MN 4-H Project Bowl Rules

Minnesota 4-H Project Bowls

2008 Rules

November 13, 2007

TO: 4-H Project Bowl Enthusiasts

FR: Bradley W. Rugg, 4-H Program Director & Amber Runke, 4-H Program Specialist

RE: 2008 Project Bowl Rules & Information

You will find rules & information relative to the 2008 4-H Project Bowl Program on the web at the following URL: http://www.fourh.umn.edu/projectbowl/. The State Bowl Committee is a very dedicated group of people who have worked long and hard to provide the following information.

Below, you’ll find an overview entitled 2008 Changes in the 4-H Project Bowls. It will highlight the major changes deemed necessary by the committee. These changes have been incorporated into the rules.

If your county/cluster is interested in purchasing a buzzer system, we recommend the Challenger One - 8 Player System with regular responders from Zeecraft Tech. Their website ~ http://www.zeecraft.com/ ~ contains additional information as well as price lists.

We are available for consultation to any county wanting to learn more about the project bowl program. We can be reached at 800.444.4238 or 612.624.2116.

Good luck to each of you as you prepare teams for regional and state competition. Many feel that the 4-H Bowl program is one of the very best we have at giving 4-H’ers a fun atmosphere under which to learn life long skills and interests. Feel free to contact us if you have further questions.

2008 Changes in the 4-H Project Bowls

1.	Please refer to the web page titled "2008 Regional Contests" for dates, locations, and project areas offered.
2.	Wildlife Bowl will now be part of the Project Bowl Program. Team will compete at Regionals and move on to State.
3.	There will be no Bowling 101 offered at the 2008 Bowls.
4.	If more than one national trip is available, the first place team may choose which one they want to attend. The second place team may then choose and so on down the line. When a team is offered a trip, they will have one week to accept or decline. If a team withdraws/cancels after they have accepted a trip, the State Project Bowl Committee may impose consequences for that team regarding future eligibility for national trips. This is because selection of a national trip has a “domino effect” and it is extremely difficult to fill a trip if a team cancels after acceptance. Qualification for a national judging contest or catastrophic personal circumstances are the only acceptable reasons for withdrawing/canceling from a national trip after acceptance.
5.	Counties participating in the State Bowl will be mailed a bill for their registration fee. There will be no refunds
6.	Coaches may keep score, but may not take notes. Score sheets may be kept after the judge or moderator initial it.
7.	Reminder...Goat Bowl will only be offered at the State Bowl.

Objectives

1.	To provide an exciting and fun way for youth to explore their project.
2.	To encourage youth to develop teamwork, self-confidence, and decision making skills.
3.	To develop committee member organization and leadership skills.

Eligibility

Each county or multi-county may enter one or more teams in each age division in each project area.

Project areas include: Dairy, Dairy Goat, Dog, General Livestock, Horse, Poultry, Rabbit & Wildlife
The age divisions are Junior (grades 3-8) and Senior (grade 4 thru one year beyond high school). A Senior team may consist of any combination of ages within this range.
The minimum number of team members is three. The maximum number of team members is six. We encourage five and six member teams. (Only four team members are seated at a time.)

All county teams in a project area must compete at the same regional bowl. (Junior and Senior teams in the same project area must compete at the same regional bowl. Counties cannot send a junior team to one regional and a senior team to another regional.)

In rare cases, a county may request that their multiple junior and senior teams may participate in two different bowls on different dates. In these extreme situations, approval must be granted in writing by Brad Rugg before the registration deadline for Regional Bowls.

Team members shall be selected in a manner determined by the county.

4-H members may register in only one project bowl team each year.

Team members need not be enrolled in any particular project.

Watching contests: No team members, coaches, parents, or other spectators may watch any round other than their own match in the same project area until that team has been eliminated from the contest. If someone is watching a contest other than his/her own in his/her project area before his/her team is eliminated, the team is disqualified from competition.

If a coach coaches multiple teams, they must choose one team to follow for the day and, if needed, select another volunteer to serve as the coach for the additional teams
This includes a senior team watching a junior team or vice versa.
The contest coordinator will assign teams not competing in Round 1 a match to watch/observe in Round 1 only, space permitting.
If a parent wants to watch multiple teams compete, it is important that they review and follow the behavioral contract signed by coaches and team members.

