The IGBO MID-YEAR 2022 Tournament is a mixed handicap competition open to all individuals by invitation only. IGBO Mid-Year Directors have the authority to extend or revoke the invitation.
The IGBO MID-YEAR 2022 Tournament is a United States Bowling Congress (USBC) sanctioned tournament and maintains a Moral Support Certification for non-members of USBC. In Part, the Moral Support Certification permits the use of FIQ recognized league averages and tournament scores to determine a bower's entering average for the tournament.
All participants are subject to USBC rules and jurisdiction for this event.
All participants must be a member of USBC and be able to provide proof of membership (current sanction card or signed statement from the League Secretary verifying membership) or qualify under the Moral Support Certification. If the participant is not a member of USBC, he or she must pay the appropriate fee.
If the participant is not a member of IGBO, in any of its membership classes, he or she must become an IGBO Associate and pay the appropriate Associate fee. The participant shall have the opportunity to apply for Associate at the time of registration. IGBO Associate applications are approved upon clearance of fees. Event Participation
The tournament events shall be handicap events as follows: Singles, Doubles and Team.
Optional Scratch will be offered, using scores without handicap from Singles, Doubles, and Team.
An optional Scratch Masters Event will be offered.
Each participant shall bowl three (3) games per event and must enter and bowl all three events. No substitutes permitted for a specific event other than that covered in rule 24. Teams will consist of four (4) participants. Everyone will compete on an equal basis. Doubles partners must come from the same team.
Each participant may bowl only once in each event.
A professional bowler who is not a current IGBO league member or current organizational member, with a minimum of 21 games may not bowl in the Mid-Year Tournament. Only one (1) professional bowler per team will be allowed.
A professional bowler is defined as any person who has been a "card-carrying" member of a professional bowling organization within the past twelve months preceding the IGBO Mid-Year Tournament. Optional Scratch Events
IGBO MID-YEAR 2022 Tournament will offer both Optional Scratch and Scratch Masters Events to all participants using six (6) divisions as determined by entering average (see Rule 18).
Entry into the Optional Scratch must be submitted before the bowler's first ball in the handicap division of IGBO MID-YEAR 2022 is thrown, including practice.
The Average Divisions and Entry Fees for Optional Scratch and Scratch Masters will be as follows:
Division
Average Range
Optional Scratch
Scratch Masters
Division A
0 to 140
$25
$25
Division B
141 to 159
$25
$30
Division C
160 to 174
$25
$35
Division D
175 to 190
$25
$40
Division E
191 to 210
$25
$45
Division F
211 and above
$25
$50
The Optional Scratch shall use the scratch scores (without handicap) from the Regular Events (Singles, Doubles, and Team) to determine winners in each Division. Prizes will be awarded in:
Best Single Game (any event)
Best Series (any event)
Best All Events (9 game total)
• See FEES chart above, rule 10
The Scratch Masters event shall use the scratch scores from Regular Singles, Doubles, and Team events (the 9-game total from singles, doubles, and team without handicap) to qualify for Scratch Masters. Those scores will NOT carry over into Scratch Masters. Detailed Scratch Masters event rules are provided in the Scratch Masters section of these rules.
• See FEES chart above, rule 10
Awards in the Optional Scratch Divisions shall be given for the Best Single Game from any of the events, Best Three (3) Game Series from any of the events, and Best All Events (nine game totals).
The award ratio for the Optional Scratch Divisions shall be at a minimum of at least 1:20 per division.
100% the entry fee from each division in the Optional Scratch event shall be returned to that division and 100% of the entry fee less any lineage and trophy expenses (if given and not sponsored) shall be returned for Scratch Masters. Awards and Prizes
All cash awards shall be based on the Total Pins PLUS assigned handicap for each event (with the exception of the Optional Scratch and Scratch Masters events).
Awards will be given in the Handicap Division for the best Singles, Doubles, Team, Individual All Events, and Team All Events.
Individual All Events is defined as the nine (9) game total including handicap of an individual bowler.
Team All Events is defined as the nine game total plus handicap for the four (4) members of the same team who actually bowled the team event. In the event that any member of the team does not bowl the nine games, that team will be ineligible for the Team All Events recognition.
The award ratio for the Handicap Division shall be at a minimum of at least 1:10.
Individual All Events and Team All Events shall be a minimum of at least 1:20.
Prizes will be distributed via check payable in U.S. currency within thirty (30) days of the completion of the tournament, barring any protests. A tie in any position will result in the sum of the prizes being aggregated for the tied positions and divided equally by the number of ties for that placing. Prize funds will be based on 100% participation. Entering Averages
Any bowler entering the IGBO Mid-Year 2022 Tournament must establish a (10) ten-pin average acceptable to USBC. (as per USBC Rule 319):
The following rules shall be used to determine the entering average:
The 2021-22 book average (minimum 21 games). If bowler competed in more than one league, the bowler MUST submit the COMPOSITE average of all leagues bowled, even if a league has less than 21 games bowled.
