Bowling Explores Simpler Scoring Systems

(ATR) World Bowling is exploring alternative, "simpler" scoring systems in efforts to engage more spectators and one day gain a spot on the Olympic program.

President and CEO of World Bowling Kevin Dornberger announced the formation of an exploratory group in a statement released on Monday.

Dornberger said the group includes "all-star" bowling leaders, athletes, coaches, media and commercial bowling industry executives from around the world.

"Every aspect of the format and scoring of our events is up for review," Dornberger said.

At the World Championships, for example, Dornberger said the federation uses a "traditional approach" to format and scoring.

"Bowlers and teams bowl traditional 10-frame games with six games of qualifying leading to one-game semifinals and finals," Dornberger explained.

He added that bowling needs a scoring system for "spectator and TVpresentation" that preferably has "more wins and losses than once every twenty minutes without destroying the credibility of the sport."

"Ten-pin bowling is a very traditional sport in which the current scoring rules were promulgated in 1895,"Dornberger toldAround the Rings in a statement. "Participants kept score by hand until the 1970-1980s, so the system was well-understood.

"Now [that] computers do the work, most participants really don’t know. Worse, there is no understanding from the non-bowling public, leading to confusion and uncertainty and ultimately disinterest.

"We need something simpler, leading to quicker conclusions, to keep pace with modern society expectations."

Dornberger hopes the exploratory group will come up with an initial recommendation for the World Bowling Executive Boardby December 1, 2014.The first "opportunity for legislative change" comes in November 2015 at the next World Bowling Congress.

Written byNicole Bennett

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