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Amended 10/05/2014
LEAGUE
RULES
1)
The League will be known as "THE
MAIDSTONE & DISTRICT POOL LEAGUE". Hereafter referred to as the
‘league’.
2)
A committee of elected officers will administer the league. (See rule 18)
The league will consist of as many divisions as the committee
decides.
3)
The committee has the right to refuse entry
to any team(s)/club(s) that may have a detrimental effect upon the League and
its members.
4)
The rules agreed by the committee will be binding unless amended by a ruling at
the Annual General Meeting. (See rule 5)
5)
The committee can make amendments to the rules at any time should
they be found necessary.
6)
The committee will promote the Maidstone & District Pool League and the game
of Pool at all times to the benefit of World Pool
Rules
7)
RULES OF PLAY:
a)
All matches will be played under the E.P.A. World Rules.
b)
Copies of the rules are supplied to each team and the home team must have
them available, preferably near the table.
c)
It is the responsibility of the team captains to ensure that they and
members of their teams are fully conversant with the rules.
8)
ENTRANCE AND
REGISTRATION:
a)
The closing date for the entrance to the league will be decided annually
by the league committee.
b)
Entrance fee's and final dates for entrance to the league and knockout
competitions will be set by the league committee and will be entered on entrance
and registration forms by the league secretary.
c)
A fidelity bond of Ten pounds (£10.00) is to be paid with every new team
registration for which sums may be deducted for breaches of league rules. (All
breaches of the league rules will be investigated by the committee and where
necessary fines levied accordingly) (See rule 15b)
d)
The fidelity bond is returnable at the
end of the season less any deductions that may have been deducted by the
committee.
e)
Any fidelity bond remaining unclaimed shall become the property of the
league.
f)
Only two teams may be entered from each house or club for every one
table.
g)
A player may only register with one team during the season. It must be on
either an entry form or the back of a results sheet for normal league matches.
It is not acceptable to sign on players for knockout tournaments. (See rule 8j)
h)
Late registration of additional players is allowed up to the end of the
first half of the season. These players must print and sign their names on the
back of the first result sheet when they
play.
i) A player must play 3 team
matches in the first half of the season to qualify for cup matches in the second
half of the season. Players who don't meet this criteria may be
disqualified from cup matches at the committee's discretion.
j)
Any team playing an unregistered player will lose the appropriate legs.
Repeated offences will result in a Fine, suspension or disqualification from the
league.
k)
Should a player/s wish to transfer to another team, they must apply to
the committee in writing. A player/s can only transfer during the first half of
any season, with the consent of both team captains.
l) Rule 8k regarding transfers
does not apply if the player has not yet played a frame for his currently signed
team.
9)
MATCHES & TEAMS:
a)
Matches will be played on Monday evenings to commence at 8.00pm.
b)
Matches will be played on a home and away basis and the league secretary
is responsible for the publishing and issuing of fixture lists.
c)
Each match will consist of fifteen (15) legs, the format being fifteen
singles. Any one player can play a max of three (3) frames in each match. (1
frame in 1-5, 1 in 6 to 10 and 1 in 11 to 15) A player can not play the same
opponent more than once
during each match
d)
The home team is to pay the table fees, be it league or knockout.
e)
Home teams are to ensure that their table is ready for the commencement
of the match before 8.15pm. Infringement of this rule will result in the home
team forfeiting the first frame and subsequent frames accordingly, until 9pm. At
which point the away team can claim the match. Frames can be claimed at 8:15,
8:30, 8:45, and match at 9:00.
f)
A team shall consist of five (5) or more players, but, can be a minimum
of three (3).Therefore if three (3) players are available the match MUST be played and not
postponed. (See rule 9g)
g)
To constitute having a "team" there must be a minimum of three (3)
players present before 9.00pm or they will forfeit the match. (No player
arriving after 9.00pm can play unless agreed by both captains)
h)
Should teams be short of a player/s (read rule 9g) the result sheet will
be filled in as follows, 3 players forfeit games 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 15. 4
players, forfeit games 1, 7 and 13.
i)
If a team has a player/s barred from a house or club, they may apply to the
landlord for permission to use the venue for the purpose of playing a league or
knockout fixture. Should permission be refused, the league cannot and will not
intervene with the decision.
