Category Archives for General

USBC Will Lower Youth Membership Maximum Age to 18 Starting With 2020-21 Season

ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress will lower the maximum age for USBC Youth membership to 18 starting with the 2020-2021 season.

The decision to lower to the maximum age from 20 to 18, with agreement from the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and the International Bowling Campus Youth Committee, will align bowling with other youth sports.

“Over the last decade, we have made changes to USBC Youth programs and tournaments to provide a model comparable with other youth sports,” IBC Youth Managing Director of Youth Development Gary Brown said. “We moved to age-based divisions, as opposed to average, for events, to provide peer-to-peer competition. Setting the maximum age for youth bowlers to 18 aligns us with the standard of other national youth sports organizations.”

A U18 division will become the top division for the Pepsi Youth and Bowling.com Youth Open Championships for the 2020-2021 season. During the next season, USBC will address how the age change will impact the 2021 Junior Gold Championships, which will have a separate U20 division. Please visit BOWL.com/YouthAgeChange for additional information.

Starting with the 2020-2021 season, USBC Youth membership policy will state youth membership is available to individuals who have not reached the age of 18 prior to Aug. 1 of the current bowling season. The decision to lower the maximum age will directly impact 3.3 percent of the total youth membership. The change also better aligns USBC Youth membership with new regulations from the U.S. Center for SafeSport requiring training for those over 18 who participate in a sport with minors. 

Any USBC Youth member who reaches the age of 18 during the bowling season is required to complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport online education program, which is free, to continue to compete in leagues that have participants under age 18. This requirement was announced with the release of the revised Registered Volunteer Program (RVP) handbook.

The new age limit marks the second time the USBC Youth maximum age has been lowered. In 2009, USBC lowered the maximum age for youth bowlers from 22 to 20.

Visit BOWL.com/Youth to learn more about the youth bowling programs and events.

Bowling Virtual Vault Introduced by bowling museum

The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame is providing fans of bowling – and history – a way to experience the sport from anywhere in the world through an online collection of the many great items in the museum’s vast inventory.

BowlingHeritage.com is the gateway to the Bowling Virtual Vault, which features many of the historic items on display at the museum in Arlington, plus additional collections the museum is not able to display year-round because of space constraints.

“The Bowling Virtual Vault provides access to great memorabilia, and visitors also will learn about the greatest players, teams, moments and so much more about bowling’s history,” said Mike Aulby, President and Chairman of the IBMHOF Board of Trustees. “It’s a fantastic way for those who might not be able to visit the museum to see our outstanding collections. It is a fun and engaging look at bowling for even the most casual fans of the sport.”

Visit BowlingHeritage.com to access the Bowling Virtual Vault.

RULE CHANGE: Rule 18 – Altering Surface

RULE 18: BOWLING BALL – ALTERING SURFACE


A significant change in Rule 18 became effective Aug. 1, 2019. Bowlers no longer can use liquids or add anything,including but not limited to rosin or powder, to the surface of the bowling ball. We have created this document toexplain how the rule change affects you and your bowling ball(s) during USBC league and tournament play.


Rule 18 – Bowling Ball - Altering Surface

While bowling in USBC competition, a bowling ball cannot:


  1.  Have the surface altered by the use of an abrasive.
  2. Be cleaned with any liquid substance or cleaning agent.
  3. Have any foreign material on it including, but not limited to, powder, rosin, marker or paint.

All bowling balls so altered or cleaned must be removed from the competition.


Note: Should a foreign substance appear on the outer surface of a bowling ball which cannot be removed with a dry towel, an approved cleaner may be used with consent from a league or tournament officer.


COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE RULE CHANGE

1. When does competition start? Competition starts once any bowler throws a ball for score in a league or tournament.


2. Can I clean my ball with an approved cleaner during practice? You can clean your ball with an approved cleaner during practice, unless otherwise specified by league or tournament rules.


3. Can I clean my ball with an approved cleaner between games during certified competition? No. You cannot clean your ball between games, because the competition has started.


4. Can I clean my ball with an approved cleaner between tournament squads? You can clean your ball with an approved cleaner between squads unless otherwise specified by tournament rules. “During competition” could be defined by tournaments to include or exclude practice and time between squads.


