Frequently Asked Questions
BCGBA Laws of the Game of Crown Green Bowling
If you have any questions or queries about crown green bowling use the email form at the bottom of the index page and a reply will be printed here as soon as possible
Question:-are social bowlers required to be registered with the BCGBA?
Answer:-BCGBA Bye Laws 5(j) Only players in possession of a bona fide BCGBA Memership card and number will be eligible for league or competitive bowling.
So the answer is no, social bowlers do not have to be registered with the BCGBA (NL&FCGBA)
Question:-Are white jacks allowed in league matches?
Answer:-In Appendix "A" Of The Laws Of The Game- A Standard Jack- page 182 of the BCGBA Official Handbook (no.2) it states that Standard Jacks manufactured between 1st January 1994 and 1st March 2004.... shall be black white or yellow. So the answer is yes, white Standard Jacks are allowed in league matches.
Question:-What is the weight of the smallest bowl you can use?
Answer:-A bowl shall weigh not less than 2lb, except that a player with medical evidence of a wasting disease of bone or muscle may be allowed a dispensation.
Question:- What is the rule about player's footwear?
Answer:- Hard or block-heeled footwear must not be worn whilst on the green in any match..........any player failing to conform to this standard will be prevented from playing......BCGBA Bye Laws Players Dress 25-1.... our constitution states that appropriate flat shoes shall be worn on the green at all times.
Question:-How do you measure?
Answer:- First, take the loose end of the measure to the nearest point of bowl "A"
Second, take the adjustable end of the measure to the nearest point of the jack and, when both ends are just touching bowl and jack with the string or tape tight, activate the locking devise.
Now take the loose end of the measure to the nearest point of bowl "B" and if the adjustable end of the measure does not reach the nearest point of the jack then bowl "A" is the winner.
If the adjustable end reaches the jack and the string or tape is now slack then bowl "B" is the winner.
Hope you all understand this !
Question: Why were Mercer Park Team not relegated from Division 2 of the Hyndburn & District Bowling League at the end of 2007 season when they finished second from bottom ?
Answer: Mercer Park finished up second from bottom (Grange "A" were bottom) but because the Clitheroe CC "A" Team resigned from Division 2, Mercer Park were allowed to remain in the league and not be relegated.
Question: What age do you have to be to play in the Roney Rose Bowl (Seniors) ?
Answer: 60yrs.(Changed in 2014)
Question: What do I do if a player claims the end and moves his bowls before I have the opportunity to see them ?
Answer: BCGBA Rule 7.6 says - When an end is concluded neither the jack nor a bowl claimed to count may be moved without the consent of the opponent until the points are counted and all players are satisfied,otherwise all bowls of the offender shall be forfeited at the end concerned.
Question: How do you measure with a long tape?
Answer: When measuring a mark, the loose end of the tape is first taken to the nearest point of the jack and the adjustable end is then taken over the footer (bowls mat) so that measurement can be taken to the centre of the footer (bowls mat).
Question: With 2 teams from Grange in the Hyndburn & District Team Knockout Competition Semi-Finals and Final,will the Division 4 Team still have +10 and will the Division 3 Team play off scratch ?
Answer: The simples answer is YES they will.
Question: What should you do if a footer (bowls mat) is accidentally displaced during an end ?
Answer: The footer (bowls mat) should be replaced as nearly as possible in its former position. (BCGBA Laws of the Game 5.7)
Question: Where on the green do you start a game ?
Answer: The Entrance, which must be near the centre of any one side of the playing area, shall be plainly marked.(BCGBA Laws of the Game 1.2)
Question: Must a player stand on the footer (Mat) when delivering a jack or a bowl ?
Answer: According to the British Crown Green Bowling Association Laws of the Game Rule5.3 a player's foot must be placed on the footer (mat) when delivering either the jack or a bowl. Any bowl not played in accordance with Law 5.3 must be returned to be played again. If a player offends again during the course of the game, the bowl wrongly played shall be forfeited.
Question: Why do team players have to pay a registration fee to play for Grange ?
Answer: At one time players paid £5 registration fee for each Grange team they played for. This was then changed to £6 registration fee to cover all teams. The registration fee is a contribution from team players to pay for the registration in Hyndburn & District League (£80), Gt Harwood & District League (£30),North Lancs & Fylde CGBA (£45) and the BCGBA (£10). Further contribution (£45) go towards insurance which covers the club and players for £5m Public Liabitlity which is a requirement to play in the various leagues. Some bowling clubs who play on local authority greens, pay this expenditure through membership fees,etc. as they do not have the overheads the Grange has.
Question: How are Grange Bowling Club teams (A-B-C) selected for league matches ?
Answer: The Club Constitution states
"Captains of teams representing Grange Bowling Club are required to select teams by dropping the 3 players with the lowest score (win or lose) and replacing them with other players in strict rotation".
Captains are allowed to drop more players if they feel it is appropriate as long as they stick to the constitutional ruling.
However, teams for Cup Matches and Friendlies are selected by the Captains without regard to the constitutional rule.
Question: Can wine be brought onto the green?
