North Carolina USBC

The following conditions apply to averages in handicap or classified tournaments, unless the tournament

rules state otherwise, except that only USBC league averages shall be accepted. (See Rule 319c for average

adjustment.)

1. Individual averages must be based on a minimum of 21 games in a USBC league.

2. When the previous season’s average is used, and at the time of bowling an entrant has a current

average for 21 or more games that is 10 pins or more higher than the prior season’s average, the

current average must be used.

3. Bowlers are responsible for verifying his/her own average, whether submitted by the bowler, the

team captain or others. If the submitted average is lower than required and results in a lower

classification or more handicap, the bowler’s score is disqualified. If the submitted average is higher

than required, prize winnings will be based on the submitted average. In the case of a team of two

or more bowlers, the averages will be combined to determine if the correct total is higher or lower

than the submitted total.

4. Average corrections can be made up to the end of the bowler’s first game of a series. Or, if an

extension of time has been granted in writing by tournament management before the end of

the first game of a series, the correction can be made within 48 hours after the end of the series.

5. When an association publishes a yearbook, a tournament using previous season averages to

determine handicap or classification, shall use the yearbook to verify averages, if furnished,

and not require the association to verify averages from that association.

The tournament rules require all bowlers to use their highest average. Therefore, he would

have to use his 175 average, regardless of whether he bowled with his right or left hand.

Through the provisions of Rule 4e, a player now has the ability to request relief from an

established average under injury or disability circumstances. All applications for tournament

average relief must be submitted to USBC Headquarters first for consideration prior to

participation. (See Rule 4e for details.)

If authorization is granted by USBC Headquarters, the player will be notified in writing of

the minimum average a tournament may assign and the time limit for the relief. The bowler

then must request tournament management’s permission to use the assigned average. However,

tournament management still has the authority to deny the relief and require the bowler to

use the average as stated in tournament rules or assign the bowler an average that meets or

exceeds the minimum established by USBC.

A bowler who does not have an acceptable average under tournament rules will bowl scratch, unless the rules

specify a minimum average that will be assigned by tournament management prior to participation.

Tournament management has the authority to assign an average higher than the minimum average prior

to participation.

The average of a bowler may be adjusted upward before participation in any event. If the assigned average

is not accepted by the bowler, the entry fee shall be refunded.

No, USBC is not in a position to substitute our judgment for that of tournament management

in that they would have first-hand knowledge of the situation. In accordance with Rule 319c,

the only condition USBC can impose is that the adjustment must be accomplished before

the entrant bowls, and if the adjustment is not accepted by the entrant, his/her entry fee shall

be returned. The exception is the local and state championship tournament conducted by the

association. Such adjustments may be appealed to USBC within 15 days of the date of bowling

or prior to the payment of prizes, whichever comes first.

A handicap or classified tournament may require a bowler to report any previous tournament prize winnings

as a condition for entry.

In a handicap or classified tournament that does not have such a rule, anyone who has qualified* for a cash

and/or merchandise prize of $600 or more in the position standings prize list in any event in a tournament,

including all-events, special features, special prizes and donated prizes, within the last 12-month period, must

give tournament management the following information prior to participation, for possible average adjustment:

1. The name of each tournament in which they have been paid such a prize, or if not yet paid, in which

they have qualified for the prize.

2. The amount of the prize.

3. The actual score bowled to qualify for the prize.

4. The prize position.

Failure to comply with these provisions is cause for a forfeiture of entry fees and prize winnings.

squad or round of competition), or payment of prizes, whichever comes first.

All bowlers regardless of average must comply with the provision of Rule 319d.

Prize winnings from certified and noncertified tournaments, including those using a modified format of

American tenpins (example: 9 pin tap), must be used in the application of this rule.

Yes, all bowlers are required to report prize winnings of $600 or more from certified and

non certified tournaments, including those using a modified format of American Tenpins.

Yes, anyone who has qualified for a prize of $600 or more must report this information

regardless of what their average is. By not reporting this information, tournament

management was not afforded the opportunity to review the information for possible

rejection of the entry.

application of this rule.

Unless the tournament rules state otherwise, the following applies in a handicap or classified tournament:

1. The bowler is responsible for keeping a record of the names, dates, scores, and prize winnings in all

tournaments entered in the previous 12 months, including those still running. These include all

tournament scores bowled in accordance with the game of American tenpins.

2. A bowler shall adjust his/her entering average if, during the 12-month period immediately preceding

the time and date of bowling, the bowler’s accumulated average for all, but not less than 21

tournament games, exceeds the average to be used for entry by 15 or more pins. In that case,

the accumulated average must be used for handicapping or classification purposes.

a. A bowler whose tournament scores require an adjustment must submit the adjusted average

in writing before the end of the first game in a tournament, unless tournament rules allow for

such adjustment to be made within a specified time after bowling.

b. Failure to use the adjusted average in accordance with the foregoing is cause for forfeiture of

entry fees and prize winnings, and the bowler is subject to suspension of membership in USBC.

On appeal or protest, the bowler must promptly supply the record of the names, dates, scores and prizes

won — or scores that qualify to win — in all tournaments in which the bowler competed within the previous

12 months.

Nothing in this rule supersedes tournament management’s authority to adjust the bowler’s average higher

prior to bowling.

USBC will recognize averages established in leagues under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Tenpin Federation

(CTF) for entry purposes in USBC tournaments provided:

1. Adult averages are based on a minimum of 21 games and youth averages are based on a minimum of

nine (9) games, unless tournament rules state another number.

2. All USBC equipment and certification specifications apply to the bowling centers in which averages are

established.

3. All USBC general playing rules apply to the league(s) in which the averages are established.