5. What type of towels are approved for use during USBC certified competition? Any dry towel or cloth that does not alter the surface of the bowling ball is allowed. This includes the use of dry shammys.


6. If I used a towel with a liquid cleaner on it to clean my ball prior to the start of the competition, can I use that same towel to clean the ball during the competition? That same towel can only be used during the competition once the towel is dry.


7. If I take a ball out of my bag that I have not bowled with, can I clean it with an approved cleaner? No, approved cleaners cannot be used once competition has begun. This rule applies to balls from a bowler’s bowling bag, locker or car, etc. We suggest you clean all your bowling balls prior to the start of competition.


8. What happens if a bowler uses a cleaner, abrasive, or puts a foreign substance on the ball? If the bowler was not aware of the rule, the ball is removed from competition. The bowler also should be given an explanation of the rule. Conversely, if the bowler knows a ball cannot be cleaned, patted with rosin or powder or use an abrasive, the ball must be removed from competition and the games are subject to forfeiture. If there is a question as to whether a bowler knew the rule or not, the league board of directors makes the determination.


9. Can I pat my ball with rosin or powder if I wipe the ball before it is delivered? No. Wiping the ball with a towel does not make the ball compliant to the rule. Patting a ball with a product is adding a foreign substance to the ball and cannot be done during competition. A product can only be applied to a bowler’s hand and not leave residue on the surface of the ball.


10. If my ball comes back with residue on it and I cannot clean it with my dry towel, rag or shammy, can I use an approved cleaner? Yes, provided you get permission from a league officer or tournament official. If you clean your ball without prior permission, you may be asked to remove the ball from competition, and/or the games may be subject to forfeiture.


11. When I have permission to clean my ball, may I clean the entire ball? Yes, you may clean the entire surface of a bowling ball or just the area needing to be cleaned.


12. I have a ball cleaner that has the USBC “Approved Anytime” logo on it. Can I still use the cleaner during competition? No, the cleaner can no longer be used during competition.


13. I still see there are products with the USBC “Approved Anytime” logo on it. Why is that?USBC communicated the rule change with bowling ball cleaner companies prior to the adoption of the rule changes to allow the companies to make the necessary adjustments to labeling and cycle through existing inventories. There will be USBC “Approved Anytime” products in the marketplace until inventories are depleted; however, these products cannot be used during competition.

GBA USBC to host USA Bowling Coaching Seminar

The USA Bowling Coaching program executes approximately 50 FREE seminars each year throughout the country with a goal of teaching those in attendance the basic skills needed to teach the fundamentals of bowling to youths! Any and everyone who wants to learn more about how to teach the fundamentals of bowling to youth is welcome to join us at this FREE USA Bowling Coaching seminar.


Seminars are free to attend, and each attendee is provided materials to take home with them developed by the USBC Coaching Certification and Development team. These materials include:


  • Manual - Over 140 pages of curriculum which includes everything from the coaching philosophy to physical game techniques and basic skill drills
  • 8-week lesson plan – An easy to follow 14-page guide coaches may take on-lane from week-to-week and watch their bowlers progress through this readily developed lesson plan
  • Quick Reference Guide 1 & 2 - Double sided laminated sheets that feature a glossary of terms, on-lane drills, and fundamentals


We'll be hosting one of these FREE clinics on Sunday September 29th from 1pm-4pm at Willow Creek Lanes.

Green Bay Area USBC to host Re-Creation musical variety show to honor Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Green Bay Area United States Bowling Congress (GBA USBC) along with its Brightening Veterans Lives Committee (BVL), announces today that Re-Creation, the full performance singing and dancing group from Port Trevorton, Pennsylvania will appear in Green Bay, WI on APRIL 29, 2019 at the Radisson’s Three Clans Ballroom at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm


Re-Creation presents sparkling, energetic professional entertainment by eleven exciting young performers who offer dynamic vocal renditions of America’s best-loved songs and enliven the stage with intricate, disciplined dance and choreography. 


The music of Re-Creation is for audiences of all ages. Style, mood, rhythm and beat are tailored for each performance and are presented with a remarkable blending of voices, glittering costumes, and an incredible sound reinforcement system. They travel with comprehensive sound and staging equipment. Each Re-Creation performance is a full variety production designed to provide unique and satisfying musical entertainment. 


