A. SUNDAY NIGHT OUT BOWLING LEAGUE

Sunday Night Out (SNO) Bowling League is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer, +, and Straight Allies bowling league. We welcome all bowlers. Our ONLY requirement is that you are an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community and/or are open-minded to all sexual orientations. We enjoy the socialization, fun, mild competition and friendships that the sport of bowling brings to our community.

B. UNITED STATES BOWLING CONGRESS 

The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) through the Central New Mexico USBC Association (CNM-USBC) shall sanction this league. The USBC Book of Playing Rules shall apply to all rules not covered under the SNO league rules. The USBC Book of Playing Rules is available at bowl.com/rules.

All bowlers are required to have a membership/sanction with USBC the first night of bowling if you do not already have membership.  Membership will need to be renewed yearly (August 1-July 31).   

USBC sanction fee total is $34.00 per year and includes national, state, and local fees. Bowlers can pay online at www.bowl.com or make a check payable to Sunday Night Out (per the request of our local association) and we will pay your membership on your behalf.   

If you pay USBC online, please send proof of membership (copy of new card or a screenshot) via email (preferred – SNOPresident1@gmail.com) or text to secretary/treasurer(s).

If you bowl in another league and have already been sanctioned with their league (paid after August 1st and today), a sanction card will still be required to be completed for our league indicating membership through the other league. Please check the option at the bottom for ‘sanctioned in another league’ and write the name of your league. Please write legibly to ensure your membership can be verified.

If you are transferring your membership to SNO mid-season, you will only pay either a local membership or state transfer fee, depending on the situation.

NOTE: Whether you pay USBC online or in person the 1st night, you will still be required to fill out and sign a physical USBC sanction card upon beginning of each league season (August & January), as we are required to turn these into CNM-USBC.

C. INTERNATIONAL GAY BOWLING ORGANIZATION  

SNO is a member of the International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO). IGBO’s mission is to “aim to foster a safe and inclusive environment for the entire LGBTQ+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and their allies) as the bowling organization of choice for the international community”. 

IGBO’s Non-Discrimination & Participation Statement:

“IGBO recognizes access to sport as a human right. Community is a primary pillar of IGBO and cannot be fulfilled if any member of our community is intentionally or unintentionally excluded. We strive to continually listen, learn, and adapt to ensure every member of IGBO has a sense of belonging in our community. IGBO promotes gender inclusion by recognizing an individual player’s self-identified gender; and avoiding gender-based distinctions or divisions in sporting activities, while considering member countries’ cultures. IGBO is committed to celebrating each athlete’s accomplishments and skill, regardless of gender identity.”

For more information on the International Gay Bowling Organization please visit www.igbo.org

4. GENERAL INFORMATION 

The purpose of this league is to convene weekly in the pursuit of socialization, friendship, and a safe space for our community and allies. SNO will foster and maintain the spirit of fellowship and true sportsmanship within the league. 

There will be zero tolerance of any violence, whether verbal or physical, while the league is in session. This includes bowlers, staff, bystanders, and with physical equipment; whether your own, or that belonging to the bowling house. 

  1. We are a mixed/handicap league who bowls on Sunday evenings at Silva Lanes (3010 Eubank NE in Albuquerque), with a practice start time of 5:45pm and league bowling start time at 6:00pm. 
  2. The league can consist of up to 34 (four-person) teams with a maximum of six bowlers (4 regulars with 2 alternates) on each team roster. 
  3. Standings are based on a seven (7) point system per night. Two (2) points for each game and one (1) point for total pins. 
  4. The management of the SNO League will be vested in the Board of Directors, whose membership shall consist of the League Officers and Team Captains. 

a. A League Officer may not be a team captain. 
b. Board of Director positions are a one-year commitment – January through December. 

      1. Board of Director positions will be voted on at the awards night in December. 
      2. All positions are open nominations, and the nominee must be present to accept the nomination. The majority vote shall win the election. 
      3. The Team Captain of each team will vote on behalf of their team. 
      4.  In case of a voting tie, the deciding vote will be cast by the President of the league.

