Competition
Competition, by nature, is exciting and intriguing. The more teams that battle for a championship, the more interest is created throughout a league. To spark competition, leagues may try several formats:
Handicap league – Competition where standings are based on actual scores with handicap.
Scratch league – Competition where standings are based on actual scores with no handicap
Average cap league – Establish a team average cap based on the previous season team averages.
Split schedule – Divide the schedule into two, three or four sections and crown a champion in each. At the season’s end, have a roll-off to determine the overall league champion.
Match point – Handicap each person individually in the lineup. Each competes against the player opposite them in the opponent’s lineup. Award points for wins on an individual and team basis.
Alternative formats – These formats can make any league both more competitive and more fun. (See page 39 for more information.)
Board of Directors
The board of directors, the governing body of a league, is comprised of officers and team captains. The board makes decisions on all league matters, including adoption of league rules and prize fund and election of officers, unless the league’s rules provide for the members to be involved.
For Youth leagues, the league shall be under the supervision of an adult league supervisor/official who shall operate the youth league in cooperation with the bowling center management and a league board of directors, if applicable. (See Rule 103a)
Each USBC Youth league where a majority of membership is made up of youth 14 years or older is required to elect a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer from the members of the league. Each team is responsible to elect its own team captain. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined.
High school conference leagues are not required to elect a board of directors. (See Rule 103a)
The following also apply to this governing body:
« Team captains may designate a team member to act as Team Representative at board meetings.
« Each board member is entitled to only one vote, whether a team captain, officer or both.
« President also is entitled to vote on all issues before the board.
« A quorum is a majority of the board for business transactions unless league rules state otherwise.
League Application
The league application must be submitted within 30 days from the start of the league. Be sure to include all requested information on the league certification application so membership credentials are issued without delay. Call the local association if you need assistance.
Award Presentations
League secretaries typically make all award presentations. In Youth leagues, awards may be presented by the league supervisor/official. In some associations, an association officer, awards committee member or lane representative visits the league to make the presentations.
Award presentations should take place before the entire league and as soon as possible after the feat is accomplished and the award is available. A long delay, such as waiting for the league’s season-ending banquet, can reduce bowlers’ excitement about earning awards and their appreciation of their membership benefits.
Parental Consent Forms
Unmarried grade school and high school students under the age of 18 must have the written consent of a parent or guardian to compete in any USBC adult league where merchandise valued over $500, or any cash and/or bonds are offered.
Their participation, even pacing, in these situations may jeopardize their eligibility for USBC Youth membership and could affect their eligibility to compete on school sports teams.
The form must be on file with the league secretary at least one week before participation, unless a parent or guardian accompanies the student on their first league session. In that case, the consent form may be filed prior to the start of bowling.
Youth may bowl in singles competitions (including side competitions/brackets) offering cash, bonds or merchandise exceeding $500 in value, provided, prior to bowling:
1. The competition agrees to award the youth’s prize in the form of a scholarship; or
2. The youth signs a form waiving his/her rights to any prize in violation of this rule.
Failure to file the consent form will cause the player to be ineligible and subject games bowled to forfeiture.
The parental consent form is available on bowl.com.
Prize Waiver Form
Youth members who wish to compete in adult singles competitions where cash or bonds are offered and/or merchandise prizes valued greater than $500 must complete and sign a USBC Prize Waiver Form prior to participation. The USBC Prize Waiver is NOT ACCEPTABLE for use in team (two or more players) competition including, for example, adult/youth team competition. A copy of this form can be downloaded from bowl.com.
The waiver serves three primary purposes. First, it ensures that the USBC Youth member is aware that the event is offering prizes which may be in violation of Rule 400. Second, it provides the USBC Youth member the opportunity to compete in singles competitions without jeopardizing his/her USBC Youth eligibility. And last, it replaces the Parental Consent Form in adult singles competitions.
See bowl.com for a complete explanation of Rule 400.
Rules
Every league must have rules. This task can be simplified by using the "USBC Adult or Youth League Rules" included in this handbook. In adult leagues, the league board of directors or members must vote on each rule. Pay particular attention to rules covering the following items:
Legal lineups (Rule 109a)– Leagues decide whether substitutes count toward a legal lineup. USBC rules state substitutes count unless league rules specify otherwise.
Playoffs (Rule 113b)– Leagues should adopt a rule stating how a playoff shall be conducted for ties and/or championships.
Some suggestions are:
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« Bowl one game (or two games). |
« A point for each game, but none for series. |
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« Best two of three games. |
« Stepladder finals. |
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« Total pins of a three-game playoff series. |
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Substitutes (Rule 107c)– Every league needs extra players to minimize absentee and vacancy scores. Do this by keeping an ongoing list of substitutes.
Tardy players (Rule 109c)– A tardy player uses one-tenth of the absentee score for each frame missed, unless otherwise provided for by league rules.
Team rosters (Rule 104b)– Leagues specify how many players are allowed on each team’s roster. Team captains submit names before the league starts play or by a time designated by the league.
