Bowlers Journal International - Serving Bowling for Over 85 Years

RULES & REGULATIONS

Championship Organization and sanction: The Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship is organized by the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress and will be conducted in accordance to the MTBC Playing Rules.
Eligibility: This Tournament is by invitation only. All local participants must show proof by producing their membership cards or receipts for examination.
Averages: Only official average of MTBC (74) will be used and an entrant who has no established average prior to the cut off dates as at 1st January 2007 must use an average of 196 for men and 186 for ladies. New bowlers without an established average with MTBC, must produce written confirmation of their averages from their respective Associations. Overseas bowlers must produce written confirmation of their averages from their respective Associations or Congresses.
Classification: Competition will be divided into Open and Graded divisions for all categories ie. Men, Women, Youth Boys and Youth Girls.
1. Men's Open - All male bowlers including graded and youth are eligible to participate in this division.
2. Ladies' Open - All female bowlers including graded and youth are eligible to participate in this division.
3. Men's Graded - All male bowlers with an average of 195 and below are qualified to play in this division.
4. Ladies' Graded - All female bowlers with an average of 185 and below are qualified to play in this division.
5. Youth Boy's Open - All male bowlers who were born in the year of 1985 or after, are eligible to play in this division.
6. Youth Girl's Open - All female bowlers who were born in the year of 1985 or after are eligible to play in this division.
7. Youth Boy's Under-16 - All male bowlers who were born in the year of 1991 or after and with an average of 175 and below are qualified to play in this division.
8. Youth Girl's Under-16 - All female bowlers who were born in the year of 1991 or after and with an average of 165 and below are qualified to play in this division.
Events:

Division	Men & Ladies		Youth Boys & Girls
Open Division	a)	Singles (4 Games)	a)	Singles (4 Games)
	b)	Doubles (2 Games)	b)	Doubles (4 Games)
	c)	Trios (2 Games)	c)	Trios (2 Games)
	d)	All-Events (8 Games)	d)	All-Events (8 Games)
	e)	Masters (2x8 Games)	e)	Masters (10 Games)
Graded Division	a)	Singles (4 Games)	a)	Singles (4 Games)
	b)	Doubles (2 Games)	b)	Doubles (4 Games)
	c)	Trios (2 Games)	c)	Trios (2 Games)
	d)	All-Events (8 Games)	d)	All-Events (8 Games)
	e)	Masters (12 Games)	e)	Masters (10 Games)

Sponsored by:

Co-Sponsored by:

Organized by:
MTBC logo

Hosted by:

1. Singles: 4 games will be bowled in this event. A bowler may try in as many attempts with the first attempt bowled to count in the All-Events. Note: No bowler may win more than one prize in the Singles event.
2. Doubles: 4 games will be bowled in this event. An entrant may bowl as many times as he/she chooses with the first attempt bowled to count in the All-Events. The same combination may try in as many attempts but they may win only one prize in the Doubles event. Two game series will be bowled by each bowler.
3. Trios: 6 games will be bowled in this event. An entrant may bowl as many times as he/she chooses with the first attempt bowled to count in the All-Events. The same combination may try in as many attempts but they may win only one prize in the Trios event. Two game series will be bowled by each bowler.
4. All-Events: An All-Events champion will be declared in each division from total pinfall of their first set of Singles, Doubles and Trios, total 8 games.
5. High Game: High Game awards will be given to the highest game bowled in their respective grades throughout the entire championship EXCLUDING THE MASTER FINALS.
  Special Note: A lower grade bowler playing in a higher division will have his/her score classified according to the grade entered for.
6. Masters: Scores obtained in the Singles Event in respective divisions will be used for Masters Qualifying. This event is open to those bowlers who have bowled and completed the Singles, Doubles and Trios events in their respective divisions and have paid up proof of their All-Events entries (Registration). Any walk over in the above said three events, unless approved as authentic by the Tournament Directors or their Assistants, will disqualify the bowler from participating in this event.
  Graded bowlers who have completed the All-Events in the graded divisions do not have to complete the All-Events in the Open division if they so wish to compete in the Open division.
  Youth bowlers who have completed the All-Events in the youth divisions do not have to complete the All-Events in the other divisions if they so wish to compete in other divisions.

