General Rules for the American Zone Ranking 2006
01/23/06
The American Zone geographically will be divided into 5 regions to determine the ranking as per 2006:
A. Northern Region: Canada and United States of America
B. Central American Region: México - Guatemala - Honduras - El Salvador - Nicaragua - Costa Rica.
C. Caribbean Region: US Virgen Islands - Bahamas - Bermuda - Dominican Republic - Puerto Rico - Cuba - Aruba - the Netherlands Antilles.
D. Southern Region 1: Panama - Colombia - Venezuela - Ecuador - Perú.
E. Southern Region 2: Brazil - Uruguay - Argentina - Chile - Paraguay - Bolivia.
A General Coordinator will be in charge of the American Zone Ranking 2006, and will be appointed - after preliminary consultations - by the President of the American Zone.
One Regional Coordinator for each of the five regions will assist the General Coordinator.
The President of the Zone will appoint the five Regional Coordinators, after previous consultation with the General Coordinator and the Presidium Members, in order to find the most suitable persons for these functions.
The General Coordinator:
The General Coordinator of the American Zone Ranking will report to the President of the Zone, and will perform the following duties:
A. See to it that the American Zone Ranking follows the new established rules, for this purpose.
B. Supervise the work done by the Regional Coordinators.
C. Verify the information received from the Coordinators on Tournaments or Events, which should be certified as Ranking and report his final recommendation to the President of the Zone.
D. Compile and administrate the Sport- and Economic results, assuring that they represent and reflect the real situation in general.
E. Hand the results to the President of the Zone, with his recommendations and conclusions regarding the results.
F. Whichever other function that guarantees a good development of the American Zone Ranking.
The Regional Coordinators:
The Regional Coordinators will report to the General Coordinator, and they will perform the following duties:
A. Express their recommendation to the General Coordinator, regarding Open Tournaments which are considered to be certified as a Ranking Tournament.
B. In consultation with the General Coordinator, define the Tournaments and Events, which will be considered as a ranking event for his region. After having consulted the General Coordinator, publish a list of events valid as ranking for the region. This list of events will also form part of the general rules for ranking 2006.
C. Responsible to collect certification charges of the Tournaments, inscription fees of the participants, and transfer all collected funds together with the corresponding information to the General Coordinator.
D. Compile the results and ranking points of all the Events (Confederations, Federations, Associations, and Tournaments) and forward this information to the General Coordinator, within the established terms and specifications stated in this regulation.
E. See to it that the official events for ranking show a good development and that the results reflect the reality and truth, and
F. Whichever function which contribute to a well functioning of the ranking and therefore good results of his own region.
Collaboration:
The Presidents of the Affiliated Countries to the Zone should collaborate directly with the General- and Regional Coordinators with the following aspects:
A. Inform on the seriousness and stability of the Invitational Tournaments, which request to be certified as Ranking Tournaments.
B. Present their recommendation together with the request of the Organizers or Owners of the Tournaments of his country, to certify these tournaments as Ranking Tournaments.
C. See to it that the development of the Events of their own Federation or Association is good, and that results reported to the Regional Coordinator are correct and show the truth.
D. Collaborate in verifying the number of participants, the collection of the fees contributed by the players, and that the organizers comply with all the duties related to the Certification and
E. Send the sport- and financial results of the Ranking Events in his country to the Regional Coordinator, with the guarantee that they reflect correctness and truth.
The Events and Tournaments which can be considered for the development of Zone Ranking are:
A. National Championships or special designated events by the Federations or Associations, members of the Zone,
B. The Official Championships of the WTBA, CONCECABOL, CONCABA, COBOISCA, Bolivarian Confederation, and South America Confederation - CSB.
C. The Events of the Olympic Cycle
D. Invitational Tournaments, which previously have been recommended by the Regional Coordinators and certified by the Zone.
All the Events which will be considered as a Ranking Event must be Certified previously by the Zone.
The procedure to certify the Events is as follows:
National Events:
The President of the National Federations or Associations who wishes the results of the National Championship or a special designated Event, as a ranking event, must contact the respective Regional Coordinator and pay the corresponding fees. The certification is thereafter automatically.
