Professional Bowlers Association

As you may know, starting this Sunday the 2011 Teen Masters kicks off with live coverage on Xtra Frame throughout the event. With large amounts of scholarship money being awarded at the end of the battle, this event is truly a major one in the world of youth bowling.

Gary Beck spearheads the event through his company KillerB Promotions, and Gary is certainly adding his twist to the event. Along with the help of title sponsor Ebonite, the young men and women competing in the event are all limited to two balls. Not just any two balls of their choice, but everyone will only be allowed to use a Mission 2.0 and a Hardball.

The reason? To level the playing field. To place a greater emphasis on the ability to adapt to the lane conditions in front of them with their ability to manipulate ball reaction with skill and technique, rather than the more common practice of trying to match up with equipment. It is about eliminating the gap between the haves and have nots. What I mean by that is, since EVERYONE will have the same two options to choose from, there will be no excuses that a more privileged player with access to a larger arsenal won for that reason.

Which leaves one to wonder....could the PBA benefit at all from using similar stipulations in their own events?

Sure, we had the Mark Roth Plastic Ball event the last few years. But would it impact the greatest bowlers in the world if they all only had two weapons in their arsenal all year long?

It very well could for some who rely on the knowledge and ability to know when they have a potentially better matchup in their bags. It may not matter at all to some players, because they have a lot of tricks up their sleeve to create the best reaction to suit their game.

It's my opinion that while we may never see all the exempts throwing only one manufacturer's pieces that the tour could implement something similar by limiting the amount of balls each player is allowed to use in a given block of games. We all hear complaints about the necessity to have large arsenals, or more so the advantage some may have over others who don't have unlimited access to comped equipment. Maybe if there is a set limit of four per round, of your own choosing, it would eliminate any perceived advantages or disadvantages.

There's also the chance that it changes nothing, and that the cream will rise to the top like it is meant to. The best are still going to be the best regardless, but personally I would be interested in seeing the best show why they got to where they are....by proving they are just that good and don't need any equipment advantage to be great bowlers.