USBC bowlers now can take the challenge Team USA members face each time they stand on the approach at an international competition. Team USA Experience leagues, developed by USBC Sport Bowling, give bowlers the chance to compete on the same lane oil patterns as those faced by Team USA. Sport bowlers will look to solve the type of conditions the Team USA men's squad had to face in capturing the team title at the World Championships in 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Challenge yourself in a Team USA Experience league and improve your game
Sport Bowling challenges bowlers to compete on tough lane oil patterns. In a Team USA Experience league, bowlers face the same conditions the top players in the world must conquer to take home a gold medal. These patterns are used by the World Tenpin Bowling Association in major competitions such as the World Championships.

Chris Barnes was a member of the United States team that took home the gold medal in the team competition at the 2008 World Championships.

"The lane conditions in international competitions are as tough as anything I see," said Barnes, who earned his first international medal at the 1995 World Championships. "These patterns will challenge the shot-making abilities of all bowlers. I highly recommend a Team USA Challenge Sport Bowling league."

Team USA Experience oil patterns
Team USA Experience leagues can offer a variety of challenges since there are 12 patterns available. Each pattern is named after an Olympic host city and there are four short, four medium and four long patterns.

The short patterns start with Sydney, at 33 feet, followed by Stockholm (34 feet), Beijing (35 feet) and Los Angeles (36 feet).

Atlanta, at 38 feet, is the first of the medium patterns along with Seoul (39 feet), Athens (40 feet) and Montreal (41 feet).

The long patterns include: Tokyo (43 feet), London (44 feet), Mexico City (45 feet), and Paris (47 feet).

Stefanie Nation, who has been a Team USA member since 2005 and captured the singles title at 2009 Women's World Championships, knows the conditions she has to face in international competitions will be tough.

"Team USA Experience leagues are a great way for bowlers to improve their game," said Nation. "The patterns are tricky, but each one can be attacked at several angles."

• The scale applies to Sport Bowlers who ONLY have a Sport Bowling average.
• If a bowler has an established standard average, that average shall be used for standard tournaments.
• This adjustment scale is not considered a "re-rate" of the bowler.Its purpose is to allow for a fair adjustment to what would be expected of the bowler on a standard league condition.
• The adjustment scale does not supersede the ability of a tournament director to further adjust upward any bowler's entering average in a tournament per Rule 319.
• As additional data is obtained, slight changes to the scale may occur. If so, the updated scale will be published here.
• The adjustment scale has been statistically designed to correct 95 percent of the Sport Bowling league averages to within 5 percent of a bowler's standard average.

A. The Sport Bowling pattern oil ratio requirement shall be a maximum of 3:1 regardless of the type of lane surface or the age of the lane surface.

B. Prior to Sport Bowling league/tournament competition (including USBC PBA Experience and Team USA Experience), the following must be done  (See USBC Sport Bowling Manual, Chapter 2):

• Each lane shall be stripped prior to oiling of the Sport condition.
• Tapes will be taken at 22 feet and two feet before the end of the pattern.
• The ratio of oil shall be no more than 3:1
• The ratio shall be defined as the average amount of oil (in units) between boards Left 18 to Right 18 divided by the average amount of oil (in units) between boards R3-R7 & L3-L7, respectively.
• The amount of oil measured on the outside boards (average of R/L3-7) at 22 feet must be greater than 10 units, and the amount of oil measured on the center boards (average of L18 to R18) must not exceed 80 units of oil.
• The maximum amount of oil from boards R8 to R17 and L8 to L17 shall not be greater than 130 percent of the average of boards L18 to R18.
• The minimum amount of oil from boards R8 to R17 shall not be less than 70 percent of the average of boards R3 to R7.
• The minimum amount of oil from boards L8 to L17 shall not be less than 70 percent of the average of boards L3 to L7.
• There is no pattern length minimum or maximum.
• There is no lengthwise ratio requirement.
• All other USBC requirements are still in effect (i.e. three-unit minimum)

2. How are Sport Bowling lane patterns calculated? Sport Bowling patterns are based on:

A. Ratio calculations - the minimum/maximum amount of oil from boards L8 to 17 and R 8 to 17.  The ratio calculation is the average of boards L18 to R18 divided by the average of boards R3-7 (for the right side) and L3-7 (for the left side). This will give you the ratio of the pattern at the specified tape distances.

