.
Well, that might be the right way to go. After all, those people on the PBA site - 175 posts in just a week - couldn't do that in forums at bowl.com. Because it's moderated. Moderated for negative people and negative thoughts according to Mills.
USBC staff thinks negative thoughts are bad. So, I think I've got this straight:
USBC Communications wants input from people
USBC won't do it at bowl.com because it doesn't want negative people
USBC uses a partner's (PBA) resource (their forum) for research
PBA staff not happy they're being used for that purpose
PBA however is gracious and keeps the thread up allowing real time posting
USBC gets hammered with negative comments in the PBA forum because of the above
However, there were several posts praising Tredwell for "sticking his neck" out on the PBA forum with his question. USBC members do appreciate transparency.
But I guess negative thoughts by negative people about the USBC should best go to an unmoderated PBA forum.
That's called having your head in the sand. If you're going to be on the web, you gotta take the bad with the good. It's 2009, not 1959. Enough with the Wally Cleaver - group hug attitude.
There is a big difference between criticism and negative thoughts.
1. Criticism is analysis supported by facts and alternative solutions
2. Criticism is an analysis that can result in positive reinforcement opinion
3. Negative comments are opinion and/or emotional based without alternative solutions or facts
Criticism is good. Negative is bad. And I don't think a lot of decision makers understand or get it.
So if BOWLING HOOD was Czar of All Things USBC Web Site Related, we would
1. Unmoderate the forum for real time posts
2. Moderate them for content
3. Remove negative posts with no constructive solution or fact
4. Ban and block offenders IP addresses 30 days for the first offense
5. Ban and block offenders IP addresses permanently after a 2nd incident
The Czar would take his chances reaching over 200 million people, from the normal to nuts, with a goal of landing one percent as members. That's two million people. Wouldn't that nearly double the existing membership number? Would that be a bad thing? Maybe - some might say they're not the right type of customer.
Bowling must connect with everyone, no matter what. Bowling isn't in a position to be picky or choosy.
It's nice I get to choose to have my own blog. The length of this column would never be published in a newspaper unless I owned it.
So USBC, let membership choose what's best for them - not what you think it is.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
More Bowling on TV Starting Tonight
There's more than just the PBA on TV.
The seven-week 2009 Teen Masters series begins tonight on VERSUS beginning at 5:30 ET, 4:30 CT.
Ironically, yours truly several years ago recommended to the PBA that they should pursue VERSUS to television tournaments if they wanted prime time exposure that they can't get on ESPN.
VERSUS would be a great home for PBA Senior Tour telecasts. Yes, I can dream and it's alright to do so.
And for the Bowler's Journal - the note on your website, "In a first for bowling, the seven 30-minute programs will air in HD" is incorrected. The PBA telecasts are always televised in HD.
The seven-week 2009 Teen Masters series begins tonight on VERSUS beginning at 5:30 ET, 4:30 CT.
Ironically, yours truly several years ago recommended to the PBA that they should pursue VERSUS to television tournaments if they wanted prime time exposure that they can't get on ESPN.
VERSUS would be a great home for PBA Senior Tour telecasts. Yes, I can dream and it's alright to do so.
And for the Bowler's Journal - the note on your website, "In a first for bowling, the seven 30-minute programs will air in HD" is incorrected. The PBA telecasts are always televised in HD.
PBA/Sport 300 Update
Well, BOWLING HOOD knows people actually read articles.
Since our Andy Cline story, we've learned Mike Mayo and Brian Burkhardt each have PBA/Sport 300's along with the ones shot by Cline and Jerry Anderson.
I hope this is the complete list. Time to move on.
Since our Andy Cline story, we've learned Mike Mayo and Brian Burkhardt each have PBA/Sport 300's along with the ones shot by Cline and Jerry Anderson.