Invitational Tournaments:
The Organizers or Owners of the Invitational Tournaments, who want to have their tournament certified, must send the request and the corresponding certification fee to the Regional Coordinator, through the Presidents of the Federations or Associations in his country, who on his turn will forward the request and his recommendation to the Regional Coordinator and a copy to the General Coordinator. The collected fees can be transferred directly to the General Coordinator to avoid double bank transfer charges, and a copy of the transfer order to the Regional Coordinator. All this of course after having verified all important aspects for correctness.
The General Coordinator will forward this request and his recommendation to the President of the Zone, who will issue the corresponding Certification.
Events of the Olympic Cycle:
Taking the nature of these events into account, only the respective Regional Coordinator is sufficient to make the previous announcement and publication, with previous consultation with the General Coordinator. In case one or more bowlers from another region also participate in the event, the Regional Coordinator will draw up - same as with other events - the proof of his participation and the respective reports, and forward them to the General Coordinator.
The certified events for the Ranking will start as of January 2006, and must finish at the latest November 30th of the current year.
In case a Federation or Association cannot finish her National Championship before November 30th, she should choose a special event of her activities, which will then be considered to generate ranking points. The President involved will contact the Regional Coordinator hereon, in order to have this event published in the official events of the Zone.
The corresponding payments rights are unchanged.
All Bowlers who like to participate in the Final of the American Zone Ranking 2006 must participate in minimum three (3) ranking events, in order to validate his ranking points. In order to be able to accumulate points for ranking in all the events, each bowler must receive the authorization of his Federation or Association, through a confirmation letter directed to the respective Regional Coordinator.
If a player comes from a country which has subscribed her National Championship for ranking, he must participate in this championship, in order to consider the ranking points which he won in other events, otherwise the corresponding Federation or Association must exempt him from this responsibility, in writing.
If a player comes from a country, which for extraordinary circumstances cannot register the results of her National Championship, can accrue ranking points in other Events, provided she received authorization from his own Federation or Association.
Bowlers who participated in more than three ranking events during the current year, in this case only the ranking points received in the National Event and two best results of the other ranking events will be considered.
Punctuation of the Events which are valid for ranking.
For all Certified Events valid for ranking of the Zone (National Championship or special designated event, Official championships of WTBA AZ, CONCECABOL, CONCABA, COBOISCA, South America Confederation - CSB, Events of the Olympic Cycle, and Invitational Tournaments) the winner of the first place will receive 200 points.
The winners of the following positions will receive the points according to the following table:
A. The first place will be awarded with 200 points; the following players on the final result report will receive in descending format of 2 points according to their position.
B. In case we have more than 100 participants, the players finishing on a lower position than 100, will not receive any ranking point.
C. In case we have less than 100 participants the points will be distributed dividing 200 by the number of participants, to get the descending format. If the result has a fraction of .50 or higher, then the descending format number will be rounded to the next higher number. Otherwise the fraction will be neglected... Example 1: if we have 48 subscribers we divide 200 by 48 = 4.17. In this case the descending format number is 4. The player who finished on the first place will get 200 points, the second place 196, the third place 192 etc…. Example 2: if we have 80 subscribers we divide 200 by 80 = 2.5 in this case the descending format number is 3. The player who finished on the first place will get 200 points, the second place 197, the third place 194 etc…
D. In case the Invitational Tournament comprises of only one final list of both male and female together, we will compute the corresponding ranking points according to their position, for each category on a separate list. Example: In an event with 80 participants of which 30 are female and 50 are male, the base of punctuation for female participants will be 30 and for male participants 50, as the divider to compute the descending number for the ranking points respectively.
In Events whereby players of different Regions are participating, The Regional Coordinator wille have to send a copy of the results to the other Coordinators involved and the General Coordinator, including the ranking points gained.
The bowlers who participate in more than 3 ranking events, only the three events with best ranking points will be computed. The rule stated in article 7 will be strictly applied.
The Organizers of the ranking events must forward final results in digital format to the Regional Coordinator, and the Regional Coordinator will forward this information to the General Coordinator.
The final result list must be reported in descending sequence of the positions, with the following information: a) Name player, Family Name and Nationality, b) his end position, c) total pins, d) number of games, e) final average and f) number of ranking points obtained.