National Contest Eligibility

On January 1 of the contest year, all senior team members must be at least 14 years old but not 19 years old. In other words, youth who do not fall into this national contest age window (14-19) can still compete at regional and state contests but the teams they are on foreit any eligibility for national trips. However, those teams are eligible for regional and state contests and awards. Please note that any team at the regional contest who lists a 4-H’er whose age falls outside of the national age window (14-19) automatically forfeits any chance for national competition. It is the coach's responsibility to make any changes in the team roster before the regional contest begins. If no changes are made by the coach before the regional contest begins and if the team roster contains participants outside the national contest age window (14-19) described above, the team will not be eligible for national trips, even if the ineligible 4-H'er does not participate.

The 4-H'ers must not have participated in post-secondary coursework in judging or selection in the subject area of their national 4-H competition, nor have participated in training for a post-secondary judging team in the subject area of their national 4-H competition.

All listed team members must be eligible to take a national trip for the trip to be awarded. Deletions or substitutions will not be allowed. All national trip winners must have participated in a regional or state contest.

All national trip winners must have participated in a regional or state contest.

Bowl teams, or any individual member of the team, may not participate in the same national bowl twice. If a team seats a participant on the team who has previously participated in the national bowl trip offered, the entire team loses eligibility to that contest.

If the Champion team is not eligible, the trip will pass to the next eligible team.

If more than one national trip is available, the first place team may choose which one they want to attend. The second place team may then choose and so on down the line. When a team is offered a trip, they will have one week to accept or decline.

If a team withdraws/cancels after they have accepted a trip, the State Project Bowl Committee may impose consequences for that team regarding future eligibility for national trips. This is because selection of a national trip has a “domino effect” and it is extremely difficult to fill a trip if a team cancels after acceptance. Team qualification for a national judging contest or catastrophic personal circumstances are the only acceptable reasons for withdrawing/canceling from a national trip after acceptance.

National Bowls ~
Dairy ~

North American Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl – Louisville, KY (one senior trip)
World Dairy Expo Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl – Madison, WI (two senior trips)
Due to timing conflicts, participants cannot participate in the Louisville Dairy Bowl Contest AND the Louisville Dairy Judging Contest in the same year.

General Livestock ~

North American International 4-H Livestock Skillathon - Louisville, KY (one senior trip)
Ak-Sar-Ben Invitational General Livestock Bowl – Omaha, NE (one senior trips)

Horse ~

Western National 4-H Classic–Denver, CO (one senior trip)
Quarter Horse Congress Bowl – Columbus, OH (two senior trips)

Poultry ~ National 4-H Avian Bowl – Louisville, KY (one senior trip)

Participants cannot participate in the Louisville Poultry Bowl Contest AND the Louisville Poultry Judging Contest in the same year.

Wildlife ~ National Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Contest (one senior trip)

Registration Procedure:

**Regional Bowls**
1.	Postcards will be mailed to all counties and previous coaches in November reminding them that all information can be found on the Project Bowl website. Teams registered for a Regional with disproportional number of teams may be asked to consider another location.
2.	Completed official entry form, behavioral contract, plus entry fee ($40 per team) must be postmarked to the regional of choice no later than February 6 .
3.	Each team must register two responsible adults or youth leaders on the entry form to assist with the project bowl as a scorekeeper (board or paper), timer, runner or door monitor during the matches that your team participates in. If you do not provide two, your team will not be able to participate. Please see the "Job Description for Scorekeepers", "4-H Project Bowl Score Sheet", "Job Description for Timers" and "Job Description for Runners" for additional information.
4.	A team may only register for one regional contest.
5.	All entry fees must accompany entry forms. There will be no refunds.
6.	Only team members listed on the regional registration form will be eligible to compete at the State contest, if the team advances.
7.	There will be a $20 fee charged to all late regional registrations and those wishing to transfer regional sites after registrations are turned in. All transfers must be approved from both of the regional sites involved and the state office.

