HOWLING AT THE MOON

Bowling has evolved into two parallel yet extreme worlds.

They are the same, yet as different as NIGHT and DAY.

Recreational and Competitive

In bowling’s recreational world, owning personal equipment is rare.

Most use a house ball and rental shoes.

In bowling’s competitive world, owning personal equipment is essential.

In fact, an ARSENAL of bowling balls is required to be competitive.

“Today’s player HAS to have three to five times as many balls. Nobody is good enough to get by with just six because the lanes change too fast and too much!”

Mark Baker in a PBA.com article comparing the six – eight balls he used when competing in the PBA Tournament of Champions to the number needed in 2012.

In bowling’s recreational world, lane oil is inconsequential.

Most recreational participants do not know that lane oil can be shaped into patterns.

Or that these patterns have names.

In fact, many recreational participants are unaware that lane oil even exists.

So many recreational-focused centers have stopped oiling lanes to prevent

‘slip & fall’ lawsuits.

But in bowling’s competitive world, lane oil has taken on a life of its own.

There are currently over 50 named oil patterns.

Data suggests the RELENTLESS cycle is endless.

Deeper oil = Increasingly aggressive balls

Increasingly aggressive balls = Deeper oil

Oil volumes on the PBA Tour are up over

SEVEN HUNDRED PERCENTcompared to the 1970’s.

Oil volume at the Masters has increased 20.7% since 2010 to 30.3 mL per lane.

So which world does the MARKET favor?

Long-term trends suggest sooner rather than later…

We will all be bowling in the

We will all be bowling in the

In the 1980’s, COMPETITIVE participants were 75% of the bowling population.

*Those who bowl 13 or more times per year.

Today 80%of the bowling population is

RECREATIONAL

*Those who bowl 12 or fewer times per year.

It is not the growth of recreational bowling that is of

CONCERN

The concern is the

28%decline in the population of

competitive bowlers since 2007.

*White Hutchinson, 2012

Is competitive bowling destined to the same fate as the

DODO SCALE?

To examine and shed light on the cause of this trend, industry experts gathered in June 2009.

Jim Robinson

BudClapsaddle

GordonVadakin

Gary Beck

John Davis

Ed Gallagher

The summit was the genesis of a plan to offer an alternate world by:

Simplifying the modern game

Making bowling easier to teach & learn

Placing an emphasis on bowler technique

Keys to achieving the plan’s goals:

The introduction of non-flaring,non-resin bowling balls

The significant reduction of oil volumes

But the plan quickly came under fire…

“Most kids do not have the skills to bowl well without modern balls.”

“You can’t stop technology!”

“Expecting that game to appeal to a generation of people used to technology?

I don't think so.”

“This isn’t real bowling. It’s crap bowling.”

“You are howling at the moon!”

But we didn’t listen.

Instead, we offered up the new Skill Environment at the 2013 Teen Masters:

Participants were allowed just two balls:

PBA Skill 2.0: Non-flaring plastic

PBA Skill 3.0: Non-flaring urethane

Oil volumes were reduced to 7 mL

On the following slide you will hearwhat the teen participants and others

had to say about the Skill Environment:

Following the event, an online survey of those who competed was conducted.

The survey received a 60% response rate compared with the national average for online surveys of only 30%.

Question: If weekly leagues and/or monthly tournaments were offered near you using the Skill Environment, would you participate?

Definitely Not 2.5%

Not Likely 6.2%

Likely 39.4%

Definitely Would 51.9%

Question: Do you plan to use the PBA Skill balls in non-Teen Masters competition?

Yes 77.8%

No 22.2%

Question: Do you feel competing in the Skill Environment hurts or helps you in regular bowling competition?

Hurts 8.6%

Helps 91.4%

Question: Do you plan to compete in the 2014 Teen Masters National Championships?

No 4.50%

Yes 95.50%

Question: Which do you prefer, the regular playing environment or the Skill Environment?

Regular 27.2%

Skill 72.8%

CONTACT

Gary B. BeckKiller ‘B’ PromotionsPO Box 11Batesville, VA 22924Voice: 434-227-0205Fax: 270-477-2340Email: garyb@killerbpromotions.comWebsite: TeenMastersBowling.com

If you would like to become involved with the new Skill Environment as a bowler or a center, please contact: