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  • ABOUT SPORT BOWLINGSport BowlingDo you ever wonder what it is like to bowl on the same lane conditions that the world’s top bowlers compete on every Sunday? The USBC sport bowling program is your chance to do just that. Put yourself in the shoes of bowlers like Wes Malott, Chris Barnes or Jason Belmonte by testing your skills against patterns such as Cheetah and Scorpion. Experience the PBA for yourself by joining a sport bowling league near you.What is Sport Bowling
    Sport bowling is a competitive on-lane adventure like no other. It allows you to find and expose weaknesses in your game that high-tech balls and forgiving lane conditions tend to conceal by bowling on the same lane patterns used on the Lumber Liquidator’s PBA Tour. This truly is the PBA experience for those who are passionate about the sport.    Why Does USBC Offer This?
    Because the difference between skill and technology has become blurred as high-tech equipment and forgiving lane patterns prevail, and we believe it is time to address those differences.    Sport Bowling separates the sport of bowling from the game by placing an emphasis on skill, and it is the answer to the request of many bowlers who want to restore credibility in the sport they love. The creation of certified, competitive sport leagues allows for the skills of the bowler to take a big step in that direction.Why would you want to join?
    Because Sport Bowling is the standard by which competitive bowlers are measured. This is the chance to accurately gauge your skill level as a bowler and identify areas in which you need to improve.    Read More
  • ABOUT SPORT BOWLINGMembers Only -  View Sports Bowling Membership PagesNot a USBC Member? – Click Here to Join!Not a Sport Bowling Member? – Click Here to Upgrade.
  • ABOUT SPORT BOWLINGContact UsGeneral Questions
    sportbowling@bowl.com
    Phone: (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3177
    Technical and Lane Pattern Questions
    Erik Vermilyea | sportbowling@bowl.com
    Phone: (800) 514-2695, ext. 8362
    Media Inquiries
    Gene Kanak | gene.kanak@bowl.com
    Phone: (800) 514-2695, ext. 8373
 
 
SPORT BOWLING FEATURES
  • Sport Bowling RegistrationIf you are interested in registering your center for a Sport Bowling League, it can be done easily. Just hit register and follow the directions.
    Click Here to register a center.    League RegistrationIf you are interested in registering for a Sport Bowling League, it can be done easily. Just hit register and follow the directions.
    Click Here to register for a Sport Bowling League.    Find a LeagueLooking for a Sport Bowling League? find one here .Find a TournamentIf you are looking for a Sport Bowling tournament to compete in, they are available by searching here.
    Click Here to find a Tournament.
  • Experience the PBALogin Here for Lane Machine Downloads.Click Here for all other sport patterns. It’s time for you to be the star of your PBA Experience league. You watch Lumber Liquidators PBA superstar Chris Barnes compete on TV. You notice the decisions he makes on ball choice, hand position, line to the pocket, revolution rate and ball speed. Do you ever wonder what it’s like to bowl on the same lane conditions as Chris and the rest of the world’s top bowlers? Now’s your chance to bowl like the pros and put yourself in Chris’ shoes.The most exciting experience in sports is waiting for you. Welcome to your PBA Experience!By combining the power of the PBA and USBC Sport Bowling, the USBC PBA Experience will give you a competitive on-lane adventure like no other. While facing the same lane oil patterns as used on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, you will test and improve your game like nothing else can. This truly is the pro experience for bowlers like you who are passionate about the sport.As a golfer, if I had the opportunity to play Pebble Beach the week after the U.S. Open, I’d be absolutely thrilled," said 32-time Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour champion Norm Duke. "This league is the same idea. I think it’s going to be great fun."Experience lets you face pro conditions
    USBC Sport Bowling members are tasting the excitement and challenge of competing on the same lane oil patterns as Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour stars in their own PBA Experience leagues across the country.    Experience leagues offer bowlers the unique chance to compete on the PBA's different lane conditioning patterns - Chameleon, Cheetah, Scorpion, Shark Viper, Dick Weber, Earl Anthony, PBA Regional Players Championship Pattern, PBA Tournament of Champions Pattern, PBA World Championship Pattern, PBA U.S. Open Pattern, and USBC Masters Pattern:These patterns, which have varying oil distances and characteristics, all comply with USBC Sport Bowling rules for lane oil application with at least a 3:1 ratio of oil on the inside boards versus the outside boards. The PBA Experience is part of the USBC Sport Bowling program."The PBA Experience is different because bowlers will be playing on the identical playing fields - the lane conditions - as the pros," said USBC Sport Bowling Coordinator and former Team USA member Derek Eoff. "This truly is the pro experience for those who are passionate about the sport. That means you will be making the same kinds of decisions about adjusting your angles and target, playing different parts of the lane and changing bowling balls as the pros. It's a one-of-a-kind concept that will give you a close-up look at what the pros face each week on Tour.""Where else can you experience the same conditions as the professionals," said 10-time Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour titlist Patrick Allen. "The PBA Experience is a great opportunity to test your skills and improve your game."PBA Experience oil patterns
    When you join a PBA Experience league, your goal will be to tame the five oil patterns known as the "beasts:" Chameleon, Cheetah, Shark, Scorpion and Viper. These wild animals are the same patterns that Walter Ray Williams Jr., Chris Barnes, Wes Malott, Pete Weber, Patrick Allen, Tommy Jones and other pros try to subdue in the regular events of the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour.    Taming these beasts is hardly an impossible task because USBC and the PBA will take you into the inner circle and discuss the trade secrets with you each week through league handouts, and training videos.    Read More
  • ChameleonLength: 39 feet  |  Video  |  Download Pattern Description
    Chameleons change color to outsmart their enemies. To excel on this pattern, bowlers must be versatile in many styles of play and must not be afraid to make large moves to stay out of trouble.     The Chameleon maintains its tradition of utilizing a "retro" approach to pattern design. Instead of "smoothing out" the oil on the lane, increased volumes are placed in "zones" encouraging players to choose a specific area of the lane to play. This is a multiple-angles pattern allowing the bowler to choose what part of the lane best suites their particular game. The scoring pace remains medium to low as the primary challenge faced by bowlers is the large number of adjustments which are needed to move from "zone to zone". Large moves, more than five boards at a time, are common to stay out of trouble and to conquer the Chameleon. Read More
  • CheetahLength: 35 feet  |  Video  |  Download Pattern Description
    The cheetah may look harmless, but this speedster has a dangerous side. So does this pattern; with risk-reward decision making near the gutter and a normally high scoring pace, there's no room for error. The Cheetah "sprints" back to its roots as the highest scoring of the five named patterns. Originally designed for use on worn lane surfaces, the Cheetah produced the most memorable moments on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour because of its propensity for rewarding players who "live on the edge".     The new design once again places a premium on the ball traveling towards the gutter in order to maximize the best possible angle to carry all ten pins. The scoring pace on Cheetah is normally high with the champion being required to know that success means striking and not just hitting the pocket. Read More
  • ScorpionLength: 41 feet  |  Video  |  Download Pattern Description
    A scorpion is dangerous and unpredictable, like this pattern. If you can't find the right angle on the lanes in a short amount of time, you'll be stung!    The Scorpion returns to being one of the more challenging of the five named patterns. While Scorpion is not the longest pattern, because of the large volume of oil on the lane it will for sure play as the "slickest". The pattern shape is very "smooth" and allows for a multiple-angles approach to attacking it based on rev rate, lane surface, ball surface, and ball speed. Since the volume of oil is so large, bowlers will normally see a large difference in how the pattern plays from lane to lane across the house. The pattern is medium scoring based on its ability to confuse bowlers during early portions of the game or series as they move throughout the tournament. In order to avoid being stung, it is imperative that the bowler make quality shots early in the game in case the Scorpion decides to "mutate". Read More
  • SharkLength: 43 feet  |  Video  |  Download Pattern Description
    This pattern forces bowlers to play deep inside the center of the lanes, like sharks that troll the depths of the ocean.    The Shark demonstrates the largest change from any of the patterns from last year. Returning to the Shark this season is the key characteristic of the "deep inside line" providing a decisive strategic advantage. The "out of bounds" on the outside portion of the lane has been increased, making errant shots wide of the target in danger of once again falling into the "moat". With less oil being placed in the middle of lane on this season’s Shark, bowlers will see their ball roll earlier on the lane compared to years past. Bowlers who play the wrong angle on the Shark will feel as if the pattern is a "reverse block". The scoring pace for this pattern will be medium with the champion having the ability to get the corner pins out while playing a tough angle. Read More
  • ViperLength: 37 feet  |  Video  |  Download Pattern Description
    A viper strikes with multiple angles of attack. This pattern will challenge players to attack the pins from multiple angles in order to score well.    The Viper has also been changed to allow for more ball roll in the middle part of the lane. While the Viper is a multiple angles pattern and normally yields medium to high scores, bowlers this season will need to place a premium on the ball traveling straight through the front part of the lane when the lanes are "fresh". Once Viper breaks down, multiple angles are available for attack. Even with the changes, Viper still remains the most versatile of the five named patterns and can be used on any lane surface. The champion on Viper will be the bowler who can outsmart their opponent playing multiple lines. Read More
  • Additional Patterns
  • ProceduresHosting a Sport Bowling league
    • Register the league (see League Registration above)
    • The league must take tapes on one lane (22’ and 2’ before the end of the pattern) and send/fax to us every week.
    1. We prefer that the league send us graphs if access to the reader is available. This allows the center to know the conditions are compliant before bowling. If a reader is not available (or if broken), the center/association can send us tapes and we will read the tapes for them.2. Sending the tapes or graphs every week is mandatory. This allows us to monitor the lane conditions and warn the center if the conditions need adjustment.Membership Fees
    Sport Bowling membership is an upgrade of standard USBC membership and is available on standard USBC membership applications.
    • Adults membership is $15
    • Youth membership is $10
    (Collegiate members and Junior Gold members receive Sport Bowling membership as at no charge as part of their respective memberships.)    Center Certification
    It only takes a few minutes to get a center certified. This can be done by a USBC local association member or by someone at the center.
    • Register your center here
    • Oil one pair of lanes with a Sport Bowling compliant pattern.
    Take tapes (22’ and 2’ before end of the pattern) and graphs on those two lanes and send/fax (817-385-8262 attn. Erik) to us. Please make sure to include center name, date bowled, contact person and phone number.League Registration
    This very simple process can be done by either a USBC local association member or by someone at the center.
    • Go on the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com and register the league (takes about 2-3 minutes).
    • Click on the "League Registration" link.
    Oil Patterns
    The Sport Bowling section of bowl.com has many Sport Bowling compliant oil patterns available for proprietors to choose from including the five patterns used on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour. They can be accessed the following way:
    • Go to the Sport bowling section of bowl.com
    • On the left side of the home page click on "Oil Patterns / Programs" link.
    • Then click on the lane machine type the center has, either "Fluid Metered or Pad"
    • Once into these sections, the center needs to choose from the 2.0:1, 2.5:1 or 3:1 ratio selections (PBA oil patterns are in the 3:1 ratio section).
    There are several different patterns for each machine type and ratio for centers to choose from. Please understand these patterns are not guaranteed to be Sport compliant. The way an oiling machine is maintained, different kinds of oils and topography of the lanes can impact the oil pattern. They should be tested before use in certified league or tournament.Uploading High Games/Series/Average to Sport Bowling section of bowl.com
    In order for a bowler's information to be posted on the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com in our high average/series/game section, the league must upload the information thru Treasure Software's Perfect Secretary or CDE’s BLS program. It is a very simple process to upload the league to our Web site.    Read More
  • Average Adjustment ScaleSport Bowling conditions are more challenging than typical league conditions. Therefore, bowler averages under Sport Bowling 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, the following adjustment scale has been created for bowlers only having a Sport Bowling average. The adjustment scale is to be used under the following conditions:
    • 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.

