Northeast Amateur Tournament Rules and Regulations 2024

Below are Rules for our Handicap Singles & Doubles Events. ANY CHANGES Below will Read: 

NEW for 2024

• Participation:

Open to Sanctioned USBC bowling members.  Bowlers must be 18 Years Old with an Active USBC Membership to be allowed to Bowl. NO USBC youth and NO PBA National Touring players, or PBA Champions are allowed to bowl in any event. *PBA Regional* & *PBA Senior* Card holders may bowl in the N.A.T. Please have your current USBC sanction card with you at the time of registration.

• USBC Awards:

Honor Scores recognized by the USBC will be submitted for individual’s award. 

• Entering Averages & Handicap:

Current N.A.T. members shall use their tournament/running average. New members who are entering the tournament must use their current (“23-24”) highest ending sanctioned book average for a minimum of 21 games (or more) to enter. Bowlers with no current book average for (“23/24”), but have a ("22/23") book average with a minimum of 21 games may bowl with this average, however a standing sheet or league secretary documentation must be provided as proof for the average they are providing.  ((*This average is subject to re-rate when signing up*)).  Tournament Director has the right to re-rate any new bowler's average not being submitted from a current season. (Regular Season or i.e. (January - December ) Rule:  Bowlers with no current book average for (“23/24”) or no average from ("22/23"), but have 21 games bowled during the current season ("24/25") may bowl with this average, however a standing sheet or league secretary documentation must be provided as proof for the average they are providing. Bowlers with no sanctioned book average or have less than 15 games during the current season, must bowl scratch. Summer league Averages may be used by New members with a current standing sheet with a min of 15 Games bowled, however this average is subject to re-rate at ANYTIME during the tournament by the Tournament Director. ( i.e. - Head to Head Finals)*Any member who has NOT bowled in a N.A.T. event within ONE YEAR of the current event they are entering MUST enter the tournament with their most current highest sanctioned book average.**If a bowler does not have a current sanctioned book average from 2022-2023 or no current average this season for 15 games, they must enter the tournament SCRATCH and re-establish a NEW 21 Game tournament average.*It shall be each bowler’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of their submitted average. Failure to use the correct average constitutes disqualification of score if the submitted average is lower than the correct average thereby resulting in more handicap. All bowlers averages will be verified on bowl.com by the tournament. The tournament director reserves all rights to re-rate or reject any average that does not reflect the ability of the bowler.

• Sanctioned & Unsanctioned Sport/Modified/Challenge Condition League Average Rule:

New members who enter the N.A.T. with sanctioned sport, modified, or challenge pattern league averages OR bowl in leagues which are NOT sanctioned as sport, modified, or challenge pattern condition leagues WILL have their average adjusted based on the most current USBC average adjustment sheet.  NO EXCEPTIONS!

• Handicap:

The Northeast Amateur Tournament Handicap Percentage will be based on 80% of 230.Maximum Handicap per game for all bowlers will be 60 pins.   There is no average cap in the N.A.T., however bowlers entering with an average of 230 or higher, must bowl scratch and will receive no handicap.

• Qualifying:

All bowlers will bowl 4 games across 8 lanes. Foul lights will be observed at all times. Bowlers will skip a number of pairs after each game during qualifying.  

(If Available / Director Decision) Qualifying scores will be based on a 1 out of 5 entry ratio ONE Scratch Qualifier/Team is Guaranteed to make the cut on Each Squad. 

The "Scratch" Qualifier/Team is taken where the 1 out of 5 RATIO from Entries to Qualifiers Per Squad is maintained as the base for the tournament. IE.. 40 Entries would take the Top 7 Handicap Qualifiers First and then determine the 1 Scratch Qualifier.

Each squad will have its’ own separate squad cut. Bowlers not qualifying via the squad cuts will be combined into an At – Large pool, where remaining qualifiers for the tournament will determined IF FEASIBLE.  

Below is the N.A.T Grid to determine the total number of qualifiers based on entries for the tournament .Depending on the total entries for the tournament, byes could be given to higher seeded bowlers during the head to head finals.

*Tournaments with 25 Entries/Teams and less will have a Stepladder Finals Format. This will be Based on Entries for the Day. This Finals format will be used for BOTH Handicap Singles and Doubles Events* 

Tournaments with 26 – 47 Entries/Teams will take a Minimum of 6 and a Maximum of 8 Bowlers/Teams for the Head to Head Finals.   