j)
If a team ceases to play in the league during the first half of the
season, all matches played with that team will become void. If a team ceases to
play during the second half of the season, the matches played during the first
half will stand; only the second half will be void. Proviso :( If when applying
this rule it appears that a team is being unfairly treated the committee have
the authority to adjust the league tables in order that no team should gain an
unfair advantage).
k) Should a player accidentally play a frame out of turn, the
result of that frame should become void once the mistake is noticed and the
frame should be replayed with the correct players
k)
Teams failing to turn up. (See rule 13d
Postponements).
l) The
two (2) winning teams of each division (excluding Premier) will be promoted
and the two (2) teams with the lowest points will be relegated. Existing and
continuing teams will take precedence over new teams. (e.g. even if a new team
consists of three (3) players from Division one (1) they may be entered into
Division two (2), but this will be decided by the committee.)
10)
RESULTS & RESULT
SHEETS:
a)
The Home team Captain must supply the results sheet.
b)
Each team is to complete the first five places on the result sheet
showing order of play by 9.00pm, unless agreed by both captains. (See rule 9g)
c)
Result sheets are to be forwarded to the fixture secretary by no later
than 7pm Thursday following the match. It is the responsibility of the WINNING
team CAPTAIN to make sure the RESULT SHEET is in on time. Failure to do so will
result in two (2) points being deducted from the winning team. The team will be
advised once of a missing sheet and then deductions will be automatic
thereafter.
d)
Result sheets are to be completed correctly, stating:
1.
Date of match & Teams participating.
2.
Initial, surname and signature of players (See rule 10d- 6).
3.
Match result.
4.
Captains signatures (See rule 10f).
5.
Nicknames and names of offensive nature will nullify that game, point awarded to
opposition. Repeated offences will result in Fines, suspension or
disqualification from the league.
e)
The winning team will be awarded frames plus (2) points for winning.
f)
Captains must sign the result sheet to indicate that the match result was
obtained in a satisfactory manner, i.e.: according to league rule, no dispute
will be entered into by the committee if the result sheet received has been
signed by both captains.
11)
REFEREES &
TIMEKEEPERS:
a)
The referee will be alternated with own break.
b)
The timekeeper will be alternated with opponents break. Timekeepers are
not necessary but can be called upon as required at any point in a match. E.g.:
excessive slow play.
c)
Both appointed referee and timekeeper are referees for each match, each
able to call a foul when seen. A called decision cannot be over ruled. The
timekeeper should ably assist his referee at all times. The referee will call
the penalty and award the decision.
d)
The referee's decision involving player/s shall be final regarding any
dispute, but in case of a possible stalemate, the league committee will decide
the outcome.
e)
Any dispute by a team against an opposing player/s or team must be
notified to the league committee in writing within seven (7) days of the match
concerned.
12) VENUE/TEAM CHANGE:
a)
A team may, at the discretion of the committee, change venue for the next
season without losing their divisional status. However, the new team must
compromise a minimum of three (3) regular playing members of the original
team.
b)
If during the season a pub/club closes and a
team loses their venue the secretary will be obligated to find a new venue,
firstly looking to the league sponsors if they have available tables in their
clubs/pubs.
13)
POSTPONEMENTS:
a)
If due to other commitments a team is unable to play on a Monday, they
may, with the agreement of the opposing side, play on any other night or change
home and away venues. Should it be necessary to change venues, teams must ensure
that they do not clash with other league matches. This is particularly so when a
house or club has two or more teams entered in the league. All first half games
are to be played by the last day of the first half of the season.
b)
At least twenty four (24) hours' notice is required for the postponement
of a match. (In unforeseen events such as adverse weather conditions, it may not
be possible to give the required notice. In such cases, teams must contact both
the fixture secretary and their opponents to formally postpone the match.
