LEAGUE OFFICERS
President: Dan Scott
Vice President: Ed Dunne
Treasure: Jim Miller
Secretary: Paul Hollins
Marketing & Membership: Sarah Davidson-Ezell
Seasons
Winter Season, January through April (12 Weeks)
Summer Season, June through August (10 Weeks)
Fall Season, September through December (12 Weeks)
We're a casual social league that appreciates friendly competition. While we're PBA certified, our primary emphasis is on fostering a fun and relaxed atmosphere rather than solely adhering to formalities.
The league is held at Bowlero located at 735 Center Blvd, Romeoville, IL 60446.
Cost is determined at the start of every season. Cost for Winter 2024 is $130 for the full season which includes a credit from the Joliet Pride Network. Once you bowl in week #1, you are committed and owe the full $130, even if your drop out. Must be paid in full by week #3, we require a minimum of 1/3rd payment for each week for the first 3 weeks or paid in full on week 1.
Payment options:
Preferred Method #1 – Cash or Check (made payable to Equal Love Strikes), please arrive 15-30 minutes early to make your payment. You will pay our league as the league is paid in full prior to starting for an added discount. Checks that are deposited and returned with incur a fee of $25.
Preferred Method #2 – Zelle or Credit Card
We will accept new bowlers (capacity dependent) the first night, even if they have not signed up using the new bowler registration survey. All bowlers must provide their first and last name, cell phone number, and email to Equal Love Strikes. We will accept substitute bowlers through the full season. Substitute bowlers will not bowl UNLESS there is a vacancy, and the missing bowler has indicated they prefer to have a substitute bowl for them. When a sub is needed, it will be announced the night of. If a sub is in attendance, they will be placed on the needed team. Subs will pay the $15 to bowl. If the bowler they are subbing for is already paid in full, the $15 will go to the League Prize Fund instead. We are a 10-tap bowling league. Credit cards will incur a 4% fee.
Team Information
Teams will consist of 3 to 4 people per team. If a bowler has a preferred team, they should have specified in the league sign-up form. We will do our best to accommodate. Single bowlers will be placed with a team and on night 1, teams may be adjusted to fit everyone in. All teams are subject to change.
Teams of 3 will have a handicap score inserted to keep the team competitive.
All Teams are expected to hand-in their scorecards at the end of the night to the counter. While we keep track of scores electronically, the score cards ensure accuracy in case the system crashes.
In the event a bowler cannot bowl the full season, we do allow two bowlers to bowl in the same roster spot (i.e. splitting the season). Between the two of them, they will need to pay the full amount for the season for one spot.
There will be an award ceremony/banquet at the end of the season awarding the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams and any special achievements. There are no cash prizes. Team members on a team with a missing bowler may NOT bowl in place of the missing member. See “absences” below for more information on how this is handled. Balls are provided by the bowling alley for anybody who doesn’t have their own.
Absences & Pace of Play
The league starts promptly at 5:30pm. Out of respect for your team and the other teams playing, please be on time. Excessive tardiness is grounds for removal from the league. We understand that absences will happen from time to time, but please do not join if you plan to miss more than 3 evenings of bowling. Missing bowlers messes with the pace of play and can be discouraging for the other team. If you are going to miss an evening, here are your options:
A substitute bowler may bowl in your place (you must give permission). Whatever they bowl is the score that will be used for your team.
Or your average minus 10 pins will be used. Or you may pre-bowl prior to your absence. Bowerlo allows pre bowling during the weekdays. Post-bowling is not permitted.
Games typically take about 45 minutes each to complete. That said, it is realistic to expect that our end time will range between 8pm and 8:30pm. Please help keep pace of play moving by: Start on time. Don’t wait to start bowling once practice is over. It’s OK to socialize. But if your socializing takes you away for so long that you have to be tracked down, then you’ve wandered for too long. Please reign it in. Take five-minute breaks in between games to get a drink, go out for a smoke, or get a bite to eat. Don’t hold up the pace of the game by being away for too long. Many bowlers have jobs the next morning that they need to get to and want to leave at a reasonable time.