**NOTE**  This will be a Director's Decision based on the Total Number of Entries for the Day. 

ENTRIES                                   QUALIFIERS                     BYES / FORMAT

25 and Less                                       B.O.E.                     Stepladder Finals

26 - 33                                                   6                              Qualifiers 1 & 2 in Round 1  

34 - 47                                                   8                              None

48 - 67                                                 12                             Qualifiers 1 - 4 in Round 1

68 - 94                                                 16                             None

95 - 134                                               24                            Qualifiers 1 - 8 in Round 1 

135 - 164                                             32                           None

165 - 204                                            40                           Qualifiers 1 - 4 in Round 1 & 2 

                                                                                                  Qualifiers 5 - 16 in Round 1 

• Tie Scores during Qualifying:

In the event of a tie for the last qualifying position a 2 frame (9th & 10th) roll-off shall be used to determine the final qualifying position. The bowler/team with the highest single scratch game during qualifying will have starting lane choice. Bowler/Team with the highest SCRATCH pin fall for the 2 frames will be determined the winner. Any bowler/team who is eliminated from the last qualifying position by a roll-off shall receive a free paid entry into a future Handicap Singles or Doubles tournament.  (DOUBLES - BOTH bowlers bowl the desired frames during the roll - off.)

• Head to Head Finals:

All Bowlers who qualify for the head to head finals must present for role call at Approx. 3:30 PM.  Any Bowlers/Teams not present by the conclusion of role call will LOSE THEIR SPOT into the Head to Head Finals and the NEXT QUALIFIER will receive the SPOT.  

** If an AT-Large Cut is Feasible, it is the Bowlers responsibility to remain at the center to see if he or she has made the cut.  Due to the number of people leaving and not waiting for full tournament results before the finals, N.A.T. staff feels it is fair to give the forfeited spot to the next present qualifier. ** 

No Free Entries will be given to those who lose a spot because they decided to leave. All head to head finals matches will be one game single elimination style. 

A bowler’s handicap for the head to head finals will be 1/4 of their total qualifying handicap. (DOUBLES - BOTH bowlers get 1/4 of their total qualifying handicap.)(*If a bowler had 40 pins during qualifying they would get 1/4 or 10 pins for each game bowled in the head to head finals.*)The highest seeded bowler/team will bowl the lowest seeded bowler/team in round 1 of the head to head finals. * IE..(Qualifier #1 vs. Qualifier #32)* The N.A.T. tournament bracket will be used to determine who bowls each other in all other rounds. Higher seeded bowler has choice as to who will start the match.  (DOUBLES - Team starts on Assigned Lane by Seed) All matches will begin on the left lane. (Handicap Singles Only) All head to head finals matches will be “pro – style”. (Handicap Singles Only.) TIES during Head to Head matches: If there is a tie at the end of any match, a 2 frame (9th & 10th) roll-off shall be used to determine who advances to the next round. Higher seed has choice of starting lane and decides who will begin the roll – off. Bowler/Team with the highest SCRATCH pin fall for the 2 frames will be the winner and advance to the next round. (DOUBLES - BOTH bowlers bowl the desired frames during the roll - off.)** 

Bowlers/Team are responsible to write their scores on their score cards. 

The WINNER of the match will return BOTH score cards to the Tournament Table/Office and receive their next lane assignment. 

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:  1 Game with 1/4 of bowlers TOTAL qualifying handicap to determine tournament Winner. (DOUBLES - BOTH bowlers get 1/4 of their total qualifying handicap.) 

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH TIES:  3 FRAME SCRATCH ROLL-OFF (8TH, 9TH, 10TH FRAMES).  HIGHER SEED WILL DECIDE WHO STARTS AND HAS CHOICE OF STARTING LANE.  BOWLER/TEAM WITH HIGHEST PINFALL AFTER 3 FRAMES WILL BE DETERMINED CHAMPION. 2ND TIE - 2 SCRATCH FRAMES, 3RD TIE - 1 SCRATCH FRAME WITH HIGHEST PINFALL UNTIL TIE IS BROKEN.  ** (DOUBLES - BOTH bowlers bowl the desired frames during the roll - off) ** 

No spectators are allowed in the bowler’s area during the head to head finals. Excessive celebrating should be kept at a minimum during the head to head finals. All head to head finals matches will begin at the same time from the center’s front desk via announcement. 

ANY BOWLER REFUSING TO FINISH ANY FINALS MATCH (UNLESS INJURY/MEDICAL) FOR ANY REASON WILL BE DISQUALIFIED AND SUSPENDED FROM THE N.A.T. BOWLERS MUST NOTIFY A TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR IF THEY CANNOT CONTINUE!!