    Printable Average Adjustment Scale
    Sport LeagueAdjustedSport LeagueAdjustedSport LeagueAdjusted
    AverageAverageAverageAverageAverageAverage
    0-130Same160171190205
    131133161172191205
    132135162173192206
    133137163174193207
    134138164176194208
    135141165178195208
    136143166179196208
    137144167182197208
    138146168183198209
    139147169185199210
    140148170187200211
    141149171189201212
    142149172190202213
    143150173190203214
    144151174191204215
    145151175192205216
    146152176193206217
    147153177194207218
    148156178195208219
    149157179196209219
    150159180197210220
    151160181198211221
    152161182199212222
    153162183200213222
    154164184201214222
    155165185202215222
    156166186203216223
    157167187204217224
    158169188205218225
    159170189205219 and upSL Ave+7
    Note: This Average Adjustment Scale is effective for USBC Sport Bowling average adjustments from Aug. 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010.    Read More
  • Sport Bowling ImageFAQsWhat are the lane pattern requirements for a Sport Bowling leagues/tournaments?
    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 minimum)

    How do centers certified as an Official Sport Bowling center?
    1. Register the Center by visiting the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com and click on the ‘Centers’ tab.
    2. Then click on ‘Register your center for Sport Bowling’.
    3. Fill out the brief form and hit "Submit."
    4. 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 (817) 385-8262 or mail to USBC Headquarters, Attn: Sport Bowling, 621 Six Flags Dr. Arlington, TX 76011.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.How do leagues certify as an Official PBA Experience league?
    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.
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.    How do tournaments certify as an Official Sport Bowling tournament? Steps to register a Sport Bowling Tournament
    1. Make sure all tournament applications are checked for Sport Bowling.
    2. Make sure the center is registered for Sport Bowling
    3. 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.What are the costs/fees associated with Sport Bowling?
    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.    If I become a Sport Bowling member for a summer league, when is the next time that I’ll have to pay membership dues?
    There are two options for moving from standard membership to Sport Bowling membership. You can either upgrade your standard membership to Sport Bowling status, or you can purchase a full Sport Bowling membership.    A Sport Bowling upgrade is only valid until the end of the current league season; therefore, 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 dues again when the next league season begins – usually in late August or early September.Full Sport Bowling memberships are different. Full Sport Bowling memberships cost up to $36 (Sport Bowling dues - $15; National dues - $10; Local dues - $10 max; State dues- $1 max), but, when purchased after March 15 through a certified Sport Bowling summer league, they certify you for the remainder of the current season and for the entire season that follows.That means if you purchase a full Sport Bowling membership on March 16, 2009, you are certified through July 31, 2010, or until that season’s summer league ends; therefore, after making your payment on March 16, 2009, you will not be required to pay membership dues again until the start of the 2010-11 season.Who do we contact to purchase a Brunswick Computer Lane Monitor for our Sport Bowling league/tournament?
    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.    How do we obtain the Sport Bowling manual?
    The Sport Bowling Manual can be downloaded from this website .    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.    What types of calculations are performed for the Sport Bowling lane patterns? How are they done?
    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.What types of awards are given to honor scores bowled in Sport Bowling leagues and tournaments?
    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, they 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.Can Youth Bowlers bowl in certified Sport Bowling competitions?
    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.    If a bowler only bowls in a Sport Bowling league, how is their 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 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.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 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.    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 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.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.    How often will the USBC examine Sport Bowling to ensure that its specifications are still appropriate?
    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.    Will there be any equipment restrictions for Sport Bowling?
    As part of the technical requirements for USBC Sport Bowling, the program will have no equipment restrictions at this time.    What is the process for submitting tapes/graphs?
    Tapes/graphs are required on a weekly basis. Failure to submit tapes/graphs can result in your Sport Bowling League certification being pulled. Sport Bowling has the right to pull Sport Certification for numerous weeks of missing tapes/graphs and/or numerous weeks of non-compliance.    Sport Bowling tapes/graphs can be faxed to 817-385-8262 or mailed to:
    United States Bowling Congress
    C/O Erik Vermilyea
    621 Six Flags Drive
    Arlington, Texas 76011
    Read More
  • AwardsCheck out the attractive awards that USBC Sport Bowling members can exclusively receive by bowling in USBC Sport Bowling PBA Experience leagues.Download Forms Questions?
    High Score - Sport Bowling
    Special Achievement - Sport Bowling    Membership / Awards Team | ma@bowl.comPhone: (800) 514-2695Click Here to view more awards.
  • Forms & ManualsLane Inspection Bowler Waiver
    Please have this form signed by all bowlers competing in Sport Bowling Leagues/Tournaments not reading tapes prior to competition.    Sport Bowling Technical ManualInformation on the proper way to read tapesFor more information on the proper way to read tapes, please refer to the following resources:
    Brunswick Service Bulletin
    Computer Lane Monitor Manual and Zero    Questions?
    Email: sportbowling@bowl.com
    1-800-514-BOWL (2695) Ext. 3177
    Read More
  • Pattern CalculationsUSBC Headquarters developed specific calculations to help the leagues and tournaments comply with the Sport Bowling pattern requirements. The spreadsheet verifies the ratio requirement and the other calculations that are necessary for the compliance of the pattern.Please be aware that these calculations should be done prior to competitive play to determine if the Sport Bowling pattern being used is in compliance. It must be submitted to USBC Headquarters (along with the graphs) on a weekly basis through email, fax, or regular mail to the Specifications/Certification Department. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Erik Vermilyea at (817) 385-8362.Automatic Calculations
    3:1 Ratio Compliance
    For those leagues/tournaments that have Microsoft Excel. Calculations are embedded into the spreadsheet and calculated automatically.    Read More
  • League Standing SheetsTo get the most updated information on the standings in a Sport Bowilng League, you can access your league standing sheets and review. Click Here to view your league standing sheets.
  • RulesClick Here to see the full Sport Bowling rulebook.
  • Unique League FormatsTry these unique league formats and spice up USBC Sport Bowling competition Sport Bowlers like nothing better than a challenge. By nature, they are a competitive and open-minded group when it comes to bowling. They’re not afraid to try new things because they know they can step up to the challenge.Sport Bowling lends itself to this variety and experimentation. Because Sport Bowling leagues often are held in the summer or other non-traditional time slots, Sport leagues allow for many different formats and number of team members.Click on the links below to read more about an assortment of exciting formats that will liven up Sport Bowling leagues.Read More
  • Mixed SinglesOregon mixed singles league focuses on fun, solves issues many bowlers dislike.Imagine a league in which:
    • You pay for bowling only on those nights you show up.
    • You never worry about getting a "sub."
    • There is no such thing as "I'm not good enough."
    • A woman averaging 110 can bowl "fair and square" against a man averaging 200.
    • Age is irrelevant.
    The Monday Night Singles League at Epicenter in Klamath Falls, Ore., addressed all of the above and added another critical ingredient: it was great fun. League founder Corliss Fernlund might be prejudiced because 11 members of her family participated in the league, but a six-year history of success suggested the concept was founded on more than family ties.Here's how it worked:
    The league bowled Mondays at 6:30 p.m. The $10 weekly fee included $8 for lineage, 50 cents secretarial fee and $1.50 for the prize fund.
    You bowled three games, moving one pair to the right after each game. Handicap was 90 percent of 200, with "negative" handicap if you averaged over 200.
    Bowlers drew for lane assignments as they showed up. There were usually three bowlers per lane, designated as "1A, 1B, 1C," etc., for ease of movement from pair to pair.    Points were based on individual handicap totals for each game compared to the rest of the league. For example, if 40 bowlers competed, the highest game each game is worth 40 points, second-high was worth 39 points, third-high 38 points, etc. At the end of the season, the total for all points awarded was divided into the prize fund to determine the value for each point. Example: if 1,000 points were awarded and there was $500 in the prize fund, each point was worth 50 cents. If you didn't (or couldn't) show up, you didn’t pay. Pre-bowling was allowed, but post-bowling (makeup games) was not.League members must have bowled two-thirds of the season to qualify for special awards. The special awards consisted of inexpensive certificates for scratch/handicap high game and series plus "perfect attendance." An interesting League Rule 13 spoke for itself: "No youngsters in the settee area." Fernlund introduced the league concept in 1998 at Holiday Bowl as the "Swingin' Singles." The morning league attracted 13 bowlers - ladies, seniors and a nurse who worked "swing shifts" and couldn't bowl every week. The league members proved so popular it expanded into a summer league and when Epicenter opened, it moved into "prime time."The evening format also allowed Fernlund an opportunity to bowl with 10 other family members: husband Ray; daughters Jeanne Anderson, Sandy Herbert and Davida Croy; son Terry Herbert; son-in-law Carl Croy and four grandchildren.The league concept worked, Fernlund said, because "it's a lot of fun. Participants are much more relaxed and friendly because they're not worried about holding up their end for a team. In reality, each individual is his or her own team. "We have found our leagues to be attractive to new bowlers who feel they're not good enough to bowl on a team, people who have been out of bowling for awhile and want to get back in, people who work irregular schedules, people who have health issues that prevent them from bowling every week, and for people in northern climates who may not want to deal with bad road conditions in the winter."What makes it nice," she continued, "is that you don't pay if you don't bowl and you don't have to worry about getting a sub, or contacting a league officer. People want to attend because they get no points if they don't bowl, and they can drop in the standings in a hurry. But there is no other penalty. "Our handicap system also makes it very fair," Fernlund added. "We had an 18-year-old first-year bowler with a 114 average in first place while a 92-year-old league member was in 12th place." The only drawback, noted Epicenter league director Mary Larman, was that the center's software doesn't accommodate the league's lane movement and points-per-game scoring system. So Larman developed an Excel spreadsheet to easily figure out points and track the standings."Sixty bowlers signed up for the league and an average of 40 bowl every week," Larman said. "We have one guy who averages 226 and gives away 23 pins in handicap every game, but he enjoys it because he has to challenge himself to bowl above average. "Because you draw for lanes, you get a chance to meet and bowl with different people every week. It's competitive, but not because you're trying to bowl the highest game. You just don't want to be low man." "I know when the league is on the floor, you hear a lot of laughter," Larman said, "so we know they're having a good time."    Read More
  • Mixed Singles League Sample RulesSample mixed singles bowling league rules
    (Please adjust costs, dates and times to fit your needs)    Click for Print VersionLeague Formation:
    All members present at the formation of the (your name) Mixed Singles Bowling League shall adopt the rules of the sanctioned league under the jurisdiction of the local USBC bowling association. The following rules shall in no way conflict with USBC rules. In situations not covered by league rules, USBC rules shall apply.    Quorum:
    All members present shall constitute a quorum and a simple majority of votes is required to adopt league rules. The league president shall vote only to break a tie vote. At the conclusion of the bowling season, league members shall elect a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer for the next season. By majority vote, the league may combine the offices of Secretary and Treasurer.    League Schedule:
    The league will bowl two 12-week sessions for a total of 24 weeks.
      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.

