The 2020 USBC Convention was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the convention was canceled, amendments requesting changes to the league or tournament rules for the 2020-2021 season have been moved forward to next year’s convention.

Members may also submit additional amendments requesting changes to bylaws, league, and/or tournament rules for the 2021 USBC Convention. The amendments request must be submitted in writing to USBC Headquarters no later than Sept. 1, 2020.

 There are two rule changes for the 2020-2021 season that were previously announced and become effective Aug. 1. Those include:

• Rule 400 – Youth Membership Eligibility. Lowers the maximum age for youth membership to 18. Youth membership is available to individuals who have not reached their 18th birthday prior to Aug. 1 of the current bowling season. Individuals who purchase membership in a summer league and turn 18 prior to Aug. 1 will be allowed to complete the summer league.
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• Equipment Specifications – Bowling Balls. No balance holes will be permitted. All holes drilled must be used for gripping purposes on every delivery. If a bowler does not have a thumb hole, there must be a scribed or engraved “+” symbol near the center of the palm to indicate the grip orientation. The ball must be delivered in the marked orientation (i.e. palm must cover the “+”). Bowling balls also will be allowed to have up to three ounces of static side, thumb or finger weight and up to three ounces of top or bottom weight. To learn more about bowling ball drilling requirements, click here.

The USBC Board adopted the following changes to the General Playing Rules based on the authority given to them in the USBC Bylaws:

• Rule 13 – Consent Form. The USBC Singles Competition Prize Waiver Form and Parental Consent Form have been combined with a new document titled Consent Form. For a copy of the Consent Form, click here.

• Rule 14 – Supplemental Fees. This rule was removed.

• Rule 14 – Emergency Authorization. Allows USBC to temporarily modify the General Playing, Awards, League and Tournament Rules under specific circumstances. Information on the current authorized changes are posted on BOWL.com. Click here.

The USBC Board also adopted a proposal to amend the USBC National Bylaws Article IV, Section E, adding a new Item 15 that gives the board the authority to temporarily amend or suspend the bylaws, state, local and affiliate bylaws and the league rules and tournament rules in cases of government-declared emergencies or disasters, pandemic, attack on the United States, or any nuclear or atomic disaster. This will be presented to the delegates at the 2021 Annual Meeting for ratification.

 Adopting League Rules

Each season, a league may adopt new rules. The rules used in the previous season should be reviewed with the league board of directors or the membership, whomever adopts the rules.

Helpful Hints

Look at your league rules to determine if:

• Rules regarding the same topic are scattered throughout the list of rules. It is helpful to put similar rules together so rules about the same topic are not missed.
• Are they numbered? Easy reference to a rule helps you and the bowlers when discussing the rules.
• Does the rule state the intent clearly?
• Do they make sense?
• Is everything covered that needs to be covered? Would you know what they mean if you were new to the league?

The following list has topics the Rules Team receives calls and emails about, because the league rules are not clear. Click the links to review the information. You might find the league rules need a little more detail.

• Entering averages
• Learn all about split seasons and the rules needed
• What about handicaps?
• Position matches
• Pre-bowling and postponement

Elections of Officers

With the abrupt ending of leagues because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many league elections also were canceled. The current officers remain in place and continue handling league business until the election is held at the league organizational meeting. Officers are elected by a majority of votes cast by the league board of directors unless the league rules allow the membership to elect officers.

Click on the links below for detailed information regarding elections. 

Elections | Sample ballot | Election Video

A few things regarding eligibility for league officers:  

1. Cannot be members of an immediate family. This includes fathers, mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, husbands, sons, brothers, stepsisters, stepbrothers, stepmothers, stepfathers, and in-laws. Same gender spouses are considered immediate family.
2. Must be 18 years of age.
3. Must have USBC membership
4. Must be bondable. Cannot have been convicted of a felony or found guilty of mishandling league or association funds in the past.

Officer duties

Before accepting an office, candidates should understand their roles and responsibilities. Please review the information below regarding the responsibilities of officers. 

President

1. Training video
2. Meet with the center regarding the league contract. Click here for negotiating tips.
3. Meeting Tips:
   1. How to prepare an agenda
   2. How to make a motion
4. Appoint committees:
   1. Prize committee (Required)
   2. Audit committee information (Required)
   3. Other committees as needed
5. Ensure the league account is opened in the name of the league AND that monthly statements come to you so you may verify the league account.

Vice President

1. Fill in for the president when not available
2. Watch the training video under President (above) for more information about the president's duties  

Secretary

1. Training video
2. Get league information from the local association
3. Ensure every bowler:
   1. Completes a membership application
   2. Pays fees or shows receipt for membership fees already paid
4. Certify the league as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days
5. Update the league rules and pass out to the team captains
6. Post and/or pass out weekly recap sheets
7. Send in final average as requested by the local association

Treasurer

1. Training video
2. Work with the president to get an account set up in the name of the league with two signatures
3. Make deposits within seven days
4. Make sure bowlers are current in league fees
5. Complete a financial statement at the end of the season
6. Two members of an immediate family cannot serve as president or vice president and secretary-treasurer or treasurer of the same league or co-sign for withdrawals from a league account, even if they do not reside in the same household.

Busted, Plausible, or Confirmed:

Myth #2: A quorum is one more than half.

Myth #21: Handicap fully equalizes competition.

Get the answers to these and other bowling myths.

Want to be part of Mythbusters? Send your bowling myth to Rules@PROTECTED.