For example:
Center Average (L18 to R18) = 40 units
Right Average (3 – 7) = 20 units
Ratio at this distance = 2.0

B. Minimum/Maximum Percentage Calculation - the minimum/maximum amount of oil at 22 feet.  The minimum/maximum amount of oil calculation removes the possibility of creating a "walled" type pattern in Sport Bowling competition.

For example:

• L18 to R18 oil readings are 38.7, 39.2, 40.5, 41.0, and 40.5.  The center board average is 40.0. Multiply 40 units of oil by 130 percent (1.30) to determine the maximum amount. The maximum amount you can reach is 52.0 units of oil.
• R3 to R7 oil readings are 18.2, 21.0, 19.8, 20.6 and 20.4.  The right board average is 20.0. Multiply 20.0 units of oil by 70 percent (.70) to determine the minimum amount. The minimum amount you can go to is 14.0 units of oil.

C. Minimum/Maximum at 22 Feet. On all Sport Bowling patterns at 22 feet, the amount of oil measured on the outside boards (average of R/L3-7) at 22 feet must be greater than 10 units, and the amount of oil measured on the center boards (average of L18 to R18) must not exceed 80 units of oil.

These specific calculations must be completed to ensure that a Sport Bowling pattern follows all compliances set out in the Sport Bowling Manual. A spreadsheet is available on the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com that will assist with the calculations.  Click on the following link to directly access the 3:1 Ratio spreadsheet, http://bowl.com/sportbowling/index.jsp.

3.   How does my bowling center register as an Official Sport Bowling center?  The center must register on bowl.com.

A. Visit the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com by clicking on Sport Bowling under the USBC tab at the top of the bowl.com home page.

B. Click on the Sport Bowling Registration button in the second window.

C. Click on the "Click Here to register your bowling center."

D. Review the center requirements for hosting a Sport Bowling league/event.

E. Fill out the short form.  You will need to know:

1. Your center's USBC certification number (5 digits);
2. The center contact information including e-mail address and telephone number.

F. Hit "Submit."  If your center was Sport certified last season, this completes your center's registration process.  If this is your first year to host a Sport Bowling league/tournament, please go to FAQ #7.

4. How do we obtain promotional items for the Sport Bowling program, such as Sport Bowling posters, brochures, and banners?  Promotional items for Sport Bowling can be obtained by calling Customer Service at (800) 514-2695, extension 3177 or e-mailing the Bowling Information Center at bowlinfo@bowl.com.

5. How do we obtain a copy of the Sport Bowling Manual?  The Sport Bowling Manual is a useful tool that helps ensure all center, association, league or tournament Sport Bowling specifications and requirements are met.  The Sport Bowling Manual can be downloaded from bowl.com:

A. Click on the Sport Bowling Tab under the USBC tab at the top of the bowl.com home page.

B. Click on "Forms and Manuals" in the second window.

C. Click on "Sport Bowling Technical Manual" and you can down load to your computer and/or print same.

6. Who do we contact to purchase a Brunswick Computer Lane Monitor for our Sport Bowling league/tournament/center?  Contact a Brunswick sales representative at 1-800-yes-bowl (937-2695). Brunswick will provide you the current price of the Computer Lane Monitor system for all Sport Bowling leagues and tournaments. When placing an order, be sure to mention that you are a USBC Sport Bowling certified center to receive the special discount.

7. This is the first year my bowling center is hosting a Sport Bowling league.  What does my center have to do?

A. Once the center has registered online (see FAQ #3 above), the center will need to oil a pair of lanes with any Sport Bowling pattern.

B. Pull test tapes on that pair of lanes. This must be done at 22' and 2' before the end of the pattern.   For example, if the Sport Bowling pattern is 40', then the tapes must be pulled at 22' and 38.'

C. Use the test tapes to generate graphs for both lanes and send:

1. Graphs
   • Faxed to 817-385-8262; or
   • E-mailed to sportbowling@bowl.com
2. Tapes are mailed to:
   United States Bowling Congress
   Attn.  Sport Bowling
   621 Six Flags Drive
   Arlington, Texas 76011

This step is required to ensure that the center is capable of putting down a Sport compliant pattern in advance of Sport Bowling leagues and/or tournaments.

