Should League By-Laws Be Announced at the Beginning?

[GrumpyCatFace]

I'd like to know what the custom is for this. In my Sunday "Couples" league, there is apparently a by-law that nobody can pre-bowl for the week unless the "couple" prebowls together. Of course, this was not announced or known to anyone new to the league.

So, come to today, and our babysitter was out sick. My gf prebowls during the day, and posts a pretty good score. We lose game 1 anyway (fair enough), then win game 2 by a few pins. Now the other team comes over and says "you know you can't use her scores, because you have to prebowl as a couple, right"? No. I ****ing didn't.

So now I'm rather pissed off, and bowl my butt off in Game 3. We win by a lot, but lose the "total pins" Game 4.

I'd just like to know when these little rules are supposed to be announced. We had a sub sitting there available, but apparently, they just forgot to mention it during games 1 and 2.

[bowl1820]

I'd like to know what the custom is for this. In my Sunday "Couples" league, there is apparently a by-law that nobody can pre-bowl for the week unless the "couple" prebowls together. Of course, this was not announced or known to anyone new to the league.

So, come to today, and our babysitter was out sick. My gf prebowls during the day, and posts a pretty good score. We lose game 1 anyway (fair enough), then win game 2 by a few pins. Now the other team comes over and says "you know you can't use her scores, because you have to prebowl as a couple, right"? No. I ****ing didn't.

So now I'm rather pissed off, and bowl my butt off in Game 3. We win by a lot, but lose the "total pins" Game 4.

I'd just like to know when these little rules are supposed to be announced. We had a sub sitting there available, but apparently, they just forgot to mention it during games 1 and 2.

Should League By-Laws Be Announced at the Beginning? They are in virtually every league.

League rules are established at a league organizational meeting which happens at the start of the league season. After being established every team is supposed to be given a copy. (which unfortunately anymore they promptly throw in the bottom of their bag without reading it and forget about it until a problem arises. Not saying you did this!!)

If you came in after the start of the league, you should have been given a copy of the league rules (or asked for one if none was offered).

[J Anderson]

Tried to see what the USBC rule book had to say: in a managed league, the rules must be distributed before the season starts. In a regular league it only specifies that the rules be distributed by the league secretary, but doesn’t say when.

[GrumpyCatFace]

I wasn’t notified of any such meeting, and never received a rule sheet until I demanded one tonight.

[bowl1820]

I wasn’t notified of any such meeting, and never received a rule sheet until I demanded one tonight.

At most houses league start date and organizational meeting dates and times are listed on the signup sheets, flyers etc at least a month or so before they start. if you didn't see it ask.

As for not getting a rule sheet until now, you should have asked sooner like the night you first bowled.

If you are joining a new league, you should ask questions at the very start if you don't know something.

Like pre-bowling if you don't know what the leagues rules are regarding it, you should have asked the Secretary before doing it.

[RobLV1]

Over the past 35 years I've bowled in dozens of leagues in four different states. In every single case, there is a league meeting before the first date of bowling. Where you may have run into a problem is where occasionally the meeting is held on a different date; usually one week before the league actually starts bowling.

[bowl1820]

Over the past 35 years I've bowled in dozens of leagues in four different states. In every single case, there is a league meeting before the first date of bowling. Where you may have run into a problem is where occasionally the meeting is held on a different date; usually one week before the league actually starts bowling.

That's the way it is here the meeting is typically the week before, their too long to have the same night as bowling. Now in the summer theres ones that have a short meeting the same night you start bowling.

[GrumpyCatFace]

Welp, I won’t make that mistake again.

Apparently, you have to request an invite to these meetings, because I certainly wasn’t informed of it.

[bowl1820]

Welp, I won’t make that mistake again.

Apparently, you have to request an invite to these meetings, because I certainly wasn’t informed of it.

A lot of houses don't send out notices of league meetings, start dates etc, Unless you bowled on that league before and have your name on file or signed up in the sign up book (even then they might not) and if your new and don't ask they'll just assume you know already.

You Don't have to request an invite, You just have to do your do diligence and find out the dates and times before the season starts loike everyone else does by asking at the lanes. Especially if it's a league you never been on before and don't know anything about.

[GrumpyCatFace]

A lot of houses don't send out notices of league meetings, start dates etc, Unless you bowled on that league before and have your name on file or signed up in the sign up book (even then they might not) and if your new and don't ask they'll just assume you know already.

