JAM rules for Bowling (5-Pin)

© JAM 1996-2024

  

Bowling (5-Pin)

There is only one format for Bowling under JAM Rules. It is described in its entirety below.

 

JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement

Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.

Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.

Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.

Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.

 

Game Time

All Bowling matches are approximately 2 hours in length. 3 games are to be played within the 2 hours. Please arrive early to ensure you get the full use of your allotted lane time. Regardless of when your game begins, your game will always end on time to allow the succeeding games to begin at their scheduled time.

Time Keeping: Teams are responsible for keeping track of the time for the game. Please designate one person from your team to keep track of the time to ensure everything is running on-time.

 

Players

Teams are comprised of five (5) players on a lane at once. A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad by 20 minutes after the official start time.

Roster Numbers: There are no roster requirements for JAM Bowling Leagues.

Defaults: Teams are comprised of five (5) players, however, a team can play with a minimum of 3 players (see below for scoring in this case). A default will occur if any team cannot field the minimum requirement of players by 20 minutes after the official start time. 

Exceptions: Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding minimum players, and should be decided before the game starts. IF IT IS AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS! 

 

Playing Area

All Bowling matches will take place on our assigned bowling lanes. Your opponent for each week will bowl in the lane beside you.

 

Equipment/Set Up

All equipment will be provided, including bowling shoes.

Teams are also responsible for keeping track of the score. Please designate one person to keep track of the score.

 

Bowling 101

The following outlines the basis of the rules of JAM 5-Pin Bowling Programs:

 

General Rules (for the most part, all standard 5-pin bowling rules will apply): 

• Each team of 5 players will have their own lane.
• Each team will be competing against one other team each week. A team's opponents will be bowling in the next lane.
• Each match will consist of 3 games, with each participant bowling 10 frames per game.
• During each turn, a bowler has 3 chances to knock down all 5 pins.
• All of the details regarding scoring will be explained on-site. Or, check out the Canadian 5 Pin Bowling Association at www.c5pba.ca.
• At the end of each game, the team with the highest score wins that game.
  NOTE: If your team has 5 players, and your opponents have only 4 players, your team will deduct your lowest players' score from your team total in order to compare to the other team.
  NOTE: Similarly, if your team has 5 players, and your opponents have only 3 players, your team will deduct your two lowest players' scores from your team total in order to compare to the other team.
• Each game is separate. i.e. the scores from one game do not relate in any way to the other games.
• Based on the results of your games, the final score for reporting sake will either be 3-0, 2-1, 1-2 or 0-3. This will be the value that you enter into the website for standings purposes. Winning a match gets you two game points in the standings, regardless of whether you win 3-0 or 2-1. (but the game score will affect your plus/minus stat).
• Please note a game cannot end in a tie, therefore, if scores are even at the end of 10 frames, the game will be decided by a one-ball bowl off. Each team will select one teammate to throw one ball. Whoever knocks down the most pins with this one ball will win that game. 

 

Regular Season Matches

Please note a game cannot end in a tie, therefore, if scores are even at the end of 10 frames, the game will be decided by a one-ball bowl off. Each team will select one teammate to throw one ball. Whoever knocks down the most pins with this one ball will win that game. 

 

Playoffs Eligibility and Tiebreak

Since there are no ties in regular season matches for JAM Bowling Leagues, the same rule will apply for all playoff matches as well. Please refer to the regular season tiebreaker rule above.