BOWLERS HANDBOOK
BADDESLEY MINE MIDWEEK BOWLS LEAGUE
BOWLERS HANDBOOK
2026
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2026
President:Mr Chris Payne - christopherpayne1968@gmail.com - 07957 699278
Chairperson: Mr Trevor Pettifer - superstripes@hotmail.co.uk - 07415 473962
Secretary: Mr Norman Kester - digs2010@hotmail.co.uk - 0787 0205853
Treasurer: Mr Richard Athersmith - richardathersmith@yahoo.com - 07897 552879
Headquarters
Birch Coppice Sports & Social Club
Watling Street
Tamworth
Staffs
B78 1SY
01827 892227
Teams 2026
Atherstone Cons
Atherstone Grove A
Atherstone Grove B
Baddesley A
Baddesley C
Baddesley D
Birch Coppice A
Birch Coppice C
Birch Coppice D
Dordon
Grendon
Tamworth Castle A
Tamworth Castle B
Tamworth Castle C
Tamworth Castle D
Wilnecote A
Wilnecote B
Wilnecote C
GENERAL RULES UPDATED 16TH MARCH 2026
That the league be known as The Baddesley Mine Midweek Bowls League
That the committee comprise representation of 1 delegate from each team. Each club having 1 vote including AGMs. 7 members to form a quorum.
Management committee to comprise of Chairman, Secretary and 3 elected members from committee meeting. No person is allowed to sit on management committee meeting if he/she is a signed bowler for one of the teams involved in the dispute.
Teams to consist of 6 players
If teams have more than 9 players, no games allowed to be cancelled. PLEASE NOTE, THIS RULE COVERS ALL FIXTURES
Games to start at 6:30pm unless otherwise stated. Games in April and from the last but one Tuesday in August to start at 6:00pm with games throughout the season having continuous play. (Please refer to fixtures for exact dates). If the away team agrees matches can be played under floodlights with a 6:30pm start.
Visiting teams to be allowed 15 minutes roll up before the start of the game. Home team to vacate the green by 6:15pm. 5:45pm April/August (see fixtures for dates). No roll up in any cup matches.
All players to be present on or before 7:15pm. 6:45pm April/August (see fixtures for dates).
Failing a full team present a reserve or substitute be allowed to play.
A club entering two teams {if in the same division} must play each other the first match of the season and the first match of the second half of the season. No player to play for both teams except after transfer.
If teams have equal league points at the end of the season, the league winners will be decided by the better aggregate of shots for and against.
Points system: 3 points Home Win, 4 points Away Win, 1 point Home Draw, 2 points Away Draw, 1 point per game won.
League aggregates are based on 3 points for an away, 2 points for a Home Win. In the event of a tie, league aggregates will be decided on games won/lost, then shots for/against.
A game can be played prior to the original fixture with the approval of both teams but not cancelled and postponed.
Teams must register bowlers with the league secretary a minimum of 7 days prior to the first match of the season. New players can be registered until the 1st July. Players cannot be registered after this date. If an unregistered/illegal player does play then his score is cancelled and deducted from the match total. No player to practice on an away green 72 hours prior to a match unless in a registered league or cup match, if an illegal player/unregistered player plays and wins, his opponent will not forfeit any league aggregate points, game classes as 21-0. Where more than one team per club in the same division, the 'away' team on a league fixture must not practice on the green on the day of the fixture until it is their roll up time.
Players must have played 2 league or cup matches for their registered team and any player transferring must play 2 matches for their new team prior to the final of the R Evans Cup/Charity shield, semi final/final of the League Cups and the last 2 matches played in the league. This includes rearranged matches. Breaking this rule, the player will be classed as illegal (see rule 16).
All results to be entered onto the website on or before midday the following Saturday of that weeks matches with results sheets provided to the committee on or before the next league meeting. Failing to comply with this rule, the offending team shall be fined 1 league point.
A team not represented at a delegates meeting shall be fined £5.00 for each failure. No apologies accepted Unless teams are playing a rearranged game in the Baddesley Mine Midweek league and the committee informed and agreed
League entrance fee is £45.00. If a team is entered at the AGM but withdraw through the season or prior to the season starting, that team is still liable to pay the league entrance fee.
Transfers will be allowed. 1 player per season inter team and club. Any player transferring will be cup tied. 7 days notice is required to the league secretary before playing for a new team. Last date for transfers is 1st July.
