1.  Bowlers may compete in the scratch or handicap division. The difference in division is that the bowlers in the handicap division get handicap, while scratch does not.

2.  The tournament is open to ALL BOWLERS, regardless of sanctioning, from any area of the country and age group, as long as male and female are 21 years of age or under as of August 1, 2009. Individuals shall not have reached their 22nd birthday on or before August 1st of the current bowling season (with proof from Sanction Card or Driver's License).  Bowlers with no sanction card may purchase an affiliate membership at the tournament.

3.  Bowlers are asked to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to starting time.  Announcements will start at time listed on flyer for that event.  Bowlers arriving after starting time may be asked to wait until announcements are completed before they can be checked in.  All bowlers MUST physically check themselves in before being allowed to participate.

4.  At least the top five finishers for each division will receive plaques and scholarship money.  Money will be submitted to USBC's SMART program/Account #9764.  Bowlers can only use scholarship money in accordance with SMART rules.  Bowlers are permitted to earn scholarship money at every tournament in the series.  The money will be accumulated by the SMART Program and held until six years after graduation from high school.  Our website will have updated records of how much scholarship money each bowler has won.  Any bowlers who are USBC Adult will receive scholarship money for their winnings.  They can choose to use this money immediately toward school, and have six years from the date of high school graduation to use it.  ABSOLUTELY NO CASH WILL BE HANDED OUT TO USBC ADULT BOWLERS IN SINGLES EVENTS!

5.  Unless stated, the following are the formats for tournaments: 

A.  All Sunday Tournaments will have entrants bowl 5 games across 10 lanes.  The top 40% of each division will advance to an additional 3-game match play round.  Each match won will offer a 30-pin bonus to the winner, 15 for a tie, and 0 for a loss.  At the completion of the match play, the top 5 in each division will advance to the stepladder finals. 

B.  Formats of major events and special events are subject to change based on tournament schedule.  Format will be announced before tournament begins if there is a change.  Please refer to website for further details. 

C.  Ties for final spots and during finals will be broken with a 9th/10th frame rolloff.  If tie is not broken, one-ball rolloffs will be held until a winner is declared.

6.  PJBT bowlers have the opportunity to purchase a membership card for $30.  This card allows bowlers to pay a lower fee at each tournament they enter, without any questions or hassles.  Cards can be purchased at anytime during check-in for a tournament from the staff.   Please be aware that the membership card may be invalid for certain select events.  For questions on usage of membership card, see tournament director.  Any tournaments invalid for membership discount will be announced in advance, with a special tournament flyer.

7.  BOWLING FEES for most regular season events: LINEAGE $ 10.00, PRIZE $ 9.00, PLAQUES $ 2.00, EXPENSES $ 6.50, AND SCHOLARSHIP FUND $0.50 FOR A TOTAL OF $ 28.00.  Entry fee is $ 25.00 to all bowlers with a membership, $ 28.00 to all non-members.  The breakdown for a member's bowling fee is the same as a non-member with $ 3.50 going to expenses, rather than $ 6.50.

9.  All prizes will be returned 100%, all scholarship fund money will be returned 100% at the Added Money Bowling Championships.  Scholarship payout ratio is 1:7.  The top 48 bowlers will qualify this year for the championship tournament through our point system.  In addition, champions will be exempt into the added money championship if they win a title this season and (a) participate in 13 events or (b) win a major tournament and compete in 10 events. This is explained below. 

10.  Handicap is 90% of 200. The Scratch Division has no handicap.

11.  All bowlers must use their highest USBC Youth or USBC average for the current season (2009-2010) or past season (2008-2009) with a minimum of 21 games, in accordance with Rule 319A item #2. This includes all leagues from last season (junior, high school, or any other sanctioned league; including sanctioned summer leagues).  If your average in the PJBT was higher than any sanctioned league average for 2008-09, you MUST use the PJBT average.  If bowlers have no sanctioned average for 2009-2010 or 2008-2009, the bowler must bowl scratch.  If bowlers have more than 21 games within the PJBT from 2009-2010, they must use that average, if it is higher than all past season's averages.  Verification of the bowler's average is their responsibility. Failure to use the highest average will disqualify scores.  Rule 319A item #3 applies here.  All changes to averages must be completed by the end of the first game of the tournament.  Anyone whose current average is 10 or more pins higher than last season's average must report this average at the time of registration for possible adjustment.  Prize winnings shall be based on the submitted average if it is higher than the actual average. 

