Officiating Offerings – July 2023
These snippets of information are going to be issued regularly by Bowls Tasmania.
Myths and Misconceptions
A bowl that falls and touches the jack must occur before the next bowl to be delivered comes to rest to become a toucher. This is not true! Law 14.2.1 states that a bowl having come to rest and then falls is only a toucher if it occurs BEFORE the next bowl is DELIVERED.
Umpiring and Measuring Tips
Skewers:
- Are not to used in any measuring situation.
- Maybe back in the dim dark ages umpires were taught to use a skewer to measure to a bowl in the ditch. This is no longer the case and should NOT be done. We must move on to current techniques.
- A bowl or jack in the ditch should be measured with a “Peg and String”. These are available from any bowls shop and only cost around $15 to $20 – they can also be used for longer measures on the green. See picture of umpiring equipment in officiating Manual page 55 and use of on page 54. If you do not have a “Peg and String” use a base tape.
- All umpiring equipment cases should remove skewers.
New Laws Books:
The new law book, Bowls Australia Laws of the Sport of Bowls – Crystal Mark Fourth Edition (including domestic regulations and policies for Australia) April 2023 version has been printed and is now available for purchase online from the Bowls Australia Bowls Shop or it can be collected from the Bowls Tasmania Office, 1 Selfs Point Road, Cornelian Bay. Cost is $12.00 plus flat rate postage anywhere in Tasmania $10.00. All umpires should have a copy of the new law book.
Leonie Price
Officiating, Coaching and Bowling Arm Director
Bowls Tasmania