"League F.A.Q. Sheet"

Bowling Leagues are groups of people organized as teams of 2, 3, 4 or 5. These teams all compete head to head each week for a season usually 10,12,14,16 weeks or longer.
Our current leagues are starting soon and this FAQ sheet should answer many questions you will have:
1. Bowlers typically pay each week although they are allowed to pay the full season in advance.
2. Price ranges for leagues are listed on the league flyers.
3. Shoe rentals are not included except for the youth programs.
4. There will be a meeting (usually 30 mins. long prior to the start on the first night) to set up the “rules” and answer questions. A manager will attend these.
5. The most common types of leagues are:
Mixed = Combination of male and female bowlers make up a team. This center allows any combination of men or ladies to make a team.
Adult = Bowlers over the age of 18. Youth = bowlers under 18.
Scratch = Bowlers actual scores are used to determine wins and losses
Handicapped = Bowlers get pins added to their scores to determine wins and losses (see # 8 below for more on this subject)
6. Some leagues may collect extra each week as additional fees to put in a prize fund(Like a savings account) these extra funds are collected and then disbursed to bowlers as prize money. These fees are added onto our bowling fees to determine the total weekly cost for the bowler. The individual leagues determine this distribution and amount amongst themselves. Generally Night leagues will cost between $12 and $14 weekly, daytime programs will cost $9 to $12 weekly. The youth do not have additional prize fund costs. At times we will run a special program and determine this additional amount collected.
7. Each bowler generally receives bonus pins added to their scores to even out the competition. This is called a handicap. These handicaps are based on skill levels decided on the bowlers ability according to score. Usually they are calculated as a percentage of the difference of what they score and a pre-determined score. This difference is added to their actual scores.
(Example would be a handicap of 100% of 200. Take the bowlers actual score for a game i.e. 150, take the difference of 150 and 200 = 50. Then add the fifty pins to the actual score of 150. This would give them a handicapped score of 200!) If we used a handicap of 80% of 200 and the bowler bowled a 150, you would take the difference of the actual score (150) and 200 = 50. Take 80% of this difference of 50 or 40 pins and you would add these pins to their score giving them a 190!
8. Leagues generally last 3 -3 1/2 hours per week. Doubles leagues typically last 1 ½ hours long
9. Can I miss a week if I need to? Yes because the leagues allow you to pre bowl before you leave or bowl after you get back to make up you missed session (This is called post bowling).
10. Youth leagues (Under 18 years old) will be coached but not supervised (child care not provided) please be sure parents will be attending.
11. Whenever a league is giving a ball to the participants this will be a beginner ball and professional drilling is provided.
12. The lanes are conditioned (Oiled, dressed, run, cleaned) every day in the afternoon. This helps the bowler bowl better and more consistently.
13. There is an association that acts as a governing body to set rules and standards for the sport of bowling. It is called the USBC or United Stated Bowling Congress. This organization determines standards such as ball specifications, lane condition (Oil, dressing) rules, how to score, and equipment specifications ECT….. The USBC accepts members and the process is called “sanctioning”, each individual will pay a fee (One time yearly). When the entire league membership is paid this league is considered sanctioned and must follow the USBC rules. Not all leagues sanction and they will vote as a group to decide whether to sanction or not.
14. There will be a posted sign up number at the front counter that advises you on the number of signups for each upcoming program. If not ask a manager.