    Upon completion of elections of officers and distribution of the league prize fund, a three-game series sweeper "fun night" will be conducted. Bowlers will pay their own lane fees on sweeper night ($6 for three games) plus a $3 sweeper fee. Sweeper games will not count for averages, points or any awards.    Teams:
    Teams shall consist of one person. Bowlers must be USBC members of the (name) Bowling Association.    League Fees:
    Bowling fees for each session shall be $10 each night, with $6 for lineage, $.50 for secretary/treasurer fee and $3.50 for the prize fund. The secretary/treasurer fees will be paid in two installments: at the conclusion of the first half of the season and after final averages have been submitted to the respective local B.A. secretaries at the conclusion of the season.
      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.
    Bowling Format/Lane Assignments:
      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.

    League Points:Points will be based on the most pins bowled over a bowler’s established league average (or fewest pins under average) for each game, to be referred to as POA:
    • 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.
    Prize Fund:The league payoff will be determined by dividing all points awarded in league play into the total prize fund, minus money set aside for special prizes, to determine the value of each point. Each bowler will paid the value-per-point times the number of points he/she earned over the season.
    • 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.
    Special prizes:The following special league prizes will be awarded:High Average: $25
    • 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/Post-Bowling :No makeup games (post-bowling) will be allowed. Pre-bowling will be allowed under the following conditions:
    • 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.
    Disputes:
    In the event of a dispute between any bowler(s) regarding league play the dispute shall be submitted in writing within five days of the occurrence and presented to the league president. The league president shall appoint a three-member panel consisting of three bowlers who are not involved in the dispute to consider the issue(s). The dispute panel shall make a ruling on the dispute prior to the next regularly- scheduled league session. All decisions by the dispute panel are final.    Read More
  • DoublesConditions, new format successful for Tampa summer doubles league.Bill Adkins laughs when he thinks about the ruckus his summer Sport Bowling league has started in Tampa. He chuckles when he thinks about the beatings many players’ averages have taken, thanks to the challenging Sport Bowling lane conditions. And the format was different enough to make a few folks shake their heads, too."It was like the old days. Everybody stopped bowling to watch because a 300 in this Sport Bowling league is really an achievement." - Bill Adkins"They’re having fun," Adkins said of the ReMax Sport Doubles League at Brandon Crossroads Bowl. "We have people coming in to watch the league now. They come up to see the shot and how the players do against it."They also stopped in to check out the format. The 32 doubles teams featured four teams of two on each pair. All four anchor bowlers started on the left lane and all four leadoff bowlers were on the right lane. All four anchors bowled against the other anchors and all four leadoffs bowled against the other leadoffs with points awarded 3-2-1-0 for beating the opponents on their lane. There were also team points for a maximum of 36 if a bowler and his or her partner captured every point.All competition was scratch. As the league grew from 12 to 32 doubles teams over its four-year history, it has split into two divisions. Teams with 398-or-under "traditional" averages (not Sport Bowling) bowled in the "B Division" to keep play equitable. The league was just not for high average players. Adkins said the players ranged from 140 to 230 in non-Sport averages and included a half-dozen women."Our guy who has the 140 average is actually improving," Adkins said. "Another guy averages 225 on house conditions and he said, ‘I should have my butt kicked for being in this league. But I will not quit this league until I have a 200 average.’" Adkins, a Tampa Bay Bowling Association vice president, was assigned to get Sport Bowling off the ground in the area. He credited proprietor and Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America President Jeff Boje’ with supplying the support and equipment to make sure the lanes met Sport Bowling lane dressing requirements. Brandon Crossroads’ head mechanic Tibor Polczer sat down with Adkins and created three different playing conditions that were used in the 12-week league season."Sport Bowling is great for the integrity of bowling and for that portion of our population who want the challenging conditions," Boje’ said."It’s interesting that my 13-year-old-son (Kelson) is one of them, although he isn’t old enough to be in the league. He says he knows his average is too high and he wants a challenge, so he will ask the lane guys to put the Sport condition on a lane just so he can practice. He really gets it. Not everyone gets it or wants it."Adkins, who has been bowling since 1962 and was president of the Heidelberg ( Germany ) B.A. while he was in the service, longs for the days of tougher bowling conditions. Sport Bowling brings the sport back to reality, he said."Back in the early `80s I averaged 203 when 200 was really a good average," he said. "Sport Bowling puts the challenge back in the game."It was torture when we started, but it’s not torture now. The excitement now is beating the shot we put out and then beating those three other guys who often have a lot higher average than I do.""Jeff (Boje’) said he’d give $1 a pin to the first person to bowl 300 in our league," Adkins said. "I almost did it last night. I had the first nine, then left an 8-pin. ""It was like the old days. Everybody stopped bowling to watch because a 300 in this Sport Bowling league is really an achievement."Read More
  • SinglesSurvivor league pits players against conditions, not each other.Thinking about the hot beds of bowling, cities such as Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee and New York come to mind. States like California, Florida and Texas have reputations for offering great tournament action.Tennessee might not rank among your list of notable bowling areas, but it made a name for itself after Knoxville did a grand job of hosting the 2003 American Bowling Congress Championships Tournament.Bartlett Lanes in the Memphis area added a new twist in the Sport Bowling arena. "Our guys were looking for something a little different and we wanted to give them a challenge," said Bartlett Lanes Manager Mike Monroe of his summer Scratch Sport Survivor league. "The players were really competing against the condition on the lanes and not the other guys. Everybody really seemed to enjoy that."The tough scoring environment was the lure that kept the players coming back. "Oh, yeah," said league secretary Nathan DeCrow. "We tried to not let them know what kind of shot was going to be in advance. We used a short, heavy oil pattern or a long pattern 45 feet long and all the way across. It was difficult for the players, but you’d be amazed at how it worked out. Five or six guys would do real well, but the rest would struggle. It seemed like there was no in-between."The singles-format league cost $20 a week. Each player drew for lane assignments each night. The 13-week league season required each bowler to bowl three "qualifying" games. Scores of 190-200 earned one point. Games of 201-220 earned two points and games of 221 or higher won three points. After three games, the top 16 bowled a fourth game with the top eight "survivors" advancing. After five games, the field was cut to the top four; after six, to the top two who bowled a final game for a $100 and $50 "bonus" prizes for first and second, respectively.The value of "point money" was based upon the number of bowlers each week. For example, a point one week might be worth $4.10 and the next, $2.50. The payouts ranged from $359.56 by former Professional Bowlers Association Touring Player Jimbo Martin (including $200 in bonus prizes) to nothing for two players who got completely shut out.The league grew from 30 to 45 players in the second year. The idea of paying point money on a weekly basis meant bowlers were not penalized if they were unable to bowl."This league kind of got me back into bowling," Martin said. "I don’t enjoy the league shot because it’s too easy. Last fall I averaged 210 in league with a rubber ball and this summer I shot 192 on the Sport condition. It’s not like bowling in league on a house condition where you just move five boards left every six frames."Chad Robertson led the league with a 194.7 average. Only five players in the league averaged 190 or higher. The low average was 130.5 by a player who only missed two of the 13 weeks."I loved it," Robertson said. "In league bowling you have all kinds of room and the lanes help you out. On the Sport shot you have to make a quality shot each time and you have to have the right speed and rotation. If you don’t you get penalized." The weekly competition has paid off for Robertson."I go to tournaments now and my game is a lot sharper," Robertson said.He also admitted the league was a humbling experience, but highly recommends it."There are people out there who average 220 who are not as good as they think they are," he said. "If you are somewhat of a serious bowler and wanted to take a step up in your game, this is what you need. Bowling becomes even more of a mental thing. It’s a lot more about spare shooting and spares are not as easy."The Sport Scratch Survivor helped all the players, DeCrow said. It may have been most beneficial to those that didn’t cash very much. "Sport Bowling is great for players who don’t already average 185 in league," he said. "It’s great for players who just want to get better. It puts the emphasis on spares and ball placement."Read More
