The United States Bowling Congress released a new research report on string pinsetters and the USBC Equipment Specifications Committee has approved final specifications based on the research. USBC will certify string pinsetters and string pin bowling as an independent category of equipment and competition effective August 1, 2023. The final specifications reduce the string length to a minimum of 54 inches.
By: Dave Schroeder
Under those final specifications, key findings of this 2023 report include:
- USBC’s lab data indicates strike percentage on string pin bowling will be 7.1% less than when using free-fall pinsetters.
- This could result in average differences as large as 10 pins or more.
- Unusual spare conversion rates have been nearly eliminated.
- Additional testing is needed to determine if a conversion between string pinsetter competition and free-fall is reasonable.
This 2023 report follows up on previous USBC string pinsetter research that began in 2020. Results from an initial study were published in December of 2020 and another research report on the subject was made public in September of 2021.
In the 2021 report, USBC released the results of its initial phase of research on string pinsetters along with preliminary specifications that were developed to help promote similarity between the performance of the different pin setters and more closely align with free-fall performance.
Based on the results from the latest round of research, USBC has outlined the following next steps regarding string pinsetters:
- USBC will certify string pinsetters and string pin bowling as an independent category of equipment and competition separate from free-fall machines effective August 1, 2023, for the 2023-2024 season.
- USBC will conduct additional testing with an objective of determining whether string averages can be used the same as free fall or whether a conversion can be created.
- USBC will provide an update on the additional testing and potential for conversion in advance of the 2024-2025 season.
USBC has published a new study and will certify string pinsetters and string pin bowling as an independent category of equipment and competition, separate from free-fall machines effective August 1, 2023, for the 2023/2024 season.
During the summer of 2020, the United States Bowling Congress Equipment Specifications and Certifications team began a comprehensive research study on string pinsetters, specifically looking at the scoring and pinfall variables between non-approved string pinsetters and USBC-certified free-fall pinsetters.
All aspects of the pin area, including pinsetters, pins, pin deck and pit area, play a critical role in scoring.
In the United States, the overwhelming number of USBC-certified leagues and tournaments use average-based divisions or handicap systems. Therefore, equipment that impacts scoring variables must be standardized from center to center in order to compare certified averages for competition.
USBC will conduct additional bowler tests in 2023 with the objective of determining whether string averages can be used the same as free fall or whether a conversion can be created. As with all of our research, USBC intends to publish the data and share the analysis for the benefit of bowling. Ongoing research will continue in this area, along with key industry stakeholder communication.
APRIL 2023 UPDATE
Click HERE to read USBC’s most recent research report on string pinsetters released at the USBC Annual Convention, April 2023.
Click HERE to read USBC’s Frequently Asked Questions regarding string pinsetters.
Click HERE to download a copy of USBC’s string pinsetter update.
Click HERE to read the full story about USBC certifying string pinsetters.
