Bowling Rules

I. Governing Rules

The Rules of the American Bowling Congress will apply in all cases except where a special Oregon State University Intramurals rule applies.

II. Eligibility

All participants must be either students registered at Oregon State University or Faculty/Staff/Affiliate with a Recreational Sports Membership. For more information on eligibility, consult the Intramurals Handbook.

III. Equipment

  • Players may provide their own balls, or balls are available at the MU Rec Center Bowling Lanes to borrow.
  • Players must wear approved bowling shoes. Shoes can be provided by players or rented from the MU Rec Center Bowling Lanes.

IV. Pregame

  • All participants will need to bring their ID card to enter the facility.
  • Team managers need to check in with the supervisor on duty before each game to verify their team’s roster.

V. Game Time

  • Four bowlers constitute a team, one of whom is the captain and signs all score cards.
  • At least three members must be present to bowl for a score. A “phantom” score will be used for the fourth bowler. The “phantom” score is the lowest individual score of the opposing team minus 10 points.
    • If both teams have three (3) players, the “phantom” bowler rule is not applied and the total score of all three players will score for the entire team.
  • Match time is forfeit time. Three (3) members must be present to start and must begin the match at the designated start time. Late bowlers may catch up if they arrive within 10 minutes of starting time. If a bowler does not show, a “phantom” score (see V.B) shall apply for the game(s) missed.
  • Teams will automatically be dropped from the league after two forfeits and an absentee score procedure will apply.

VI. Substitutions

  • Players must bowl an entire game before a substitute comes in.
  • You may substitute players between games.

VII. Rules and Scoring

  • All scoring is based on scratch scores.
  • Three (3) games shall constitute a match, with one point awarded to the winning team for each game won.
  • A tie game is scored as one-half point for each team.
  • Bowling courtesy and special rules made by the management of the MU Rec Center must be followed.
  • League results will be posted on the Intramurals website.

VIII. Playoffs

  • A player must have rolled at least one match in regular league play to be eligible for playoffs.
  • In the event that a game is tied 1.5 to 1.5 after three (3) games, total pins for all three (3) games will break the tie.
  • Participants must provide a form of picture identification before each playoff match they participate in.
  • Playoff matches will not be rescheduled.

IX. Conduct

The Intramurals program promotes positive sportsmanship at all contests and activities. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes actions which are unbecoming to an ethical, fair, and honorable individual. It consists of acts of deceit, disrespect, or vulgarity and includes taunting.

X. Ejections

Any player ejected from a game will be immediately suspended from participating in all Intramurals activities. The ejected player must then make an appointment with the Coordinator of Intramurals and Sports Coordinator to determine the length of suspension and any other sanctions. The following actions can result in ejections from Intramurals:

  • Improper language
  • Unsporting conduct

Contact: Sport Programs Office, (541) 737-4083, 111 Dixon Recreation Center
Revised: 5/3/2023