CHIT 2008 PLAYING RULES
CERTIFICATION
1. The CHIT 2008 tournament is a United States Bowling Congress (USBC) certified tournament, and is a mixed handicap competition open to men and women. CHIT 2008 is an invitation only event, and the CHIT Executive Committee reserves the right to refuse any application.
2. All participants must be members of USBC, and be able to provide proof of their membership (current sanction card or signed statement from the league secretary verifying membership). If any participant is not a member, s/he must complete a membership form, purchase a USBC associate membership ($21.00), and become concurrently subject to the USBC rules and jurisdiction for the tournament.
3. Full team entries must include at least two bowlers who are members of the Capital Area Rainbowlers Association (CARA) or the International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO).
EVENT PARTICIPATION
4. The tournament events shall be handicap events and are as follows: Singles, Doubles and Team.
5. Each participant shall bowl three (3) games per event and must enter all three events. Teams will consist of five (5) members comprising any combination of men and women. Men and women will compete on an equal basis.
6. Each participant may bowl only once per event.
OPTIONAL SCRATCH COMPETITION
7. Optional Scratch Competition will be offered to all participants using five (5) divisions as determined by entering average (see Rule 17). An additional fee is required.
8. The Optional Scratch divisions shall be as follows:
- Division A: Averages 134 and below
- Division B: Averages 135 to 154
- Division C: Averages 155 to 174
- Division D: Averages 175 to 194
- Division E: Averages 195 and above
9. Scores used for the Optional Scratch Competition shall be those games (without handicap) as bowled in the handicap events of the tournament.
AWARDS AND PRIZES
10. All cash awards shall be based on the total pins plus assigned handicap for each event (with exception of the Optional Scratch events).
11. Awards will be given, in the handicap division, for the best singles, doubles, team, and individual all events. Individual all events is defined as the nine game total plus handicap of an individual bowler.
12. The award ratio for the singles, doubles, team and all events handicap events shall be a minimum of 1:10.
13. 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 total).
14. The award ratio for the Optional Scratch divisions shall be at a minimum of at least 1:20 per division.
15. Prizes will be distributed via check payable in U.S. currency within thirty (30) days of the completion of the tournament, barring any protest. 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 place.
16. 100% of the prize fund from each division in the Optional Scratch divisions shall be returned to that division.
ENTERING AVERAGES
17. Any bowler entering CHIT 2008 must establish a ten-pin average acceptable to USBC. The following rules shall be used to determine the entering average:
a. Use highest 2007-08 season final average, minimum 21 games. If competing in more than one league, the bowler must submit the highest average of all leagues bowled.
b. If the above is not available, use the highest 2008 summer league final average, minimum 21 games, providing the summer league meets USBC criteria.
c. If none of the above is available, use the highest current average as of October 20, 2008, minimum of 21 games.
d. If none of the above is available, use the highest 2006-07 season final average, minimum 21 games.
e. If none of the above is available, entering average shall be 225.
The above averages must be verified by the use of:
i. League standing sheet, signed and dated by a league officer, or
ii. Letter from league president or secretary, or
iii. Photocopy of book average, (with year noted) signed and dated by officer.
18. The handicap for the tournament shall be 90% of the difference between the bowler’s entering average (as determined above) and 225. Negative handicaps shall not apply.
19. As of the beginning date of CHIT 2008, any bowler who has a 21-game tournament average during the period of September 8, 2007 through September 7, 2008 must report all tournament scores during that period to the Tournament Director no later than the time of registration for possible re-rating. Such re-rating must be done before the entrant bowls (USBC rules). Failure to report this information shall result in automatic disqualification and loss of winnings.
20. Bowlers whose tournament average (21 games or more) is higher than their entering average will be re-rated to their tournament average.
21. USBC Rule 319a.2, regarding the 10-pin increase in average from 2007-2008 season, and Rule 319d. regarding reporting of prize winnings shall not apply.
22. The Tournament Director(s) has the authority to adjust the entering average of any bowler. Average adjustments will be applied as set forth under USBC rules. All average adjustments will be completed prior to the start of the tournament. A bowler unwilling to accept an average adjustment is entitled to a full refund of their entry fee, within 30 days.
23. USBC rules regarding the bowler’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of his/her entering average, whether submitted by the bowler, the team captain, or other, applies to all bowlers. If the submitted average is lower than required and results in a lower classification or more handicap, the bowler’s score is disqualified. If the submitted average is higher than required, prize winnings will be based on the submitted average.
ATTENDANCE AND SUBSTITUTES
24. It is the bowler’s responsibility to be present at the assigned lanes at the time of bowling. Mechanical failures, transportation irregularities, improper directions and related reasons do not alter the application of rules 25 and 26 below. (USBC rules will apply)
25. 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 27). If no substitute is available, a zero score will be used for the missing bowler(s).
26. 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 for late bowlers.
27. Substitutes may bowl at the discretion of the Tournament Director(s). Their entering averages must comply with Rules 17 and 22. Substitutes must complete a substitute entry form. USBC fees must be paid if applicable.
28. Participants will be allowed to practice ten (10) minutes prior to each event.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
29. All entries and corresponding payments must be received by October 19, 2008. The entry fee is payable in U.S. funds by money order, certified check, or electronically thru PayPal (if applying online) and made payable to CHIT 2008. Applications may be accepted after October 1 if space permits and will be accepted on first received, first accommodated basis. All entries must be either submitted online or mailed to the CHIT 2008 address:
CHIT 2008, P.O. Box 7612, Arlington, VA 22207.
Entries shall be limited to a maximum of 180 bowlers. Acceptance of entries will be based on the order in which received. Once an entry has been accepted, no refunds will be issued, except as stated above in Rule 22.
30. Partial team entries will be accepted and the Director(s) will make every effort to fill vacancies.
PROTESTS
31. Any claims of errors or disputes must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Director or his appointed representative(s) before the tournament prize payments are made. The protesting bowler(s) or team and the Director shall settle the dispute according to CHIT 2008 and USBC tournament rules.
OTHER
32. All other USBC rules will apply.
33. Any person attending and having special needs must notify the Tournament Director in writing, by October 7, 2008.
34. Bowlers must provide their own transportation to all CHIT 2008 events.
Should you have any questions, please contact:
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