The information must be remitted in digital format in the following time frame:
A. The Regional Coordinator must forward these results to the General Coordinator at the latest one week after the Ranking Event finished.
B. The General Coordinator on his turn must forward the compiled results to the President of the Zone at the latest two weeks thereafter, and will coordinate the official publication and statistics with the President of the Zone.
C. In case we have a ranking event which finishes at the end of November, The Regional Coordinator must then forward the results to the General Coordinator at the latest on December fifth, while the General Coordinator must deliver the end product to the President of the Zone before December 15th for immediate publication of this information.
Each Region of the Zone can send maximum 12 best classified players on the male category and 12 best classified players in the female category, to the Final Ranking Event of the American Zone, so that a maximum of 60 players per category are going to participate in this final event.
This Final Ranking Event will be held at the latest on February 15 of 2007 in a site which will be announced at a proper time.
In case one or more of the 12 best classified players of a Region cannot participate at the final Ranking Event, they will be substituted by the next best classified bowler(s) on the final ranking list of the particular Region.
In case at the start of this Final Event, there are still some spaces available to complete the 60 participants per category, the host country can include maximum 2 players per category to fill the vacancy. However these players must be selected from the host country's ranking list with the highest positions. This special case must review and authorized by either the General Coordinator or the President of the Zone.
The Final Ranking Event of the American Zone (FRAZ) will be held at the latest on February 15 of 2007, and the duration of the competition is maximum 3 days.
The format of the Event will be authorized previously by the Zone.
The top eight players of each category in this Final Event will gain the right to represent the American Zone in the World Ranking Master 2006, which will be held in year 2007 in Katar. In case one or more of these players are not able to participate, they will be substituted by the next best classified player in the Final Event of the Zone. This special case must be reviewed and authorized by either the General Coordinator or the President of the Zone.
The Certification Fee of each Championship or National Event or Invitational Ranking Event is two hundred US Dollars (US $200.00)
Players' Fee
A. The ranking points of all participants (max 100) obtained in National Championships or special designated events by a Federation or Association are valid at no extra cost, provided these events have been previously certified and the corresponding certification fee has been paid.
B. Certified Invitational Tournaments
The organizer or the owner of the certified event can choose from the following options, as they are responsible to collect and remit the corresponding fees:
OPTION 1:
A. The Organizers or Owners of all the Invitational Tournaments MUST charge each participant a fee of US $5.00 for the Zone, even if they are not interested in participating for the Zone ranking.
B. Each player who is interested in participating in the Zone ranking must pay additionally US $10.00 to validate his ranking points won, prior the initiation of the Event.
OPTION 2:
A. Only players who are interested in obtaining valid ranking points from the Invitational Tournaments must pay each US $25.00, prior the initiation of the Event.
The General Coordinator is the representative to watch over the Regional Coordinators that they affect the charges correctly and that the fees are transferred to the Zone Bank account. The General Coordinator has the power to instruct the Regional Coordinator how the transfer of the fees should take place.
Whichever certified event for Ranking which do not comply with payment of the corresponding fee timely according to the established rules, the results will not be considered on either the Ranking List or the Official Activities of the American Zone. This will also count for players that do not comply with payment of the corresponding fee timely, according to the established rules.
The ties in positions which must be dissolved will be resolved as follows:
A. The ties in Regional positions will be resolved by the highest average of the ones involved and the total number of games played, applicable only to determine the final ranking position of the Region.
B. The ties presented during the final Ranking Event will be resolved, according to the established rules of competition of the WTBA.
The fees collected and registered by the Regional Coordinators will be transferred to the General Coordinator as follows:
A. The registration fee of the Federations or Associations in order to register their National Championships or special designated events, should take place before the start of the events.
B. The certification fee of all the Tournaments that we authorize to include as a Ranking Event: One week after the Organizer or the Owner of the Tournament has been notified by the Zone, that the tournament will be certified. In this case the payment to the Regional Coordinator must be effected prior the development of the tournament and
C. The fees paid by the participants must be transferred at the latest one week after the finalization of the event. ( it's the duty of the owner or organizer of the certified event to collect and remit the fees as established in these rules)
The distribution of all income collected during the development of the Ranking of the American Zone, will be carried out as follows:
A. The amount of US $5000.00 will be withheld from the total collected income by the five Regions, in order to pay the rights of the American Zone to the WTBA, to participate inn the Final World Ranking Master (WRM).
