The MJBT
is headed by Chris Gamec of Saint Paul, Minnesota. He has been
involved since day one, and even before that. He previously
co-directed and bowled in the MJBA (Midwest Junior Bowlers Assn -
our direct predecessor), and bowed in the JCBA (Junior Central
Bowlers Alliance - the one that started it all). Chris has been
involved on the administrative side of the sport since age 14, and
brings a distinctive (ok - goofy) flair to the MJBT keeping it fun,
while still getting the business done.
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Is
anybody eligible for the MJBT?
Any
bowler that is a current YABA Youth or Collegiate sanctioned member
can participate. Non-YABA members are also eligible when they pay an
extra $2.00 participation fee. Minnesota residency is not required
for the MJBT. In fact, we attract bowlers from all over Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois,
Michigan and even Canada!
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Are
there separate divisions for men and women?
Yes
there is!! The MJBT will have a separate Women's division any time
there are 5 or more entered for any given event. Women can compete
in the Men's division if they wish, but must stick with that choice
for 1 full year.
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How
much does it cost?
The
cost is $40.00 per entry, per event. For first time bowlers, the fee is
only $35.00 (for the first event ONLY). The second time you participate, you must pay an
additional $25 membership fee, which is good for 1 year from date of
purchase. Entries that are received after the monthly deadline, or
are walk-ins on event day, will be subject to a $5.00 late fee.
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When
and where are the tournaments?
Events
are typically held the third Sunday of every month, with the
exception of some holidays and center availability. The events are
held in various centers throughout Minnesota, with our base being in
the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Check in begins at
8:00am with paddock at 8:45 and bowling at 9:00. Please check our
latest schedule for dates and sites. You can also look in The
Metro Bowler, a Twin Cities area newspaper dedicated to the
sport of bowling, for the latest schedule.
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Is
pre-registration required?
Yes,
and entries should be received the Wednesday prior to the
tournament. If your entry is received after or at the tournament
site, you will pay a $5 late fee. Walk-in entries will be accepted
on a space available basis only. Entries are accepted up to two
months in advance of the event. Entry forms are available at
tournament stops or are available online at www.mjbt.org.
Should you fail to show for an event without canceling, you will
lose your full entry fee.
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I
have heard the bowlers get fines; Is this really true?
Yes,
it is. The bowlers can and do get fines for various reasons
including, unsportsmanlike conduct, missing / incorrect scoresheet
information, failing to reserve spot, etc. All money generated from
fines goes directly to our Year End prize fund. Fines / Rules are
heavily enforced. We strive to run the MJBT as professionally as
possible, while having fun at the same time.
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Where
are my scholarship winnings held?
All
MJBT scholarship dollars go to YABA National Headquarters in
Greendale, WI, in a program called SMART. This is a national program
designed for safe, hassle free administration of scholarship dollars
across the nation. The SMART program actually does all the
paperwork, including sending out reminder notices to all the
bowlers. To withdraw winnings, you would actually call SMART
directly and not the MJBT. To learn more about SMART, call them at
414-423-3343 or go to www.bowl.com.
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What
is the format, and is it different for men and women?
The
format is the same for everybody. All bowlers roll a 9 game
qualifier, with the top 8 or 10 men and top 4 or 6 women going into
a match play final. All scores are based on a +/- system of 200 and
pins do not carry over into match play. All that make it to match
play are guaranteed scholarship. Our High Qualifiers do earn some
extra money for their efforts, plus the MJBT has a High Game Out for
the man and woman who did not make the cut, but rolled the highest
game of the rest of the field during qualifying.
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Do
you send out mailings / entries every month?
he
MJBT publishes PINTALK
once a month that has all the latest info, including winners from
the previous month, stats, upcoming tournament info and other MJBT
and YABA related information. This newsletter is sent out to all
current MJBT participants and their families, plus various other
members of the bowling community. This newsletter/information is
also posted on www.mjbt.org.
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What
kind of average does it take to "cash"?
It
really varies from month to month. On the average, to make the men's
cut, it takes an average of 195+. For the women, generally 175 and
above. These figures are NOT guarantees. Overall the MJBT has
averaged about 186 for both match play and qualifying rounds.
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Is
there a minimum age or average requirement to join the MJBT?
Any
bowler that is a current YABA Youth or Collegiate sanctioned member
can participate. Non-YABA members are also eligible when they pay an
extra $2.00 participation fee. Minnesota residency is not required
for the MJBT. In fact, we attract bowlers from all over Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois,
Michigan and even Canada!
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Am
I required to bowl the whole season?
Absolutely
not. We encourage everybody to try the MJBT. For the younger bowler,
this is a great experience to bowl with some of the best youth
bowlers in the Upper Midwest. Although, we do recommend the bowlers
carry at least a 150 average, in the hopes that they will not get
too discouraged if they have a bad day.
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Do
you have any sponsors?
Yes.
The MJBT has had sponsors such as Bowling
This Month Magazine, Celebrity Bowl Charities, Dick Ritger
Bowling Camps, Bowling Dynamics Pro Shop, 10th Frame
Supply Company, Tim's Pro Shop, Best Buy Co, Graphic Industries of
MN, among several others. All add either time and / or scholarship
to our event each month and we greatly appreciate this help. We are
always looking for more though. If you have any ideas, please
contact the MJBT.
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Is
there a specific dress code I have to follow?
No
denim, caps, or hats are allowed. Dress shorts/slacks are acceptable
for the guys, and dress shorts/skirts/slacks are acceptable for the
women. Shirts must be collared and be neat and clean in appearance.
After the second time around, we ask that you have a shirt with your
name printed or sewn on the back, and the MJBT logo somewhere on the
shirt. MJBT patches are available at the tour stops for $3 each. A
shirt with just the letters MJBT on it will not be accepted as
official. The actual logo must be used. For more specific dress code
rules, please refer to our Rules and Regulations, which is available
from the MJBT Tournament Staff.
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Do
you host other events?
We
sure do. In centers that have availability we run Saturday fun
tournaments. Scholarship is also awarded at these events and entry
fees are usually $25 or less. In 2003, we had our 9th
Annual MJBT / CBA Doubles tournament. This event in 2003 awarded
over $6000.00 in scholarships and we hope it will be much more next
year.
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Will
you ever offer a handicap division?
No.
Since the beginning of this tournament (under 3 different names), we
have never conducted a handicap division, as this was not the
intent. The intent was to offer a program to the higher-skilled
players a chance to compete in a separate, higher level tournament.
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Are
you running brackets like at adult tournaments / leagues? Is this
legal per YABA?
Yes
to both questions. The MJBT is running brackets during the
tournaments. Cost will be $5 per bowler, per bracket. This is
OPTIONAL to all bowlers. All winnings will be paid in scholarship
dollars and there are no administrative fees deducted. This is
approved for competition by the Young American Bowling Alliance in
Greendale, WI, and does not violate YABA Eligibility Rule
#400.
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If
I earned an YABA award during an MJBT event, who files the paperwork
for it?
The
MJBT will process paperwork for all honor count scores such as 298,
299, 300, 800, 700 (girls), etc. rolled during our competition. For
any other awards, it would be the bowler's responsibility to have
the award processed through their local league or association
secretary. Always keep a copy of your scoresheet for verification of
game and series awards.
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