Formerly the California State
Bowling Association (CSBA), California Women's Bowling Association (CWBA)
and the California Young American Youth Bowling Alliance (CSYABA)
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Archived Articles
CBW 5th Annual Phone Card Drive
The California Bowling Writers (CBW)
Phone Card Drive is currently underway. We will be
purchasing as many
300-minute AT&T Military Pre-Paid Phone Cards as we can
with
the money collected. Any amount for a donation is welcome.
Deadline for donations is DECEMBER
31, 2008. Phone Cards will be purchased and
delivered to the troops in Iraq for Valentine's Day, 2009.
Last year we were able to raise
$6800 in donations, which enabled us to purchase 365 Phone
Cards! Donors included CBW members, bowlers from bowling
leagues (CA and nationwide), state bowling associations, The
Fall Classic Trade Show and anonymous donors.
Don't delay. Send your donation
today!
Make checks payable to: CBW.
Mail to:
Tina Martin, CBW Treasurer
57 Shields Lane
Novato, CA 94947-3877
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK
YOU!
For further information on this Phone Card Drive, log
onto
www.calbowlingwriters.org.
(Click on image to download
flyer - .pdf file)
FREE Roto Grip Cell T-Shirt
No purchase necessary. Visit www.rotogear.com and register your customer information if you are new to the site before placing your order. Once registered, go to the FREE CELL T-SHIRT coupon link on the home page. Order your Cell T-shirt color of choice and make sure to pick up one up for a friend or family member! When you are finished ordering your t-shirts go to your shopping cart and enter CODE: CELLTSHIRT in the coupon box before checking out.
All
orders placed are pre-orders. Your CELL T-Shirt will ship in
time for Christmas!
Offer is only valid in the continental US. All other customers will be subject to a higher shipping & handling charge. The shipping & handling fee is charged to cover the cost of processing and shipping your order via US Mail. OFFER EXPIRES 12/1/08.
RotoGrip is a proud sponsor of the 2009 Pepsi Youth Championships!
2nd Annual Don Glover Masters Scratch Tournament
By: Bette Addington
SCOTT NORTON WINS GLOVER MASTERS TOURNAMENT
Bakersfield,
CA. The late Don Glover had to have been smiling
down on AMF Southwest Lanes this past weekend,
September 27-28, as the 2nd annual Glover
Masters Scratch Tournament took place. Not only did
the tournament nearly double the number of entries
that it had at its inaugural event last year, but
the prize fund doubled—not only for the champion but
there was a visible increase in all the monies given
to the top 20 that placed!! To top it off, a former
youth state standout, who was bowling his first year
in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA),
became the 2008 Champion. Scott Norton, of San
Francisco, emerged as the 2008 Don Glover Masters
Scratch Champion and took home $3,055.00.
It wasn’t an easy win for Norton, who ended up the number two seed, as he had to win his Stepladder Final match against fourth seed Jeff Gordon who dominated the Stepladder matches by beating fifth seed PBA standout Tony Reyes 269-238, then third seed Daniel Watanabe 247-189. Norton and Gordon had a great match, but Norton emerged with a win 279-245 and then faced number one seed Mason Sherman (the current PBA Western Regional point’s leader who dominated qualifying by ranking first in the top 20 and then again first after match play). Sherman started the final match strong with a string of strikes. Norton had a strike in the first frame but spared in the second. But Norton turned on the strikes and finished with a 280 game to Sherman’s 255. Over 60 spectators enjoyed an afternoon of terrific matches.
Norton was the 2000 CWBA (California Women’s Bowling Association’s) Star of Tomorrow and also the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow. He received four Gold medals in the Tournament of Americas and one Gold medal in the World Youth Championships. His career took off as he became the National Youth Amateur Champion and then just one year later the National Adult Amateur Champion. He has been on Team USA. Then, this year, he joined the PBA where he has captured one title to date. A left-hander, as Don Glover was, Norton and Watanabe were the only two lefties making the Stepladder Finals. He was bowling with Brunswick equipment.
