Rules

Format

U8 & U10 Divisions: Bowlers will bowl 3 games on Saturday and 3 games on Sunday (6 total). Bowlers will remain on one pair of lanes for each 3-game block. Bowlers with the highest pinfall at the conclusion of all 6 games will be declared Champions of their respective divisions.

U12, U14, U16, & U18 Divisions: Bowlers will bowl 5 games on Saturday and 3 games on Sunday (8 total). Bowlers will move one pair to the right after each game; turnaround pair will be announced. Total pinfall will determine the top 5 bowlers in each division—the top 5 and alternate(s) will be announced and must attend a mandatory meeting for Stepladder Finals information. The Stepladder Finals will drop qualifying pinfall, with 5th place bowling 4th, winner bowling 3rd, etc., until a Champion is determined.

Ties

U8 & U10 Divisions: In the event of a tie for first place, the tie will not be broken and bowlers will be declared co-champions.

U12, U14, U16, & U18 Divisions: In the event of a tie for the final qualifying spot into the Stepladder Finals (i.e. 5th and 6th place), a 9th & 10th frame roll-off will determine the final qualifier held after the conclusion of the U8/U10/U12 shift on Sunday. The tournament committee will determine the roll-off pair. The participant with the higher game during qualifying will have choice of starting lane. In the case of a tie at the conclusion of a Stepladder Finals match, a 9th & 10th frame roll off will be held.

Ties in all other positions (including within the Top 5) after Qualifying will be broken by highest qualifying game.

Equipment Specifications

Bowling balls must meet all USBC specifications as defined in the latest edition of the Equipment Specifications and Certifications Manual. It is the player’s responsibility to ensure all equipment is eligible for competition. Only balls that are on the USBC approved list and are product registered are allowed in competition. The following bowling balls are prohibited for use: 900 Global Altered Reality, 900 Global Wolverine, Roto Grip UFO Alert, Storm Electrify Solid, Storm Phaze 4 and Storm Trend 2. Tournament staff reserves the right to check equipment for compliance at any time.

Use of Abrasives on Ball Surface

Altering the surface of a bowling ball by the use of abrasives, cleaners or polish is prohibited during competition, i.e. after the warm-up session for your squad. In addition, no substance may be placed on the outer surface of the bowling ball. The outer surface of the bowling ball may only be cleaned with a dry towel once the bowler has started competition.

Please refer to Rule 18 “Bowling Ball - Altering Surface” for any bowling ball surface alteration questions. USBC defines “tournament” as a “competition [that] can include more than one event," which the committee is defining as both qualifying and the stepladder finals. There is to be no surface alterations between the conclusion of qualifying and the stepladder finals.

Delay of Game

USBC Rule 11 – Forfeit – Delay of Game will be enforced.  Rule: No unreasonable delay in progress of any game is permitted.  If a player or team in a league or tournament refuses to proceed with a game after being directed to do so by a league or tournament official, the game or series shall be declared forfeited.

To maintain a consistent pace of play for all tournament bowlers, all bowlers are required to observe a one-lane courtesy and deliver the ball in a reasonable amount of time. Coaches and Parents are not to coach a bowler while on the approach or in the settee area. Coaches/Parents may call the bowler out of the settee area to the concourse between frames. However, the bowler MUST be back in the settee area and ready to bowl when it is their turn.

The tournament will follow the rules written in the Junior Gold Competitors Guide, with a three-strike system:

1. First offense: warning

2. Second offense: will receive a zero (0) for all remaining frames in the game

3. Third offense: disqualification

Dress Code & Electronics Policy

ALL BOWLERS must wear their JUNIOR PROGRAM SHIRTS on BOTH DAYS of competition. 

The following rules pertain to all bowlers in the U12, U15 and U18 divisions:

Pants - Male participants are required to wear slacks.  Slacks must not contain drawstring waists or elastic bottoms.  Slacks must have a zipper and a button to be eligible.  Jeans are not permitted.  Female participants are required to wear slacks, skirts, capris, skorts, or walking shorts.  All skirts, skorts, or walking shorts must be below the competitor’s fingertips when they are standing with their arms hanging loosely at their side.  Jeans, sweatpants, spandex, and yoga pants are not permitted.

Headgear: No covering or sunglasses can be worn while practicing or competing (hats, caps, bandanas).

COORDINATORS/COACHES MUST CHECK BOWLERS’ ATTIRE BEFORE AND DURING COMPETITION.

Participants in violation of this rule will be issued a verbal warning by the Tournament Director or designated Tournament Committee member.  A second violation will result in disqualification.  An infraction of the rule on the final day of competition will result in an automatic disqualification, unless it is resolved prior to start of competition.  Tournament Rules: Rule 301b – Prohibits youth bowlers from wearing apparel or using bowling equipment depicting alcohol, tobacco, gambling, illegal substances or inappropriate language/ gestures during youth tournament competition.

No Electronics During Competition

The use of electronic devices by any participant is prohibited during competition on the approach, or in the settee area. This includes, but is not limited to iPods/iPads, cellular phones, ear buds, headphones, e-book readers, and game systems.

Rules in Full

Please refer to the following for the tournament rules in full. Questions can be directed to a tournament committee member, listed at the end of the rules.