**State Bowl**
1.	The Champion regional team in each project bowl age division will automatically qualify for the state bowl. A total of eight teams are anticipated by the State 4-H Bowl Committee for all bowls, except Horse. Horse will have 12 teams in each division.
2.	To participate in the State Bowl, teams must participate in a Regional Bowl, even if they were the only team registered for that Regional.
3.	Counties participating in the State Bowl will be mailed a bill for their registration fee. There will be no refunds
4.	If your team qualifies at the Regional Bowl for the State Bowl, you must register BEFORE you leave the Regional Bowl. If you do not register before you leave the Regional Bowl site, you will forfeit your state trip.
5.	If your team is an alternate, do not sign up at the Regional Bowl. You will be contacted if/when you have the opportunity to advance and then registration forms can be completed then.
6.	Each team must register two responsible adults or youth leaders on the entry form to assist with the project bowl as a scorekeeper (board or paper), timer, runner or door monitor during the matches that your team participates in. If you do not provide two your team will not be able to participate. Please see the "Job Description for Scorekeepers", "4-H Project Bowl Score Sheet", "Job Description for Timers" and "Job Description for Runners" for additional information.
7.	All team members listed on the state registration form must also be listed on the regional registration form.

References
1. All project area references can be found on the website under "2008 References".

Grievances

1.	All grievances not filed on the day of the contest (regional or state) must be filed by noon on Monday following the contest with Brad Rugg at the Center for 4-H Youth Development.

Behavioral & Conduct
1. 4-H conduct and behavior expectations apply to all participants, coaches, and spectators.
2. All team members and coaches must sign the behavioral contract aggreeing to the following:
Questions/Answers at Regional Bowls and the State Bowl:
I promise that I have not received information on the contents of the questions and/or answers used in other Regional Project Bowls this year. I understand that evidence of an exchange of such information could result in immediate disqualification from further competition for any team/individual involved. I further understand that if our team qualifies for the State Project Bowl, that I will not, on contest day, receive information on the questions and/or answers used in previous matches at the State Project Bowl. Again, I understand that exchange of such information could result in immediate disqualification from further competition for any team/individual involved.
Regional Bowl Protocol:
I understand that some of the questions used in a Regional Bowl may be used in other Regional Bowl contests and may, similarly, be used in the other category (junior vs. senior). With this in mind, I agree that I will not discuss the contents of the Regional Bowl questions and/or answers with participants from any other team – either junior or senior. I further agree not to discuss the Regional Bowl questions and/or answers with those who could be connected with other teams that have not yet participated in a Regional Bowl. I understand that if such discussions can be traced directly and negatively back to me, that I and/or my team could be disqualified from further competition.
State Bowl Protocol
I understand that questions used in each round of the State Bowl are duplicated for each match within that round and likewise some questions may be duplicated in the other category (junior vs. senior). With this in mind, I agree that if my team qualifies for the State Bowl, I will not discuss the contents of the State Bowl questions and/or answers with participants from any other team – either junior or senior – until the contest is completed and all winners are announced. I further agree, should my team qualify for the State Bowl, not to discuss the State Bowl questions and/or answers with those who could be connected with other teams competing – either junior or senior. I understand that if such discussions can be traced directly and negatively back to me, that I and/or my team could be disqualified from further competition, awards and any national trips offered.
Facilities
I understand that the facilities used for all Regional and State Bowls are rented. In accordance, I commit to respect the property being used. I understand that if I demonstrate poor behavior at the Regional or State Bowls – including but not limited to destruction or theft of property, opening lockers, running in the halls, etc. – that my team and/or I may be immediately eliminated from further participation and may not be eligible for awards and any national trips offered.
Appropriate Dress
I understand that this is a 4-H state competitive event and that I am representing my 4-H club and my county. Accordingly, I agree to wear clothing that compliments the event and is not offensive to others participating.

Regional and State Bowl Awards

	Regional		State
1.	Participation certificates will be available to all teams who request them on their registration form.	1.	Participation certificates will be available to all teams who request them on their registration form.
2.	Champion Teams – Each team member and one coach will receive a gold medallion.	2.	Champion Teams – Each team member and one coach will receive a plaque
3.	Reserve Champion Teams – When the contest has three or more teams, the Reserve Champion silver medallion will be awarded. Each team member and one coach will receive a medallion.	3.	Reserve Champion Teams – Each team member and one coach will receive a plaque.
		4.	Horse Bowl – The 3rd Place team members and one coach will receive a plaque.

