2011-12 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
This tournament is proudly presented by Minnesota Employers Insurance Services, specializing in the hospitality industry, writing coverage for bowling centers, resorts, taverns, restaurants, motels, hotels, halls, and bed & breakfast inns. Find them online at www.mneis.com. Email them at quote@mneis.com. Call them at 612-619-1457.
1. Eligibility - Open to youth bowlers 20 years of age or younger as of August 1, 2011 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. Bowling centers that are members in good standing of the Bowling Proprietors Association of Minnesota may run house level qualifying free of charge. All other bowling centers must pay a tournament fee of $5 per lane in order to be able to run this tournament.
2. Divisions & Handicap - Boys & girls will compete together in all qualifying rounds under the following average breakdowns: 186 & over, 166-185, 146-165, 126-145, 106-125, 86-105, 66-85, 65 & under. All divisions are 90% HDCP based on a 210 average. Anyone averaging 210 or higher will receive 0 (zero) HDCP.
3. Dates - House Roll-offs to be completed by November 6, 2011. District Tournaments to be held December 9 - 11, 2011 at 13 district sites (see listing on front side of entry form). State Finals will be January 7 & 8, 2012 at Cedarvale Lanes in Eagan.
4. Ratio of Bowlers Advancing - At the house level, in each of the eight (8) divisions, one out of three (1 to 3) entries advance. Example: 1-3 entries = 1 advance; 4-6 entries = 2 advance; etc. All bowlers that tie for last qualifying positions advance. At the district level, in each of the eight (8) divisions, one out of five (1 to 5) entries advance to state. All bowlers that tie for last qualifying positions advance.
5. Entry Fee – In-house league qualifying - NO CHARGE. District level entry fee is $20.00 [lineage $12.00 (includes state); scholarships $7.50; administrative expenses $0.50]. There is no charge to advance to the State Finals. The SMART program in Arlington, TX will administer scholarship funds.
6. Number of Games to Enter Tournament – Option 1) A bowler must have already bowled a minimum of 6 games in the 2011-12 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 in for the 2011-12 season, then bowlers can use their highest final verifiable average for the 2010-11 bowling season (minimum of 12 games bowled). In this scenario, a bowler’s final average from 2010-11 will determine what division a bowler will compete in for the rest of the tournament. Bowlers who have not bowled 6 games in 2011-12 or 12 games in 2010-11 will bowl scratch.
7. 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 10 and November 6, 2011 (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 6). 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. House level tournament coordinators should use each bowler’s highest league series bowled during the qualifying period (PLUS applicable handicap) to determine district qualifiers. Pre or post bowled scores will not count toward in-house qualifying. 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 shall be held In BPAM member bowling centers 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 15, 2011.
¨ 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 $20.00
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 6, 2011 (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.
8. District Level Competition - Three (3) games total pins plus handicap (where applicable) advance on a 1:5 ratio to the State Championships. Results must be postmarked to the state office no later than 11:00pm on December 12, 2011. All bowlers who are tied for a last qualifying spot will advance. District Averages – Bowlers will use their highest average as of 11/6/11 (minimum of 8 games bowled). Bowlers who do not have at least 8 games in as of 11/6/11 will use their highest verifiable average (minimum of 12 games) from the 2010-11 bowling season. All others will bowl scratch. 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).
9. 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 12/18/11 (12 games minimum). The tournament director reserves the right to re-rate any bowler that does not have 12 games in during the 2011-12 bowling season as of 12/18/11.
10a. Awards at the State Finals for bowlers: All bowlers that advance to the state finals will receive a certificate of achievement. Scholarship payouts at the state finals will be determined by how many bowlers compete in each division at the district level (number of district bowlers x $7.50). Scholarships will be awarded to a minimum of 1:15 bowlers in each division.
11. Effective Date of Scholarship - Must be used within six (6) years of graduation of high school.
12. Protests – Protests involving eligibility or playing rules must be made to tournament management in writing within the time limits in Rule 329. The decision of tournament management will be final unless a written appeal is filed with USBC Headquarters within the time limits in Rule 329.