Vacancy scores (Rule 105)– In adult leagues, teams without full rosters receive a vacancy score. Unless the league rules state otherwise:
« Score is 120, handicap is figured from that score.
« The handicap for the vacancy score must be figured by using the same percentage utilized for league averages.
In youth leagues, the vacancy score shall be the average of the lowest average bowler on the opposing team’s roster. If two or more vacancy scores are required, the average of the next-to-the-lowest bowler on the opposing team’s roster shall be used for the second vacancy score.
Leagues also may set their own vacancy score. To do this, select a figure comparable to your league bowlers’ overall
performance and handicap would be figured from that score.
Absentee scores (Rule 105)– In leagues, an absentee score is used when a player on the roster is absent from league and a substitute is not obtained.
The absentee score shall be the absent member’s current average minus 10 pins, unless league rules specify a different number.
Averages (Rule 118c)– A complete and adequate entering average rule is essential for any handicap or classified league. Averages from the previous season are recommended to be used for a bowler’s first night of competition because they are easily verified and they represent the bowler’s true ability. Bowlers who do not have a qualifying average will then establish their average the first session they bowl unless league rules state otherwise.
In youth leagues, a bowler using a two-hand delivery will establish an average with two hands. When the bowler changes to a one-hand delivery, they must establish a new average using that hand. (Rule 118b, Item 4)
Handicaps
Handicapping is a means of placing bowlers and teams with varying degree of skill on as equitable a basis as possible for their competition against each other. USBC recommends that higher handicap percentages such as 100% be used for more equalized matches. The scratch base that handicap is figured from should be greater than the highest team or individual entering average. For example, if the highest entering individual average is 218, handicap should be 100% of 220. Another option is to provide a negative handicap for all bowlers above the base figure. For example, 100% handicap of 200, minus 100% handicap over 200.
Handicap leagues use their adopted handicap system at all times. Leagues failing to adopt a handicap percentage in their leagues shall use a 100% handicap. (See Rule 100g, Item 1)
Postponements
A league’s board of directors, specific committee, or a youth league supervisor/official decides requests for postponements. Leagues must grant postponements for emergencies. Minimize postponement problems by:
« Discussing postponements at the organizational meeting for special situations such as hunting seasons, holidays or local/national events.
« Allowing extra players on team rosters or keeping a list of roving substitutes.
« Appointing a three-member committee to handle postponement requests and cancellations because of severe weather.
See this handbook’s section on League Leadership Duties and Responsibilities for more information on a postponement committee.
Fee Arrearages
Insist all bowlers pay full fees every session. Team captains are responsible for collecting fees, but are not liable for teammates’ payments. To encourage prompt payment, leagues can adopt a rule that a team forfeits any games when a bowler is present and bowling and not current in paying fees. If adopted, the league arrearage rule must be enforced consistently throughout the season.
Prize/Award Fund
While prize/award funds are important, avoid pricing yourself out of members. Large prize/award funds require larger payments by individual members, and can discourage new members and increase league dropouts.
Membership Application Cards
League Secretaries – An application for membership form must be completed for every member of the league, including substitutes, and submitted with the league application and membership dues. Have the bowlers carefully complete their home address (and apartment number if applicable) and national membership ID if it does not already appear on the form.
In an effort to improve communications with members, please make sure that bowlers include their e-mail addresses on the form.
The national membership ID number enables USBC to create a history on the member’s league and tournament competition and their award achievements. If the bowler does not currently have a national ID number (for example a new bowler), the local bowling association will assign a number.
Check the application forms as they are returned to you. It is easier to find errors and have them corrected rather than to submit incomplete information, which could cause a delay in the member receiving their card.
Let your members know their national membership ID number will be printed on their membership card and mailed by headquarters directly to their home. This is a permanent number, individually assigned, to be used every season in all USBC competition and will be required when applying for awards.
If a member of your league notifies you that their membership card was lost, stolen or damaged, they can download a copy of their current membership card by logging on to our web site, bowl.com and going to the Find-A-Member feature. If further assistance is needed, the member or league official can contact their local association or USBC Headquarters by calling (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3161.
To complete them, League Secretaries should do the following:
« Print or type clearly and complete the top each week.
« Under "team standings," list teams in order of position. If two or more are tied in wins and losses, list teams by total pins or as required by league rule. In handicap leagues, if total pins are shown, it is up to the league to decide if the team total pin figure is listed with handicap or on a scratch basis.
« In the section for high games and series, list all individual and team scores in contention for league high score awards.
« Under "individual averages," list teams, followed by individual members, completing total pins, games and averages columns.
« Use extra space on standing sheets to recognize special accomplishments such as triplicates, all spare games and most pins over average. Also, use sheets to publicize future events such as the league banquet, local association tournament or meetings.
League Schedules
« Insert position rounds as adopted in the league’s rules or agreed upon by the league.
« Note any cancellation postponements (if applicable).
NOTE: If the league adds or loses teams during the season, the schedule must be changed to reflect the exact number of teams in the league.
As a free service, USBC allows leagues to post their standing sheets on bowl.com, bowling’s premier Web site.