That any cancellation of matches with teams of less than 9 players, the league secretary and named contact to be notified 4 days prior to match date. For cancellation of Tuesday matches, the deadline is 6.00pm on the Friday, for Wednesday matches, 6.00pm on Saturday and Thursday matches, 6.00pm on Sunday. Any expenses incurred to be borne by the team cancelling the fixture. Any team not giving 4 days notice to cancel a league match shall be fined 1 league point.
That all fixtures to be played on or before the fixture date unless adverse weather conditions, if cancelled due to bad weather, the game must be played within 16 days after the fixture date. Both captains to arrive at the green to agree if the green is unfit for play. Should teams concerned be unable to agree a date, the management committee shall have the power to select a date for the match to be played. Should either team fail to put in an appearance, 2 league points shall be forfeited by the offending team and fined £10.00. The team in attendance shall claim the match. PLEASE NOTE RULE 5.
All score cards are to be checked every 4th end, dead ends to be marked on cards and counted as an end played. If the 2 people marking the score cards cannot agree on the score at the check, the score will go back to the last check made.
Any decisions made at league delegates meetings must stand, the decision can only be changed at another league delegates meeting.
All finals to be held within the league, providing a suitable green is available for use.
Any person who bowls for a team in the league will be charged a sum of £1.00 per season to do so. This is not a registration fee.
Any person harassing or molesting any delegate or member of the management committee or officer of the league will be subject to a suspension from the league until such times as they present themselves in front of the management committee/delegates and explain their actions. If after this action has been taken, it is found that the above actions have been committed without provocation, and decision made by the league will be binding.
Teams must give their opponents 1 weeks notice (minimum 48 hours) if they are not stopping for food or some remuneration via the committee to be agreed.
Match draws League matches:
League matches: The home team captain will place 6 cards with his team face down and place them in order of one to six in order of play.
Cup matches: Captains shall place 6 cards down numbering them one to six in order of play.
LEAGUE SINGLES COMPETITION
Fee to be set at a committee meeting.
Greens and bowlers will be drawn at the committee meeting. A green captain will be appointed for all greens in use. Green captains will make the match draw at the green. Bowlers to be in attendance at the green no later that 6.15pm OR 5.45pm if fixture falls on a 6pm start date. Bowlers not present on or before this time will be disqualified by the green captain.
A substitute will be allowed but only in the first round and from the same club.
In the preliminary rounds leading up to the finals, no bowler has to play more than 2 matches on the same night. Bowlers can play more than 2 matches if they agree to do so. If the preliminary rounds are not completed on the same night, bowlers will have to return to the same green on the next date set in the fixtures to finish the preliminary rounds.
The finals will consist of 3 matches in 1 night.
The competition shall be played under the general rules applicable to the midweek league.
All trophies and monies to be presented at the annual supper.
Dates for the singles competition will be set out in the fixtures for that season, dates will not be changed once the fixtures have been approved.
If in the league singles competition, there are qualifiers for the finals from all greens within the league, a suitable green will be drawn from a hat. If in the league singles competition, bowlers qualifying for the finals and playing on their home green will receive a 2 shot penalty and not be allowed to roll up on the green 48 hours prior to the final unless it is an arranged league game
Any bowler of the green 30 minutes or more between matches shall be allowed a 5 minute roll up.
Any bowler who qualifies for the quarter, semi or final rounds of the league singles or doubles competitions (all rounds), who turn up to play but then leave prior to the end of the last game played (unless in emergency circumstances), the green captain to provide the names of those bowlers to the committee and those bowlers will not be eligible to enter the following season.
LEAGUE DOUBLES COMPETITION
The competition shall be played under the general rules applicable to the midweek league.
All entrants shall be registered players with teams in the midweek league.
Both players shall be registered with the same club.
Matches will be played on greens to be decided by the league committee.
Greens and bowlers will be drawn at the committee meeting. A green captain will be appointed for all greens in use. Green captains will make the match draw at the green. Bowlers to be in attendance at the green no later than 6.15pm OR 5.45pm if fixture falls on a 6pm start date. Bowlers not present on or before this time will be disqualified by the green captain.
The lead bowler of each pair shall deliver both of their woods first, followed by the remaining pair.
A pair may change their order of play at any time between ends, providing they inform their opponents.
Once the competition has started, a player may not substitute his partner in later rounds, except for exceptional circumstances and with the permission of the management committee.
