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USBC SETS NEW SPECIFICATIONS FOR BOWLING BALLS ARLINGTON, Texas

Following three years of research on how technology has affected the sport of bowling, the United States Bowling Congress Equipment and Specifications Committee has established new specifications designed to sustain the playing field both currently and in the future.

The new specifications, which will be implemented over the course of the next two seasons, were announced at the USBC Convention in Reno, Nevada.

“Technology impacts every sport, but it is our role as the National Governing Body to ensure the skill of the competitors on the lanes remains the deciding factor,” said Andrew Cain, chair of the USBC Equipment and Specifications Committee. “The research presented revealed the impact technology has made on the sport’s playing environment and the committee determined there was a need to enact these specifications.”

A new specification has been established for the oil absorption rate of bowling ball coverstocks, the first time such a specification has been set, and a specification to eliminate balance holes while increasing static weight allowances also has been approved.

In addition, new rules will be put into place to allow only a dry towel to be used to clean bowling balls during competition and to keep bowlers from changing the static weight (i.e. drilling grip holes deeper) of bowling balls during competition.

“The diligent work of the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications team spurred discussions in several areas and the committee made decisions that are needed to protect our sport’s future,” USBC President Frank Wilkinson said. “Technology will continue to push the boundaries and we will continue to analyze every aspect to make certain we are doing what’s in the best interests of bowling and our members.”

The new oil absorption specification for bowling ball coverstocks will require that for a new ball to be approved, submitted ball samples cannot have a rate of oil absorption under 2 minutes and 15 seconds (2:15), and must adhere to the 0.6% non-conformance rate.

The initial step on the oil absorption specification will begin Aug. 1, 2018, when bowling ball manufacturers are required to submit oil absorption data as part of the USBC bowling ball approval process. Manufacturers have been provided a standard operating procedure (SOP) to determine oil absorption rates.

The specification requiring a bowling ball’s oil absorption rate to be more than 2:15 for the ball to be approved will take effect Aug. 1, 2020. Also, any ball models tested where the average oil absorption rate is under nine minutes and 30 seconds (9:30) will require additional balls to be tested.

The specification eliminating the use of balance holes will go into effect Aug. 1, 2020. Balance holes, also known as weight holes, are meant to correct static imbalance in bowling balls, but more recently have been used to change the design intent of balls. By allowing bowling balls (for balls weighing more than 10 pounds) to have up to three ounces of static side, thumb and finger weight – which is up from one ounce – and up to three ounces of top weight, there no longer will be the need for a balance hole to correct static imbalance in the typical ball layout.

The specification increases in static weights take effect Jan. 1, 2020, which will allow bowlers the opportunity to plug balance holes prior to the elimination of balance holes starting Aug. 1, 2020.

With the elimination of balance holes, bowlers may have up to five holes for gripping purposes and all gripping holes must be used on every delivery.

The change allowing only a dry towel to clean bowling balls during competition becomes effective Aug. 1, 2019. It eliminates the use of liquid cleaners of any kind during competition, which aligns with other changes to ensure equipment is not manipulated during competition. The change prohibiting a bowler from adjusting static weight during a competition by drilling grip holes deeper goes into effect Aug. 1, 2020.

It is important for bowlers to understand the specification for oil absorption will not eliminate any bowling balls from competition, as all current balls will be grandfathered in. Bowlers also should be aware that because the increase in static weights starts Jan. 1, 2020, they will have seven months to have any balance hole plugged so they will be in compliance when the specification eliminating balance holes starts Aug. 1, 2020.

The Equipment and Specifications Committee has delegated authority from the USBC Board to make changes to equipment specifications. The USBC Board fully supports the direction and action taken by the Equipment Specifications Committee.

USBC will conduct a media-only teleconference on Tuesday, April, 24 at 8 p.m. (Eastern) with Equipment Specifications Committee members and USBC staff. To participate in the conference call, media members can email terry.bigham@bowl.com with their name and affiliation for call-in instructions.

Visit BOWL.com/EquipAndSpecs for USBC’s research and more about the specification changes.

USBC ADJUSTS TIMELINE FOR NEW BOWLING BALL SPECIFICATIONS ARLINGTON, Texas

After reviewing feedback from industry partners, the United States Bowling Congress Equipment and Specifications Committee has revised the implementation dates for the new bowling ball specifications announced earlier this year.

The Equipment and Specifications Committee determined the specification allowing increases in static weights for bowling balls without balance holes will begin this fall to allow for a smoother transition for bowlers.

Starting Aug. 1, 2018, bowling balls weighing more than 10 pounds will be allowed to have up to three ounces of static side, thumb or finger weight and up to three ounces of top or bottom weight, provided the ball does not have a balance hole.

Bowlers still can have a bowling ball with a balance hole until Aug. 1, 2020, but any balls with a balance hole must stay within the current static weight specification of one ounce for finger, thumb or side weight, and three ounces for top or bottom weight.

The specification eliminating the use of balance holes still will go into effect Aug. 1, 2020.

“After hearing from all stakeholders, the committee decided it was the right move to make the static weight specification an option starting this fall,” Andrew Cain, chair of the USBC Equipment and Specifications Committee, said. “Bowlers now have a two-year window to work with their pro shops to ensure their equipment will meet specifications on Aug. 1, 2020.”

With the elimination of balance holes as of Aug. 1, 2020, bowlers may have up to five holes for gripping purposes and all gripping holes must be used on every delivery. A bowler who chooses not to use a thumb hole would need to mark by scribe, engraver or tool their intended center of palm with a plus (+) mark to indicate their grip orientation.