You Don't have to request an invite, You just have to do your do diligence and find out the dates and times before the season starts loike everyone else does by asking at the lanes. Especially if it's a league you never been on before and don't know anything about.

Guess so. So if you're new to league bowling, and don't know to ask about a meeting, or any special house rules, then just toss out your first year's dues. That's good to know.

[Amyers]

Every league here is different, Between the rules for pre/post bowling, handicap, and playoff format. It always amazes me how little time people spend studying the rules before they join a league(not saying that's your case). One league I bowl in only allows pre bowling the week before you miss as a team (very hard) others you can walk in any time before or after.
Rules are usually given out at the first league night but I'd Say less than 10% are ever read.

[GrumpyCatFace]

Every league here is different, Between the rules for pre/post bowling, handicap, and playoff format. It always amazes me how little time people spend studying the rules before they join a league(not saying that's your case). One league I bowl in only allows pre bowling the week before you miss as a team (very hard) others you can walk in any time before or after.
Rules are usually given out at the first league night but I'd Say less than 10% are ever read.

I guess I assumed that with the “official associations” like USBC etc, there was a standard set of rules for all bowling leagues. One wouldn’t expect house rules at every single league.

[JasonNJ]

I'm in my 2nd year as secretary on my Weds Night League and we always have a league meeting a week before season starts where I go through the by-laws line by line and we also vote on any new rules or changes. I also email the rules out to everyone on the league.

[J Anderson]

I guess I assumed that with the “official associations” like USBC etc, there was a standard set of rules for all bowling leagues. One wouldn’t expect house rules at every single league.

USBC provides a basic framework of rules. Some USBC rules can be supplanted by the local league, like choosing to bowl four games instead of only three. Other rules are more rigid. For example a league can not ban pre-bowling, but it can set limits how and when it can be done.

Most leagues, even non certified leagues, have similar rules, since even those non USBC leagues have had some exposure to the USBC guidelines.

[Amyers]

I guess I assumed that with the “official associations” like USBC etc, there was a standard set of rules for all bowling leagues. One wouldn’t expect house rules at every single league.

It's a popular misconception. Think of it more like this USBC tells you what you can/can't do but doesn't effect how very much. Much more is up to the league than up to the USBC.

[RobLV1]

One of the biggest problems is that many league bowlers choose not to attend the meeting. A few years ago, I was the Vice President of an almost-scratch Doubles League. As the President was recovering from surgery, I was asked to run the league meeting. The league had been observing a two lane courtesy which I personally think is ridiculous in a league setting. There was nothing in the rules about it, so I decided to bring it up for discussion. I became quickly apparent that a great majority of the bowlers favored a one lane courtesy, so someone made a motion to include a one lane courtesy in the league rules. It passed with only one opposing vote.

Two weeks into the league, a bowler to my left with one open lane between us was on the approach when I stepped up to bowl. He stepped back and proceeded to slam his ball down on the ball return (he was a well-known hot head). After the frame I approached him and reminded him of the one lane courtesy that was passed at the initial meeting. He told me that he had not attended the meeting. I guess he should have!

[ALazySavage]

In response to the comment about league bowlers choosing not to attend meetings I will defend the reasoning for why I typically avoid the things anymore. In recent years I have found these meetings to be far to long for what is being discussed and decided on. In larger leagues it tends to be a trend that you get a sect of 6 people who want a rule changed for whatever reason and they will fight and argue their point - without listening to others for excessive amounts of time; I'm all for people having their argument heard but when it comes to listening to the same 2 line argument repeated over and over it isn't worth my night. Inevitably when USBC raises the sanction fee by $1 there will be another 30 minute dialogue about how USBC doesn't do anything for us and this is just lining their pockets (etc. etc. etc.). After sitting in league meetings for over 4 hours to essentially get back to the rules being expressed as they were last year (exceptions of sanction fee, a potential lineage fee change) I decided that it really doesn't do much - the rules sheet gets passed out week 1 of bowling and I review then.

[fordman1]

A traffic judge told me ignorance of the law is no excuse. Every bowler should be notified when the organizational meeting is being held. Every team should get a copy of the bylaws the 1st night. Our league only lets teams pre or post bowl no individual.

