MANY OF US CONCERNED OVER THE GENERAL STATE OF the game might look to the dawn of this new year as one to rekindle hope. Yes, we hope that this will be the year that the proverbial light will finally be sighted at the end of bowling's tunnel, rather than another oncoming train.

In truth, this hoped for advent is no longer just a coming that would bolster a sorely weakened sport, but, more dramatically, its not too distant arrival could be the last opportunity for bowling to continue to exist as a sport.

Yes, the situation is that dark.

In this regard, there are those who -- though never having been directly involved with the operation of a bowling center -- strongly voice their empiric yet misguided doctrines. In doing so, they perpetuate folly and deception under a guise of absolved theory, progressive innovation and "keen" business acumen. They may believe what they're saying, but in reality, they are inadvertently discrediting the sport's credibility, and thereby helping to stifle its resurgence.

For the most part, these are the pronouncements of the principals of service related industries and their respective representatives who strive to better their self interest, no matter what the cost to the game itself. Such offerings cloud industry perceptions which, in turn, dissipate efforts and the resolve required to deal with the critical needs of the game.

Indeed, reform is crucial. Topping that list of needed changes is the game's level of integrity. Anything else is window dressing.

"Integrity" is one of the most important and oft cited virtue terms used in sports. When used as an analytical expression, virtue refers to the quality of that sport's demonstration. Even more, in his great book, The Sweet Spot of Time, John Jerome wrote (and I paraphrase), "A sport should be played so that it not only provides great satisfaction to the participant, but that it also provides a special pleasure to the spectator."

Yet, even in the light of these assessments, many contrasting conditions often appear. Questions arise: By whose standard, over what conditions, and under what circumstances, is integrity to be judged?

To bring some clarity to the matter, let's address the No. 1 concern with regard to bowling's integrity: lane conditions.

The nature of the lane condition requires that players adjust their technique and skill in order to best accommodate it. Ignoring or failing to resolve the way the oil pattern plays, or simply not having the equipment to do so, inevitably leads to a lackluster performance and disappointment.

Compared to the lacquer era (1943 thru 1961), the ball picks up five times more oil with each roll on today's lane finishes (primarily synthetic).

Tests on urethane and synthetic finishes have determined the following: when two five member teams bowl on a pair of lanes, the lanes "break down" within seven frames to an extent that 65 percent more lane friction is realized. As more balls are continually rolled, the lane's friction level accelerates at an even faster pace. In turn, the coefficient of friction level reaches a dramatic level, and scores soar as the skill level factor declines proportionate to the progressive erosion of the lane dressing (oil).

Understand that proprietors initially converted to limited dressing procedures not because of choice, but because of necessity. They quickly learned that oiling these lowtextured lane finishes too far created havoc... too much oil was carried off the lane into the pits, thus malfunctioning the pinsetting machines. Some proprietors resorted to spraying the last 20 feet of the lane with soap detergent, so as to eat up the excessive flow of oil. Today, this practice has been standardized, and is accomplished by using various solvents and machines in a process now referred to as "stripping" the lanes.

In my opinion, stripping the lanes has contributed more to the current high score phenomenon than any other lane conditioning practice. For many years it was, "Oil down to the head pin." We laughed at anything less.

Much has been said about "exotic" bowling balls and their influence on high scoring. Well, it's true that, with the advent of the two piece ball, the dynamic imbalance of your equipment can play a key role in optimizing your ball roll. But if you oil the full length of the lane, this advantage is all but negated. This is why I strongly favor the USBC's Sport Bowling program.

Finally, I believe the USBC should enact stricter rules concerning the feasibility and characteristics of lane finishes. For example, does it make any sense to limit the coefficient of friction by regulating the surface characteristics of the bowling ball without requiring the lane's surface (finish) to meet the same standard?

Every problem can be solved. But until technology can provide us with a lane surface that does not require the lanes to be oiled, what bowling sorely needs is a highly-textured lane finish. That surface porosity would be one that "holds oil," or does not allow the lane oil to migrate freely on the lane.

When that happens, there really will be light at the end of the tunnel.