The following proposed rule changes were CARRIED at the ESMBA 2009 rules revision meeting and are now part of the laws of the game.

Proposal no.2
That a dropped bowl can be retrieved and replayed unless it has crossed the dead line.

Proposal no.4
Both the skip and the skip of the opposing team should be informed of any change in the playing order

Proposal no. 6
The Glossary will now include the following definition of a "Line Decision"
Line Decision is a decision that must be made when the jack or a non-toucher is thought to be intersecting the ditch line or where the jack or any bowl is thought to be intersecting the dead line.

Proposal no 7
Directing Play  :  Only one player will be allowed to direct the play of the team member about to bowl. Other team members may assist with deciding how to make the next play and for this purpose may be allowed onto the mat to examine the head. All must leave the mat before the next bowl is delivered.

Proposal no 8
Only score cards marked on the rink will be valid

Proposal no.8a
As a consequence of passing proposal 8
The duties of a Second in a Fours game would have to be deleted from the rulebook.
The duties of a second in a triples game would only be to agree the shot or shots and to inform the skip of the appointed scorer.

Proposal no 9
That the jack may act upon a toucher already in the ditch and that it be marked in its new position in the ditch.

These new rules or changes will come into force on the 1st September 2009

These changes will be incorporated into a reformatted rulebook at convenient time

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