Chapter 3: Awards

Rule 50. Eligibility

USBC will recognize the achievements listed in this chapter bowled by USBC members participating in USBC leagues and tournaments. To qualify for recognition all provisions of the USBC Bylaws, specifications and rules must have been complied with at the time the score was bowled. (See Rules 100a and 300b.) USBC High Score Awards designated with an (*) cannot be earned while pre or post bowling unopposed. Scores are determined on a scratch basis.

Rule 51a. Single Game Awards

For average requirements on average based awards, see Rule 53.

1. A member is eligible for one award in each of the following categories during a fiscal year (August 1- July 31):

a. 300*

b. 250 to 299 with a 170 average or below

c. 200 to 249 with a 160 average or below

d. 180 to 199 with a 140 average or below

e. 160 to 179 with a 120 average or below

f. 140 to 159 with a 100 average or below

g. 120 to 139 with a 90 average or below

h. 100 to 119 with a 70 average or below

i. 80 to 99 with a 50 average or below

j. Eleven (11) strikes in a row when the score is 299 or less*

k. 100 pins over game average

l. 75 pins over game average

2. A bowler qualifying for 75 and 100 pins over average recognition for a single game, is only eligible to receive the 100 pins over average recognition award unless they have already earned the award. In that case, the bowler will receive the 75 pins over average award unless they have already earned that award.

3. Where a choice of awards is available in any category the member is entitled to a choice of an award for the first score recorded. Any additional score in the same category that fiscal year will be officially recognized by USBC, but will not qualify for an award.

Rule 51b. Series Awards

Three consecutive games must be bowled in league or tournament play to qualify for series awards. For average requirements on average based awards, see Rule 53.

1. A series shall be figured as follows:

a. If more than three but less than six games are bowled, use the first three games.

b. If six or more games are bowled, use each succeeding set of three games following the first three games.

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2. In tournament play, each three-game series must be bowled in the same block.

3. A series of games can be bowled consecutively against one or more opponents.

4. Games must be bowled on the same date.

5. A member is eligible for one award in each of the following three-game series categories during a fiscal year (August 1-July 31):

a. 900 series*

b. 800 to 899*

c. 700 to 799 with a 210 average or below

d. 600 to 699 with a 175 average or below

e. 500 to 599 with a 140 average or below

f. 400 to 499 with a 115 average or below

g. 300 to 399 with a 90 average or below

h. 200 to 299 with a 50 average or below

i. 140 pins over series average

6. Where a choice of awards is available in any category the member is entitled to a choice of an award for the first score recorded. Any additional score in the same category that fiscal year will be officially recognized by USBC, but will not qualify for an award.

Rule 51c. National Team High Game and Series*

During each fiscal year, an award will be issued by USBC to each member of the team who bowls the highest scratch score in the nation in each of the following classifications:

Men Only Teams Game Series

5-player 1325 3700

4-player 1050 2900

3-player 825 2250

2-player 550 1550

Mixed Teams Game Series

5-player 1250 3600

4-player 1000 2800

3-player 750 2200

2-player 525 1500

Women Only Teams Game Series

5-player 1175 3425

4-player 950 2750

3-player 725 2075

2-player 500 1350

(*) cannot be earned while pre or post bowling unopposed.

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Youth teams:

To determine which age group, use the age of the oldest bowler.

2-Player 3-Player 4-Player 5-Player

Game Series Game Series Game Series Game Series

Rule 51d. Baker 300 Game Award*

All teams utilizing the Baker System that bowl a game of 300 are eligible to receive a sponsor’s award. Each team is eligible for one award during the fiscal year.

Rule 51e. Reporting Procedures

Scores of 300 game; 800 series or better by an individual in a three-game series; a Baker team game of 300; or a qualifying National Team High Game or Series, must be reported.

1. The following procedures apply for reporting such scores:

a. The league or tournament secretary shall notify the local association within 48 hours and submit a completed high score award application within 20 days.

b. The association manager shall submit a completed high score application to USBC Headquarters

via WinLABS as soon as possible, but not more than 7 days after receipt.

2. If an award is not approved administratively, the applicant will be notified in writing explaining the reason(s) for denial. If within 15 days of receipt of the written notice the applicant files a written appeal, the claim will be submitted for final decision to USBC Headquarters.

Rule 52a. Special Achievement Awards

USBC will recognize the following once per fiscal season:

1. 7-10 – Conversion of the 7-10 split.

2. Big Four Split – Conversion of the 4-6-7-10 split.

3. All Spare Game – Ten consecutive spares in a single game.

4. Dutch 200 Game – A game of alternating strikes and spares with a game total of 200.

5. Triplicate Series – Three consecutive games of the same score in a series.

(*) cannot be earned while pre or post bowling unopposed.

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Rule 52b. Merit Awards*

The highest average, single game and three-game series for a male, female, youth male and youth female in each local association will be issued a merit award under the following conditions:

1. The average, game or series was bowled by a member of the association in a USBC league or tournament within the jurisdiction of the association. The average must be based on a minimum of 66 games, and the winner of the award is decided on the percentage of a full pin.

