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SOUTH POINT Senior Shootout
November 11-15 & 16-19, 2024
2024 MVP Lanes Senior Classic Rules
The MVP Lanes Senior Classic (MVPSC) is United States Bowling Congress (USBC)certified. The MVPSC consists of three separate scratch singles events with Qualifying and Cashers' Rounds, Individual Match Play, and Bracketed Match Play. The MVPSC is conducted at MVP Lanes, 3810 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana and is limited to 90 entries.
ELIGIBILITY
All participants must be 50 years of age or older as of the start date of the MVPSC event they are entering and in good standing with the USBC. All participants must be current USBC members. If not previously verified, proof of USBC membership must be shown during registration. If current USBC membership cannot be verified, a USBC associate membership card must be purchased at a cost of $32.00.
Employees of MVP Lanes and other MVPSC sponsors and supporters who meet the eligibility requirements may enter the MVPSC.
FEES
The MVPSC Entry Fee including the MVP Lanes Senior Classic Championship is $625.00. A deposit of $325.00 will reserve an entry in each of the two daily Challenge Events as well as the MVPSC Championship. The remaining balance must be received no later than June 9, 2024. An optional sweeper, along with Brackets, Side Pots, and Super-Century Doubles will be available at additional cost. Players who enter and pay in full by June 6, 2024 will be awarded $50 in bracket action.
Players may enter either of the two one-day Challenge Events for $200.00 each. Entries for individual Challenge Events will not be processed until June 10, 2024. Entry priority will be given to players paying the full entry fee ($625) over players with an unpaid balance as of June 10, 2024, and players entering events individually. Players entering the Challenge Events individually at the $200 rate will not qualify for the MVPSC Championship, nor will they awarded the $50 bracket credit. Fees paid using a Credit or Debit Card may be assessed a non-refundable processing fee.
ENTRY DEADLINE
Entry for any MVPSC event must be paid in full before the start of the official MVPSC practice session scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM. If a player chooses to NOT participate in the official practice session or are entering an event after the official practice session, their entry will be accepted up to one hour prior to the start of the event they are entering or until the tournament field is full, whichever occurs first. The MVPSC is limited to 90 entries.
REFUND POLICY
There is no fee for a withdrawal through Friday, May 31, 2024. For withdrawals between June 1 and June 19, 2024, a refund will be given less a $100 Cancellation Fee. Competitors who withdraw after the start of the MVPSC practice session are not entitled to a refund. For entries paid with a credit or debit card, the event entry fee will be refunded in accordance with the withdrawal timeline. Credit card processing fees are non-refundable.
Competitors who withdraw/cancel may obtain their own replacements. Players who obtain replacements must make their own arrangements as to repayment of their individual entry fees. MVPSC must be notified of replacements prior to the close of entries. The Cancellation Fee is waived if the withdrawing player obtains their own replacement, or their entire entry fee is rolled over to the following year.
PRIZE MONEY AND AWARDS
Prize ratio for the Challenge Events and Championship will be at least three (3) prizes for each ten (10) entrants. Super Senior prizes (for entrants age 60 or over as of the start date of the event) will be paid in accordance with each specific event format. In addition to the prize money, event champions will receive symbolic awards.
MVPSC Challenge event prize winnings will be paid by check from the MVPSC Tournament Office and will be available the day following the event. Prize winnings that are not distributed will be mailed to participants within 14 days of the conclusion of the MVPSC. The only sums to which a participant will be entitled for bowling in this tournament are those prizes or awards that may be won by the participant in this tournament. If for any reason a player wishes to waive the prize money, it is that player’s responsibility to notify tournament staff in writing at the time of registration regarding their refusal of the prize money. If the prize money is waived, the amount will be returned to the prize fund for distribution.
The IRS requires MVPSC to furnish 1099 forms to individuals who accumulate winnings of $600 or more annually in any MVPSC tournament. Therefore, social security numbers must be provided per IRS regulations. Failure to provide a social security number (U.S. citizens) or Individual Tax ID Number-ITIN (Non-US citizens) to MVPSC will result in a 30% tax reduction of the prize winnings.
REGISTRATION
All players must "check in" during initial registration on Thursday, June 20. If not previously verified, a current USBC membership card must be shown at the initial registration. Roll call attendance is mandatory prior to each round of competition.
SQUADS
Squad and Lane Assignments will be posted on the official tournament website (www.SeniorShootout.Vegas/mvp-classic) no later than three days prior to the first day of qualifying. Squad and Lane Assignments will also be posted in or near the paddock. It is each player’s responsibility to know which squad as well as the starting lane they have been assigned. If a player is late for their squad, they will receive zero for each frame missed.
Tournament management reserves the right to change the number of qualifying squads in the tournament as late as seven days prior to the first day of qualifying.
START OF COMPETITION
The definition of the “Start of Competition” is when the player’s first ball is thrown for score during any round in which score is counted. A player arriving late will begin play and their score will count beginning with the frame then being bowled in all rounds of competition.
