The Handicap is 80% of 230 with a maximum score of 300 per game for ALL Handicap Side Pots. The game scores and bracket scores CAN exceed 300+ with Handicap Pins.

•  VACANT Bowler will be 170 score with NO HANDICAP.

• All handicap pairs will be capped at 920 average.

Bowlers & Owners are responsible for verifying his/her own average. Bowlers must use their HIGHEST WINTER BOOK AVERAGE 21 games or more. If your current league average is 15 pins or over your entering average, it must be reported to the BLBA Staff. (Avg can be reset if it gets below the 15-pin mark, there are no guarantees.) Failure to do so will result in bowlers scores being forfeited (0) for the match. Each bowler must use an entering average in the following manner.

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• ​HIGHEST WINTER BOOK AVERAGE of 2023-2024 & 2024-2025 (Previous 2 Seasons). Based on a minimum of 21 Games. SUMMER AVG also will be used if 10+ pins over the winter avg.

• 2022-2023 HIGHEST WINTER AVERAGE based on a minimum of 21 Games.

• HIGHEST SUMMER AVG will be used from PREVIOUS 3 SEASONS if no average from the above WINTER SEASONS.

• BOWLER MUST BOWL SCRATCH if none of the above averages are within the guidelines.

• BOWLERS will establish after 6 BLBA games. Current average use will be from the following (highest avg): 6 Game BLBA Tour Average or entering Book Avg.

• New bowlers receive a 230 average for their first two weeks while establishing a 6 game BLBA average.
  Handicap side action requires:
  • 21 game USBC average, or 21 game BLBA average
  BLBA may adjust averages at any time.

• RIGHT TO RERATE FOR ANY REASON WILL BE RESERVED BY BLBA COMMITTEE. (RERATE REQUESTS may be emailed to T.Montilli@BLBABowling.com)

• No pin drop will be allowed.

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ALL team info and deadlines are the responsibility of the team officials. Each team must have their owner/owners listed along with a Team GM and Treasurer. Each team must have their own exclusive logo and team name. Owners are legally responsible for any copyright violation due to their choice of team name and or logo. Each logo will be originally made by the BLBA Logo Staff to ensure that each logo is original and will be the property of the BLBA Tour.
 

• Each team must have at least 12 members to be a part of the BLBA Tour, teams may have as many bowlers on their roster as they like. (Legal names necessary)

• All roster changes & additions must be submitted ON ANY NON-MATCH DATE. (Failing to submit roster changes/additions by the appropriate date may result in bowlers being disqualified from certain BLBA events or team matches)

• Each roster must list their owner/owners, Team GM, and treasurer. (Legal names necessary)

• Teams MAY ADD Free Agent Bowlers during the appropriate roster opening period.

• Any team/individual who misses payments from a team match or event will be disqualified from the BLBA events; tour until the fees are paid.
   

A LEGAL LINEUP will consist of at least 8 ROSTERED bowlers. Please keep in mind that if you have a vacancy in your lineup that spot receives 170 with NO HANDICAP, the team must still pay for the match in full. If your team CAN’T field a legal lineup, the match must still be paid in full. This match must be paid for in full before the start of the next match.

ALL PAYMENTS MUST be submitted by the team treasurer or owner. Payouts will likewise be given to the team treasurer or owner.

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Yearly Franchise Fee - $400 (DUE BY NO LATER THAN MAY 1ST 2026) -Each team franchise pays a yearly $400 franchise fee. New teams must pay by May 1.

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BLBA Tour Stop Team Fee - $540 ($45 x 12 Bowlers); ($540 x 13 matches = $7,020 total for matches)

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Early match payments will ONLY be accepted through the BLBA website and are subject to credit card processing fees.

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BLBA Individual Bowler Yearly Sanction - $25 (DUE BY NO LATER THAN MATCH #1 IN 2026)
-Southeast Bowlers unpaid by May 15 are listed inactive.

-Northeast Bowlers unpaid by May 22 are listed inactive.
-Beginning May 23, the fee increases to $30.
-The fee returns to $25 for the 2027 season.

Yearly Sanction fees support:
• BLBA league operations
• Honor score awards
• End of season awards
• Administrative costs
• Expansion infrastructure for the BLBA Tour

***ALL FOREFIT MATCHES MUST BE PAID IN FULL $540***
***Any Vacancies MUST be paid for by Team/Owner***

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• Any team/individual who misses payments from a team match or event will be disqualified from the BLBA events & tour until the fees are paid.

• ALL TEAM OWNERS WILL SIGN A CONTRACT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON. THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING IN FULL 13 MATCHES x $540 = $7,020.

• BOWLING WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL ALL TEAMS HAVE PAID FOR THEIR MATCH FEES.

• THE BLBA COMMITTEE RESERVES ALL RIGHTS.

The BLBA Committee reserves ALL RIGHTS. Rules are subject to change in between ANY of our events/matches.

All team jerseys must be finalized and ordered by April 22.
Teams missing the deadline are responsible for rush production and expedited shipping fees.
 

ALL Team members or BLBA Tour members must have a jersey for any events or matches they wish to
compete in.

• All bowlers must wear their official BLBA team jersey during competition.

• Jersey Alterations
  -BLBA jerseys must remain in original condition.
  -No cutting, bleaching, or unauthorized modifications.

