2020-2021 BOWLING

3. BOWLING — BOYS AND GIRLS

A. GENERAL REGULATIONS
1) Interscholastic Participation
1.1) All high school bowling matches shall be played utilizing USBC rules which may be modified in accordance
with OHSAA Bylaws and Sports Regulations.
1.2) A minimum of two (2) regular games of tenpin regulation scoring followed by a minimum of two (2) Baker
games will constitute an official, regular season match. Total combined pins for all games bowled win the
match. Regular season matches (excluding tournaments) that bowl more than the minimum number of games
as described above require the permission of the participating schools.
1.21) In addition to regular season matches, teams may participate in tournaments that utilize an all-Baker
format, provided that a minimum of five (5) teams participate in each respective level/division and no
fewer than six (6) Baker games are bowled by each participating team. Boys teams and girls teams may
not participate against each other in regular season matches/tournaments without prior permission of
the OHSAA Executive Director’s Office. All contests count in the 24 contest season limitation.
Note: See Bowling Regulation B.7 for additional tournament information.
1.22) A school team/individual that exceeds the regular season participation limitation (maximum number
of contests permitted) or participates in a regular season contest(s) prior to the designated start date for
contests shall not be permitted to participate in the OHSAA tournament.
1.23) Competition is permitted between boys bowling teams and girls bowling teams on a case by case basis.
This competition is permitted only when the Executive Director’s Office issues a waiver prior to the
competition occurring. Such contests shall count toward the 24-contest season limitation.
Note: Bowling regulation 3.0 prohibits students from bowling as a member of a boys team and a girls
team during a season.
1.24) Any scheduled regular season contest which does not start shall be deemed a no-contest and shall not
count in the won-loss record or season limitation. Any contest that does start and is interrupted for
any reason beyond the control of the responsible parties, if resumed, shall be resumed from the point
of interruption. If the contest is interrupted and not resumed, and a winner cannot be determined, the
contest shall not count in the season limitation.
1.25) Tiebreakers
a. Team–ties for team match total pins and the advancement of teams in tournaments and/or the placement
of teams on brackets will be broken by a 9th and 10th frame roll-off between one player from each team
selected by each respective head coach. This roll-off, utilizing the same two players, will be repeated
until the tie is broken. For the initial tiebreaker, the winner of a coin toss will select their starting lane
and determine who bowls the 9th frame first. Bowlers will rotate lanes for the 10th (and any additional)
frame.
b. Individual–ties for advancement/awards in contests that provide for individual advancement/
awards will be broken based on the highest single game bowled in the series being used to determine
advancement/awards. Should this also result in a tie, there will be a 9th and 10th frame roll-off until
the tie is broken. For the initial tiebreaker, the winner of a coin toss will select their starting lane.
Bowlers will rotate lanes for the 10th (and any additional) frame.
c. Baker Game–no individual Baker Game shall end in a tie in head-to-head Baker game competition
that advances teams on brackets or tournaments. In such situations, the tie will be broken by a 9th and
10th frame roll-off between one player from each team selected by each respective head coach. This
roll-off, utilizing the same two players will be repeated until the tie is broken. Each team member will
bowl a 9th and 10th frame roll-off on the same lane in which the Baker game was bowled. The team
member shall continue to bowl on the same lane until the tie is broken. The winner of a coin toss shall
determine who bowls first.
1.3) A team will field five (5) players at a time in contests. A minimum of three (3) players must be present to
constitute a legal lineup. Absent and/or tardy bowlers will receive a score of zero (0) for any missed frames.
Missed frames cannot be made up. Any school that fails to field a legal lineup at the time the contest com-
mences shall not be permitted to participate in the contest.
Note: School teams are not permitted to practice against each other. School teams may practice in the same
facility at the same time, but member schools may not “combine” teams to practice simultaneously on the same
lanes. Such practice would be considered a “contest”.
Exception: The day prior to a school’s participation in the OHSAA state tournament series it is permissible for
individuals/teams to practice on the same lane at the tournament facility.
1.4) Lineups – A coach may change his/her team lineup (order of bowling) prior to the start of any game. Eligible SPORTS REGULATIONS94
BOWLING 2020-2021
Bowlers who arrive late may be added to the lineup.
1.41) Participation Limits–Players may be moved between varsity and non-varsity teams at the discretion
of the coach. The maximum number of matches in which a bowler may participate during the regular
season is 24. Bowling a frame or any part of a frame in any game shall constitute a match. No player
may compete on a school varsity and school non-varsity team simultaneously that day during a match.
The match in which the student first competes (non-varsity or varsity) must have concluded prior to the
student bowling in the next match (non-varsity or varsity).
1.5) Substitutions – A coach may substitute a player “at will” at any time before or during a game. Howev-er, once removed from the lineup, the removed player(s) may not re-enter play until the start of the next regular or Baker game. A player once removed is reclassified as a substitute bowler and may be used as a substitute bowler in any spot in the team lineup upon legal return to play (subsequent game). A coach substituting any player for any reason must notify the match scorekeeper and opposing coach at the time of the substitution. The partial game score produced by the removed player and substitute shall not be computed in the individual pin count of either player when determining advancement/awards in re-spect to matches/tournaments. Conferences may establish their own regulations to determine a student’s bowling average. Total pin count determines a team’s standing in regular season/tournament contests. Penalty: An illegal substitute shall be assessed a score of zero (0) for all frames, or part of a frame, bowled.
Note: Any frame, or part of a frame bowled, counts in the total number of contests bowled in the season lim-itation of 24 matches. See Bowling Regulation 1.24.
1.6) The home school coach shall serve as referee, enforcing all OHSAA regulations and appropriate USBC rules.
1.7) School Representative – No team or individual entry will be permitted to compete in a contest unless accompa-nied by a properly certified school coach or a person authorized by the Board of Education or similar governing body.
1.8) Uniforms- All participants must wear the same sleeved, bowling shirt which conforms to school/OHSAA regu-lations. At a minimum the shirt must have the name of the school, school nickname as identified in the OHSAA School Directory, school mascot logo, or school initials on the back. If only the school initial(s) is on the uniform, it must be prominently displayed. The name of the school or school nickname must be at least 1 inch in height. All participants must wear black pants/bottoms. No jeans or cotton sweat pants are permitted. If warmups are worn, they must be worn by the entire team and be identical in style. Girls are permitted to wear skirts and/or shorts provided the skirts/shorts are black and are no shorter than the end of the bowler’s index finger when standing. Girls uniforms may be mixed (e.g. pants, skirts and/or shorts).
Pants shall be worn at waist level and not sag or touch the floor. Cargo, yoga pants, jeggings, leggings, zebra/zubaz, and painter pants (i.e. pants with multiple side pockets down the leg) are not permitted. Headbands, if worn, must be a solid color and bear no markings, other than the school name, or official nickname, or mascot logo. Headbands do not need to be the same color for each team member. It is not necessary for each team mem-ber to wear a headband. Hair ribbons on girls are permitted. Hats are not permitted nor are bandanas of any type. Bowling Center logos are not permitted on any part of the uniform. Manufacturer’s logos (Nike, Adidas, etc.) are permitted on uniforms, not headbands. See General Sports Regulations regarding permissibility and size of manufacturer’s and other (patriotic/memorial) logos. The OHSAA does not require a uniform to have a number. Conferences may have their own requirements but may not conflict with OHSAA uniform requirements.
Note: Refer to the Coach’s Manual for additional information regarding headgear/headwraps.
1.9) Electronic Devices may be used for coaching and scoring purposes only during an OHSAA contest. OHSAA
Media Regulations require written consent prior to videotaping one’s opponents.