Failure to comply may result in the loss of the match).
c)
Postponed matches must be played within four (4) playing weeks of the
original fixture date. Should teams fail to agree a date to play the match the
fixture secretary must be notified as soon as possible. In such circumstances,
the secretary will then set a date for the match to be played.
d)
All matches MUST be played within the first half of the season, so any postponed
matches MUST be rearranged and played before the halfway cutoff point. Any teams
that do not attend a match (No Show) in the second half of the season will be
disciplined and possibly be deducted points.
e) Points will be awarded on averages across the
entire season. (i.e.: Team A played 150 frames and won 100, lost 50, their
result would be 10-0 plus 2 Win Points, down to a minimum of 8-0 so that no team
suffers a loss due to a team not turning up) . Therefore the
Average points for a claimed match will not be calculated until after the final
match of the season.
f)
The onus of re-arranging a match falls on the team that postponed it.
g) Any team failing to turn up without
notice shall be warned on the first offence, fined ten pounds (£10.00) for a
second offence and withdrawn from the league for a third offence.
h)
There are to be no outstanding matches after the final week of the
season. Proviso: (If when applying this rule it appears that a team is being
unfairly treated the committee have the authority to adjust the league tables in
order that no team should gain an unfair advantage).
i)
All changes are to be notified to the fixture secretary within seven (7)
days.
j)
If a team fails to show up for a match and
does not give the required notice for postponement, then the Home team may claim
expenses for the buffet. The team that fails to turn up will be accountable to
reimburse but an invoice is to be sent to the committee it will then be
forwarded to the team in question for payment.
k)
In the event of any extenuating circumstances, the committee will hold a
meeting to resolve/make a decision.
14)
KNOCKOUT COMPETITIONS:
All rules are as normal league
rules and results sheets are to be used for team tournaments/knockout
competitions and sent in as per normal. (Not Doubles or Singles as these results
are phoned through)
a)
Knockouts will be the best of
seven (7) or nine (9) frame matches. (See rule 9c). Proviso: Should there be two
or more games and only one table available rule 9c will be void.
b)
In doubles matches, order of
play is to be established at the start of match and followed through to
completion.
c)
If you require a postponement
of a knockout match, it is the responsibility of the person cancelling the match
to contact the league secretary giving twenty-four (24) hours notice. You should
be prepared to give a telephone number with a date and time you can be
contacted. You may also contact the person/team directly, but be aware; leaving
messages at venues has in the past been proved unreliable. If the league
secretary has not been notified and your message has failed to get through, you
or your team will forfeit the game.
d)
Semi-finals and finals are played at
Maidstone Snooker Club on
neutral tables, refereeing, timekeeping, result sheets and costs are to be
shared equally.
e)
If a team/player does not turn
up for a match then they will automatically be disqualified from that
competition. All matches are to be played on or before the dates set.
15)
DISCIPLINE:
a)
Any team/player with a grievance/dispute
must contact the League secretary in writing/email with their issue. This will
then be forwarded to the grievance/discipline subcommittee for investigation. If
any members of the subcommittee are involved with the dispute they must abstain
from the investigation. The subcommittee must reach a unanimous vote or the
matter will be referred back to the remaining committee members to
resolve.
b)
Conduct unbecoming to the spirit of the game may
result in player/s or teams being disciplined in any capacity after
investigation by the league committee.
c)
Bans and fines will be notified by post.
d)
Should the player/s or team wish to appeal they will have ten (10) days
from postage date in which to reply, in writing to the league committee.
e)
If an appeal fails, the decision of the committee will be final.
f)
Player/s or teams banned from the "Maidstone & District Pool League"
are not eligible to play or compete in any match or competition governed by the
English Pool Association or Kent Pool Association.
g) A match must be played to completion. Frames must not
be deliberately forfeit in a match as this can affect the outcome of another
team's placement within the division. Should an incidence of this occur,
it should be referred to the committee where an appropriate penalty may be
applied, depending on the circumstances.
16)
SPONSORSHIP:
a)
The committee will actively seek new sponsors for league and knockout
competitions.
b)
Individual persons and teams will be allowed their own
sponsors.
17)
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(AGM):
a)
Each team wishing to enter the league should have at least one (1)
representative in attendance at the AGM. That representative will have one vote,
if required.
b)
The committee will set the date for the AGM with at least six (6) weeks
notice given.
c)
Notice of four (4) weeks in writing/email to the League secretary, is
required for nominations or questions to be raised at the AGM. Should it be
necessary on the night, time will be given to open questions at the discretion
of the committee.
18)
THE COMMITTEE:
a)
The committee will consist of members elected annually at the AGM.
b)
Any person wishing to serve on the committee must apply in writing/email
to the League secretary one (1) month before the AGM, should no applications be
received, the league will retain its present committee.