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| League Bylaws | |||||||||
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The Players' League "Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office"
Bylaws ñ January 24th, 2003
Index Section Page Mission Statement 2 League Administration 2 Board of Advisors 2 1.0 Code of Conduct 2 2.0 Participating Site information 3 3.0 Registering a team for play 4 4.0 Conference sanctioning with the BCA 7 5.0 League match procedure 8 6.0 Rescheduling of matches 9 7.0 Prizes and eligibility 11 8.0 Team play-off eligibility 12 9.0 Tournament site selection 15 10.0 Captain’s responsibilities 16 11.0 Youth player policy 18 12.0 Keeping statistics 19
Mission Statement The Players' League was created to promote the long-term image of the sport. The design of The Players' League is to benefit the industry which supports the pocket billiard community, the players by providing an equitable and competitive system in which their skill development can be enhanced, and youth by instilling qualities of proper etiquette and good sportsmanship.
League Administration Chuck Farinella President/Commissioner Carol Farinella Administrative Assistant
Board of Advisors Craig Dorin Shootz Café & Billiards Mike Hornick South Hills Golden Cue John Mosier South Hills Golden Cue Mike Overdorf Blue Room Billiards Scott Robertson Shootz Café & Billiards
1.0 Code of Conduct 1.1 Conduct - Players shall conduct themselves in a manner that represents the best interest of the pocket billiard community, fellow participants of The Players' League, and promotes the pocket billiard sport. The Players' League strives to be associated with the etiquette that is customary with serious competitive play. 1.2 Dress Codes - Each player should respect any dress codes enforced by participating sites in which the match or tournament will be played. In general, the participant should be neat and clean, no torn, tattered, dirty, or over revealing clothes will be allowed for any match play or tournament conducted by The Players' League. In the event that a player shows up for a match with unacceptable attire, the player will not be permitted to play until the player changes clothes. 1.3 Hand Shakes - During match play, it is expected that each player should shake their opponent’s hand after completion of their assigned games of play. For simplicity, the player leaving the table should initiate the handshake. Congratulations are given at the conclusion of the match. 1.4 Distraction - Players not involved in the current game should minimize distracting activities (Loud talking, unnecessary movement, etc.). Any situation where distraction occurs should be brought to the attention of the captains to resolve. 1.5 Foul Language - Competition can be intense at times, and it is often easy to lose your head. Players should refrain from using any foul language when participating. The first reported occurrence will result in a warning from the league, the second occurrence will result in a single match suspension. 1.6 Equipment Damage - Any player who damages equipment or endangers players or spectators around them by the action will be immediately suspended from the league. The length of the suspension will be determined by the Board of Advisors and begin after damages are restored. Upon fulfilling the suspension the player will need to issue a written request to The Players’ League Board of Advisors for reinstatement of player privileges. 1.7 Fighting - Absolutely no fighting is permitted. All involved will be suspended from league play immediately and indefinitely. The players involved will need to issue a written request to The Players' League Board of Advisors for reinstatement of player privileges. 1.8 Impersonating Players - Impersonation of players during matches is strictly forbidden and will be dealt with by the board of advisors on a case by case basis. Penalties may include forfeiture of individual prizes, match forfeiture and loss of playoff eligibility. 1.9 Suspension Determination Process ñ Was added to the bylaws. It reads ìFor situations requiring potential suspensions, the league will make the necessary phone calls or conduct face to face interviews as required, prepare a report and forward to the board of advisors with a history of similar cases from an organized library, receive the board memberís comments within one weeks time, pass down the suspension in terms of matches, and coordinate the serving of the suspension.î 1.10 Role Models - We must remember that our actions will always be viewed and judged by others. Others also include the youth players who participate in The Players' League and whether we realize it or not, we all will play a role in their development as young adults as well as players.
2.0 Participating site information 2.1 Definition - Sites can be any location that provides a pocket billiard table for Players' League match play. There must be ample clearance around the table such that the match outcome will not be affected. The atmosphere should provide a setting in which competitive serious play can occur. The Board of advisors will approve all locations. 2.2 Table Size - Each table should be the acceptable size for Players' League match play. Teams play on 4 ft x 8 ft size tables or larger with regulation size tables the preference. Competitive conference will play on a regulation 4½ ft x 9 ft size. In locations where both sizes are available, then the 4 ½ ft x 9 ft size table will be used. 2.3 Number of Teams - The combination of schedules does not guarantee that multiple teams at a particular location will always be opposite of one another. A good rule of thumb is that the participating site has one (1) table per team. 2.4 Scheduling Criteria - The Players' League will attempt to accommodate the special needs of the participating sites with respect to site logistics, minimizing travel, and player age restrictions. 2.5 Dangerous Location - When any situation arises that presents a danger to participants in the Players’ League or their property, that sites eligibility shall be evaluated by the Board of Advisors on a case by case basis to determine that sites continued participation/eligibility. If the endangering situation occurs during the current season then the host team will have the option of relocating their team or playing the remaining matches on the road. The endangered site will lose its green fees for the affected schedule.
