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Author Topic: Please help me settle this . . average/handicap question  (Read 2146 times)

Luke Rosdahl

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Please help me settle this . . average/handicap question
« on: March 02, 2018, 05:16:57 PM »
At how many games does a sanctioned average become your official highest book average to be used for handicap purposes the following season?  It's 21 games right?  My wife seems to think if you bowl a few weeks subbing for someone and shoot 750s every week and it gets uploaded to bowl.com, that's your official highest book average that you have to use for the following year.  I don't agree, it has to be a single league average of 21 or more games as far as I've always understood it.  Maybe that's not a USBC thing, maybe that's generally what tournaments and leagues use, but can anyone point me towards a rule or some help here? 
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Aloarjr810

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Re: Please help me settle this . . average/handicap question
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2018, 05:30:51 PM »
This is from bowl.com when you look up averages.

"Adult averages with less than 21 games or youth averages with less than 12 games are not officially recognized by USBC. "

This is from the Rule book:
118c. League Entering Average
Entering averages are determined by league rules. A bowler who does not have an entering average,
or until they meet the requirement(s) defined by league rule(s), average is determined by dividing the
total number of pins by the total number of games bowled the first league session. (See Rule 100g
for handicap.) When a bowler fails to complete his/her first game in order to establish an average, the
frames bowled will be declared null and void and a vacancy score used.
NOTE: The following are options for entering averages:
 1. Highest Average: The highest average in any USBC league in which a player competes in
 one season.
 2. Composite Average: The average of a bowler who bowls in two or more USBC leagues in a
 season. The average is determined by adding the total pins for all of the leagues and dividing
 the result by the total number of games bowled in those leagues.

Most leagues that i've seen use last years league average which was usually the  minimum of 21 games average,  But according to the rules the league could set another figure.

For USBC  Tournaments USBC Rules:
319a. Conditions that Apply
The following conditions apply to averages in handicap or classified tournaments, unless the
tournament rules state otherwise, except that only USBC league averages shall be accepted. (See Rule
319c for average adjustment.)
1. The bowler is required to submit the previous season’s highest average of:
 a) A single USBC league average based on a minimum of 21 games; or
 b) A composite average of all USBC leagues, including leagues with less than 21 games bowled.
« Last Edit: March 02, 2018, 05:39:26 PM by Aloarjr810 »
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spmcgivern

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Re: Please help me settle this . . average/handicap question
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2018, 09:31:52 AM »
I could see a case where using the composite average makes sense.  I have seen bowlers with 220 average also have leagues they stopped subbing in with 230+ at 18 games.  In these cases, the composite average for the year can be higher than any individual league average.

Ultimately the final decision comes from the individual league.

By the way, the above example was me.  In my home center I am consistently 220-225.  However, at another house I am around 235.  I just match up better there.  After a couple of weeks subbing there I was somehow not asked back.....

Jesse James

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Re: Please help me settle this . . average/handicap question
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2018, 04:00:51 PM »
I bowled USBC Nationals last summer. They used my composite averages from many years back, whether I subbed or not! I know what the rule book says, but I also know what the USBC official told me when she re-rated me to the higher group of bowlers!

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milorafferty

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Re: Please help me settle this . . average/handicap question
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2018, 03:05:56 PM »
That's interesting!

I've never been to nationals but the possibility of being re rated is plausible and of course I believe your claim. So you get re rated, your balls are weighed and always incorrect requiring a weight hole, and your bag checked for USBC illegal stuff like cleaners.

I've heard of many leagues and tournaments re rating a bowler, and saying no way, your book can't be that low.


You have been listening to too many idiots who are full of shit. Yes, you can get re-rated at the USBC Open. They are trying to catch the sandbaggers(AKA Punk-Ass Cheaters), which honestly I appreciate.


Yes, your balls are weighed and I agree that it's just silly. I did see one guy having to put a weight hole in a plastic spare ball. But it's not "Always".


No, they don't check your bags.

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TDC57

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Re: Please help me settle this . . average/handicap question
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2018, 08:11:08 PM »
I'm not sure 21 games is the rule. Our league had a question about averages this year and our rule said highest average from any league. When we asked the USBC they said unless we said 21 games it could be any amount. So I'm not sure 21 is set in stone.

Luke Rosdahl

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Re: Please help me settle this . . average/handicap question
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2018, 07:51:37 AM »
For league entering average, no, the league can do whatever they want, usually preferring to start with any average established in that league first for any duration, but there ARE rules for tournaments, that's more what I was referring to. 

I'm not sure 21 games is the rule. Our league had a question about averages this year and our rule said highest average from any league. When we asked the USBC they said unless we said 21 games it could be any amount. So I'm not sure 21 is set in stone.
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