Re-Creation was founded in 1976 and since that time has performed in all 50 states. Credits include appearances at some of the nation’s most prestigious fairs and festivals, at local, regional, state and national corporation banquets and conventions, and at major resort areas. Civic clubs, fraternal groups, schools, and public and private organizations now keep Re-Creation booked for more than 300 concerts each year. 


Tickets for the Re-Creation performances in the Radisson’s Three Clans Ballroom are available online at www.greenbaybowling.com. Veterans, widow(er)s of Veterans, and caregivers are a free entrance, but still need a ticket to get into the performance. All other guests will be $5 per ticket. 


If you have any questions or need additional information please contact Chairperson of the BVL Committee, Cindy Herm at (920)264-7648 or email, Cynthia.herm@yahoo.com. 

Eventbrite - RE-CREATION, A Musical Variety Show,   "HONORING ALL VETERANS".

USBC Releases Lane Inspections Research, Extends Data Collection Through Next Season

ARLINGTON, Texas – Data collected during the lane certification process shows approximately 91 percent of all centers inspected had less than 10 percent of the items measured out of specification and approximately 72 percent of the centers have less than 5 percent of items out of spec.

The 2018-2019 season marks the first time the United States Bowling Congress is analyzing all data received from lane certifications and is developing a database to examine all measurements. Between the lane and pin deck, lane inspectors make 29 measurements on each synthetic lane and 21 measurements on each wood lane during the inspection process.

As of Dec. 1, more than 3,300 centers and 72,800 lanes had been inspected. The final data is expected to encompass more than 4,200 centers.

“The annual lane inspection process is always a major task and we greatly appreciate the work of the local association volunteers and the assistance of the bowling centers,” USBC Equipment Specifications Committee chair Andrew Cain said. “The data from these reports will provide more valuable insight into the playing fields of our sport.”

After reviewing the data, the Equipment Specifications and Certifications Committee has determined it will extend the data collection for another season. To get additional center certification data, all centers that have a proper inspection with the three required signatures and supply the data to USBC Headquarters will be certified for the 2019-2020 season.

Also starting with inspections for the 2019-2020 season, USBC will increase the certification fee to allow local associations to charge up to $10 per lane bed. The fee increase is the first in more than two decades, when the certification fee went from $3 to $5 per lane for the 1995-1996 season.

The data from inspections for the 2018-2019 season show about 85 percent of all lanes measured were synthetic lanes or had synthetic overlays. Lane topography measurements, which include crosswise tilts, are taken on each of the five panels for synthetic lanes and three locations for wood lanes.

The first, or head, panel was found to have the most out-of-specification measurements, though approximately 93% of the crowns and depressions are within specification and about 94% of the cross-tilt measurements are also within specification.

The backend of the lane showed the highest specification compliance with about 98% of the results for crowns/depressions and cross tilts on the last three panels meeting the specifications.

USBC also looked at the end pair of lanes on each end of bowling centers, as there is a common perception that lanes on either the high end or low end of a bowling center tend to play different from the rest of a center’s lanes. Data showed the topography variance was not significant, meaning if the lanes do not play the same, lane topography is not the reason.

Last year, USBC announced new requirements for lane inspections and adjusted specifications for new installations starting with the 2019-2020 season. The new requirements were based on research conducted by the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications team that included analysis of the lane certification paperwork submitted by 323 centers, an examination of more than 1,000 lanes throughout the country, a study of the pin deck specifications, and an examination of lane topography.

USBC has since been educating both associations and bowling centers about the changes, which included a new application for center certification for the 2018-2019 season. To ensure it would receive data from all center inspections, USBC allowed a one-year grace period for centers that receive an inspection and supplied USBC Headquarters with the inspection data and the three required signatures.

USBC also has worked to educate all stakeholders about the center certification process, conducting 30 Lane Inspection Workshops during the 2017-2018 season including two workshops at the 2018 USBC Convention.

USBC had 966 people from more than 300 associations attend Lane Inspection Workshops in the field and 450 association volunteers attend the workshops held at convention.