  • Adult/YouthAdults, youth bowl side by side in Wichita Sport Bowling leaguesIt isn’t unusual for curious young bowlers to hang around adult Sport Bowling leagues to check things out or even bowl a few practice lines after league play ends."When the adults were starting their league, I thought it would be good to start a youth Sport league as well," Rash said. "That was really the only way we could practice on a Sport pattern." - Sean Rash, former Wichita State University and Team USA bowling star and current PBA exempt player In Wichita, Kan., the curiosity factor evolved into something more structured, thanks in part to the efforts of Sean Rash, former Wichita State University and Team USA bowling star and current PBA exempt player.Joel Mumma, a Thunderbird Lanes employee and Wichita Bowling Association board member, was a key figure in putting Wichita ’s first adult Sport league together."There are a number of bowlers in town who were looking for a more challenging condition," said ABC Hall of Famer and Director Mark Jensen, a member of the Greater Wichita Sport League. "Most of the bowlers in our league realize Sport Bowling makes other types of lane conditions play easier. It’s especially important for kids who have grown up with the idea of stand left, throw the ball right. Sport Bowling requires accuracy. It will make kids better players in the future."That message wasn’t lost on Rash and some of his young friends."When the adults were starting their league, I thought it would be good to start a youth Sport league as well," Rash said. "That was really the only way we could practice on a Sport pattern."Wichita ’s adult Sport League was a three-game trio league that features one individual point per game plus series, and two team game and series points for a total of 20 points per session.Adjacent to the Thursday night adult league was Rash’s Sport singles league for youth bowlers."The youth league was mostly players from Wichita State, but we’re getting a few high school kids from around Wichita," Rash said. "We followed a regular league schedule and bowled four games per night. It was a 27-week split season and we bowl for scholarship money. You could win two points per game and one for total."Having a youth Sport league bowling next to an adult Sport league has advantages, Rash noted.Wichita State University coaches Gordon Vadakin and Mark Lewis are among the members of the adult league. Having that kind of coaching talent keeping an eye on things is helpful, Rash said, and a number of parents also came out to watch and support the young players. To recruit bowlers, Rash handed out fliers at other bowling centers around town and recruited kids who tried out for the Shockers’ team."Some of them made the team, others didn’t," he said. "The Wichita State tryout process is a lot tougher than most people can imagine. If you can play well in the Sport Bowling league, you have a much better chance in going through the Wichita State tryout process."Read More
  • Summer Youth with CoachingNew York Sport Bowling league that includes coaching eyes the next generationThe future of bowling has been changing almost daily for the past couple of decades. New balls, new conditions, new surfaces have created a "scary" future.But the next revolution in bowling isn’t going to be equipment – it’s going to be the performers on the lanes. The Clover Lanes Summer Youth Sport Classic League in Rochester , N.Y. , is preparing the next generation for this revolution. "Each week we have a lesson plan that will take between five and 20 minutes before league play starts," Dodds said. "The lesson will be on how to adjust to conditions and they all get a handout to go with the lesson. We also have coaches on the lanes during the league and for the 10 minutes of practice before league play starts." - USBC Coaching Master Bronze and Silver Level certified coach Brian Dodds."The next generation in bowling is going to be as different as Tiger Woods is to golf today," said United States Bowling Congress Coaching Master Bronze and Silver Level certified coach Brian Dodds, one of the league’s founders and coaches. "There is a new generation that is going to raise the bar in our sport."To foster this new generation, Brad Buckert, owner of Begin’rs To Pros Pro Shop in the Rochester area, devised a Sport League that stresses organized instruction along with the challenging Sport Bowling conditions."Brad is dedicated to developing youth players in our area," said Dodds. "And he deserves the credit for creating this league." Dodds, Burkett, Clover Lanes Manager David Myers, Tom Garren of the 11th Frame Pro Shop and David Mack are all USBC Coaching certified coaches. They sat one night talking about the future of bowling and created a league to fit it.The league was reaping benefits even before it entered its second season. During the inaugural season youth participants Rich Ferraro and Nick Secours, along with adult player Bill Stoddard, went to New York’s Empire State Games and won the Men’s Trios competition. "Each week we have a lesson plan that will take between five and 20 minutes before league play starts," Dodds said. "The lesson will be on how to adjust to conditions and they all get a handout to go with the lesson. We also have coaches on the lanes during the league and for the 10 minutes of practice before league play starts."The Clover Youth Sport Classic runs for 12 weeks and the youth, paired in doubles teams, shoot two, two-game matches each week. There were 34 boys and 17 girls who took up the challenge last summer when teams changed partners at mid-season. For the $12 league fee, the players also received 10 free practice games per day between May 15 through Aug. 31 and 10 games a month for the rest of the year. "While every bowler struggled to learn the changes needed in their games, everyone found that focus and consistency were at a premium," Dodds said. "Immediate results come to no one, but the ability to ‘grind it out’ and maintain a concentrated effort to pick spares proved to be keys to every bowler’s learning and growth."The proof of instruction combined with the Sport Bowling conditions proved a winner for the players in the Empire State Games. "Nick Secours told me, ‘Mr. Dodds, our experience through the league helped us to hang in there, keep our focus and find our shot,’" Dodds said. "That let us know that we were on the right track and that Brad’s league and program were a success." Another easy measure of success of the league is that Rochester ’s AMF Dewey Gardens , Bowl-A-Roll and AMF Empire Lanes are also forming summer youth Sport leagues.A shortened version of this instructional Sport League also would work wonderfully as a late summer "Back to Bowling" session. It would give players of all ages a chance to learn new skills just in time for the start of the winter league season.Read More
  • Singles Youth ScratchDetroit Summer Junior Sport Challenge illustrated innovationAn interesting side benefit of Sport Bowling is that it is encouraging bowlers to think beyond the same old competitive formats. A great example is the Summer Junior Sport Bowling Challenge at Sunnybrook Lanes in Sterling Heights, Mich., a league that evolved to address challenges that arose out of the Detroit area’s adult Sport Bowling program."You can’t put a price on the experience you gain," league bowler Brandon Tarabeck said. "It’s immeasurable. I know it has helped me already and will continue to help me in the future." "Kids need to learn the more difficult conditions now instead of when it’s too late. If we want to be the best, especially when we go to college or on to the pros, we have to bowl on these conditions." - Tom Weaver, 18 years oldIn many ways, that’s how the league began. Area youth bowlers became regular spectators at Sunnybrook Lanes’ Sunday night Sport Bowling League and started wondering aloud why there couldn’t be one for youth bowlers. The seed of interest grew into a summer league with 35 young bowlers from as far away as Bay City, Lansing and Saginaw signing up. When all was said and done, the field of young players came into the league with a 207 composite average and concluded the inaugural campaign with a 186 league average.The 21-pin drop across the board didn’t exactly send the young players running. In fact, it did the opposite. For 2003, the league grew to 43 players. The lure wasn’t simply "join a league," however. This