COMPOSITE average is totality of pinfall from all leagues bowled including subbing, divided by number of games bowled. USBC, www.bowl.com, has composite average for yearbook.
Example – Bowler bowled in 2 leagues, and subbed in 1. League 1 pinfall is 10,250 across 60 games. League 2 pinfall is 12,581 across 75 games. League 3 pinfall is 750 across 6 games. Composite average is (10,250 + 12,581 + 750) divided by (60 + 75 + 6) for a 167-composite average. (10,250 + 12,581 + 750) / (60 + 75 + 6) = 167.
If “a” is not available, use the 2022 final summer league average (minimum 21 games). If bowler competed in more than one league, the bowler MUST submit the COMPOSITE average of all leagues bowled, even if a league has less than 21 games bowled.
If neither “a” nor “b” is available, use the 2020-2021 book average (minimum 21 games). If bowler competed in more than one league, the bowler MUST submit the COMPOSITE average of all leagues bowled, even if a league has less than 21 games bowled.
If neither “a”, “b” nor “c” is available, a current season league average (minimum 21 games) as of the deadline date for accepting entries will be accepted. If bowler competed in more than one league, the bowler MUST submit the COMPOSITE average of all leagues bowled, even if a league has less than 21 games bowled.
Non-certified bowlers shall use a minimum of 130 and must submit all league averages and tournament scores (for the 12-months immediately preceding the entry cut-off date) for possible average adjustment.
If none of the scenarios above is applicable, then the entering average shall be equal to 240 (See rule 22). USBC Rule 319a(2) does not apply.
The above averages MUST be submitted, and subsequently verified, by the use of one of the following:
Electronically from LeagueSecretary
Averages from www.bowl.com (USBC)
League standing sheet, signed and dated by League Officer
Letter from League President or Secretary
Photocopy of book average (with year noted), signed and dated by League Officer,
Averages from “Sports Condition” leagues or “Challenge Leagues” are not acceptable at any time.
USBC Rule 319d does NOT apply. This is prize fund reporting rule.
The per-game handicap for the tournament shall be based at 90% of the difference between the bowler’s entering average (see Rule 18) and a scratch score of 240. Negative handicap will NOT apply.
USBC rules regarding the BOWLER's responsibility to verify the accuracy of their entering average, whether submitted by the bowler, the team captain, or any other individual, applies to all bowlers. Failure to use proper average shall disqualify scores if the submitted average is lower than the actual average, thereby resulting in a lower classification for more handicap. Event placement and/or prize winnings shall be based on the higher average should the submitted average prove to be higher than the bowler's actual average. (USBC Rule Book, Rule 319) Average Adjustment
The Tournament Directors have the authority to adjust the entering average of any bowler. Average adjustments will be applied as set forth under IGBO and USBC rules. All average adjustments will be completed prior to the start of each event or the tournament. A bowler unwilling to accept an average adjustment is entitled to a refund for that event and all subsequent scheduled events, or entire Tournament entry if adjusted prior to any bowling is done.
If a bowler has a current tournament average (comprised of a minimum of 21 games bowled during the 12-months less the 30 days immediately preceding the official start date of this tournament), that is one or more pins higher than their Entering Average (as outlined in rule 18), the bowler must use the higher tournament average as their entering average.
i.e. Tournaments bowled between October 7, 2022, and November 10, 2022 will NOT count.
Per rule 20, it is the bowler's responsibility to report ALL tournament scores including:
City, State, or National tournaments following USBC rules or another affiliated country’s 10-pin rules.
IGBO tournaments
No-Tap, Mail-in, or other “fun” style tournaments need not be reported.
Failure to report this information may result in AUTOMATIC disqualification and loss of all prize winnings; subject to tournament management discretion. Attendance and Substitutes
It is solely and entirely the bowler’s responsibility to be present at the assigned lanes at the start of bowling. Each bowler is responsible to arrive on time to bowl. Mechanical failures, transportation irregularities, improper directions and related reasons DO NOT alter the application of Rules 25 and 26 below (USBC rules will apply).
Incidents involving tournament offered transportation and catastrophic events will be subject to Tournament Management discretion.
Complete doubles and Team entrants must be present for bowling each event. If a team member is not present, the team may use an authorized substitute (Rule 26). If no substitute is available, a zero score will be used for the missing bowler or bowlers.
Late bowlers will begin bowling in the frame in which they are ready, with prior frames being scored as zero. No practice balls will be allowed to late bowlers.
Substitutes may bowl at the discretion of the Tournament Directors. Their entering averages must comply with the rules previously stated. Substitutes must complete an entry form. Substitutes DO qualify for awards and prizes for events they bowled in.
