Section 14 - Officials and spectators

In the absence of an umpire, the marker should:

• make sure that all aspects of play are carried out in line with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls;
• check, before the game starts, that:
  • all bowls have a clearly visible, valid World Bowls Stamp imprinted on them;
  • the rink of play is the correct width in line with law 5.1 by measuring it; and
  • the pegs or discs on the side banks in the direction of play are the correct distances in line with law 5.12 by measuring them.

The marker should:

• centre the jack;
• check that the jack is at least 23 metres from the mat line after it has been centred;
• place a jack that comes to rest less than 2 metres from the front ditch as described in law 22.2;
• stand to one side of the rink, behind the jack and away from the head;
• answer any specific question about the state of the head which is asked by the player in possession of the rink;
• when asked, tell or show the player in possession of the rink the position of the jack;
• when asked, tell or show the player in possession of the rink which bowl or bowls the marker considers to be shot;
• when authorised by the Controlling Body, signal to players and spectators (using the appropriate number and colour of shot indicators or some other suitable method) which player’s bowl or bowls the marker considers to be shot;
• mark all touchers with chalk and remove the chalk marks from non-touchers as soon as they come to rest;
• if both players agree, remove all dead bowls from the rink of play;
• mark the position of a jack and any touchers which are in the ditch as described in laws 24.4 and 29.2;
• not move, or cause to be moved, either the jack or any bowls until the players have agreed the number of shots scored; and
• measure any disputed shot or shots when asked to do so by either player. If the players are not satisfied with the marker’s decision, the marker should ask the umpire to do the measuring. If the Controlling Body has not appointed an umpire, the marker should choose a competent neutral person to act as the umpire. The umpire’s decision is final.

When each end has been completed, the marker should:

• record the score on the score card;
• tell the players the running totals of the scores; and
• remove from the rink the mat used during the previous end, if necessary.

When the game has been completed, the marker should make sure that the score card:

• contains the names and signatures of the players;
• contains the time at which the game was completed; and
• is dealt with in line with the Conditions of Play.

An umpire should be appointed by, or on behalf of, the Controlling Body for the competition.

The umpire’s duties are as follows.

To check, before the game starts, that:
• all bowls have a clearly visible, valid World Bowls Stamp imprinted on them;
• the rink of play is the correct width in line with law 5.1 by measuring it; and
• the pegs or discs on the side banks in the direction of play are the correct distances in line with law 5.12 by measuring them.
• The umpire should measure any disputed shot or shots using suitable measuring equipment, such as that described in law 10.
• The umpire should decide whether the distance of the mat from the rear and front ditches and the distance of the jack or a bowl from the mat line are in line with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls or not.
• The umpire should decide whether a jack or a bowl is in play or not.
• The umpire should make sure that all aspects of play are in line with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls.
• The umpire’s decision is final in all circumstances except those relating to the meaning or interpretation of a law, in which case there will be a right of appeal to the Controlling Body.

Spectators and anyone else not directly taking part in the game should stay outside the boundaries of the green and clear of the players.

If part of the green is being used for spectators, they should stay outside the boundaries of the rinks of play and clear of the players.

If, in the umpire’s opinion, this law has been broken, the umpire should ask the spectator or spectators concerned to stay within the law. If they do not stay within the law, the umpire should ask the Controlling Body to take immediate action to make sure that the offender stops breaking this law, including escorting the offender away from the area immediately surrounding the green or away from the venue as appropriate.