2) Non-Interscholastic Participation

A member of an interscholastic bowling squad (any student who has played in a regular season/tournament contest)
sponsored by the Board of Education or similar governing body shall not participate in a non-interscholastic (non-
school) contest or event during the school’s bowling season (Sports Regulation 7.2.2).
Note: Examples of non-interscholastic bowling contests include, but are not limited to, club or intramural bowling,
bowling facility championships, tournaments, leagues (adult and/or youth), charitable events and other events that
are organized for the purpose of competition or fundraising.
EXCEPTION: A student, who has participated for the school team this season, may participate in two non-in-
terscholastic contests/events as an individual participant provided the participation does not violate any
coach’s, school, or school district/system policy. Each contest/event shall have a clearly defined start and end
date, not to exceed one-week (7 days) for each respective contest/event. In addition, for the contest/event to be
considered a permissible event, all participation must be scheduled on consecutive days. A waiver from the
Executive Director’s Office is required PRIOR to a student’s participation in a non-interscholastic contest/
event once a student has participated for the school team. NO waiver will be granted for participation that
occurs on or after January 25, 2021. Any student who participates in a non-interscholastic contest/event on or
after the non-interscholastic date indicated below, without receiving an OHSAA approved waiver, shall not
be eligible for the OHSAA postseason bowling tournament. In addition to this denial of participation, other
penalties may be prescribed. This exception may not be used to grant school ‘teams’ additional contests, NOR
MAY IT BE USED TO PARTICPATE IN ANY LEAGUE.
2.1) The maximum consequence for violation of Bowling Regulation 2, and/or Sports Regulation 7.2.2, partic-SPORTS REGULATIONS95
2020-2021 BOWLING
ipation on a non-interscholastic bowling squad, or in a non-interscholastic bowling event; or any OHSAA
regulations for any member of the school squad EXCEPT a senior is ineligibility for the remainder of the
interscholastic bowling season or the ensuing season. For a senior, the maximum penalty shall be ineligibility
for the remainder of the school year.
2.2) Bowling Participants Who Have Not Participated For The School Team This Season – An individual who has
not participated as a representative of the school in a bowling contest during the current season must cease
non-interscholastic competition prior to the non-interscholastic date indicated below to be eligible for OHSAA
tournament competition in bowling. Thus, a student who wishes to join the school team “late” AND partic-
ipate in the OHSAA state tournament must join the school team and stop non-interscholastic participation
in bowling by the date indicated below. Once a member of the school team (the student has participated in
a school contest), the student is subject to bowling regulation 2. Any student who participates on or after the
non-interscholastic date without receiving an OHSAA approved waiver shall not be eligible to participate in
the OHSAA bowling tournament. In addition to this denial of participation, other penalties may be prescribed.
The non-interscholastic date is:
Date: January 18, 2021 No non-Interscholastic competition permitted on or after this date without an
approved waiver granted by the OHSAA Executive Director’s Office.
2.3) Interscholastic bowling coaches may coach athletes from the school where employed outside the interscholas-
tic season of the sport. No coach may require participation until the official start of the interscholastic season.

