2009-10 Minnesota Singles Tournament Official Rules and Regulations
Note: This tournament is certified, though bowlers need not be to compete
2nd carbon: State advancer’s copy; 3rd carbon: District advancer’s copy; 4th carbon: House-level competitor’s copy
1. Participation - Participation in any tournament sponsored, conducted or held by or on behalf of the BPAM is open upon the same terms and conditions, to all bowlers who do, or have done, any league, tournament, advertised exhibition, or any other type of bowling in the BPA of Minnesota Member establishment. Each participant may enter only once a year.
2. Eligibility - Open to youth bowlers 20 years of age or younger as of August 1, 2009 who (1) DO participate in an organized league or are USBC Youth members and (2) who are not now bowling or have ever bowled in adult leagues or tournaments where money prizes are or have been given. USBC Youth league members can qualify for USBC high score recognition.
3. Divisions & Handicap - Boys & girls will compete together in all qualifying rounds under the following average breakdowns: A post high school scratch division for youth 20 & younger out of high school; A post high school handicap division for youth 20 & younger out of high school; 186 & over, 166-185, 146-165, 126-145, 106-125, 86-105, 66-85, 65 & under. All handicap divisions are 90% HDCP based on a 210 average. Anyone averaging 210 or higher will receive 0 (zero) HDCP. Any bowler whose class has graduated from high school must bowl in one of the post high school divisions.
4. Dates - House Roll-offs to be completed by November 8, 2009. District Tournaments to be held December 11 - 13, 2009 at 12 district sites (see listing on front side). State Finals will be January 9 & 10, 2010 at The Mermaid in Mounds View, MN.
5. Ratio of Bowlers Advancing - At the house and district levels, in each of the ten (10) divisions, one out of four (1 to 4) entries advance: Example: 1-4 entries = 1 advance; 5-8 entries = 2 advance; etc. All bowlers that tie for last qualifying positions advance.
6. Entry Fee - league qualifying - NO CHARGE. District level entry fee is $24.00 [lineage $12.65 (includes state); scholarships $9.10; administrative expenses $2.25]. There is no charge to advance to the State Finals. The SMART program in Arlington, TX will administer scholarship funds.
7. Number of Games to Enter Tournament – Option 1) A bowler must have already bowled a minimum of 6 games in the 2009-10 bowling season to be eligible for house qualifying. Bowlers with at least 6 games bowled will use their highest current average at the start of house level competition. This average (the average prior to the beginning of house-qualifying) will determine what division a bowler will compete in for the rest of the tournament. Option 2) If bowler does not have 6 games, then bowlers can use their highest final verifiable average for the 2008-09 bowling season (minimum of 15 games bowled). In this scenario, a bowler’s final average from 2008-09 will determine what division a bowler will compete in for the rest of the tournament. Bowlers who have not bowled 6 games in 2009-10 or 15 games in 2008-09 will bowl scratch (but not necessarily in the Post HS Scratch Division).
8. House Level Competition
Option A: This option is for bowling centers with organized youth leagues. House roll-offs are to be held one to three weeks between October 12 and November 8, 2009 (dates to be selected by each bowling center’s youth director). Bowlers must meet the requirement for minimum number of games to be eligible to enter the house roll-off (see rule 7). Once a bowler has met this requirement and enters into the house roll-off, the average division a bowler enters into at the house level of the tournament is the same division the bowler will remain in for the ENTIRE tournament (house, district & state). See rule #3 or the front of this entry form for average divisions. Youth directors should use each bowler’s highest league series bowled during the qualifying period (PLUS applicable handicap) to determine district qualifiers. Bowlers may attempt to qualify for the district level in each league they participate in, but may only advance to the district level once per year. House level tournaments to be held In BPAM member establishments only! Youth coaches, give only the 4th carbon to your youth bowlers (or keep it for your records).
House level results must be postmarked no later than November 17, 2009.
¨ Upon completion of the in-house roll-off send:
1. Completed entry forms for all bowlers advancing to the district level (with carbons 1-3 still attached)
2. A check covering the number of bowlers advancing to the district x $24.00
PLEASE TRY TO PAY ALL BOWLERS’ ENTRY FEES WITH A SINGLE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER (Payable to BPAM)
3. A completed Center Report Form B
4. Average verification sheets as of November 8, 2009 (please highlight advancing bowlers names)
Send items 1 – 4 to: Attn: Josh Hodney, 235 Roselawn Avenue East, Suite 17, Maplewood, MN 55117
Make Checks payable to BPAM. PLEASE TRY TO PAY ALL BOWLERS’ ENTRY FEES WITH A SINGLE CHECK. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH.
9. District Level Competition - Three (3) games total pins plus handicap (where applicable) advance on a 1:4 ratio to the State Championships. Results must be postmarked to the state office no later than 11:00pm on December 14, 2009. All bowlers who are tied for a last qualifying spot will advance. District Averages – Bowlers will use their highest average as of 11/8/09 (minimum of 8 games bowled). Bowlers who do not have at least 8 games in as of 11/8/09 will use their highest verifiable average (minimum of 15 games) from the 2008-09 bowling season. All others will bowl scratch (but not necessarily in the Post HS Scratch Division). Averages used must be verifiable league averages. In the absence of verifiable league averages the tournament director will assign averages subject to verifiable league average sheets. No practice games will be allowed on the day of competition at the district house where a bowler is competing (regular scheduled league bowling at the district site is the only exception).
10. State Championships - Three (3) games total pin-fall plus handicap (where applicable) will determine the standings in each division. Bowlers at the State Finals will use their highest current average as of 12/20/09 (14 games minimum). The tournament director reserves the right to re-rate any bowler that does not have 14 games in as of 12/20/08.
11a. Awards at the State Finals for bowlers not in the Post High School Divisions ($1,500 per division): $450.00 scholarship for 1st place; $350.00 scholarship for 2nd place; $200.00 scholarship for 3rd place; $150.00 scholarship for 4th place; $125.00 scholarship for 5th place; $100.00 scholarship for 6th place; $75.00 scholarship for 7th place; and a $50.00 scholarship for 8th place. All bowlers who advance to the state finals will receive a symbolic award.
11b. Awards at the State Finals for the Post High School Divisions ($700 per division): $350.00 scholarship for 1st place; $225.00 scholarship for 2nd place; and a $125.00 scholarship for 3rd place. All bowlers who advance to the state finals will receive a symbolic award.
12. Effective Date of Scholarship - Must be used within six (6) years of graduation of high school.