2. The final average sheet, or the average sheet as of a date set by the association, is filed with the association.

3. The score was bowled between August 1 and July 31, except associations that publish an average book may adopt a specific date for determining award winners. Scores bowled after that date will be counted toward the next season’s competition.

4. Duplicate awards shall be presented in case of ties.

5. Should the same member bowl the highest average, single game and three game total, the bowler will receive one award recognizing all achievements.

6. The single game merit award will not be issued in an association when a member, during the same season or within the dates set by the association, has bowled a 300 that has or will be recognized by USBC.

7. No claim will be considered if submitted more than 30 days after the close of the bowling season in which the score was bowled.

Rule 52c. National High Average

Each fiscal year, recognition will be given to the USBC male, female, youth male and youth female member having the highest USBC average, based on 66 or more games bowled as a USBC member in a USBC league.

1. Qualifying averages are reported to the local association on the final average sheet submitted to the association by the league secretary.

2. The association is to forward information concerning those members who have attained a qualifying average to USBC Headquarters.

3. To be eligible for recognition, all qualifying averages must be received by USBC Headquarters on or before September 1 of the next fiscal year.

Rule 52d. National High Series*

Each fiscal year, recognition will be given to the USBC male, female, youth male and youth female member having the highest USBC series bowled as a USBC member in a USBC league or tournament.

1. Reporting procedure:

a. Qualifying scores are reported to the local association by the league secretary or tournament management.

b. The association is to forward information concerning those members who have attained a qualifying score to USBC.

2. To be eligible for recognition, all qualifying scores must be received by USBC Headquarters on or before September 1 of the next fiscal year.

3. Games bowled while pre or post bowling unopposed are not eligible.

(*) cannot be earned while pre or post bowling unopposed.

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Rule 53. Average Based Awards – Qualifying Rules

The following applies to any award earned based on average:

a. League:

1. If 12 games or more have been bowled in the league in the current season, use the current average.

2. If less than 12 games in the current season, use last season’s final average for 21 games or more from the same league.

3. For a new bowler in the league with less than 12 games, use last season’s highest USBC average for 21 games or more in any USBC league.

4. For a bowler who has not established an average in the preceding season, the highest USBC average of 21 games or more from the summer league just completed shall be used.

5. In a summer league, when a bowler has not established an average in the preceding season, the highest USBC average of 21 games or more from the regular season just completed shall be used.

6. A new bowler in a league who has not bowled 12 games in the current season can use a current USBC average of 12 games or more from another league.

7. A bowler who does not have an acceptable USBC average for comparison is not eligible for recognition.

b. Tournament:

1. In handicap or classified tournaments, compare the score with the USBC average used in the tournament.

2. In scratch tournaments:

a) Compare the score with the bowler’s highest current USBC average of 12 games or more.

b) If less than 12 games in the current season, compare the score with the preceding season’s highest USBC average for 21 games or more.

c) A bowler who does not have an acceptable USBC average for comparison is not eligible for recognition.

Rule 54a. Most Improved Bowler Award

Each league will be issued an award(s) annually based on the type of league to provide recognition for the male, female, youth male, and/or youth female member who shows the greatest improvement in average in the league during its season.

1. The award is to be given to the bowler who is eligible, regardless of how many league awards the bowler qualified for.

2. The following rules apply unless the league adopts its own rules to decide the award winner:

a. To qualify for the award, a member must bowl at least two-thirds of the games scheduled during the league’s current season.

b. A bowler’s increase in average is determined by comparing the bowler’s final average for the current season with that bowler’s final or book average of at least 21 games for the preceding season in the same league.

c. For a new member with an established average, compare the bowler’s final average for the current season with that bowler’s highest final or book average, based on at least 21 games, for the preceding season.

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d. For a bowler with no average for the preceding season, compare the bowler’s final average for the current season with that bowler’s average for the first 12 games during the current season.

e. When two or more members have the same full pin increase, the winner of the award is decided on the basis of the percentage of a full pin.

Example:

Starting Average Current Season

(Use full pins only) No. of Games Total Pins Final Average Increase

Rule 54b. League High Series

Each league will be issued awards annually based on the type of league to provide recognition for the male, female, youth male, and/or youth female member who bowls the highest series during the season.

1. The award is to be given to the bowler who is eligible, regardless of how many league awards they qualified for.

2. The following rules apply unless the league adopts its own rules to decide the award winner:

a. The USBC member must have bowled at least two-thirds of the games scheduled during the league’s current season as a USBC member.

1) If a substitute later becomes a regular member of the league, the games bowled as a substitute shall be included in the required number of games.

2) The scores bowled as a substitute shall not qualify for this award.

b. Actual scores are to count in scratch leagues and for leagues using the team method of handicapping.

c. Handicap scores are to count in leagues using the individual method of handicapping.

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