Answer: Other than on very special occasions,such as an 80/90th Birthday or a Golden Wedding Anniversary, when the committee have in the past recognised the event with a congratulatory glass of wine actually on the green, alcoholic drinks have always been discouraged at the club.
Question: How many teams will be relegated and promoted in the Hyndburn & District Bowling League next season?
Answer: It was decided at the AGM to revert to four divisions of ten teams for the 2010 season. To acheive this, the 2009 season promotions and relegations will be as follows:
Division One.................... 2 Down
Division Two....... 1 Up...... 3 Down
Division Three..... 1 Up...... 2 Down
Division Four....... 1 Up...... -------
Question: What is the correct name of the club?
Answer: All Saints Grange Bowling Club - the club was formed way back in June 1910 as part of the All Saints Parish Institute which was situated in the house (The Grange) next door and also had tennis courts, croquet green,gardens and allotments, which are no longer there. The bowling club is all that is left of the institute and it will be celebrating its centenary in 2010. The club is called 'Grange' for short.
Question: What should happen if a player sends the jack too short - not the required 19m ?
Answer: Law 4.4a specifically states that an objection to a mark "must be made by a leader's opponent". Please see the British Crown Green Bowling Association page (Rules/Laws Section) on our website.
Question: Do you have to be a good player to represent Grange in local leagues?
Answer: "Grange Bowling Club will ensure that all players, regardless of level of skill, age, disability, etc. will have an equal opportunity to represent the club in competitive bowling" adopted 1999
Question: What is the age rule to play in the Vet's Team?
Answer: All team players must be 60yrs plus. A player may register if they will be 60 in that season but cannot play until their birthday. A team fielding an under age player will be deducted 10 points.
Question: If a player asks "WHO IS IN ?" and there is no officiating referee, is it permissible for another player to go on the green to answer the question ?
Answer: It was proposed fairly recently that only the Captain, or a nominated player, could do this but this was defeated at a British Crown Green Association meeting. So the answer is yes it is permissible for a player to go on the green, when requested, to determine WHO IS IN ?
Question: Can you ask for the jack to be returned if the player bowling the jack tells you the wrong bias ?
Answer: BCGBA Law 4.1 states 'In an attempt to set a mark, a player bowling the jack must allow the opponent(s) the opportunity of seeing with what bias it is delivered, and of watching its course from a point near the footer'.
Question: What are the rules in the Hyndburn & District Bowling League, if a team plays an un-registered player?
Answer: Rule 26 states - "no person will register for more than one team". Rule 28 states - "Teams playing un-registered players shall concede the player's games 21-0. There will also be a 4 point deduction given to the offending team. This means that anyone playing for our "A" team cannot play for our "C" team.
Question: What is the new rule passed at the Hyndburn & District Bowling League AGM 2010?
Answer: The rule relating to tied Team Knockout Cup Games: In the event of a further tie, the captains will nominate one player from each team to play five up at the home venue, (first team drawn), only players from this venue to play. Away team to lead the jack.
Question: Why are some players allowed to play in a club team when they are thought not really to be good enough?
Answer: Our Constitution states that "All Saints Grange Bowling Club will ensure that all player, regardless of level of skill, age, disability, etc will have an equal opportunity to represent the club in competitive bowling".
Question: Does a player bowling the jack have to tell his opponent what bias is being delivered?
Answer: 'a player bowling the jack must allow the opponent the opportunity of seeing with what bias it is delivered,and watching its course from a point near the footer'. (BCGBA Laws of the Game 4.1)
However, I think you will agree, that it is courteous to tell an opponent what bias it is being delivered but remembering it is not compulsory according to Law 4.1.
Question: Can you smoke electronic cigarettes on the bowling green?
Answer: FROM BCGBA NEWS
STILL NO SMOKING
With the invention of the electronic cigarette, guidance has been sought on the use of such aides whilst on the green.
It is believed that whilst the electronic version does not give off any smoke it does give off a vapour with a similar density to smoke. After discussion at the last Management Committee Meeting, it was agreed that the electronic cigarette will be interpreted as smoking on the green and as such will be banned.
It was agreed to amend the current law at the next possible opportunity.
Question: What are the restrictions concerning footwear on the bowling green?
Answer: BCGBA Bye-Laws Rule 25/1
Hard or block heeled footwear must not be worn whilst on the green in any match played under the BCGBA jurisdiction.
Question: what happens if I send one of my opponent's bowls by mistake?
Answer: Rule 5.13 If a player, in turn, delivers a bowl of another player, it shall be returned to the proper owner to be played, the offender forfeiting a bowl.
Question: If the jack is bowled and the person who bowled it thinks it is not 19 metres and has not bowled the first bowl,can the person get the jack back and send it again?
Answer: The person has to bowl and its up to the opponent to challenge it. (See BCGBA Laws of the Game Section 4-Setting a Mark).
Question: What is the BCGBA Law concerning smoking?
Answer: Law 11 Smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes is not allowed while participating in the game of Crown Green Bowls. The offending player(s) shall receive no further score and the opponent(s) shall receive the maximum score.
