Rules And Standardization

Massachusetts Bowling Association

Rules And Standardization

SCORING

1. GAME (string): A game shall consist of ten frames (boxes) in each of which three balls shall be rolled, except when a player scores a strike or spare, called marks

2. NO MARK: When three balls are rolled, the bowler receives credit for the total number of pins knocked down in the frame

3. STRIKE: A "strike" occurs when ten pins are downed with the first ball. To score a strike, the bowler receives ten plus the number of pins downed by the next two balls rolled by that bowler.

4. SPARE: A "spare" occurs when ten pins are downed with the first two balls. To score a spare the bowler receives ten plus the number of pins downed by the next ball rolled by that bowler.

5. TWO CONSECUTIVE STRIKES: Scores as follows:

Frame in which first strike is made: Score 20 plus the number downed

by the first ball rolled in the second following frame.

Frame in which second strike is made: Score 10 plus the number

downed by the first two balls in the next following frame.

6. THREE CONSECUTIVE STRIKES: Score as follows:

Frame in which first strike is made: Score 30

Frame in which second strike is made: Score 20 plus the number

downed by the first ball rolled in the second following frame.

Frame in which third strike is made: Score 10 plus the number

downed by the first two balls in the next following frame.

7. CONSECUTIVE STRIKES OVER THREE: Score as per explanation in rule #6 above.

8. MARK IN FRAME 10: A bowler scoring a strike or a spare in the tenth frame shall immediately roll one or two balls, as necessary, to complete that frame. The frame must be completed on the same lane on which the strike or spare is bowled.

9. SCORING: The score sheet, telescore and / or automatic scorer shall remain visible to all players at all times. No unfair tactics will be tolerated.

10. RECORDING INDIVIDUAL SCORES: Except for addition errors, it is the bowlers sole responsibility to see that his/her score is recorded properly FRAME by FRAME.

SCORES ARE OFFICIAL:

When records are turned in (to secretary / statistician) by captain or official, corrections cannot be made after points are awarded. Secretary / Statistician shall have the authority to make corrections in addition or points on match report sheets. (This rule may be superseded by league or tournament regulations).

BALL RULES

1. FAIRLY DELIVERED BALL: A ball is fairly delivered when in its forward motion it touches the playing area before the 10ft. lob line. (Playing area also includes approach area). Any ball delivered otherwise is deemed a foul.

2. FAIR CONTACT: A ball shall be considered to have made fair contact only when it strikes a standing pin or playable wood before it (the ball) leaves the lane. A ball otherwise shall be considered foul and shall suffer the same penalties as for a GUTTER BALL.

3. BALL REST ON PLATE: If a ball for any reason comes to rest on the plate, it must be removed by authorized personnel designated by the bowling establishment.

4. REBOUNDING BALLS: Should any ball, after making fair contact, for any reason rebound from any object on the deck or pit area, the pins so downed shall count in the scoring.

* If the ball did not make fair contact, the pins shall not count in the score.

5. GUTTER BALL: If a ball leaves the lane without making fair contact and comes back knocking down pins, the pins downed by that ball shall not count in the scoring. Only pins downed by fair contact shall count.

* If the first ball is foul and comes back to down pins, the pins shall be reset, the bowler shall forfeit that ball and count only the pins downed fairly with the next two balls. (The first ball is considered foul even if no pins are downed by it).

* If the first and second balls are foul and come back to knock down pins, the pins shall be reset after each ball, the bowler forfeits both balls and shall count only the pins downed by the third ball.

* If the first and third balls are foul, but the second is fair. The player will score only the pins fairly downed by the second ball.

* If all three balls are foul. The player will score zero for the frame.

* If the first ball is fair and the second and or third ball(s) is/are foul. The pins shall not be reset. The player will forfeit all pins downed by the foul ball or balls and score only those downed by the balls that were fair. If no pins are left standing by the foul action of the second ball, the player shall score only the pins downed by the first ball.

* Bonus balls rolled in the gutter on a strike or a spare.

* On strike first ball is foul, reset pins, if necessary, the bowler shall forfeit that ball and count only pins downed fairly by the second ball.

both bonus balls foul, score zero for bonus.

* On spare.first ball is foul, bowler scores zero for bonus.

