But the single batting bonus point is probably worse.
Otago is averaging only 166.5 in its first innings this summer and has registered just one batting bonus point in four first-class games.
That is just horrific. Batting bonus points are not even that hard to get.
You earn one when you reach 200. There is another on offer at 250 and 300 and you can pick up a maximum fourth batting bonus point if you reach 350 in your first innings.
But those bonus points have proved elusive for the Volts. The team has notched first innings totals of 108, 190, 162 and 206.
It has been a bit like a drag race up Coronet Peak in a 1968 Fiat Bambina.
And a quick glance at the season averages is all you need to make a snap judgement about the prospects of the Volts clawing their way back up the standings when the tournament resumes in mid February.
Otago is a distant last with four straight losses - all of them heavy defeats.
When you add in the 95-run loss to Canterbury at the of last summer, the Volts have actually lost five consecutive first-class games.
The team strung together five consecutive losses last season, so while much has been made of the high-profile departures during the off-season, the problem is not new. But this year's crew have lowered the bar.
There are two notable exceptions. Hamish Rutherford has been in majestic form and would be averaging considerably more than 41.66 had he grounded his bat the other day.
Fellow opener Cam Hawkins has been a revelation. He made his debut in Alexandra earlier this month and has made two gutsy half centuries.
He is not afraid to leave the ball outside off and bat for time - just what this team needs.
The rest should look away while we skim through the performances this season.
Shawn Hicks had a promising first season for Otago but is labouring in his second year. He was sent away to work on his defence against the bumper and must be on the short list for a rest again.
Josh Finnie showed his attacking skills in the one-day campaign. But with an average of 15 and just two scores greater than 10 in eight innings, his continued presence in the side may be up for debate.
Josh Tasman-Jones is another under the spotlight. He is averaging 13.50 and has a high score of 32.
Veteran opener Brad Wilson scored his maiden one-day century but his best score against the red ball is 12.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mitch Renwick is not producing runs in any great volume either.
While the batting has been the major issue, the bowlers will need to lift their game as well.
Jacob Duffy (seven at 49.57), Nathan Smith (nine at 33.33) and Matt Bacon (nine at 32.66) collectively have not had the impact they would have like.
Spinner Mark Craig has been sidelined with a back complaint and Michael Rippon has bowled more than 350 deliveries for just two wickets in his absence.
Historically, though, Otago has struggled in the format.
The 1950s were decent - good old Bert Sutcliffe saw to that.
The province nabbed three titles during that decade and the 1970s were even better. Otago won five first-class titles with players like Glenn Turner, Warren Lees, Murray Webb, Stephen Boock, the Alabaster brothers Gren and Jack and the Blair brothers Wayne and Bruce all helping make the team the best in the land.
They were part of a golden generation and some of them stayed around long enough to help Otago win the last of its first-class titles in 1985-86 and 1987-88.
Since then ... nothing. It has been a 30-year barren run which certainly will not come to an end this summer.