RE-RACKS
Each player is allowed two re-racks per game during all tournament play. Additional re-racks may be granted with Tournament Management’s permission.
QUALIFYING
Qualifying for each of the single-day Challenge events consists of six games across twelve lanes. During qualifying for the Challenge Events, players may request crossing partners. Requests will be accommodated to the extent that lane availability still exists, and all players are agreeable. Players will cross the with the same partners during qualifying for both Challenge events. The 24 players qualifying for the MVPSC Championship are determined by their Combined Qualifying Positions in each of the two single-day Challenge events.
TIEBREAKERS
Cashers', Match Play Rounds, and Stepladder Finals
Ties for seeding positions in all Challenge Event Finals are resolved using the player's highest game(s) in the round in which the tie occurred. If there is a tie for the final position(s) needed to complete the field for the Cashers’, Match Play, Stepladder Finals, and/or the MVPSC Championship Finals, one complete game shall be bowled. MVPSC management will determine the roll-off pair. Players shall have ten minutes of warm-up and the player with the highest single game in the tied round will choose which player starts the match on the left lane. If a tie still exists at the end of the game, a one-ball roll-off will be bowled. The higher seed will have choice of starting lane and bowling order. Both players bowl on the same lane. If a tie still exists after the first ball, the players will switch lanes and the bowling order is unchanged. Players will continue to alternate lanes until the tie is broken.
Stepladder Finals
If a tie exists at the end of any Stepladder Finals match, a one-ball roll-off will be bowled. The higher seed will get choice of starting lane and bowling order. Both players bowl on the same lane. If a tie still exists after the first ball, the bowlers will switch lanes and the bowler order is unchanged. Players will continue to alternate lanes until the tie is broken.
MVP Lanes Senior Classic Championship
Ties for seeding positions for the MVPSC Championship (including the 8th position) are resolved using the player's total 12-game pinfall from the Qualifying Rounds of the previous two daily Challenge events. If a tie still exists, the player’s highest 6-game qualifying block will be used.
BOWLING EQUIPMENT
Each player is allowed a maximum of 15 bowling balls in the bowling center (including the paddock) at one time. Any or all bowling balls may be changed before or after any block. Bowling balls MAY NOT be used prior to their Word-Wide Release date.
All bowling balls must meet USBC specifications. Purple Hammers with serial numbers beginning with a number less that 18 are NOT allowed. Plugged bowling balls are allowed. Random bowling ball checking may be done as deemed necessary by tournament management. A player may request to have their bowling balls checked prior to competition. Once competition begins, the outer surface of the ball may only be cleaned with a dry towel. No substance (rosin, drying powder, etc.) may be applied to the ball. No substance, including but not limited to talcum powder and EZ Slide, can be applied to the bottom of a player’s shoes.
NOTE: The Tournament Director may allow a player to remove foreign substances from the bowling ball surface with authorized cleaners on a case-by-case basis.
BOWLING ON THE WRONG LANE
Bowling on the wrong lane constitutes a dead ball situation provided it is protested before the offending player (or their opponent in Match Play) bowls again. If a player rolls a strike on the wrong lane, the strike is not counted and the player must bowl again on the correct lane. If the player does not strike, the pin count will stand and the player must attempt the spare on the same lane. Subsequent frames shall be bowled on the correct lane(s).
LANE OIL PATTERNS
Two different "reasonably scorable” patterns, as determined by tournament management, will be used. The patterns will be 35 and 43 feet in length. Patterns will be posted on the official MVPSC web site and at the tournament venue no later than the official practice day.
CONDUCT
All tournament bowlers shall conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times while in the host center or on the property of the host center and on social media before, during, and after the event. Any criticism by a tournament bowler who discusses the sponsor, host center or personnel, lane conditions or pins, MVPSC or its staff, or their fellow competitors in an unfavorable manner or who otherwise engages in actions unbecoming an MVPSC bowler in the opinion of the Tournament Director shall be in violation of the Code of Conduct.
Unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated on the lanes or inside the tournament venue. Individuals are subject to ejection for engaging in improper tactics or conduct including, but not limited to, physical and verbal abuse toward another person. Anyone found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct will be fined and may be refused entry to the event or disqualified from the competition in which the violation occurred and/or declared ineligible for future competitions.
- First offense: $250
- Second offense: $500; Third offense; $1,000
The MVPSC regards electronic media such as message boards, conversation pages, and other forms of social networking (such as Facebook and Twitter) as important tools of communication and fan interaction. Tournament participants may not use these platforms to defame or otherwise attack the integrity of the MVPSC, its members, staff, sponsors, host center, or host center employees.
DRESS CODE
The dress code is in effect for all MVPSC events including the official practice session. A collared shirt with the player’s name on the back is strongly encouraged for each event, but only required for the MVPSC Senior Championship. Mock turtlenecks or bowling jerseys without collars are allowed. For shirts with names, lettering must be at least two inches in height. Paper or pinned on name plaques are not acceptable.