Activities & Fun
Equal Love Strikes is all about socializing with other LGBTQ+ individuals and making new friends and new family. The primary purpose is bowling, however to keep it fun, we have the following activities and theme nights planned:
Weekly
50/50 Raffle – each week we will hold a 50/50 raffle where bowlers have a chance at winning some money. Here are the rules that govern 50/50:
You must be present to win. 50% of the winnings will go the winner drawn first. The amount not given away funds: the other prizes/games played week to week, the banquet, and awards at the end of the season, the upkeep up the website, and/or will be donated to the charity fundraiser at the end of each season.
Tickets are –
$1 for 1 Ticket.
$5 for 10 Tickets
$10 for 25 Tickets
$20 for 50 Tickets
Weekly there will be some type of contest where you can win cash prizes. Examples include “steal the balloon,” “roll the dice,” “poker,” Black Jack, and Prize Pong. Theme Nights – throughout the season, we will have different themed nights where bowlers are encouraged to dress up and participate for added fun. On these themed nights, there will be additional prizes. These theme nights vary from season to season.
XXX Jackpot
Prior to bowling beginning you can sign up for $1 which will be added to the prize pool. The league will roll a 10 sided die. Whichever number it lands on will be the Jackpot Frame. If you role a 10 pin Strike on the Jackpot Frame for all 3 games you will win 75% of the jackpot. If multiple bowlers do this they will split 75% of the jackpot. 20% of the jackpot will be added to the league funds for charity and 5% of the jackpot will start the new Jackpot. You must sign up before Game 1 starts. This amount will rollover week to week and if not won by end of the season, the player who bowled the most strikes in the season will win the prize.
League Member Conduct & Miscellaneous Information
All league members must be 18 years or older. Minors are permitted to visit but not to bowl.
All league members who are not 21 years of age or older may not consume alcohol. League members may not purchase alcohol for minors and anyone found in violation of this policy may be removed from the league.
All rules of the bowling alley must be followed and enforced, including wearing proper bowling shoes.
Equal Love Strikes is a sanctioned PBA league, all league etiquette rules should be observed. Any league member not observing league etiquette rules should consult with the league president or board for more information.
League members are responsible for any guests they bring to the bowling alley and their conduct. They need to ensure that their guests are following league and bowling alley rules.
Any league member and/or guests conducting themselves in an unruly, aggressive, sloppy, indecent, or otherwise undignified, manner, will be asked to stop one time privately, and then will be asked to leave if the behavior continues. This includes this type of behavior in the parking lots and in the rest areas of the bowling alley. At the boards discretion/vote, a league member may be removed from the league and will not receive a refund on any league dues.
Any league member who appears overly intoxicated (drunk) will be cut off from any further alcohol. Remember – we are all here to have fun. Alcohol consumption is no reason to allow our behavior to become out of control. This cutoff will be at the discretion of the league president in consultation with other league officers. They will inform the bartender to no longer serve the overly intoxicated person. The league officers will work to arrange safe transportation to get the league member home. If a league member is unable to drive home, please let somebody know so arrangements can be made.
We take accusations of harassment very seriously. As a social league, you may even find yourself attracted to other league members. But please understand that if you are told no, that means no. All accusations of harassment or unwanted advancement will be investigated and a decision will be made about continued league membership. All decisions are final and authorities maybe notified.
It is everyone’s responsibility to protect the “brand” and image of Equal Love Strikes and our inaugural coming out. Equal Love Strikes is a fun place to come once a week and enjoy each other’s company. League members are responsible for the full dues of the season. Any league dues not paid come directly out of the prize fund or the league officer’s personal finances. Any league member who does not pay their full league dues will not be permitted to join another season of Equal Love Strikes and if a substantial amount of money is owed, legal action may be used to collect the funds.
The rules contained herein should not be considered complete. At any time, additional rules can be added, or rules changed to support the needs of the group. When such rules are added, removed, or changed, they will be posted in the league’s website.
At the discretion of the league president, if any of these league rules are violated, a decision will be made to allow league members to continue to participate in the league moving forward. Once a decision has been made, it is final. A league member who is removed from the league will not be allowed to return. By joining Equal Love Strikes, you agree to these rules. You are responsible for reading them in their entirety. Equal Love Strikes and its officers are not responsible for any injuries sustained during bowling or any time while part of the league.
Updated – 11/1/2023