The work of the lane inspectors this season and next season will provide data that will help the USBC Equipment Specifications Committee better understand the true landscape of bowling center topography and other key measurements within the field of play and to set a clear path in this area.

Visit the Equipment and Specifications page on BOWL.com to learn more about center certifications.

2018 Green Bay Area USBC Hall of Fame Inductees

Your Green Bay Area USBC Board of Directors along with the Hall of Fame Committee is excited to announce this year's inductees into the Green Bay Area USBC Hall of Fame.


This year's inductees are:


Terry Clark - Superior Performance

Jack Guillette - Superior Performance

Karen Tenor - Superior Performance

Debbie Hamilton - Meritorious Service


The banquet will be held on Friday November 2nd, 2018 at Riverside Ballroom.  The cocktail will be at 6:00pm, with dinner being served at 7:00pm followed by our program.


Pre-sale tickets will be available at local bowling centers for $20 each, online below, or by contacting Association Manager Zach Boulanger.


Tickets at the door will be available for $25 each.


As in years past, all members of the Hall of Fame will receive a complimentary ticket, please watch your mailboxes for that information.  If you address has changed, please reach out to Zach Boulanger to make sure we have the correct address on file.


Congratulations to this years inductees!

USBC Adjusts Timeline for New Bowling Ball Specifications

ARLINGTON, Texas – After reviewing feedback from industry partners, the United States Bowling Congress Equipment and Specifications Committee has revised the implementation dates for the new bowling ball specifications announced earlier this year.

 

The Equipment and Specifications Committee determined the specification allowing increases in static weights for bowling balls without balance holes will begin this fall to allow for a smoother transition for bowlers.

 

Starting Aug. 1, 2018, bowling balls weighing more than 10 pounds 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, provided the ball does not have a balance hole.

 

Bowlers still can have a bowling ball with a balance hole until Aug. 1, 2020, but any balls with a balance hole must stay within the current static weight specification of one ounce for finger, thumb or side weight, and three ounces for top or bottom weight.

 

The specification eliminating the use of balance holes still will go into effect Aug. 1, 2020.

 

“After hearing from all stakeholders, the committee decided it was the right move to make the static weight specification an option starting this fall,” Andrew Cain, chair of the USBC Equipment and Specifications Committee, said. “Bowlers now have a two-year window to work with their pro shops to ensure their equipment will meet specifications on Aug. 1, 2020.”

 

With the elimination of balance holes as of Aug. 1, 2020, bowlers may have up to five holes for gripping purposes and all gripping holes must be used on every delivery. A bowler who chooses not to use a thumb hole would need to mark by scribe, engraver or tool their intended center of palm with a plus (+) mark to indicate their grip orientation.

 

Bowlers who do not use their thumb for delivery and decide to use the higher static weight specification cannot have a thumb hole – it would be classified a balance hole – and immediately will be required to follow the specification requiring them to mark their intended center of palm.

 

The USBC Equipment and Specifications Committee did decide the gripping rules that become effective Aug. 1, 2020, will have an exception for house balls, for bowlers who use house balls and might not have the strength to use all gripping holes.

 

House balls are defined as balls supplied by the center where the competition is taking place, have a polyester or basic urethane cover, a differential RG of less than 0.025 inches and the ball is not specifically drilled to fit the bowler.

 

The dates for implementing the new specification for the oil absorption rate of bowling ball coverstocks do not change. The initial step on the oil absorption specification will begin Aug. 1, 2018, when bowling ball manufacturers are required to submit oil absorption data as part of the USBC bowling ball approval process. The specification requiring a bowling ball’s oil absorption rate to be more than 2 minutes, 15 seconds (2:15) for the ball to be approved will take effect Aug. 1, 2020.

 

However, because all current bowling balls will be grandfathered in regardless of oil absorption rate, the Equipment Specifications Committee determined the production of balls that do not meet the 2:15 oil absorption time limit must be stopped as of Jan. 31, 2022.

 

The new bowling ball specifications announced in April were designed to sustain the playing field both currently and in the future.

 

The Equipment and Specifications Committee has delegated authority from the USBC Board to make changes to equipment specifications.

 

Visit BOWL.com/EquipAndSpecs for more about the specification changes.