Norton bowled the first squad of qualifying on Saturday and came out strong with a 279 game, and averaged 235 to make the top ten of that squad. He then came back Saturday night to compete with the top twenty bowlers (top ten from two qualifying squads) and bowled 6 games averaging 230, but more importantly, rolling a 299 for his fifth game of the night to help him end the night at +395 to secure his spot in the Top Ten Finals for Sunday. Sunday morning’s nine games of Match Play Finals had him averaging 226 and winning 4 of his matches. For the Position Round following the Match Play Finals, he beat his opponent Mason Sherman 205-195 to secure his number two seed in the Stepladder Finals.
Scott Norton was truly a class act. His parents making their way from down south to watch him compete in the Finals on Sunday made his story of victory even more interesting as his mom, Virginia Norton, a well-known State and National Hall of Famer, knew Don Glover. Congratulations on a well-deserved win to add to your list of accomplishments, Scott!
It’s important to note there were two 300 games rolled on Saturday during the qualifying squads. First one was shot by Bakersfield’s Diz Francisco. Francisco shot the 300 in game 5. The second one was rolled by Tony Reyes in the second qualifying squad for his sixth game ending with +247.
DC Williams, representing GEUSBC (Golden Empire USBC) presented a trophy to the highest finishing youth bowler from Bakersfield and the trophy was presented to Patrick Smith who qualified with +67 in the first squad.
Final results are as follows:
1st – Scott Norton, San Francisco ($3,055.00)
2nd – Mason Sherman, Moorpark ($1,000.00)
3rd – Jeff Gordon, Ventura ($750.00)
4th – Daniel Watanabe, Bakersfield ($600.00)
5th – Tony Reyes, San Bruno ($500.00
6th – Steve Smith, San Diego ($450.00
7th – Lee Patterson, Antioch ($400.00)
8th – Ivan Miyasato, Fresno ($350.00)
9th – Jim Joy, San Pablo ($300.00)
10th – Carlie Medina III, Bakersfield ($250.00)
11th – Aris C. Anadilla, Bakersfield (245.00)
12th – Donald Benner, Bakersfield ($240.00)
13th – John Whisler, Bakersfield ($235.00)
14th – Aris Anadilla, Bakersfield ($230.00)
15th – Russ Mayberry, Visalia ($225.00)
16th – Chris Williams, Los Angeles ($220.00)
17th – Gary Duran, Commerce ($215.00)
18th – Jim Roberts, Tulare ($210.00)
19th – Zack Newman, Bakersfield ($205.00)
20th – Mike Wilk, Temecula ($200.00)
Special thanks to all the 2008 Event Sponsors because without their help and support, we could not have attained the prize payout we had: Golden Empire USBC; Ebonite/Ed Gallagher; Fabrications by Addington/Chris Addington; Tom Smith/GEUSBC Director; Jim Trino/Bakersfield Bowling Hall of Fame; Jim Foss/PGA Professional (Kern River Golf Course); Dale & Karin McVey; Confidence UST Services, Inc./Doug & Cheri Young, Owners; Justin Paquette, MD/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Robb’s Pro Shop/Robb White (AMF Southwest Lanes); The Bowlers Edge Pro Shop/Mike Hefley (Regency Bowling Center); Stroope Realtors, GMAC Real Estate/Loren Stroope, Owner; True Amateur Tournaments/Ed McWilliams (Las Vegas); We The People – Legal Self Help/Carol Glover, Owner; AP Architects; Pair & Marotta Physical Therapy; The Bowler’s Alley/Mark Davis (Buena Lanes, Ventura); and Gary Cole & Russ Tweedy/Bakersfield 6-Gamer.
Copy of Response letter from Tournament Committee (10-08)
TIDBITS on BUILDING WEBSITES for the USBC Delegates in Kansas City, MO
PBA News: Rhino Page wins first PBA title!
Credit:
www.pba.com
NORWICH, Conn. - 3/9/2008
Rhino Page figured after four missed opportunities, he had
probably blown his chance of winning a title in his rookie
season.
Instead, Page used the motivation of his worst week of the
season last week to drive him to a 244-220 win over Jack Jurek
in Sunday’s Go RVing Classic to cement what is the greatest
rookie season in PBA history.