I hope this is the complete list. Time to move on.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Andy Cline Shoots 1st St. Louis USBC PBA/Sport League 300
It's a special accomplishment and award that comes with it - Andy Cline on November 11 became the first to bowl a 300 game in a Sport/PBA Experience league in the St. Louis USBC Association.Accoring to Jim Mooney, St. Louis USBC President, Cline did it in the Wednesday PBA Experience league at Brunswick Zone Chesterfield. BOWLING HOOD is attempting to find out what pattern was used that night.
While it's the first on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River, there was another Sport 300 bowled a few years ago at Redbird Lanes, when it was known called Knittigs Bowl.
Andy will receive a USBC Crystal Pin for the accomplishment. And a thank you to Brunswick Zone for conducting the league during the fall/winter, the only one known bowled in the area this time of year.
They conduct two short league schedules - the next one starts Jan. 6th (league meeting the night before at 6 p.m.). It is a challenge - you should bowl it - and you'll find yourself being a lot better on easier conditions.
UPDATE: Craig Matthews of The Bowling News tips us that it was Jerry Anderson who shot the sport 300 at Knittig's.
And there was a 3rd sport 300 - shot by Dwayne Stiegemeier in the PBA Experience league at St. Charles Lanes in 2007.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
PBA Tournament Cancelled
The Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour’s scheduled tournament in Medford, Ore., Jan. 4-10, has become a casualty of the national economic slump.
“The Professional Bowlers Association regrets to announce Lava Lanes in Medford will be unable to host the Don and Paula Carter Mixed Doubles event in 2010,” said PBA Commissioner and CEO Fred Schreyer. “It’s an unavoidable situation, and it’s too late in the planning process to find a host to replace Medford.”
Schreyer said the Don and Paula Carter Mixed Doubles will be moved to Brunswick Zone-Wheat Ridge in Wheat Ridge, Colo., Feb. 15-21, where it will replace the previously-announced Gemini Championship.
The cancellation also will mean a minor re-scheduling of the PBA Tour’s 2009-10 ESPN television schedule. The tape-delayed finals of the Pepsi Red, White and Blue Open presented by the United States Bowling Congress will be moved from Jan. 3 to Medford’s Jan. 10 date. Schreyer said a decision on the Jan. 3 air date will be made after discussions with ESPN.
REPOST: Tom Shucart St. Louis Hall of Fame speech
I'm reposting this after a break in the code which prevented many from seeing it.
Tom Shucart, Hall of Fame: Congratulations to Tom Shucart, manager at Hazelwood Bowl, for being inducted into the St. Louis USBC Hall of Fame. The induction was last Sunday at the annual dinner held at the Viking Restaurant.
Tom Shucart, Hall of Fame: Congratulations to Tom Shucart, manager at Hazelwood Bowl, for being inducted into the St. Louis USBC Hall of Fame. The induction was last Sunday at the annual dinner held at the Viking Restaurant.
Monday, November 16, 2009
SIMON SEZ: The Numbers Are In
BOWLING HOOD has always been fascinated by numbers, especially the ones reported about the number of people who bowl and how many do it in an organized league.
Dale Bohn, the association's executive director, reported at Saturday's membership meeting the total number in St. Louis (on the Missouri side of the river not counting St. Charles County and Jeffco) is a little over 11,000.
But about 1,300 of them are first time bowlers. BOWLING HOOD isn't a math expert, but newcomers account for a little more than 10 percent. That's pretty impressive.
BOWLING HOOD doesn't believe St. Louis will ever be the "mecca of bowling" as it was in the 1950's through the mid-80's. The market region's growth is slower than other areas. In 1970, St. Louis was the 10th biggest television market (measured by number of homes) by Nielsen.
40 years later, St. Louis is ranked 20th. Memo to bowling leaders in the region - grow from what you have - and forget comparing ourselves to other cities.
READ UP SUPER SHOOTERS: Plans are being made for a St. Louis USBC sanctioned scratch singles tournament next summer. Preliminary details are to have four qualifying rounds in the area at different centers. Bowlers could enter any of the four qualifying tournaments for cash prizes or be content to bowl just one if they qualify for the finals.
