Welcome to the MHSAA bowling coaches on-line rules meeting for 2010-11. We ll update changes that have been adopted by the MHSAA Bowling committee and approved by the Representative Council, and review several key facets of MHSAA bowling policies and procedures for both regular season and tournament competition. 1
Coaches are reminded that they are allowed a maximum of 24 dates of competition, and a maximum of four scrimmages, two of which can be prior to the first meet. No individual is allowed more than 24 dates of competition as well. Only schools with less than 100 students may use 8 th graders on the high school team. 2
Following the Nov. 15 start date for practice for LP, schools and Nov. 11 for UP schools, the first allowed meet is Dec. 4 for LP schools and Nov. 27 for UP schools. Tryouts are part of practice and cannot be conducted prior to the Nov. 15 first allowed mandatory practice date. Regional dates are the Final weekend in February with Finals dates March 4-5 with some new locations. D-1 at M-66 Bowl in Battle Creek, D-2 at the Centuryy Lanes in Waterford, D-3 again at Airport lanes in Jackson and D-4 at Sunnybrook in Sterling Heights. 3
For regular season meets, the required format is again 2 regular and 2 Baker games with a 30 point system with order of game determined locally. Other jamborees, invitational or conference meets can use a variety of other formats. Remember that absent bowlers receive a zero for the frame they miss, whether a team game or Baker game. 4
Here are some additional regular season competition reminders: Spectators and parents should not be allowed in the bowlers area during school meets. Alcohol shall not be served in the school meet area nor should adult spectators bring alcohol into the area. When meets are postponed or canceled due to weather or other circumstances, coaches should work with school athletic directors to re-schedule Although a forfeit may be declared in some cases, a rescheduled meet is preferred. Schools must bowl against a scheduled opponent at the same time, i.e. schools may not bowl separately and then match scores. 5
The MHSAA Tournament format will again be team competition on Friday and singles on Saturday at both the Regional and Finals tournament. At the Regional, teams will bowl 3 regular games and six Baker games with the top three teams advancing to the Finals. In singles it will be a 6 game block at the Regional with the top ten bowlers going to the Finals. Lane rotations will be determined by each Regional manager so bowlers and teams cover as much of the lane block as possible. 6
Some changes in the Finals team format for 2011 as the qualifying round will consist of 2 team games and 8 Baker games, then the top 8 teams advance to match games which will now be one team game and two Baker games through the Final match. In singles, a 6 game qualifying block will cut the field to 16 followed by match games of two games total pins head to head through the Final match. Match game pairings in both team and singles competition will be seeded based on the qualifying block pinfall. 7
The tournament Regional assignments for schools will be posted on the MHSAA Web site in Late November as we finalize the tournament plan. Time schedules and fees will also be posted in January when final plans are made at host locations and managers will also send information about their Regional event to participating schools. All tournament materials such as the PSTI, Manager Manual, Rosters, and Coaches Manual will be available on the MHSAA Web site. At the Regionals, schools will pay for lane fees with the MHSAA paying lane fees at the Finals. Schools must have a minimum of four meets with MHSAA schools to be in the MHSAA Tournament. 8
The MHSAA Tournament is conducted in four equal divisions by enrollment, schools are assigned to one of 6 Regionals in each Division. Your team roster and Master Eligibility list must be sent to the Regional Manager by February 4, 2011. A reminder that all students in the MHSAA Tournament must be accompanied by a school approved coach and that two coaches are allowed in the bowlers area. Coaches should coordinate their entry materials and fee payment with their school athletic director. 9
The MHSAA will use the Middle Road oil pattern from the Kegel Navigation Challenge series of conditions for the 2011 tournament. This pattern can be reviewed by checking the MHSAA Web site where there is a link to the Kegel Library, or by going to the Kegel site directly at kegel.net Coaches may use the pattern during the regular season by working with their local proprietor on practice session useduring school meets. We remind coaches to manage the expectations of bowlers as they discuss lane conditions and the MHSAA Tournament pattern as lane surface, type of machine, oil and humidity will affect how the condition plays at each of the tournament bowling enters. 10
In reviewing amateur status and awards rules, athletes can never accept cash or merchandise for athletic performance. Coaches should remind bowlers that this rule covers all sports 12 months of the year and that participation in an adult league where there are cash awards will jeopardize eligibility. The 25$ limit only applies to symbolic awards such as medals, trophies or plaques. Cash or merchandise or gift certificates are never allowed at any time in any MHSAA tournament sport. When a student participates in an event that offers prize money regardless of the sponsoring organization, and if the prize money is accepted it is a violation and students will lose all MHSAA eligibility for one calendar year. This amateur status regulation applies to any competition with prize money, even if there is deferred payment of the money and even if the money goes to charity or used for education. Prize money is prize money, period. Prize money disguised as scholarships is prize money and bowlers are subject to penalty for accepting prize money. 11
When a bowler is on the school team and has been in a school scrimmage or meet, they cannot participate in outside bowling leagues or competitions. However, as an individual sport a bowler is allowed two outside events during the school season without penalty, such as an MJMA event or a qualifier. An event is defined as no more than 3 consecutive days, so if a bowlers is in a non-school event that covers a Friday, Saturday and Sunday in one weekend it is considered one event. School dates of competition maybe used for non-league competition as long as all school and MHSAA regulations are followed and the team is comprised of all eligible athlets from the same school with school approved coaching. 12
Coaches are reminded that during the school year before and after the bowling season, coaching contact is limited to a maximum of four students from your school at any one time. In certain circumstances for bowling center employees, your school athletic director may apply for a waiver of the 4-player rule. Out of season coaching rules apply to all school coaches, paid or unpaid and volunteer coaches. 13
Sportsmanship must be a priority at MHSAA regular season and tournament competition. Enthusiasm and energy are welcome. However, for both parents and bowlers there are common sense restrictions. First, bowlers may not direct any chants or cheers at their opponents, nor orchestrate chants or cheers meant to disrupt other bowlers. Profanity and taunting are strictly prohibited. Spectators may not use noisemakers and any cheers should be in support of their team, not directed at opposing teams or spectators. It is the responsibility of coaches to keep parents out of the bowlers area and to monitor and enforce rules of good sportsmanship. 14
Here are some general reminders to finish our presentation. Coaches should make sure they review all academic requirements of both the MHSAA and school with your AD. A current physical card must be on file with the school in order for a student to practice or compete. Participation in All-Star events where there is not open competition is not allowed. Students may not bowl on the varsity and JV team on the same day. Coaches may not intentionally use ineligible athletes. And students are only eligible at the school in which they are enrolled. Bowlers at schools that do not sponsor bowling may not compete for another school s program. 15
Some general reminders as we close. Students may not move between teams once a match has started. Coaches should have a pre-season meting with bowlers, parents, school AD if possible and even proprietors to cover any at all school regulations, team policies and expectations to set the tone for the season. Sportsmanship should be a priority for the program and covered in the pre-season meeting. Coaching and coordinating a program is about more than just pinfall. Coaches and students should enjoy the season and have a positive, learning experience. 16