Bowls Tasmania Officiating Newsletter June 2023

These snippets of information are going to be issued regularly by Bowls Tasmania.

MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS:

Spectators are not allowed to sit at the end of a rink that is being played on:

The Law of the Sport (Law 45.1) states that spectators must stay outside the boundaries of the green and clear of players – the boundaries being the edge of the top of the banks.
So long as the spectators are respectful of the game being played in front of them there is no requirement or need to vacate the seats at the end of the rinks.
The more spectators we have and the closer they get to the game the better for the sport.
It is the umpire’s duty to manage spectators (Law 45.5), the umpire can call upon the Controlling Body to act if needed.

UMPIRING AND MEASURING TIPS:

Chocks:

Chocks and wedges are an essential item of equipment used as necessary by all officials in conjunction with other measuring equipment.
The umpire will chock any leaning bowls prior to measuring, provided at least 30 seconds have elapsed since the last bowl has come to rest if a player has requested this delay (Law 23.2).
Remember, if a bowl is not chocked and falls over during measuring, it should be left in the new position while deciding the number of shots scored continues and all the shots measured before the bowl fell will count (Law 23.6.3)
The jack should not be chocked (another misconception).
Refer Officiating Manual page 55.

CHANGES TO WORLD BOWLS LAWS:

World Bowls have issued a Memorandum, advising of two important changes to the Laws of the Sport of Bowls, which take immediate effect.

Individuals who have purchased a Laws of the Sport of Bowls – Crystal Mark Fourth Edition publication are encouraged to redact the two Laws with a pen, or alternatively, download the PDF insert files below to replace pages 46 and 47 and Appendix page 104.

Insert encompassing changes to Laws 37.1.3 and 37.1.5.3 on page 46 and 47.
Insert encompassing changes to Appendix on page 104.