5. LEAGUE SCHEDULE  

The league bowls two separate, un-related sixteen (16) week halves to allow multiple teams the ability to bowl throughout the bowling year. It can be found online at abq-sno.org/season-schedule.

The halves are as follows: 

  1. Fall/Winter schedule: August – December. No bowling on Labor Day Weekend or Thanksgiving Weekend.
  2. Winter/Spring schedule: January – May. No bowling on Super Bowl Sunday or Easter weekend.
  3. No bowling during the summer months of June and July.

6. AVERAGES AND SCORING

All entering averages will be established in the following order: 

  1. New bowlers to the league will establish averages the first night and must bowl all three games to establish their average. 
  2. Returning league bowlers will utilize last season’s average the first night of bowling, if 21 games were bowled the previous half of SNO league. This means that your score the first night of league will be based upon the prior average and handicap.
  3. The most current book average will be used if the bowler did not bowl the previous half. 

Scoring will be as follows:

  1. Handicap to be used is 100% of 225.
  2. When there is a vacant position, the vacancy score is 120 with a handicap of 105. 
  3. When a bowler is absent, the absentee score will be recorded as the bowler’s average minus ten (10) pins. 
  4. Any team bowling unopposed (bowling a “ghost team”), or if an opposing team forfeits, must bowl at least their team average minus forty (40) pins per game to win the points.

7. TEAM INFORMATION 

1. A minimum legal lineup consists of two eligible team members from the team’s full current four-person roster. When a team has two full roster members only (and 2 vacant positions), one member needs to be present for a legal lineup. This would apply until a permanent third member is added to the team’s roster. 

a. A legal lineup (see 7A above) must be present before the start of the first frame of any game, or the game is forfeited.  
b. A player who arrives late (tardy) is permitted to bowl, provided the first bowler of the opposing team has not yet bowled the third frame in any game. However, they may begin bowling the 2nd game of the evening, if they are present at the beginning of the 2nd game.
c. A team intentionally delaying the game to wait for a late player will forfeit the game. League Officers will determine the validity of the delay concern. The tardy bowler may not bowl until the start of the next game; however, an absent score is still used for the missed game. 

2. Any bowler or team withdrawing from the league must give a two-week notice to the team captain and/or league secretary/treasurer. The resigning member(s) must pay league fees for two weeks if the bowler(s) are not replaced within that period. Two-weeks’ notice begins the DAY OF notice.  
3. No teams will be added to the league roster later than the third week of league. However, individuals will always be allowed to join to fill vacant spots or become alternates on teams through Week 14. In the final two weeks, no bowlers will be allowed to join teams. 

a. Teams that join in the second or third week may make up games for weeks one and/or two, if bowled within the 7 days of joining, and no later than Week 4, due to Post-Bowl Rules.
(See Rule 12, Pre & Post-Bowl Rules.)
b. Alternates must bowl a minimum of 12 games to bowl in position rounds.

8. SUBSTITUTES/REPLACEMENT BOWLERS

Substitutes may be used in league play in place of an absent bowler. 

  1. The Secretary/Treasurer(s) must be notified if a substitute is going to be used during league play. 
  2. Substitutes must be sanctioned by USBC and complete a sanction form even if they have bowled in the league previously. It is the Team Captain’s responsibility to ensure that SNO has a USBC Sanction for the substitute or the team may forfeit the bowled games. 
  3. Substitutes do not pay absent bowler league fees. 
  4. This league does not have a substitute bowler fee, unless subbing for a VACANT team spot (See 8.H. below).
  5. The absent league bowler is responsible for all league fees, even if a substitute is used. 
  6. Substitutes are not eligible for team and/or individual awards. 
  7. Substitutes may not bowl the last two weeks of league bowling/position rounds. 

