2026
Tournament
Rules

1. The Columbus Ohio Midwestern Invitational Classic (COMIC) is a mixed handicap competition open to all bowlers by invitationonly. The Tournament Directors reserve the right to refuse any application at their discretion. COMIC is an LGBTQIA community and friendly event with respect and sportsmanship as core values of this tournament. COMIC respects and celebrates inclusion, and prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Our committee has a zero-tolerance policy which includes the tournament’s right to immediately remove or disqualify anyone found in violation. 

2. The number of entries will be limited to 192 bowlers on a single shift. 

3. A professional bowler that is not a current member of an IGBO league or organizational member, with a minimum of 21 games, may not bowl in COMIC 2026. Only one professional bowler per team will be allowed. A professional bowler is defined as any personwho has been a “card-carrying” member of a professional bowling organization since May 3, 2025.

4. COMIC 2026 will adhere to USBC Tournament Rules, except as noted in the rules below. Non-USBC certified members must pay the $30 participation fee before being able to bowl. If a bowler is not a member of IGBO, or associate member during the last calendar year, they must pay $25 to become an associate member prior to bowling.

5. Any bowler entering COMIC 2026 must establish an acceptable standard ten-pin average based on 21 or more games of league bowling. League standing sheets or other acceptable verification must be submitted from ALL leagues (gay or straight, certified or non-certified) in which a bowler has 21 or more games. The following rules will apply for entering averages: 
   A. Bowlers must submit both league averages as of December 31, 2025 (minimum 21 games) and their ending composite average from the 2024 - 2025 season (minimum 21 games). The highest average will be used. 
   B. If the bowler does not have a December 31, 2025 average, nor a 2024 – 2025 season average, then the highest 2025 summer league average (minimum 21 games) will be used. 
   C. If the bowler does not have a December 31, 2025 average, nor a 2024 – 2025 season average, nor a 2024 summer league average, then the highest current league average (minimum 21 games) as of April 1, 2026 will be used. 
   D. If the bowler does not have a verified average in accordance with Rules 4A - 4C then the bowler will use 225 as the entering average. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE unless approved by Tournament Directors and Statistician. 
   E. The COMIC Tournament will NOT accept Sport Bowling League averages, or make average adjustments for Sport Bowling League averages (USBC Rules 200 – 207 will NOT apply). 
   F. The average of a bowler may be adjusted upward, at the discretion of the Tournament Directors, before the entrant bowls. 

6. Any entrant who has bowled 21 or more tournament games (excluding no-tap tournaments) during the period from April 1, 2025 through April 1, 2026, must submit their tournament scratch scores to the Statistician before the entrant bowls for possible re-rating. If a bowler’s accumulated 12-month tournament average is higher than the entering average established under Rules 5A - 5F re-rating will occur, and the bowler’s tournament average will be used for handicap purposes. Failure to report this information shall result in AUTOMATIC disqualification without a refund and loss of all winnings. USBC Rule 319E (as modified by this paragraph) will apply.

7. Handicap of the Tournament will be based on 90% of the difference between the bowler’s entering average and the highest entering average of the Tournament. USBC Rule 319A does not apply. Negative handicaps shall not apply. 

8. It is each bowler’s responsibility to ensure that the proper average verification is on file with the Tournament Statistician and to verify the accuracy of the bowler’s average, whether originally submitted by the bowler, the bowler’s Team Captain, the League Secretary or others. Failure to use the proper average or make correction before an entrant bowls shall disqualify the bowler if the submitted average is lower than the actual average. 

9. COMIC 2026 will consist of Handicapped Singles, Doubles and Team Events. Each bowler will bowl three games per event. Bowlers may bowl only once in each event. Doubles pairs must come from the same team. Teams will consist of four members. All bowlers will compete on an equal basis. 

10. Optional Scratch by Division event(s) will be offered to all bowlers competing on an equal basis. Optional Scratch Event shall use the scratch scores (without handicap) from the regular events (Singles, Doubles and Team) to determine winners in each division. Additional information will be available at registration, including division averages and fees to enter each division. The Tournament Directors/Statistician may adjust/add to Rule 10 as deemed appropriate prior to registration. 

11. ALL entries must be received no later than April 7, 2026. ALL entries must be accompanied by the full amount of fees. Entry fee is $130 (US). Link to the entry form can be found at columbuscomictournament.org, or on the COMIC Facebook Page. 

12. A complete entry must include all the bowlers’ information and the full amount of fees, and will be considered incomplete until paid in full. Once an entry has been accepted, there will be no refunds except at the sole discretion of the Tournament Directors. Processing fees may also be deducted from the refunds based on discretion. 

13. Each event has its own prize list. There will be 100% return of all prize fees listed on the entry form. In the Handicap Division, awards will be given for Singles, Doubles, Team and Individual All Events. The award ratio will be a minimum of 1:8 or adjusted at the discretion of the Tournament Directors. Individual All Events is defined as the nine games total (plus handicap) of an individual bowler. 

14. Prize money for all Handicap and Scratch Events (excluding other side pots and brackets) will be paid within 30 days of tournament completion, pending any protests through USBC. 

15. It is solely and entirely each bowler’s responsibility to arrive on time to bowl and to be present at the assigned lane at the time of bowling. Bowlers must check in with valid picture ID at least 30 minutes prior to start. If a bowler is not present, the team may use an authorized substitute (Rule 324). If no substitute is available, a zero score will be used for the missing bowler(s). 

16. Bowlers will be allowed 10 minutes of practice before each event. 

17. Late bowlers shall start bowling in the frame in which they are prepared to bowl; prior frames will be scored zero. No practice balls will be allowed for late bowlers. 

18. Substitutes may bowl at the discretion of the Tournament Directors/Statistician. Substitutes must complete an entry form and comply with all tournament and USBC rules. 

19. It is the Team Captain’s responsibility to replace any paid entry that is unable to compete with an approved bowler. COMIC will assist with any replacement at the request of the Team Captain. 

20. Any protest must be submitted within 2 hours after the last Singles Event is completed, in writing to the Tournament Directors. In matters of dispute, the Tournament Directors decision is final. 

21. Scratch Masters Bowlers will qualify for this event based on the total pin fall (scratch) accumulated during their Doubles, Singles and Team Events. The top 6 bowlers in each division will qualify. If one or more of the top 6 qualifiers are unable to bowl, the next highest qualifier will replace that participant provided they are present at 1:30pm on Sunday, at HPL Bowling Center. If there is a tie for the 6th place qualifier, then the bowler with the highest series (then game) will qualify.

Divisions and Entry Fees:

Division A:  0-141          $30

Division B:  142 – 157    $35

Division C:  158 – 179    $40

Division D: 180 – 199     $45

Division E:  200 +           $50

Format: Low Bowlers Out

6 bowlers from each division will bowl on the same pair assigned to each division. After all 6 bowlers complete the first game, then the bottom 2 bowlers with the lowest scores are eliminated. The top 4 bowlers will advance to Round 2, where they will compete once again; the bottom 2 bowlers will be eliminated. Finally, the top 2 bowlers will compete head to head, the top score wins their division.