49 USBC
112/2 If a rostered bowler is absent the first night of bowling, is an absentee or vacancy score used?
An absentee score is used unless otherwise provided by league rules or past precedent established in the league.
If there is a question as to whether the absent individual is a member of the team’s roster, the league board of
directors decides the matter.
112/3 If two members are absent and only one substitute is obtained, which absentee score is used?
According to Rule 104h, Item c, the team captain is responsible for the eligibility of the team and determines
whom the substitute will replace. First, the captain determines whom the substitute will replace and then the
absentee score is determined.
When the team has a limited roster, the process is easy. The captain selects the player the substitute replaces,
and the absentee score of the other player is used.
When a team has additional players on its roster, the captain decides whom the substitute is placing. Whoever
the substitute is replacing, the absentee score for that absent member cannot be used. According to Rule 112,
Item e(2), the absentee score of the player with the most games is used for the other player. If two absentee
scores are needed after the substitute is in place, the absentee score of the absentee with the next highest
number of games is used and when two absent members have the same number of games, the lower absentee
score is used. (See CAQ 108d/1 for cap information.)
112/4 Can a substitute's absentee score be used?
No. When a substitute completed frames and withdrew from play or did not bowl all games in a series, the
absentee score for the remaining frames (see Rule 116)/games must be based on the average of the absent
bowler. If there are additional players on the roster, see Rule 112, Item e(2).
112/5 If a member resigns from the league and the spot is not filled within two weeks (fees were paid, but
there is no substitute), what score should be used... absentee or vacancy?
The absentee score should be used. In the situation described, the member resigned, but was not replaced
immediately. Therefore, the player is still a member for those two weeks. Once the two weeks expire and a
replacement has not been obtained, the vacancy score provided for in the league rules is used.
112/6 Can a league adopt a rule stating there will be no handicap given for a vacancy score?
Yes, the league can adopt a rule restricting handicap for a vacancy score. While USBC recommends that the
vacancy score receive the same handicap percentage the league utilizes for its regular members, Rule 112, Item b
allows the league by rule to determine the percentage of handicap the vacancy score will receive.
112/7 When it is discovered players were not eligible to bowl, can their scores be replaced by an absentee score?
No, Rule 112, Item b states, under no circumstances may an absentee or vacancy score replace scores bowled
by an ineligible player. According to Rule 103b, the league board is authorized to rule on protested games and
declare them forfeited or null and void. When an ineligible player is used, games are generally forfeited. However,
the board has the authority to declare the games null and void and have them rebowled. If a complaint or protest
is not filed in accordance with Rule 120, the games would stand as bowled.
112/8 We have a six-man roster with five bowling every week. Our sixth man only bowls when needed and
does not pay the weekly fees. One of our regular five members resigned; can we use a vacancy score
until we fill that spot?
No, since the sixth man is considered a regular member of the team and not a substitute the team has a full
complement of players and cannot use a vacancy score. If he/she cannot attend, then his/her absentee score
would be used and, since the team has five regular bowlers, the team would be required to pay league fees for
five. A vacancy score cannot be used unless the team has four or less players on the team roster.
Rule 113 – League Game/Series
113a. Series - How Bowled
Two lanes immediately adjoining each other shall be used in each game of league play. The first game of a series shall
start on the lane where the team is scheduled with each succeeding game starting on the lane where the team finished its
previous game. At the option of the league, each game or frame may be bowled on a dierent pair of lanes.
113b. Order of Bowling
Unless the league rules allow each game or frame to be bowled on a dierent pair of lanes, members of competing teams
shall successively, and in regular order, bowl one frame on one lane, and for the next frame alternate and use the other
lane until five frames are bowled on each lane of the pair.
1. No changes can be made in the order of players after the start of a game.
2. When a team bowls against another team or alone, the next frame may be started prior to completion of the previous
frame, unless the league rules state otherwise.