NOTE: If you do not have access to an optical reader and software to make graphs, you may send us the tapes and we will read them for you. When mailing tapes, be sure to include a note stating where the tapes are from, what event the tapes are for (week #5 of the PBA Experience League at Lonesome Lanes, WY), and a contact person, including telephone number.

D. The test graphs or tapes must be sent to USBC Headquarters, Sport Bowling, at least two weeks prior to the start of leagues or tournaments.

E. If needed, USBC will provide technical support to assist the center in meeting this requirement either by e-mail (sportbowling@bowl.com) or telephone (1-800-514-2695, ext. 3177).

F. Once the pattern is in compliance, the league can begin Sport Bowling competition.  Graphs or tapes from one (1) lane are to be sent weekly to USBC Headquarters:

1. Graphs
   • Faxed to 817-385-8262; or
   • E-mailed to sportbowling@bowl.com
2. Tapes are mailed to:
   United States Bowling Congress
   Attn.  Sport Bowling
   621 Six Flags Drive
   Arlington, Texas 76011

For reference, see the USBC Sport Bowling Manual, Chapter 3.

G. Upon completion of registration and submitting test tapes your center will be certified for Sport Bowling leagues and tournaments until the end of the current bowling season. You will be sent "Certified Sport Bowling Center" decals for your center windows.

8. Do we have to send in test tapes each year as proof of a compliant lane condition? Test tapes are only required the first year that your bowling center hosts a Sport Bowling league/tournament.  See FAQ #7 above for instructions on submitting test tapes the first year.

9. What is the process for submitting tapes/graphs?  Tapes or graphs are required to be submitted to USBC Headquarters for your league on a weekly basis.  See USBC Playing Rule 206a.

10. What happens if we fail to submit weekly tapes or graphs?  Failure to submit tapes or graphs may result in your bowling center's Sport Bowling certification being pulled. Sport Bowling retains the right to withdraw a center/league's Sport Certification:

A. If the center fails to meet the requirements of USBC Playing Rule 206a, which includes submitting graphs or tapes every week of competition.

B. If the center accumulates two warnings within a 12-month period for non-compliance.  See USBC Playing Rule 206b for the complete directive.

Sport Bowling tapes/graphs may be sent as follows:

1. Graphs
   • Faxed to 817-385-8262; or
   • E-mailed to sportbowling@bowl.com
2. Tapes are mailed to:
   United States Bowling Congress
   Attn.  Sport Bowling
   621 Six Flags Drive
   Arlington, Texas 76011

Leagues

11. How does my league certify as an official Team USA Experience league?

A. The league must register on bowl.com once the bowling center has registered and certified as a Sport Bowling Center. (See FAQ #3 above for center registration.)

1. Visit the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com by clicking on Sport Bowling under the USBC tab at the top of the bowl.com home page.
2. Click on the Sport Bowling Registration button in the second window.
3. Click on the "Click Here to register for a Sport Bowling League."
4. Review the Rules.
5. Fill out the short form.  You will need to know:
   • The center certification number (5 digits);
   • The type of league (Youth, adult, or both);
   • The league name;
   • The league's start and end dates; and
   • The league contact person including name, telephone number and an e-mail address.
6. Hit "Submit."

B. Also fill out the USBC League Application, the same form that is used for any USBC league. Be sure to mark the application as a Sport Bowling league appropriately.

C. All league members must pay or provide proof of payment of the Sport Bowling membership dues ($15 for adults; $10 for youth) in addition to all required standing USBC membership dues.  For reference, see USBC Playing Rule 201.

D. Completed forms must be turned in to your local USBC association manager within thirty (30) days of the start of the league.

E. After completing these simple steps, your league will be a certified Sport Bowling League ready for competition.

NOTE: League & Membership Application forms may be obtained from your local USBC association manager or the Bowling Information Center at USBC Headquarters

12. What is my league required to do weekly?  Each league must make weekly arrangements for tapes and graph inspections before the league begins.

