Running tapes for honor games

[Ann Cummins]

Can anyone tell me if HDQ has done away with sending in the tapes for a 300 game?

[Kerry Federer]

According to our association secretary the lanes must be inspected (with tapes run after lanes are oiled) within 30 days of an honor score. That is done by an association representative. Then all scores shot within the next 30 days (and shot after the first honor score) are also approved.
Lanes do not have to be inspected after each honor score.
You must still notify the assocation within 48 hrs. of an honor score.

[Marti Murphy]

Although Kerry is correct with that information, more than 50% of the assocaition do not run tapes at all. The old style readers than only went to 20 units are useless nowadays and most association can not afford the $2700 to buy a new computer reader. I know our association stopped running tapes more than 6 years ago. Now, centers that wanted to get into the PBA Experience or sport leagues have to have their own readers on hand to run tapes so they know the shot is compliant before bowling.
I suppose some smaller associations still do it, but it would be a full time job around this area with the number of scores that get shot each year.
Marty Murphy

[Ann Cummins]

Thanks alot for your answers.

[Lance Rasmussen]

I was always under the impression that if your going to be sanctioned, you don't have a choice in that you have to run tapes. Regardless of association size.

I agree that in larger associations where tons of awards are given out, there is more work for the association.... Which is what the sanction dollars go to in paying for the equipment and time to monitor the integrity of the shot.

[Lance Rasmussen]

Here is a clarification from USBC, which is good FYI.

For this current bowling season, August 1, 2006 through July 31, 2007, there is a requirement for tapes to be taken within 30 days of an honor score having been reported bowled. If there is already an inspection on
record 30 days prior to the score then the local association is not required to tape the lanes again until another honor score is reported.
If the 30 day requirement is not met it does not affect issuance of the award for the score bowled. Should an association no have a tape reader, tapes can always be forwarded to Headquarters for reading.
Judy Rauth, Center Inspections Analyst
USBC Specifications and Certification

[Larry Zaideman]

This is from "USBC Bowling Center Inspections Manual" on Bowl.com
Section V page 11
A minimum of one inspection (Lane Dressing Inspection) per season-August 1 through July 31 shall be required at each certified center holding a certified competition.

Inspection within 30 days before or after an honor score.

[Lance Rasmussen]

Thanks Larry,

No matter how much of a "PITA", you still have to pull tapes.... And realistically, no matter if you get 10 honor scores a day in your association, you really only have to pull tapes, essentially around 12 times a year per center. And that IS part of the responsibility of the association, regardless of size.

And since USBC does accept tapes if the association can't afford a reader, there really isn't an excuse.

Now if a center wants to have a SPORTS league... thats a different story, because of the tighter requirements of the league and the shot. Then I would make the center fork over for a tape reader for themselves, or charge the center / league per tape reading.

Feedback I've had from several centers that have been asked about sports leagues, is that they are open to it... But will charge the league extra for linage due to the extra TLC needed for the lane conditions. In a standard league, the center can follow its own stripping schedule and use, with generally no problem, the past condition with new condition over it to create a shot (and in many times, a better one). But with the sports league, generally you have to strip the lane completely and layout a fresh shot. And this adds to the expense of good lane conditioner.

[Marti Murphy]

Thats all fine and well, but I was just stating a fact, as I myself am on the Board of Directors of our association and heard it from the associastion secy that it was discussed at the annual meetings at USBC.(about some associastion not doing tapes) Plus having been at this center as head mechanic for 21 years, I nor any other center here have had tapes done in years. The stupid thing about it now is ALL the centers have their own computer readers in center for sport leagues, so just make us tape the regular shot and send it in to USBC ourselfs !!!
Lance, I totally agree with you on the charging more for sport leagues because of all the BS I have to do before they bowl. Run and read tapes, put into a speadsheet to see if its legel, if not readjust pattern, strip and oil again, pull and read tapes again. First week spend 2 1/2 hours on a shot for 8 lanes. Plus the $2500 we forked over for the reader setup.
Marty Murphy

[Lance Rasmussen]

While it is certainly USBC's issue in terms of compliance with tape readings, I certainly would not want to be the bowler who shoots a 300, 800 or 900 at any center who's association doesn't follow the guidelines for pulling tapes (reading them locally or mailing them in) and have USBC deny the honor score because of it.

[Marti Murphy]

This was posted on bowl.com today
http://www.bowl.com/articleView.aspx?i=13253&f=1

USBC modifies lane dressing inspection requirements


7/9/2007


By Patrick Brettingen
USBC Communications


The United States Bowling Congress has changed its requirements for lane dressing inspections.

Effective Aug. 1, USBC local associations will be required to perform a minimum of one lane dressing inspection per season at each bowling center in their jurisdictions holding USBC-certified competition. Additional inspections will be performed at the discretion of local association officials.

The USBC Equipment Specifications and Certification Committee recently approved eliminating the previous requirement that an inspection is required 30 days prior to or within 30 days of an honor score being rolled in USBC-certified competition.

The committee also approved the elimination of point assessments against bowling centers where lane dressing inspections resulted in noncompliance with the three-unit dressing rule.
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Marty Murphy - Liberty Lanes