Due to the multitude of lane machines, lane oils, and lane surfaces, specific criteria was developed for Sport Bowling leagues and tournaments to follow to ensure that the pattern they develop is within the specifications listed below: 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. In addition, when using PBA Experience patterns, they should be representative of the specific PBA Experience pattern being used. Therefore, 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. Prior to Sport Bowling league/tournament competition (including USBC PBA Experience), the following must be done: 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 for all tapes taken 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 minimu Return to Top
Due to the multitude of lane machines, lane oils, and lane surfaces, specific criteria was developed for Sport Bowling leagues and tournaments to follow to ensure that the pattern they develop is within the specifications listed below:
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. In addition, when using PBA Experience patterns, they should be representative of the specific PBA Experience pattern being used. Therefore, 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.
Prior to Sport Bowling league/tournament competition (including USBC PBA Experience), the following must be done:
Register the Center by visiting the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com and click on the ‘Centers’ tab. Then click on ‘Register your center for Sport Bowling’. Fill out the brief form and hit “Submit.” To complete this form, you will need to know the center certification number, type of lane surface, install or resurface date of the lanes, and type of oil machine. Proof of compliant lane condition: This step is only required if your center was not Sport Bowling certified the previous year! Once you have registered your center online, you will need to oil a pair of lanes with the Sport pattern you plan on using. Then pull tapes on that pair of lanes. This must be done at 22’ and 2’ before the end of the pattern. Then use the tape to generate graphs for both lanes and send us the graphs. 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. We require this step to assure that the center is capable of putting down a Sport compliant pattern in advance of Sport Bowling leagues and/or tournaments. The graphs or tapes must be sent to us at least two weeks prior to the start of leagues or tournaments. If needed, USBC will provide technical support to assist the center in meeting this requirement. Once the pattern is in compliance, graphs are to be sent to USBC Headquarters via fax at (414) 421-1301 or mail to USBC Headquarters, Attn: Sport Bowling, 5301 South 76th St., Greendale, WI 53129. After completing these two simple steps your center will be certified for Sport Bowling leagues and tournaments until the end of this bowling season. You will be sent decals for your center windows.
Once the pattern is in compliance, graphs are to be sent to USBC Headquarters via fax at (414) 421-1301 or mail to USBC Headquarters, Attn: Sport Bowling, 5301 South 76th St., Greendale, WI 53129.
After completing these two simple steps your center will be certified for Sport Bowling leagues and tournaments until the end of this bowling season. You will be sent decals for your center windows.
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Requirements: Center must be a certified Sport Bowling center. Equipment: Host centers will be required to meet the lane dressing specifications and verify them with a tape pick-up device and computer reader (if available) prior to each league session. This may be completed either by the host center employees or by USBC local association officials. Host centers also will be required to have a lane machine capable of applying consistent oil patterns that meet Sport Bowling lane dressing requirements. League Registration: Follow these simple steps to register your league as a certified Sport Bowling league. Register the league by visiting the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com and click on the ‘Leagues’ tab. Then click on the ‘Register a Sport Bowling league". Fill out the short form and hit “Submit.” To complete this form, you will need to know the center certification number (5 digits), type of league (Youth, adult, or both), the league name and the start and end dates. Each league must make weekly arrangements for tapes and graph inspections before the league begins. Tapes will be taken at 22 feet and two feet before the end of the pattern on one lane. 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. 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. Fill out the USBC League Application, the same form that is used for any USBC league. For your Sport league, be sure to mark the Sport Bowling check box on the USBC League Application. (League Application forms may be obtained from your local USBC association manager or the Bowling Information Center at USBC Headquarters. Completed forms must be turned in to your local USBC association manager. After completing these three simple steps, your league will be a certified Sport Bowling League until its completion.
Requirements: Center must be a certified Sport Bowling center.
Equipment: Host centers will be required to meet the lane dressing specifications and verify them with a tape pick-up device and computer reader (if available) prior to each league session. This may be completed either by the host center employees or by USBC local association officials. Host centers also will be required to have a lane machine capable of applying consistent oil patterns that meet Sport Bowling lane dressing requirements.