A. Tapes will be taken at 22 feet and two feet before the end of the pattern on one lane. For example, if your Sport Bowling pattern is 37', you will take tapes at 22' and 35'.  If you do not have access to a reader and software to make graphs, you may send us the tapes and we will read them for you.

B. Tapes or graphs must be forwarded to USBC Headquarters on a weekly basis. If sending graphs, tapes must be retained for 30 days to allow for possible review by USBC Headquarters.  For reference, refer to the USBC Sport Bowling Manual.

13. Once the lanes are conditioned for Sport Bowling competition, may I practice prior to the start of my league competition?  It is critical to the integrity of the Sport Bowling program that the lane conditions present at the start of certified competition, comply with Sport Bowling lane dressing specifications.   Once lanes are conditioned for a Sport Bowling league or tournament, there shall be no bowling prior to the start of the competition, except for a reasonable amount of practice balls authorized by the competition, not to exceed 30 minutes.  See for reference, USBC Sport Bowling Manual, Chapter 2.

14. Is there one standard league format for Sport Bowling?  Each Sport Bowling league is required to follow the rules and specifications established by USBC for Sport Bowling competition (see the USBC Playing Rules). Beyond those requirements, the league has the flexibility to establish its own format. For ideas on various league formats, visit the Unique Format Section on the Sport Bowling page of bowl.com.  Should you have a question regarding a specific format and whether or not it is acceptable for Sport Bowling, feel free to contact the Sport Bowling Team at USBC Headquarters, 1-800-514-2695, ext. 3177.

Tournaments

15. How do tournaments certify as an Official Sport Bowling tournament?  The steps to register a Sport Bowling Tournament are as follows:

A. Ensure the center is a registered Sport Bowling center. (See FAQ #3 above for instructions on registering your center.)

B. All USBC certified tournament applications are submitted on-line at bowl.com, http://bowl.com/tournaments/index.jsp.

C. Check the Sport Bowling box on the tournament application.

D. At the completion of these steps your tournament will be a Sport Certified Bowling Tournament.

E. It is recommended that each tournament make arrangements for tapes and graph inspections before the tournament begins.

F. Your tournament must have an inspection prior to each squad where the lanes are dressed.

• Tapes are taken at 22 feet and two feet before the end of the pattern on one lane before every fresh oil squad.
• Graphs are to be forwarded to USBC Headquarters as soon as possible but no later than the last day of tournament competition.
• Tapes will be required upon request.
• Tapes must be retained for 30 days following the last squad of the tournament to allow for possible review by the USBC Headquarters.

16. Can a tournament specify that Sport Bowling averages are not allowed?  Leagues and tournaments are permitted to specify that Sport Bowling averages cannot be used for its competition - the exception to this would be USBC association championship tournaments. USBC association championship tournaments cannot specify Sport Bowling averages are not allowed, but as with all tournaments, the average may be subject to a higher adjustment by tournament management.  Rule 319a allows the tournament manager to specify which league averages are to be used in the tournament. Rule 319c also allows tournament managers the ability to adjust an average upward prior to participation.

USBC Sport Membership

17. What are the costs/fees associated with Sport Bowling?  All bowlers participating in USBC Sport Bowling leagues must:

A. Pay the $15.00 adult or $10.00 youth Sport Bowling membership dues in addition to all required standard USBC membership dues.

B. Participants in Sport Bowling tournaments are not required to be Sport Bowling members unless the tournament rules state otherwise.

C. USBC Life Members are also required to pay the additional $15.00 Sport Bowling dues.

NOTE: Collegiate and Junior Gold member are automatically Sport Bowling members and do not have to pay the $15.00 or $10.00 Sport Bowling membership dues.

18. If I bowl in a summer Sport Bowling league and pay Sport Bowling membership dues, when is the next time that I'll have to pay membership dues?  There are two options for moving from standard USBC membership to USBC Sport Bowling membership.