6. EXTRA BALLS: Rolling extra balls in any frame will constitute a foul. Penalty of a zero for frame.

7. BOWLERS DROPPING BOWLING BALLS DELIBERATELY on the approach shall be warned and if a second offense occurs

PIN & DEADWOOD RULES

1. DOWNED PINS - DEADWOOD LINE: All downed pins, called wood, remaining on the lane entirely behind the deadwood line are live and playable. Those touching or forward (toward the bowler) of the deadwood line are dead and shall be removed. Wood shall be judged live or dead only after it has stopped moving.

2. QUESTIONABLE DEADWOOD: Any questionable deadwood shall be removed by a designated official.

3. PIN - PIT AREA: A pin that sticks up out of the pit area is not playable.

4. WOOD - ACROSS PLATE AND GUTTER: Where wood is partly on the plate or lane and partly in the gutter, the ball must make fair contact with the wood while the ball is still touching the lane for any pins downed to count in the scoring.

5. BALL HITS DEADWOOD IN GUTTER AND CORNER PIN: If a ball makes contact with wood in the gutter (deadwood) at the same time as making fair contact with a corner pin or playable wood, the pins downed by such action shall count.

6. DOUBLE DEADWOOD IN THE GUTTER: When there is a double deadwood in the gutter, it shall remain.

7. REBOUNDING PINS: Pins knocked down by pins rebounding from the sidewall, machine, rear cushion or any other object in the deck or pit area shall count as pins down.

8. PIN DOWNED, THEN STAND UP: If a downed pin is caused to stand erect again in the playing area, it shall be judged as down and shall remain on the lane to be played as wood.

9. PINS THAT FALL AFTER THE RESET BUTTON IS PRESSED or the pinsetter sweep is in motion shall not count.

10. MOVING WOOD: A bowler must wait until all wood has halted motion under penalty of foul. (Pins felled by ball shall not count). However, if the wood has apparently stopped rolling and then starts rolling again while the player is in the act of delivering the ball, or while the ball is in motion, there shall be no penalty.

11. PINS FALL BEFORE FAIR CONTACT: If a pin or pins fall after the ball is fairly delivered but before making fair contact, the following shall apply:

ON FIRST BALL: The bowler resets and is entitled to three balls in the frame.

ON SECOND BALL AND OR THIRD BALL: Bowler is credited with making fair contact

(Example) Bowler knocks down nine pins with the first ball. Second ball is fairly delivered but before making fair contact, pins fall. Bowler is credited with spare

FOUL RULES

1. FOUL LINE RULE: A player in delivering the ball must not let his action cause him to slide over, step on or over the foul line, nor permit any part of his body or clothing to come in contact with the lanes, gutters, ball returns, division boards, walls, uprights or floors which are beyond the foul line, at any time after the ball passes over and beyond the foul line, nor until he shall have picked up a ball and completed his succeeding delivery, under penalty of foul. (See foul line and lob line penalty).

* Any object which falls from the pocket or person of a bowler shall not constitute a foul.

* Bowlers are not allowed beyond the foul line under any circumstances.

* When a bowler, while in possession of a ball accidentally fouls while taking a practice slide, the bowler will lose that ball. The penalty is the same as the foot foul rule.

2. LOB LINE RULE: Bowling is a game of rolling, not throwing balls. Any ball that does not, in its forward motion, touch the playing area before the lob line, shall be considered a lobbed ball and shall suffer the foul penalty. See FOUL LINE AND LOB LINE PENALTIES BELOW. Note continuous infractions of this rule will result in disqualification.

3. FOUL LINE AND LOB LINE PENALTIES are the same as for gutter balls.

4. CLEARED GUTTERS: Both gutters must be cleared of any pins or balls before the first ball is delivered in any frame. The penalty is the same as if the first ball is a foul.

5. DELIBERATE FOULS:

* Any bowler who deliberately commits a foul shall score a zero for the frame in which the infraction occurs. If the bowler is working on a mark and deliberately fouls on bonus balls, the mark will remain but he or she receives a zero on the mark and a zero on the frame which he or she is working.

* Any bowler who deliberately rolls two balls simultaneously will score a zero for the frame. If a bowler is working on a mark and deliberately fouls on bonus balls, the mark will remain but he or she receives a zero on the mark and a zero on the frame on which he or she is working.