B. The Zone will withdraw 10% of the remaining amount after the deduction of the payment to the WTBA. This amount will be basically used to cover the expenses caused by the realization of the Regional Rankings.
C. The net amount after deducting previously mentioned amounts will be added to US $12000.00 which amount is guaranteed by the Host Country of the Final Ranking Event of the American Zone... This total amount will be awarded to the winners of this Event, according to the established distribution specified in this regulation to each category ( male and female) as follows:
First place: 8.0%
Second place: 7.5%
Third place: 7.0%
Fourth place: 6.5%
Fifth place: 6.0%
Sixth place: 5.5%
Seventh place: 5.0%
Eight place: 4.5%
The Presidium will grant the Site which will organize the Final Ranking Event of the American Zone to the Country or Bowling Center which officially send their request in writing to the President of the Zone, preferably before March 31 of the current year, giving the guarantee of the minimum cash in awards of US $12000.00 which will be distributed amongst the winners of this Event, and should report additionally:
A. Name and general characteristics of the City where the event will be held,
B. Name and general characteristics of the Bowling Center in which the games are played, by specifying the Brand, Model, number of lanes, physical condition of the equipments and lanes etc.
C. Equipment which will be used to apply the oil pattern on the lanes
D. The official hotel designated by the organizers of the event and the approximate cost.
E. Guarantee for the coverage of the expenses which will incur to comply with the established rules of the Zone, related to Technical Committee of the Event and the other positions as specified in the rules.
F. Special deals and offers for the participants
G. Guarantee of Security to all participants in the Event
H. Other information which are considered important to be aware of.
The Presidium will select from the requests, the one that offer better conditions for an optimum development of the event and the participants.
The accrediting organization of the site for the Final Ranking Event of the American Zone will acquire the right to organize the event and will accept the conditions which the Zone has instituted for a well development of the event.
The publish rights belong always to the American Zone, and these rights can be transferred to the organizers, by means of the acknowledgement of 50% of the commercialized product they obtain. This condition does not inhibit them the right to place advertisement for the event, provided it is not committed to a brand which is being exploded commercially.
The Final Ranking Tournament of the Zone must comprise of a competition schedule of maximum three days, which should guarantee equal conditions for all participants and a format which will also propitiate a fair and truthful result.
All participants will start the competition with zero pins and points.
The Presidium can authorize the competition with a longer duration, provided this prolongation does not cause additional expenditure for the players, while this prolongation must open the opportunity to the players to win higher prizes for their effort and performance.
These General Ranking Rules consist of all necessary for the development and determination of the Zone Ranking, and should be strictly applied completely by all involved (Coordinators, Bowlers, federations, Associations, Collaborators, Organizers, Technical Committee, Presidium etc.)
In case something not foreseen may present in these general rules, the Constitution and rules of the American Zone, Rules of the WTBA, then the Presidium of the American Zone will resolve the case. There is no appeal on these decisions.
Only the President of the American Zone has the right and authority to publish the official results on Ranking of the American Zone.
In case there present a difference in the interpretation of the rules, between the English- and Spanish version, the Spanish version will then prevail.
These present Rules must be applied starting January 24, 2006, the date on which these Rules were approved by the Presidium of the American Zone.
San Salvador, El Salvador January 23, 2006.
José Antonio Guandique E. - President;
Veronica Rajii - first Vice President;
José Amado Aguilar - second Vice President;
Gilbert Snijders - first Director;
Martín Faba Castro - second Director;
Gustavo López - first Alternate Director;
José Luís Rivas - second Alternate Director.
American Zone
Article 1: Regions
The American Zone geographically will be divided into 5 regions to determine the ranking as per 2006:
A. Northern Region: Canada and United States of America
B. Central American Region: México - Guatemala - Honduras - El Salvador - Nicaragua - Costa Rica.
C. Caribbean Region: US Virgen Islands - Bahamas - Bermuda - Dominican Republic - Puerto Rico - Cuba - Aruba - the Netherlands Antilles.
