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,

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

The treasurer IS an official league officer.  He cannot enforce the rules, but as you have stated, he issued the warning to the player NOT to use the ball after altering the surface.  

1. Ample warning was given

  Player, after being told/warned by others ( not league officials ) that it was against U.S.B.C. rules to alter the surface after competition starts, and that the ball was ineligible for play after alterations were made, decided to disregard those rules and use it anyway.

2. Disregard of the rules with full knowledge of them.

  Here is a direct cut&paste from the online rulebook at bowl.com:

 

quote:

---

18. Bowling Ball - Altering Surface
 

Altering the surface of a bowling ball by the use of abrasives while bowling in USBC competition is prohibited.

All bowling balls so altered must be removed from the competition. (See Chapter 7, Section 2, for additional information.)

 

NOTE:  If it is shown the bowler had prior knowledge his/her actions were in violation of Rule 18, the game(s) in which the violation occurred is (are) subject to forfeiture. In addition, the bowler is subject to dismissal from the league and suspension of membership.

 

Competition is defined as the remainder of the current game and remaining game(s) in the series being bowled.

 

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

 

 

 

Commonly Asked Questions – Rule 18

 

18/1
 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 bowl.com.

 
 
18/2
 Can abrasives be used during certified competition?

The outer surface of any bowling ball cannot be altered with an abrasive after the start of competition. This includes balls that have not yet been introduced into play.

Further, the start of competition is defined as the point the first ball is thrown by any participant for score. This would allow a bowler to alter the outer surface of a ball during practice and not be in violation of Rule 18.

 
 
18/3
 A tournament consists of doubles and singles events. The singles event is bowled first immediately followed by the doubles. Can I sand my bowling ball between events?

No, Rule 18 does not allow the outer surface of any bowling ball to be altered with an abrasive after the start of competition. This includes balls that have not yet been introduced into play.

The start of competition is defined as the point the first ball is thrown by any participant for score. Since the tournament is conducting singles and doubles concurrently, you cannot alter the surface of the bowling ball (including sanding) between events.

 
 
18/4
 Can a bowler use an abrasive on just the track or just a portion of the track of the ball?

No. USBC specifications require that the entire surface of the ball be sanded in a uniform manner. Sanding a ball in any other manner would be a violation of Rule 17a, Item 1. The penalty for a violation of this rule can include disqualification, forfeiture, removal from the league, and/or suspension of USBC membership.

---

  According to this, not only does the team HAVE to forfeit, the member can also be dismissed from the league and have their U.S.B.C. membership revoked!

  All this being said, the complaint/protest has/needs to be an official one ( written complaint is best, that way you have indelible proof ) and the outcome is usually subject to a vote by the board ( Officers and team captains alike ).

  It IS your duty to enforce the rules, but NOT to interpret them, so it would be better to have had a full vote on it before taking any actions.

  I don't know if a verbal complaint and an unofficial "meeting" would qualify you to force the forfeit.  Best contact the local U.S.B.C. office for clarification as to whether what was done will stand up or not.
 

--------------------
Norm Duke was right

Good transactions list in my profile

My Bowl.com member page



Edited on 12/10/2008 2:25 PM