Rules for Youth League 2007-08 season.

 

1.      SCHEDULE   Bowling will begin September 28th, and the last day of bowling will be the last Friday in March.  There will be no regular bowling scheduled on School Vacations, Needham Half-days, and certain long weekends (to be determined by a survey form to the parents).  In the event that more than 25% of the league is expected to be absent on a given long weekend, bowling will be cancelled.  If school in Needham is cancelled on a given Friday due to inclement weather, bowling will also be cancelled. 

 

2.      BOWLER REQUIREMENTS - Each bowler in the league will have an established average.  Each team will have an average cap of 420.

 

a.      Bowlers’ starting averages will be determined by the bowler’s “house average” from the previous season if applicable.

 

3.      DUES - The cost per bowler will be $10 per week (includes bowling fees and dues), which will be paid each week regardless of absences.  If bowling should be cancelled, no fees will be due for that day.

 

4.      REGULAR MATCHES - Weekly matches will consist of 2 strings – 2 points for each string and 2 points for total pin fall.  In the case of a tie, 1 point will be awarded to each team.  Bowlers will bowl 2 boxes at a time.

 

Since this is a league, like with soccer, baseball, or any other league, bowlers are expected to arrive on time to bowling each week, and commit to being at bowling throughout the season.  When a bowler is absent, they end up hurting the other members of their team, so please make certain that you (your child) is at bowling regularly! 

 

5.      STARTING TIMES / LATE BOWLERS - Starting time is 3:30pm.  Please be prompt, as warm-ups will not be permitted for late arrivals.  If an earlier group is still bowling, please do not move your belongings into the bowling area until the other bowlers have finished.

 

a.      If a bowler arrives late, the bowler will not be allowed warm-up.  If the late bowler arrives before the first bowler on the opposing team has begun their 5th box, then the late bowler will be allowed to join in the string.  If the late bowler arrives after the 5th box has begun, then the late bowler’s average minus 5 pins will be used for that string only.  The late bowler may participate in any bowling remaining in the match.

 

6.      HANDICAP – A 100% handicap system will be used, as maintained by our computer scoring system.  Lane assignments will also be handled by the scoring system.  

 

7.      TEAMS  - Teams shall consist of up to four bowlers.  Each bowler must have their telephone numbers listed with the Bowlaway staff in case of emergency.  Where possible, we will try to allow friends to stay together, however, the Bowlaway reserves the right to assign bowlers to teams to keep age ranges more even (i.e. spreading out older kids and younger kids).

 

a.      In the unlikely event that teams become uneven the Bowlaway will hold a lottery to move one bowler to a team with less bowlers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.      ABSENT BOWLERS - If a bowler is absent, the team will use that bowler’s average minus 5 pins per string.  If that same bowler cannot bowl for more than 3 weeks due to injury or illness, then the team will receive a “dummy score” after the third week of absence.  The absent bowler will still be responsible for paying for all weeks of bowling missed.

 

a.      In the event that a full team is absent from bowling, the team will receive no points for the match.  The opposing team must beat the scores of the absent team (minus 5 pins for each bowler) plus the appropriate handicap to win points.

 

9.      DUMMY TEAM - If there is a “dummy” team, then the score of the dummy team will be equal to the average of the team they are bowling against.

 

10.  BOWLER’S AVERAGES - Bowlers will use their starting averages (if applicable) for two weeks of bowling.  After that they will use their actual league averages.

 

11.  SUBSTITUTE BOWLERS - In the event that a bowler knows that they will be absent, the team may use a substitute bowler.  The Bowlaway will maintain a list of bowlers with averages who are willing to be used as subs.  Substitute bowlers will use an entering average for their first 6 strings bowled, after which they will receive a house average.  Substitute bowlers must not allow the team to exceed the average cap of 420.  Teams may not use a regular bowler as a substitute.

 

12.  BOWL-AHEADS – In the event that a bowler knows that they will be absent, they may also choose to “Bowl-Ahead”.  Bowl-Ahead’s are subject to lane availability at the Bowlaway and must be supervised by Bowlaway staff.  A bowler may bowl at any time that there are available lanes (except Cosmic or Moonlight bowling times) up to one week prior to the following regular day of bowling.  Bowlers may not Bowl-Ahead for more than one week at a time, and are limited to two Bowl-Aheads in one season.  When possible, the bowler will be placed on the pair of lanes that they would be on the next regular day of bowling.

 

13.  BOWLER LEAVING THE LEAGUE - In the event that a bowler can no longer continue to bowl in the league (for any reason), the bowler is expected find a replacement bowler for their team.  The Bowlaway staff must be notified of a bowler’s intention to leave league.  Any replacement bowler must not cause the team to exceed the average cap.  If a bowler leaves the league, then that bowler forfeits any and all prizes that they would have won.