12.  Bowlers who have competed in the scratch division and have maintained an average of at least 200 in 21 games of tournament competition must compete in scratch for all future events, as long as the average stays above 200.00.  (Only exceptions are doubles and adult/junior.)  Bowlers who start season in handicap and rise to a 200 average are welcome to stay bowling in handicap, or move up to scratch.  However, after you move to scratch, you must compete in scratch from there on (You cannot go back to handicap.)

13.  USBC Youth and USBC rules will apply for this tournament, as all PJBT events are USBC and USBC Youth sanctioned.  Rule 319D does not apply to these events.  Any conflicts are resolved by the tournament director only.  Decision of tournament management is final.  Tournament director has right to turn bowlers away.  Any rules not specifically explained here are assumed based on the USBC tournament rules manual for 2009-2010, issued by Bowling Headquarters. 

14.  Suitable attire and behavior will be expected at all times from all bowlers and spectators.  The same dress code is in effect for the 2009-2010 season.  ALL men MUST wear collared shirts or mock shirts with long khaki pants or khaki shorts, NO JEANS/DENIM PANTS PERMITTED.  For women, khaki pants are acceptable, as well as khaki shorts or skirts that cover down to the tops of the knees.  Bowlers will be given one warning verbally, and only at their first participation of the season.  After warning, a second offense could lead to denial of tournament entry.  Bowlers are not permitted to use profanity or kick ball returns.  Bowlers will receive one and only one warning first and their second offense will be grounds for disqualification.  The Youth Bowling Code and Pennsylvania State Law prohibits smoking in bowling centers.

15.  The PJBT will follow the specific rules stated here on surface changes and substances to bowling balls, and will be the rules the PJBT enforces.  Bowlers can alter the surface of a bowling ball through practice.  However, once competition begins, the surface of a bowling ball may not be altered AT ANY TIME.  In addition, bowlers are permitted to use rosin on their bowling ball, but the ball's surface must be wiped clean before making a shot.  Bowlers not following this rule will be given a warning, with second offense being disqualification from the tournament.  THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR'S DECISION ON THIS MATTER IS INDISPUTABLE AND FINAL.

16.  The Berks Bowling Proprietors Rule of Re-rating will be used. The procedure is :   

A.  Entrants use their highest present average.

B.  Bowlers with no average from last season will use their highest USBC, USBC Youth or USBC Collegiate Average for the current season based on 21 games or more at the time of bowling.  All others will bowl scratch.

C.  Bowlers averages will be re-rated after 20 games in our bowling series. After 20 games or more in our tournaments, the bowlers will use their re-rated average or their entering average, whichever is higher. Rule 319E does not apply to PJBT events.

C. The female scratch and handicap point standings will be run in conjunction with the overall scratch and handicap point standings.  Girls will receive the same amount of points, and their standings will be displayed in the overall standings (for Invitational qualifying purposes) and in separate standings (for bonus scholarship purposes). 

D. For standings purposes, bowlers who participate in both handicap and scratch division during the season will be listed in the division in which they have participated in most.

E. Please note major events count for double points in the standings.  Check here for updates www.pjbtbowlingseries.com

18.  If a bowler is disqualified during or after competition has concluded, the bowler will be placed last among remaining bowlers, and receive last-place points.  Bowlers who are denied entry may not earn any points.

PJBT POINT SYSTEM:  Bowlers receive 100 points for attending each tournament and the following points for finishing position.  1st = 200, 2nd = 190, 3rd = 185, 4th = 180, 5th = 175, 6th = 170, 7th = 165, 8th = 160, 9th = 155, 10th = 150, 11th = 145, 12th = 140, 13th = 135, 14th = 130, 15th = 125, 16th = 120. Each position lower than 16th goes down by 4pt increments... 17th = 116, 18th = 112, 19th = 108, 20th = 104 etc.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Adult/Junior events will have their own separate flyers and rules.  Reservations are required for Adult/Juniors.  Those flyers will be available at PJBT events.

MAIL ENTRY BLANKS TO MATT HIMMELREICH, 7 MARSHA DRIVE, CRESSONA PA 17929

CHECKS CAN BE MADE OUT TO: PJBT

PLEASE PRINT OUT ENTRY BLANK BELOW FOR SINGLES EVENTS ONLY.