Page had already broken or tied six PBA records coming into
Sunday, including making five championship rounds, all of which
came after he had to qualify for the event through the Denny’s
PBA Tour Qualifying Round. He had come up empty in his four
previous championship rounds, however, finishing second twice,
third once and fifth.
The 24-year-old missed the cut in the TQR of last week’s Don
Johnson Buckeye State Classic, just the third time all season he
didn’t advance to the Round of 64. He spent the following days
practicing with his old coach who helped him with his physical
game but also got him back on track mentally.
The practice paid off as Page defeated fellow left-hander Mike
Scroggins, 245-235, in the semifinals to advance to his third
title match of the season.
In the title match against Jurek, Page looked like he would
cruise to the title after striking with his first five shots in
the match. But a pocket 7-10 split and open in the sixth frame
let Jurek back in the match. But the Tour veteran, who was
looking for his first win since 1995, could not take advantage,
suffering four consecutive nine-spares.
Jurek could have put pressure on Page in the 10th by striking
out, but after a strike with his first shot he left the 3-4-6-7
meaning Page only needed a mark to win. The rookie finished it
off in style by striking for the win.
“It feels so good. I didn’t expect by any means to make this
many shows this season,” Page (Topeka, Kan.) said. “After my
fourth show I thought, ‘Man, you missed out.’ Fortunately, I got
to work on my game last week and after the week I had last week,
that really motivated me. I know I’m not that kind of bowler and
I was determined to never let that happen again.”
Page used some key strategy against Scroggins to get through to
the title match, denying the five-time titlist a chance at his
third win of the season.
“I came in with a really good game plan,” Page said. “I knew
Scroggins could strike a lot from where he was playing so I
tried to throw a dull ball and burn the lanes up and change
where he was playing. Luckily it helped me also get the room I
needed to shoot some big scores.”
Should he win the PBA Rookie of the Year award – which is a lock
at this point – Page would become just the sixth Rookie of the
Year to win a title in the 43 years the award has been handed
out. He also moved into seventh in the PBA Player of the Year
point standings with two events remaining.
Page’s win in the semifinal also came down to the final frame.
Scroggins took the lead for the first time in the match with a
strike in the seventh and after that point the two traded
strikes and leads until the 10th frame. Page struck with his
final six shots including all three in the 10th to force
Scroggins to double. After a strike with his first shot,
Scroggins got just eight pins to give Page the win.
Jurek advanced to the championship round with a 236-223 win over
Mike Edwards. In a match-up between bowlers each looking for
their first title since the early 1990s, Jurek took control with
a four-bagger in frames four through seven and never looked
back. After an eight-spare in the ninth, Edwards struck out in
the 10th to force Jurek to mark and the Lackawanna, N.Y., native
struck with his first ball for the victory.
Page, who had already wrapped up an exemption via the PBA World
Point Rankings, earned $25,000 for his win. Jurek earned $13,000
for second while Edwards (Tulsa, Okla.) and Scroggins (Amarillo,
Texas) took home $6,000 each for third and fourth, respectively.
Denny’s PBA Tour
2008 Go RVing Classic
Norwich Bowling and Entertainment Center
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
| Pos. | Name, hometown | Total/Games |
Money |
|||
| 1. | Rhino Page, Topeka, Kan. | 489 (2 games) | $25,000 | |||
| 2. | Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y. | 456 (2 games) | $13,000 | |||
| 3. | Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla. | 223 (1 game) | $6,000 | |||
| 4. | Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas | 235 (1 game) | $6,000 | |||
SCORES – In the first match, Page def. Scroggins, 245-235;
in the second match, Jurek def. Edwards, 236-223; and in the
final, Page def. Jurek, 244-220.
Rhino, who used to live in San Diego, CA bowled many of the youth tournaments in California earning lots of scholarships. One event that he won was the 1999 California Pepsi Championships, taking him to the National Pepsi Championships finals in Salt Lake City, UT. Parker Bohn III was a guest speaker at that event. Who knew that Rhino would be meeting Parker on the lanes years from then bowling for a title.