Bowlers will be allowed ten (10) minutes of practice before the start of singles, doubles and team events. Entry Requirements
IGBO MID-YEAR 2022 registration will be available only online with payment available only through PayPal (a PayPal account is not required). All entries must be submitted and paid through the tournament website and must be electronically timestamped no later than 11:59 PM on October 22, 2022.
Entries shall be limited to a maximum of 432. Once this maximum has been reached, no more entries can be accepted. Entrant's acceptance will be based on the order in which received. Once an entry has been accepted, refunds will only be issued at the discretion of Tournament Management.
Partial team entries will be accepted, and the Tournament Directors will make every effort to fill vacancies. Scoring Errors
After a score has been recorded, it cannot be changed unless an obvious error in scoring or calculation has occurred. Obvious errors must be corrected by a tournament official immediately upon discovery. Questionable errors must be reported to a tournament official within one (1) hours of the error and will be decided by Tournament Management. (USBC Rule 328). Protests
Protests and appeals must be in writing, stating the grounds for the protest and/or appeal.
A protest involving eligibility or playing rules must be filed with the tournament management by 12pm (noon) Tuesday 11/15/2022.
Protests by non-participants or non-attendees of Mid-Year 2022 will NOT be accepted.
Anonymous protests will NOT be accepted.
The decision of the tournament management shall be final unless a written appeal is filed with the local association or USBC Headquarters prior to tournament prizes being awarded/paid. Upon notification of a protest or appeal, tournament management must withhold all affected prizes until the protest or appeal is resolved.
Miscellaneous
All other USBC rules will apply.
Any person attending requiring special needs MUST notify the Tournament Directors in writing when the application is submitted.
The team captain MUST sign the entry form acknowledging they have read and understands the rules. In the case of online registration, the timestamp will be considered the team captain's acknowledgement.
Scratch Masters Rules
Scratch Masters is a separate competition open to the IGBO MID-YEAR 2022 Tournament attendees that paid additional monies to participate in the event.
The nine (9) game scratch Singles, Doubles, and Team bowled in IGBO MID-YEAR 2022 will be used to determine the top eight (8) qualifiers in each division. Scores do not carry over into Scratch Masters. In case of a tie for the last qualifying spot, the bowler with highest scratch series from Singles, Doubles, Team will be used to qualify the bowler.
Payout will be 100% of Division monies less lineage and trophies has been paid.
Scratch Masters Divisions will be offered to all participants using six (6) divisions as determined by entering average (see Rule 19 above).
Scratch Masters Divisions and fees shall be as follows:
Division
Average Range
Scratch Master Fee
Division A
0 to 140
$25
Division B
141 to 159
$30
Division C
160 to 174
$35
Division D
175 to 190
$40
Division E
191 to 210
$45
Division F
211 and above
$50
The bowlers are responsible for checking if they have qualified.
Lists of the bowlers, who have qualified, as well as alternates, will be posted online on the IGBO MY2022 website, Facebook page, and at the Hospitality Suite, Saturday, November 12, 2022.
The Scratch Masters competition will begin at 8:30 AM on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at Bowl America Falls Church, 140 Maple St, Falls Church, VA https://www.bowl-america.com/locations/falls-church/ for all Divisions.
Bowlers must check in by 8:30am. A bowler who is not checked in at the scheduled time will be disqualified and the first available alternate qualifier), starting with 9th place and going down, will replace them. Once replaced, the disqualified bowler will NOT be allowed to bowl in Scratch Masters.
The Committee member in charge of Scratch Masters will hold a briefing meeting for all qualifiers to distribute lane assignments and discuss the rules. Additionally, one lane/score monitor for each Division will also be in the briefing.
Any claims of error must be submitted to the Scratch Master's Committee prior to the start of the next match. In the case of an error in the final match, claims must be made within one (1) hour of the end of the final match. Format
Each bowler will be allowed ten (10) minutes of practice across all Division lanes. If they want all 10 minutes on one pair or across 4 lanes or across all 8 lanes, that is up to them.
A warm-up lane will be provided for the players waiting to bowl.
In case of a tie for any seeding a 9th and 10th frame roll-off will be bowled by those that tied. If a tie still remains, sudden death, one ball/high count will break the tie.
All 8 bowlers will bowl an individual 3-game set. 2 bowlers per pair. Bowlers will shift lanes after each game and bowl different opponents.
The 3-game scratch score total will be calculated to seed the bowlers for Scratch Masters Ladder.
Lowest seeded 4 bowlers will be eliminated. The remaining top 4 will bowl in Step-Ladder format, on a designated pair of lanes:
Round 1: 4th seed bowling 3rd seed; 3rd seed will decide who bowls first. Winner advances
Round 2: Winner from Round 1 bowls 2nd seed; 2nd seed will decide who bowls first. Winner advances to Champion round.
Champion Round
Top seed and winner from Round 2; 1st seed will decide who bowls first for each game.
2 games total bowled.
Scratch total from the 2 games will determine Division winner