The Spring 2023 season begins Tuesday, January 24. Here's what we know so far about the new season!
As has been the case ever since we moved to St. John's, all of the teams are coming back pretty much intact. Since we have only one rookie and one bowler returning from the BC times (Before Covid), we'll forgo all the usual pre-season instructions and leave it to the teams to fill their new members ion on what they need to know.
Here's the stuff that IS new this season:
- Team 1, temporarily named "Boren To Be Wild" until they tell me what they want to be called, was stunned by the shocking defection of Aaron Barber. Aaron has been replaced with John Boren, who hasn't been seen on our lanes since 2016. Welcome back, John!
- Team 2 - Sun Dolphins welcomes back Clayton Burrow, who unexpectedly had to sit last season out to re-grow one of his legs. They will be rolling as a rotating team of 5.
- Team 3 - Balderdash has no changes.
- Team 4, temporarily named "I Can't Believe It's Not AJ's Fault" until they decide which of the 95 team names they've texted me so far they want to go with, sees James Tott upgraded to full-time status, Emily and Pat becoming subs, and Aaron Barber infiltrating the ranks. It it this team's intention toi be this season's champion.
- Team 5 - Glory Bowl - With Collin Lavery out this season to take a class, newcomer Brian Schaben will be taking his place. As this season's only rookier, he's guaranteed at least one award this season.
- Team 6 - I Thought This Was AA? - Jeromy Harris needed to take a season off, so Nathan Burrows (last seen a year ago) is returning to fill that spot.
THINKING AHEAD: We had to turn away three people this season, and there are others who want to return as well. We should give serious consideration to allowing teams to have up to 5 active positions next Fall.
NEW HAPPENINGS THIS SEASON
- The scoring tablets have been upgraded from tiny, borderline disposable cheap tablets to iPads! Look for larger, easier-to-press buttons and less squinting to see what the screen says.
- Matthew Taylor should easily pass the 150 career 200+ games mark this season.
- Carl Goetz will surpass 1,500 games rolled in this league. He is also still looking for his elusive 10th 700+ series.
- If he doesn't travel too much, Seth Gunderson will move ahead of Ken Wilson in number of total games rolled.
THE TOTAL COST PER BOWLER IS $250 FOR 17 WEEKS OF BOWLING. HOWEVER...
(Since this is the first time we've had a bowler from VMLY&R in a while -- this league is no longer the VML bowling league so there is no longer an employer match.)
- Pay As You Go Plan: If you pay as you go, the cost is $15 per week (whether present or absent) until you reach a grand total of $250 by the end of the season. Please do not fall more than 2 weeks behind if you choose this plan.
- Monthly Plan (saves $20): If you pay at least $60 the first week of bowling, you can pay the reminder at your own pace until you reach a total of $230. If you choose this plan, all we ask is that you pay at least $50 per month until your total reaches $230.
- Prepay Plan (saves $40): If you pay $210 the first week of bowling, you are done for the season and don't need to pay anything else.