**Additional State Awards for National Trip (State Bowl)**
1.	Dairy ~ $400 to the senior team representing Minnesota at the North American Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl in Louisville, KY. Sponsored by Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association. Approval pending for $400 each to the two senior teams representing Minnesota at the World Dairy Expo Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl in Madison, WI.
2.	General Livestock ~ $400 each to the top two senior team representing Minnesota at the Ak-Sar-Ben Invitational 4-H General Livestock Bowl in Omaha, NE. Sponsored by Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association.
3.	Horse ~ Each team will receive $50 for each team member participating in a National Bowl Contest. Sponsored by the Minnesota 4-H Horse Association.
4.	Poultry ~ $400 to the senior team representing Minnesota in the National 4-H Avian Bowl at the National Poultry & Egg Conference in Louisville, KY. Provided by the 4-H Poultry Foundation Fund.
5.	Wildlife ~ Up to $300 to the senior team representing Minnesota at the National Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Contest.

Procedure of Play

Four officials will conduct the bowl. A moderator who asks the questions and maintains overall control, a judge who will rule on all responses and challenges, a timekeeper, and a scorekeeper.

This is a double elimination contest. Each team will have an opportunity to compete in at least two rounds. A second loss eliminates a team from continuing competition.

The teams will be assigned to Round 1 before the contest.

A team may receive a bye during the elimination as part of the assignment process.

In case of a team not competing in Round 1: In Round 1, SPACE PERMITTING, the team will be able to watch/observe one match. The match to be observed will be assigned to the team by the contest coordinator. In Round 2 that team will play a winning team from Round 1 and advance to either the next winner’s or loser’s match in Round 3.

Each match will be divided into two phases: Phase 1 and Phase 2 (see questions).

Following the final question, the team with the highest number of points shall be declared the winner of the match.

In the case of a tie, five additional regular questions will be asked.

Each correct answer will be awarded ten points (+10).
No points deducted for incorrect answers.
If a tie still exists, the first team to correctly answer the next question will be declared the winner.

Final team placings in the contest will be determined by a double elimination process. The final rankings of two or more teams eliminated in a particular round will be determined by total average points.

10.

Any questions or areas not covered by these rules will be decided by the state bowl committee. All decisions are final.

**Challenges**
1.	No source of information is infallible. There may at times be answers given to questions that are in agreement with the recommended sources, but which are in fact erroneous. Every effort shall be made to eliminate such questions; but in the event of such an occurrence, any team may challenge the answer.
2.	Coaches may not challenge. Coaches may not signal a challenge, or use a time out to prompt a challenge.
3.	Answers and interpretations of questions will be the sole responsibility of the judge. A decision made by the judge after the answer is verified will be final.
4.	All challenges must be made after both teams have had a chance to answer the question and before the start of the next question
5.	Challenges must be resolved within a three-minute time period.
6.	The burden of proof from the listed references is with the team challenging.
7.	Any team member or primary coach of the challenging team may look up information in the references.
8.	References can only be opened during a challenge.
9.	All questions or contest procedures not immediately resolved by the judge should be referred immediately to the contest coordinator for clarification before proceeding.

**Procedure for Challenging**
If an answer is ruled correct and is challenged by the opposing team:
Phase 1: Only the designated team member may challenge after the answer is given and before the next question is asked. The team member that is eligible to answer that question is to say...“I challenge that ruling. The correct answer is _______ .” The team has 3 minutes to prove the challenge and the designated team member is to answer. Phase 2: After the answer is given and before the next question is asked, any seated team member may challenge by saying...“I challenge that ruling. The correct answer is _______ .” The team has 3 minute to prove the challenge. If the challenge is ruled successful: The original ruling is changed. The team that did not give the correct answer does not earn 10 points. If it is Phase 1, that team loses no points. If it is Phase II, that team loses 5 points. The challenging team earns 10 points. If the challenge is ruled unsuccessful: The original ruling stands. The first team keeps their earned 10 points. Challenging team is recorded with one unsuccessful challenge. Each team will be allowed two unsuccessful challenges per match without penalty. After two, there will be a 5 point deduction for each unsuccessful challenge.