league includes a unique combination of elements that create a tournament atmosphere throughout its 10-week run. It’s a concept that was attractive enough to encourage 18-year-old Tom Weaver to drive 145 miles EACH WAY from Ionia to bowl every week."I don’t like bowling on today’s easy conditions," said Weaver, who plans to become a part of the highly-regarded Saginaw Valley State collegiate program. "Kids need to learn the more difficult conditions now instead of when it’s too late. If we want to be the best, especially when we go to college or on to the pros, we have to bowl on these conditions."The Sunnybrook league wasn’t a typical league, however. For starters, it was an individual, four-game scratch league with heavy emphasis on earning weekly points. Just for showing up, you earned five points. From that point, things got interesting:Each bowler rolled the first three games for "position." After three games, all players were ranked based upon their three-game series totals for a "position round" match. The leading "qualifier" for the week bowled one more game against No. 2, No. 3 bowled against No. 4, etc.For the fourth game, bowlers received their actual pinfall plus 30 bonus pins if they won their match (15 each if they tied). Weekly standings were re-calculated based upon the four-game total (including match play bonus pins). The top five advanced to a stepladder final; everyone else received one point for each person they beat that week (example: if 40 people bowled and you ranked 10th for the week, you earned 30 points for finishing ahead of 30 other bowlers).The top five each earn five bonus points for qualifying for the stepladder. The top qualifier earned another five points for being No. 1 for the week. The top five also earned points based upon where they eventually finished, i.e., the stepladder winner would earn an additional 40 points, the runner-up would earn 39 points, etc.Weekly attendance was very important because total points for the 10-week season determined the top 10 bowlers who advanced to the season-ending roll-offs. (Additional 25-point bonuses were awarded for high game, high series, high average and best match play record for the 10 weeks).During the "top 10" roll-off, players were seeded based upon their point totals. The 10 players then bowled a 10-game match play round (one match against each other finalist plus a position round at the end). Each match win was worth 30 bonus pins, but points were earned or lost against a 200 base score. Example: if you bowled a 150 game and lost your match, 50 points were deducted from your total. If you bowled 180 and won, you added 10 points to your unning total (you lost 20 points against the 200 base, but gained 30 for winning your match).The top five bowlers at the end of the 10-game match play session competed for a $1,000 scholarship first prize in a season-finale stepladder contest the following week at Turbo 2-N-1 Grips’ Institute of Bowling Technology. The Wednesday league, which charged $20 weekly, was sponsored by Turbo 2-N-1 Grips, which contributed to the league’s more than $3,000 in scholarship prizes. All league members also received complimentary Turbo 2-N-1 Grip t-shirts. In addition to the youth league, Sunnybrook Lanes conditioned eight lanes on Monday nights for league members and others interested in experiencing Sport Bowling."This is the future of our sport," said proprietor Randy Shank. "We need to support the kids in whatever means necessary. When I was approached about doing this program, my answer was very simple: whatever we can do to help, consider it done."Read More
  • TriosWhen life gives you lemons, start a Sport Bowling League.When things don’t go your way you can either work at a solution or you can fold up your tent. Or, as your mother may have told you, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."Example: Chuck McNally was a boilermaker, building steam engines for the railroads. When the work dried up and went to foreign concerns, McNally lost his job. Rather than feel sorry for himself, at age 50 he was working on his college degree in engineering. Another example: when sitting around shooting the breeze about the world of tenpins and lamenting about how easy it is to hold a high average or pull down honor scores, McNally was basically told to " put up or shut up." Actually, it was in harsher language than that, but he decided to "put up.""Over a period of time, say over the next five years," McNally said, "Sport Bowling is going to be the measuring stick for anybody who wants to be a good player. I have guys calling me all the time to get help in starting a Sport League. And if anybody thinks the shot up here is easy, tell them to come on up. We will be bowling for money, baby!" - Chuck McNally, founder of the Coors Light/Coca-Cola Classic League at Olympic Lanes in Menands, N.Y."It all started as an idea to develop a league where we would make the shot tougher," said McNally, founder of the Coors Light/Coca-Cola Classic League at Olympic Lanes in Menands, N.Y. "I talked to the people at Sport Bowling and they filled me in on everything. We could not have done it without them."The road to creating one of the best Sport Bowling leagues in the country has not been easy, McNally said, but he said that it has been well worth the effort."The bowlers in this league are the best, they are just awesome," McNally said. "We had 11 guys from our league go to a PBA regional and all 11 of them cashed."The league had 12 three-man teams and competed for a $6,000 first prize. To run a top league it takes quality bowlers and sponsors. This league had 16 lane sponsors at $250 each to go with $150 per team sponsor. The Coors Light/Coca-Cola Classic started as a Sport test league in 2000 and has been going strong since. Mike Miseno, one of McNally’s players, fired the first 300 ever on a Sport Bowling test condition."The number one reason for starting the league -- and there is no reason more important -- is that the guys have learned to win," McNally said. "The most important goal every week was to see how many times they beat their guy. You have to throw high averages right out the window. Our guys don’t talk about high scores. They say, ‘Did you win anything?’"McNally credits Olympic proprietors George Vafiadis and John Oureilis as being an instrumental part of the league’s success. They made it possible for the tough scoring conditions to be monitored and because their conditions are legitimate, players came from as far as 70 miles away to take on the challenge."The guys keep telling me, `Keep ‘em ugly Chuck,’" McNally said. "And this will be from a guy who just shot a 130 game. If you watch any match in our league it comes down to making spares. It's pretty much like bowling in the ‘60s, except for the oil carry down. "You learn to make spares. The guys in our league say, `Spares are your friend.' You learn teamwork, you learn to watch what your opponent does and you learn how to win again."When McNally was originally challenged to get the league started, he hunted out players in other leagues and tournaments who would pick up the gauntlet with him. McNally averaged 213 in the Rotterdam Classic League, but settled for 175.9 with a 253 high game and 604 series in the Sport Bowling league he ran."Over a period of time, say over the next five years," McNally said, "Sport Bowling is going to be the measuring stick for anybody who wants to be a good player. I have guys calling me all the time to get help in starting a Sport League. And if anybody thinks the shot up here is easy, tell them to come on up. We will be bowling for money, baby!"Read More
  • Trios: two-game block formatPMB PBA EXP Season 2
    Pla-Mor Bowl PBA Experience League Rules
    May, 2008
    • 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
    This pattern will repeat for the second half of the league (6/24; 7/1; 7/8; 7/15; 7/22; 7/29). The final week shall be the US Open pattern from 2006, as posted on Bowl.com.
    2008 League Officers:
    President: Dave Pooler
    Vice Pres.: Doug McDonald
    Sec./Tres.: Mick Hackbarth
    All other issues not explicitly covered by these rules shall defer to the USBC rulebook. If you have questions, or need to schedule a bowl-ahead, please call Pla-Mor Bowl at 641.648-9740.Read More
  • "Survivor"The "Survivor" league format is a unique, fun, versatile and competitive USBC Sport Bowling experience originated by Mark Robey at Skore Lanes in Taylor, Mich. The league's name and internal concepts are based on the popular network TV show of the same name. Survivor bowlers battle in a 14-week league that is comprised of individual match play competition, an individual stepladder tournament, team competition and a team tournament. Bowlers of any average can join Survivor; the league's unique format allows all bowlers to enjoy very competitive matches.How does Survivor work?For the first six weeks, individual bowlers battle in a head-to-head, three-game match. Points are awarded for each game won plus totals. Each week bowlers are separated into "tribes" based on their averages. Within each tribe, bowlers are ranked based on their individual winning percentages.On the seventh week, bowlers compete in a match play tournament. Tribes hold match play competition to determine champions of each division, named for the four suits in a deck of playing cards. These four champions compete for the title of "Ultimate Survivor."In preparation for the team competition, a draft is held. The leading average bowlers become team captains and draft fellow Survivors to make even teams for the team competitions.In weeks eight through 13, the focus shifts to team play with Survivor bowlers on these drafted teams bowling for the right to win their portion of the team prize fund, and the title of Survivor Team Champion.The 14th week is a Baker team tournament. This format calls for head-to-head competition among seeded teams with bowlers from each team alternating frames until the Ultimate Team Survivors are crowned.Read More