A. If you are a current USBC standard member, you can upgrade your standard membership to Sport Bowling status.  A Sport Bowling upgrade is only valid until the end of the current league season.  For example, if you upgrade your membership on June 1 in order to bowl in a certified Sport Bowling summer league, the upgrade is only valid until that league ends. As such, you will be required to pay Sport Bowling dues again when the next league season begins – usually in late August or early September; or,

B. You can purchase a full USBC Sport Bowling membership. Full Sport Bowling memberships cost up to $36 for adults (Sport Bowling dues - $15; USBC dues - $10; Local dues - $10 max; State dues- $1 max), but, when purchased after March 15 through a certified Sport Bowling summer league, your membership is good for the remainder of the current season and for the entire season that follows.  For example, if you purchase a full Sport Bowling membership on May 5, 2010, your membership is good through July 31, 2011.  You would not be required to pay membership dues again until the start of the 2011-12 fall season.

Awards

19. What types of awards are given to honor scores bowled in Sport Bowling leagues and tournaments?  Sport Bowling members are offered exclusive awards providing the lane specifications comply with Sport Bowling conditions, including Clean Series, 75 pins over age (game), 300 game, 299 game, 800 to 899 series, 900 series and 11 strikes in a row in a game of 298 or less.  See USBC Playing Rule 204 for a total list of all Sport Bowling awards.

20. Will I receive a Sport award if the lanes do not meet the minimum requirements for a Sport Bowling pattern?  If the lane conditions do not comply with Sport Bowling lane dressing requirements, an award from the standard USBC program will be issued where applicable.  See USBC Playing Rule 203 for further reference.

21. What average is used for Sport Bowling awards?  Averages used to qualify for the Sport Bowling special achievement award scores may be either standard or Sport Bowling averages.

22. Can my Sport average be used for USBC standard league/tournament awards?  Averages established in Sport Bowling competition may not be used to qualify for awards earned in standard league or tournament competition.

23. If I bowl in a USBC standard tournament and my Sport Bowling average is adjusted, will I qualify for USBC standard tournament awards?  Yes, providing all of the tournament eligibility requirements are met.

24. What National Sport Bowling award can I earn?  Each season the male and female adult and youth bowler who has the highest national sport average based on a minimum of 48 games will receive recognition and an exquisite Crystal Bowling pin.

25. If I bowl in a Sport League and also bowl in a standard league, will I earn both a Sport award and a standard award?  USBC Sport bowlers remain eligible to receive regular recognition in standard leagues/tournaments for the same achievement in accordance with the USBC rules governing standard bowling.  For example, a member bowling a 300 game in a Sport Bowling league will receive the Sport 300 award. If at another time the same member bowls a 300 game in standard competition, they would also receive the standard 300 award.

26. If I bowl a 600 series in a standard league, can I also get a 600 in a sport league?  USBC does not offer a separate Sport award for a 600 series. If a Sport Bowling member qualifies for both a 600 series in Sport Bowling competition and standard competition, he/she will only receive the award for the first qualifying 600 series.

27. May I purchase Sport Bowling awards?  Bowlers will be allowed to purchase additional Sport Bowling competition award items if the score was approved as a Sport Bowling award achievement.  See for reference USBC Playing Rule 204.

Youth

28. Can Youth bowl in certified Sport Bowling competitions?  All youth bowlers may participate in certified USBC Youth Sport Bowling events and adult SINGLES leagues/tournaments (See FAQ #29 below for adult singles events). Many of the youth tournaments use Sport Bowling lane conditions including the Junior Gold Championships and the Teen Masters.  For additional information, see USBC Playing Rule 400.

29. If I am a Youth Sport Bowling member may I compete in adult leagues/tournaments where cash awards are given? USBC Playing Rule 400 only allows youths to participate in adult singles competitions with cash or bond prizes and/or merchandise prizes valued in excess of $500 provided they submit the USBC Singles Competition Prize Waiver prior to participating in such a competition.  See USBC Playing Rule 400 for information on the USBC Singles Competition Prize Waiver.

Averages

30. If a bowler only bowls in a Sport Bowling league, how is his/her average adjusted for standard leagues and tournaments?  Because Sport Bowling conditions are more challenging than typical standard conditions, a bowler's average under Sport conditions will typically be lower. We have confirmed this through the analysis of scores from Sport Bowling leagues and tournaments. In an effort to equalize competition during standard tournaments, an Average Adjustment Table has been formulated for bowlers who ONLY have a Sport Bowling average.  See USBC Playing Rule 202a for the Average Adjustment chart.

