2022 Tournament Rules

Last updated 1/18/2022

SCOTCH 2022 Tournament Rules

The Second City Open Chicago (“SCOTCH” or “Tournament”) is a mixed handicap competition open 

to men and women by invitation only. The Tournament is USBC sanctioned and IGBO certified. It is 

required that all entrants hold current season USBC Membership cards, which must be presented 

at registration. Non-IGBO members may qualify for entry by payment of a $5 participation fee OR by 

purchasing an associate membership for $26. For the purpose of the Tournament, men and women 

will compete on an equal basis in each event. Team and doubles partnerships may be made up of 

any combination of men and women. The team event will consist of four bowlers. All doubles 

partnerships must come from the same team.

 

Tournament Averages shall be determined based on one of the following:

    • Duckpin, candlepin, rubber band, five-pin and tabletop averages will not be used.
    • Bowlers shall use their highest USBC or IGBO average from the Winter 2021-2022 season as of December 31, 2021 (minimum 21 games).
    • If no Winter 2021-2022 average is available, the highest USBC or IGBO book average from the Winter 2020-2021 season will be used (minimum 21 games).
    • If no average from the Winter 2021-2022 season or Winter 2020-2021 season is available, the highest USBC Winter 2019-2020 book league average will be used (minimum 21 games).
    • If no averages from any Winter Leagues previously mentioned, a 2020 Summer League book average (minimum 21 games) will be used. 
    • If no average for any of the previously mentioned A Summer 2019 book league average (minimum 21 games) shall be used.
    • If no average from Winter 2019-2020, 2020-2021,  Summer 2019 or Summer 2020 season is available, entrants could use the highest USBC certified current season average based on 21 or more games at the time of bowling. All others bowl scratch. 
  • Bowlers must submit their highest Winter 2021-2022. Failure to do so will result in an average of 225.  
  • If a bowler’s 2020-2021 book (USBC or IGBO) average OR Summer 2020 highest league average (minimum 21 games) is 10 pins or more than the Winter 2021-2022 league average, the highest average will be used.

It shall be each bowler’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of his/her average, whether originally submitted by the bowler, the team captain, or others. Averages presented from league sheets must show league secretary’s signature (or be emailed directly from the league secretary to the Tournament Committee) and his/her phone number. If the submitted average is lower than the bowler’s actual average and results in a lower classification or more handicap, the bowler’s scores will be disqualified with no refund of fees. If the submitted average is higher than the bowler’s actual average, the prize winnings will be based on the submitted average (USBC Rule 319a).

A bowler who has qualified for a cash prize of $300 or more in the position standings prize list in any event (including all events), total combined prize winnings of $500 or more in any one tournament, or totaled combined prize winnings exceeding $1000 in all tournaments bowled in the last 12 months  must give tournament management the following information prior to participation for possible average adjustment (USBC Rule 319d).

A bowler who has participated in 21 or more tournament games (other than no-tap tournaments) within the previous 12-month period as of December 31st, 2021 must submit the scores from all tournament games bowled in this period for possible re-rating. Verification of all the bowler’s tournament averages must accompany the entry form. We will re-rate any bowler whose tournament average as of December 31st, 2021 is 10 pins or higher than the highest book average. 

The SCOTCH Tournament’s Executive Committee (“Committee”), upon the recommendation of the local bowling association, may adjust the average of any bowler in question, or when information indicates the individual may be a better bowler. Any adjustments will be completed before the entrant bowls. Handicap will be 90% of 225. There will be no negative handicaps. 

Entries can only be completed online.

Participants and guests must be able provide vaccination status to Waveland Bowl in accordance with City of Chicago, County or State mandates.  See  https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home.html for current guidelines and masking rules.

The SCOTCH Tournament is limited to the first 160 entrants whose entries are received and accepted by the Committee. Partial team entries will be accepted and the Committee will make every effort to fill the vacancies. There will be no refunds after acceptance by the Tournament Committee.

Bowlers are permitted to bowl one time in each event, with each event consisting of 3 games, for a total of 9 games. All Events scores for each bowler will be computed using the total of his/her handicap score for each game from each of the 3 events (Singles, Doubles, and Team).

Each event will have its own prize list, with a payout ratio of no less than 1:8.

All bowlers are requested to check-in at least 30 minutes prior to the start of each event. Late bowlers will start in the frame in which they are prepared to bowl with prior frames scored as 0.

Substitutes will be allowed to bowl at the discretion of the Tournament Committee. 

Bowlers will not be permitted to practice on their assigned lanes on their scheduled days of bowling but will be allowed 2 practice balls per lane before each event.

All claims of error must be made in writing to the Tournament Co-Directors within one (1) hour after the bowler has completed the event in question. In the event of a dispute, the decision of the Tournament Committee is final unless a protest is filed with USBC in accordance with Rule 329.

Any and all PBA or PWBA members are NOT permitted to enter this Tournament.

 

SCRATCH MASTERS RULES

The Scratch Masters, in conjunction with SCOTCH, is a mixed competition open to all Tournament bowlers. Bowlers will be placed in divisions based on entering average and are required to pay the entry fee prior to the start of Tournament bowling. The Committee may place a bowler in a higher division at its discretion. Any adjustments of this type will be made before the entrant begins bowling.

 

Division

Fee

Average Range

A

$45

206 and above

B

$40

190 to 205

C

$35

175 to 189

D

$30

160 to 174

E

$25

159 and below

The 6 game Singles and Doubles events scratch totals from SCOTCH will be used to determine the top 6 qualifiers for each division, with the top 5 advancing to the Scratch Masters roll-off. In the event of a tie in any position, there will be a 1 game roll-off before the stepladder format begins. These scores will not carry over. 

Each division will compete in a stepladder format. The first match will be the #5 qualifier bowling the #4 qualifier. The winner of the match will bowl the #3 qualifier, with that winner bowling the #2 qualifier. The winner of that match will bowl the #1 qualifier for the final match. If a tie were to occur in any match play game, a 1 game roll off will be bowled to determine a winner. 

The match game competition will begin at 1:30 pm on Sunday, April 10, 2022. Bowlers must check in 30 minutes in advance. Any bowler who is not available to bowl at the scheduled time or does not check in timely will be disqualified and the alternate (6th qualifier) will substitute.

Bowlers will be allowed 2 practice balls per lane before each match. 

100% of all funds collected, less lineage, will be paid out to those bowlers competing in the step ladder event. Payout ratio will be 1:3, not to exceed 5 payouts per division.

Any claims of error must be reported before the start of the next match. In the case of an error in the final match, any claims of error must be reported within thirty (30) minutes after the end of the match. In the event of a dispute, the decision of the Scratch Masters Chair is final. 

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