Page 45 - Autumn 2012

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RULES I WOULD CHANGE / DISPOSE OF 45
Rules it is said “are for the obedience of fools and the guidance
of wise men.” but are all of our rules necessary for the good running
of our sport in a practical way? Thus the current rules ignores the
practicalities of real life. There are very many people who are unable
to measure owing to health problems related to age or disability. So
does it really matters who does what? So, if I could get rid of some
rules, what are they?
My first target would be in section E: players and their duties - the third (a) The Third will do
all measuring and agree the shots, allowing the opposite number to also measure and will inform
the Skip of the result. Only if the Thirds cannot agree will they call the Skips who will then arbitrate.
Does it really matter who actually measures and agrees the shots? There are many
bowlers I’ve seen, they aren’t capapble of measuring etc. So why specify anybody? Surely a
nominated person will do. As to informing the skip of the result does anyone think that it will
be kept as a secret so the skip doesn’t know?
(b) The Third will mark all touchers or remove the marks from any non-touchers and will remove
any dead bowls from the rink mat and will see that the jack or any toucher in the ditch is not disturbed
except by another toucher. The same as above plus there is also a conflict with another rule. A
bowl (a non-toucher), is NOT dead when it crosses the ditch line and there is no rule in the
book that says so. To be dead it must stop wholly in the ditch or across the ditch line, or
make contact with the fender or make contact with a jack in the ditch or a toucher in the ditch.
This rule asks for a third to stop a bowl before it becomes dead and if the running bowl
is a full drive or strike, is it proper to expect a third to stop it, especially as it could go over
the fender. If it does not do any of the things listed in the previous paragrpah it is not a dead
wood, meaning that thirds are expected to stop/interfere with a live bowl. Touchers and jacks
are usually marked as to their position in a ditch, so disturbing them is not be a problem.
(d) The Thirds may remain at the head end until it is their turn to bowl. They may not return
to the head end or pass beyond the delivery end dead line until they change places when the first
Skip comes to the delivery end, except to replace the block if disturbed by a bowl that they have
personally bowled. From this rule I would remove the replacement of the centre block wording
as it matters not one jot who replaces a disturbed centre block.
In addition, take appendix 8 Club Colours. The last sentence reads. “only MID Greybelow the
waist”. Firstly, as this reads, underwear, socks, tights and shoes should be grey also. Secondly,
what’s this bloody obsession with Grey. In the past we have had people in black trousers & skirts in
a four, so, provided they wear the same colour, does it matter one jot?
As to appendix 6, callipers should be spelled with one “L” only. Also, why stipulate makes and
sizes? Surely one phrase will do stipulating that only pripretary measures produced for the purpose
of measuring should be used.
Section B The Bowls 1a gives metric and imperial sizes for minimum and maximum but bowls
are sold by numers 00 (4 9/16” / 116mm) to 7 (5 1/8” / 131mm). so how do people know their bowls
are legal if we don’t includes the sizes they are sold in? Why bother quoting exact sizes at all and
simply state they must be between 00 and 7. However, 6 & 7 seem not now to be made but there
are plenty of these sizes still in existence Also junior bowls are 3 7/8”. Thus they are not legal ac-
cording to the rule book. Surely 1d covers all. “for the purposes of play in all competitions players
are required to use bowls specifically produced for all codes of bowling which are recognised by the
E.S.M.B.A.” Thus there is no need for 1a at all.
Also, 1c states that “placing a number of stickers on top of each other will render that bowl il-
legal”. Look at the Thomas Taylor bowls chart no multi stickers could compete with this range so
why bother? As to 1f includes the phrase “and may be of any colour”. There are however many bowls
today that are multicoloured and this should be amended to reflect this or simply delete it.
SO, are there any rules you would delete OR change? If so write in and explain which
one(s) and why. The floor is yours and you can make it anonymous if you wish, provided I
know who you are, so here’s your chance to have your say!