onefrombills
03-07-2009, 09:49 PM
Answers to many of the common questions that have been asked concerning the recently announced changes in the USBC Youth program:
Standard membership
Q: What benefits come as part of the USBC Youth Standard membership?
A: The membership will cost $17 and be available to all youth who bowl in USBC certified leagues or tournaments. Benefits include:
USBC Youth Membership Card
Four (4) issues of US Youth Bowler
USBC recognized average
USBC Youth Awards Program
League award emblems
Access to the USBC Youth Purchasable Awards program
The ability to participate in USBC certified tournaments
Q: Can a USBC Youth Standard member bowl in a USBC Youth Basic league without paying the $5 USBC Youth Basic membership fee?
A: Yes. USBC Youth Standard members can participate in USBC Youth Basic leagues with no additional membership charge. However, only awards listed as benefits for USBC Youth Basic leagues will be provided for accomplishments in that league.
Q: Can a USBC Youth Standard member bowling in a USBC Youth Basic league earn high score award emblems/honor score rings?
A: No. The USBC Youth Basic membership/league is a distinct league program. Only the limited awards program provided to USBC Youth Basic leagues will be available for any scores bowled during USBC Youth Basic competition.
Basic membership
Q: What benefits come as part of a USBC Youth Basic membership?
A: USBC Youth Basic Membership will cost $5 and be available to all youth who bowl in a league that meets for 12 sessions or less. Benefits include:
USBC Youth Membership Card
One issue of US Youth Bowler
USBC recognized average
The ability to participate in USBC certified tournaments
USBC Basic League award emblems (high game, series, average, champion and most improved average)
Access to the USBC Youth Purchasable Awards program
Q: Can a USBC Youth Basic league participate in the Pepsi Tournament?
A: If a USBC Youth Basic league competes during one of the league-level qualifying windows for the Pepsi tournament, the league members are eligible to conduct qualifying competition. In states that do not hold league level qualifying, ALL USBC Youth members, Standard and Basic, will be eligible for these direct entry events.
Q: Will USBC Youth Basic averages be "official"?
A: Yes. Averages established based on nine or more games in USBC Youth Basic leagues will be acceptable for entry into USBC Youth tournaments in accordance with Rule 318. However, only averages based on 21 or more games will be recognized as official as stated in the USBC Association Policy Manual.
Q: Will USBC Youth Basic averages be posted on bowl.com?
A: Yes. The youth bowler average information will be available on bowl.com.
Q: Does the USBC Youth Basic member pay the $5 USBC Youth Basic membership fee for each league in which they participate?
A: Yes. The USBC Youth Basic membership is paid for each USBC Youth Basic league in which the bowler competes. For example, if the player would compete in two USBC Youth Basic leagues at the same time or during the same season, the $5 USBC Youth Basic fees would be paid by the bowler in each league.
Q: When does the USBC Youth Basic membership expire?
A: The USBC Youth Basic membership is valid for the duration of the specific league. In addition, the USBC Youth Basic membership will be recognized for tournament competition for the entire season in which it was purchased.
Q: Can a bowler purchase a USBC Youth Standard membership through a USBC Youth Basic league?
A: No. Only USBC Youth Basic memberships and membership benefits can be issued through a USBC Youth Basic league.
Q: Can a 16-session league certify as a USBC Youth Basic league?
A: No. The USBC Youth Basic membership program is limited to league competitions that are 12 or fewer sessions.
Q: Will a bowler in a Basic League be able to receive score award emblems?
Only the limited award program provided to USBC Youth Basic leagues will be available for any scores bowled during the competition. However, USBC Youth Basic leagues have the ability to provide a supplemental awards program by utilizing the USBC Youth Purchasable Awards program.
Awards
Q: How does the processing agent order award inventories?
A: The Processing Agent will order award inventories through the Youth Membership Processing Program. Initial start-up inventory orders will be determined based on league size. Additional award inventories will then be available for ordering in incremental packages.
Q: Will the new High Score Awards cause high school eligibility issues?
A: USBC Youth members have the obligation to be aware of any restrictions that might be in place by his/her high school athletic associations and might affect any outside competitions they could compete in or limitations on awards that they may earn. USBC has taken this issue into consideration and, by working with our vendors, can now provide youth awards that meet the eligibility limits of most states. In those limited instances where there might be a conflict, bowlers will have the option to decline the provided USBC Youth award for a given accomplishment to prevent an eligibility issue.
Q: Can my child win two 50-game awards during the same season?
A: No. USBC Youth awards are limited to once per season for the same accomplishment.
Q: If my child earns a 200 series award, can they later earn a 150 series award?
A: No. Once a player has earned a USBC Youth Award for a specific accomplishment, they are only eligible to receive the next highest, or the highest award, for future accomplishments. Using the example above, once the player has earned a 200 series award, the next award they could earn would be the 250 or higher series.
Q: Can my 13-year-old who just started bowling earn the 50-game award?
A: No. USBC Youth awards for bowlers 13 and older begin with a 125 game and a 300 series. Under the USBC Youth Awards program, the 13 year old bowler would not be eligible for a 50-game award.
Q: What is a "Qualifying Average"?
A: The established averages that determine eligibility for USBC Youth Awards are listed in Rule 53 which states:
The following applies to any award earned based on average:
a. League:
1. If 12 or more games 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 or more games 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 or more games 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 or more games 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 or more games.
b) If less than 12 games in the current season, compare the score with the preceding season's highest USBC average for 21 or more games.
c) A bowler who does not have an acceptable USBC average for comparison is not eligible for recognition.
