Visit www.Bowl.com for Youth Eligibility, ALL USBC SMART Scholarship Rules, Info, and Updates to Rules.
Alos, see the email I sent below regarding Non-Singles Competition like Baker Doubles or Team Events.
Alos, see the email I sent below regarding Non-Singles Competition like Baker Doubles or Team Events.
| rule__400.pdf |
| youth-usbc-singles-competition-prize-waiver-rule_400 6-24-09.pdf |
| SMART2013manual.pdf |
UPDATE: 2020
Since USBC updated the age requirements for youth memberships, Rule 400 does not apply to those 18+ with an Adult USBC Membership. If you are 18+ with an adult membership and still would like your winnings turned into SMART Scholarship, we will do that. Please consult your College or High school bowling coaches or administration for rules and regulations so you do not jeopardize your status by accepting cash winnings.
EXAMPLE: Youth membership, 17 & under as of Aug. 1, can only bowl singles competition events with adults if adults have cash winnings. Youths may bowl team events with adults only if adults do not have a prize fund and all prize money is scholarship for youths only.
Since USBC updated the age requirements for youth memberships, Rule 400 does not apply to those 18+ with an Adult USBC Membership. If you are 18+ with an adult membership and still would like your winnings turned into SMART Scholarship, we will do that. Please consult your College or High school bowling coaches or administration for rules and regulations so you do not jeopardize your status by accepting cash winnings.
EXAMPLE: Youth membership, 17 & under as of Aug. 1, can only bowl singles competition events with adults if adults have cash winnings. Youths may bowl team events with adults only if adults do not have a prize fund and all prize money is scholarship for youths only.
AN EMAIL I RECEIVED FROM USBC 10/15/2012:
Dear Shaun,
This is in reference to your e-mail of October 15, 2012. I will answer your questions in the order that you asked them.
· Can a doubles team be 1 youth and 1 adult as long as the prize money is split into scholarship for the youth and cash for the adult?
Answer: No
· Can the Youth/Adult team bowl if the adult forfeits the cash prize and all goes to youth as scholarship?
Answer: This would be ok provided none of the adults receive cash. Only scholarship prizes or prizes that comply with USBC Rule 400.
· Can the youth compete with the adults and choose to waive claim to all prize money?
Answer: No, not in doubles or team competition.
· Could youths enter as long as the team is made up of 2 youth bowlers and can they compete against other teams comprised of only youth or only adult teams with youths earning scholarship money?
Answer: Youth cannot compete if the any teams receive cash prizes.
· If youth only teams can compete, can youth teams compete for separate prize fund made up of only youth entry fees? and can they compete against adults? or do they have to have their own division competing against youths only?
Answer: Youth would have to have their own division. They can share the lanes, but they must have their own separate and distinct division.
As a point of information, USBC Youth members cannot bowl or pace in any team or doubles bowling activity where money is awarded even if they do not cash or refuse the prize. This includes certified and uncertified competition.
Youth may bowl in singles competitions (including side competitions/brackets) offering such prizes, provided, prior to bowling:
1. The competition agrees to award the youth’s prize in the form of a scholarship; or
2. The youth signs a form waiving his/her rights to any prize in violation of this rule.
USBC Rule 400 (Youth Membership Eligibility) states,
“A. Except as provided in Item B, a youth may not bowl or substitute in any bowling activity which offers any of the following as prizes:
1. Cash or bonds.
2. Merchandise exceeding $500 in value.
B. Youth may bowl in singles competitions (including side competitions/brackets) offering such prizes, provided, prior to bowling:
1. The competition agrees to award the youth’s prize in the form of a scholarship; or
2. The youth signs a form waiving his/her rights to any prize in violation of this rule.
Buying or selling of earned prizes is prohibited.
Any youth bowler deemed in violation of this rule is subject to disciplinary action including the potential loss of youth membership.
NOTE: There are no limits on scholarship amounts or entry fees (must be paid directly to the tournament director/manager) and reimbursement of actual travel expenses into the next higher level of competition or any tournament or event. (Receipts must be provided upon request.)
The prizes authorized by a state high school athletic association or a collegiate athletic association recognized by USBC and USBC Collegiate are not subject to the limitations of this rule.”
So, the bottom line is that USBC Youth bowlers cannot bowl or pace in any league or, tournament that violates the requirements of USBC Rule 400.
If you have questions regarding this information, please feel free to contact me.
John Budnik
Rules Counselor
(o) (817) 385-8391 | (f) (817) 385 -8260
[email protected]
United States Bowling Congress
621 Six Flags Drive, Arlington TX 76011
(800) 514-BOWL | BOWL.COM
Dear Shaun,
This is in reference to your e-mail of October 15, 2012. I will answer your questions in the order that you asked them.
· Can a doubles team be 1 youth and 1 adult as long as the prize money is split into scholarship for the youth and cash for the adult?
Answer: No
· Can the Youth/Adult team bowl if the adult forfeits the cash prize and all goes to youth as scholarship?
Answer: This would be ok provided none of the adults receive cash. Only scholarship prizes or prizes that comply with USBC Rule 400.
· Can the youth compete with the adults and choose to waive claim to all prize money?
Answer: No, not in doubles or team competition.
· Could youths enter as long as the team is made up of 2 youth bowlers and can they compete against other teams comprised of only youth or only adult teams with youths earning scholarship money?
Answer: Youth cannot compete if the any teams receive cash prizes.
· If youth only teams can compete, can youth teams compete for separate prize fund made up of only youth entry fees? and can they compete against adults? or do they have to have their own division competing against youths only?
Answer: Youth would have to have their own division. They can share the lanes, but they must have their own separate and distinct division.
As a point of information, USBC Youth members cannot bowl or pace in any team or doubles bowling activity where money is awarded even if they do not cash or refuse the prize. This includes certified and uncertified competition.
Youth may bowl in singles competitions (including side competitions/brackets) offering such prizes, provided, prior to bowling:
1. The competition agrees to award the youth’s prize in the form of a scholarship; or
2. The youth signs a form waiving his/her rights to any prize in violation of this rule.
USBC Rule 400 (Youth Membership Eligibility) states,
“A. Except as provided in Item B, a youth may not bowl or substitute in any bowling activity which offers any of the following as prizes:
1. Cash or bonds.
2. Merchandise exceeding $500 in value.
B. Youth may bowl in singles competitions (including side competitions/brackets) offering such prizes, provided, prior to bowling:
1. The competition agrees to award the youth’s prize in the form of a scholarship; or
2. The youth signs a form waiving his/her rights to any prize in violation of this rule.
Buying or selling of earned prizes is prohibited.
Any youth bowler deemed in violation of this rule is subject to disciplinary action including the potential loss of youth membership.
NOTE: There are no limits on scholarship amounts or entry fees (must be paid directly to the tournament director/manager) and reimbursement of actual travel expenses into the next higher level of competition or any tournament or event. (Receipts must be provided upon request.)
The prizes authorized by a state high school athletic association or a collegiate athletic association recognized by USBC and USBC Collegiate are not subject to the limitations of this rule.”
So, the bottom line is that USBC Youth bowlers cannot bowl or pace in any league or, tournament that violates the requirements of USBC Rule 400.
If you have questions regarding this information, please feel free to contact me.
John Budnik
Rules Counselor
(o) (817) 385-8391 | (f) (817) 385 -8260
[email protected]
United States Bowling Congress
621 Six Flags Drive, Arlington TX 76011
(800) 514-BOWL | BOWL.COM
