This guide will go over everything you need to know to get started bowling, plus a high-level view of bowling and GBL. GBL offers additional instruction and on-lane practice throughout the season. Check out the events calendar for more details!

GBL bowls every Sunday, except certain holidays (e.g., Easter). Bowling may be rescheduled due to weather or other emergency situations, so be sure to check league emails. Bowlers should arrive and be ready to start practice at 5:50 PM; the first game will start at 6 PM. Please arrive early to get shoes, your ball, and get settled before we start.

Absent bowlers incur a 10-pin penalty per game.  Bowlers not present by the time the opposing team finishes their 3rd frame will be marked absent for the first game.If you know you’ll miss a week, let your captain know as early as possible. See the Pre-Bowling section for instructions.

Your team will be assigned to a lane. The team assigned to the lane next to you will be your opponent for the night. Your team and your opposing team will alternate bowling on the two lanes you’re assigned.

• For example, if you are assigned to lane 43, you will bowl against the team on lane 44. You’ll bowl the first frame on lane 43, the second frame on lane 44, and the third frame on lane 43, etc.

When it’s your turn, you will step up to the approach and throw your first ball, trying to knock down as many pins as possible. Don’t step onto the approach if a bowler next to you is actively bowling. If you don’t knock down all the pins, you’ll get a second ball to try to knock down the rest of the pins.

On a basic level, you score the number of pins you knock down. However, if you get a Spare or a Strike, the ball(s) in your next frame will give you extra points.

• Exception: The 10th Frame – If you get a spare or strike in your 10th frame, you’ll throw 3 balls instead of two. This is because you don’t have a “next frame” to get the extra points.

We bowl a Series (three Games) each week (Sunday night). Your score for a game is your total number of pins plus your Handicap. Your team’s score will be the sum of each bowler’s score. 

For standings, you can earn 4 points per night: 1 for each of the three games, and a 4th point for having the most pins for the series as a whole. We post our weekly standings on LeagueSecretary.com and will have a printout at each lane on Sunday.

GBL was founded in 1990 and is currently the largest LGBTQIA+ bowling league in New England. We welcome bowlers of every skill level and regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, with community at the center of the league. 

GBL is sanctioned by USBC and IGBO. GBL pays the USBC and IGBO membership fees for all Regular Bowlers; Pacers are not required to hold either membership.

• What is USBC (United States Bowling Congress)?     USBC is the governing body of bowling in the US and sets the rules and standards used in sanctioned bowling. Talk to our Director of Captains to learn more about USBC.

• What is IGBO (International Gay Bowling Organization)?     IGBO connects 9,000+ members to LGBT+ leagues and tournaments. Talk to our IGBO Representative to learn more.

If you plan to pre-bowl, let your Captain know and:

• Call EPL first to confirm availability. Pre-bowling is generally unavailable after 5 PM on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
• Do not pay EPL. Pay your weekly league fee the following week.
• Take a photo of your completed scores and email it to the Secretary using GBL Week XX Pre-Bowl Scores as the subject. Include your full name and team name.

Captains: Your Captain is your team’s main point of contact for communication, etiquette, attendance questions, and weekly payments.

League Standings: Posted weekly on LeagueSecretary.com and at the lanes. The final week is playoffs.

Dues: $23 per week or $345 per season, due in full by Week 13. Dues include shoes and are still owed for missed weeks. Pay your captain/the Treasurer by cash or check payable to “GALA Bowling League, Inc.”