How do leagues usually set an average for a new bowler?

[Aslan]

I'm planning on joining my first league in late September and I was wondering how averages are usually calculated. I always thought they were based on a bowler's average from the previous league. But what if this is your first league? And I read somewhere that everyone's average gets calculated based on their first league series.

I'm just curious. And I'm kinda disappointed...because I've been keeping track of my average for like 18 years...just recreational bowling...and it was like 120-121. But since I've gotten my new ball and got some instruction and have been practicing...suddenly I'm rolling 42-54 pins higher. I'm kinda scared that on that first week...where my average gets set...I bowl a personal best 572 series and suddenly I gotta roll in the 190s every week just not to be a detriment to my team.

Thanks!

[e-tank]

first 3 games in league for the leagues ive been in.

[vdubtx]

Leagues I have been in it was the 1st 3 games bowled also for new bowlers. Really the only way to do it.

[Aslan]

So I imagine the teams that get slammed that first week, tend to do quite well in Week 2?? Lots of 1-1 records after week 2 I imagine.

But just so I'm clear...and I know this is a total newb question...but the average does go up and down throughout the season right? I mean, if I bowl a 740 series week 1...the a 440 series week 2...my average going into week 3 is 197 not 247 right? Granted...I might choose the 740 just to say I did it...but man thats gonna suck for the rest of the season to live up to the absolute best series of your life.

For bowlers that have played there in the recent past, wouldn't it be more accurate to use their average from the previous season as their starting average?

[vdubtx]

For new bowlers yes average will vary week to week. Depends for bowlers that have bowled prior. Typically they will use what is called as a "book" average for the first 9 games and then the average will calculate after each week of bowling.

[Aslan]

I shoulda joined a league a month ago when my average was 120. Ooops.

[GoodGravy]

Another way to look at it....

You're established league average is the total pin count of all your games divided by the total number of games. That is why you will see a wide swing in averages for the first few weeks since your numerator and denominator are close in numeric value so there is a much higher relationship ratio. Once your pin count is significantly higher than your number of games, that relationship becomes much less pronounced.

Basically that is why towards the end of the season it is very difficult to change your average either up or down by more than a pin or 2. Here comes the exciting part...then math examples!!

First 3 games of your league you bowl a total of 300 (first game nerves). Your new average is 100. Next week you figure it out and bowl 450 total series for a game day average of 150. However, your league average is now 125. Total pin fall is 750 divided by total games 6.

Now, run this out to week 30. For the sake of simplicity, lets say that you continued to bowl 150 each game up through week 30. Total pin fall would be somewhere around 13,350 (all games including your first series). Your season average would be 148.3 (don't forget your first series was 300). Now you step up again in week 31 and get a 600 series for a one series average of 200. Your new total average only moves to ( 13,950 series divided by 93 total games) is now 150. So yes, bowling a monster series will move up your average, but only by less than 2 pins due to the significant difference between your numerator and denominator and vise versa if you bowl a really bad series. Don't blame me, blame math!!

So the bottom line, don't worry about your starting average, just show up, have fun and bowl your butt off every week. The averages will take care of themselves!

[Aslan]

Thats what I mean. If I average 120 the first week. Then the next week and beyond average a 150...I got a decent chance of helping the team in Week 2, Week 3, week 4....hopefully beyond that.

But if I start out with a 175 average....then bowl a 150 every week...I'm a detriment to the team those first 1-4 weeks....and less detrimental as the season progresses. But if 525 is my best series of the season and I bowl it week 1....then bummer.

STILL FUN THOUGH!! I'm not trying to launch a PBA career...I'm just glad I can finally bowl well enough that I don't embarass myself. It was getting old going to cosmic bowling and scoring a 304 series while the high school kids next to me are just whipping 6 lb plastic balls down the alley with their eyes closed and scoring better than me...despite me trying and them just displaying general jackassery.

[Hampe]

Don't worry about it dude. Like the others said, just go play, have fun, and let the chips fall where they may. If you get a 525 the first week.....so what, you probably helped your team win that week. And if it makes it a little harder to win the next few weeks....so what! You can't win 'em all . Just be a good teammate and have fun....that's the most important thing you can do.

[J Anderson]

My summer league used a system I hadn't seen before. I'm used to just taking the new guys average at the end of the first night and using that.
This league uses 185 for the first 3 weeks for a new male bowler, 165 for a new female bowler, while they establish an average.