The Lawman – Nov 25

by John Roberts

Conditions of Play

Conditions of play are  important to the successful running of any bowls event and that’s why I asked all the officials  attending the 2016 Vic Open to please be familiar with them.

I would ask the same of  all players  participating  in any  event.   Have a good  understanding of the conditions of play (CoP). It’s important.
 
Law 57.2 enables Controlling Bodies conducting social and recreational competitions to set CoPs which may be different from those within the Laws of the Sport of Bowls and Appendix A. 1 to the Laws provides a guide as to what could be included in a set of CoP.
 
A point of  interest  for The Lawman is that  many  CoPs  often  state  no dead ends!
 
What does this  really  mean?  For example  a damaged jack, Law  30  clearly  states  that if a replacement  jack is needed, the end will  be declared  dead and  law  20  (Dead Ends)  will  apply. But the  CoP  states: No dead ends!
 
Generally, when the CoPs refer to “no dead ends” they are referring to Law 19 which sets out the conditions under which a jack may become dead resulting in dead end.
 
Also, there are several Laws involving displacement of the jack or bowls which provide the opportunity of declaring the end dead.   How does “no dead ends” apply in such situations?
 
So the term “no dead ends” is not really accurate in the CoP.  
 
So maybe all future CoPs need to be written in a more concise and meaningful way when expressing when and where  there can and can’t be dead ends. Any ideas?
 
Congratulations to all those who officiated at the Vic Open, with its record entries and applications for us too! 

Spread the word. It’s good fun and a great way to  build up your  skills and meet like minds. Maybe next year?

By John Roberts – Bowls Victoria Umpiring Committee Chairman

The Lawman – Oct 28
The Lawman – Oct 14
The Lawman – Sept 29
The Lawman – Sept 16
 
Bowls Victoria’s Umpiring Section