31. What is a Sport Bowling Average Adjustment Chart?

A. The Average Adjustment Table has been formulated through evaluation of Sport League bowlers on various Sport lane conditions. As additional data is obtained, slight changes to the scale may occur yearly. If so, the updated scale will be appropriately distributed.

B. The Average Adjustment Table has been statistically designed to correct 95% of the Sport League bowlers' averages to within 5% of their standard average.

C. The Average Adjustment Table is not considered a "re-rate" of the bowler; it is to allow for a fair adjustment to what would be expected of the bowler during competition on a typical league and tournament condition.

D. The Average Adjustment Table does not supersede the abilities of a tournament director to further adjust any bowlers' entering average upward into a tournament per USBC Playing Rule 319.

For reference, please see USBC Playing Rules 202b, 202c, 202d and 202e.

32. If I have an established USBC standard average and a USBC Sport Bowling average, what average is used in a standard tournament/league?  If a bowler has an established standard average, that average shall be used for all standard tournaments unless the tournament rules' eligibility requirements state otherwise.

33. Will Sport Bowling affect my average?  Very likely, but if you step up to the challenge you will be satisfied you tried. This level of competition will be an exciting challenge - one that should improve your game.

34. How often will USBC examine Sport Bowling to ensure that its specifications are still appropriate? This is an ongoing process.  We are in a position to make constant adjustments to the technical requirements when/as the need arises.

Miscellaneous

35. Are there any equipment restrictions for Sport Bowling?As part of the technical requirements for USBC Sport Bowling, the program has no equipment restrictions at this time.  However, league rules may be adopted to restrict equipment, i.e., two-ball leagues, plastic ball leagues.  Visit the league formats section on the sport bowling page on bowl.com for some great league format ideas.

• Mixed Singles
• Doubles
• Singles
• Adult ⁄ Youth
• Summer Youth w/ Coaching
• Singles Youth Scratch
• Trios
• Survivor
• Flat Shot League
• High ⁄ Low Point System
• PBA-Style Singles
• Two Ball Challenge

The first night of bowling will be (list date).
• The last night of bowling will be (list date).
• There will no bowling (list Holiday season dates, if any).
• The league will convene on (date) for its annual meeting to receive payoffs and elect officers for the next league session.

The league will function on a "pay as you go." No arrearages will be allowed nor will credit be extended.
• The secretary/treasure shall open an account at a local bank in the name of the league. Two signatures will be required for withdrawal of funds from the league account. Spouses both cannot be signatory to withdraw funds from the league account.

The bowling format and lane assignment will be as follows:
• Lane assignments will be drawn randomly week. (Example, Lane 1A, 1B, 1C, Lane 2A, 2B, 2C, etc.) Bowlers shall put their respective lane assignment number A, B, or C in front of their first names in the computer upon receiving their lane number.
• Drawing for lane assignment will be made at 6 p.m. Practice bowling to commence at 6:15 p.m. League bowling will begin at 6:30 p.m.
• A bowler who arrives late may draw a lane assignment and enter the game provided five complete frames have not been completed by all of the bowlers on that pair of lanes. Frames missed may be made up.
• At the end of the first and second games, each bowler will move one pair of lanes to the right. Bowlers on the last pair of lanes will move to the starting pair for their next game.
• Bowlers are to record their scores on the recap sheets as they finish each game.

• Points will be awarded based upon individual POA scores for each game compared in rank order to POA scores for each game bowled by all other league members:
• Example: if 20 bowlers participate in a given week, 20 points will be awarded to the bowler with the highest POA total for each game. The bowler with the second-highest POA score would receive 19 points, the third-highest POA score 18 points, etc. The last bowler would receive one point.
• On their first night of bowling, all league members will establish an average based upon three games. A new bowler who enters the league after the first night will establish his/her average based upon his/her first three games bowled. Points will be awarded retroactively after any new average is established.
• After the bowler has an established league average, points will be awarded based upon his/her current average for the remainder of the league year.
• In the event of ties in any game or series, the points for the tied positions will be divided equally.
• Fractional points awarded for ties will be carried forward through the last week of bowling at which time fractions will be rounded up or down to the nearest hole number. Half points will be rounded up.

