Things to Know

Everything you need to bowl at a NEBA tournament — arrival, rules, format, and contact info.

Arrival

Check-In

Check in 30 minutes prior to squad time. Reservations not acknowledged by this time are no longer guaranteed.

Failure to keep your reservation may result in a $10 fine.

To cancel, contact the Tournament Director:

Justin — (413) 531-9508 or neba.tdjustin@gmail.com
Danny — (203) 627-4800 or info@bowlneba.com

Membership

Renewable by calendar year at $25. Members joining after November 1 remain in good standing for the following year. Non-members may bowl for a $15 per tournament fee.

Membership is open to bowlers who meet all of the following:

Possesses a current USBC membership card (obtained when applying by paying the current annual USBC fee)
Has attained age 18, or has graduated from high school, or has written parent/guardian approval per current USBC rules
Any PBA or PWBA member who has not won a PBA, PWBA, or PBA50 national tournament in the past five (5) years (US Open and USBC Masters are exempt) and is not in the top 40 on the national PBA points list for the prior season
Any NEBA member in good standing who wins a national title and maintains their NEBA membership may continue to compete in NEBA

Entry Fees

Regular tournaments$100

Tournament of Champions$125

Cambridge Credit Invit.$100

Masters$150

Fee applies to first entry and re-entries.

Side Pots

$20 High game (each game)

$5 Squad leader

$5 Brackets (games 2–3–4)

$10 Eliminator

Rules & Etiquette

Eligibility

Any USBC-sanctioned adult bowler may participate. PBA-exempt tour players are not allowed to bowl. USBC Youth members may bowl in singles tournaments only and must sign waivers stating that any prize money won will be deposited into their USBC SMART account.

35-Mile Rule

Bowlers within 35 miles of the host center must bowl their first squad on Saturday night (6 PM) or Sunday morning (9 AM). Bowlers within a 35-mile radius hold last priority for the 12:30 PM squad.

Dress Code

Allowed

Collared or mock neck (bowling industry) shirts
Pants, jeans, or dress shorts (no nylon or basketball-type)
Women may wear capris and skirts
Bowler's name on back (required within first 3 tournaments)
White shirts — NEBA Champions only

Not Allowed

Sweatpants, gym/athletic shorts, yoga pants, leggings, or tights
Ripped, frayed, or torn clothing
Hats, headbands, headphones, or earbuds
White shirts (unless a previous NEBA champion)

Missing name on shirt: $10 fine per tournament. Repeated offenses: $25 fine. New bowlers have until their 3rd tournament to obtain a proper jersey. The Tournament Director has complete discretion over acceptable dress.

Lane Courtesy

Two-lane courtesy during qualifying and match play.

Conduct

Loud, unruly, and disrespectful behavior will not be allowed. Excessive celebration is also unacceptable.

Tournament Format

Qualifying

Games

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Lanes

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Squads

Lane cross determined by total number of lanes used per squad. Re-entries are permitted. Squads: Saturday 6 PM, Sunday 9 AM, Sunday 12:30 PM.

Squad Cut

One in six of each squad is guaranteed to make match play finals (e.g., 48 bowlers → top 8 guaranteed). Each squad leader is guaranteed a top-3 seed in the final bracket.

At-Large Cut

All other bowlers who did not qualify via squad cut enter the at-large pool. Total qualifiers are based on total entries for the tournament.

Seniors / Women / Super Seniors

One in seven seniors (50+), Super Seniors (60+), and women are each guaranteed to make the finals in 3 separate cuts (e.g., 20 seniors → 3 guaranteed). Bowlers qualifying via squad or at-large cuts count toward these guarantees.

Match Play

Lanes are re-oiled before match play (except in single-squad tournaments). Roll call at approximately 3:30 PM Sunday. Single-game elimination matches. Top-seeded bowlers may receive first-round byes based on total qualifiers.

Contact Information

Tournament Director

Justin

(413) 531-9508

neba.tdjustin@gmail.com

NEBA Manager

Dan

(203) 627-4800

info@bowlneba.com

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