D. Southern Region 1: Panama - Colombia - Venezuela - Ecuador - Perú.
E. Southern Region 2: Brazil - Uruguay - Argentina - Chile - Paraguay - Bolivia.
Article 2: Coordination
A General Coordinator will be in charge of the American Zone Ranking 2006, and will be appointed - after preliminary consultations - by the President of the American Zone.
One Regional Coordinator for each of the five regions will assist the General Coordinator.
The President of the Zone will appoint the five Regional Coordinators, after previous consultation with the General Coordinator and the Presidium Members, in order to find the most suitable persons for these functions.
Article 3: Duties of the Coordinators
The General Coordinator:
The General Coordinator of the American Zone Ranking will report to the President of the Zone, and will perform the following duties:
A. See to it that the American Zone Ranking follows the new established rules, for this purpose.
B. Supervise the work done by the Regional Coordinators.
C. Verify the information received from the Coordinators on Tournaments or Events, which should be certified as Ranking and report his final recommendation to the President of the Zone.
D. Compile and administrate the Sport- and Economic results, assuring that they represent and reflect the real situation in general.
E. Hand the results to the President of the Zone, with his recommendations and conclusions regarding the results.
F. Whichever other function that guarantees a good development of the American Zone Ranking.
The Regional Coordinators:
The Regional Coordinators will report to the General Coordinator, and they will perform the following duties:
A. Express their recommendation to the General Coordinator, regarding Open Tournaments which are considered to be certified as a Ranking Tournament.
B. In consultation with the General Coordinator, define the Tournaments and Events, which will be considered as a ranking event for his region. After having consulted the General Coordinator, publish a list of events valid as ranking for the region. This list of events will also form part of the general rules for ranking 2006.
C. Responsible to collect certification charges of the Tournaments, inscription fees of the participants, and transfer all collected funds together with the corresponding information to the General Coordinator.
D. Compile the results and ranking points of all the Events (Confederations, Federations, Associations, and Tournaments) and forward this information to the General Coordinator, within the established terms and specifications stated in this regulation.
E. See to it that the official events for ranking show a good development and that the results reflect the reality and truth, and
F. Whichever function which contribute to a well functioning of the ranking and therefore good results of his own region.
Collaboration:
The Presidents of the Affiliated Countries to the Zone should collaborate directly with the General- and Regional Coordinators with the following aspects:
A. Inform on the seriousness and stability of the Invitational Tournaments, which request to be certified as Ranking Tournaments.
B. Present their recommendation together with the request of the Organizers or Owners of the Tournaments of his country, to certify these tournaments as Ranking Tournaments.
C. See to it that the development of the Events of their own Federation or Association is good, and that results reported to the Regional Coordinator are correct and show the truth.
D. Collaborate in verifying the number of participants, the collection of the fees contributed by the players, and that the organizers comply with all the duties related to the Certification and
E. Send the sport- and financial results of the Ranking Events in his country to the Regional Coordinator, with the guarantee that they reflect correctness and truth.
Article 4: Events
The Events and Tournaments which can be considered for the development of Zone Ranking are:
A. National Championships or special designated events by the Federations or Associations, members of the Zone,
B. The Official Championships of the WTBA, CONCECABOL, CONCABA, COBOISCA, Bolivarian Confederation, and South America Confederation - CSB.
C. The Events of the Olympic Cycle
D. Invitational Tournaments, which previously have been recommended by the Regional Coordinators and certified by the Zone.
Article 5: Certification
All the Events which will be considered as a Ranking Event must be Certified previously by the Zone.
The procedure to certify the Events is as follows:
National Events:
The President of the National Federations or Associations who wishes the results of the National Championship or a special designated Event, as a ranking event, must contact the respective Regional Coordinator and pay the corresponding fees. The certification is thereafter automatically.
