NORTHANTS VILLAGE POOL LEAGUE
PROCEDURAL RULES
As amended October 2004
The committee would like the game of pool to be played in a sportsmanlike manner (in accordance with Rule 1 of the EPA Playing Rules!). As such, these rules should be treated as guidance, (although every effort should be made to abide by them!) In the case of a breach of these rules, the captain of the non-offending team may agree to overlook it (in for example the case of late arrival by a few minutes). If the two captains cannot agree, the committee will uphold these rules.
1 TEAMS AND PLAYING FORMAT
1.1 Matches will be played on a format of ten singles, each of one frame.
1.2 All matches are divided into two sections; each player can play in each section ONCE only.
1.3 As a team cannot win a match with less than three players, a minimum of three players is required to constitute a team. (See paragraph 2.6)
2 ARRANGEMENTS FOR AND COMMENCEMENT OF MATCHES
2.1 Matches will take place weekly on Wednesday evenings, as detailed in the fixture list distributed by the league committee. The official start time is 8.30pm.
2.2 No postponements of matches are allowed. Otherwise the team unable to play will forfeit the match.
2.3 Teams will be ready to commence at the start time; otherwise the team at fault will forfeit the first frame. Any team not having three players present at this time will forfeit the match.
2.4 The first frame having been defaulted, the match may be forfeited if the opposing team is not ready to commence after 15 minutes after the start time.
2.5 Any player not arriving by 1 hour after the start time will not be eligible to play in the match.
2.6 If, for any reason, a match cannot be completed within the scheduled session, any frames remaining not played shall be void; they will not be awarded or re-arranged.
2.7 The player to break in each frame shall be decided by the toss of a coin.
2.8 It shall be the responsibility of the home team to cover table fees
3 QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
3.1 To qualify to play for a team in the Northants Village Pool League, a player must be registered with the League for that team and not for any other team in the League.
3.2 Any player registration, to be deemed valid, must be received by a member of the committee 24 hours before the match commences in which that player first competes.
3.3 If a team plays an unregistered or ineligible player, the frame played by that player shall be awarded to the opposing team and the committee will notify the offending team and request an explanation.
3.4 No player registrations will be accepted after the half way point. (An appeal can be made to the committee in exceptional circumstances.).
3.5 According to the Gaming Act, players under the age of 18 may only play on a pool table in a pub with the landlord's express permission. Any captain who has players under the age of 18 is advised to check with the landlord before arriving at away venues.
4 REFEREES AND DISPUTES
4.1 Each team will provide the referee for alternate frames.
4.2 In the event of a dispute the referee shall consult the playing rules before making a decision. If after consulting the rules a dispute still exists, both team captains shall consult privately and agree upon the correct action to be taken. If agreement cannot be reached, the referee's original decision shall stand and the frame shall continue. The two team captains shall make a report to the committee. On receipt of such a report, the league committee shall meet and rule on the correct course of action.
4.3 Any disputes about individual frames are not in themselves reason enough for a match to be abandoned. Any team refusing to complete a match because of such dispute will forfeit any outstanding frames.
5 REPORTING OF RESULTS
5.1 Both teams will complete the results sheet and the winning team shall send it to the results address
to arrive within 7 days of the date the match took place. In the event of a draw, both teams are required to complete a result sheet and send it to the results address.
5.2 To be valid result sheets must be received at the results address or by the results coordinator. Sheets sent or received anywhere else will be deemed invalid
5.3 Captains are responsible for their sheets.
5.4 Teams not complying with rule 5.1 will forfeit any points won in that match but will not lose the individual player performance records providing the result sheet is received before the last date on the fixture list.
5.5 These rules also apply to any KO competition results (see rule 12.3).
6 SHORT TEAMS
6.1 In the event that a team is short of players for a match (i.e. having less than 5), the opposing team will be awarded any frames for which they have no opposition.
6.2 If both teams are short, meaning that a frame or frames have no players to compete in them, then the points for these frames will not be awarded.
7 VENUES AND CHANGES OF VENUE
7.1 All teams must register their home venue with the league.
7.2 In the event of a team wishing to change its venue midseason, the committee must be given 7 days notice, preferably in writing.
7.3 The minimum desirable requirement for an acceptable venue shall be:
7.3.1 A standard six, seven or eight foot table, a seven-foot table being the recommended size.
7.3.2 The match table shall be level and have a surface of reasonable quality.
7.3.3 The table shall be clearly marked and maintained in a clean and well-presented manner.
7.3.4 Every effort should be made to ensure adequate playing space is available around the table.
7.3.5 An area must be available adjacent to the table for viewing purposes.
7.4 The League Committee may refuse to accept any team whose venue does not conform to this standard
8 AVAILABILITY OF LEAGUE RULES
8.1 A copy of current official playing rules shall be made available for all matches by the home team.
9 DETERMINATION OF CHAMPIONSHIP, PROMOTION AND RELEGATION
9.1 If two or more teams are tied in positions affecting the championship, promotion or relegation places the tie shall be broken as follows:
9.1.1 The team having won the greater number of matches shall take precedence.
9.1.2 If there is still a tie, the team having lost the least amount of matches will take precedence.
9.1.2 If there is still a tie, the team having won the greater number of away matches shall take precedence.
9.1.3 If there is still a tie, the teams involved shall play off under a format to be decided by the committee, at such time and venue as is decided by the committee.
10 TROPHIES TO BE AWARDED
10.1 Player trophies will be awarded to up to eight players of the winning and runnerup teams in each division. These trophies may be kept. Additional trophies will be made available at cost price, upon request.
10.2 The league will award team trophies to the winning team in each division, to be kept for one year only. These trophies will remain the property of the Northants Village Pool League at all times, and must be surrendered on request by the league.
10.3 A best player trophy is awarded to the player topping the performance-ranking list, as produced by the results coordinator for each division for that season.
10.4 Player performance will be sorted by games won, with each frame won gaining the player 2 points, with all frames played counting.
10.5 Any team in possession of a league trophy will take proper care of it and will bear the cost of replacing or repairing it should it become lost or damaged.
11 CLUBS WITHDRAWING OR FAILING TO FULFIL FIXTURES
11.1 Any team not completing all their fixtures for the current season (see rule 2.4) will be expelled for the next season. All results against them, including player performance will be expunged.
12 KO COMPETITIONS
12.1 Once a player has played in a team KO competition, they cannot play for any other team in the relevant competition for that season, i.e., they are cup tied.
12.2 In the case of KO competitions, winning captains/players to send results sheets within five days to the results address or lose their place in the next round. (A written appeal can be made to the committee in exceptional circumstances).
13 COACHING
13.1 Coaching is deemed to be unsportsmanlike behaviour and will result in the frame being awarded away.
