SSJBATour  -  TOURNAMENT RULES 2008-2009

 

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 22nd birthday at August 1, 2007 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 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 2007-2008 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. 2007-2008 AVERAGES MUST BE VERIFIED WITH A FINAL LEAGUE STANDING SHEET or YEARBOOK. 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 BY STANDING SHEET OR LEAGUE SECRETARY. Anyone without an appropriate, verifiable average will bowl Masters division.  Classic division bowlers will advance to Masters division if they have met the following requirements: 30 games in SSJBATour competitions, a 185 or higher SSJBATour average and have qualified twice for Sunday competition in the Classic division.  Minors division bowlers will advance to Classic division if they have met the following requirements: 30 games in SSJBATour competitions, a 165 or higher SSJBATour average and have qualified twice for Sunday competition in the Minors division.  Reclassification under this rule will be one division per occurrence (Minors to Classic, Classic to Masters).

Tenth Tournament Rule: In any SSJBATour season, following completion of the competition in the tenth tournament, any bowler who has competed in at least six tournaments in that season and meets the current requirement for advancement to the next higher division may exercise the option set by this rule.  The bowler may elect to remain in the division they are currently competing in until the 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 has more than 30 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 whom will advance to Sunday match play.

6.       SEMI-FINALS:    Semi-finalists will bowl match play Sunday at 9:00 AM.  Competing once against each other semi-finalist and position round.  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.  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:   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. 

8.     ENTRY FEES: Entry fees are $45.00 for each tournament.  $19.50 lineage, $10.00 scholarship and $15.50 expenses and Super Bowl funds. 

                              SCHOLARSHIP FEE RETURNED 100%.

9.     Scholarships:  See Scholarship Policies of SSJBA & SSJBATour as revised and approved for effect as of August 1, 2006.  When there are 20 or less entries in division – scholarships of $100 and $50 will be funded for future award to appropriate qualifying champion and second place competitors in division.  When 21 or more entries in division – three scholarships of $150, $100 and $50 will be funded for future award to appropriate qualifying champion, second place and third place competitors in division.   When 31 or more entries in a division – four scholarships of $200, $150, $100 and $50 will be funded for future award to appropriate qualifying champion, second place, third place and fourth place competitors in the division.  

10.    OTHER AWARDS:  High Qualifier and Champion in each division will receive an appropriate plaque.   

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, ragged 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 second day 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 USBC youth division standards.

15.  The Competitions held on the SSJBATour shall 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.  The entire field shall be sorted by SSJBA average (using Entering Average for initial competition

       only).  The sorted by average field shall then be divided into three drafts with the top 40% becoming the Masters Draft and the next 40% becoming the Classic

       Draft and the final 20% becoming the Minors Draft.  All results for the competition shall be by the sorted drafts.  Standings shall be by the competitors division

       as earlier determined.  This draft method shall be used for Superbowl competitions as well.  Superbowl field shall be established as 48 competitors being

       determined by proportion of the total participation level for each division.  This shall ensure equivalent qualifiers from each division.