Coffeetable Blog

I was watching a movie a while back where one of the characters commented that one of the reasons he doesn't like bowling is because the game puts a limit on your potential. At any given game, you can only get as much as a score of 300 for a perfect game. Now, anyone who has bowled for a time already know that even getting to a 200 once in a while is already a mean feat. But there is indeed some merit to that comment. After all, when you bowled a perfect game, what else is there to aim for? More perfect games? Doesn't sound too appealing to me. Will it make a difference if we compare the number of perfect games bowled? Maybe. But still it doesn't answer the question: what's the highest score you can get?

That is why I find it nice to see that GEICO sponsors a team bowling tournament that introduces a feature into the game: the endless tenth frame. The feature works as follows:

1. To activate the endless tenth frame, you must either strike or spare the 3rd ball on the tenth frame. Which means you must have a strike in the tenth frame. The downside of this is if you got two strikes in your first two throws. You have to make it a punch out! (well, that's unconfirmed, but that's how I am getting it)

2. Once activated, a player can bowl indefinitely for as long as he keeps on getting a strike.

3. Each strike earns 10 points, but has no bonus points added to the previous strikes, since it is still considered part of the tenth frame. So, two strikes count as 20, ten for each throw only.

4. The pinfalls for a non-strike throw is not added to the score. It also signals the end of the endless tenth frame.

I am just wondering when, if ever, the endless tenth frame will be a norm in bowling. It could provide some needed excitement into the game. Although it will mean there will be no "perfect" game anymore, but each game carries the potential of being the highest bowled game. It will also mean more competitiveness, since a match's final outcome can no longer be determined in as early as the eight frame. Of course, it's popularity would also be influenced by the willingness of bowling outfits to adopt to the change. I am one fan of the endless tenth frame! Hope you are too!