A substitute will be allowed but only in the first round and from the same club. No substitution shall be allowed if the proposed substitute has already played in a previous round with another player.
The entry fees and distribution of prize monies shall be decided by the committee.
All trophies and monies to be presented at the annual supper.
In the preliminary rounds leading up to the finals, no pair has to play more than 2 matches on the same night. Bowlers can play more than 2 matches if they agree to do so. If the preliminary rounds are not completed on the same night, bowlers will have to return to the same green on the next date set in the fixtures to finish the preliminary rounds.
Any bowler of the green 30 minutes or more between matches shall be allowed a 5 minute roll up.
The finals will consist of 3 matches in 1 afternoon/night.
Dates for the pairs competition will be set out in the fixtures for that season, dates will not be changed once the fixtures have been approved.
If in the league doubles competition, bowlers qualifying for the finals and playing on their home green will receive a 4 shot penalty and not be allowed to roll up on the green 48 hours prior to the final unless it is an arranged league game.
LEAGUE CUPS - R EVANS CUP & CHARITY SHIELD
Teams to consist of 6 players.
Games to commence at 6.30pm after April, 6pm if April or prior.
All players to be present on or before 7.15pm. 3 players must be present for the start of the match.
Matches to be played as a knockout competition.
In the event of a tie, Result to be decided by individual games won first, Best individual card second, Last six ends third of best card, Last three ends last of the best card last in this order if needed.
Matches to be played on neutral greens.
Venue of matches to be drawn at committee meetings, date of matches are on the fixture sheet.
If possible, teams to provide an independent referee.
No roll up allowed.
1st round losers of the R Evans Cup to play in the Charity Shield.
Competition dates will not be moved unless there is adverse weather conditions.
Clubs whose greens are being used for cup matches must make sure that Jacks, Mats, Long Tapes and 6ft stick are available for visiting teams. Visiting teams to supply own strings.
LAWS OF THE GAME
The game shall be played by 2 players, each having 2 bowls, the players bowling alternatively until each shall have delivered both bowls, except in the event of one player having forfeited his first bowl in which case his opponent will then be allowed to deliver his 2 bowls consecutively.
The winner of each end shall score 1 point for each bowl he has nearer to the jack than his opponents nearest bowl and shall lead out the jack at the succeeding end.
On commencing a game, the mat must be placed 1 metre from the edge of the green.
Every player must place his toe on the mat when bowling either jack or bowl. A player bowling the jack with his right hand must play his bowls with the right hand and must have a foot on the mat. A player bowling the jack with his left hand must play his bowls with his left hand and must have a foot on the mat. Nothing in this rule shall apply to any player who suffers a disability. A player must bowl with the same hand throughout the game. Any bowl not so played may be stopped by the captain and shall then be played again. If a player shall again transgress during the course of the game, the bowl wrongly played shall be deemed dead. A player may retain possession of the mat until his bowl has ceased running. The mat shall have a diameter of not less than 128 mm (5 inches) and not more than 154mm (6 inches).
If a player shall have taken up the mat after playing a bowl, which for any reason has to be replayed, the mat shall be replaced as near as possible in its former position.
After each end is concluded, the mat shall be placed at the jack by the last player. The leader in the succeeding end may, however, before bowling the jack, move the mat anywhere he pleases within a space of 1 metre from the spot where the jack lay at the termination of the preceding end.
The following shall be deemed ‘not a mark’. If after objection, the jack is proved by measurement to be less than 19 metres from the mat, the measurement to be taken from the nearest point of the jack to the centre of the mat. If when bowled, the jack should go off the green.
If the leader in one trial shall fail to set a mark, his opponent is then entitled to set the mark with the same jack but not play first at it. If the opponent fails in one trial to set a mark, the original leader shall then have one trial and so on alternatively until a mark has been set by one of them, the original leader to play first bowl at it.
That an objection to a mark must be made after the first wood has come to rest. If it is proven not to be a mark, the jack and bowl to be returned and the second player then delivers the jack. If the original first player objects to the new mark set by his opponent, he must do so before a bowl is bowled. Each etam to provide means of measuring.
That in all league matches, away players to have the first jack.
That no woods outside of 6 feet from the jack shall count.
That all league and cup matches to be played with 2 full biased jacks. Each jack to be identified by the regulation 3 sports and shall be provided by the home team.
A player shall not bowl the jack without allowing his opponent the opportunity of seeing with what bias he bowls it, and of watching its course from a point near the mat.
