SSJBATour - TOURNAMENT RULES 2011-2012

 

1.     USBC youth division rules and regulations will govern any tournaments which SSJBATour conducts.  The SSJBA Youth Bowling Code will be strictly enforced.  Infractions of rules or SSJBA Youth Bowling Code may disqualify the entrant from any and all awards.

 

2.     Rule 400 (USBC Youth Division Membership Eligibility Rule) will be enforced.  You must not have attained your 20th birthday at August 1, 2011 to participate.  You must apply the more restrictive eligibility requirements if you participate in a bowling activity recognized by your State High School Athletic Association.  You must not bowl, substitute or pace in any activity where there is gambling, cash or bond awards unless the event has properly executed the USBC waiver forms as required. The buying or selling of any earned awards is prohibited.

 

3.     Participants must be current USBC youth division members (includes appropriate High School sanctions).  Bowlers must join SSJBA (the Association) and will be required to pay a $15.00 annual membership fee prior to participation in any SSJBATour event.  SSJBA may provide personal achievement awards within the restrictions of the appropriate State High School Associations regulations.

 

4.     All tournaments are scratch with three divisions.  The Masters division is open to all qualified bowlers.  The Classic division is comprised of bowlers with averages less than 185.  The Minors division is open to bowlers with averages less than 165.  Bowlers with a current SSJBA average (21+ games) will enter a division according to their ending SSJBA average for prior season.  Bowlers may not move to a lower average division than they previously bowled in any SSJBA competition.  Bowlers without an eligible SSJBA average may use their highest 2010-2011 certified league average of 21 or more games, unless their initial competition entry date is preceded by a current season average based on 21+ games. 2010-2011 AVERAGES MUST BE VERIFIED (standing sheet, yearbook or bowl.com). The appropriate average will determine initial division placement.  Anyone using their current season average with at least 21 games bowled prior to entry into competition (by closing date of entry) must VERIFY AVERAGE (standing sheet or appropriate official). Anyone without an appropriate, verifiable average will be placed in Masters division for competition.  Classic division bowlers will advance to the Masters division, if they have met the following requirements: SSJBATour average of 190 and a Championship OR an SSJBATour average of 195 maintained for last two competitions in which bowler participated.  Minors division bowlers will advance to the Classic division, if they have met the following requirements: SSJBATour average of 170 and a Championship OR an SSJBATour average of 175 maintained for last two competitions in which bowler participated. 

 

Tenth Tournament Rule: In any SSJBATour season, following completion of competition in tenth tournament, any bowler who has competed in at least six tournaments in that season and meets current requirement for advancement to next higher division may exercise option set by this rule.  The bowler may elect to remain in division they are currently competing in until end of the season but they will not be permitted to compete in any subsequent season at average level lower than they have attained at the time they meet the advancement requirement.

 

5.     QUALIFYING ROUND: All bowlers will bowl one 8 game block on Saturday, the start of competition is also the closing point for entries.  Semi-finals will include the top bowlers of each division, with….

 

Number Competing

Number to Advance

8 entries or less

Top 4 Advance

9 to 12 entries

Top 6 Advance

13 to 16 entries

Top 8 Advance

17 to 20 entries

Top 10 Advance

21 and more entries

Top 12 Advance

 

If a division, or draft, if utilized, has more than 31 entries, at the end of 8 game qualifying round, the top 8 will qualify and the next 8 will bowl additional 4 game block to determine other four competitors who will advance to Sunday match play.

 

6.     SEMI-FINALS:    Semi-finalists will bowl Sunday at 9:00 AM in match play.  Semi-finalists will compete once against each other semi-finalist and a position round.  8 game qualifying pin count will carry over from Saturday.  Thirty bonus points will be awarded for each match win with fifteen points awarded for a tie.  The number of match games bowled will equal the number of semi-finalists in each division, or draft, if utilized.  The field will then be cut for the finals with, 2 of 4, 3 of 6, 4 of 8 & 5 of 10 or 12 advancing.

 

7.   FINALS:   The final competition will be a step ladder type roll off (5v4, 4v3, 3v2, 2v1) to determine tournament champion and other final positions, in each division or draft, if utilized. 

 

8.   ENTRY FEES: Entry fees are $45.00 for each tournament.  Fee breakdown is: $20.00 lineage, $10.00 scholarship and $15.00 expenses and Super Bowl funds.   SCHOLARSHIP FEE RETURNED 100%.

 

9.   Scholarships:  Reference the full Scholarship Policies of the SSJBA and SSJBATour as revised and approved to be effective as of August 1, 2006.  When there are 20 or fewer entries in a division or draft– two scholarships of $100 and $50 will be funded for future award to the appropriate fully qualifying champion and second place competitors in the division or draft.  When 21 or more entries in a division or draft – three scholarships of $150, $100 and $50 will be funded for future award to the appropriate fully qualifying champion, second place and third place competitors in the division or draft.   When there are 31 or more entries in a division or draft – four scholarships of $200, $150, $100 and $50 will be funded for future award to the fully qualifying champion, second place, third place and fourth place competitors in the division.  Other donated scholarship funds may be used to supplement these award levels. 

 

10.  OTHER AWARDS:  High Qualifier and Champion in each division will receive an appropriate plaque.  Ball awards provided by the Ebonite International corporation are provided to participant bowling most pins over SSJBA average of record at point of issuance.    Funds permitting, other awards may be issued, such as Annual achievement plaques. 

 

11.  TIES:  In case of a tie, for any position which determines if a bowler continues in competition, a ninth and tenth frame roll-off will be used to break the tie.

 

12.  PROPER ATTIRE will be required:  No hats, jeans, shorts, halter tops or any attire promoting the use of alcohol, tobacco, profanity or drugs are permitted by the SSJBA youth dress code.  For ALL competitions, code of slacks and a shirt with collar will be required.  An exception may be granted if a mock collar shirt with name embroidered on back is substituted for a collared shirt.  Bowlers not complying with this rule may be required to change their attire or they will not be permitted to bowl.  On Saturday, if bowler has not bowled in SSJBATour competition before, they may be granted an exception.  ALL Bowlers must comply for Sunday competition, and any bowler not in compliance on Sunday may be replaced with an alternate.  Director may allow the wearing of SSJBA issued attire in Saturday competition.

 

13.  Only entrants or tournament officials are permitted in the bowling area once competition begins.  Coaching is allowed outside of the bowling area only.

 

14.  The tournament directors will decide any and all disputes, complaints or protests and will enforce the rules and spirit of SSJBA youth division standards.  Directors decision shall be final.

 

15.  The Competitions held on the SSJBATour may be conducted by use of drafts.  The competitor’s division shall not determine the draft which one competes in but instead will be determined at each and every competition by composition of entire field.  Field shall be sorted by the averages of the competitors present and entered into competition.  The first draft shall consist of approximately the top 40% of the field by averages.   The second draft shall consist of approximately the next 40% of the field and the third draft shall consist of approximately the final 20% of the field.  Drafts may be utilized anytime there are less than 7 competitors for any of the three divisions.  Drafts may be utilized anytime there are more than 50% of all competitors in a single division.

 

16.   Superbowl field shall be no more than 60 competitors (24 in Top draft, 20 in Second draft and 16 in Third draft) selected in proportion to the level of participation in each division.

        The ratio of competitors to participation levels will approximate a 6:100 minimum (i.e. 600 entries will support a field of at least 36).