Invitational Tournaments:
The Organizers or Owners of the Invitational Tournaments, who want to have their tournament certified, must send the request and the corresponding certification fee to the Regional Coordinator, through the Presidents of the Federations or Associations in his country, who on his turn will forward the request and his recommendation to the Regional Coordinator and a copy to the General Coordinator. The collected fees can be transferred directly to the General Coordinator to avoid double bank transfer charges, and a copy of the transfer order to the Regional Coordinator. All this of course after having verified all important aspects for correctness.
The General Coordinator will forward this request and his recommendation to the President of the Zone, who will issue the corresponding Certification.
Events of the Olympic Cycle:
Taking the nature of these events into account, only the respective Regional Coordinator is sufficient to make the previous announcement and publication, with previous consultation with the General Coordinator. In case one or more bowlers from another region also participate in the event, the Regional Coordinator will draw up - same as with other events - the proof of his participation and the respective reports, and forward them to the General Coordinator.
Article 6: Calendar of Events
The certified events for the Ranking will start as of January 2006, and must finish at the latest November 30th of the current year.
In case a Federation or Association cannot finish her National Championship before November 30th, she should choose a special event of her activities, which will then be considered to generate ranking points. The President involved will contact the Regional Coordinator hereon, in order to have this event published in the official events of the Zone.
The corresponding payments rights are unchanged.
Article 7: Participation
All Bowlers who like to participate in the Final of the American Zone Ranking 2006 must participate in minimum three (3) ranking events, in order to validate his ranking points. In order to be able to accumulate points for ranking in all the events, each bowler must receive the authorization of his Federation or Association, through a confirmation letter directed to the respective Regional Coordinator.
If a player comes from a country which has subscribed her National Championship for ranking, he must participate in this championship, in order to consider the ranking points which he won in other events, otherwise the corresponding Federation or Association must exempt him from this responsibility, in writing.
If a player comes from a country, which for extraordinary circumstances cannot register the results of her National Championship, can accrue ranking points in other Events, provided she received authorization from his own Federation or Association.
Bowlers who participated in more than three ranking events during the current year, in this case only the ranking points received in the National Event and two best results of the other ranking events will be considered.
Article 8: Punctuation
Punctuation of the Events which are valid for ranking.
For all Certified Events valid for ranking of the Zone (National Championship or special designated event, Official championships of WTBA AZ, CONCECABOL, CONCABA, COBOISCA, South America Confederation - CSB, Events of the Olympic Cycle, and Invitational Tournaments) the winner of the first place will receive 200 points.
The winners of the following positions will receive the points according to the following table:
A. The first place will be awarded with 200 points; the following players on the final result report will receive in descending format of 2 points according to their position.
B. In case we have more than 100 participants, the players finishing on a lower position than 100, will not receive any ranking point.
C. In case we have less than 100 participants the points will be distributed dividing 200 by the number of participants, to get the descending format. If the result has a fraction of .50 or higher, then the descending format number will be rounded to the next higher number. Otherwise the fraction will be neglected... Example 1: if we have 48 subscribers we divide 200 by 48 = 4.17. In this case the descending format number is 4. The player who finished on the first place will get 200 points, the second place 196, the third place 192 etc…. Example 2: if we have 80 subscribers we divide 200 by 80 = 2.5 in this case the descending format number is 3. The player who finished on the first place will get 200 points, the second place 197, the third place 194 etc…
D. In case the Invitational Tournament comprises of only one final list of both male and female together, we will compute the corresponding ranking points according to their position, for each category on a separate list. Example: In an event with 80 participants of which 30 are female and 50 are male, the base of punctuation for female participants will be 30 and for male participants 50, as the divider to compute the descending number for the ranking points respectively.
In Events whereby players of different Regions are participating, The Regional Coordinator wille have to send a copy of the results to the other Coordinators involved and the General Coordinator, including the ranking points gained.
The bowlers who participate in more than 3 ranking events, only the three events with best ranking points will be computed. The rule stated in article 7 will be strictly applied.
Article 9: Annotation and Statistics
The Organizers of the ranking events must forward final results in digital format to the Regional Coordinator, and the Regional Coordinator will forward this information to the General Coordinator.
The final result list must be reported in descending sequence of the positions, with the following information: a) Name player, Family Name and Nationality, b) his end position, c) total pins, d) number of games, e) final average and f) number of ranking points obtained.