• The bowler with the highest average number of points (total points divided by games/series bowled) will be declared the league champion. See eligibility rule 9e.

• Most Improved Bowler: $25 (based upon ending average for a minimum of 48 games compared to the bowler's average after 21 games)
• Highest POA Series: $25
• Highest POA Game: $25
• League members must bowl at least two-thirds of the league's 72 games (a minimum total of 48 games) to be eligible for the special prizes.
• There will be no trophies awarded other than USBC or local association awards.

• Pre-bowling can be performed at any time but bowlers must make his/her own arrangements with the host center and bowl under the same conditions as the league rules (i.e., bowling each game on a separate pair of lanes).
• Pre-bowled games must be bowled in the presence of at least one other league member and witnessed by a bowling center employee, local association official or a league officer.
• Games bowled in another league will not be accepted as pre-bowled games in this league.
• Bowlers are responsible for paying the bowling center the $6 lane fees and obtain a printout of games bowled from the bowling center. The scoring printout and $4 league fees must be submitted to the league secretary/treasurer before next regularly scheduled league session.

• This league will be a "Sport League," Sanctioned by USBC under the Sport Bowling Program. All lane patterns shall confirm to the Sport Bowling definitions. All players must pay for the special Sport Bowling sanction card.
• Bowling shall be held for 13 weeks, commencing Tuesday, May 13, 2008, and finishing Tuesday, August 5th, 2008. Fun night shall be Tuesday, August 12th, 2008, at which time all awards and prize money shall be handed out at Pla-Mor Bowl. 9 minutes of practice shall start promptly at 7:00pm; scoring starts at 7:09pm.
• Weekly fees are $15.00 per bowler: $9.00 for lineage (4 games); $6.00 for prizes. NO IOUs are allowed; please pay ahead and/or stay current in the envelope. President shall appoint a 5 member committee to determine prize list by the third week of bowling. Prize list shall be presented and approved by week 5.
• Format for this league: Bowl 2 games as prescribed by USBC schedule; take a break after the first two games (10 minutes maximum); process scores and then bowl 2 more games in a position round. In the event of ties for wins, total team pins with handicap will break ties (except for league championship). In the even of a tie for first place at the end of week 13, a one game roll-off shall be held immediately to determine league champion, determined by total pins with handicap for the one game roll-off.
• Individual point system in addition to team points shall be used: man v. man are worth 1 point; team game is worth 3 points, for a total of 6 possible points each game. There will be 18 total points available each two game block.
• Handicap shall be 80% of 200, with no limit.
• Blind score (for absent bowlers) shall be the absent bowler's average minus 10. Vacancy score (for incomplete teams) shall be 150, with the vacancy receiving the proper handicap.
• This league will not allow team subs (exclusive use of a sub); all substitutes are available to all teams in the league. All subs must obtain a Sport Program sanction card.
• In the event a team can not bowl a regularly scheduled league match, they are allowed to bowl ahead (as a team unit only). Make-up bowling shall not be permitted, except in the most extreme cases and allowed by appeal to the board of directors (Pres., VP, Sec/Tres., and team captains.)
• Lane patterns schedule:
  5/13: Sport pattern
  5/20: Viper
  5/27: Shark
  6/3: Scorpion
  6/10: Chameleon
  6/17: Cheetah