Division	No. of Qualifiers
MEN'S OPEN MASTERS	Defending Champion Top 12 Local qualifiers Top 12 Overseas qualifiers Top 11 qualifiers from local and overseas pool Top 3 from Desperado Squad Total 39 finalists
LADIES' OPEN	Defending Champion Top 11 Local qualifiers Top 11 Overseas qualifiers Top 10 qualifiers from local and overseas pool Top 3 from Desperado Squad Total 33 finalists
MEN'S GRADED	Top 30 Qualifiers plus Top 3 from Desperado Squad Total 33 finalists
LADIES' GRADED	Top 15 Qualifiers
YOUTH BOY'S OPEN	Top 6 Local qualifiers Top 6 Overseas qualifiers Top 12 qualifiers from local and overseas pool Total 24 finalists
YOUTH BOY'S UNDER-16	Top 18 Qualifiers
YOUTH GIRL'S OPEN	Top 5 Local qualifiers Top 5 Overseas qualifiers Top 8 qualifiers from local and overseas pool Total 18 finalists
YOUTH GIRL'S UNDER-16	Top 12 Qualifiers

All the above top qualifiers based on the Singles score, will be listed in the Championship Results Board from the start of the qualifying rounds till the end of last squad at 11.00pm on March 22, 2007. (Except for youth qualifying till the end of 5.30pm squad on March 22). Bowlers wishing to bowl in the Desperado Squad must have previously made a minimum of six (6) qualifying attempts before they can register.

In the event of a tie for the last position in the qualifying round, a one game roll-off will serve as a tiebreaker. If a qualifier fails to turn up for the Masters Finals in the Adult Open and Youth Open divisions, the FIRST reserve (regardless of local or overseas bowler) shall fill in the vacancy.

All qualifiers must check with the Tournament Directors 24 hours before their finals roll-off, to confirm their fixtures and/or to check for any changes in the schedule.

Reporting Time
All Masters Finalists must check in personally 30 minutes to one hour before their respective roll-off times. Reserves will be called 15 minutes before roll-off.

MEN'S OPEN MASTERS
The 39 Masters Finalists (as listed above) will play 16 games (8 games in Round 1 and 8 games in Round 2) Top 6 bowlers after 16 games will qualify for step-ladder in Round 3.
ROUND 1 - 39 Bowlers will bowl 8 games.
ROUND 2 - 39 Bowlers will bowl another 8 games. The scores of Round 1 will be carried forward. At the end of the Round 2 based on 16 games total, top 6 bowlers will qualify for Round 3.
ROUND 3 - The 4th, 5th & 6th placed bowlers will bowl one game. Winner with the highest score will qualify to meet 2nd and 3rd placed bowlers for another one game competition. The winner with the highest score will then qualify to meet the 1st placed bowler in a one plus one games step-ladder grand finals. In the event the 1st placed bowler wins the 1st game, she will be declared the Champion. If the 1st placed bowler looses the 1st game, there will be one more game (sudden death) roll off on scratch to decide the Champion.
The above one game play-off in the first & second matches is only to determine the bowler who will move up to challenge the top qualifier. The maximum a bowler could drop is one position. The maximum a bowler could move up is two positions unless he/she moves into the next match.
LADIES' OPEN MASTERS
The 33 Masters Finalists (as listed above) will play 16 games (8 games in Round 1 and 8 games in Round 2) Top 6 bowlers after 16 games will qualify for step-ladder in Round 3.
ROUND 1 - 33 Bowlers will bowl 8 games
ROUND 2 - 33 Bowlers will bowl another 8 games. The scores of Round 1 will be carried forward. At the end of the Round 2 based on 16 games total, top 6 bowlers will qualify for Round 3.
ROUND 3 - The 4th, 5th & 6th placed bowlers will bowl one game. Winner with the highest score will qualify to meet 2nd and 3rd placed bowlers for another one game competition. The winner with the highest score will then qualify to meet the 1st placed bowler in a one plus one games step-ladder grand finals. In the event the 1st placed bowler wins the 1st game, she will be declared the Champion. If the 1st placed bowler looses the 1st game, there will be one more game (sudden death) roll off on scratch to decide the Champion.
The above one game play-off in the first & second matches is only to determine the bowler who will move up to challenge the top qualifier. The maximum a bowler could drop is one position. The maximum a bowler could move up is two positions unless he/she moves into the next match.
MEN'S GRADED MASTERS
The top 33 qualifiers in the Men's Graded Singles Event will enter the Men's Graded Masters Finals. A total of 12 games will be bowled.
LADIES' GRADED MASTERS
The top 15 qualifiers in the Women's Graded Singles Event will enter the Women's Graded Masters Finals. A total of 12 games will be bowled.
MILO INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MASTERS (Boys and Girls)
The top 24 Boy's Open qualifiers, top 18 Boy's Under-16 qualifiers, top 18 Girl's Open qualifiers and top 12 Girl's Under-16 qualifiers will enter the Masters Finals in their respective divisions. A total of 10 games will be bowled.

