Catalan Skittles (06.01.2008)

Catalan Skittles is a newcomer in the Russian entertainment industry. But no doubt one day it will be really popular here.

SHORT PRESENTATION OF THE GAME  
The oldest records on the game of bitlles (skittles) date back to 1376 and 1402. Then from the 15th century until our days there are many references giving proofs of the skittles popular practice in Catalonia. After numerous interdictions to restrict the bets in the game, the years 1970’s saw a work of recuperation and diffusion, and in 1988 a federation was created with a codification of the game. 

GOAL OF THE GAME 
The object consists to obtain the perfect result that is to knock down five over the six bitlles (skittles) with a maximum of 3 bitllots. 

 
PROGRESS OF THE MATCH – THE PLAYERS

The games are in individual or by team. The people in charge of putting back the skittles are the players who have just played or who wait their turn. The players throw the bitllots from 6,50m to 11,50m, according to the category. Every player plays his 9 throws in 3 turns.
If the perfect result is obtained with the 1st or the 2nd attempt (bitllot), the 2nd or 3rd bitllot is not played (the skittles are not put back again). A bitlla (skittles) is considered knocked down when its angle with the horizontal plan is less than 45 º (example of a skittle blocked by a knocked down skittle).
The point system is the following one: 5 bitlles knocked down: 10 points; 6 bitlles: 6 points; 4 bitlles: 4 points; 3 bitlles: 3 points; 2 bitlles: 2 points; 1 bitlla: 1 point.  

MATERIAL AND PLAYING GROUND 
The skittle alley in clay court measures 16,5m X 2m and must be level. This length consists of a zone of 2m to throw, the “skittles square” and finally the security zone behind the skittles. The ground is marked by lines to soil.
The bitlles or skittles are wood cylinders in oak, with a metallic ring to the basis. They have 51cm of height and 9cm of diameter. The bitllots are wood cylinders also in oak, with a sort of handful. They measure 28cm lenght and the handful 10cm. The body has 8cm of diameter and the handful 4cm.  
  

CONTACT - MORE INFORMATION ON THE GAME 
 Federación Catalana de Bitlles i Bowling
e-mail: info@bitlles.com
Sites Internet: http://www.bitlles.com  and www.tbowling.cat