[GrumpyCatFace]

And... it happened again. Apparently, my other league on Thursdays has a 20-pin absentee penalty, rather than 10, like every other league I’ve ever been in.

Want to know why bowling is so unpopular? It’s because of obscure ‘house rules’ like this.

[bowl1820]

And... it happened again. Apparently, my other league on Thursdays has a 20-pin absentee penalty, rather than 10, like every other league I’ve ever been in.

Want to know why bowling is so unpopular? It’s because of obscure ‘house rules’ like this.

It's not a obscure rule since virtually all leagues have a absentee penalty and 20 pins isn't unheard of

It wouldn't be a "house rule" it's a "league rule" and this is why reading the leagues rules is important, Because Not all leagues have exactly the same rules.

[GrumpyCatFace]

It's not a obscure rule since virtually all leagues have a absentee penalty and 20 pins isn't unheard of

It wouldn't be a "house rule" it's a "league rule" and this is why reading the leagues rules is important, Because Not all leagues have exactly the same rules.

I hear what you’re saying, and I know now to demand a set of rules at the beginning. However, I’m telling you, most people do not have that kind of patience for this.

Name another sport or game in which the rules vary so widely in every single instance. Let alone one played for money.

[RobLV1]

A lot of bowlers here don't seem to understand what the function of the USBC is. The USBC lays out the ground rules for the game. They dictate what must be done if a bowler bowls on the wrong lane, for instance. They dictate the general requirements for bowling balls, as well as what can be used to clean the ball during competition and other such rules. They do not, nor should they create rules for individual leagues. Leagues decide their own prize funds, their own policies on pre-bowls and make-ups, their own policies on substitutes, handicaps, roster changes, late payments, absentee scores, and just about everything else about the week-to-week functioning of the league.

While I agree that many, many league meetings are a giant pain in the butt with the same issues being rehashed as nauseam, it is non-the-less your responsibility to make sure that you attend the league meeting, are aware of all of the league policies and rules, and give your input to make your feelings known. If you don't attend the meeting, or a least make sure that you get a copy of the league rules, you have absolutely no right to complain!

[boatman37]

Our summer league had a 20 penalty for an absentee bowler but my winter league is 30 pins. Same house. All up to the league. With a 30 pin penalty better have a sub lined up....lol

[boatman37]

Rob, what are the rules on bowling in the wrong lane? In our summer league this past summer I bowled the 10th frame in the wrong lane (and got 3 strikes...lol). After I saw the scores didn't add up I realized what I had done. I asked the opponents what they wanted me to do and they said just go with it. It wouldn't have changed the outcome of the game either way. Never thought about a rule on it.

[bowl1820]

Rob, what are the rules on bowling in the wrong lane? In our summer league this past summer I bowled the 10th frame in the wrong lane (and got 3 strikes...lol). After I saw the scores didn't add up I realized what I had done. I asked the opponents what they wanted me to do and they said just go with it. It wouldn't have changed the outcome of the game either way. Never thought about a rule on it.

USBC Rulebook

Rule 8 – Dead Ball
When a dead ball is called, the delivery does not count and the correct pins must be respotted. The player is allowed to rebowl that delivery.
A ball shall be declared dead if any of the following occur:

d. A player bowls on the wrong lane or out of turn, or one player from each team on the pair of lanes
bowls on the wrong lane. (See Rule 9.)

Rule 9 – Bowling on the Wrong Lane
In league or tournament play, a dead ball shall be called and the player or players required to rebowl on the correct lane when:
a. One player bowls on the wrong lane.
b. One player from each team on the pair of lanes bowls on the wrong lane.
If more than one player on the same team bowls on the wrong lane in turn, all deliveries stand as
bowled. Upon discovery, bowlers shall complete subsequent frames on the correct lanes.
If a player bowls on the wrong lane in a singles tournament where a change of lanes is made, a
tournament may by rule require the delivery to stand and the player to finish the frame on the incorrect
lane when a strike is not recorded. When a strike is made, a dead ball shall be called and the player
required to re-bowl on the correct lane.
In singles match-play competition, where a player normally bowls two frames each time it is the
player’s turn to bowl, the foregoing shall also apply provided the error was discovered before the
opposing player has made a delivery. Otherwise, the score stands as bowled, with all subsequent
frames in the game bowled on the correct lanes.