If an answer is ruled as incorrect for both teams and is challenged by either team:

Phase 1: After the judge rules incorrect and the opposing team member has had a chance to answer, but before the next question is read, the designated team member of either team may challenge by saying...“I challenge that ruling. The correct answer is_______ .” The team has 3 minutes to prove the challenge and designated team member is to answer.
Phase 2: After the judge rules incorrect and the opposing team has a chance to answer, but before the next question is read, any seated team member for either team may challenge by saying...“I challenge that ruling. The correct answer is _______ ."
If the challenge is ruled successful: The original ruling is changed. The challenging team earns 10 points.
If the challenge is ruled unsuccessful: The original ruling stands. Challenging team is recorded with one unsuccessful challenge. Each team will be allowed two unsuccessful challenges per match without penalty. After two, there will be a 5 point deduction for each unsuccessful challenge.

**Time-Outs**
1.	A coach, team captain, or the moderator may call for a time-out for clarification of a rule, to replace team members, or to allow for unexpected problems.
2.	Time-outs may be called only after a question has been answered and before the start of the next question.
3.	There is a limit of three minutes for each time out, and a limit of two per team in each match.
4.	Time-out will not be charged to either team for replacement of members between Phase 1 and Phase 2.

**Replacement of Members**
1.	During any match, one or two team members only may be replaced at the panel when the moderator deems it impossible for one of the seated members of the team to continue in the contest OR the captain/coach of a team requests the replacement of a team member.
2.	The team member removed from a match becomes ineligible to return to the particular match. The team member removed and the replacement member are both eligible to participate in further matches. The use of five or six member team is strongly recommended.

Questions

1.	*Only the first answer given is accepted and will be ruled as correct or incorrect. Any additional answers will not be considered.*
2.	All teams will be asked the same questions in the same round. In the next and subsequent rounds, a different set of questions will be used.
3.	The moderator reads each question until the completion of the reading of the question OR until a contestant activates a buzzer.
4.	If a buzzer is activated during the reading of any question, the moderator will immediately cease reading the question and recognize the participant “buzzing in”.
5.	When the moderator recognizes (calls the name of) the participant “buzzing in”, that participant has five seconds to begin to answer. Please refer to the "Points" section for information on warnings and deductions for beginning to answer before being recognized by the moderator.
6.	The repeating of the question by the contestant shall not be considered the initiation of the answer.
7.	No questions or any parts thereof shall be repeated during the asking.
8.	Only if a question was not completely read due to an early signal by the first team, will the question by re-read for the second team.
9.	When the first team answers a question incorrectly, the opposing team gets 10 seconds to activate the buzzer.
10.	If neither team “buzzes in” within 10 seconds, the moderator will give the answer and neither team will score points.
11.	If a question is thrown out either due to poor reading by the moderator or a decision of the judges, it will be replaced by another question, of the same degree of difficulty, so that a constant total number of questions will be asked.

Phase 1

A total of 16 questions will be asked. Each question will be addressed to one pair of opposing contestants. The pairs will rotate after each four questions. The first four questions will be asked of pairs 1/1, 2/2, 3/3, 4/4. The next four questions will be asked of pairs 1/2, 2/3. 3/4, 4/1. The next four questions will be asked of pairs 1/3, 2/4, 3/1 and 4/2. The last four questions will be asked of pairs 1/4, 2/1, 3/2, and 4/3.

If the wrong pair is called by the moderator, the coach can call time-out. The procedure then is to eliminate the question and give a new question to the correct pair.

Each correct answer will be awarded ten points (+10). In Phase 1, there are no deductions for an incorrect answer.

If a team answers a question incorrectly and the moderator or judge gives the correct answer before the second team has a chance to signal, the first team has no points deducted and the second team only is given a different question, of the same degree of difficulty, to attempt to answer.

If one team only has three members and the opposing team has four members, the fourth member of the opposing team will have the opportunity to answer the question that would have been asked of the pair. The opposing, four member team would potentially earn 40 points in this manner.

**Phase 2**
1.	A total of 15 questions will be asked in three cycles of: regular question, regular question, regular question, toss-up question, bonus question.
2.	Each correct answer to a regular, toss up, or bonus question will be awarded ten points (+10). Each incorrect answer to a regular or toss-up question will result in a deduction of five points (-5).
3.	If a team answers a question incorrectly and the moderator or judge gives the correct answer before the second team has a chance to signal, the first team has five points deducted and the second team only is given a different question to attempt to answer.

