Need clarification. Bowler hasn't bowled in years and I know with new balance hole rules going into effect August 1, 2020, this ball would need to be plugged.


Bowler is a two finger bowler who does not use thumb. Ball is a standard pin up layout with finger tips and thumb slug. There are no balance holes, but I understand since the bowler does not use the thumb with a slug that is drilled, that counts as the balance hole. To my understanding, up until August 2020, this would still be legal, since there is still only one balance hole. After that date, the thumb hole would need to be plugged. Is this ball currently legal for this bowler? Or do they have to use their thumb in the delivery to make it legal?

I see this through USBC:

Does this mean every bowling ball thrown by a no-thumb or two-handed bowler who uses no thumb is now going to be illegal and have to be re-drilled?

No. If a bowler doesn't use their thumb during a delivery, they can either have a thumb hole or a balance hole but not both. If the ball has a thumb hole but the bowler doesn't use it, then as long as it meets static balance requirements, the ball is allowed. If the ball has both a thumb hole and a balance hole, the bowler needs to plug at least one of them.

Thanks for the help

You make a point that enforcement is tough, but I actually think it's MUCH easier going forward than it is now. I mean, if you see anyone using a ball with a hole that isn't being used for gripping, they are in violation, case closed. Right now, we all have to remember what rules we're playing by, when the new ones go into action, etc. At least once the crossover happens, it will be much more cut and dry.

As for the start of next season, as a team captain, I will make sure all of my bowlers know of the rules change as we end this season. That way, they have plenty of time to prepare before things start back up. Likewise, if I were a league official, I would address this at the end of this season to make sure nobody claims ignorance or cries foul at the start of next season either. That doesn't mean nobody will, but at least they won't be able to claim they weren't aware.

Our local association has been trying to plan for this change ever since it was announced.  All they did was put out a flyer/leaflet announcing the change.  They are reluctant to announce the changes verbally in league meetings for fear of chasing bowlers away.  So they are taking a passive approach and will "deal with individual situations as they arise" next fall.

By the time the changes take effect, bowlers will have had 2 years to learn about them and get equipment updated as needed.  Invariably, there will be a huge subset of bowlers (both recreational and competitive) who will claim they had no idea and pitch a fit when they are told they can't use their equipment the first night of sanctioned bowling.  Some will walk out and never return.  Others will get their equipment updated and come back.  I am sure there will be other sanctioned leagues who allow them to bowl despite their equipment being illegal.  "Okay, we will let you bowl this week, but make sure you get your stuff updated."

I only bowled on one unsanctioned summer league years ago and they basically followed all the USBC rules anyways.  Only difference was we did not pay the sanction fee and get the bonding,etc and other benefits from USBC.