To Fine or Not To Fine...

[Lance Rasmussen]

There always seems to be a problem with a team or bowler. They use foul language loudly and profusely. Or they kick the ball returns all the time. You always have to find them in the bar when its time to bowl. They show up 5 minutes late.... regardles......

What do you do with your leagues with these or similar problems? Many leagues have resorted to using a system of fines for bowlers or teams. Is that the best choice of handling this?

What has worked? What hasn't?

[Leslie Kidwell]

I think fines are stupid.... They just peave the bowlers off so they quit.

[Tom Kelly]

We had just one indvidual who was a kick the ball return/cursing/no-show when-up type person. It really was upsetting to all memenbers especially the bowler who was in the middle of their delivery when the ball return was moved via a kick. To solve the problem , at a team captains meeting an emergency rule was put in that stated " Any team member who knowling interfeers with another bowlers delivery will be issued a warning which describes the incident, second incident (Of same Nature) the bowler will be removed from the team roster. Our kicking/cursing bowler lasted 3 weeks and was removed for the remained of the season, came back next season and we have not had a problem since.

[Linda Crane]

Within the last few years in the center that I worked which is in New York, we have had this problem numerous times. We have had discussions with the officers of the leagues. They have put in there bylaws that any kicking of any of the equipment of the center will not be tolerated. We had an incident just this past season with a bowling that kicked and broke the ball hood of the ball return the bowler laughed in all of our faces. Since we have had many damages in the center, and the equipment is not cheap. Our new theory is we now charge the league with the amount it cost to fix the property. The league officers were not happy but they did agree with what happened they couldn't stop the bowler. So they did pay for the hood.

Most of our leagues now put in there rules and also discuss at the league meetings that vandalism will not be tolerated.

[TJ Roidl]

We simply inform the bowler that this action will not be tolerated. A formal warning is given and if it happens a second time we inform the owner / manager to notify the local PD that a business property is being damaged. At the previous center (no longer in existance) the Owner (and I mean OWNER) escorted the individual out of the building. We were actually surprized that the individual got a foot down to the ground occasionally. We rarely have to warn someone nowadays. As for the loud and rude bowlers, we point out that the league has the power to remove bowlers from a league for "conduct derogatory to the best interest of the league" or " Any deliberate action which can be proven to be detrimental to the best interest of the team" Rule 115a(1)

[Frank Goebel]

We have a hierarchical rule, which calls for a warning first, then fines of $5 and $10, but in the time I've been secretary, not even a warning has been used. Though, I'm certain the president has spoken to one or two people, giving a verbal warning, that a board meeting would be called (which would be what would invoke the warning in the by-laws).

I keep the by-laws posted next to the standings sheets. At the beginning of the season, I make every page visible.