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GREENDALE, Wis. - Due to recent confusion, the United States Bowling Congress is clarifying its rules regarding the use of bowling ball cleaners, polishes and surface-altering abrasives before, during and after USBC certified league and tournament competition.

During competition, bowlers may apply bowling ball cleaners and polishes by hand in the bowling area only; they cannot be applied outside of the bowling area (i.e. in the pro shop, locker room or equipment paddock) or with the use of a ball spinner. Cleaners and polishes used during competition must contain no solids or abrasives and be found on the list of acceptable Commercial Ball Cleaners/Polishes found here.

During competition, bowlers also may use bowling ball cleaning and polishing machines, such as the Lustre King or Storm Surface Factory, provided they do not use any of the surface-altering abrasive options those machines may offer.

Abrasive pads, such as sandpaper, Abralon or Scotch Brite, only may be used before or after competition, and any alterations made using these materials must be made to the entire surface of a bowling ball. Bowlers are not allowed to alter specific areas of a bowling ball's surface (i.e. the track area, flare lines, etc) without altering the rest of the ball's surface in the same fashion.

Cleaners and polishes containing solids or abrasives may be used before or after competition provided the substances are included on the list of acceptable Products Containing Solids or Abrasives found here.

Individual leagues and tournaments reserve the right to place additional restrictions on when and how bowling ball surface adjustments can be made.

For instance, during the televised finals of U.S. Women's Open and Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour events, ball representatives can sometimes be seen altering the surfaces of players' bowling balls between matches. During those events, each television game is considered a separate round of competition, so bowlers are allowed to alter the surfaces of their bowling balls between each of those one-game rounds. This is not the case during league play where all games in a series are considered part of the same round.

USBC encourages bowlers to consult league officers or tournament officials before making surface adjustments to their bowling balls.

The United States Bowling Congress has reached an agreement to bring the 2011 USBC Open Championships to the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.

The 2011 Open Championships was originally scheduled to be held in Osceola County, Fla., at a new 100-lane bowling facility in the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex on land made available by Walt Disney World. The current credit market delayed funding for a key third party involved with the construction project, jeopardizing the timeline for completion.

With the Open Championships now set to be held at the National Bowling Stadium in 2010 and 2011, USBC and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority are teaming up to provide unprecedented exciting incentives for bowlers who attend both tournaments. At the 2011 Open Championships:

· Team captains bringing four or more teams will receive a VIP stay complete with limo service and luxury hotel accommodations.

To be eligible for the incentive program, participation in both the 2010 and 2011 Open Championships is required.

"This agreement ensures the Open Championships has a first rate venue for 2011 and our partners in Reno stepped up to make it happen," said USBC Vice President of Tournaments and Events Jack Mordini. "The numbers show that the bowlers enjoy going to Reno and our relationship has been a great one over the years. With these new incentives, USBC bowlers will have a better chance at winning big in Reno than ever before."

The RSCVA, along with partner hotels, plan to develop additional unique benefit packages for USBC bowlers in the months ahead.

"We are extremely pleased to have been selected as the host city for the 2011 USBC Open Championships," said RSCVA President and Chief Executive Officer Ellen Oppenheim. "We are looking forward to opening our doors and providing an unparalleled experience for championship participants."

USBC remains optimistic that the Osceola County facility will open by 2012, which means the 2013 USBC Women's Championship would be the first USBC event held there.

"The impact of the credit crisis continues to be felt across the country," said USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger. "We recognize our members on the East Coast would like to see the Open Championships closer to home. The project in the Orlando area may not be ready in 2011, but we are committed to seeing an arena for bowling in this ideal location."

As the Open Championships continues to grow, fewer cities have large enough venues available to host the event. The Open Championships requires 100,000 square feet of convention center floor space for seven consecutive months.

"USBC has talked with nearly every potential host city in the eastern portion of the country," Mordini said. "City leaders are increasingly cautious about booking one event for seven months straight, even one with a proven track record of success like the Open Championships."

The USBC Open Championships is the largest participatory sporting event in the world with nearly 85,000 athletes competing during a 140-day stretch from late February through early July. The Open Championships creates an estimated $100-million impact for the local economy of the host city.

Last modified: 11/27/09