  • Can anyone bowl Survivor?Absolutely! Here is a world where everyone has a chance to compete with bowlers of their same skill level on a challenging lane condition. All that matters in the first half of the league is how bowlers compare to the other bowlers of their average tribe. Any bowler of any average is welcome!In the second half, drafted teams compete. Every bowler has a fair and equal chance at the prize fund offered in the second half since these teams are, by their nature, balanced.I noticed that Sport Bowling is part of this league format. Does that mean Sport conditions will be used? You bet! This is not your cozy, comfortable soft standard league condition. This is roughing it. What else would you expect from Survivor?Survivor league format example.Survivor is a short-season (14 weeks) multi-format bowling competition on USBC Sport Bowling conditions. There are no restrictions on averages in Survivor; all bowers are welcome. There will be 10 minutes of warm-up.
    • 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.
    Long and short oilOne of bowling’s biggest challenges is competing on a pair of lanes dressed with one short pattern and one long pattern. The beauty of this format is the ongoing challenge of playing a long pattern inside while being forced outside to play the shorter pattern.Format: Scratch
    Number of games: 3, 4 or 5
    Length: 36 weeks, each quarter would be 9 weeks (8 weeks of bowling with one week for roll-off). Each teams winning a quarter would bowl at the end of the last night's roll-off in a special championship round.    This could be very exciting with one team earning a berth into the championship with a great performance on the last night. The championship round would have a simple eliminator format: All four teams bowl one game. The two remaining teams then bowl one game. The league pays off each quarter with a special fund for the final event. This can easily be adapted to an 18-week season. Lane conditions: One idea is to try 35 feet for the short pattern and 45 feet for the long patter. This is similar to what is used in international championships.Points: One point per game and three points for total Submitted by Joe Slowinski, a USBC-certified Silver level coach, USBC-certified Level I Coach Instructor and Director of Coaching and Coach Certification for the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress.    Read More
  • Flat shot leagueUSBC-certified coach Joe Slowinski has a Sport Bowling league format from the Northeast that should offer an exciting challenge to bowlers.John Bovoy, who is now bowling on the Generations Bowlers Tour, has run a flat shot format league at centers in New Hampshire and Maine. About 60 to 70 bowlers paid $20 each summer to bowl four games on the challenging lane conditions."It has a nice mix of bowlers," said Slowinski, a USBC-certified Silver coach, USBC-certified Level I Coach Instructor and Director of Coaching and Coach Certification for the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress. "This is everyone's favorite league. The league just finished its sixth year."This is an easy format to start in a bowling center and allows for older lane machines. The patterns all have 1:1 ratios with varying lengths.Here’s how it works:
    Format: Doubles handicap (average established on first night, 80 percent of 200)
    No. of games: 4
    Length: 15 weeks
    Lane conditions: Five different flat patterns (30, 32, 36, 38 and 40 feet) on a five-week rotation. Each pattern is bowled on three times.
    Points: Three doubles teams per pair bowling against one another. Two points to win a game. One point for second. Four points to win total pins and two for second in total. "The best a team can do is win 12 points with second earning as much as six," Slowinski said. "But, that rarely happens. The format keeps it tight."
    Prize: Airfare and lodging to Las Vegas and entries into the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator.
  • High low point systemA PBA Experience league at Dynasty Lanes in Willard, Ohio, uses a points system in which the top score each game and series wins the most points and the lowest score earns the fewest, reports Lewis Sims. For example, if there are 20 bowlers in the league and the top score for Game 1 is 220, that person earns 20 points. If the second high game is 207, that bowler gets 19 points. With this system, a sweep would earn a grand total of 80 points. A bowler finishing last every game would earn four points.This league runs this format with youth PBA Experience league as well. The league uses a different PBA Experience oil pattern each week.
  • PBA-Style SinglesThis new format was created by Sport Bowling member Michael Sherman as a means of creating the closest league environment possible to an actual PBA tournament.This format is a singles format just like the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour. The league will run 20 weeks with bowlers competing on each of the five named oil patterns (Chameleon, Cheetah, Scorpion, Shark, Viper) for four weeks at a time. The format will be based on total pin fall, and the end-of-league payout will be based on a "Player of the League" points system.The first two weeks on each pattern are considered qualifying. Each player will bowl three games each week, moving pairs after each game. All lane assignments are random during the first two weeks, and all players on even lanes move two pairs right while all players on odd lanes move one pair right. This way, all players move pairs and bowl against different opponents each game.After the two weeks are over, all players are ranked by total pin fall with win-loss records being used to break any total pin fall ties.The third week is the position round. Players will be matched up based on their pin-fall rankings from the first two weeks. Player 1 bowls Player 2. Player 3 bowls Player 4, etc. Each pair will bowl three games, moving one pair right and bowling the same opponent for all three games. After the third week, everyone is again ranked by total pin fall, using win-loss records to break ties.The fourth week is the "TV" week. Everyone is grouped in fours for three-game stepladder competition. Players 1, 2, 3 and 4 will bowl one another to determine the pattern champion. The first game will be between Player 3 and Player 4 with Player 3 having the choice of starting lane. The winner then bowls Player 2 with Player 2 having the choice of starting lane. The winner bowls Player 1 for the championship with Player 1 having the choice of lane.All stepladder groups will stay on the same pair as if they were on TV. Since everyone wants to bowl, the same stepladder format will be used for all bowlers. Players 5, 6, 7 and 8 will bowl one another as will Players 9, 10, 11, 12 and so on. If all bowlers cannot be broken into four-player groups, adjustments can be made toward the bottom of the standings. If there is one bowler left over, the last five bowlers will bowl a four-game stepladder. If there are two bowlers left over, the last six bowlers will break up into two groups of three for two-game stepladder competition. If there are three bowlers left over, the last three bowlers can bowl a two-game stepladder.Once the stepladder games are al finished, everyone is ranked by their finishing order in the stepladder games, and the players are awarded "Player of the League" points based on their finishing positions. The last (lowest) group of four gets one, two, three and four points, respectively. The second-to-last group of four gets six, eight, ten and 12 points. The third-to-last group of four gets 15, 18, 21 and 24 points. The fourth-to-last group gets 28, 32, 36 and 40 points.Every group after skips a point amount equal to the number of bowlers in their group, and each point value in the group increases by the number of bowlers in the group. So, the fifth grouping would start with 45 points, and each point value in the group would go up by five, meaning players in that group would be awarded 45, 50, 55 and 60 points, respectively. The sixth group would get 66, 72, 78 and 84, and so on.So, after four weeks on the same pattern, every player would have a certain number of "Player of the League" points. At that point, the pattern changes, and you do it all over again. Each player’s "player of the league" points from each of the pattern championships will be added together to get a running total that will be used for the money payout at the end of the league.Read More
 
