THE STATE OF THE LEAGUE

Coach spoke to Bill Cotter last week and Bill was not feeling optimistic about our league for the upcoming season. As we well know, Diablo Valley Bowl has struggled to fill our league. We were down to five teams in Fall 2012 (Over the Wall I) and with every effort to recruit more bowlers, we brought it up only to eight for Winter 2013. (Over the Wall II).

I sense that Diablo Valley Bowl is also lacking confidence about the ongoing health of Over the Wall. Their 2013-2014 fall/winter schedule shows a new mixed 3s league and a sport doubles league forming on Monday nights. If we're not filling our existing league on Monday, how will we be keep it alive with two other leagues potentially siphoning off bowlers?

I think Bill is probably correct. Over the Wall appears doomed. With few bowlers turning out for Monday night bowling, it will be easier for Diablo to fill leagues with two or three bowlers per team than a league with four. Assuming Over the Wall is kaput, we have to consider our options. I can see a few:

1) Join the mixed 3s league with one of us rotating out of the lineup each week.
2) Form two teams in the PBA Experience doubles league.
3) Bowl at Diablo on a different night.
4) Bowl on Mondays at a different bowling center.

I checked the league schedule at Paddock Bowl and they have a league for mixed 3s and one for mixed 5s. That doesn't help us much.

Are we so desparate that we would consider returning to Pinole Valley Lanes?

Clayton Valley Bowl isn't a convenient place to reach on a weeknight so I doubt that's a good option.

Sharon is bowling at Stars on Wednesday nights. I'm bowling at Albany on Tuesday nights and Castro Village on Friday nights. If we don't bowl on Monday, that leaves us with Thursday. Diablo Valley Bowl has a mixed 5s league on Thursdays. Would we be willing to bowl in a mixed 5s league? The bowling takes longer but the prize funds are bigger. If that's acceptable, we can consider adding a bowler and bowling on Thursday nights.

Any thoughts?