OFFICIAL 2012-13 TOURNAMENT RULES AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULES AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
I. A) Bowlers must be current members of the National Duckpin Bowling Congress and have proof of average.
B) Rhode Island entrance average will be:
1. 2011/2012 Composite Average of all sanctioned games bowled in RI or MA adult leagues and tournaments (21 games or more).
2. If above does not apply, bowlers will use their 2011/2012 Tournament Series Average (21 games or more).
3. For bowlers using NDYA averages, bowlers use the highest of: average from an NDYA youth league (21 games or more), an NDYA Youth/Adult league (21 games or more), their NDYA Tournament average (21 games or more), or their Composite Average of all NDYA games (21 games or more).
4. If above does not apply, then 2010/2011 Composite Average of all sanctioned games bowled in RI or MA adult leagues and tournaments will be used (21 games or more).
5. If above does not apply, then 2012 highest sanctioned adult summer league or tournaleague average will be used (21 games or more). Proof of average is mandatory.
6. If above does not apply, then 2012/2013 highest sanctioned adult winter league average will be used (21 games or more). Proof of average is mandatory.
7. If above does not apply, then the bowler bowls scratch (160 average).
C) Out of state bowlers who are not covered by Rule B) 1. will use a composite average comprised of all sanctioned games bowled in their home area plus all sanctioned games bowled in RI or MA (total pinfall / # of games = composite average).
D) Non-sanctioned bowlers may bowl upon payment of membership fee.
II. Bowlers who rolled 21 games or more in the 2011/2012 Tournament Series and averaged more than their 2012/2013 entrance average will have their 2012/2013 entrance average re-rated upwards by ½ the difference, with all fractions rounded down.
III. Bowlers who roll 21 games or more in the 2012/2013 Tournament Series and average more than their 2012/2013 entrance average determined by Rule II will have their average re-rated upwards by ½ the difference, with all fractions rounded down.
IV. Presenting a true average is the responsibility of the bowler.
V. Bowler must pay entry fee in advance of beginning any event.
VI. Bowlers may re-enter as many times as they want in each event and cash as many times as they enter, but can cash only once in the guaranteed prize list.
VII. A bowler qualifies for the Tournament Series Finals by finishing in the regular prize list in any Tournament Series event. A bowler can qualify for the Finals once. If a bowler cashes more than once in the Series, then qualifying spots will be given to bowlers who have yet to qualify for the Finals based on order of finish in each event. If there is a tie for the last qualifying spot in a series event, then all bowlers tied for that spot will be allowed to bowl in the Tournament Series Finals.
VIII. A bowler must bowl in at least 5 Tournament Series events (Fall/Winter Tour and Spring/Summer Tour combined) in order to retain their spot in the Finals. If a bowler fails to satisfy this requirement, then that bowler will lose his or her spot in the Finals. Any spot forfeited because of this rule will not be replaced.
IX. All previous Tournament Series Finals Champions will receive an automatic spot in the Tournament Series Finals, provided they satisfy the requirement outlined in rule VIII.
X. Handicap for all events will be 80% based on 160 average limit.
XI. Total pinfall plus handicap determines order of finish.
XII. A point system will be utilized for individual bowlers. A bowler will receive 10 points for a win, 7 points for 2nd, and 5 points for 3rd. If additional places are paid, a bowler receives 3 points if paid $50.00 or more, 2 points if paid from $36.00 to $49.99, and 1 point if paid less than $36.00. Upon accumulation of 18 points, the bowler will use their 2012/2013 RI Tournament Series Average (minimum of 21 games) if it is higher than the original entrance average of that bowler. This point system runs from Fall 2012 through Summer 2013.
XIII. Questions not covered by the above rules will be governed by NDBC.