YBT Tournament Rules
24 Aug 2008

2008-2009 Tournament Rules

1.      YBT:  The 2008-2009 Youth Bowler’s Tour will be comprised of 16 separate tournaments.   Youth bowlers may choose to compete in any or all of the events.  Visit the YBT website at   www.ybtbowling.com  for additional information.

2.      Divisions:  There will be 3 separate divisions.  Classic, Scratch and Handicap.  All bowlers should familiarize themselves with the YBT Entering Average Rule.

o        Classic Division - This division is open to any bowler, but all bowlers who average 200 and over will be required to compete in this division.

o        Scratch Division - This division is open to any bowler whose entering average is 199 and under, but all bowlers who average between 180 and 199 will be required to compete in this division.  When a bowler’s YBT average of 8 games or more exceeds a 199 average, the bowler will go minus pins per game at 100% of the difference between the YBT average and 199. 

o        Handicap Division – This division is only open to any bowler who averages 179 and below.  See Handicap Rule.

3.      Division Adjustments:  At the end of each quarter bowlers will be adjusted into the appropriate division based on their current season’s YBT average of 8 games or more.  A bowler may never be adjusted into a division lower than where their entering average would place them.  A bowler may be adjusted into a higher division and then back down into a lower division in a following quarter.

4.      Eligibility:  The YBT tournaments are open to all junior bowlers (under the age of 21 as of August 1, 2008) who have never bowled in any competition where cash or merchandise is offered as a prize.  If you are not a USBC Youth Certified bowler you must pay a $2.00 tournament participation fee per event.

5.      Handicap will be based on 80% of the difference in the entering average and 200, with a maximum handicap of 65 pins per game.

6.      Tournament Format:  Bowlers will bowl four games across eight lanes in the qualifying round.  The top 16 bowlers in each division will advance to single elimination matches.  Each bowler in the match will bowl 2 games and total pins will determine the winner.

7.      Check-in and Practice:  Check-in begins at 8:15.  All bowlers should be checked-in by 8:45.  All bowlers will draw for starting lane.  Announcements will start at 9:00 am sharp.  There will be 10 minutes of practice following the announcements.

8.      Membership:  The YBT Membership Fee is $50 for the 2008-2009 (September through July) season.  You can pay this fee in your first event or you can just pay the non-member entry fee in your first two events.  Each member will receive 50 raffle tickets.  The members may sell the tickets and keep the money to cover their actual membership expense.  The raffle tickets are turned in and prizes are given away at the last tournament.  All monies are placed into the Scholarship Fund.

9.      Entry Fee:  The entry fee will be $25.00 per tournament for Youth Bowlers' Tour (YBT) members and $50.00 per tournament for non-YBT members.  No entry fee will be refunded after practice begins. 

10.   Recruiting Award:  Any bowler who brings a 1st time ever YBT bowler will earn a $5 discount on that tournament’s entry fee.

11.   Awards - Plaques will be awarded to the champion of each division.  Scholarship dollars will be awarded in each division according to the number of entries.  With 32 or more entries, 8 places will be awarded.  With less then 32 entries, 4 places will be awarded.  The awards will be as follows:  1^st  -  $100,   2^nd  -  $65,   3^rd & 4^th  -  $35,   5^th through 8^th  -  $25.   Each quarter awards will be determined based on total entries for the year within each division.  For every 60 entries a spot will be awarded in each quarter.  All scholarships will be forwarded to USBC and administered by the SMART Program.

12.   Remaining Rules:  All rules not specifically covered will be governed by the rules of the USBC and the judgment of the tournament directors, who reserve all rights regarding the operation of the tournament.

13.   YBT Entering Average:  A bowler’s entering average will be the highest of the following averages:  (1) the YABA 2007-2008 highest season average, (2) the highest current season’s USBC sanctioned average of 12 games or more, or (3) last seasons YBT average if 12 games or more were bowled.  USBC / YABA sanctioned averages include youth house leagues or travel leagues.  The YBT will not use the High School Varsity leagues averages.  Those who have never previously bowled in the YBT will be required to present written confirmation of their highest USBC / YABA sanctioned averages (both current and last season).  Each bowler will be responsible for verifying his or her average.  Bowlers not complying with this rule may be subject to disqualification.

14.   YBT Average Rule:  Handicap will be based on the bowlers entering average (rule 12) until 8 or more games have been bowled in this season’s YBT, then this season’s YBT average will be used.  The YBT average rule is designed to keep all bowlers as competitive as possible.  Tournament Directors have the right to do any re-rating. 

15.   YBT Point System:  The YBT point standings will be used to determine quarterly scholarship awards.  YBT Points will be earned as follows: 

o        10 points earned for bowling in the tournament

o        10 – 25 points determined on qualifying position (1^st – 25 points, 2^nd – 24 points, … , 15^th – 11 points, 16^th – 10 points).  Where qualifying ties exist, the points will be added together and split evenly.

o        10 points earned for each match won

16.   Dress Code:  The following dress code is preferred during YBT tournament competition: Collared shirts, long pants (dress or like-new blue jeans), dress shorts and skirts.  The following is not allowed during YBT tournament competition: Hats, t-shirts, short shorts, mini-skirts, cut off blue jean shorts, tank tops, clothing that is dirty nor has holes in them, or shirts not covering the belly button.  Violations will be determined at the tournament director(s) discretion.  On the first dress code violation a bowler will be warned.  On the second dress code violation the bowler will not be allowed to bowl.  This dress code will be strictly enforced.

17.   Junior Gold Qualifiers:  Are only open to bowlers who have competed in at least half of the YBT events up to and including the event you are about to bowl.