It's a great idea - there are several events for medium-average bowlers, it's ok to address the high end of the game.
ST. LOUIS CLOUT AT USBC: Yes, USBC President Jeff Boje's roots are here in the 'Loo. But did you know that the USBC board - the national USBC, not the St. Louis USBC - has two members with strong roots here.
Well, there's good news - Dan is going back to work and in the automotive field. He goes to GM's plant in Kansas City, Kansas and starts work Tuesday.
One reason I looked forward to tournaments was because Dan was there. Truly one of the nicest guys in the game.
Dan - having worked and bowled in KC, you will like it a lot. They have some pretty good talent and leagues close to where you live and work. Check in with us from time to time to let us know how you are doing - and I'll catch up with you on my next trip there.
SMALL WORLD DEPARTMENT: Another casualty of the automotive recession was Reuther Jeep in Creve Coeur. Chysler yanked it's franchise this summer and didn't make BOWLING HOOD very happy (the owners aren't Democrats so we know why the government punished them).
But they are still in business, doing repair, maintenance and pre-owned vehicle sales. I needed some work done on my car, go to the cashier, and lo and behold, I see Kim Richter. We bowl the St. Charles Trio Scratch league on Mondays.
For my money, she's easily one of the best 10 female bowlers in the region - and truthfully, I think she's one of the five best, period.
I like seeing bowlers away from centers and leagues doing normal everyday stuff. I think we need to let businesses who employ bowlers that we are a good market and can be their customer if they show a more active interest in us.
St. Louis USBC Men's 2009 Awards: Two speeches in this video for men's top honors - Don Griffin, bowler of the year, and Ron Krippelcz, high average for the year.
2009 USBC YOUTH AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENTS: There's a ton of 'em. You can check 'em out at http://www.stlbowl.info/. BTW, I do know there is a 9-pin no tap scheduled Thanksgiving Eve at Olivette Lanes that's under the radar. $30, starts at 7 p.m.
And Jim Bulinski continues his holiday tradition with the handicap doubles Turkey Day, 9 a.m., at Shrewsbury Lanes. I'll be bowling that - if I can get off work that day. Yes, no rest here for the weary.
TROY MORTON, LONG DISTANCE AWARD WINNER: Troy was a casualty of the recession - was laid off, but did find a new job - in Springfield, Illinois. Here's the endurance test - Tuesday, drive to work (from St. Louis) - then bowl the Tuesday Trio Scratch at Laketown Lanes. Wednesday, from work back to St. Louis, 1:45 drive to bowl the Wednesday night league at Hazelwood Bowl.
Do they have frequent driver miles available?
In the St. Louis USBC Association, the current number is an interesting story.
But about 1,300 of them are first time bowlers. BOWLING HOOD isn't a math expert, but newcomers account for a little more than 10 percent. That's pretty impressive.
BOWLING HOOD doesn't believe St. Louis will ever be the "mecca of bowling" as it was in the 1950's through the mid-80's. The market region's growth is slower than other areas. In 1970, St. Louis was the 10th biggest television market (measured by number of homes) by Nielsen.
40 years later, St. Louis is ranked 20th. Memo to bowling leaders in the region - grow from what you have - and forget comparing ourselves to other cities.
READ UP SUPER SHOOTERS: Plans are being made for a St. Louis USBC sanctioned scratch singles tournament next summer. Preliminary details are to have four qualifying rounds in the area at different centers. Bowlers could enter any of the four qualifying tournaments for cash prizes or be content to bowl just one if they qualify for the finals.
It's a great idea - there are several events for medium-average bowlers, it's ok to address the high end of the game.
ST. LOUIS CLOUT AT USBC: Yes, USBC President Jeff Boje's roots are here in the 'Loo. But did you know that the USBC board - the national USBC, not the St. Louis USBC - has two members with strong roots here.
Steve Moehrle (above) can count the coins. Dr. Steve is a professor of accounting at UMSL. Yep, a full PhD. Can't get any smarter than that.