6. BOWLER ABUSING THE EQUIPMENT or premises shall be warned and if a second offense occurs, the bowler shall be penalized under the DELIBERATE FOUL.

7. IF DELIBERATE FOUL RULE infractions keep occurring, the bowler involved will be disqualified.

8. PINSETTER IN MOTION: No ball shall be delivered before the setting machine has completed its cycle. Penalty shall be the same as GUTTER BALLS.

9. FOOT FOULS: In any case where an electric foul light unit becomes inoperative, the scorekeeper shall also act as the foul line judge.

INTERFERENCE RULES

1. INTERFERENCE: In the case of interference where pins are knocked down by any outside force, the pins will be reset and the bowler will bowl the frame over. If the interference occurs after the ball or balls have been delivered on a strike or a spare, it will not effect the scores already established on the strike or spare, but the frame will be bowled over only to establish the score for that frame.

2. BOWLER INTERFERENCE: All bowlers are expected to exercise the highest standards of sportsmanship in competition. No unfair tactics will be tolerated and in the case of any interference with a bowler, all pins will be reset and the entire frame re-rolled.

3. RESET BUTTON PRESSED BEFORE FRAME COMPLETED:

BY THE BOWLER OR TEAMMATE: If a bowler or anyone on his team pressed the reset button after the first or second balls, except when a strike or spare has been made, the bowler is finished for that frame and scores only the pins downed when the button is pressed.

BY OPPOSING PLAYER OR NEUTRAL: If the rest button is pressed by an opposing player or neutral person or the pinsetter cycles, the frame shall be bowled over. If the interference occurs after the ball or balls have been delivered on a strike or spare, it will not affect the scores already established on the strike or spare, but the frame will be bowled over to establish the score for that frame.

FOR LANES EQUIPPED WITH A FOOT RESET: Should a bowler accidentally step on the foot pedal reset button while delivering the first ball the bowler will lose that ball but have two remaining balls after the reset. On the second ball frame is complete.

4. FOREIGN OBJECT ON LANE: If a ball, fairly rolled, comes in contact with a foreign substance on the lane before it strikes the pins, it shall be declared dead, the pins shall be reset and the entire frame re-rolled.

GENERAL PLAYING RULES

1. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP: All bowlers are expected at all times to exercise the highest standards of sportsmanship.

2. QUESTIONABLE INCIDENTS: Whenever there is a question of the validity of any incident and no official is present good sportsmanship dictates that the bowler be given the benefit of the doubt.

3. WRONG LANE OR OUT OF TURN: If a bowler rolls on the wrong lane or out of turn, he shall complete the frame and the pins downed shall be credited to his score. Then he shall move to the correct lane or position.

4. LATE ARRIVALS: Any bowlers arriving after the first bowler on their team begins their sixth frame, cannot complete in that string, but they may be allowed to compete in subsequent strings to be played.

5. NON-BOWLERS IN BOWLING AREA: In a match or league game, no spectators or substitutes other than scorers will be allowed in the bowling area.

6. EVERYONE EXCEPT BOWLER MUST BE SEATED: The scorer and all players, other than those actually bowling, must be seated.

7. MECHANICAL PROBLEMS: When one machine on a pair of lanes "breaks down" during a league match or in any tournament, the bowlers will continue to roll alternately on one lane until the machine is again in operation. Any teams finishing late due to slow bowlers or machine breakdowns, must spread out as soon as there are other lanes available.

8. EVERY GAME MUST BE COMPLETED before another may be started.

9. RIGHT OF WAY: In the event of a controversy in a game as to which bowler shall roll first, the one on the right lane shall have the right of way and roll first.

10. PRACTICE OR WARM-UP BALLS: No practice or warm-up balls will be allowed any bowler while he or she is involved in a match or roll-off. (penalty of forfeit string).

11. LEAGUE MATCHES: League matches shall take no longer than two hours to complete. This provides for ten individuals bowling three strings each or 30 strings per pair of lanes.

There must be two bowlers on each pair of lanes, regardless of slow bowlers or absent bowlers.

12. PLAYER REPLACEMENT: All player replacement must be done at the completion of a string regardless of the circumstances. Should any bowler be unable to complete the string, the average of the number of boxes or league / tournament average will be used. The lesser of the two will be counted.