League Registration: Follow these simple steps to register your league as a certified Sport Bowling league.
After completing these three simple steps, your league will be a certified Sport Bowling League until its completion.
Steps to register a Sport Bowling Tournament Make sure all tournament applications are checked for Sport Bowling. Make sure the center is registered for Sport Bowling Each tournament must make arrangements for tapes and graph inspections before the tournament begins. Tapes will be taken at 22 feet and two feet before the end of the pattern on one lane before every fresh oil squad. Graphs must be forwarded to the national office at the competition of the tournament; tapes will be required upon request. 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. Tapes must be retained for 30 days to allow for possible review by the national office At the completion of these three simple steps your tournament will be a Sport Certified Bowling Tournament.
Steps to register a Sport Bowling Tournament
All bowlers participating in USBC Sport Bowling leagues must either pay the $15.00 adult or $10.00 youth (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 in addition to all required standard USBC membership dues. Participants in Sport Bowling tournaments are not required to be Sport Bowling members unless the tournament rules state otherwise. ABC Lifetime and WIBC Permanent members are also required to pay the additional Sport Bowling dues.
Contact your sales representative or visit www.Brunswickbowling.com. Brunswick will give you the current price of the Computer Lane Monitor Package for all Sport Bowling leagues and tournaments. Be sure to mention that you are a sport center to receive the special discount.
The Sport Bowling Manual can be obtained two ways: it can be downloaded from the this website, or contact the Specifications and Certification Department via email at techques@bowl.com, or by phone at (414) 423-3400.
Promotional items for Sport Bowling can be obtained by calling Customer Service at (800) 514-2695, extension 3177.
For a Sport Bowling pattern, there are specific calculations that must be completed to ensure that it follows all compliances that have been set in the Sport Bowling manual. They are: ratio calculations; minimum/maximum amount of oil from boards L8 to 17 and R 8 to 17; and the minimum/maximum amount of oil at 22 feet. A spreadsheet is available on the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com that will assist with the calculations. Ratio Calculation 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. An example follows: Center Average (L18 to R18) = 40 units Right Average (3 – 7) = 20 units Ratio at this distance = 2.0 Minimum/Maximum Percentage Calculation The minimum/maximum amount of oil calculation removes the possibility of creating a “walled” type pattern in Sport Bowling competition. An example calculation is below: 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. 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. 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. To determine if your pattern falls within the requirements, as stated above, download the Pattern Calculations Sport Bowling section of bowl.com.
For a Sport Bowling pattern, there are specific calculations that must be completed to ensure that it follows all compliances that have been set in the Sport Bowling manual. They are: ratio calculations; minimum/maximum amount of oil from boards L8 to 17 and R 8 to 17; and the minimum/maximum amount of oil at 22 feet. A spreadsheet is available on the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com that will assist with the calculations.
Ratio Calculation 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. An example follows:
Center Average (L18 to R18) = 40 units Right Average (3 – 7) = 20 units Ratio at this distance = 2.0
Minimum/Maximum Percentage Calculation The minimum/maximum amount of oil calculation removes the possibility of creating a “walled” type pattern in Sport Bowling competition. An example calculation is below:
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. To determine if your pattern falls within the requirements, as stated above, download the Pattern Calculations Sport Bowling section of bowl.com.
