Season 5 Official League Rules & Taxi Squad Update
1. 26 Teams in the league, teams will be separated into 2 divisions.
2. Franchise fee is $2,500.
3. Each match will consist of 2 teams that have at least 5 players and one manager.
a. Participants must be 18 years of age or older before they throw their first ball on a team.
4. The team may carry 2 subs called the ‘Bench’ that may be subbed in at any point of the match (two substitutions per
match, the subs can be made in the same position if necessary)
5. Each team will have 8 available spots on the ‘Roster’, before each scheduled match the team manager will submit
the 5-player line-up and 2-player bench to 5 Pin Universe and the opposing team.
a. Method of submission is Facebook Messenger chat group setup the Thursday before the set
matches.
b. After the line-up/bench is submitted, Line-ups will be submitted by the ‘away’ team first,
then ‘home’ team.
c. Each team will also have an ‘Emergency Spare’ now termed the 'Taxi Squad' (Details below) allocation of 2 players, this allocation can only be used on 2 occasions.
d. If there is a substitution, the team manager must inform the production crew and the opposing
manager. Failure to do this will result in a possible fine from the league.
6. Using the traditional gender variant each team will consist of at least one male and one female player.
a. Further clarification of other gender variants will be discussed if needed.
7. Each gender must play every frame.
8. A team will only play the match on a single lane due to production restrictions.
9. A team can only start the next frame when their opponent team has finished the previous frame.
10. All competition must be played on an official production provided by 5 Pin Universe. Managers must be in contact
with each other and 5 Pin Universe production during the match regarding substitutions and rulings on play, this
will be done by Facebook Messenger chat group.
a. Teams will be responsible to provide 2 ‘cameras’ for production during their matches (arrangements
can be made to help with this aspect if necessary)
b. Phones/Cameras will be used to ‘broadcast’ each team’s play and score to 5 Pin Universe via OBS
Ninja.
c. The details to accomplish this will be discussed with 5 Pin Universe
d. Each team will play in a C5PBA compliant facility, meaning that the Centre will have to meet the
C5PBA certification process and must be current.
11. This is a scratch event using the C5PBA Open team points format.
a. The match play format shall be used to determine the winners in all matches. Each bowler who beats his/her
opponent on the opposing team, shall receive one (1) point. Three (3) points shall be awarded to the team with
the higher pinfall for the game, making a total of eight (8) points maximum for the game.
b. In the event of a tie between teams or individuals in any game during match play in the team events, all
available points shall be divided equally between the tied teams or individuals.
12. Playoff breakdown after the set number of scheduled shows
(12 Matches completed by each of the 26 teams)
13. Teams always must be in team uniform. (exceptions to this are due to Emergency Spares or Uniform production
issues)
14. Playoffs yet to be determined.
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Rule Change
In Season 5, the existing “Emergency Sub” rule will be replaced with a new “Taxi Squad” rule to provide teams with limited flexibility in managing player availability while maintaining competitive integrity.
Rule Details:
Taxi Squad Eligibility:
-Each team may utilize the Taxi Squad rule a maximum of two (2) times per season.
The rule may only be used when:
-A team is unable to roster a full team of five (5) active players for a match, or
-One of the team’s two (2) bench positions is vacant and cannot be filled by a rostered player.
Taxi Squad Player Requirements:
-Taxi Squad players do not count as part of the team’s regular roster.
-A player who appears as a Taxi Squad substitute for a team cannot appear for another team during the same season under the Taxi Squad rule.
Usage Reporting:
-Teams must notify the League Commissioner prior to the start of the match when invoking the Taxi Squad rule.
-The match report must clearly indicate the use of a Taxi Squad player and the reason for activation.
Intent:
-The Taxi Squad rule is designed as a limited-use contingency to prevent forfeits and maintain match competitiveness, not as a method to gain an advantage or rotate extra players.
This rule change has been activated due to many concerns during and in between seasons about the "emergency" term. This is for full clarification and give teams the opportunity to remain competitive when schedules and situations arise and a team can't be fully present.