If a substitute bowler chooses to bowl in a VACANT team spot, the substitute bowler is then responsible for the full nightly league fee ($20.00). This must be explained to the substitute BY THE TEAM CAPTAIN, prior to putting the substitute on the team for the evening.

9. LEAGUE FEES

1. The weekly league fee is $20.00 per week per team member. Each team member is responsible for this weekly fee. You may pay by cash or check.  If paying by check, please make the check payable to Sunday Night Out or SNO. 

a. TEAM CAPTAINS are responsible for collecting fees from each team member, placing them into the pay envelope, FULLY completing the carbon payment sheet (WITH SIGNATURE CONFIRMING MONIES) and turning into the Secretary/Treasurer by the END OF THE FIRST GAME every week.
b. BOWLERS – PLEASE DO NOT WRITE ON THE WHITE TEAM PAYMENT ENVELOPE. This is for secretary/treasurer use only. Please write on carbon payment sheets only. 

2. No bowler can be more than two weeks in arrears at any given time or that person shall forfeit all games bowled during the period of arrears until brought current. 

a. A score of 120 with no handicap will be used in place of bowler’s score until brought current. 

3. The last two weeks of bowling are due by the sixth week of each half and may not be in arrears (this season, Week 6 is September 29, 2024).

Fee Breakdown (Weekly League Fee $20.00):

            • Lineage: $14.85
            • Prize Fund: $3.90
            • Secretary/Treasurer: $0.60 
            • IGBO Fund: $0.10
            • Contingency: $0.10 
            • Mountain Regional: $0.05  
            • IGBO Rep Travel Assistance: $0.15
            • Music Fund: $0.25

10. PRIZE FUND 

The prize fund must be adopted within five (5) weeks of the start of the league schedule (USBC Rule 117a). The president appoints a committee (USBC Rule 104b) of one or more league members to prepare one or more prize fund proposals for the league to choose from. The committee must abide by any league rules when creating a prize list.

NOTE: Due to USBC current position on transgender bowlers, Sunday Night Out league has chosen to not provide gender-based awards or scratch-based individual awards.

1. Team and Individual Handicap awards are as follows:

* Team Handicap High Series – Top 4 Places 
* Team Handicap Game – Top 4 Places 
* Most Improved Bowler – Top 4 Places
* Highest Average-Each Division – Top 3 Places 
* Individual Handicap High Series – Top 4 Places 
* Individual Handicap High Game – Top 4 Places

2. Averages are divided into five (5) divisions, as follows:

DIVISION

AVERAGE

A

189-300

B

170-188

C

149-169

D

129-148

E

0-128
   

11. ACCOUNTING OF FEES

All monies collected each week will be deposited into the league bank account by Thursday of each week.  Cash or check accepted for league fees. Checks are to be made payable to Sunday Night Out or SNO.

A. Any non-sufficient funds check will be assessed a fee of $25.00 in addition to the recovery of the original amount of the check. 

    1. The $25.00 fee will cover the bank cost of the returned check, and the balance will be put into our bank account to cover expenses. 
    2. Secretary/Treasurer fee to be paid at the end of each half. 
    3. Mountain Regional fee is to be paid at the end of December annually.
    4. IGBO yearly association fee will be paid out at time of renewal in October.  The fee is based on the number of bowlers in our league at that time. 

a. Sunday Night Out will pay IGBO fees for league members only. League members are those currently and actively on a team, paid up with dues, at time of paying IGBO fees, and a member in good standing with Sunday Night Out.  

        1. If you are a substitute in our league and wish to bowl in an IGBO tournament you will need to become an associate member. Please go to their website (www.igbo.org) or see our IGBO Representative for more information. 

5. IGBO Representative Travel Assistance fund will be paid out at the end of every half. 

  1.  

a. Receipts or proof of travel must be provided to the Secretary/Treasurer. 

12. PRE-BOWLING & POST-BOWLING

Please make sure to read this portion of the rules and understand the following guidelines.