3) Sponsorship
NOTE: No student may bowl on both a boys team and a girls team during the same school season.
3.1) A school that sponsors girls bowling, with five or more girls participating, shall have a separate girls team in
order to enter the OHSAA-sponsored girls team tournament competition.
3.2) A school that sponsors girls bowling and has less than five girls participating may permit the girls to participate
as individuals with the boys team during the regular season, and the girls will be permitted to enter and com-
pete as individuals in the OHSAA-sponsored girls tournament provided the school is registered for the girls
tournament. There are no “co-ed” bowling teams. A girl who bowls on a boys team is a permanent member of
the boys team that season IF the school has a separate girls team that competes interscholastically for which
the student chose not to bowl. Girls on boys teams must continue to participate as a member of the boys team
during the regular season. Girls who participate as members of the boys team may only participate in the
OHSAA girls tournament if the school sponsors girls bowling, but was unable to field a girls team at any time
during the season. Any girl who has bowled with the boys team during the season may choose to continue to
participate with the boys team during the OHSAA tournament. No person may bowl in both the boys and girls
OHSAA tournament. No girl may go back and forth between a girls and a boys team during the regular season.
If a girl first bowls with a boys team and the school sponsored a girls team that has a separate girls schedule, the
girl(s) that bowls on the boys team shall be a permanent member of the boys team for that season and shall be
excluded from the girls state tournament. Note: No student may bowl on both a boys and girls team during
the same school regular season. No boy may bowl on a girls team. A boys team that has less than five (5)
bowlers shall permit members of the boys team to participate in the OHSAA boys tournament as individuals.
No student may bowl in both the boys and the girls OHSAA tournament.
3.3) A school that sponsors boys and girls bowling and has separate teams shall schedule separate contests, but both
may be held at the same time. A school representative must be present during all contests.
3.4) A school that does not sponsor girls bowling and has indicated it will not enter the girl’s postseason tournament,
but has one or more girls participating may permit the girls to participate on the boys team, but they must enter
the OHSAA-sponsored boys tournament competition.

4) Penalties
4.1) A school team/individual that exceeds the regular season participation limitation (maximum number of contests
permitted) shall not be permitted to participate in the OHSAA tournament. A school team/individual that par-
ticipates in a regular season contest(s) prior to the designated start date for contests shall not be permitted to
participate in the OHSAA tournament.
The maximum penalty for any individual, EXCEPT a senior, who violates the non-interscholastic rule by par-
ticipating in a non-school bowling contest(s) or event while a member of the school team (without an approved
waiver) may be ineligibility for the remainder of the interscholastic bowling season or the ensuing season. For a
senior, the maximum penalty may be ineligibility for the remainder of the school year. An individual who bowls
on or after the non-interscholastic date on a non-school team or in a non-school event, including a fundraiser,
shall be ineligible for the OHSAA tournament, if the participation is not approved through the waiver process.
The non-interscholastic date and the last date for which a waiver may be granted are not the same date.
The non-interscholastic date is January 18, 2021.
A school team/individual that violates the out of state travel restriction (Bylaw 9-2-1) shall also be removed
from the OHSAA postseason tournament.

5) Transfer BylawSPORTS REGULATIONS96
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While all questions regarding the transfer bylaw should be addressed to the appropriate school administrator, in-
formation regarding the transfer bylaw can be found on the OHSAA website at this link, http://www.ohsaa.org/
Eligibility/Transfer. Note that students who transfer and do not meet an exception to the transfer bylaw, and who par-
ticipated in high school bowling within 12 months of the transfer date, are ineligible for all regular season contests,
scrimmages, and the OHSAA postseason tournament beginning with varsity regular season contest #13.

6) Other Bylaws and Regulations
For additional information regarding uniforms, use of foreign substances, altering the ball surface, out of state travel,
spectators, and the OHSAA ejection policy, etc. please refer to the OHSAA Bowling Coaches Manual located on
the Bowling Page on the OHSAA website, www.ohsaa.org/Portals/0/Sports/Bowling/BowlingCoachesManual.pdf.
The Bowling Coaches Manual includes more complete and detailed rules information, including information about
upcoming USBC changes regarding the elimination of balance holes in bowling balls and the use of towels as
cleaning agents.
In addition, information regarding the ejection policy for coaches and players can be found in Sections 13 and 14 of
the OHSAA General Sports Regulations, which are in the OHSAA Handbook and posted at OHSAA.org.
B. SPECIFIC REGULATIONS — GRADES 9-12