Article 10: Information
The information must be remitted in digital format in the following time frame:
A. The Regional Coordinator must forward these results to the General Coordinator at the latest one week after the Ranking Event finished.
B. The General Coordinator on his turn must forward the compiled results to the President of the Zone at the latest two weeks thereafter, and will coordinate the official publication and statistics with the President of the Zone.
C. In case we have a ranking event which finishes at the end of November, The Regional Coordinator must then forward the results to the General Coordinator at the latest on December fifth, while the General Coordinator must deliver the end product to the President of the Zone before December 15th for immediate publication of this information.
Article 11: Classified Players
Each Region of the Zone can send maximum 12 best classified players on the male category and 12 best classified players in the female category, to the Final Ranking Event of the American Zone, so that a maximum of 60 players per category are going to participate in this final event.
This Final Ranking Event will be held at the latest on February 15 of 2007 in a site which will be announced at a proper time.
In case one or more of the 12 best classified players of a Region cannot participate at the final Ranking Event, they will be substituted by the next best classified bowler(s) on the final ranking list of the particular Region.
In case at the start of this Final Event, there are still some spaces available to complete the 60 participants per category, the host country can include maximum 2 players per category to fill the vacancy. However these players must be selected from the host country's ranking list with the highest positions. This special case must review and authorized by either the General Coordinator or the President of the Zone.
Article 12: Final Ranking Event
The Final Ranking Event of the American Zone (FRAZ) will be held at the latest on February 15 of 2007, and the duration of the competition is maximum 3 days.
The format of the Event will be authorized previously by the Zone.
The top eight players of each category in this Final Event will gain the right to represent the American Zone in the World Ranking Master 2006, which will be held in year 2007 in Katar. In case one or more of these players are not able to participate, they will be substituted by the next best classified player in the Final Event of the Zone. This special case must be reviewed and authorized by either the General Coordinator or the President of the Zone.
Article 13: Costs
The Certification Fee of each Championship or National Event or Invitational Ranking Event is two hundred US Dollars (US $200.00)
Players' Fee
A. The ranking points of all participants (max 100) obtained in National Championships or special designated events by a Federation or Association are valid at no extra cost, provided these events have been previously certified and the corresponding certification fee has been paid.
B. Certified Invitational Tournaments
The organizer or the owner of the certified event can choose from the following options, as they are responsible to collect and remit the corresponding fees:
OPTION 1:
A. The Organizers or Owners of all the Invitational Tournaments MUST charge each participant a fee of US $5.00 for the Zone, even if they are not interested in participating for the Zone ranking.
B. Each player who is interested in participating in the Zone ranking must pay additionally US $10.00 to validate his ranking points won, prior the initiation of the Event.
OPTION 2:
A. Only players who are interested in obtaining valid ranking points from the Invitational Tournaments must pay each US $25.00, prior the initiation of the Event.
The General Coordinator is the representative to watch over the Regional Coordinators that they affect the charges correctly and that the fees are transferred to the Zone Bank account. The General Coordinator has the power to instruct the Regional Coordinator how the transfer of the fees should take place.
Whichever certified event for Ranking which do not comply with payment of the corresponding fee timely according to the established rules, the results will not be considered on either the Ranking List or the Official Activities of the American Zone. This will also count for players that do not comply with payment of the corresponding fee timely, according to the established rules.
Article 14: Case of Tie
The ties in positions which must be dissolved will be resolved as follows:
A. The ties in Regional positions will be resolved by the highest average of the ones involved and the total number of games played, applicable only to determine the final ranking position of the Region.
B. The ties presented during the final Ranking Event will be resolved, according to the established rules of competition of the WTBA.
Article 15: Income
The fees collected and registered by the Regional Coordinators will be transferred to the General Coordinator as follows:
A. The registration fee of the Federations or Associations in order to register their National Championships or special designated events, should take place before the start of the events.