Standard membership
Q: What benefits come as part of the USBC Youth Standard membership?
A: The membership will cost $17 and be available to all youth who bowl in USBC certified leagues or tournaments. Benefits include:
USBC Youth Membership Card
Four (4) issues of US Youth Bowler
USBC recognized average
USBC Youth Awards Program
League award emblems
Access to the USBC Youth Purchasable Awards program
The ability to participate in USBC certified tournaments
Q: Can a USBC Youth Standard member bowl in a USBC Youth Basic league without paying the $5 USBC Youth Basic membership fee?
A: Yes. USBC Youth Standard members can participate in USBC Youth Basic leagues with no additional membership charge. However, only awards listed as benefits for USBC Youth Basic leagues will be provided for accomplishments in that league.
Q: Can a USBC Youth Standard member bowling in a USBC Youth Basic league earn high score award emblems/honor score rings?
A: No. The USBC Youth Basic membership/league is a distinct league program. Only the limited awards program provided to USBC Youth Basic leagues will be available for any scores bowled during USBC Youth Basic competition.
Basic membership
Q: What benefits come as part of a USBC Youth Basic membership?
A: USBC Youth Basic Membership will cost $5 and be available to all youth who bowl in a league that meets for 12 sessions or less. Benefits include:
USBC Youth Membership Card
One issue of US Youth Bowler
USBC recognized average
The ability to participate in USBC certified tournaments
USBC Basic League award emblems (high game, series, average, champion and most improved average)
Access to the USBC Youth Purchasable Awards program
Q: Can a USBC Youth Basic league participate in the Pepsi Tournament?
A: If a USBC Youth Basic league competes during one of the league-level qualifying windows for the Pepsi tournament, the league members are eligible to conduct qualifying competition. In states that do not hold league level qualifying, ALL USBC Youth members, Standard and Basic, will be eligible for these direct entry events.
Q: Will USBC Youth Basic averages be "official"?
A: Yes. Averages established based on nine or more games in USBC Youth Basic leagues will be acceptable for entry into USBC Youth tournaments in accordance with Rule 318. However, only averages based on 21 or more games will be recognized as official as stated in the USBC Association Policy Manual.
Q: Will USBC Youth Basic averages be posted on bowl.com?
A: Yes. The youth bowler average information will be available on bowl.com.
Q: Does the USBC Youth Basic member pay the $5 USBC Youth Basic membership fee for each league in which they participate?
A: Yes. The USBC Youth Basic membership is paid for each USBC Youth Basic league in which the bowler competes. For example, if the player would compete in two USBC Youth Basic leagues at the same time or during the same season, the $5 USBC Youth Basic fees would be paid by the bowler in each league.
Q: When does the USBC Youth Basic membership expire?
A: The USBC Youth Basic membership is valid for the duration of the specific league. In addition, the USBC Youth Basic membership will be recognized for tournament competition for the entire season in which it was purchased.
Q: Can a bowler purchase a USBC Youth Standard membership through a USBC Youth Basic league?
A: No. Only USBC Youth Basic memberships and membership benefits can be issued through a USBC Youth Basic league.
Q: Can a 16-session league certify as a USBC Youth Basic league?
A: No. The USBC Youth Basic membership program is limited to league competitions that are 12 or fewer sessions.
Q: Will a bowler in a Basic League be able to receive score award emblems?
Only the limited award program provided to USBC Youth Basic leagues will be available for any scores bowled during the competition. However, USBC Youth Basic leagues have the ability to provide a supplemental awards program by utilizing the USBC Youth Purchasable Awards program.
Awards
Q: How does the processing agent order award inventories?
A: The Processing Agent will order award inventories through the Youth Membership Processing Program. Initial start-up inventory orders will be determined based on league size. Additional award inventories will then be available for ordering in incremental packages.
Q: Will the new High Score Awards cause high school eligibility issues?
A: USBC Youth members have the obligation to be aware of any restrictions that might be in place by his/her high school athletic associations and might affect any outside competitions they could compete in or limitations on awards that they may earn. USBC has taken this issue into consideration and, by working with our vendors, can now provide youth awards that meet the eligibility limits of most states. In those limited instances where there might be a conflict, bowlers will have the option to decline the provided USBC Youth award for a given accomplishment to prevent an eligibility issue.
Q: Can my child win two 50-game awards during the same season?
A: No. USBC Youth awards are limited to once per season for the same accomplishment.
Q: If my child earns a 200 series award, can they later earn a 150 series award?
A: No. Once a player has earned a USBC Youth Award for a specific accomplishment, they are only eligible to receive the next highest, or the highest award, for future accomplishments. Using the example above, once the player has earned a 200 series award, the next award they could earn would be the 250 or higher series.
Q: Can my 13-year-old who just started bowling earn the 50-game award?
A: No. USBC Youth awards for bowlers 13 and older begin with a 125 game and a 300 series. Under the USBC Youth Awards program, the 13 year old bowler would not be eligible for a 50-game award.
Q: What is a "Qualifying Average"?
A: The established averages that determine eligibility for USBC Youth Awards are listed in Rule 53 which states:
The following applies to any award earned based on average:
a. League:
1. If 12 or more games 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 or more games 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 or more games 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 or more games 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 or more games.
b) If less than 12 games in the current season, compare the score with the preceding season's highest USBC average for 21 or more games.
c) A bowler who does not have an acceptable USBC average for comparison is not eligible for recognition.