(Example) (A) has a 40 in the 5th box and league average of 90. Divide five (5) into 40 equals eight average per box by 10 boxes, the bowler will receive 80 for that string. (B) same as above except bowler is 60 in the 5th averaging 12 per box, therefore the bowlers average of 90 or 9 per box would be used giving that bowler 60 for 5 plus 45 for five boxes not bowled and a total of 105 for the string.

League Regulations

1) STARTING TIME: All teams must start at agreed time with the management regardless of whether all team members are present.

a. TEAMS NOT READY shall be assessed the penalties to absent bowlers or teams as fixed by the rules of theparticular league of which they are members.

2) WRONG LANE or OUT OF TURN. If a bowler rolls on the wrong lane or out of turn, he/she shall complete the box and the pins felled shall be credited to his/her score. Then he/she shall move to the correct lane or position

3) PLAYER REPLACEMENT. All player replacement must be done at the completion of a string regardless of the circumstances. Should any bowler be unable to complete the string, the average of the number of boxes or league/tournament average will be used. The lesser of the two will be counted

Example A – A bowler has 40 in the 5^th box and league average of 90. Divide five (5) into 40 equals eight pins average per box by 10 boxes, the bowler will receive 80 for that string.

Example B – Same as above except bowler has 60 in the 5^th box averaging 12 per box, therefore the bowlers average of 90 or 9 per box would be used giving the bowler 60 for 5 plus 45 for the five boxes not bowled and a total of 105 for the string.

4) ABSENTEE BOWLERS. In the event of an absentee bowler, a score of 60, 65, 70, etc. may be used. However, it is suggested that the absent player’s current average minus 5 be used. Drop all fractions, percentages and/or pins.

5) LATE ARRIVALS. Any bowlers arriving after the first bowler on their team begins their sixth frame, cannot compete in that string, but they may be allowed to compete in the subsequent strings to be played.

a. Any bowler arriving late may not bowl any frames missed. They must take their average minus 5 pins.

6) BOWLER INTERFERENCE. All bowlers are expected to exercise the highest standards of sportsmanship in competition. No unfair tactics will be tolerated and in the case of the any interference with a bowler, all pins will be reset and the entire box re-rolled.

7) NON-BOWLERS IN BOWLING AREA. In a match or league game, no spectators other than scorers will be allowed in the bowling area.

8) EVERYONE EXCEPT BOWLER MUST BE SEATED. The scorer and all players, other than those actually bowling, must be seated.

9) CHOICE OF LANES OR REFEREE. In a match game of a traveling league, the captain of the visiting team shall have the right to choose whether his team will start on the left o right of the two adjoining lanes reserved for their match, and also name the referee.

10) WHEN ONE MACHINE on a pair of lanes becomes inoperative during a league match or in any tournament, the bowlers will continue to roll alternately on one lane until the inoperative machine is again operational

11) SCORES ARE OFFICIAL. When records are turned in by the Captain or Official, corrections cannot be made after awards are presented.

12) INA LEAGUE OF FIVE-MAN LEAGUES, three bowlers must be present to bowl or match is forfeited and dummy scores of league are to be used. (Four-Man teams two bowlers). However, if enough bowlers are present for the second and third strings, these strings may be bowled and only the total pinfall and the first string will be forfeited.

a. WHEN ONE TEAM FORFEITS A MATCH, the other team bowls for average. Scoring records by bowlers or team will not be recognized.

13) BOWLERS DROPPING BOWLING DELIBERATLY on approach shall be warned and if a second offense occurs, the bowler shall be penalized under the Deliberate Foul Rule. Bowlers abusing the equipment or premises shall be warned and if a second offense occurs, the bowler shall be penalized under the Deliberate Foul Rule. If either of the above infractions keeps occurring, the bowler involved shall be disqualified.

League Rules

1) NUMBER OF PLAYERS PER TEAM. Teams shall be composed of the number of players fixed by the rules of that particular league.

a. A standard team shall be composed of five players

2) NUMBER OF STRINGS PER MATCH. Each match shall consist of three strings per player, unless otherwise stated in the league rules.

a. A standard team shall be composed of five players.

