THey have closed their bails manually so often that the reel is useless due to their twisting the bail.The only way to the reel work is manually. A reel you have to close manually is a useless reel.

Many modern spinning reels will not close the bail by cranking the handle.They are designed to be closed manually. I have an old spinning reel from the '60's that can't be closed manually, and a new Pflueger reel that can only be closed manually and I use them both on every trip, as well as my baitcasters. Personally , I prefer to manually close the bail.
Phoenix Arizona

~N.A.F.C.~B.A.S.S.~BoatU.S.~N.R.A.~

How you close the bail on your reel is a personal decision, but how it's closed has no effect on line twist. Two things cause line twist: a lure or bait spinning the line without a swivel or cranking the reel when the fish (or snag) is pulling drag. A spinning reel natually twists the line onto the spool, but in a way that allows it to straighten out comming off the reel. Twist can also be induced by improperly re-spooling a reel. Tom
Fishin' fool in NE Illinois