Author Topic: Who knows the league rules??? (Read 1947 times)

700Virgin · « **on:** March 10, 2006, 01:30:03 PM »

During league play tonight a guy on the lanes next to us takes out his liquid ball cleaner and starts cleaning his ball. Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is you can only wipe your ball off with a dry towel after competition has begun. When we bolwed the city tournament about a month ago, the city association secretary called someone on this rule when he was cleaning his ball during the city tournament. Does anyone know if this rule is specific only to tournaments or does it also apply to league play? Please give the rule reference if you know the correct answer.

Debina · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2006, 09:53:27 PM »

From the section called "Commonly Asked Questions" of the rule book, on page 104, item 12:

When can an acceptable cleaner be used on a bowling ball? Unless otherwise provided by league or tournament rule, cleaners designated as acceptable by USBC standards can be used on bowling balls at any time during USBC competition. For a complete list of acceptable cleaning agents, see www.bowlingrulebook.com.

Hope this helps.

Deb

Hogsharley · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2006, 10:07:03 PM »

The man on the next pair did not break any rules as long as he was only cleaning the ball. USBA has a list of aproved CLEANERS that can be used at any time during league play. What you cannot do is change or alter the surface of the bowling ball by using either sand paper or scotch brite. And this also includes league practice or shadow play before actual competion starts. There are also some cleaners (Dull It) that have abrasives in them that cannot be used. If you go to bowl.com and click on the Specs/certification tab, there is a complete list of products do's and dont's for league play.

700Virgin · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2006, 10:11:05 PM »

Debina - thanks for the reply. I saw the same reference you included. The next question talks about not being allowed to introduce 'abraisives' Now, there are some 'cleaners' out there that alter the surface of the ball by making it more tacky.

I am also intrigued by the comments from the city association secretary who also said you could not introduce wet cleaners after competition had begun. I checked the rules for Nationals and it says you can only use a dry towel to wipe off your ball after it has been checked. The cleaner he was using is the Brunswick Cleans All and it says on the side of the bottle that it is approved for all USBC competitions.

Since it is clear this is not allowed at Nationals, it appears that the league would have had to pass a rule prohibiting it?? Does that sound right??

700Virgin · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2006, 10:18:21 PM »

My mistake... it is Brunswick Remove All not Cleans All. I checked the list on the bowl.com page and it's not there. Does that mean it's illegal or as it says, just not tested??

BrunsMike · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2006, 10:26:37 PM »

Tonight we had a guy on my team that didnt like how his ball was looking in his shot so he pulled out another ball and stuffed the one he was just using in the ball buffer. After 5 minutes he pulls it out and was getting ready to use it for competition. I stopped him in his tracks, even though this guy was on my own team and I knew he would roll better with it. I could not let him do it as it is breaking the USBC rules. He got pissed at me and said "show me the rule on that" so i did! He was pissed at me but hey, if i didnt stop him the other team would have protested and we would have ended up losing 7 points instead of winning 7. This guy ended up shooting 572 for the night so he wasnt too upset.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
NE Lake County IL
Sanctioned Highs:
775 Series/288 Game
Sanct. Ave. (2004/2005)194

Tweener by day, Stroker by night

Debina · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2006, 10:53:11 PM »

700V - We have varying rules for local and state tournaments around here. Some follow Nationals with the dry towel only, while others follow Rule 18 in the rule book. It all depends on who's running the tournament. It also depends on who's watching. I worked the state open tournament a few years ago and saw a fellow tuck a scotchbrite in his buff-a-ball and proceed to "scuff" the ball he had been using. I told him he'd have to put the ball in his bag for the rest of the series, and he didn't believe me. Heck, I'm a girl - what do I know? So, I got the tournament director to come over and explain the altering the surface rule (which I had already done). The ball went in the bag and I got an earful of nastiness. But, the rules were followed.

I've never bowled in a league that had the dry towel only rule, but it's certainly an option. You just need to propose it at the meeting at the start of the season. If it passes, it's your league rule and must be followed.

Sadly, city association secretaries don't always know the rules. We have a situation right now that's driving me nuts because the local association told a mom that her youth-sanctioned kid could sub in our adult league as long as the kid didn't take any money. I'm pretty sure that's in direct violation of Rule 400, and the kid's jeopardizing scholarship and college sports opportunities.

One more note on your issue. Unless your league has a rule against it, polishing or "buffing" machine use is perfectly legit during league play.

Sorry for the book. I have a bit of Lebowski in me when it comes to following the rules.

Deb

BrunsMike · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2006, 11:45:56 PM »

quote:
Sadly, city association secretaries don't always know the rules. We have a situation right now that's driving me nuts because the local association told a mom that her youth-sanctioned kid could sub in our adult league as long as the kid didn't take any money. I'm pretty sure that's in direct violation of Rule 400, and the kid's jeopardizing scholarship and college sports opportunities.