3. LANES TO BE USED. Consult the schedule approved by the league. It will tell whom each team bowls and on which lanes, which must be adjoining. Each team shall start on the lane assigned and each player on the team, in order of the line-up, shall roll successively two or five boxes (as per the league rules), after which the opposing teams will change lanes. This pattern shall be continued throughout the match. Opposing teams shall change lanes after each match.

4. TEAM STANDINGS. The standings of all teams at any time shall be governed by the number of points each has won up to that time. The more points a team has won, the higher its place in the standings. Points shall be determined as follows:

a. EIGHT POINT SYSTEM. Eight points shall be won in each three-string match, as follows:

1) Two points to the winner of each of the three strings

2) Two points to the winner of total pinfall

3) One point to each team involved in a tie, whether in a single string or total pinfall. NOTE: There shall be no roll-off for a tie

4) At the end of each match, to bring the records to date, the points won and lost in that match by each team shall be added to the previous totals

b. FINAL STANDINGS. When the final match of the schedule has been played, the winner shall be declared as per the following

1) ONE SESSION. When one session for the entire schedule has been used, the team with the best won-lost record shall be declared the winner with the other teams following as per their records.

2) TWO OR MORE SESSIONS. When the schedule is divided into two or more sessions, the winners in the various sessions shall engage in a roll-off or roll-offs with their places in the standings being determines by the order in which they finish.

a. TWO SESSIONS. Should one team win both sessions, that team automatically wins the place in question

b. MORE THAN TWO SESSIONS. Should one or more teams win more than one session, the team winning the most sessions shall be automatically be declared the winner of that position? (In all cases of ties, roll-offs must be held)

c. TWO OR MORE TEAMS TIED. If a tie exists at the end of a session or season, each team involved shall roll three strings to determine the winners of the places in the standings at issue (See Article 6 below)

d. NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON TEAM. This shall be governed by the number in the playing season with the exception that:

1) FOR TOURNAMENT PLAY, a team shall be composed of five players and the line-up posted.

e. NUMBER OF STRINGS. This shall be the same as the number played in the matches

f. SCORES IN ROLL-OFFS shall not be used in computing averages.

5) INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS shall be determined by players’ averages both during and at the end of the season

a. Averages to date shall be obtained by dividing the total pinfall to date by the total number of games to date

b. FINAL STANDINGS. After the final match, when there is a question of the position in the standings of two or more eligible players, the odd pins in the averages must be changed to decimals and the one with the highest decimal declared the winner of the position at issue, with the loser or losers following in order. (It is suggested that the top 5 averages be posted in decimals the 3 last weeks of bowling schedule.

c. ELIGIBILITY. A player must participate in at least 75% of the matches to be eligible for individual awards.

d. TIES. When two or more players are tied after the odd pins have been changed to decimals, a roll-off between those players will be held to decide the winners of the positions at issue, with the losers following order.

6) ALL ROLL-OFFS AND SPECIAL MATCHES shall be decided by total pinfall, not points. Scores will not count in computing averages. Example: Average, triple or singles and total pinfall will not be involved in computing averages.

7) AWARDS

a. INDIVIDUAL. No player may be eligible for more than one individual award, with high average, high triple and high single following in that order

b. A TEAM is eligible for any and all awards it may win, such as a team standing award, a team achievement award, etc., with the team total being the top award

c. QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEAM AWARDS. The league should set its qualifications for team awards to it may be left to the members of the team involved.

League Organizing

1) SCRATCH OR HANDICAP LEAGUE. Leagues may be organized on a scratch or a handicap basis. You will find that in intra-office, club or group units, the handicap system will prove satisfying and produce the keenest season-long competition.

2) NUMBER OF TEAMS. Leagues may be composed of any number of teams divisible by two, but not less that four. The number of teams should be limited only by the number of players you can get and the number of lanes available.

3) NUMBER OF PLAYERS. Teams are ordinarily composed of five players. They may consist of any number from two and up. However, more than six is ordinarily inadvisable. To avoid absenteeism, each team’s roster should include one or two extra players

4) TEAM CAPTAINS. Each team shall elect a captain, who will act for the team in all matters. It will be his duty to see that:

a. His team always has a full roster.

b. His full team will be ready to bowl when scheduled.

c. His team has representation at all official meetings

d. He acts in the best interest of his team and the league at all times

5) LEAGUE OFFICERS. The members shall elect a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and Grievance Committee, comprising one member from each team, preferably the captain

6) THE PRESIDENT is the supervising officer and shall call and preside at all meetings. However, if the president is unable or unwilling to do so, any three captains may call an official meeting.