Exclusive awards are offered providing the lane specifications comply with Sport Bowling conditions. If the condition does not comply with Sport Bowling lane dressing requirements, an award from the standard USBC program will be issued where applicable. Visit the awards page to view all Sport Bowling Awards. Averages used to qualify for the Sport Bowling special achievement award scores may be either standard or Sport Bowling averages. Averages established in Sport Bowling competition may not be used to qualify for awards earned in standard league or tournament competition. Each season the male and female bowler who has the highest national sport average based on a minimum of 48 games will receive an exquisite Crystal Bowling pin. USBC Sport bowlers will also remain eligible to receive regular recognition in standard leagues/tournaments for the same achievement in accordance with the USBC rules governing standard bowling. If there is not a distinct USBC Sport award, then the USBC member only will receive the award for the first qualifying score on record, bowled in either Sport Bowling or standard competition. 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, she also can receive the standard 300 award. However, USBC does not offer a separate Sport award for a 600 series. If the member qualifies for both a 600 series in Sport Bowling competition and standard competition, the USBC member only will receive the award for the first qualifying 600 series. Bowlers will be allowed to purchase additional Sport Bowling competition award items if the score was approved as a Sport Bowling award achievement.
Exclusive awards are offered providing the lane specifications comply with Sport Bowling conditions. If the condition does not comply with Sport Bowling lane dressing requirements, an award from the standard USBC program will be issued where applicable.
Visit the awards page to view all Sport Bowling Awards.
Averages used to qualify for the Sport Bowling special achievement award scores may be either standard or Sport Bowling averages. Averages established in Sport Bowling competition may not be used to qualify for awards earned in standard league or tournament competition.
USBC Sport bowlers will also remain eligible to receive regular recognition in standard leagues/tournaments for the same achievement in accordance with the USBC rules governing standard bowling.
If there is not a distinct USBC Sport award, then the USBC member only will receive the award for the first qualifying score on record, bowled in either Sport Bowling or standard competition. 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, she also can receive the standard 300 award. However, USBC does not offer a separate Sport award for a 600 series. If the member qualifies for both a 600 series in Sport Bowling competition and standard competition, the USBC member only will receive the award for the first qualifying 600 series.
Bowlers will be allowed to purchase additional Sport Bowling competition award items if the score was approved as a Sport Bowling award achievement.
Yes, youth bowlers can participate in Sport Bowling events as long as they are certified USBC Youth events. There are many youth tournaments using Sport Bowling lane conditions including the Junior Gold Championships and Teen Masters.
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 across North America. 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. If a bowler has an established standard average, that average shall be used for standard tournaments, and this adjustment is not required. 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. The Average Adjustment Table does not supercede the abilities of a tournament director to further adjust any bowlers' entering average upward into a tournament per rule 319. 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. If so, the updated scale will be appropriately distributed. The Average Adjustment Table has been statistically designed to correct 95% of the Sport League bowlers' averages to within 5% of their standard average.
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 across North America. 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. If a bowler has an established standard average, that average shall be used for standard tournaments, and this adjustment is not required. 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. The Average Adjustment Table does not supercede the abilities of a tournament director to further adjust any bowlers' entering average upward into a tournament per rule 319.
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. If so, the updated scale will be appropriately distributed. The Average Adjustment Table has been statistically designed to correct 95% of the Sport League bowlers' averages to within 5% of their standard average.
Each Sport Bowling league is required to follow the rules and specifications established by USBC for Sport Bowling competition (see the Playing Rules). Beyond those requirements, the league has the flexibility to establish its own format. Should you have a question regarding a specific format and whether or not it is acceptable for Sport Bowling, feel free to contact Bowling Headquarters. Find out more about unique league formats.
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 is subject to a higher adjustment by tournament management. Also, 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.
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 is subject to a higher adjustment by tournament management.
Also, 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.
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.
The process for the future will be continuous so as to be proactive not reactive. We are in a position to make constant adjustments to the technical requirements when the need arises.
As part of the technical requirements for USBC Sport Bowling, the program will have no equipment restrictions at this time.
Tapes/graphs are required on a weekly basis. Failure to submit tapes/graphs can result in your Sport Bowling League certification to be pulled. Sport Bowling has the right to pull Sport Certification for numerous weeks of missing tapes/graphs and/or numerous weeks of non-compliance.
Tapes/graphs are required on a weekly basis. Failure to submit tapes/graphs can result in your Sport Bowling League certification to be pulled.
Sport Bowling has the right to pull Sport Certification for numerous weeks of missing tapes/graphs and/or numerous weeks of non-compliance.