In this, you are 100% correct. In any event a Youth bowler shall not be allowed to participate in any adult leauge taking money even using his actual score. Now if this kid is just pacing and his scores do not count, thats a whole different thing.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
NE Lake County IL
Sanctioned Highs:
775 Series/288 Game
Sanct. Ave. (2004/2005)194

Tweener by day, Stroker by night

BrianCRX90 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2006, 01:05:37 AM »

I always thought the ABC..now USBC rule on approved and unapproved usage during sanctioned competition is flawed. Either you can use any type of liquid or nothing. Straight out. First, no one should be using anything during league in my opinion. I find it hilarious some of the cleaners that are ok to use during league is totally legal but you can't polish or sand your ball during league. How stupid is that?

I really wouldn't worry about it. These rules were good to bend and break in the 80's with urethane balls and light units of oil but in today's game it's not much of an advantage at all, just a waste of time.

ThongPrincess · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2006, 02:49:54 AM »

The association secretary may not have been wrong, check the tournament rules. If the tournament has a rule that only a dry towel may be used, she is correct.
I have seen tournaments use that, but never a league make any such restrictions.
--------------------
"I cannot change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination." Jimmy Dean

cgilyeat · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2006, 07:04:03 AM »

quote:
quote:
Sadly, city association secretaries don't always know the rules. We have a situation right now that's driving me nuts because the local association told a mom that her youth-sanctioned kid could sub in our adult league as long as the kid didn't take any money. I'm pretty sure that's in direct violation of Rule 400, and the kid's jeopardizing scholarship and college sports opportunities.

In this, you are 100% correct. In any event a Youth bowler shall not be allowed to participate in any adult leauge taking money even using his actual score. Now if this kid is just pacing and his scores do not count, thats a whole different thing.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
NE Lake County IL
Sanctioned Highs:
775 Series/288 Game
Sanct. Ave. (2004/2005)194

Tweener by day, Stroker by night

Mike, reread rule 400,

quote:
Rule 400
B. Youth membership may be suspended or denied to any youth bowler who bowls, substitutes or paces in any bowling activity where any of the participants are:

Pacing by youth bowlers in any event or league that pays prize money is not allowed.

As for the use of the ball polishing machine, they are legal according to Rule18 -

quote:
The use of approved cleaning agents such as isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and polishing machines is permissible.

Edited on 3/13/2006 2:15 PM

DukeHarding · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2006, 09:21:08 AM »

quote:
Tonight we had a guy on my team that didnt like how his ball was looking in his shot so he pulled out another ball and stuffed the one he was just using in the ball buffer. After 5 minutes he pulls it out and was getting ready to use it for competition. I stopped him in his tracks, even though this guy was on my own team and I knew he would roll better with it. I could not let him do it as it is breaking the USBC rules. He got pissed at me and said "show me the rule on that" so i did! He was pissed at me but hey, if i didnt stop him the other team would have protested and we would have ended up losing 7 points instead of winning 7. This guy ended up shooting 572 for the night so he wasnt too upset.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
NE Lake County IL
Sanctioned Highs:
775 Series/288 Game
Sanct. Ave. (2004/2005)194

Tweener by day, Stroker by night

Mike,
As far as I know you can use a Lustre King machine during competition.
Could you direct me to the USBC rule prohibiting this?

You can shine a ball, but not sand or SB a ball, as far as I know.
--------------------
Duke Harding
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bowling Coaches Web Site Link

When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynijf unir cevinpl!

BrunsMike · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2006, 02:10:20 PM »

Guess I'm getting my rules mixed up. Sorry for stating wrong information.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
NE Lake County IL
Sanctioned Highs:
775 Series/288 Game
Sanct. Ave. (2004/2005)194

Tweener by day, Stroker by night

azguy · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2006, 03:14:12 PM »

FAQ #13, Rule 18...can't do it, even balls not introduced for play.
--------------------
AZ Guy aka: R & L Bowlers Pro
rlbowlerspro@cox.net
www.rlbowlerspro.com

Sleep is over rated.

Pinbuster · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2006, 03:57:03 PM »

I guess I never have understood why we have some of these rules.

I can take a sanded ball and polish it but I canâ€™t take a polished ball and sand it.

I can reach into my bag and take out the equivalent of sanding my current ball and that is ok.

The only reason I see for the current situation is the mess of people sanding down their balls and leaving dust everywhere.

But the rules are the rules and should be followed.

That being said, I would agree with Bob that a standard should be set on the abrasiveness of the ball surface. And you shouldnâ€™t be able to make a ball more abrasive than that.

Iâ€™m not sure how you test it on the spot to determine if someone has altered their ball above the limit.

Author Topic: Who knows the league rules??? (Read 1947 times)

700Virgin

Who knows the league rules???

Debina

Re: Who knows the league rules???

Hogsharley

Re: Who knows the league rules???

700Virgin

Re: Who knows the league rules???

700Virgin

Re: Who knows the league rules???

BrunsMike

Re: Who knows the league rules???

Debina

Re: Who knows the league rules???

BrunsMike

Re: Who knows the league rules???

BrianCRX90

Re: Who knows the league rules???

ThongPrincess

Re: Who knows the league rules???

cgilyeat

Re: Who knows the league rules???

DukeHarding

Re: Who knows the league rules???

BrunsMike

Re: Who knows the league rules???

azguy

Re: Who knows the league rules???

Pinbuster

Re: Who knows the league rules???