 
EXPERIENCE SPORT BOWLING
  • Karen RuelKaren RuelKaren Ruel put herself in elite company when she bowled a 300 game on the Cheetah pattern during her PBA Experience league at Super Bowl in Appleton, Wis., Oct. 19. It was Ruel’s sixth career perfect game, but it was her first on USBC Sport Bowling lane conditions.“It took a while for this to sink in, but I think it’s pretty awesome,” Ruel said. “My husband always told me I was pretty accurate, so he taught me to play wide. When we started throwing on Cheetah, I decided to move out there to see what I could do. I had a good read the first week, and the second week, there I was.”Making Ruel’s feat more impressive is the fact that this year marks the first time she’s competed in a PBA Experience league. For many reasons, she’s glad she decided to do so.“I think Sport Bowling lane conditions really help your game, especially with accuracy and timing because those have to be spot on to bowl well,” Ruel said. “I think these leagues are a great idea, and I hope more bowling centers pick them up in the future. It poses a challenge, gives us a good look at what the pros do week in and week out and gives you a better idea of where your game is really at.”Read More
  • Ashly GalanteAshly GalanteWhat is your single biggest bowling accomplishment and why?
    Finishing 7th at the USBC Queens Tournament is my greatest bowling accomplishment to date. After the first round of match play, I was knocked into the losers’ bracket. Getting knocked into the losers’ bracket and still making it that close to the stepladder finals showed me that I can make it out there one day. I was in a slump going into this tournament and a little worse mentally as anyone would be while being in a slump. The Queens Tournament showed me a lot about my mental game. So this was not only a great achievement as in where I finished but a huge booster shot for how I felt about my bowling and future career at the time.     What would you like most to accomplish in your bowling career and why?
    The thing I want to accomplish the most in my bowling career is that someday I would like to be exempt on the PBA tour and be the first woman to win a title against the men. This is something I have always wanted to do since I first started bowling at the age of 12.    What has helped you the most in getting to the level you are at as a bowler?
    I don’t know where I would have been without my father’s support and faith in me. He is the only person in the world who has experienced everything that I go through in bowling. He has been there with me through it all, the slumps, the successes, and the practice sessions (4-6 hours a day). Without my father I would be nowhere in this sport. Having him by my side throughout everything makes all the successes that I have had and hopefully will have mean so much more to me. My mom has also been extremely supportive throughout the whole process and dealing with me and my dad in a tournament environment can't be easy by any means. My parents along with all the coaching I’ve received from Rich Esposito, Kegel Training Center, and my own work ethic would be the main things that have helped me achieve what I have.    Read More
  • Statistics Few achievements in bowling are regarded as highly as a 200 average in sport league competition. Each year, the USBC Membership Awards team honors national high averages in sport leagues. In 2007, the USBC’s own Derek Eoff—former Team USA member and 2008 World Cup Champion—logged an award-winning 222.38 average in sport bowling competition. More recently, Adam Jablonski of Sterling Heights, Mich. was honored for his 220.68 sport bowling average for the 2007-2008 season. Will you be next to receive recognition as one of the nation's most versatile bowlers? Click "read more" to view league statistics.