 

14.  DUES REQUIREMENTS - Each bowler must be paid up-to-date to be eligible for all prizes.  The parents of a Bowler who is found to be two weeks behind on dues will receive a warning, and must work out a payment plan with the Bowlaway staff.  Bowlers who are four or more weeks behind on their dues without a payment plan in place will be disqualified, and their share of prize money will be used to pay for the weeks of bowling fees owed to the Bowlaway, and the remainder of the money will go to the general prize fund.

 

15.  QUESTIONABLE INCIDENTS - Any questionable incidents must be brought to the attention of the Bowlaway staff IMMEDIATELY in case a decision needs to be made; do not wait until the following week to question something.  If the question pertains to a ruling needed while bowling, all bowlers on those teams MUST stop bowling until Bowlaway staff resolves the issue.

 

16.  GENERAL RULES - All International Candlepin Bowling Association rules will be in effect at all times.  Copies of the rule book are available from the Bowlaway staff (for a nominal charge) or may be downloaded from the ICBA’s website at: www.candlepinbowling.com

 

 

 

 

17.  NEDHAM BOWLAWAY ALL-STAR TEAM – A group of bowlers may be selected to represent Needham in a traveling youth league.  Bowling times for this traveling league are at 10:00am one Sunday per month throughout the league season.  Bowlers on this team will compete against other youth teams from around the state.  More details and information on this event will be distributed as we get the information.

 

18.  STATE YOUTH TOURNAMENT – At the end of the season, all bowlers will be eligible to attend the Massachusetts Bowling Association’s State Youth Tournament.  Bowlers participating in the tournament can win additional trophies and potentially scholarship money.  More information on the STATE YOUTH TOURNAMENT will be distributed when the information arrives in February.

 

19.  ADDITIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES – In the event that a ruling needs to be made that is somehow not covered in the ICBA rulebook or this rulebook, or there are rules in this rulebook that are somehow in conflict, the Bowlaway staff will make the final ruling, and then amend the rulebook accordingly.

 

20.  SPORTSMANSHIP – Good sportsmanship is essential to teamwork and personal development.  Every bowler on a team will be expected to bowl his / her best each week.  Even if the bowler is not the best on their team, every person makes their own contribution to the team.  No bowler will ever be asked to “sit-out”, or ridiculed in any way, for not bowling well on a given day.

 

Good sportsmanship is always encouraged here at the Bowlaway!  Any bowler who uses offensive language, improperly treats another bowler, or abuses the equipment at the Bowlaway will be asked to leave the premises.  That bowler’s parents will also be notified of the incident.  A second incident will result in the expulsion of that bowler from the league.

 

Parents are encouraged to attend bowling matches and tournaments whenever possible, with the understanding that the rules of good sportsmanship apply to them as well.

 

21.  BOWLING INSTRUCTION – The Needham Bowlaway employs staff certified by the International Candlepin Bowling Association to assist in the instruction of candlepin bowling.  Bowling instruction is available on any day that a certified staff member is available and lanes are open.  The instruction is free of charge; the bowler simply pays for their bowling.

 

22.  PRACTICE BOWLING – Bowlers are encouraged to practice when possible. Since it is our hope that every member of our league will take the time to learn the game of candlepin bowling, we are offering a special rate to our Kids League bowlers for practice games.  Kids League bowlers will only be charged $10 for 1 hour including shoes for regular open bowling on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 1pm to 6:00pm when school is in session. 

 

23.  BOWLING BUCKS – School work is essential to the development of every child.  It is our hope that while a child may learn to excel on the bowling lanes, it is far more important that they excel in the classroom.  Therefore, any child who is active in our Kids League will receive a coupon (3 Bowling Bucks) to go towards the cost of bowling of their choice for every “A” grade that they receive on their report card!  In the event that your child does not receive letter grades from their school, they will receive Bowling Bucks for every “A equivalent” grade (whatever category is the highest on their report card).  Please provide us a copy of your child’s report card and we will distribute the coupons during the league.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please fill out this information form and permission slip for participation in the Needham Bowlaway’s Youth League, and return it to the Bowlaway.

 

 

 

Parent’s / Guardian’s Name (Print)               

 

 

Child’s Name (Print)

 

 

Street Address, City, Zip Code

 

 

Home Telephone Number

 

 

Emergency Contact Name / Relationship

 

 

Emergency Contact Telephone Number

 

 

 

 

Please sign the following permission form:

 

 

I (print parent / guardian’s name)_________________________________ give permission for my son / daughter to bowl in the Needham Bowlaway Youth League.  I will make every effort to insure that my child will be at bowling each scheduled week, on time, and that their dues and bowling fees will be paid weekly or in advance.  I understand that the Emergency Contact above will be contacted in the event of any injuries.  I also understand that if school is cancelled for the day, bowling will also be cancelled for the day.

 

 

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Parent / Gaurdian  Signature                                                                                  Date