The United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships will undergo a major change in 2014 by shifting to four-player teams, new divisions and a new format.

In addition to the change to four-player teams, from the traditional five, the tournament will return to an all-scratch format.

 Teams will be divided into four divisions based on their combined averages, and there will be six average-based divisions for doubles, singles and all-events.

The 2014 event will be held on 44 specially-constructed lanes inside the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nev.

“Bowlers have told us they want four-woman teams,” said Brian Lewis, USBC’s Managing Director of Tournaments. “Four-player teams will make it easier for teams to travel as a group and set up pairings for doubles. While this is a change from tradition, it clearly is something our bowlers want, and we hope the new format will help lead to a new generation trying the event.”

Here is a look at the new divisions for the 2014 Women’s Championships:

• Team — Diamond, 725 and above
; Ruby, 650-724
; Emerald, 575-649
; Sapphire, 574 and under

.

• Doubles 

— Division 1, 380 and above; Division 2, 350-379; Division 3, 320-349; Division 4, 290-319; Division 5, 260-289
; Division 6, 259 and under.

• 

Singles and All-Events — Division 1, 190 and above; Division 2, 175-189; Division 3, 160-174; Division 4, 145-159
; Division 5, 130-144
; Division 6, 129 and under.

Along with the format changes, the Women’s Championships also will have a new price structure in 2014. The entry fee for a bowler to compete in team, doubles, singles and all-events will be $140 ($44 per event and an optional $8 for all-events).

 The total for a four-player team will be $560.

There no longer will be a processing fee for teams entering online. Entering by mail, fax or phone will require an additional $10 processing fee per team and $10 for each doubles/singles set.

Registration for the 2014 Women’s Championships will begin April 1, 2013. Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and dates and times can be locked in as soon as a full payment is made.