B. The certification fee of all the Tournaments that we authorize to include as a Ranking Event: One week after the Organizer or the Owner of the Tournament has been notified by the Zone, that the tournament will be certified. In this case the payment to the Regional Coordinator must be effected prior the development of the tournament and
C. The fees paid by the participants must be transferred at the latest one week after the finalization of the event. ( it's the duty of the owner or organizer of the certified event to collect and remit the fees as established in these rules)
Article 16: Distribution of the Income
The distribution of all income collected during the development of the Ranking of the American Zone, will be carried out as follows:
A. The amount of US $5000.00 will be withheld from the total collected income by the five Regions, in order to pay the rights of the American Zone to the WTBA, to participate inn the Final World Ranking Master (WRM).
B. The Zone will withdraw 10% of the remaining amount after the deduction of the payment to the WTBA. This amount will be basically used to cover the expenses caused by the realization of the Regional Rankings.
C. The net amount after deducting previously mentioned amounts will be added to US $12000.00 which amount is guaranteed by the Host Country of the Final Ranking Event of the American Zone... This total amount will be awarded to the winners of this Event, according to the established distribution specified in this regulation to each category ( male and female) as follows:
First place: 8.0%
Second place: 7.5%
Third place: 7.0%
Fourth place: 6.5%
Fifth place: 6.0%
Sixth place: 5.5%
Seventh place: 5.0%
Eight place: 4.5%
Article 18: Site
The Presidium will grant the Site which will organize the Final Ranking Event of the American Zone to the Country or Bowling Center which officially send their request in writing to the President of the Zone, preferably before March 31 of the current year, giving the guarantee of the minimum cash in awards of US $12000.00 which will be distributed amongst the winners of this Event, and should report additionally:
A. Name and general characteristics of the City where the event will be held,
B. Name and general characteristics of the Bowling Center in which the games are played, by specifying the Brand, Model, number of lanes, physical condition of the equipments and lanes etc.
C. Equipment which will be used to apply the oil pattern on the lanes
D. The official hotel designated by the organizers of the event and the approximate cost.
E. Guarantee for the coverage of the expenses which will incur to comply with the established rules of the Zone, related to Technical Committee of the Event and the other positions as specified in the rules.
F. Special deals and offers for the participants
G. Guarantee of Security to all participants in the Event
H. Other information which are considered important to be aware of.
The Presidium will select from the requests, the one that offer better conditions for an optimum development of the event and the participants.
Article 19: Rights
The accrediting organization of the site for the Final Ranking Event of the American Zone will acquire the right to organize the event and will accept the conditions which the Zone has instituted for a well development of the event.
The publish rights belong always to the American Zone, and these rights can be transferred to the organizers, by means of the acknowledgement of 50% of the commercialized product they obtain. This condition does not inhibit them the right to place advertisement for the event, provided it is not committed to a brand which is being exploded commercially.
Article 20: Format of the Final
The Final Ranking Tournament of the Zone must comprise of a competition schedule of maximum three days, which should guarantee equal conditions for all participants and a format which will also propitiate a fair and truthful result.
All participants will start the competition with zero pins and points.
The Presidium can authorize the competition with a longer duration, provided this prolongation does not cause additional expenditure for the players, while this prolongation must open the opportunity to the players to win higher prizes for their effort and performance.
Article 21: Application
These General Ranking Rules consist of all necessary for the development and determination of the Zone Ranking, and should be strictly applied completely by all involved (Coordinators, Bowlers, federations, Associations, Collaborators, Organizers, Technical Committee, Presidium etc.)
In case something not foreseen may present in these general rules, the Constitution and rules of the American Zone, Rules of the WTBA, then the Presidium of the American Zone will resolve the case. There is no appeal on these decisions.
Article 22: Publications
Only the President of the American Zone has the right and authority to publish the official results on Ranking of the American Zone.
Article 23: Language
In case there present a difference in the interpretation of the rules, between the English- and Spanish version, the Spanish version will then prevail.
Article 24: In Effect
These present Rules must be applied starting January 24, 2006, the date on which these Rules were approved by the Presidium of the American Zone.
San Salvador, El Salvador January 23, 2006.
José Antonio Guandique E. - President;
Veronica Rajii - first Vice President;
José Amado Aguilar - second Vice President;
Gilbert Snijders - first Director;
Martín Faba Castro - second Director;
Gustavo López - first Alternate Director;
José Luís Rivas - second Alternate Director.