Registration Fees:
1. Registration Fee for Men and Women's Open Division is RM 200 per person and RM150 for all other divisions. Registration fee, which is inclusive of All-Events, Tournament Souvenir and Victory banquet, must be paid before commencing the first event.
2. Singles - RM 100 (Per Person)
3. Doubles - RM 100 (Per Doubles)
4. Trios - RM 150 (Per Team)
5. Youth Singles - RM 75 (Per Person)
6. Youth Doubles - RM 75 (Per Doubles)
7. Youth Trios - RM 120 (Per Team)
8. Open Masters Men - RM 400 (Per person - 16 games)
9. Open Masters Ladies - RM 350 (Per person - 16 games)
10. Graded Masters Men - RM 350 (Per person - 12 games)
11. Graded Masters Ladies' - RM 300 (Per person - 12 games)
12. Youth Masters - RM 150 (Per person - 10 games)
Squad Times:
If preferred squad times indicated on the entry forms are not available, the Tournament Directors or their Assistants reserve the right to reallocate squad times at their discretion.
The Tournament Directors reserve the right to open additional squads.
Substitutions:
Substitutions may be allowed provided it is reported to one of the Tournament Directors or their Assistants and duly approved by at least 15 minutes before the time of play. A fee of RM15 per bowler is required for any substitution.
Participation:
Bowlers must play in their respective grades or in higher one. Bowlers from a higher grade will not be eligible to play in any of the lower grades. Bowlers in the graded division or youth division, who wishes to participate in the Open division after qualifying in their respective grade, may do so without competing in the all-events again in the open grade. However they have to pay an additional fee of RM50.
Verification of Scores:
It is the responsibility of each bowler and/or the team captain to verify the correctness of each game bowled by signing on the official entry form of each event. Once signed, the score shall stand unless otherwise decided by the Tournament Committee.
In the event of any interruptions caused by power failure, the following procedure shall be followed:
1. Any part of a game that cannot be recalled will be re-bowled from the first frame.
2. If more than one game cannot be recalled, the series shall be declared null and void and a fresh series be rescheduled.
3. If only one frame is missing, the bowler shall continue from the last frame bowled.
Registration of Bowling Balls, Illegality and Disqualification: All participants are advised to check their bowling balls used in the Tournament are certified as legal for weight and other specifications before they compete in their events. The onus is on the bowler to ensure that all balls he/she uses are certified legal as above.

