I posted this on a big Facebook group but I’ll post it here. Should there be a penalty for bowling on the wrong lane?
If it were me, I’d treat it as a foul. Bowl the second shot on your correct lane.
This is covered by USBC rule.
Rule 9 – Bowling on the Wrong LaneIn league or tournament play, a dead ball shall be called and the player or players required to rebowl
on the correct lane when:
a. One player bowls on the wrong lane.
b. One player from each team on the pair of lanes bowls on the wrong lane.
If more than one player on the same team bowls on the wrong lane in turn, all deliveries stand as
bowled. Upon discovery, bowlers shall complete subsequent frames on the correct lanes.
If a player bowls on the wrong lane in a singles tournament where a change of lanes is made, a
tournament may by rule require the delivery to stand and the player to finish the frame on the incorrect
lane when a strike is not recorded. When a strike is made, a dead ball shall be called and the player
required to re-bowl on the correct lane.
In singles match-play competition, where a player normally bowls two frames each time it is the
player’s turn to bowl, the foregoing shall also apply provided the error was discovered before the
opposing player has made a delivery. Otherwise, the score stands as bowled, with all subsequent
frames in the game bowled on the correct lanes.
If there is a protest then
Rule 10 – Provisional BallA provisional ball or frame shall be bowled when a protest involving a foul, legal pinfall or a dead ball
made and cannot be resolved by the two team captains or a tournament official.
The following procedures apply when a dispute occurs:
a. For the first ball of any frame, or after the second ball in the 10th frame if the first ball was a strike
1. Foul: The player shall complete the frame and then bowl one provisional ball at a full setup of
pins.
2. Illegal Pinfall: The player shall complete the frame and then bowl one provisional ball at the
same setup which would have remained standing had the disputed pin(s) not have fallen.
3. Dead Ball: The player shall complete the frame and then bowl a complete provisional frame.
b. On a spare attempt or the third ball of the 10th frame:
1. Foul and Illegal Pinfall: No provisional ball is necessary.
2. Dead Ball: A provisional ball shall be bowled at the same setup which was standing when the
disputed ball was bowled.
The score sheet and a record of both scores for the frame in which the provisional delivery was
made shall be kept. The protest must be referred to the league board of directors or tournament
management for a decision. If they are unable to make a decision, the local association or USBC
Headquarters/Rules can be asked for a decision on submission of the facts relating to the protest.