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EnglishHow the NDBC National Rankings and Bowler of the Year Recognition Work
Updated
The National Duckpin Bowling Congress (NDBC) names one male and one female #1 Bowler of the Year each season, and publishes a national ranking list that runs from #1 through #20. The #1 bowlers receive a hand-crafted, custom-created, blown glass trophy, and their names are added permanently to the National Trophy display. The ranking is duckpin bowling's highest individual achievement and has been awarded annually since 1928.
What the ranking recognizes
The NDBC National Trophy is described by the organization as duckpin bowling's way of recognizing "the best of the best," comparable in intent to honors like the Heisman Trophy or the Cy Young Award in their respective sports. Reaching the list is framed as the result of years of practice, dedication, and demonstrated skill rather than a single event result.
Two features define the tradition:
- Two #1 bowlers per year — one male and one female — a format the NDBC says has been followed "for many decades."
- A ranked list, not just a winner — the Congress also recognizes bowlers who finish #2 through #20.
How the recognition is structured
| Element | What the NDBC provides |
|---|---|
| Top honor | #1 Bowler of the Year, one male and one female |
| Full list | National Rankings from #1 to #20 |
| Physical award | Hand-crafted, custom-created, blown glass trophy |
| Permanent record | Winner's name added to the National Trophy display |
| History | Annual recognition since 1928 |
How the announcement works
The NDBC publishes the National Rankings through its Latest News updates. In the most recent cycle shown on the site, the 2025–2026 rankings were announced on September 3, 2026, naming Lisa Huber and Colby DeAntoniis as #1 Bowler of the Year. The same announcement congratulates all bowlers who earned a spot from #2 to #20.
If you want to follow or verify results, the practical path is:
- Go to the NDBC.org homepage and check the Latest News section for the annual rankings announcement.
- Look for the named #1 male and #1 female bowlers, then review the full #2–#20 list in the same post.
- For the competitive context behind the rankings, the site also maintains a NDBC Rule Book and a Suspension List, which sit alongside tournament flyers and results.
What this means if you're a bowler or follower
The ranking is a season-long distinction rather than a single-tournament title, so it reflects sustained performance across a season. The NDBC frames it as the culmination of years of work, which is why the trophy and the permanent display entry carry weight in the duckpin community. Duckpin bowling itself is concentrated mainly on the U.S. East Coast — Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts — with additional activity in North Carolina, West Virginia, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, so the ranked pool comes largely from those regions.
For current-season details, eligibility specifics, or how individual tournament results feed into the rankings, the NDBC Rule Book and the Latest News posts on NDBC.org are the authoritative sources.