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Playing Rules for NLB League Sessions
These rules apply to most NLB League sessions, specific variations of formats
will be detailed at the individual league page.
** additional clairification may be added to these rules
RULES
All rules not covered in this paper will be governed by USBC rules1) ELIGIBILITY
a) Management of
the "National League Bowling" reserves the right to accept or reject any entry in the interest of maintaining the integrity of the League.
b) Members of the PBA or LPBT, members whose memberships have not
terminated more than three years prior to date of entry, former probowlers and nonmembers that tournament management may determine to be professionals, or any bowler who has won a National PBA title will not be eligible
for the "National League Bowling". These decisions as made by league management are final. Bowlers who have competed in pro events within the last 4 years are not eligible.
c) Bowlers with no average for the past 3 years may enter and establish an average in this league. Should those
bowlers scores come into question league management reserves the right to rerate the bowlers
average after bowling this league. This is as per USBC rule 319c except this league extends the time to after bowling to allow for investigation of facts and history of the bowler in question.
2) AVERAGES:
For the first week bowlers will use their highest USBC / ABC / WIBC sanctioned league average consisting of at least twenty one (21) or more games for the 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008 season.
a. A
bowler having a current season average for twenty one (21) or more games in a sanctioned league as of Jan 1, 2009 that is ten (10) pins or more higher than the previous season's average must use the current season's
average in this league session..
b. A bowler who does not have a, 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009 winter league average will set
his or her average on the first day of bowling.
c. It is each
bowler's responsibility to determine that the submitted average is correct. Failure to use the proper average shall disqualify score if the submitted average is lower than the actual average thereby resulting in more
handicap or position standings will be based on submitted average if it is higher.
d. Sport bowling averages will not be accepted for this tournament.
e. League management may disqualify any bowler at any stage of the session if it is determined that the
bowler has misrepresented any facts connected to his or her eligibility or in any way affected the intent
of the tournament to be fair to all bowlers. It is at the sole discretion of the league management that
these decisions will be made. Interviews may be conducted with bowlers, league and association
officers who are familiar with, have bowled with, or have competed against a bowler in question in any
leagues or tournaments.
f. Bowlers will use the higher average of right or left hand regardless of hand being used for this tournament. 3) HANDICAP:
Handicap will vary from session to session, details will be listed for each league session..
4) Length of League, The length of league sessions will vary
5) PLAY WINDOW, The first week play window (when bowlers must bowl their games for the first week of the National League) starts on a Monday and ends Sunday. The
second weeks window starts on the next Monday and ends on the next Sunday, the third and fourth weeks continue in the same manner.
6) Team - signing in A team will consist
of varying number of bowlers. Bowlers may enter as part of a team. Bowlers can enter as an individual bowler in which case the league will attempt to pair that bowler with others to form a team.
7
) Team members A team may consist of men, women, or be a mixed team. Team members do not have to bowl on the same local league. Team members can actually bowl in
different centers in other states. The scores will then be
combined for NLB scores and stats. The team captain will compile and send the team stats to the NLB site. This type of team does require more support
information than a team with all members bowling on the same local league.
7b) Absent Bowlers
added and clearified 1/27/09
An absent bowler (after first week of bowling) The absentee score for each game shall be the absent
member's current average less 10 pins. The handicap shall be based on the absent member's current average.
First week, There are two options for an absent member on the first week of bowling.
Option 1 - vacancy score, If a team has an absent member on the first week of bowling he or she will not have an average according to league rules and a score of 120 will be used.
(as per USBC rule 118c)
Option 2 - substitute bowler, A team may use a substitute bowler, but that bowler must be entered via the on line entry from (Part 1) at least 30
minutes before the first (either regular or substitute) local league is scheduled to begin bowling. For example, if one bowler in on the east coast (6:30 league) and one is on the west coast (6:30 league) the sub
must be designated 30 minutes before the east caost 6:30 league begins. The entry will be automatically time stamped upon arrival at National Bowler site servers.
8) Scores
A team will use scores bowled during regular USBC sanctioned leagues. Acceptable leagues must have
3 or more bowlers per team. Scores bowled unopposed during make up or prebowled schedules are NOT
acceptable. Scores bowled unopposed during regular local league schedule is acceptable in leagues with an odd number of teams.
8.1) Local league Scores When a bowler enters the online league
he or she must indicate which local league scores are to be used in the online league. The local league is indicated in the entry form and in the only league which may be
used in that NLB online league session.
9) How will scores be verified, - cheaters?
When the team captain uploads scores he must also attach a copy of the previous weeks local
league standing sheets. Either a copy from the secretary or copy, past and attach from league
secretary.com. Some score systems and secretary software have the ability to print reports which
be emailed or faxed. This part of the league will continue to evolve as we go along, but we will be
very diligent about verification. It is the responsibility of each bowler and captain to supply what ever supporting
information league management requires to satisfactorily verify reported scores.
A basic part of this league concept is the "Other Game" approach that encourages others to check
scores. In the "Other Game",
any person discovering and reporting an inaccurate score
reported to the NLB league would receive all of the point, bracket and pot money the offending team
would have received. Anyone could...
anonymously... go online at National Bowler see reported scores
and compare them to local records and a chance to ..anonymously.. collect a violating teams cash.
