The 2024-2025 season will potentially see multiple changes coming to the high school bowling season, both in Section 3 and at the State level. While the changes are not finalized quite yet, they are all slated for an upcoming approval vote by either the Section 3 Athletic Council (for section 3 changes) or the NYSPHSAA Executive committee (for changes proposed to state level events.
SECTION 3 PROPOSED CHANGES
Team Championship Format Change
A proposal to change the format of the team championship event from its traditional 6 standard team games format has been recommended by the Section 3 Bowling Committee. The updated format would leave the current qualifying standards in tact (40% regular season winning percentage in either league, class, or overall), but would transition the 1st half of the tournament to serve as a qualifying round. At the conclusion of the qualifying round, the top 4 or 8 (dependent on number of participating teams) would advance to the championship match play round. All non-qualifying teams would be eliminated. Teams in the championship round would be seeded into a single elimination bracket and teams would square off in a best-of-5 baker style match.
Shootout Format Change
The Shootout would be expanded from a 1 day/6 game total pinfall event into a 2-day eliminator style event. All qualifying bowlers would compete on day for 6-games after which the field would be roughly cut in half. Bowlers who make the cut would advance to day 2 carrying over all pinfall. Additional cuts would be made after 9 games with the top 6 earning a spot on the Section 3 composite team.
Shootout Qualifying Change
If approved, bowlers would qualify for the shootout through their league or by achieving a minimum standard average. Boys – 200, Girls 180. Each league will be given a set number of invitations to extend equal to the number of teams in the league. The top player from each league will no longer be given a roster spot on the state composite team and will instead need to qualify for the shootout.
NYS PROPOSED CHANGES
Permit Bowlers to Compete in Multiple Events
A proposal to eliminate a state rule limiting bowlers to competing in only one event at the state championships is being considered. This would potentially allow a bowler to both compete with his/her school team and the section composite team if they qualify for both.
Introduce a Rotating Wild Card Team
A proposal is being considered to allow a rotating wild card team in divisions where an odd number of teams qualify for the state championships (currently all divisions have an odd number). This would eliminate the need for “pacer” teams at the state championships. A scheduled rotation would be established for sections with 10 or more competing schools and Once every 9-10 years, a section would send two teams to the state championship. At present.