These rules and entry forms are available for download by going to the forms page.
| 1. | TEAM ELIGIBILITY: Members must be enrolled in grades 9 - 12 from the same High School. Exceptions: 1. In the case of a High School having grades 10 - 12 only, a player in grade 9 in a middle school may bowl on the team from the school where they will attend grade 10. 2. In the event a player attends home school or a private school that does not have its own bowling team, they may bowl for the public school within whose attendance boundaries they reside. In a school district that does not have specific attendance boundaries, the player must bowl for the high school closest in proximity to their residence. Entry is open to all students that qualify for a spot on the school team. If the bowler is USBC sanctioned in the youth division, they are eligible for USBC awards they earn. Their own local USBC association must apply for the award. Players who hold adult division USBC cards are not eligible to participate. |
| 2. | TEAM ROSTER:Teams shall have a playing strength of five (5) with a maximum roster of eight (8). Boys and girls will bowl in separate divisions. No co-ed teams allowed. Legal lineup is one (1). If a team is short one or more players, it may still compete; however, the coach must declare before competition which frames will be bowled by players for the duration of the tournament. Absentee positions will receive zero for all frames. All rules applicable to full teams will also apply for less-than-full teams. |
| 3. | TEAM MEMBER SELECTION: A fair and impartial method will be used to select team players. No one may be excluded from the team except for the following reason (s): 1. Bowling ability 2. Sportsmanship 3. Academic deficiency - Bowler participation is based on the following guidelines: a) 2.0 GPA or b) Athlete must be eligible for other sports and activities at that high school. Students attending an alternative school recognized by the high school he/she would otherwise attend must be seeking their high school diploma. No other criteria may be used. Where outside sponsorship is obtained, that sponsorship cannot affect team membership. For example, if a bowling center sponsors a team, that team cannot be limited to bowlers from that center. A school may enter as many teams as it wishes in the District Tournament, but there will be only one (1) boys team and one (1) girls team from the same high school eligible to bowl in the State Finals. |
| 4. | SUBSTITUTIONS: A team may substitute a player at any time during the competition but the player removed may not return to the lineup until the next Baker block (4 games per block). Scores bowled through the efforts of more than one player shall not qualify for USBC awards or tournament individual records. |
| 5. | LINEUP TOURNAMENT PACE: After a block has started, no lineup changes shall be made till the next block. A block is four (4) Baker games. Teams must keep pace with opposing team player by player; bowler 1 may not start his/her frame until bowler 1 of the opposing team is up to bowl; bowler 2 may not start his/her frame until bowler 2 of the opposing team is up to bowl, etc. NO 'RACE HORSE' BOWLING. Violations during a game may result in zero score received for the entire game during which the violation occurred. |
| 6. | TOURNAMENT FORMAT:This is team tournament only, no doubles or singles. All scores will be scratch. Qualifying: 20 baker games. Total pin fall will determine position standings. The top six (6) boys and top six (6) girls teams, will advance to the semi-finals. No more than three (3) boys / girls teams from a school may advance to the semi-finals. There is no carry-over into the semi-finals. Semi-Finals: Ten (10) games of baker. The top three (3) boys and girls teams, will advance to the finals. There is no carry-over from qualifying round. Teams will be assigned starting lanes from their position standing after the qualifying round. One practice ball per bowler on each lane of your starting pair will be allowed. Finals: Stepladder style using baker game format, two (2) games per match. One practice ball on each lane. The top 2 boys teams and the top 2 girls teams will advance to the State High School Championship. The four (4) districts having the most high schools represented in respective divisions, as determined by the OSUSBC High School Manager, will also be allowed 1 more team to advance to the state finals. Ties: All ties will be decided by a one game baker roll-off. If a tie still exists, a 9th & 10th frame roll-off with the Coach deciding who will be their two players. |
| 7. | COACHES & SCOREKEEPERS: Each team may have the immediate 5 bowlers and one coach in the settee area with them, and subs allowed if area permits. Scorekeepers will have a designated chair on the concourse and may be allowed in the settee area at the tournament manager's discretion. Scorekeepers may not intimidate players. |
| 8. | ENTRY FEE: $130.00 per team. Make checks payable to OSUSBC High School Program. No Cash. |
| 9 | AWARDS: Team awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in boys and girls divisions. Individual medals and certificates for all finalists. |
| 10. | ATTIRE: Players must wear a clean and pressed shirt / blouse with collar. Non-collared shirts are not permitted. Girls are to wear slacks, dress cords, or shorts provided the inner seam length of the shorts is at least 6 inches. Boys are to wear slacks or dress cords. No undergarments showing. Absolutely no holes, patches or frayed hems will be allowed. HATS, OVERALLS, and JEANS OF ANY TYPE, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED! Tournament committee reserves the right to determine appropriate attire. DRESS CODE ALSO APPLIES TO COACHES AND SCOREKEEPERS AS WELL! SHIRT LETTERING: The name of the school should be on the back of the shirt / blouse. Sponsor identification is limited to the upper sleeve and area over the pocket. |
| 11. | TARDY PLAYERS: Tardy player will take ZERO for missed frames. Players absent when it is their turn to bowl will receive ZERO for missed frames, unless they have received permission from a tournament official. |
| 12. | PROTESTS: Protests must be filed with a tournament official prior to the next step of competition. |
| 13. | TOURNAMENT MANAGEMENT: Tournament committee and tournament manager will make decisions on matters not covered by USBC or tournament rules and policies. |
| 14. | SPORTSMANSHIP: Foul language (verbal or written), inappropriate gestures, intentional fouls, and abusive behavior toward equipment or people will not be allowed by any participating player, coach, or scorekeeper for the duration of the tournament. This ruling will be announced prior to each round. No other warnings will be given. Violators will be dismissed from tournament competition and will not be eligible for any awards. In addition, teams must not move into the playing area of other teams until those teams have finished their match. Cheering is strongly encouraged provided it is not done with the intent to distract others while they are up to bowl. No artificial noisemakers. Only the player currently up to bowl will be allowed on the approach. Athletes are not required to sit down while competing. |
| 15. | ALL STAR TEAM MEMBERS, MVP: The top six boys and top six girls, based upon their baker point average through 20 qualifying games at the District tournament will earn first right to participate in the State All Star Tournament. The top boy and girl in each district qualifying tournament will be named most valuable player and earn a $50 scholarship. To qualify for the all star tournament or MVP, players must have completed at least 32 frames in the qualifying round. Each district's all star teams will receive District All Star Team certificates at the tournament and be given their All Star Tournament entries. Scholarships managed by SMART. |
| 16. | SPECIAL SINGLES EVENT AT STATE FINALS: The top two bowlers on each team based on their baker point average will be invited to participate in the 2008 Singles Event at the State Finals on February 22. Entries will be limited and received by the State Manager on a first-come, first-served basis. Entries will be available at each District tournament. |
These rules and entry forms are available for download by going to the forms page.