7) THE VICE-PRESIDENT shall perform the duties of the president in his absence or at his request.

8) THE SECRETARY shall keep the minutes of the meeting and the league statistics such as averages, records, etc., unless he/she shall delegate that duty to another

a. Secretary has the authority to make corrections in addition on record sheets

9) THE TREASURER shall keep the minutes of the meeting and the league statistics – such as averages records, etc., unless he (or she) shall may give an accurate accounting whenever requested.

10) GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE (see LEAGUE OFFICES above) their duties shall be to act on and to settle and disputes arising from league competition. All grievances shall be filed in writing with the secretary. However, if it is relative to a match being played, objection shall also be voiced immediately, under penalty of being too late. No members of this committee whose team is involved in the dispute shall have a voice on that issue. The decision of this committee shall be final.

11) PRIZE AND BANQUET COMMITTEES shall be appointed by the president, and he/she shall name the chairman of each. The prize committee with attend to the purchase of the awards the league has voted to give and the banquet committee shall attend to the arrangements for the banquet, both committees making the best possible arrangements with the budget allowed.

12) A QUORUM. A majority of the captains or teams representatives shall constitute a quorum for official business.

13) THE PLAYING RULE. The playing riles shall be those approved by the RULES COMMITTEE.

14) LEAGUE SCHEDULE OF MATCHES. The league shall approve a schedule made for the number of teams in the league and the number of rounds to be played. It shall tell which team shall play each other each week, and on which lanes, as follows:

a. A ROUND. A round shall consist of the number of matched necessary for each team to play every other team in the league. A league of 8 teams would require 7 matched for each team. So, a round for an 8 team league would require 7 matches.

b. Position night to maintain 33 to 35 weeks of league play. Position night should be inserted periodically. Example: 8 team league after bowling 7 weeks, on the 8^th week 1^st place team bowls 2^nd place team, 3^rd place team bowls 4^th place team, etc. position night counts towards points and average.

1) position night may be added at the end of any session or round.

c. NUMBER OF LANES REQUIRED. The schedule shall call for the same number of lanes as there are teams, and they shall be immediately adjoining.

d. DIFFERENT OPPONENTS AND LANES. Each team shall bowl a different opponent, and whenever possible on different lanes, and a pair of lanes shall always be immediately adjoining.

15) LEAGUE RULES SHALL STATE:

a. Number of players on a team:

1) Regular players

2) Substitutes

3) Minimum to play match

b. Number of teams in league

c. Number of matches to be played

d. Starting time of matches

e. How long to wait for a late player

f. How long to wait for a late team

g. Score to be taken for an absent bowler

h. Number of boxes to be rolled successively

i. Number of strings each match

j. Price to be paid for bowling

k. What money to be allocated for services:

1) Secretary

2) Others

l. What money to be allocated for:

1) Prizes

2) Banquet and tips

3) Other purposes

m. League Schedule to be used. Note: Your proprietor should have one

n. Team number given each team

o. What system to use:

1) Rounds

2) Two sessions

3) One session

p. Whether scratch or handicap basis

q. Point system approved

16) CONTRACTS: Leagues should give bowling operators signed agreements of good faith, guaranteeing 100% paid bowling – paid one week in advance. Such practice insures better attendance of players and better relations between the league and the proprietor.

HANDICAP SYSTEM FOR LEAGUES

It is recommended that candlepin bowling leagues be handicap as it makes for keener and more competitive play and provides more satisfaction for all participates.

Following is the usual method of handicapping leagues:

1) The individual averages of the team members are totaled

2) The difference between the total averages of the two competing teams is figured

3) A percentage of the difference between the two teams is taken. Leagues may use 70%, 80%, 90% or 100 % depending on the nature and wishes of the league. 80% is most commonly used.

4) This percentage figure is added to the sub-total of each string of the lower average team

REQUIREMENTS FOR RECOGNITION

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Massachusetts Bowling Association