Rules & Regulations
BOWLING IN THE BAY TOURNAMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. This tournament is open to all USBC members who are current and in good standing. The Bowling in the Bay Tournament will be sanctioned with USBC and TNBA, however, TNBA membership is not mandatory.
2. PBA/PWBA card holders may participate in this tournament. Only one member per team/doubles with a current card or who has held a card within the last two years will be allowed.
3. ENTRY: The entry into each event will be $50.00 per event per person, an additional $25.00 will be added to the entry fee for optional singles (handicap or scratch) per event chosen. The total entry fee into doubles scratch would be $40.00. The entry deadline is September 12, 2025, and the full amount of fees must accompany the completed entry forms for the entry to be accepted. Any entry form without payment is considered incomplete. Walk-on space will be based on availability and bowler must be there an hour prior to squad time. An additional $10 fee per person per event will be charged for Walk-ons.
MAKE CERTIFIED CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS PAYABLE TO: Bowling in the Bay, Inc.
MAIL ENTRY FORMS TO: c/o Marla McQuay-Tournament Director-1252 Costa Mesa Dr. Wesley Chapel, Fl. 33543
Itemized entry fee per bowler – teams and doubles: Handicap Division - $50 per bowler ($20 lineage & administrative fees/expenses; $30 prize fund).
Scratch team Division - $20 per bowler, Singles and Crossover Doubles (Females and Males) entry fee per bowler: Handicap Division- $20 ($2 administrative fee; $18 prize fund) and scratch divisions - $20 per bowler ($2 administrative fee; $18 prize fund).
4. PERSONAL CHECKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY REASON. The total entry fee in the form of a money order, certified or travelers check must accompany the completed application.
5. This is a handicap mixed (teams/doubles) event with optional singles. All teams must enter the handicap event to qualify for entry into the scratch division.
6. All teams and mixed doubles events must consist of at least one female and one male.
7. Multiple entries are permitted for the mixed teams/doubles event, but not more than three (3) players on the same team may re-enter the team event and not more than one (1) player for the doubles event. Crossover mixed doubles are part of the mixed doubles event and can re-enter each squad with same partner, but only can cash once with same partner.
8. All bowlers participating in the singles event may enter the Handicap division at $25 or enter the scratch division at $25 ($50 for both divisions). The bowler can enter the single event multiple times. Singles scores will be taken from that mixed doubles squads. Men and Women divisions are separate. Bowlers may only cash once in optional singles.
9. Entry forms must show the full name (no nicknames), address, USBC number, and highest average for 2024-2025. Any omissions will delay processing until all information is received and verified. If information is not received promptly, the entry form may be returned.
10. Entrants must use their highest 2024-2025 USBC book average of more than 21 games listed on Bowl.com. If a bowler does not have a 2024-2025 book average, he/she must use the highest 2023-2024 book average of 21 games or more. If none of the above, the bowler must enter the tournament with a 220 average. 2024-2025 Summer averages of 21 or more games can be used neither of the other two exist. The USBC 10 pin average rule does not apply. The USBC rule on average adjustment may be applied to entering averages. This is at the discretion of the Tournament Director. All averages will be verified when applications are received and again before payout.
11. ALL AVERAGES WILL BE VERIFIED. It shall be each bowler’s responsibility to verify his/her average for accuracy (whether originally submitted by the bowler, his/her team captain or others.) Failure to do so will result in disqualification with no refunds. If an entrant submits an average less than his/her true average, he/she and their team shall forfeit all prize money and shall be disqualified and subject to suspension from USBC and TNBA. To avoid disqualification, entrants must make average corrections by the end of the first frame.
12. The handicap for each game shall be 90% of 220. Handicap will be figured on an individual basis.
13. Substitutes shall be permitted at the Team Captain’s discretion and must bowl in the original entrant’s position. NO POSITION LINEUP CHANGES WILL BE ALLOWED. All rules and regulations likewise apply to substitutes. Once a substitute has started to bowl, the substitute must finish that event. There will be no lineup changes at the tournament site. All substitute changes must be submitted by the Team Captain at least 45 minutes before scheduled squad time. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
14. Team Captains are required to report to the Tournament Director’s office for check-in of all team members at least one hour before the time scheduled to bowl. The Team Captain must have all team members’ USBC cards at check-in. No individual check-ins will be allowed. Events will be scheduled in the order names are listed on the entry blank. The Tournament Director’s time schedule will be final.
15. Tardy players will start in the frame being bowled, with zero being given for each frame missed. If a team refuses to start because a full lineup is not present, they shall receive zero for all frames which they decline to bowl. No blind score shall be permitted. The bowler must bowl with and on the same lanes and at the same time his/her team bowls.
16. Provisional ball or frame will be used in situations where foul or legality of pin fall cannot be immediately resolved.
17. Refunds will be allowed until August 1, 2025. After this date, no refunds will be provided.
18. The prize fee will be returned 100% in the event for which it is collected. There will be at least one (1) prize for every six (6) entries for both divisions (handicap & scratch).
19. PRIZE: Championships will be determined by the total pin fall plus handicap for the handicap division and the total pin fall (no handicap) in the scratch division.
20. Premature Termination of the tournament brought about by war, national emergency or emergency causes relating thereto or therefrom, fire, natural disaster or any other reason beyond the control of the Bowling in the Bay Tournament shall cause, to the extent required thereby, all prizes, to be prorated in accordance with the number of entrants who have bowled in each of the respective events up to the time of such termination.
21. The decisions of the Tournament Directors shall be final on any and all disputes unless an appeal is made in accordance with Rule 329. Any rule and/or issues that may arise that are not noted or governed by USBC will be decided by the Tournament Board.
22. The Tournament Director reserve the right to disqualify any entrant not in compliance with the rules of the tournament with no refund.
23. If the Bowler loses a prize check, there will be a $25 fee for replacing lost checks.