Laws of the game

[THE UMPIRE]

Thankfully there has been no changes this year but if anyone has any questions ( Outdoor Bowling only ) ask away.:p

[Angel]

Thanks for that Umpire sometimes come home and you know things shouldn't happen like that but with out knowing the rules inside out its hard to make an issue of it only answer for me is study the rule book:rolleyes:

[peter]

I was wondering if the men will still get their County Badges in the same way after being picked for a number of games
Or will they get points to-wards their badges Like the Ladies for winning competitions have you heard anything about this be unfair as I know a few Chaps who only need one more game

[THE UMPIRE]

Peter, that is a county matter. I know that in my county you have to play a number of games before you get a badge.

[Sam]

What should you do if you know a county selector is not following the rules of the game, ie using underhand tactics to make sure he only plays on his favorite rink, :confused:

[Frankie]

Hi The Umpire,

Grateful if you can help and be specific as the rules seem ambiguous.

In National outdoor competitions for example, National mixed fours, is it correct that the home side must give a choice of any available rink to play the match or draw for rink??

In our area we have several bowlers, when you turn up have selected the rink, laid out the equipment and state this is the rink and no choice is offered. This can't be right and I feel it severely damages the spirit of bowls.
(this is the preliminary rounds where the games are arranged by the players prior to the play by date).

Thank you for any help,

Frankie

[THE UMPIRE]

Sorry Frankie but if you look at my 1st entry on this thread you will see that I have specifyed Outdoor Bowls Only. From my experience of indoor bowls I have found that it can be a minefield as you will see if you look at other Bowls Forums.
What you are asking about does not come under the Laws but but the Rules which are set by any organising body.
As your querie is about a National competition i would suggest logging on to the EIBA web site or even e-mailing them with the question.

[Frankie]

Hi The Umpire,

I did say 'OUTDOOR MIXED FOURS' as an example, anyway took bull by the horns, as have seen quite a bit of bad feeling, telephoned the E B A the rule is that the HOME team must offer a choice of available rinks!!!!!!!!

This is good and has cleared up quite a concern where at times quite reasonable bowlers try and bully opponents into their favorite rink!

Thank you for your help as I would not have contactedthe E B A and had this issue nagging away at me when next playing these players who try and get an unfair advantage.

Thanks Frankie:grin::grin:

[THE UMPIRE]

Apologies for not reading your question correctly. My only defence is that I am just getting rid of a bad cold and was thinking more about going to bed early, bit lame but best I can offer.
Had I read it correctly I could have given you the approprate law etc for the outdoor game. However it made me dig out the World Indoor Bowls Council Laws and their law 13 (i) says the same.

Having now re-read your question again I know exactly what you are saying as I have come up against the same practices as an Umpire. It is unfortunate that such a nice game has people that want to win at all costs and will try to bend the rules for this end.
This is exactly one of the reasons that my Wife and I have changed clubs .

[Sailor]

Can you tell me if this is right had quite a decision going on last night, one Chap was adamant that jacks should be tested, the rest of us have never heard of it hasn't happened not in our Club, got any idea who is right :rolleyes:

[THE UMPIRE]

Thats a new one. What would they be tested for. Maybe a club weighing them to ensure that they are within the weight allowed, but other than that and replacing them when the covering gets grotty what else can you do.

Is someone getting mixed up with Crown Green Jacks that have a bias?.

[mary]

I haven't heard of this, shall do a bit of research perhaps go on Goggle, cant see any reason to test a jack hasn't got any bias, someone could be owed a drink on this discussion :D:roll:

[THE UMPIRE]

I think that Law 7 ( 1, 2, & 3 ) in the current World Bowls Laws of the Sport of Bowls covers it all.:roll:

[Frankie]

Hi All,

Thanks again Umpire, it's quite common in our area where people flout the law 'outdoors' and insist on playing Nationals, when at home, on their
chosen and favorite rink.
Have now go a copy of the hand book in the bowls bag, as Murphy's law comes into play when the National draw is made without doubt I will be drawn against one of these, rule breaking Bowlers, (polite way of saying it).

Thanks again,

Frankie:eek:

[mary]

Does anyone know if this is right played a singles game this afternoon which was indoors, the opposition had her husband marking for her and she kept asking him to show her where the jack was
Did get on my nerves because it was all the time can a marker do this, think this was a bit of tactics on her part, could I have insisted on someone else marking

Bit Annoyed :(:roll::rolleyes:

[Del]

Hi Mary,

I know how frustrating because this has happened to me, I think , but don't know for certain, you must have agreed prior to the start of the game for the husband to mark????
I think that it is in order for the marker to answer any reasonable question from a bowler on the Mat!!
In my case it was the body language of the Wife who was marking when I was playing her husband. At first it was funny watching her do contortions when her husband's wood was coming into the head and her head shaking when he was coming the wrong hand!!!
In the end it did not help him as they were begining to fall out & won easily in the last couple of ends. But it could easily have put me off and the result gone the other way!!

Keep smiling,

Del:D

[THE UMPIRE]

I think that this highlights the fact that good markers are in short supply at all clubs and sometimes you are just thankful that someone will do it.
But it is also a fact that there are people who will mark but are just not asked for various reasons.

In Spain the Costa Blanca clubs have markers who have been trained and examined but there are still some people who would rather use their unqualified friends because they have been playing a long time despite the fact that they probably knowledge of the laws of the game is scant.

Some of these clubs do not allow spouses to mark for each other even if they are qualified markers and some clubs insist that all singles have qualified markers.

One of the most suprising things about the EBUA is that they do not have a markers examination system. In lots of countries you cannot become an Umpire unless you have taken a markers course and have marked at club level for at least 2 years.8-)

[Surfer]

Lot of the time I am grateful to get someone to mark, know its not always the right person but at the height of the Season everyone is so busy
And a lot of players will ask you to mark for them but when its their turn they find excuses

Every year I tell myself I am going to say no sometimes, But never do
Surfer:cool:

[snapper]

Good Evening everyone us Ladies have had our first change with the paper work, I was given a Bowls Cornwall book, and it is absolutely wonderful we have all the information on when where time date not only of all the competitions and finals in every division,
So much better that some sheets on the notice board with only half the in formating, I now have all the rules on what to wear etc
And some competitions that I never knew I could enter.

Am like a Cheshire cat here with a big grin
If this is one of the changes we have to look forward to with Amalgamation it will have my full Support

One Happy Bowler:D:D

[Sailor]

Sounds like good news Snapper, think a lot of members were wondering if the changes would be for the better :D:D

[The Duck]

I'm sure things will carry on in much the same way so far I haven't heard of any changes still waiting for the mens players meeting

[snapper]

Hi Umpire can I pick your brains on this one, Played someone last year and she kept following here woods quite a way up the green
Her wood had stopped but she was still walking to wards me she did this every end none of the officials said anything
I know i do jump onto the mat a bit quickly but this did distract my consternation
Are players allowed to do this and could I challenge her if I play against her next year

Would really love to beat this player:D

[THE UMPIRE]

Hello Snapper, look at what I have said in the Running on the green thread. I think it may answer your question. If not ask again and I will go deeper into the Laws.8-)

[snapper]

Hi Umpire had another look and I see what you mean if the wood has stopped she should be back down the green and behind the mat
I wont let this happen again if I play this particular person wasn't sure as she didn't run right up the green to the head but only a fair way
Sometimes it can cause loss of consternation when you have to complain I think I tend to ignore things because I don't want to cause any trouble

I will have to toughen up a bit :roll:

Thanks much Appreciated