Men must wear dress slacks. Women must wear dress slacks, skirts, or skorts. Skirts and skorts must be longer than your fingers when arm is extended down the side of the body. Examples of prohibited attire include but are not limited to:
- Tank tops, halter tops, bare midriffs, spaghetti strap tops, hats (medical reason only), etc.
- Workout attire, t-shirts, shorts, short skirts, bib overalls.
- Cords, jeans, or denim of any kind
Small fashion logos are permitted on apparel during MVPSC competition as long as they do not exceed six square inches. Logos are defined as any lettering and or any illustration promoting a company, product and service, or membership organization. Tournament management has the authority to fine a bowler $50 for each offense. Tournament management decision will be final.
Penalty: Bowlers will be required to change if attire is deemed inappropriate by tournament management. Tournament Management decision will be final.
SLOW PLAY
A player shall have twenty-five (25) seconds to start their delivery once the lane courtesy requirement has been satisfied. Slow bowling penalties will be assessed at the discretion of the tournament director. Penalties will be assessed per event:
- 1st Offense – Warning
- Subsequent offenses - $100 each
Double Jumping
Competitors must observe one pair lane courtesy (PBA-style) on each side of their pair at all times. Double jumping occurs when a player on the same pair delivers his or her ball before one player from the pair to the right and one player from the pair to the left have made a delivery, unless those players are not ready to bowl. Players may not "Double Jump."
Players are responsible to pace themselves accordingly with the pairs in front of them. No warm-up shots will be awarded for slow bowling.
EATING, DRINKING, and SMOKING
Players ARE NOT permitted to smoke or drink alcoholic beverages while participating in this event. This includes from the start of warm-up to the last ball thrown for score in qualifying, match play, and finals. Players ARE permitted to eat a small snack (ex: power bars, candy bars, fruit) during competition.
LOCKER ROOM / PADDOCK
Only tournament bowlers, MVPSC staff members, and approved ball company representatives are permitted to enter the paddock and use all equipment. NO EXCEPTIONS. The paddock will be opened no less than one (1) hour prior to the start of each day's competition and locked no sooner than one (1) hour after the end of competition each day.
PERSONNEL IN THE BOWLERS’ AREA
The Bowlers' Area is defined as the tiled area on the lanes' side of the concourse tables. Only tournament competitors and MVPSC staff/tournament volunteers are permitted in the bowlers' area during competition. Media personnel covering the event may be permitted into the bowlers' area on a case-by-case basis.
Bowling ball manufacturer representatives (Ball Reps) may remain in the bowlers' area during official practice and warm-up sessions only and must leave the bowlers' area when the warm-up session is complete. Ball Reps must be in business casual attire at all times in the bowlers' area. Competitors on incoming squads may not enter the bowlers' area until both their pair and adjacent pairs are finished. Penalties will be assessed per event.
- 1st Offense – Warning
- Subsequent Offenses, Conduct Violation - $100
PROTESTS
Protests involving eligibility or playing rules must be made to tournament management in writing within the time limits specified in USBC Rule 329. The decision of tournament management will be final unless a written appeal is filed with USBC Headquarters within the time limits in Rule 329.
Protests concerning scoring accuracy must be filed with tournament management immediately. Complaints concerning approach conditions or other equipment must be brought to the attention of the Bowling Center control desk. An inspection will be made and, if needed, corrections will be made. If the complaint is determined to be unwarranted, the player must proceed to bowl or the game(s) will be declared forfeited.
WARM-UP SHOTS IN THE EVENT OF A MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN
The Tournament Director will make all decisions regarding the awarding of warm-up shots in the event of a mechanical breakdown of ten (10) minutes or more. Timing will begin the moment the Tournament Director is notified of the breakdown. An alternate pair shall be used whenever possible when awarding warm-up in the event of a breakdown. If an alternate pair is not available, two (2) shots will be awarded on the lane opposite that where the player will throw their next shot for score.
If a breakdown requires players to move to an alternate pair not previously used in the tournament, each player required to move will receive two (2) warm-up shots on each lane.
WEB SITE
The official MVP Lanes Senior Classic web site is http://www.SeniorShootout.Vegas/MVP-classic.html which will contain up-to-date MVPSC information. It is each player’s responsibility to check the tournament web site periodically for current information.
WITHDRAWING AFTER THE TOURNAMENT HAS STARTED
A player who has entered the MVPSC Championship and withdraws during the first daily Challenge Event may not obtain a replacement until the following day. The withdrawing player may not re-enter the MVPSC. The replacement player IS NOT eligible for the MVPSC Championship. Replacements are not permitted at any time during the MVPSC Championship Bracket Finals.
A player who wishes to withdraw while the tournament is in progress must notify the players on their pair and receive permission from the Tournament Director. Failure to comply will result in a Conduct Violation.
TOURNAMENT MANAGEMENT
Tournament management has the final authority to make interpretations of all tournament rules and make decisions regarding anything not covered in the rules.