Some of the following questions have come up during recent coaches meetings.

Is there a new rule change on practice balls? Yes, ten minutes of practice will be allowed on both lanes prior to regular competition. However, one frame on each lane will be allowed for warm up for Sub-state and State competition.  (A strike counts as a frame)  Note: this rule will probably change to one frame on each lane for warm up during regular competition to line up with the IGHSAU rules.

Does the Federation or the IGHSAU rule condone chanting or loud behavior by fans or players? As long as the cheering is done in good taste and for their own team.  It should not be toward another team or be done to disrupt  the opposing  team.

Can the team members stand in the bowlers area to cheer their teammates on?  Players standing up in the bowler's area is allowed.  However, they should be cognizant of the fact that they are obstructing the view of their fans unless the fans are seated in bleachers and can see over the players.

Where do we stand on the boys becoming sanctioned by the Boys High School Athletic Association? To date, we are still in a club sport status until the athletic association boards again discuss it in their spring meetings. An athletic director has to bring the request forward, and we have been told that IHSAA needs 15% of school superintendents (about 60) to tell them they will offer bowling as a sanctioned, lettered sport prior to the meeting.  We currently have 85 schools with boys varsity teams, but many administrators have not given the governing bodies their individual endorsement.

The biggest hurdle is funding. Many of the proprietors have committed to continuing to fund high school bowling at the present levels as long as they are needed. Some proprietors have indicated if bowling is not sanctioned they will not continue to financially support the Federation. Others not presently involved have agreed to fund it as soon as it is sanctioned. School administrators are concerned about their budgets, and feel proprietors and the IHSBF may not be able to pay for increased costs such as transportation (some of which is now being donated by parents and schools) and union scale coaches’ salaries (which vary from one school district to the next). You can see that we all need to work together to make this happen.

How can student athletes and parents help get bowling sanctioned?  You can help by telling your athletic director, your principal, your superintendent, and your elected school board members you want to see bowling as a sanctioned high school sport. Ask your athletic director if your principal or superintendent will vote to sanction bowling as a varsity sport.

Why does bowling need to be sanctioned?  Bowling needs to be sanctioned so bowling student athletes will be treated like other student athletes. Communications between athletic directors, student athletes, coaches, and bowling centers will be improved and decisions will be made on a timely basis if bowling is sanctioned.

Who has the authority to change a rule or make an exception? The Iowa High School Bowling Federation Commission is the governing body while we are a club sport. It is comprised of the Commissioner, three proprietors, two athletic directors, two coaches, one representative each from the IGHSAU and the IHSAA, the president and vice president of the IHSBF, and two business people selected by the president and vice president of the IHSBF.

How can we get information more quickly (conference schedules, results, sites)? For starters, notify the IHSBF 6 weeks prior to the start of season that you will be participating (both centers and schools). Conference coordinators can’t always form schedules if they are unsure what schools and centers are participating. Submit coach’s and team members’ current e-mails to IHSBF 6 weeks prior to season start so we can reach you more quickly and in a cost-effective manner than a printed mailing or telephone call. If IHSBF has an updated e-mail database all communications would be faster. Our e-mail address is iowabowling@mchsi.com.

For Your Information................
Some conferences have All-Conference Awards for their regular season competition. One conference has each coach submit 12 boys’ names and 12 girls’ names, and number them 1 through 12 with the top player in each group receiving 12 points. Each coach may use their own criteria or the coaches together can determine qualifications. Then they simply add the points together and have the top 6 as 1st Team All Conference and the next 6 as 2nd Team All Conference. They receive a printed certificate at their team’s yearend get-together as recognition.

If you have a Request for a Format or Rules Change, forward it in writing to Bruce Strom, President of the Iowa Bowling Proprietors Assn., and he will submit it to the rules committee. He can be reached at Maple Lanes, 2608 University Ave., Waterloo, IA 50701.