Nope, Tom Bluth gets the education hardware award. Tom is a Juris Doctor (lawyer to you and me) and a CPA. Yes, Tom's proud daddy is Our Town's Hall of Famer Ray Bluth. Tom now lives and works in the Tampa area.
I knew I should have paid closer attention to what was being taught when I was in high school and college. That's why I always read and listen to the Really Smart Guys. They know more. For a reason.
WE'LL MISS YOU DAN SHIELDS: Unfortunately, Dan was a casualty of the automotive manufacturing disaster (are you driving something not made in the U.S.? Tsk tsk). That' s why we hadn't been seeing him as much lately at local tournments.
One reason I looked forward to tournaments was because Dan was there. Truly one of the nicest guys in the game.
Dan - having worked and bowled in KC, you will like it a lot. They have some pretty good talent and leagues close to where you live and work. Check in with us from time to time to let us know how you are doing - and I'll catch up with you on my next trip there.
SMALL WORLD DEPARTMENT: Another casualty of the automotive recession was Reuther Jeep in Creve Coeur. Chysler yanked it's franchise this summer and didn't make BOWLING HOOD very happy (the owners aren't Democrats so we know why the government punished them).
But they are still in business, doing repair, maintenance and pre-owned vehicle sales. I needed some work done on my car, go to the cashier, and lo and behold, I see Kim Richter. We bowl the St. Charles Trio Scratch league on Mondays.
For my money, she's easily one of the best 10 female bowlers in the region - and truthfully, I think she's one of the five best, period.
I like seeing bowlers away from centers and leagues doing normal everyday stuff. I think we need to let businesses who employ bowlers that we are a good market and can be their customer if they show a more active interest in us.
St. Louis USBC Men's 2009 Awards: Two speeches in this video for men's top honors - Don Griffin, bowler of the year, and Ron Krippelcz, high average for the year.
2009 USBC YOUTH AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENTS: There's a ton of 'em. You can check 'em out at http://www.stlbowl.info/. BTW, I do know there is a 9-pin no tap scheduled Thanksgiving Eve at Olivette Lanes that's under the radar. $30, starts at 7 p.m.
And Jim Bulinski continues his holiday tradition with the handicap doubles Turkey Day, 9 a.m., at Shrewsbury Lanes. I'll be bowling that - if I can get off work that day. Yes, no rest here for the weary.
TROY MORTON, LONG DISTANCE AWARD WINNER: Troy was a casualty of the recession - was laid off, but did find a new job - in Springfield, Illinois. Here's the endurance test - Tuesday, drive to work (from St. Louis) - then bowl the Tuesday Trio Scratch at Laketown Lanes. Wednesday, from work back to St. Louis, 1:45 drive to bowl the Wednesday night league at Hazelwood Bowl.
Do they have frequent driver miles available?
Friday, November 13, 2009
St. Louis Bowling Hall of Famer Gene Dodel Obituary
Gene Dodel, owner of Gene-Del printing, elected to the St. Louis USBC Hall of Fame in 1984 died Monday, with funeral services scheduled today.
The St. Louis Post Dispatch today publishes Gene's obituary.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
REMINDER: St. Louis USBC Meeting Saturday
Just a reminder that the St. Louis USBC meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at Tropicana Lanes beginning at 1 p.m.
Delegates to the national convention will be selected plus one amendment will be voted:
Article VI: Officers
Section B: Election
The members and Youth Representatives determine the election process. (Select one.)
1. Officers are elected by a majority vote of the Board of Directors from among the current directors unless state laws mandate otherwise; or
2. Officers are elected by a majority vote of the adult members, youth representatives and officers and directors, present and voting from:
a. A slate
b. Nominations from the floor
Qualifications must be submitted in a format specified by the Board.
Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.
PROPOSAL…
Must vote for one method or other.
Method #2 is recommended by the St Louis USBC Board of Directors.
NO need to RSVP for the meeting - just show up and participate!
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