Scott
You of all people should know that ECCC is not about huge scores or strings of strikes. Sure they might add more interest to the game(s) but at the end of the day it is who is in front after the 16 games of competition that matters to most. Along with the fact that you and your fellow competitiors gave it your all and then shook hands and had a beer / soft drink together at the end of the day.
You might not have been around then but I remember when the ECCC was predominantly bowled on wooden lanes; the scores bowled could not be found in the telephone book; however, there was more atmosphere in the bowling centres then than has been evident in the most recent ECCC where the scores have been beyond the ridiculous. The main reason was that it made the event competitive and thus exciting for all. Sure 300 games might raise interest but again that's just one game out of 16.
Yes we all want to enjoy ourselves at ECCC as after all most of us are on holidays but we also need to be true to the original theme of the event as it was formed to provide bowlers in the then breakaway bowling organisations an alternate to the Nationals (Junior / Adult) and of course Rachuig / President Shield.
The first two years the Adults and Junior events were held seperately (NSW, VIC), however the ECCC we know and love now came into being in 1981 when both the Adults and Juniors bowled at the same venue for the first time (QLD, NSW, VIC).
Little did they know that they would that year create what most of us consider as easily the best bowling event in the country. Now on a social level any one who has bowled in it would agree whole heartedly it is #1 but of course it may not be rated the #1 event in the country by scratch bowlers as far as bowling prowess goes, and that is fair enough. It was never intended to compete or replace Rachuig which is rightfully considered the ultimate team event for scratch bowlers in this country. It is however still there to provide bowlers aspiring to test themselves against there interstate peers, a means to do so. Going back through the list of ECCC participants over the years you will find a lot of Australian representative bowlers had developed some of their skills from bowling in this event.
Now sure the lack of numbers trialling this year is a concern but so is the feedback from those who want to have the status quo (blocked conditions) retained. I for one having been involved in this event for over 20 years see this as one way to restore a bit of the prestige this event seems to have lost in recent years. Now I'm not saying that has all come from the blocked conditions that have seen scores go through the roof in recent cups, but I do see it as a major contributor to why the numbers have dropped away.
In the end the verdict will come at Sunshine in late September when the event takes place. Hopefully the event will be extremely competitive and exciting and deserving of its status as the #1 tournament to bowl in for all bowlers in this country not just east coast dwelling ones.