Can lane patterns nullify urethanes? Experts weigh in on a hot topic

As high-level bowling’s urethane quagmire drags on, the topic du jour seems to have turned from rules to lane patterns. No rules have been enacted that fully address the fact that at least some plain urethanes with time and use — as quickly as within 30 shots — fall below the minimum hardness allowed under the rules. And a rule or rules that would aim to address that seemingly won’t happen any earlier than Aug. 1, the start of the 2023-24 bowling season, if USBC is involv...