  1. Teams must notify the league Secretary/Treasurer if your team will not be in attendance on league night and complete the form located on-line at www.abq-sno.org/pre-post-bowl. 
    1. Teams have the option of pre-bowling or post-bowling, if timely notice (by 6:00pm on league night) has been given to the secretary/treasurer(s). 
    2. Teams will not be provided with pre-bowling scores, prior to bowling against a team who has pre-bowled.
  2. Pre-Bowling is allowed prior to the first week of the league bowling, one week in advance.  However, you must provide Secretary/Treasurer(s) proof of USBC paid membership PRIOR to pre-bowling, as well as ensure that Silva Lanes has available lanes. 
  3. Pre-bowling during the regular league season is permitted up to two-weeks in advance of an absence.
    IMPORTANT – If your absence is at the last minute, on league night, please notify Wendy or Gina (or both) via text OR email (SNOPresident1@gmail.com), so that we know immediately and will not assume your team forfeit. 
    If the text or email is received (time stamped) by 6:00pm, your team will be considered as given notice to the secretary/treasurer(s) and you can schedule your post-bowl. PLEASE NOTE! Notifying Silva Lanes ONLY is not considered notifying Sunday Night Out league. You must contact a SNO board member (call, text, or email).
  4. Three (3) post-bowls are allowed per half. 
  5. Teams have one week, Sunday to Sunday, to make up the games. 
    1. If games are not completed in that time frame, points are forfeited, unless pre-approved by due to lack of availability by the House Lanes, due to weekend tournaments/events at Silva Lanes. This will be verified with Silva Lanes and must be approved by the SNO President or Secretary/Treasurer. 
      1. The Executive Board must approve within a one-week time frame. 
      2. The team will have one week from the time approval has been approved, thereby allowing or
        time of two weeks.
  6. No pre- or post-bowls are allowed for position round (week 15). 
  7. Guidelines for pre or post bowling: 
    1. Are you within the rules above? 
    2. Does Silva lanes have availability? Call them at 505-298-5583 to be sure! YOU must plan with Silva and schedule your own lanes. 
    3. You must have a minimum of two legal bowlers from your team pre/post-bowling. 

You must notify the league secretary of the date and time scheduled via the form on the website (or other acceptable methods – all listed below):  

REVISION HISTORY:
*As of the 2012/2013 season, these league rules have been permanently adopted.
*August 4, 2013: Approved by Executive Committee and returning team captains.
*August 4, 2014: Revisions approved by Executive Committee and returning team captains.
*August 2017:  Revisions approved by Executive Committee and returning team captains.
*August 2018: Revisions to reflect new bowling house, Silva Lanes.
*August 8, 2021: Revisions to include lineage increase to $14.10, and weekly fee increase to $18, and election of Justin Schultz to Secretary/Treasurer.
*December 2021: Updated to reflect election of Vickie Creek to League President.
*July 31, 2022: Updated to reflect USBC sanction fee increase to $34.
*August 8, 2022: Updated to reflect election of Wendy Crismore and Gina Belluso to co-Secretary/Treasurers, and Karen Coffey to Sergeant of Arms.
*December 2022: Correction to Section IV. Averages, previously voted on in Winter half but rules were not physically updated.  Added: Section I. B. a & b; Section III – added additional verbiage to include weekends not bowled; Section VI. F, IGBO Awards. 
*August 13, 2023: League approved changes from gender-based awards to divisional-based awards. Approved changes to league fees from $18.00 to $19.00. Change to lineage fee $14.10 to $14.40; secretary fee from $0.40 to $0.50; IGBO fee from $0.10 to $0.20.  

CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT USBC PLAYING RULES/RULEBOOK

2024 Officers and Administration

  • President: Vickie Creek
  • Vice President: Scott Till
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Wendy Crismore & Gina Belluso
  • Sergeant of Arms: *vacant*
  • IGBO Rep: Sandy Roberts
  • Web/Social Media: Wendy Crismore

Please send all emails to: snopresident1@gmail.com.