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Author Topic: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition  (Read 6648 times)

Nicanor

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Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« on: December 09, 2008, 03:21:13 PM »
I'm president of a league and bowling mid way through the league.  The treasuer came up to me and said that someone was sanding their bowling ball after two frames of the second game.  The treasuer told him he wasn't allowed to sand the ball and use it in league play.  He didn't listen.  The team captain on lane 3 seen this and told the team captin on lane 2 (the two teams were not bowlng each other)to stop the bowler from using the ball before he threw it in competution.  The team captain did not listen and let him throw the ball.

Now my officers and some team captains are coming to me and want me to impose a forfiet.  I listen to both sides and assign a forfiet.  

A week later they want to have a meeting and vote whether or not to impose the forfiet.  Half of those that wanted to impose the forfiet now have forgiveness and want to give them the point back.

I went to the local USBC office today before the league started and talked with the local secretary and she called the main USBC headquarters and said I was correct in assigning the forfiet.  I know there's going to be a protest.

How would you have handled this?

Thank you,

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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)
Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

 

Spider Ball Bowler

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #1 on: December 09, 2008, 11:29:31 PM »
You were correct in following the rule book and what not.

I had a bowler do that in league before and everyone told him he couldn't, so he stopped.  No one forced any type of forfeit against him, nobody cared, we just corrected his mistake.

If it was a HUGE money league, perhaps things might have been different, but i doubt it.
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mrbowlingnut

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #2 on: December 09, 2008, 11:36:19 PM »
I used to catch guys with a scotchbrite sewed into there seesaw at Showboat all the time, for whatever reason it was a big thing there with that crowd.

Talk about verbal fights we had them all the time, the league secretary always backed our team up when the person was caught and you did the right thing already.

raiderh20boy

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2008, 11:37:58 PM »
Barry, YOU DID EXACTLY WHAT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO DO!!!! USBC sanctioned..USBC rules!!!

ThongPrincess

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2008, 11:39:53 PM »
Let them file the protest, they will lose.  The rules state that the ball must be removed from competition, refusal will result in forfeit.
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Nicanor

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2008, 11:56:19 PM »
But the rules actually say: SUBJECT TO FORFIET.  What does that mean?





thanks for the feedback.




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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)
Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

tenpin477

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2008, 12:31:43 AM »
Subject to forfeit means they forfeit lol.

You are absolutely right on the topic. They were caught, they were told to remove the ball from play, they didn't listen, so they forfeit. Simple


You have to be careful though as this only applies to sanding. Polishing as long as there is no abrasives, and using things such as rubbing alcohol are totally legal even during competition.

Bigmike

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2008, 08:23:39 AM »
We get them running into the shop half the way thru games asking us to surface there stuff. Team captains would watch to see if the ball made it back into play that night or not.

Of course, I wait until after they pay me and let them know if they get caught they forfeit.

Now we have a secretary that swears up and down that you can not change your surface during/after practice. Competition equals first ball thrown for score.
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Nicanor

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #8 on: December 10, 2008, 08:38:39 AM »
I hear things like subject to forfiet means I have to have an all captains meeting and vote whether or not to assign the forfiet or give a warning.  But the USBC rule book says its the responsibility of the president to enforce the rules.  

So what does "subject to forfiet mean"?

Thank you for the responses.


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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)
Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

Gazoo

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2008, 09:11:05 AM »
USBC rules state that the ball must be removed from competetion and if said bowler knew he was in violation of the rule is subject to forfeitier of game and supension from league. "Subject" means punishment(in this case forfiet) is decided by the league or league officers and not the USBC. The USBC will uphold the forfiet if that ends up being the punishment for violation of the rule.
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Nicanor

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #10 on: December 10, 2008, 09:48:04 AM »
Gazoo,

So since I am the president and by the USBC rule book I am responsible to enforce the rules and regulations have declared the rule violation and awarded the forfeit.  Was that within my authority as president of the league?

The team has the right to protest.

It seems like many wanted the forfeit, but it was near split.  We did not vote.  I thought it might cause too much animosity with the league so I awarded the forfeit and let them know they can protest/challenge.

Thanks again.


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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)
Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

Brodieman

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2008, 10:04:51 AM »
you did the right thing, not everything is a democracy.  it is supposed to be removed from play.
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azguy

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2008, 10:14:04 AM »
You did the right thing and more over, you did your job , as Pres.  My question to those who now, seem to want to give back the points, what rule/rules do they want enforced ? Will they next come and say, because they have the votes, that they can throw 3 balls ? shoot the ten pin with a 357 ?

I know that's a bit off but if you ( they) start 'over-riding' the rule book, where does it stop ? There are rules for a reason, either play by then or start up a league and have your (thier) own rules.

JMO.
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JohnP

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2008, 10:31:52 AM »
quote:
We get them running into the shop half the way thru games asking us to surface there stuff. Team captains would watch to see if the ball made it back into play that night or not.

Of course, I wait until after they pay me and let them know if they get caught they forfeit.


I've only had this come up a couple of times.  I don't agree with letting them pay and then telling them they can't use the ball any more that night.  I tell them that it's illegal to change surface on a ball and put it back into play that session.  I'll be glad to either change the surface after the league is over or will go ahead and change it during the league and hold the ball until afterwards.  --  JohnP

qstick777

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Re: Rules question: sanding a ball during league competition
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2008, 12:42:05 PM »
quote:
I hear things like subject to forfiet means I have to have an all captains meeting and vote whether or not to assign the forfiet or give a warning.  But the USBC rule book says its the responsibility of the president to enforce the rules.  

So what does "subject to forfiet mean"?

Thank you for the responses.


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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)



sub·ject (sbjkt)
adj.
1. Being in a position or in circumstances that place one under the power or authority of another or others: subject to the law.
2. Prone disposed: a child who is subject to colds.
3. Likely to incur or receive exposed: a directive subject to misinterpretation.
4. Contingent or dependent: a vacation subject to changing weather.



 
quote:
League officials have the power to enforce league rules and to declare game(s) forfeited. If an officer fails to act, or a league member decides to challenge the officer’s decision, a written protest would have to be filed in accordance with Rule 119.


Sounds like you might have the option of imposing a forfeiture or some sort of warning - it's up to you.  However, now that you've enforced the forfeit, they'll have to file a written protest.

Now, I'd probably hold a meeting and put it to a vote - does the league want to overturn the forfeit?  Do they want to follow the rules?  The player (and team captain) was told of the rules, yet they chose to ignore them.  Is the league prepared to allow each person 1 surface change throughout the season?  What exactly do they want to do?
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