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  • Welcome to Equipment & Specifications

    Equipment and SpecsAbout

    USBC takes its commitment to the sport of bowling seriously by striving to uphold integrity and credibility.

    The Equipment Specifications and Certifications Team works to do just that through innovative and cutting-edge research. Research engineers, a research chemist and research technicians test bowling balls, pins, lane surfaces and oils to make sure that those four factors of the sport meet the standards set by USBC before they can be used in USBC-certified leagues or tournaments.

    A significant amount of resources and behind-the-scenes effort are invested by the Equipment Specifications and Certifications Team to make sure that no matter what center you're bowling in across the country or around the world, your bowling experience is as fair as it is enjoyable. When you're bowling well, you're enjoying the sport more. This team of individuals works closely with the USBC coaching department and the training side of the ITRC (International Training and Research Center) to assist in developing new technologies that will help you improve your game.

  • Ball Motion Study

    Ball Motion Study

  • Harry the RobotRobot

    Even robots need a rest sometimes. That's why Harry, our ball-throwing robot, recently retired after ten years and thousands of shots as one of the most important members of the USBC research staff. We owe Harry huge thanks for all the knowledge he has helped us gain about bowling balls and lanes. After reading through hundreds of suggested names for the new robot that will be taking Harry's place, a name has finally been chosen: "E.A.R.L.," which stands for Enhanced Automated Robotic Launcher.

    The winning name was submitted by Melissa C. Stewart of Roswell, Ga. Stewart figured if bowling legend Earl Anthony's nickname was "The Machine" then it was only "fitting to name the new ball-throwing robot for a bowler with machine-like characteristics." E.A.R.L. will be bigger and stronger and will have several abilities that Harry didn't have, such as mimicking a wider variety of styles and throwing the ball with great accuracy and more revs. "E.A.R.L. has some big shoes to fill," USBC Managing Director for the National Governing Body Neil Stremmel said. "But it is great that as we move into our new facility we are able to recognize one of the greatest bowlers of all time. E.A.R.L. will be an integral part of the USBC technical team for many years to come."

    View Harry's full bio.

  • Harry the RobotVideo
  • Equipment and SpecsContact Us

    General Questions
    specs@bowl.com

    Learn more about our team members

 
 
EQUIPMENT & SPECS FEATURES
  • Center Certification

    In addition to setting and enforcing specifications for bowling equipment, the team also helps uphold the credibility of the sport and makes competition fair by inspecting lane beds in bowling centers to ensure that they meet USBC standards.

    USBC local association officials visit bowling centers in their areas annually and use a variety of tools and instruments to perform a physical inspection of the lanes and their adjacent components such as the channels, channel depths, pin spots, and pin deck. Center inspections may begin April 1 and must be completed by Aug. 31.

    USBC rules state that bowling centers must renew their certification by Sept. 1 to host any USBC certified competition for that season.

    Associations also perform random inspections of the oil applied to lanes in bowling centers to ensure that they meet USBC guidelines for oil application. Sometimes referred to as conditioner, lane oil protects the lane surface and affects the difficulty level of the sport. Lane oil inspections ensure playing field uniformity per USBC guidelines so that USBC league bowlers in Maine are competing on lanes in the same shape as bowlers in California.

  • USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Committee adopts new bowling ball specification as part of continuing effort to reestablish bowling's credibility

    The USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Committee has adopted a new specification for all bowling balls approved for competition on or after July 1, 2010. The new specification will raise the allowable lower-limit radius of gyration (RG) measurement to 2.460 inches up from 2.430 inches.

  • Research Articles
  • CLIP

    USBC has developed this Internet-based training program for lane certification and inspection. Learning how to do inspections has never been easier.

    CLIP capitalizes on technology to upgrade the old Certified Lane Inspectors Workshops. It provides individuals with proof they are trained in certification and lane dressing inspection and gives current inspectors who did not complete the old training a way to obtain a card/certificate. All in a way that attracts new and younger individuals and trains them to inspect.

    By clicking the links to the left, you can access the Lane Inspector Manual and take the inspector exam. bowl.com also provides additional services such as the latest news on lane inspection and certification and a discussion forum so you can share information and experiences with other inspectors.

    This training program is designed to give individuals a way to document the completion of lane inspection training.

    Please note that the training program will not "certify" and/or provide a number to those individuals that successfully complete the program. However, individuals that pass the exam will receive a certificate and a card.

    Upon completion of the CLIP, we recommend that you contact your local bowling association. The local association will be able to provide the hands on training that will assist you in becoming a fully qualified lane inspector.

    The local association can issue credentials stating that an individual is qualified to perform certification and/or lane dressing inspections for the association.

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