Phase 2 Bonus Questions

During Phase Two of each match, three questions will designated as toss-up questions to which a bonus question is attached. In order to receive a bonus question, a team must correctly answer a toss-up question.

The only discussion allowed between team members will be on a bonus questions.
The answers must come from the team captain.

When a bonus question is attached to a correctly answered toss-up question, the moderator reads the bonus question and a 20-second discussion period is permitted for team consultation to determine the answer.

The end of the 20-second period is signaled by the timer.
The team captain must then activate the buzzer. A 5-second period is then permitted for the team captain to begin the answer.

Only the number of answers required by the bonus question will be accepted.

All parts must be answered correctly.
If more than one answer is required and more than the required number of answer are given, only the first answers given are accepted and will be ruled as correct or incorrect. Any additional answers will not be considered.

After the team captain begins to answer, the other team members may assist the captain by prompting. A scratch pad will be provided for use by the team captain.

Points

Regular, Toss-up, and Bonus Questions –

Each correct answer is worth ten points (+10)
In Phase 1, there are no deductions for an incorrect answer.
In Phase 2 if an incorrect answer is given to a Regular or Toss-up question five points will be deducted (-5).
In Phase 2, there are no deductions for an incorrect answer to a bonus questions.
If an incorrect answer is given, the other team will have the opportunity to answer.

In Phase 1 if any contestant other than the two designated contestants “buzz in”, a five-point penalty (-5) will be assessed.

If a team member begins to answer a question before being recognized by the moderator, one warning per match will be given to the team and there will be no point penalty associated with this warning. On subsequent times in the match, any response will be null and void, the team will receive a five-point penalty (-5) and the other team will be given an opportunity to answer.

There will be no talking among contestants during the two phases of the match except for the answering of bonus questions. First time offenders will receive one warning for the day. Upon a second offense, a five-point penalty (-5) will be assessed to the team. A third offense will disqualify the offending team from the match.

Team Participation Bonus – In order to recognize full team participation, bonus points will be awarded in each match to the teams that have each team member correctly respond to a question (other than bonus questions) in Phase 2.

A three person team will be ineligible for team bonus awards; only teams of four or more people will be eligible.
This bonus shall be worth 20 points (+20) to any team that qualifies.
After having earned this bonus once within a match, a team is eligible to earn an additional bonus of 20 points by repeating the process specified for team bonus awards.
No contestant will be credited with a second correct response until the first team bonus has been awarded.
If a team has not yet earned the team bonus and replaces a team member who has already answered a question correctly with another team member, it will be necessary for the newly seated team member also to answer a question correctly before the bonus points may be awarded.
The team bonus points will be awarded at the time during the contest that the team qualifies.

Observers

If a coach coaches multiple teams, they must choose one team to follow for the day and, if needed, select another volunteer to serve as the coach for the additional teams
This includes a senior team watching a junior team or vice versa.
The contest coordinator will assign teams not competing in Round 1 a match to watch/observe in Round 1 only, space permitting.
If a parent wants to watch multiple teams compete, it is important that they review and follow the behavioral contract signed by coaches and team members.

Coaches and team members can only register and attend one regional contest in the project area in which the team is registered.

WARNING: If any team members, coaches, helpers, or spectators share questions or answers with other teams, the team(s) of the offender(s) will be disqualified. This includes mouthing or signaling during a match.

Talking or misbehavior of coaches or spectators: First time offenders will receive one warning for the day. Upon a second offense, the offending person will not be allowed to enter the contest room for the rest of the day.

All team members, coaches, parents, and all other spectators must wear name tags which include name and county/team name to enter match rooms.

Coaches may keep score, but may not take notes. Score sheets may be kept after the judge or moderator initial it.

All team members, coaches, parents, or other spectators must turn off cell phones when entering a match.

No notes may be taken and no tape recorders or video cameras may be used by anyone in the audience, including coaches, during the conduct of the match.

At the first offense, tapes and materials will be confiscated and a warning given.
Upon a second offense, the offending person will not be allowed to enter the contest room for the rest of the day.

updated 1/10/08