Bowlers who do not use their thumb for delivery and decide to use the higher static weight specification cannot have a thumb hole – it would be classified a balance hole – and immediately will be required to follow the specification requiring them to mark their intended center of palm.

The USBC Equipment and Specifications Committee did decide the gripping rules that become effective Aug. 1, 2020, will have an exception for house balls, for bowlers who use house balls and might not have the strength to use all gripping holes.

House balls are defined as balls supplied by the center where the competition is taking place, have a polyester or basic urethane cover, a differential RG of less than 0.025 inches and the ball is not specifically drilled to fit the bowler.

The dates for implementing the new specification for the oil absorption rate of bowling ball coverstocks do not change. The initial step on the oil absorption specification will begin Aug. 1, 2018, when bowling ball manufacturers are required to submit oil absorption data as part of the USBC bowling ball approval process. The specification requiring a bowling ball’s oil absorption rate to be more than 2 minutes, 15 seconds (2:15) for the ball to be approved will take effect Aug. 1, 2020.

However, because all current bowling balls will be grandfathered in regardless of oil absorption rate, the Equipment Specifications Committee determined the production of balls that do not meet the 2:15 oil absorption time limit must be stopped as of Jan. 31, 2022.

The new bowling ball specifications announced in April were designed to sustain the playing field both currently and in the future.

The Equipment and Specifications Committee has delegated authority from the USBC Board to make changes to equipment specifications.

Visit BOWL.com/EquipAndSpecs for more about the specification changes.

RULE 18: BOWLING BALL – ALTERING SURFACE

A significant change in Rule 18 became effective Aug. 1, 2019. Bowlers no longer can use liquids or add anything,
including but not limited to rosin or powder, to the surface of the bowling ball. We have created this document to
explain how the rule change affects you and your bowling ball(s) during USBC league and tournament play.
Rule 18 – Bowling Ball - Altering Surface
While bowling in USBC competition, a bowling ball cannot:
a. Have the surface altered by the use of an abrasive.
b. Be cleaned with any liquid substance or cleaning agent.
c. Have any foreign material on it including, but not limited to, powder, rosin, marker or
paint.
All bowling balls so altered or cleaned must be removed from the competition.
Note: Should a foreign substance appear on the outer surface of a bowling ball
which cannot be removed with a dry towel, an approved cleaner may be
used with consent from a league or tournament officer.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE RULE CHANGE
1. When does competition start? Competition starts once any bowler throws a ball for score in a
league or tournament.
2. Can I clean my ball with an approved cleaner during practice? You can clean your ball with an
approved cleaner during practice, unless otherwise specified by league or tournament rules.
3. Can I clean my ball with an approved cleaner between games during certified
competition? No. You cannot clean your ball between games, because the competition has started.
4. Can I clean my ball with an approved cleaner between tournament squads? You can clean
your ball with an approved cleaner between squads unless otherwise specified by tournament rules.
“During competition” could be defined by tournaments to include or exclude practice and time between
squads.
5. What type of towels are approved for use during USBC certified competition? Any dry towel
or cloth that does not alter the surface of the bowling ball is allowed. This includes the use of dry
shammys.
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6. If I used a towel with a liquid cleaner on it to clean my ball prior to the start of the
competition, can I use that same towel to clean the ball during the competition? No,
another towel should be used. That same towel can only be used during the competition once the
towel is dry.
7. If I take a ball out of my bag that I have not bowled with, can I clean it with an approved
cleaner? No, approved cleaners cannot be used once competition has begun. This rule applies to balls
from a bowler’s bowling bag, locker or car, etc. We suggest you clean all your bowling balls prior to the
start of competition.
8. What happens if a bowler uses a cleaner, abrasive, or puts a foreign substance on the
ball? If the bowler was not aware of the rule, the ball is removed from competition. The bowler also
should be given an explanation of the rule. Conversely, if the bowler knows a ball cannot be cleaned,
patted with rosin or powder or use an abrasive, the ball must be removed from competition and the
games are subject to forfeiture. If there is a question as to whether a bowler knew the rule or not, the
league board of directors makes the determination. If the bowler refuses to remove the ball from
competition, the games are subject to forfeiture.
9. Can I pat my ball with rosin or powder if I wipe the ball before it is delivered? No. Wiping
the ball with a towel does not make the ball compliant to the rule. Patting a ball with a product is adding
a foreign substance to the ball and cannot be done during competition. A product can only be applied to
a bowler’s hand and not leave residue on the surface of the ball.
10. If my ball comes back with residue on it and I cannot clean it with my dry towel, rag or
shammy, can I use an approved cleaner? Yes, provided you get permission from a league officer
or tournament official. If you clean your ball without prior permission, you may be asked to remove the
ball from competition, and/or the games may be subject to forfeiture.
11. When I have permission to clean my ball, may I clean the entire ball? Yes, you may clean the
entire surface of a bowling ball.
12. I have a ball cleaner that has the USBC “Approved Anytime” logo on it. Can I still use the
cleaner during competition? No, the cleaner can no longer be used during competition.
13. I still see there are products with the USBC “Approved Anytime” logo on it. Why is that?
USBC communicated the rule change with bowling ball cleaner companies prior to the adoption of the
rule changes to allow the companies to make the necessary adjustments to labeling and cycle through
existing inventories. There will be USBC “Approved Anytime” products in the marketplace until
inventories are depleted; however, these products cannot be used during competition.