Tournament Rules

1) Eligibility:

The 2025 Burgh Area Rainbow Bowling Invitational (BARBI) will be held on Saturday, March 29, in accordance with the schedule of events to be published. BARBI 2025 is an invitational tournament, and the tournament’s governing body reserves the right to deny entry to any individual for any reason. All USBC rules apply except as noted below:

• a. A maximum of 144 bowlers will be accommodated.

• b. All participants must be current members of USBC and provide proof of membership in both the tournament application and at registration.

  • Participants must hold a current-season USBC membership card.

  • Non-USBC bowlers may qualify for entry by purchasing an associate membership at www.bowl.com or paying a $5 USBC participation fee (USBC Rule 300c). Bowlers paying this fee forfeit eligibility for USBC special awards and recognitions.

• c. Any person whose IGBO membership has been denied for the current season will not be allowed to participate.

 

2) Tournament Entries:

• a. Doubles and Team entry applications will be accepted. Every effort will be made to complete partial team entries.

• b. Teams consist of four (4) bowlers, and Doubles partnerships may be any combination of bowlers. Each Doubles pair must bowl on the same team.

• c. All bowling will occur on Saturday, March 29, 2025:

  • Team/Doubles events

  • Singles: Best 3 of 6 games from Team and Doubles events

• d. Priority is given to registered and paid applications (teams and individuals).

• e. Final entry decisions rest with the tournament committee.

 

3) Tournament Events:

• a. BARBI includes two bowled handicap events: Doubles and Team. Singles results will be determined by the best 3 scores out of 6 games bowled during the Doubles and Team events.

• b. Optional events include:

  • Individual Scratch: Compete for the highest scores in each division (no handicap applied).

  • Dark Horse Doubles: Get randomly paired with a partner for a doubles event.

  • Senior Optional: A special event exclusively for bowlers aged 50 and older.

  • Mystery Score: After each game, a random score will be drawn (minimum score 100). If your score matches, you win!

  • 9-Pin No-Tap: Happening on Friday, March 28—knock down nine pins on your first throw, and it counts as a strike!

• c. Bowlers must register for optional events before their first scheduled event.

 

4) Averages and Handicap:

• a. Handicap is 90% of the difference between the bowler’s entering average and 230. No negative handicap applies for averages over 230.

• b. Averages are based on sanctioned league records. Acceptable averages require a minimum of 21 games.

• c. Average hierarchy:

  1. 2023-24 USBC composite book average (minimum 21 games).

  2. 2022-23 USBC composite book average (minimum 21 games).

  3. IGBO Tournament Average (TAD) as of January 1, 2025 (minimum 18 games).

  4. 2024-25 league average (minimum 15 games).

  5. Default average of 230 if none of the above exists.

• d. If a bowler’s IGBO tournament average for the 12 months immediately preceding January 1, 2025, is at least ten (10) pins higher than any of the averages established in rule 4c, and the number of games represented by that average is at least 18, the IGBO tournament average will be used. (USBC Rule 319e).

• e. Averages from “Sport” or “Challenge” leagues must be adjusted using the USBC Average Conversion Charts (USBC site).

• f. Each bowler must submit verification of their highest average with their application.

• g. Failure to use the proper average will disqualify scores if the submitted average is lower than the actual average.

• h. Bowlers must report results from all tournament play (USBC Rule 319e).

• i. Bowlers must report scores and winnings for any tournament where they earned $500 (USD) or more during the 12 months preceding BARBI (USBC Rule 319d). Failure to do so results in disqualification.

• j. Bowlers are required to verify all average information during registration.

 

5) Average Adjustments:

The Committee may adjust a bowler’s entering average before the tournament begins. If the assigned average is not acceptable to the bowler, the entry fee will be refunded.

 

6) Check-in and Substitutes:

• a. Check-in must be completed at least THIRTY (30) minutes prior to the start of the bowler’s first event.

• b. Bowlers must be present at their assigned lanes at the scheduled time. Late bowlers may begin bowling in the current frame, provided the third frame has not been completed. All missed frames will be scored as zero (0).

• c. All team members must check in at least THIRTY (30) minutes before their scheduled shift.

• d. Substitutes are permitted only if a bowler is unable to bowl. Substitutions must be approved at least THIRTY (30) minutes before the first event in which the bowler is scheduled to participate.

• e. In the case of injury, USBC Rule 108b applies, with substitute approval by the Committee.

• f. Bowlers will be given ten (10) minutes of practice at the start of each event. Late bowlers will not receive practice time.

 

7) Errors and Disputes of Scored Games:

All claims of errors or disputes must be submitted in writing to the tournament director within one (1) hour of occurrence.

 

8) Payouts:

• a. Each event (Singles, Doubles, and Team) has its own prize list.

• b. 100% of the prize fees will be returned (see Entry Fee Breakdown).

• c. Optional events return 100% of the prize funds collected (excluding Bowler Insurance).

• d. Payout ratio will be no less than 1:8.

• e. Pending an audit, prizes will be paid within 30 days after the tournament’s conclusion, unless delayed by a pending protest.

 

9) Optional Events:

• a. Optional Scratch (“Scratch” scores only): $20 additional fee. Prizes awarded for:

  1. Highest single scratch game

  2. Highest scratch three-game series
     Divisions:

  • Division A: 0 – 145

  • Division B: 146 – 165

  • Division C: 166 – 185

  • Division D: 186 – 205

  • Division E: 206+

• b. Senior Optional Handicap (50+ only): $20 additional fee. Prizes for all-events, high series, and high games based on optional Scratch divisions.

 

10) Tournament Decisions:

The Committee’s decisions are final unless appealed under USBC Rule 329.

 

11) Applications:

• a. Only complete applications are accepted. Entries must include:

  1. Completed application (individual, doubles pair, and team entries accepted).

  2. Average verification, including league average sheet, league secretary contact, and USBC sanction number.

• b.  Online applications close March 15, 2025. Payments are due by March 28, 2025

• c.   Late entries (after March 15, 2025) will be accepted at the Committee’s discretion.

Entry Fee Breakdown:

• Lineage: $15

• Prize Fund: $50

• Trophies/Awards: $12

• Administration: $8
  Total: $85
   

12) USBC Rules of Note:

• USBC Rule 18: No altering ball surfaces during competition (e.g., abrasives, liquids, foreign materials).

• USBC Rule 12: Approaches must not be defaced. No foreign substances or improper shoes allowed.

• USBC Chapter 8 Item 7: Gripping holes must be used on every delivery; no balance holes permitted.