April
16, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Bill Vint
USBC Communications
(800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3230
bill.vint@bowl.com
On the Web: bowl.com
METRO DETROIT, CALIFORNIA, INDIANA WOMEN WIN TOP PRIZES IN US BOWLER ASSOCIATION MEDIA AWARDS COMPETITION
GREENDALE, Wis. – The Metro Detroit USBC Association, California State USBC Association and Indiana State USBC Women’s Bowling Association are first prize winners in the inaugural US Bowler Association Media Awards competition.
Metro Detroit, USBC’s largest local association, won for best overall communications program. California’s “calusbc.com” topped the best Web site competition. The Indiana women’s association was first in the best newsletter contest with its three-times-yearly “In Indiana” publication. Each first-place association earned a $500 cash prize.
In the overall excellence category, the Ohio State USBC WBA was second and City of Firsts USBC Association serving the Kokomo, Ind., community was third. In addition to having qualify Web sites, each of the overall communications winners have a variety of other programs they use to communicate to their members. Metro Detroit’s Web address is “mdusbc.com,” Ohio WBA’s is “ohiowba.com,” and City of Firsts’ is “cityofirstsbowling.com.”
In Web sites – the most popular category with 46 entries – the Greater Cincinnati WBA (cincybowl.com) was second while the Rapid City (S.D.) USBC (rcbowl.com) and Washington State USBC (wsusbc.net) tied for third place.
In newsletters, the Louisiana State USBC WBA was runner-up with its quarterly publication “Louisiana Lagniappe” and the South Sound USBC in Tacoma, Wash., was third with its “Kegler’s Korner,” which is distributed six times a year.
Each runner-up association earned $300 while third-place finishers received checks for $200 each.
The media awards competition, sponsored by the United States Bowling Congress’ official membership publication, is designed to encourage USBC’s grassroots local and state associations to develop high quality communications programs.
United States
Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national
governing body, ensures the integrity and
protects the future of the sport, provides programs and
services to more than 2.6 million adult and youth
members and enhances the bowling experience. Bowl with
US
USBC Board votes its
intention to move headquarters to Texas
Credit:
www.bowl.com
3/11/2008
By Jerry Schneider,
USBC Communications
The United States
Bowling Congress Board of Directors has given approval to
announce its intention to relocate the organization's
headquarters to Arlington, Texas, where it will reside with
the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America.
The decision, made during a meeting Sunday in Atlanta, came
after presentations were made by officials from Arlington
and Milwaukee, the homes of the BPAA and USBC, respectively.
"This is a great day for bowling. Relocating to Arlington
would allow for the creation of an international bowling
campus. We can set the foundation for tremendous growth and
opportunities for decades to come," said USBC President Jeff
Bojé. "Both cities made excellent presentations and either
would have been good locations for USBC. The Board decided
Arlington would be the best location should the USBC receive
approval of investment from the Texas Enterprise Fund."
Contingent upon TEF approval, USBC Headquarters is expected
to move to Arlington later this year. In addition to office
space for about 200 overall employees, the new complex will
include a 12-to-16-lane combined equipment testing and
international training center to form a $14 million
international bowling campus. BPAA has pledged to pay for
half of the complex while utilizing less than one-fifth of
the space.
The property is located at 621 Six Flags Drive, across the
street from Six Flags Over Texas in the heart of Arlington's
entertainment and sports district. It is about three blocks
east of Rangers' Ballpark in Arlington, home of the Texas
Rangers baseball team, and about six blocks east of the new
Dallas Cowboys stadium set to open in 2009. The creation of
an international bowling campus at such a high profile
location will provide the opportunity to showcase bowling to
the world that doesn't exist at the present location.
"Integration of operations can be achieved without the loss
of identity or control of the individual organizations,"
said BPAA President Joe Schumacker. "By working in tandem
with USBC, we can fulfill our individual missions, as well
as protect and grow all levels of competitive bowling.
"The concept of integrating the operation of the BPAA and
the USBC makes sense. Bowling has changed dramatically over
the past 25 years. It is imperative the organizations
embrace change so they can continue to professionally
support their individual constituencies."
The new joint venture is expected to help grow the sport by
USBC and BPAA by being more able to work together on joint
programs such as youth bowling and coaching. Youth bowling
and coaching have been major points of emphasis for the
organizations.
