bowling fouls

Question
if, while you are releasing the ball, your ring comes off your finger and lands on the lane or in the gutter beyond the foul line, is that a foul?

Answer
Joe,
The USBC rule details a part of the players body must cross the foul line and touch beyond the foul line. Losing a piece of jewelry isn't by definition a foul. If you point out to your opponeant that the ring came off, and you retrieve it or have a member of the center staff retrieve it, no problem. But if you proceed to cross the line after a delivery, to retrieve the ring, it might be interpeted as a foul.

Thanks for the question. Happy new Year.