• Survivor will bowl on USBC Sport Bowling conditions, so bowlers will be eligible for all Sport Bowling awards. There can be many different lane conditions used during Survivor or just one. The two tournaments will have one pattern, and each six-week session can have multiple conditions (Three weeks each).
• Bowlers use a composite entering average of all their leagues bowled last year. This entering average will be used for the first three games bowled, and weighted at 9 games. After bowlers complete their first three games, those series will be used, and six games at their entering averages will constitute their nine-game averages. This continues until bowlers have nine games bowled. This will allow averages to begin to adjust after three games, and not have a sudden move when bowlers have nine games in Survivor.
• Individual matches are bowled between bowlers in each average tribe. Four points are available each night; one point per game and one point for totals on each individual match.
• Team Survivor will use a match play points system in which each game is worth two points, team totals three and each individual match and individual totals worth one point. Total points available each match is 21 points.
• For the first six-week format, bowlers will be divided into four tribes each week based on their current averages in Survivor. These tribes – named for the suits in a deck of playing cards – will have bowlers ranked based on their winning percentages. In the case of a tie in winning percentage, the bowler with the most games bowled will have the higher rank. If a tie still exists, the bowler with the higher average will have the higher position. Matches each week are based on position within tribes.
• The prize fund for the first six weeks is individual. There is no team prize fund for the first six weeks. Each division has its own prize fund and all divisions have equal prize funds. This will allow fair and even competition among bowlers of all skill levels. Bowlers are only concerned with how their performance is relative to the other bowlers in their average tribe.
• After the sixth week ends, the winnings of each bowler are tallied based on their position within their average tribe. This concludes the first format of Survivor.
• The seventh week bowlers in Survivor compete in individual match play championships. This head-to-head match play tournament begins with the four tribes first battling to determine a tournament champion, then the four champions battle for the rights to be the tournament's Ultimate Survivor.
• To prepare for the last seven weeks, the Survivor bowlers have a draft and the tribes split. The league-leading average bowlers become team captains and draft the remaining players. The first draft pick goes to the team captain with the lowest average and this process continues until all bowlers have been drafted.
• Weeks eight through 13 drafted teams compete for a team prize fund, and the title of Survivor Team Champion.
• The league uses a 21-point system as stated in Rule 5. There is no handicap between drafted teams as they are by their nature very balanced. Teams may use a substitute should one be needed provide the subs average is equal to or less than the bowler they are replacing (Since the teams are drafted). If a bowler is absent, the team can use the absent bowler's average less 10 pins if no sub is available.
• One bowler will constitute a legal lineup. If there is no opponent, the team must bowl within 10 pins for the individual matches and 30 pins of team average for the team points. (Bowlers bowl match play against their own average less 10.)
• In the 14th week, Survivor bowlers start team match play championships. This is a head-to-head, Baker system match play tournament between teams. This format has bowlers from each team bowling alternating frames. Matches are bowled until we crown the Ultimate Team Survivors.
• Survivor could have cash awards for 300 games and 800 series (i.e. $250 for 300 and $500 for 800). The league will be certified through USBC and will use Sport Bowling compliant lane conditions so that bowlers will be eligible for Sport Bowling awards.

The following Two Ball Challenge PBA Experience League continues to grow and boasts that it increased 80% for the 2010 league session.

The Two Ball Challenge PBA Experience League is a scratch league and shall consist of 18 teams.

The league will bowl 14 weeks starting May 18, 2010. League will bowl 13 regular weeks + position round on the 14th week.

The shot will change each week of league. The shot will change on Fridays and players can practice on it Sunday's (9am -11pm) and Monday's (9am-11pm). If you need to bowl out you will need to notify the teams your bowling against and do it on one of those nights.

If there are an odd number of teams they will draw a team to bowl scores against.

If an individual is going to be tardy they must notify the bowling center or the opposing team that they are going to be late. If a member is tardy, he/she must be ready to bowl before the last ball is rolled by the opposing bowler of the fifth frame.

Bowling fees will be $30.00 per week per team, which includes: bowling, secretarial and treasurer services, prize money, and pizza party for all members. The last week of bowling fees are due by the fourth week of bowling.

Each team will be responsible for the entire teams bowling fees and prize fees for the entire season. If a member is behind more than 1 week, that member does not bowl until fees are made current.

Format: Each bowler will bowl four (4) games. A bowler will bowl two (2) games against one opponent and then move two pairs and bowl two (2) more games against a second opponent. Games are bowled scratch with singles format.

All league games are bowled for points. Two points are received for each game won and one point is received for series for a total of 10 points against two opponents. Roll-off if needed will be best three of four games for first place.

Equipment is limited to two (2) bowling balls which are registered with the league secretary. Each player will receive a copy of the serial numbers for every registered ball.

League must be paid in full no exceptions.

There are no substitutes in this league.

If a bowler is revealed to be using an improper bowling ball such bowler will automatically lose the points for the game and take a zero for final score of that game.

The last place position will decide the pattern for the position round. (14th week).

Any other rules or disputes will be governed by the USBC Rule Book.

Questions can be directed to HP Lanes at 614/267-0321, or to hpl3444@aol.com.