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OAK BAY LAWN BOWLING CLUB

DUTIES OF A MARKER

The duties of a Marker are found in the “Laws of the Sport of Bowls, 4^th Edition, 2007” booklet under the section Officials and Spectators, Law 55, THE MARKER’S DUTIES.

It is recommended that in addition to Law 55, a Marker should become familiar with all Laws of the Sport of Bowls as found in the booklet, including the following that also mention duties that a Marker would be expected to perform. These are:

Law:

Ø 19.1 Items 2 and 3 (page 43)

Ø 19.2 Item 6 (page 44)

Ø 25 Items 1, 2, 5, 6 (pages 48 & 49)

Ø 28.4 Item 2 (page 56)

Ø 28.5 Items 1 and 3 (page 57)

Ø 28.6 Item 2 (page 58)

Ø 28.7 (page 58)

Ø 33.4 Item 2 (page 62)

Ø 33.5 Items 1 and 2 (page 63)

Ø 33.6 (page 63)

Ø Appendix A.2 1 and A.3 (page 88)

GUIDELINES FOR MARKERS

Be conversant with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls (4th Edition), Law 55 - The Marker's Duties.

Be knowledgeable on the Laws of the Sport of Bowls that pertain to your duties and be aware of any changes to these Laws. (Latest edition 2007)

Be correctly attired.

Have the essential equipment with you – pencil, scorecard, measure, wedge, chalker, and rainwear readily available.

Be conversant with the distinguishing marks on each competitor’s bowls. Make a note of these on the scorecard.

Walk quickly from end to end mid-way between the center of the rink and the boundary line so as not to detain the players from starting the next end. Proceed to the bank to assist in straightening the mat. Remain on the bank until the Jack has been delivered. Centre the jack after it has come to rest.

Ensure the Jack is not less than 23m from the front edge of the mat after it has been centered.

Stand at one side of the rink, and to the rear of the Jack (3m back, 2m to the side). Remain still so as not to distract the player.

Keep your shadow away from the head and also that of the adjoining rink.

Move to the head only when asked a question, or to mark a toucher.

Be alert to observe if a bowl becomes a toucher.

Mark touchers immediately they come to rest unless otherwise instructed by the player on the mat – or if leaning and requiring to be indicated. Remove chalk marks from non-touchers, if players neglected to do this.

Move all non-touchers from the ditch and all dead bowls to the bank, with the agreement of the two players.

Watch for signals from the player in possession of the rink.

Answer specific questions briefly. If a player asks “am I shot?”, answer “Yes” or “No”. If a player asks, “How many?”, tell him/her. If you do not understand the question or if the question is not clear, ask the player to clarify the question.

Answer questions only to the player who has possession of the rink. If a player asks a question after his/her bowl has come to rest, he/she is not in possession of the rink.

If requested, indicate the distance of any bowl from the Jack or other bowl, which bowl is thought to be shot and/or the relative position, as well as the 2m mark from the ditch.

Mark the position of the Jack and/or Toucher in the ditch by placing an indicator on the bank. White for jack and yellow for bowl.

Take care of a bowl on or near the boundary line. The players will determine if the bowl is dead.

Keep clear of the head when the players arrive after the last bowl of an end has been played – they determine the result, NOT YOU. Do not retrieve the pusher. The players can do so if they wish.

Measure all doubtful shots when requested by either player and if unable to come to a decision satisfactory to the players, call the Umpire. (Remember, you can only do a rudimentary measure. The Umpire has the proper “tools”).

If you require assistance to take a measure, ask the Umpire on duty to assist you, not one of the players. N.B. Also at no time does the Marker assist a player to measure.

The Marker must await the decision of the players before entering the score on the official scoreboard at the conclusion of each end. (Do not leave the head until that decision is made)

Confirm the up-dated score with the players at every end. (At Canadian Championships, a numbered card denoting the score and the Province is held by the Marker for all to see when crossing the green at the conclusion of the end).

Ensure the rink scoreboard is changed and correct after every end.

Sign the scorecard making note of time of game completion, after each player has done so, and hand it to one of the Duty Umpires.

OBLBC Revised: 18 Apr 07

A FEW DO NOT’S WHEN MARKING

DO NOT move around when the player is on the mat.

DO NOT stand among the Bowls.

DO NOT stop the Jack before it stops rolling. Very important.

DO NOT move in to see who has the shot unless asked by the player in possession of the rink.

DO NOT answer questions being asked on an adjoining rink.

DO NOT invite the player to inspect the head.

DO NOT give a misleading answer to a badly worded question. Ask for the question to be rephrased or clarified.

DO NOT supplement your answer with information not requested.

DO NOT watch the game along side or on any other rink.

DO NOT talk to spectators on the bank.

DO NOT applaud either player.

DO NOT lean over sideways to “assist” a bowl to wick or miss.

DO NOT remove the shot Bowls or disturb the head in any way.

DO NOT tell the players who has the shot when they arrive at the head or how many. They determine this, not you.

DO NOT signify when the Jack is placed on the 2m mark unless asked.

DO NOT say a shot is doubtful if it is not really so.

DO NOT forget to advise a player immediately if a bowl falls over and alters the position of the head after the question has been answered, or an inspection of the head has been made by a player.

DO NOT answer questions from the bank. Concentration and attention to the player on the mat is an absolute must.

DO NOT misplace the chalker, always keep it in your hand as soon as the Jack is centered.

OBLBC Revised: 13 May 05