    Final Yearly Top Averages (Male)

    • Adult Average Over 48 games:
      08-09
    • Youth Average Over 48 games:
      08-09

    Final Yearly Top Averages (Female)

    • Adult Average Over 48 games:
      08-09
    • Youth Average Over 48 games:
      08-09

    Male Leaders

    Female Leaders

    Youth Boys Leaders

    Youth Girls Leaders

    Read More
  • Bowler InformationHow do I get involved?USBC Sport Bowling is one of the sport’s fastest-growing segments. If you’re ready to experience the fun, excitement and competitive challenge of Sport Bowling and its new PBA Experience leagues, use the Find a Sport Bowling League search to locate and join a league near you.If there is not a league in your area, get one started by talking with your local bowling center proprietor, pro shop operator, USBC-certified coach, USBC association or USBC Headquarters.Here’s a way to generate interest and momentum in a PBA Experience league. Talk with your proprietor and set up a PBA Experience trial session. Ask the proprietor to apply one of the PBA Experience oil patterns and invite your friends to come and try it out. This will give you a feel for the conditions and may spark interest among the group to get a league up and running. Then get ready to challenge yourself with USBC Sport Bowling and the PBA Experience!
  • Proprietor InformationWhy should I start a USBC PBA Experience league?Revenue
    As society provides people with more and more new ways to spend their recreational dollars, proprietors need new and exciting ways to bring bowlers into their centers. The new PBA Experience leagues provide that kind of excitement.    Bowlers who compete in these leagues will not bowl in just this league. PBA Experience leagues will bring bowlers in for a second or third time for the week. In addition, you will bring other bowlers from all around your market. USBC Sport Bowling leagues are known for attracting bowlers from long distances and the PBA Experience leagues are likely to do even better.Easy
    USBC provides the oil patterns on the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com so all you have to do is enter the numbers into your lane machine.    Certifying your center for Sport Bowling takes only minutes.
    Verification of the lane conditions only requires someone from your center or your USBC Local Association pulling two tapes on one lane each week prior to bowling.    Bowler Benefits
    PBA Experience leagues give your bowlers the chance to compare themselves to the professionals in essentially the same environment as when they bowl their tournaments.    Not only will the bowlers enjoy the challenge of these leagues, they will improve their games and be more successful in tournaments because of the challenging nature of these lane conditions.Free Promotion
    Because the PBA will be promoting these leagues during its weekly telecasts, you will receive free advertising to help generate interest.    Center Recognition
    You can be recognized as the progressive center in your market by higher average bowlers. Because of the connection to the PBA, you can promote your center to the local media to draw special attention to your business. Don’t hesitate to contact your local newspaper, radio stations and bowling publications to highlight your new and unique league.    Read More
  • PBA Tour ScheduleThe 2009-10 Professional Bowlers Association season began in August with the PBA World Series of Bowling, a five-week, seven-tournament festival of PBA Tour, PBA Women’s Series and PBA Senior Tour events held in and around Detroit. The televised finals have been taped for six of those seven events and will be broadcast on ESPN every Sunday beginning Nov. 1. The finals of the seventh event, the PBA World Championship, will be broadcast live from Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kan., Dec. 13. After the holidays, the PBA will get back into its traditional routine of hosting weekly tournaments that feature live ESPN televised finals each Sunday. That 13-week run of events features unique tournament formats such as the Don and Paula Carter Mixed Doubles, PBA Match-Play Championship and Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship. The players are great, and the tournament action is even greater. Don’t miss any of these exciting telecasts! Keep tabs on things by checking out the PBA Tour schedule, which can be found here.
  • PBA Championships PatternsChampionship Patterns
    Length: Varies
    Bowlers must be at the top of their games to conquer the many patterns that fall under the Championship category. These challenging patterns test the mettle of the world's top bowlers in the PBA's four major tournaments:    Championship patterns comply with USBC Sport Bowling guidelines which allow a maximum of only three times as much oil on the inside boards versus outside boards. Versatility will be a key to success on these patterns as the varying oil ratios and lengths will determine what part of the lane from which to attack. Champions on this pattern include:Read More
  • League Formats Coming Soon.
  • Submit a BowlerTo submit a bowler, send us the following:
    (Note: Parental consent is required for nominees under the age of 18)    The name of the bowler you would like to nominate:
    Bowler's Phone Number:
    Bowler's Email Address:
    Bowler's Age:
    Bowler's Gender:
    Bowler's Ethnicity:

    Tell us why you think this person should be a featured bowler on bowl.com:

    email to SportBowlingSubmit@bowl.comThank you for your nomination! While we are unable to respond to each individual submission due to the volume of submissions we receive, we will be contacting you if your nominee is chosen to be featured on bowl.com.    Read More
 
 
SPORT BOWLING ON THE LANES
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