BUTLER TWP — The Butler Area USBC Association will hold only one tournament for the 2020-21 season, based on recommendations from the United States Bowling Congress.

The lone tournament this season will be a Butler Area USBC team tourney, slated for Jan. 24 and 31 at Pines Plaza, off Perry Highway in Pittsburgh.

Butler Area USBC singles and doubles tournaments will not take place this season, nor will any USBC national competitions for the remainder of 2020.

“The USBC is trying to cut down on the number of large public gatherings during the pandemic,” Butler Area USBC tournament director Neil Morris said. “That's why we're only having a team tournament this year.”

Butler was originally scheduled to host the USBC's national men's tournament in early 2021. Because that tourney was canceled this year, York will host the 2021 tournament and Butler will host the 2022 event.

York had been scheduled to host the 2020 tournament.

Morris said entry forms for the Butler Area USBC team event should be available in area bowling houses in November.

“We're encouraging bowlers to get their entries in as soon as they can,” Morris said. “We're unsure of how many lanes will be available.

“Allegheny County's rules are a little different from up here. Right now, I think Pines is allowed to fill to 50% capacity. We're hoping that by January, that will be up to 75%.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic has diminished league bowling participation nationwide, Butler County has only been mildly affected.

“I believe we're down a little over 100 (league) bowlers,” Morris said. “Our area hasn't been hit all that hard.”

While not located in Butler County, Pines Plaza and Deer Lakes are members of the Butler Area association, thus putting those bowling houses into the rotation for hosting tournaments.