New WI State USBC Board Elected

An organizational meeting was held on Saturday May 19th at Ledgeview Lanes in Fond Du Lac to form your new WI State USBC.  This new association replaces the three existing associations for men, women and youth.


Kandy Birmingham of Milwaukee was elected President and Brian Knab from Wausau was elected Vice-President.  Joyce Jansen will take the reins as Sergeant at Arms.


Directors include Michelle Bartoletti, Charles Callan, Zach Boulanger, Bonnie DeHarde, Phil Dowling, George Fincutter, Rick Hall, Phil LaPorte, Bev Larsen, Bill Lister, Jason Peirick, Joan Rennert, Andrew Rice, David Rixmann, Doug Sleaford, Marcia Snyder and Ginni Zuege.


Immediately after the board was elected, they unanimously decided to offer Don Hildebrand the job of Association Manager, which he accepted.  Don has been the association manager of the men's state association for a number of years.


Wisconsin currently has the biggest Open and Women's State Championship in the Nation and the new board is excited to continue that great tradition.


In addition to the 3 state championships (Open, Women and Youth), the new state association will also be responsible for other events such as the Badger Queens and the Youth 500/600 Tournament.  There was also some talk about setting up a new Wisconsin's Masters Tournament.


The 2018-2019 State Tournaments are already scheduled. The Open will be held in Wausau, the Women's in Madison and the Youth in Appleton.


Bowlers can expect little changes this year as the new board works together to understand the differences between the events.


Here locally in Green Bay we have some great representation with Michelle Bartoletti, Zach Boulanger, and Bev Larsen - feel free to reach out to any of us if you have any questions or concerns.


Wisconsin State USBC
2018-2019 Board of Directors

Name

Position

Hometown

Term

Birmingham, Kandy

President

New Berlin

3 Years

Knab, Brian

Vice - President

Wausau

2 Years

Jansen, Joyce

Sgt-at-Arms

Pardeeville

1 Year

Dowling, Phil

Youth Director

Madison

3 Years

Callan, Charles

Youth Director

La Crosse

3 Years

Rice, Andy

Youth Director

Wausau

2 Years

Zuege, Ginni

Youth Director

Madison

2 Years

Stracy, Vicki

Youth Director

Ripon

1 Year

Bartoletti, Michelle

Director

Suamico

3 Years

La Porte, Phil

Director

Germantown

3 Years

Sleaford, Doug

Director

New Berlin

3 Years

Snyder, Marcia

Director

Fond Du Lac

3 Years

Hall, Rick

Director

La Crosse

2 Years

Larsen, Bev

Director

Green Bay

2 Years

Rennert, Joan

Director

Racine

2 Years

Rixmann, David

Director

Osceola

2 Years

Boulanger, Zach

Director

Green Bay

1 Year

DeHarde, Bonnie

Director

New Berlin

1 Year

Fincutter, George

Director

Elkorn

1 Year

Lister, Bill

Director

Racine

1 Year

Peirick, Jason

Director

Watertown

1 Year

Bowling Coach Educational Opportunities – August 11th and 12th in Green Bay

The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley in Green Bay will be hosting two great educational programs to increase your knowledge as a bowling coach.

First is a FREE USA Coaching Seminar on August 11th at 1 PM.  This is a 3 hr program, which will give you the opportunity to take the USBC Level I online test at no charge.  The normal cost for the Level I test is $49.

They have added a new section on teaching the 2-handed delivery this year.

USBC Bronze Conference - Aug 11th and 12th


USBC is holding a National Bronze Coaching Certification Weekend on August 11th and 12th.

The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley is honored to have been selected as one of 14 host bowling centers across the country.

I encourage you to take advantage of USBC's nationwide effort to certify Bronze Level Coaches.  The cost is $245 if you register by July 2.  The regular cost is $295.  Entry deadline is July 30.  Anyone who signs up after that date will have to pay $325 to enter.

The conference will be from 9 AM to 5 PM both days.

To take the USBC Coaching Bronze course, you first must successfully complete Level I certification and have been approved through the Registered Volunteer Program (RVP)  

CLICK HERE FOR THE BRONZE REGISTRATION FORM

Please email, text or call Steve with any questions.

Steve Gough
Director of Youth Development
Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley
Main - 920-336-0400
Cell - 906-440-0378