An additional factor for the Board's decision was ease of
travel. As one of the world's largest airports, Dallas/Fort
Worth International makes it much easier for those traveling
to and from the international bowling campus, especially
those traveling internationally.
USBC and BPAA announced in November that their boards of
directors had approved a study of how much their operations
should be integrated. The goal was to use such efficiencies
to help grow the sport of bowling. The organizations' boards
of directors gave approval in January to start negotiations
with all parties involved to relocate the organization's
headquarters to Texas.
PBA News: Rhino Page wins first PBA title!
Credit:
www.pba.com
NORWICH, Conn. - 3/9/2008
Rhino Page figured after four missed opportunities, he had
probably blown his chance of winning a title in his rookie
season.
Instead, Page used the motivation of his worst week of the
season last week to drive him to a 244-220 win over Jack Jurek
in Sunday’s Go RVing Classic to cement what is the greatest
rookie season in PBA history.
Page had already broken or tied six PBA records coming into
Sunday, including making five championship rounds, all of which
came after he had to qualify for the event through the Denny’s
PBA Tour Qualifying Round. He had come up empty in his four
previous championship rounds, however, finishing second twice,
third once and fifth.
The 24-year-old missed the cut in the TQR of last week’s Don
Johnson Buckeye State Classic, just the third time all season he
didn’t advance to the Round of 64. He spent the following days
practicing with his old coach who helped him with his physical
game but also got him back on track mentally.
The practice paid off as Page defeated fellow left-hander Mike
Scroggins, 245-235, in the semifinals to advance to his third
title match of the season.
In the title match against Jurek, Page looked like he would
cruise to the title after striking with his first five shots in
the match. But a pocket 7-10 split and open in the sixth frame
let Jurek back in the match. But the Tour veteran, who was
looking for his first win since 1995, could not take advantage,
suffering four consecutive nine-spares.
Jurek could have put pressure on Page in the 10th by striking
out, but after a strike with his first shot he left the 3-4-6-7
meaning Page only needed a mark to win. The rookie finished it
off in style by striking for the win.
“It feels so good. I didn’t expect by any means to make this
many shows this season,” Page (Topeka, Kan.) said. “After my
fourth show I thought, ‘Man, you missed out.’ Fortunately, I got
to work on my game last week and after the week I had last week,
that really motivated me. I know I’m not that kind of bowler and
I was determined to never let that happen again.”
Page used some key strategy against Scroggins to get through to
the title match, denying the five-time titlist a chance at his
third win of the season.
“I came in with a really good game plan,” Page said. “I knew
Scroggins could strike a lot from where he was playing so I
tried to throw a dull ball and burn the lanes up and change
where he was playing. Luckily it helped me also get the room I
needed to shoot some big scores.”
Should he win the PBA Rookie of the Year award – which is a lock
at this point – Page would become just the sixth Rookie of the
Year to win a title in the 43 years the award has been handed
out. He also moved into seventh in the PBA Player of the Year
point standings with two events remaining.
Page’s win in the semifinal also came down to the final frame.
Scroggins took the lead for the first time in the match with a
strike in the seventh and after that point the two traded
strikes and leads until the 10th frame. Page struck with his
final six shots including all three in the 10th to force
Scroggins to double. After a strike with his first shot,
Scroggins got just eight pins to give Page the win.
Jurek advanced to the championship round with a 236-223 win over
Mike Edwards. In a match-up between bowlers each looking for
their first title since the early 1990s, Jurek took control with
a four-bagger in frames four through seven and never looked
back. After an eight-spare in the ninth, Edwards struck out in
the 10th to force Jurek to mark and the Lackawanna, N.Y., native
struck with his first ball for the victory.
Page, who had already wrapped up an exemption via the PBA World
Point Rankings, earned $25,000 for his win. Jurek earned $13,000
for second while Edwards (Tulsa, Okla.) and Scroggins (Amarillo,
Texas) took home $6,000 each for third and fourth, respectively.
