I have a bowler in our league that intentionally pops his thumbhole or claps when another bowler delivers his ball. Not only is this poor sportsmanship, but also there must be a rule out there enforcing the fact that these intentional distractions are prohibited. By the way, I am the bowler this person is intentionally distracting and I am also the league secretary. I warned him last week to stop the intentional distractions, but are there any rules in place that would help me enforce my stance if he continues?
Thanks much!
Okay, he only does this to you? If so, he apparently has a problem with you (and I hope that you do not retaliate in any way ). You should have asked the President to request (not warn) that he stop,but that ship has sailed.
Rule 17b would (in my opinion) be a stretch.
You should probably just suck it up, ignore him and bowl well.
Thanks for the quick response cicada49. The bowler has done it to other bowlers as well. The funny thing is that hardly anything distracts me when I bowl and it was only when other bowlers in the league pointed out that this bowler was doing this to me was when I began noticing it. I have ignored his tactics for the past two or three months and figured he would give up doing it but he hasn't. Rather childish I think.
Also, you are definately right that I should have had the league president address this with him - especially since I am the target of that bowlers antics.
Thanks again.
cicada49: Okay, he only does this to you? If so, he apparently has a problem with you (and I hope that you do not retaliate in any way ). You should have asked the President to request (not warn) that he stop,but that ship has sailed. Rule 17b would (in my opinion) be a stretch. You should probably just suck it up, ignore him and bowl well.
Cicada hits it... this rule would cover it with the first statement:
17B. Improper Conduct - An Individual can also be chargee with the following violation(s):
1. Engaging in inproper tactics or conduct in connection with the game of bowling including, but not limited to, physical and verbal abuse toward other persons.
This hits it... he's conducting himself in an improper way to gain an edge. It must be documented each time he does it, and you should submit it to the president, EACH TIME HE DOES IT...for the record. Then, with this information, you can bring that bowler up on charges of unfair tatics due to improper conduct. If you explain to this person that is what you will be doing, this might discourage him from continuing. For one thing this will do is that you have warned him and the other you ist that you are starting the documentation procedures for the many times he does it.
On soapbox for a minute: For me, I would wait until he's on his delivery, then drop my ball on the deck, and then go OOPS!!!...Sorry, but that would get the message across also... But, I would warn others around you, like the pairs next to you that you intend to do this... (somewhat joking here as it is retaliation and you should not do it...) Off soapbox here...back on track.
Unfortunately, he's gotten into your mind. If he goes first, the thumb popping stops as his ball has not returned yet, but it does not stop the clapping. But, if he's doing it to others, the president should be stepping in and with the documented instances, your point would be made.
Jeffro: I have a bowler in our league that intentionally pops his thumbhole or claps when another bowler delivers his ball. Not only is this poor sportsmanship, but also there must be a rule out there enforcing the fact that these intentional distractions are prohibited. By the way, I am the bowler this person is intentionally distracting and I am also the league secretary. I warned him last week to stop the intentional distractions, but are there any rules in place that would help me enforce my stance if he continues? Thanks much!
i know i say this all the time, but it's true: sometimes, people suck.
the best retaliation is to bowl well. it's tough when someone has gotten into your head. one of the easiest ways for me to avoid distractions such as those is to use my mp3 player when i'm on the approach if the league has no rule against it. i know that not everyone has an mp3 player, but lots of people do. i bowl in the same league as my ex-boyfriend and his fiance (they are on different teams, and neither is on my team). at one point, they had kinda teamed up against me--she would give a whistle right when i released my ball under the guise of "cheering for a teammate," and he just makes a lot of noise all the time. apparently, she thought i wanted him back or something? (the best part about this that we're all adults--they're both in their 30s and i'm in my mid-20s...go figure) because of the league schedule and the number of teams we have in that league, we were stuck next to the fiance's team every single week of that half-season league. good times.
getting the President involved isn't a bad idea, either. document, document, document. you might want to consider not inviting him back next year as well, especially if he's doing the same thing to other bowlers.
Jeff, Just idle curiosity on my part....Is the whole team a bunch of a$$ Holes or just the one guy. The president might also be able to talk to the captain (assuming the whole team is not a bunch of jerks). I also like guin's idea of a mp3 player or maybe just ear plugs.
They must really pop their thumb hole loud. Yours must be the quietest bowling alley in the country. I agree it is poor sportsmanship. But you said you didn't notice it till some one else mentioned it. Maybe your rabbit ears are letting him get in your head. Has anyone ever told you that they are sticking on one or the other lane. How about mentioning that the pins are always off spot.
If it really is an on purpose distraction complain to the president.
Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I almost always beat this guy in brackets, so that's probably why he's doing it. I bowl his team tonight so I will post the outcome of events tomorrow. :)
D.M said, "Has anyone ever told you that they are sticking on one or the other lane. How about mentioning that the pins are always off spot." Another good one is asking someone if they inhale or exhale when they release the ball. Works for a frame or two. LOL
I like that "do you inhale or exhale when you release the ball" I will try that.
Follow up....
I bowled against the guy last night. I fired a nice 700 series against him (with no distractions). After bowling we shook hands with no hard feelings.
Good for you
D.M.:I like that "do you inhale or exhale when you release the ball" I will try that.
Another one: "Do you realize what your left (or opposite) hand is doing while you're releasing the ball?"
Jeffro:Follow up.... I bowled against the guy last night. I fired a nice 700 series against him (with no distractions). After bowling we shook hands with no hard feelings.
Dear jeffro:
Congratulations. All's well that ends well. Let's hope that the "distractions" that you brought to light aren't repeated.