• Dress Code:

The N.A.T. has no "official" dress code; however we ask that our members please wear a mock or collared shirt with or without their name on the back. Shorts are allowed. Please, NO Tank Tops or shirts with Printed Profanity.

• Entry Fees:  

All Entries for the N.A.T. are CASH ONLY. Regular Handicap Singles First Entry is $70.00 / Re-Entry is ALSO $70.00 

Regular Handicap Doubles First Entry is $140.00 / Re-Entry is $140.00 

Tournament Breakdown: (Linage Varies by House Rate) $14 - $16 for Qualifying Linage + Finals Linage + 1.00 Per Entry into the "DECEMBER 2024 YEAR END TOURNAMENTS" (Handicap Only)  

Administration Fee is $8.50 Per Bowler at Handicap S & D Events, $4.25 at Scratch S & D Events. 

First time entries have priorities over re-entries. Re-entries will be taken on a lane availability basis. The maximum number of bowlers on a pair will be held to 6 during any Singles tournament.

• Squad Times:     

The 1st squad will begin promptly at 10:00AM. The 2nd squad will begin promptly at 12:45 PM. Registration will close 10 minutes prior to the start time of each squad. 

Squad 1 – Registration will close at 9:45 AM

Squad 2 – registration will close at 12:30 PM

We ask that on arrival to the squad you are planning to bowl to please sign in as soon as possible.

• Side Pools & Brackets:   ( Updated August 2024 )

Optional Handicap Side pool is $10.00.  $2.50 per Game / High Individual Game w/ Handicap for Games 1, 2, 3, 4;  

**  The High Game  MAX  Score will be 300 with handicap.  Any Scratch Scores with Handicap that are over 300 for a particular game will be considered ties. **   

This will take effect September 2024 beginning at our Handicap Trios Event.

Side Pool will Pay 1st and 2nd Place Per Game ONLY with more than 24 Participants Entered.  Less than 24 Side Pool Entrants will only Pay 1st Place. 

Brackets: $5.00 scratch and handicap brackets will be offered during qualifying competition. Brackets will be available at the tournament registration table. 

We ask bowlers to sign – up for brackets during their tournament registration to avoid any confusion. 

• Cash Prizes:

Tournaments with a total of 80 Entries will pay a minimum of $750.00 for first place. Announcements will be made once any cash payments are ready for pick-up. 

Bowlers receiving cash prizes by way of side pools, eliminator, or finals must sign for their winnings. NO EXCEPTIONS 

• December 2024 Year End HANDICAP Tournaments

All Bowlers are welcome to Bowl the 2024 Year End Events .

• Tournament Average and Re-Rating:

1.) All bowlers will establish a 21 game tournament average. 2.) Once a 21 game tournament average is established, the bowler will have a running average for all future tournaments. 3.) Any New member who averages 10 or more pins higher than the entering average they have provided for their first 9 tournament games is subject to be re-rated before they establish a 21 game tournament average.  4.) Bowlers may be subject to be re-rated higher or lower depending on (A) tournament performance, (B) cashing in the Top 8 positions of any tournament, (C) failing to cash in 3 consecutive tournaments, or by (D) their 21 game tournament block. ALL tournament members will be re-evaluated after EVERY 21 game tournament block. This will be a routine evaluation by the tournament director.

21 Game Tournament Block: Re- rated 21 game tournament averages are based on taking the difference of a bowlers entering average and the bowlers 21 game tournament block average divided by 80%. A bowler’s average could also remain the same as their entering average after their first 21 game tournament block. *Since the tournaments handicap is based on 80%, we feel the above is impartial to all members.*

• Other Rules and Regulations:

USBC rules shall govern all aspects of tournament play, unless otherwise stated. Tournament Director will handle all disputes that may arise. DECISIONS OF THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS ARE FINAL. Tournament Director has the right to reject any entry or disqualify any bowler who engages in behavior that injures or destroys the reputation or standing of the tournament. Damaging any bowling centers equipment will not be tolerated and could lead to immediate disqualification. This includes excessive swearing, striking chairs, ball return covers, or scoring consoles.

• Severe Weather/Cancellation of Tournament:

The tournament directors have the right to cancel any tournament event due to weather circumstances beyond our control. On a weekend with inclement weather please visit www.natbowlsite.com or email tournament director Jay Mantere at jayDV8@mail.com or Jackie Van Buskirk at mrv813@aol.com for any tournament cancellation information.