Denny’s PBA Tour
2008 Go RVing Classic
Norwich Bowling and Entertainment Center
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
| Pos. | Name, hometown | Total/Games |
Money |
|||
| 1. | Rhino Page, Topeka, Kan. | 489 (2 games) | $25,000 | |||
| 2. | Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y. | 456 (2 games) | $13,000 | |||
| 3. | Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla. | 223 (1 game) | $6,000 | |||
| 4. | Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas | 235 (1 game) | $6,000 | |||
SCORES – In the first match, Page def. Scroggins, 245-235;
in the second match, Jurek def. Edwards, 236-223; and in the
final, Page def. Jurek, 244-220.
Rhino, who used to live in San Diego, CA bowled many of the youth tournaments in California earning lots of scholarships. One event that he won was the 1999 California Pepsi Championships, taking him to the National Pepsi Championships finals in Salt Lake City, UT. Parker Bohn III was a guest speaker at that event. Who knew that Rhino would be meeting Parker on the lanes years from then bowling for a title.
Greater LA Jr. All-Stars Comes to an End
The end of an era! Sunday, October 14th 2007 was the championship roll off of the 2006-07 season and of what will be known as the end of the Greater Los Angeles Junior All-Stars traveling league! Being witnessed by a very small crowd of interested parents a handful of alumni and the league directors the roll off consisted of only two matches after the forth positioned team, Specialized I.M.S. forfeited the opening match to The Strike Factory. Therefore, we went immediately into the semi-final match between The Strike Factory and second seeded Tri-Star Vending. Although, the Strike Factory was seemingly handicapped due to the absence of their third bowler, Brandon McGinnes, the other team members Louis Micheri and the veteran, Jon Brandon handily defeated the fully equipped Tri-Star Vending team of Dave Yamauchi, Devin Bidwell and Brian Lesberg with two game totals of 647 and 617 for 1264 vs. 566 and 592 for 1158!
The Strike Factory duo advanced to the championship match against top seed Asian Express consisting of Kevin Valmonte and two lefties, Mark French, and Jeff Spiesman. The Strike Factory came out the gate once again strong with a 663 to lead Asian Express by 46 pins with one game remaining. However, the Asian Express team was quick to rebound as anchor bowler Mark French closed out the last 10 strikes for a 280 game leading his team to a 705 game vs. The Strike Factory’s 599 to win the two game total pin event by 60 pins. Therefore, Asian Express has won the final league championship of the Greater Los Angeles Junior All Stars league!
Now let’s review the legacy of this “Greater L.A.” traveling league... This one league has been so very instrumental in the lives of over 1000 former southland junior bowlers. This end comes with great sorrow and tremendous disappointment to myself and many others in that it won’t be there to foster the development for another 1000 future youth bowlers. We do however have so many great memories that I personally could write about daily for months on end. The countless everlasting, lifelong relationships including several marriages, the camaraderie and sportsmanship, the talent and records and just so very many “priceless moments”! No one league, travel or house, in this country has produced more distinguished alumni than this league - more top professionals, top amateurs, Star of Tomorrow recipients, Bowler’s of the Year, and professional titles than any other organization in the world!
In 1967 Dwayne and Ella Tucker resurrected the Greater L.A. Jr. All-Stars from several years of hiatus after being one of the three pinnacle “Greater L.A.” travel leagues in the Southern California area. It was the pre-cursor to the Greater Los Angeles All-Stars traveling league which were the local men stand outs and pros who competed at the highest league level for many years dating back to the 1950's. There was also the Greater Los Angeles Women All-Stars traveling league during that era that catered to the many top females in the southland. The Greater L.A. All-Stars folded around 1978 and the Greater Los Angeles Women All Stars folded a few years later. I empowered myself as the “guardian of the Greater L.A. Jr. All-Stars” with a vigilant effort to not allow this last “Greater L.A.” travel league follow the demise of the others. Well for nearly 30 years I was able to do so, but I have come to the realization that it is now time to bid farewell!!!! Goodbye once and for all to this treasured league that I and many others have loved so very much!
Dewann Clark
Executive Director of the Greater Los Angeles Junior All-Stars (GLAJAS)
California
Acknowledged at 2007 USBC National Convention - Nashville, TN
 |
 |
| Connie Marchione
inducted into 2007 USBC National Hall of Fame |
California donated
$209,317.14 to BVL for 2006 |
|
|
|
| BVL
contribution acknowledgements in Nashville, TN at the USBC National
Convention.