If the jack is struck off the green, that end shall be deemed to have been played. Play shall resume 1 metre in from the point where the jack left the green, the same player setting the mark.
If the jack in its course is impeded in any way, or stops on the land of other players, it must under all circumstances be returned, and if two jacks are bowled near the same place, the one that stops last must be pronounced not a mark and be returned, no penalty being incurred.
If the jack is displaced by a bowl or jack of any other players, or by exterior cause, and the players agree as to the spot of replacement, the end must be continued, otherwise the end is void.
That should 2 ‘running bowls’ strike one another, both bowls be returned to the deliverers.
If a running jack or bowl appears to be in danger of striking a still bowl or jack belonging to another set, such running jack or bowl should be stopped and returned to be replayed.
When, after delivery of the jack and a mark is set, the leader is prevented from delivering his first bowl through the tape being on the green during the measure of another mark, the leader may have the jack returned and again set the mark.
No player shall be allowed to change the jack or bowls during the progress of a game, except with the consent of the captains and only if in their opinion the jack or bowls are so damaged as to be unplayable. Minimum weight of the bowl to be not less than 2lbs.
No player shall deliver a bowl while the jack or a preceding bowl is in motion, otherwise his bowl shall be deemed dead and taken out of play.
A player must not approach nearer than 1 metre to a running bowl, nor follow it up in such a manner as to obstruct the view of his opponent. He must not endeavour to accelerate or impede its progress.
If a running bowl is impeded in any way (except by either player), it must be played again. If a running bowl is impeded by either player, both the offending players’ bowls shall be forfeited at the end concerned. If however the leaders first bowl is impeded, he may, if he wishes, have the jack returned to him to set another mark.
If a bowl is played out of turn it must be returned and played again in its proper turn. If a bowl other than the players own is delivered, whether by mistake or otherwise, it shall be deemed a dead bowl to that player and be returned to the proper owner to be played, the defaulter losing 1 of his bowls as a penalty. If however the jack or bowl already played is disturbed by the bowl wrongly played, it shall be replaced as near as possible to its original position.
If a still bowl is disturbed by any person other than the players concerned, or by a bowl or jack of any other players, it must be replaced as near as possible to its original position, but should either player touch or displace a still bowl before the end is completed, both the offending players’ bowls shall be forfeited at the end concerned.
A bowl must travel a minimum of 3 metres from the mat, otherwise it will be deemed a dead bowl and must be taken out of play.
A bowl or jack played or struck off the green or prevented from going off the green by resting against anything at the edge (i.e. boards) or in the ditch shall be deemed dead. If the 2 captains agree before the start of a game on a different ruling to this, it is acceptable with the league. The bowlers must be made aware of any change in ruling before they start to bowl, i.e. a jack which has come to rest against a boarding surrounding the green, the jack is classed as still in play.
If at the conclusion of an end, the jack or bowls are moved without the consent of his opponent before scores are counted, a player may score 1 point for each bowl still in play.
A player, when at the end where the jack lies, must not stand behind the jack or block the view of his opponents.
If bowlers cannot decide who has won the end and measures are called for, the bowlers involved must move away from the end whilst the bowls are measured. Measurers decide the outcome of the end. Measurers decision is final.
If during a measure the jack or bowl is accidentally displaced by a measurer, the end shall be deemed as a dead end. When a bowl rests on another, or is touching the jack and the bowl rested on has to be removed to allow a measure, it must be removed by the captains and the measure made after such removal.
No person, other than the players and measurers are allowed on the green. A bowler may ask a person to go on the green to look at the end of bowls.
If, after commencing a game, any player shall refuse or is unable to continue, the captains shall decide on the point at issue. Should a player leave the green without informing his opponent, he shall forfeit the game and no score given. Any accident which necessitates a player having to stop play or leave the green and is unable to resume before the finish of the match, his opponent shall receive the maximum points and the score of the player who left the green to remain as it stood, but in the case of refusal of a player to continue the game, his opponent shall be awarded the maximum score and he shall receive no score. Any dispute to be referred to the management committee meeting if no agreement can be made.
In the event of a postponement, after the match has started, owing to bad light or other conditions, the points scored by each player shall count and continue when the game resumes. Substitute players may only be allowed on games not yet started.
A verbal warning must be clearly given when a player is going to strike.
Winners of any trophy will pay for the cost of replacement or repair of such trophy if lost or damaged whilst in their care.