In an effort to reward and promote its top players—as well as boost fan support—LPBT, which brought to television the "final five survival format" and an umbrella sponsor to its members, now is tossing aside the traditional 18-game qualifier for its 12 top point-getters and will directly seed the dozen into a longer and larger match-play segment.

An LPBT press release received at press time pointed out that amateurs and LPBT rising stars also will benefit from the new format because 20 remaining match-play spots will be available (via a two-day qualifier) without competition from the 12 seeded players, who are expected to arrive in town early to practice, sign autographs, and be available for media interviews.

Prior to the 32 games of match play, there will be a two and one-half hour "Meet the Pros" and practice session. The top five players out of match play will advance to the televised stepladder finals.

The same 12 players will be seeded into every event of the 1996 LPBT winter tour. After the winter tour, the top dozen will be seeded weekly, based on the current Merit Bowling Rankings.

I've had only a few minutes to think about the new format, but I'm anxious to see what happens. The only negative that comes into mind would be that a not-so-hot amateur could now more easily sneak into match play and then explicitly demonstrate that she's no match for the likes of Anne Marie, Tish, Cheryl, and the three Kims. But then again, that individual likely would be local—er—talent, and the presence of such an individual likely would increase the tournament gate, so in some ways even that's a positive.

Anyway, you can bet that if there's any hint of success with this format, PBA will be close behind with its press release.

Bob Cosgrove, editor of BOWL Magazine, is a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America.