The "Other Game" opportunity and information is to be posted at all centers with online league bowlers. To collect
a violating teams cash the "Other Game" player will be required to sign and have notarized document stating that
there is no collusion of any kind with anyone including bowlers of the violating team. The
power behind this concept is the sport if catching someone and that most people who cheat have enemies.
**Bowlers joining the National League Bowling league is required to print out a pdf copy of the "Other Game" sheet and post it on the bulletin board in the center he or she bowls.
Through our other businesses our lawyers and we are well experienced in multi state cases. For this league
the most likely step would be small claims court. These vary from state to state, in Michigan for example
amounts up to $3500.00 can be addressed in small claims. It's simple, quick, cheap, and no lawyers are
needed. We in fact feel it would actually be very good PR to prosecute (not in small claims) a visible case to
recover damages and show we are serious. Any cases would involve actual cash plus damages to the
league which would far exceed any cash involved.
10) Integrity OF HANDICAP System The tournament is taking extreme measures to maintain the integrity of the averages and handicap system in the tournament.
a) Any bowlers
who file entry forms with false information will face prosecution and legal action by the tournament for potential moneys lost and both current and future damages to the reputation and integrity of the
tournament.
b) Maintaining the integrity of the handicap system is vital to the success of this league. We also realize that there are a few scheming people out there. The tournament will use
all means available to make examples of those who try to cheat. Tournament lawyers are to prepared to engage any cheater and his or her lawyers to the maximum extent. 11) POINTS
The league will use the seven (7) point system. Two (2) points for each game won, and one (1) point for total pins of all three (3) games.
12) POINT MONEY The league fee is $3.00 per week of that $2.00
goes to point money. The value of each point will equal total point money divided by the total number of points. For the four (4) week session each bowler will pay $8.00 to the point money fund and $4.00 will go
to secretary fees and promotion expenses.13) ACCEPTABLE LEAGUES A bowler may bowl during any USBC sanctioned league that has teams of at least
three (3) bowlers. 14) MULTIPLE LEAGUE ENTRIES A bowler may enter multiple leagues at the same time.
14b) PLAYING ON MULTIPLE TEAMS
A bowler may play on more than one team on the same league squad.
The bowler must enter and pay seperately for each team. 15) AVERAGE RE-RATING: The league manager reserves the
right to re-rate averages under USBC rules 319a, b, c, d,e. A bowler who has been re rated in any bowling event or tournament within the last 7 years must report this on his or her entry form and
inform tournament manager before check in time. The bowler must receive a written approval statement form the league manager. Failure to report will cause entry fees and prizes to be forfeited. Tournament management may re-rate any bowler at their discretion.
a) If new information calls a bowlers entry into question he or she may be re-rated or disqualified after bowling any part of the league. The disqualified bowler will forfeit his or her prize money and entry
fees. 16) STUDENT PARTICIPATION:
Junior bowlers over 18 may participate in this league. Collegiate League Averages, and Canadian Tenpin Federation League Averages will not be accepted for handicapping purposes.
17) MOVING and LANE BREAKDOWN: In the event of major lane breakdown bowlers are sometimes moved to other lanes or have to make up on a different day. Scores accepted for sanctioned USBC
leagues will be acceptable for this league. 18) NON DISCLOSURE and FILMING AGREEMENT In the event the final stages of this league championships are developed into a reality
program there may be a time interval between the end of the tournament and airing of the event. Finalists will be required to sign a non disclosure agreement which would apply in the event of that scenario.
Finalists may be interviewed and filmed before, during and after the semifinal and finals of the tournament. Bowlers in this tournament will retain no rights pertaining to any interviews and images created during
the production of the reality programing aspect of the tournament. 19) LEAGUE FEE & REFUNDS: League fees are $ 3.00 per week, $12.00 for the total 4 week session.
The full 4 weeks
fees of $12.00 will be due before the league session begins. One (1) dollar per week will go to the league for secretary fees and two (2) dollars per week will go to point money.
20) BRACKETS; The league will offer brackets. The brackets will cost $5.00 per entry in a standard 8 bowler / 3 game format. In the event of a tie brackets
will use the all advance to the next step method of resolution. Bowlers will decide which brackets they wish to enter at the time they sign up to join the league. Payout will be standard, $30.00 for 1st,
$5.00 for second, and $5.00 for secretary. At that time a bowler must decide how many brackets they want to enter. If a bowlers wants to enter 2 brackets it will be the first 2 weeks of the session.
Examples;
Enter 1 bracket, first week
Enter 2 brackets, first and second weeks
Enter 3 brackets, first, second, and third weeks
Enter 4 brackets, first, second, third, and fourth weeks
Enter 5 brackets, 2 places in the first game brackets, + second, third, and fourth weeks
Enter 6 brackets, 2 places in the first game brackets, 2 places in the second game brackets,
+ second, third, and fourth weeks
Brackets will be assigned on a first to sign up basis. For example, if 18 bowlers sign in for brackets the last two will not get in the brackets and their money will be returned within approximately 10 days. As
this league format and software evolves bowlers should be able to get their bracket and pot winnings faster.
** A $10.00 bracket may be added before the league begins. 21)
ACTS OF TERRORISM, WAR, FLOOD, ACTS OF GOD, EXCESSIVE TIME, etc. If events beyond the control of the league make the completion of the session not feasible the prizes will be
distributed in a fair manner in according to points accumulated and brackets won at that time. |