California was the leading state donating over $200,000. |
|
Read more about the USBC Convention held in Nashville (March 28-31, 2007) at www.bowl.com
Rule 400 revised for Youth Bowling Awards
The United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors has approved the modification of Youth Membership Eligibility Rule 400, effective immediately, to expand the awards deemed acceptable under the terms of USBC Youth membership. In addition to previously allowed symbolic awards, USBC Youth members are now eligible to be awarded bowling equipment, gift certificates, apparel and other merchandise prizes with a total value not greater than $500 in any one event, excluding scholarships.
The modifications also allow for USBC Youth members to compete in singles competition where cash and/or bonds are awarded, as well as merchandise prizes exceeding $500 in total in any one event, but must waive rights to these awards by signing and completing the USBC Prize Waiver form prior to their participation in that competition.
Acceptance of awards of cash or bonds of any amount or any merchandise prizes with a total value higher than $500 per event remain prohibited for youth members under USBC's revised Rule 400. Violations of the terms of Rule 400 could result in the loss or suspension of youth membership.
There also remains no limit on the value of scholarships that can be awarded in youth competition. The scholarship funds from USBC certified events and leagues will continue to be required to be deposited with USBC's SMART program. USBC Youth members may be awarded scholarships from singles competition in which cash and/or bonds are awarded.
“The USBC Board determined that the former Rule 400 placed unnecessary restrictions on everyone associated with USBC Youth membership and concluded the best course of action to alleviate this issue was to modify Rule 400 effective immediately,” USBC President Michael Carroll said.
The previous version of Rule 400 intended to protect the current and future interscholastic sports eligibility of USBC Youth members through the most restrictive interpretations and limitations. The USBC Board concluded that placing these restrictions on all USBC Youth members was unnecessary due to the lack of uniform eligibility standards for interscholastic sports nationally.
“The new structure of USBC allows for addressing of significant issues to be handled in an expedited manner,” said USBC Chief Executive Officer Roger Dalkin. “The previous version of Rule 400 placed undue and unintended restrictions on USBC Youth members, league and association coordinators and proprietors. The USBC Board modified Rule 400 to address these restrictions and expand acceptable awards that promote and enhance the participation in youth bowling.”
The USBC Board concluded that compliance with local/state interscholastic eligibility rules and policies is the responsibility of the individual member and his/her legal guardian. However, USBC will continue to educate USBC Youth members and their legal guardians that competing in USBC certified competitions and acceptance of some awards now acceptable under Rule 400 could jeopardize individual member’s interscholastic sports amateur eligibility.
These changes do not affect the USBC Youth High Score Awards program.
“USBC’s Youth membership program, certified tournaments and leagues, as well as USBC’s dedication to the growth of high school and collegiate bowling, offer youth of all ages many choices to be active in the sport of bowling,” said Mitch Mitchell, chairman of the USBC Youth Committee.
For help with interpretation of the USBC youth eligibility Rule 400, contact USBC's Rules department at (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3155 or visit bowl.com.
Rule 400
A. Except as provided in Item B, a youth may not bowl
or substitute in any bowling activity which offers any of the following as
prizes:
1. Cash or bonds.
2. Merchandise exceeding $500 in value.
B. Youth may bowl in singles competitions (including side
competitions/brackets) offering such prizes, provided, prior to bowling:
1. The competition agrees to award the youth’s prize in the form of a
scholarship; or
2. The youth signs a form waiving his/her rights to any prize in violation
of this rule.
Buying or selling of earned prizes is prohibited.
Any youth bowler deemed in violation of this rule is subject to disciplinary
action including the potential loss of youth membership.
NOTE: There are no limits on scholarship amounts or entry fees (must be paid
directly to the tournament director/manager) and reimbursement of actual
travel expenses into the next higher level of competition or any tournament
or event. (Receipts must be provided upon request.)
The prizes authorized by a
state high school athletic association or a collegiate athletic association
recognized by USBC and USBC Collegiate are not subject to the limitations of
this rule.
©2006 California
USBC Association. All Rights Reserved.