There are over 3 million bowlers in the United States. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) is the governing body for bowling in the United States. It was released in January. 1, 2005 and fully adopted in the 2005-2006 winter bowling season. It has combined the organizations that oversaw bowling in the United States prior to its creation: the American Bowling Congress (ABC), the Women’s International Bowling Congress (WIBC), the Young American Bowling Alliance (YABA), and USA Bowling. .
The ABC was considered the men’s bowling association (although women could join) and was the sanctioning body (see below) for “men’s” bowling, the WIBC was the women’s bowling association (men could not join). and the sanctioning body and YABA was the youth body. sanctioning body. USA Bowling was the world representative of the United States in international competition. Now there is only one governing body and international representative: USBC.
USBC’s mission statement states that they will ensure the integrity and protect the future of bowling by providing programs and services for the bowling industry and enhancing the bowling experience. Basically, they oversee and continue to improve the overall bowling industry in the United States.
What is sanction?
While it is not a requirement that any bowling league be sanctioned, it is highly recommended. Each league that is sanctioned does so through the USBC. Basically this is USBC membership; includes many benefits, some of which are listed here:
- Awards (plaques, rings, watches, patches, etc…) for certain achievements based on your average (more on averages later)
- One magazine for adults and one for youth (included with your membership)
- A membership card
- consistent play
- League Bowling – Provides a certified average for each bowler
- Linkage Protection – League money is protected in sanctioned leagues
- tournaments
- Skittles, balls and product tests
- Regulation and its application
If you are joining a league (see chapter 6), you will probably need to join the USBC. This is so that USBC awards can be presented to those who achieve them, and the averages are listed in your association’s book (see Chapter 8) (usually called the “book average”). If a league is not sanctioned by USBC, the average you earn in that league will not be recognized by most tournaments. It is very rare that a league is not sanctioned.
In order for a league to be sanctioned, each bowler in the league must pay a fee to the USBC at the beginning of the year. This is the “penalty fee” and can usually be paid with your regular league during the first week of bowling. The league secretary is usually responsible for submitting the sanction fee to the USBC for league sanction.
usbc rules
The USBC has created a rule book to govern the game of bowling. This rulebook is very long (over 120 pages) and cannot be covered in this book. For the complete rules, visit your local bowling center or the USBC website (www.bowl.com).
As examples, the rules below are placed in average calculations for tournaments:
319a-2
Where the previous season average is used, and at the time of bowling a bowler has a current average of 21 or more games that is 10 pins or more higher than the previous season average, the average should be used. current.
319c
A bowler’s average can be adjusted upwards before participating in any event. If the assigned average is not accepted by the bowler, the entry fee will be refunded.
The rule book is very comprehensive, covering everything from approaches and equipment, to scoring and bowler etiquette. I strongly recommend reviewing the rule book before you start bowling, but most bowlers are familiar with the necessary rules, and if there is a dispute, every team captain in a league should have a copy of the book. of rules and, at a minimum, the secretary Take one.
It is important to note that the rules of the regulation are not absolute. A league can have its own set of rules and completely ignore the rulebook (few if any do) or a league can override some of the rules in the rulebook and use the rulebook as default for any rules that are not overridden by league rules. (this is much more common).
Awards/Trophies
The USBC offers many prizes for bowlers. Some of the prizes are based on the current league average and some are based solely on scoring. For example, prizes 300, 299, 298 and 11 in a row are based on game score and prizes 800 and 900 are based on actual series (3 games). There is also a prize for a game of 250 to 297 with an average of 170 or less, 200 to 249 with an average of 160 or less, 180 to 199 with an average of 140 or less, etc… There are prizes for 75 and 100 pins above average in a game too. Only one of these prizes is allowed per year, and if a jackpot is won it will be recognized, however the accompanying gift will not be awarded.
There are many other prizes awarded for playing in the league, but they vary from league to league (see Prizes in Chapter 6). For a full list of available USBC prizes and the conditions surrounding them, see the rule book (Rule 50, Chapter 3).
As you can see, the USBC does its part to reward bowlers for playing well. All this makes the game more exciting and rewarding for the bowler. Improving your game is exciting and rewarding!
Keep bowling and having fun!