If at any time a bowler is found to have used an illegal ball even if previously certified legal by the Tournament Office, he/she shall be disqualified from the entire Tournament and stripped of all his/her winnings or positions standing and if the Tournament Committee is of the opinion that such usage was deliberate and was intended to cheat, he/she may be further reported to the MTBC Disciplinary Committee/ or ABF Executive Committee for additional penalization. He/she may also be asked to return immediately to one of the Tournament Directors any awards that may have already been given to him/her.
Ties Breaking Procedure:
1. When equal score ties are registered for any of the first three positions in the Singles, Doubles and Trios, co-champions or co-winners shall be declared. There shall be no play-off of the tie. Teams or players with equal scores will share the same prizes and the next position will get, in case of a tie for the first position, the 3rd position prize, and in case of a tie for the 2nd or 3rd position, no prizes at all.
2. When a tie occurs for the last place in the Masters qualifying or end of the round robin event for the first and second place or third and fourth placed, a one game roll-off shall be held to determine the positions.
3. If a tie exists in (b) after the tiebreaker, the ninth and tenth frame roll-off will be utilized and/or repeated until the tie is broken.
Cheating: Any bowler found guilty of cheating at scores, averages eligibility or in any other counts will be immediately disqualified from the entire tournament and reported to the Disciplinary Committee of MTBC for further action. He/she will also be stripped of his/her winnings and positions standing and be asked to return to the Tournament Directors any awards that may have already been given to him/her. When in doubt, bowlers are reminded to consult the Tournament Directors on any issues.
Bowlers Attire:
1. All male bowlers in shorts and/or singlets will not be permitted to bowl. Female bowlers may wear half-length slacks.
2. Bowlers are requested to be dressed for their events with a sense of decorum. Rubber bands or socks pulled over trousers/slacks will be disallowed.
3. Jeans will not be allowed in the Masters Finals.
Slow Bowling: Bowlers who are in readiness to step on the approach to deliver a ball, shall have the following rights and obligations:
1. They may claim right of way over anyone moving to the approach or preparing to bowl on the lane immediately on their left.
2. They may claim right of way over anyone moving to the approach or preparing to bowl on the lane immediately on their right.
3. Players shall be ready to bowl when it is their turn should not delay to go to the approach, is a lane immediately adjacent to them on the left and right side is clear. Penalty shall be imposed to bowler(s) who is four (4) frames (For Singles, Doubles and Masters Finals), and two (2) frames (for Team Event) slower from the leader not counting the end pair of lanes. The penalty will be to forfeit the score in the next frame.
Protest:
1. Scores: Must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Directors or their Assistants within 12 hours of the event, and in the case of an elimination round, before the next round. In the case of the last match of the Step-Ladder Grand Finals of the Masters event, such protests, if any should be addressed to the same officials before prize presentation. No protest made after the prize presentation will be entertained.
2. Foul: Must be bought to the attention of the Lane Marshal before the delivery of the next ball. No complaints made after the 2nd ball has been bowled shall be entertained.
3. Eligibility: Must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Directors or their Assistants within 24 hours of the first infringement or before the next round or prize presentation or whichever is earlier.
Special Notes:
1. Bowlers are requested to refrain from swearing on the lanes.
2. Bowlers shall restrict themselves to their respective lanes and exercise consideration for all participants.
3. Bowlers wearing soft rubber soles on their non-sliding foot may be barred from further bowling subject, to the scrutiny of the Tournament Directors.
4. Bowlers are not allowed to sand or apply any form of liquid or chemical on the surface of bowling balls during any block of competition.
5. The Tournament Directors reserve the right to accept or reject ant entry they deem fit.
Any matters arising and not covered in these Tournament Rules will be decided by the Tournament Chairman, the Tournament Directors or the Tournament Committee whose decision shall be final subject only to appeal to the MTBC Council. Such appeal should be made in writing and within 48 hours of the decision by any of the above.

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For further information, contact Keith Hale: keithhale679@aol.com