• Required Logo Placement All BLBA jerseys must include:
  -Upper back neck — Pinkingz Bowling Apparel
  -Center back — BLBA logo
  -Upper left chest — Bowlifi
  -Upper right chest — KR Strikeforce
  -Right sleeve — Bowlers Pride
  -Left sleeve — BLBA
  -Back under BLBA logo — blbabowling.com

• Sponsorship Logos APPROVED logos may appear:
  -above sleeve logos
  -above sleeve line
  -bottom left, right front
  -back under website

• Paid sponsorships may replace the left sleeve BLBA logo with approval.

• Competing Tour Branding
  -Bowlers may not wear apparel or use bowling balls displaying logos of competing team bowling tours during BLBA competition.
  -This does not apply to major bowling ball manufacturers.

2026 Summer Tour: May 15 – August 30
Most matches will be bowled Friday nights.
Interdivisional matches may be scheduled Saturday or Sunday.

No matches:
• July 11–12
• August 7–9
BLBA may modify schedules if necessary.

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All Matches will be held on 3 pairs with 4 bowlers per pair. There will be 13 regular matches for the season. Matches will begin on May 22, 2026 & the last date of matches will be August 30th, 2026. The BLBA Tour reserves the right to change any match date due to any reason.

Pair #1 will consist of 4 SCRATCH Bowlers. Pair #2 will consist of 4 HANDICAP Bowlers. Pair #3 will consist of 4 HANDICAP Bowlers. ALL MEMBERS MUST BE WEARING THEIR TEAM JERSEY FOR MATCHES AND EVENTS. Team will bowl 3 games, and Handicap will be 80% of 230 for the Handicap pairs. Each Team game will be 3 points to the winning team. Each pair team series will be for 3 points each. Team Total Series will be 9 points. Match in total will be for 45 points. 2026 Schedule will be 13 weeks, from May 23rd to August 30th. There will be 13 regular season matches + playoffs & finals for qualifying franchises.

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For 2026 playoff eligibility a bowler must have in 2026:

-6 BLBA Tour games or 8 BLBA Events games.

If a lane breaks down and cannot be used, the bowlers that move to a new pair will be given 2 shots per lane.

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If a rack is missing any pins, the shot must be re thrown. If a bowler is getting dead wood out of the gutter, the pair must be notified. If a player is going for a spare and a dead wood pin is hit in the gutter zero will be given for the shot. Bowling out of turn or in the wrong lane, shot must be redone on the correct lane and in correct order.

All USBC certified bowling balls will be allowed for use in BLBA events & matches. Any bowler using an“illegal” bowling ball will be disqualified and receive zero for the current event or match. Any surface changes must be completed before the start of the event or match. Bowlers must use the same hand that they threw their first shot of the event or match with, either the right or the left hand (same rules apply for any 2 handed righty or lefty bowler). Any mid event or match hand switches are not allowed. No refunds will be given, and the bowler will be disqualified.

-Regular season ties split points.
-Ties affecting playoffs require a one game roll-off.
-Playoff ties affecting advancement require a 2 out of 3 roll-off. All roll offs will utilize BLBA Scratch & HDCP Pairs. 

By registering for or participating in any BLBA Tour match, BLBA event, BLBA tournament, or HSH affiliated competition, participants grant BIG League Bowling Association (BLBA), HSH, and their partners the right to photograph, record, livestream, broadcast, and publish their:
• Name
• Image and likeness
• Voice
• Jersey appearance
• Scores and statistics
• Team name and results

This content may be used for livestreams, broadcasts, social media, promotional materials, advertisements, websites, sponsor promotions, and league marketing.

Participation grants BLBA the right to edit, reproduce, distribute, and reuse this content without further approval.

By joining the BIG League Bowling Association, participants agree there will be no right to future compensation or compensation claims related to the use of this content.

ALL Members of the BLBA Tour will be held to a code of conduct which will include but is not limited
to:

• Damage to equipment, facility property, BLBA property, or misconduct toward staff may result in suspension or removal.
  
  Information may be submitted to:
  T.Montilli@blbabowling.com

​Each team is allowed up to two (2) substitute players per match. However, no substitutions may be made during an active game. All substitutions must occur between games within the match.

​All new bowlers who do not have an average will be assigned a 230 average for their first two weeks while establishing their official 6 game BLBA average. New bowlers cannot participate in handicap side action until they have either:
• A USBC-sanctioned average of 21+ games
or
• A BLBA average based on 21+ games.

-Returning teams will have the $400 fee deducted from season end prize payouts — no exceptions.
-Teams not returning must provide written notice to:
T.Montilli@blbabowling.com

at least 90 days before the next season start date.
-If notice is submitted by the deadline, funds will be refunded at the beginning of the next BLBA season.
-Failure to provide notice results in forfeiture of the franchise fee.

Prize fund structure will be finalized after team registration.
A vote will be conducted before the season begins.
Team count deadline: May 1.

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BLBA may withhold prize payouts for unpaid dues, rule violations, or disciplinary action.

If a team forfeits, the opposing team must bowl within:
• 40 pins per pair per game
• 120 pins per pair total
• 360 pins overall
If met, the opposing team receives points per game and up to all match points.

Owners must notify BLBA representatives & roster updates must be approved/made by BLBA. Rosters close after Week 11 and reopen after finals.

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​Bowlers must notify their current owner before joining another team:
-Standard transfer waiting period: 1 week
-Failure to notify owner: 3 week waiting period.

​These rules govern all BLBA Tour matches, BLBA events, and affiliated events. Participation constitutes acceptance of these rules. BLBA administration reserves the right to interpret and enforce all rules. All decisions are final.

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ALL OTHER RULES will be covered by USBC RULES. This is NOT a USBC sanctioned event.