Rules/Structure

North South League Structure

The North South League is a non-sanctioned co-ed league consisting of 4 person teams who bowl weekly 3 games per night each season.

Based on the number of teams, the schedule will change.  The Fall Season starts around the second Thursday after Labor Day and bowls until the end of November ( we do not bowl the week of Thanksgiving ).  Refer to the page with the schedule for specific details.  

The league breaks until the new year, and the Winter/Spring season begins again the second Thursday of the new year and bowls until mid-April.  Again, the length of the schedule will vary based on the number of teams in the league.

The league schedule aims to have each team play every other team 1 time in each season.  The two seasons are not the same length.  In the event that we have fewer teams than weeks, some teams will bowl other teams more than once ( but not all ), and in the event that we have more teams than weeks, some teams will not bowl every other team.  This will be random and determined by the schedule the alley produces.

If we have more teams than weeks, the half of the season will end with the regularly scheduled matchups, but if we have more weeks than teams, then the half of the season will end with a position round.

The specific weeks of bowling for each season are listed on the season's schedule page.

League play begins at 7:00pm, 10 minutes of practice starts at 6:50.

League dues are composed of 2 parts.  The lineage charged by the alley plus a small amount to go into a pool to pay for end of year activities/awards. 

If you want to pay on a weekly basis, the total cost of the season can be spread across the first 2/3 of the season.  For example, if the total cost of the season is 240$ and the season is 15 weeks, you would be expected to pay 24$/week.  This way everyone is paid in full before the end of the season.

A note on teams with "VACANT" slots.  Please note that the alley will not charge us for a team that has fewer than the standard members.  For example, if a team only has 2 people, and the other 2 players are marked "vacant", the alley will only charge us for the two full time members regardless of how they bowl ( e.g. if they are present, blind, pre-bowl, or a sub bowls in their place ).  The alley does not charge us lineage for the two "vacant" slots.  A team does NOT take a penalty if they have "vacant" slots.  Those slots are not considered "blind" so there is no average minus 10 pins.  Vacant team members get a 120 average with a 81 hdcp.  There is no penalty.  If a team gets a sub to fill in for a "vacant" position, the lineage for that person has to be paid by the league, and as such, that cost will be passed on to the team.


** Please Note: The total dues may be rounded up or down to make accounting easier **


2022-2023 League Dues composition: Lineage: $13.65 Prize/Party Fund: $2.35 Total: $16 

2023-2024 League Dues composition:   Lineage: $14.25 Prize/Party Fund: $2.75 Total: $17

2024-2025 League Dues composition: Lineage: $14.40 Prize/Party Fund: $2.60 Total: $17

North South League Rules

Handicap is 90% of 210 with no limit on the amount of handicap.

Handicap is established after 3 games are played, and handicaps do not rollover from prior seasons.

4 points are awarded each night.  1 point is awarded for each game and 1 point is awared for overall score.  Points are awarded based on handicapped totals.  Ties result in 1/2 points awarded.

Vacancy score is 120 with a handicap of 81.  Vacancy scores are used in lieu of a blind score if a team member doesn't have an established handicap, or when a team does not have the full complement of permanent team members. 

If a "Vacant" team is used because the league has an odd number of teams, teams bowling the vacant team must bowl within 40 pins of their team average per game in order to win the points per game and within 120 points of their series average ( game average times 3 ) to win the overall points.

All or part of a team can pre-bowl.  Subs are not allowed when a team pre-bowls.  However, as an example, if 2 of the normal team lineup can pre-bowl, subs would be allowed for the other team members on the regular league night.  Post bowling is only allowed in the first week of the league.  Teams have to bowl by the following Tuesday evening when post-bowling.

If a bowler does not pre-bowl and does not show up by their turn in the third frame, that bowler is considered "blinded" and their average minus 10 pins is used for their game score.  If the bowler does not have an established handicap, the vacancy score is used.

At least 1 full time member of a team must either pre-bowl or bowl on the regular league night.  If at least 1 full time member of a team is not present or did not pre-bowl, the team forfeits all games for that night and cannot win any points.  However, the opposing team must still bowl within 40 pins of their team average to win game points, and within 120 pins of their team series average ( game average times 3 ) in order to win the overall points. Angela: this implies that a team of 1 sub and 3 blind members is not a legal lineup?

Standing ties are broken by scratch pins, and if there is still a tie after considering scratch totals, handicap pins are considered. 

League dues are due each night at a minimum.  Total dues for the season should be paid in full 2/3rds through the season.

Subs are permitted on any regular league night.  Subs are allowed on position night or the last night of the season if they have bowled at least 9 games during the current season.  Subs are not expected to pay league dues.  The regular team member is responsible for the fees/dues for any night that they miss, even if they have a sub.  However, in the event that a sub plays for a "vacant" position on a team, that sub is expected to pay the league dues on the days that they play.

Team members of a team can be replaced during the season.  The team member leaving is responsible for dues up until the week that the new team member joins the team.  If the league is required to pay for the team member who is leaving, the person leaving is responsible for payment if there is no replacement.

If a team joins the league after the start of the league, the team doesn't "lose" the games that weren't played, but the overall number of games the team can win is limited to the number of weeks the team is actually in the league.  If a team starts late, they will not be required to pay lineage for any weeks that did not bowl prior to starting; however, the team is still responsible for the full "Prize/Party fund" amount for the entire season.

North South League End of Season

The extra money collected as part of the league dues goes to provide a prize fund for the top league finishers as well as provide funds for the end of year celebration held at the end of the Winter/Spring season.  The amount that is available varies based on the number of teams and the difference between the total dues and the lineage fee.  The amount that is awarded to teams will be published on the web page at the end of each season.

Typically, the dues are split 75% for a prize fund and 25% to go towards the end of season party.  The payouts from the prize fund will vary based on the number of teams in the league and the length of the league ( the more teams and the longer the league, the larger the total prize fund ).

Typical payouts:

These are just an example, the actual amounts and the number of places paid will vary based on the size of the prize fund.  The goal is to pay at least the top three spots so depending on how much money is in the fund, those payouts could be reduced to make the total fund stretch to cover the top three spots.

Actual Payouts

Fall 2023: 1st 140$/person, 2nd 100$/person, 3rd 50$/person, 4th 20$/person

Winter/Spring 2024: 150$/person, 2nd 100/$person, 3rd 50$/person, 4th 30$/person, 5th 25$/person, 6th 20$/person

Fall 2024: 1st 120$/person, 2nd 80$/person, 3rd 50$/person, 4th 20$/person