3.0 Registering a team for play 3.1 Team Registration - Team rosters, 20% dues down payment, and player past due fees are due prior to the start of season. The Players' League reserves the right to not schedule a team that does not comply with this policy. Teams must have a minimum of three (3) players on the roster for the team to be scheduled. No team roster should exceed five (5) active players at any time during the season. 3.2 Dues Payment - Balance of team dues are to be paid to the league by the end of the season. If the team pays remaining dues to the league prior to their fifth week of play then it will earn the league discount. The Players’ League reserves the right to deny future participation to any team or player who has not paid their dues. 3.3 Competitive and Non-Competitive Divisions was rewritten o read as follows: ñ As teams register for play their Average Team Playing Ability (ATPA) will determine if they are placed in either the Competitive or Non-competitive divisions. 3.3.1 Any team can elect to participate in the Competitive Division at any time. 3.3.2 Any team, which has a non-competitive ATPA exceeding .575, must participate in the Competitive Division. 3.3.3 Any team, which has a competitive ATPA less than .460, can return to the Non-competitive Division. 3.3.4 The Competitive Division will play in billiard room or Board of Advisors approved CafÈ & Lounge locations. 3.3.5 The Players' League may invite certain teams to the Competitive Division if it will assist in league structure planning. Once all ATPAís are determined, the order of invite will be established. 3.4 ATPA Manipulation – Any competitive strength team adding weaker player(s) for the purpose of lowering their ATPA so as to play in the non-competitive conference must in return have all players on their roster meet playoff eligibility requirements or face the possibility of being barred from participation in the playoffs. 3.5 Average Team Playing Ability (ATPA) – Taking each player’s Playing Ability Percentage respectively from historical statistics, add them together, then divide the sum by the number of players on the team will yield the ATPA. 3.6 Playing Ability Assignment - If a player does not have a history with The Players’ League, then a winning percentage from a comparable player within the league will be assigned. 3.7 Playing Ability Adjustment - Players moving between competitive and non-competitive divisions may have Playing Ability Percentage adjusted to account for different levels of competition. 3.8 Roster Addition - After the start of the season team captains may request to add players to their roster. The new player must be able to qualify for playoffs. If the playing ability exceeds that of the team they are joining then, the Commissioner will evaluate and/or adjust team strengths as needed to keep a fair competitive environment. The new player cannot participate until their playing ability is reflected in the team strength. If the new player plays prior to the team strength being adjusted the following procedure will be followed 3.8.1 All games lost by the player will remain as losses. 3.8.2 All games won by the player will be removed from the match score. 3.8.3 Of the winning games removed the number of games forfeited will be based on the opposing teams ability as dictated from the line for that evenings match (16 to 16 matches means 50% of removed games, 17 to 15 means 53%, etc). 3.8.4 If after the forfeited games the match is still undecided then the commissioner will send only those players eligible to play back to complete the match. (See League Match Procedure section.) 3.9 Scheduling - The number of teams registered for play will determine the league structure. This will determine the number and size of Billiard room and Cafe & Lounge conferences. The Players' League desires to accommodate all eligible registered teams. We will use any combination of Four (4) and six (6) team schedule keys. If the number of teams at registration forces a Five (5) team conference then the season will start as advertised with the Sixth team added later if possible. If no team can be found then the season for this conference will be based on an eight (8) Match season. 3.10 Conference Preference - If a team has a preference to participate in a specific conference, then they should indicate this on their roster turned in to league office prior to start of the season. The Players’ League will attempt to accommodate the preference. Number of teams, number and size of conferences, and player age limitations will dictate what is possible. 3.11 Billiard Room Conference - Conference where players of all ages can be scheduled. Teams with Minors and/or youth players are usually scheduled in the billiard room conferences. 3.12 Café & Lounge Conference - Teams must have enough legal age players to schedule the team. The Players’ League will not schedule a team for play in a Café & Lounge conference if any of its players cannot qualify for the playoffs due to their age limitations. Absolutely no minors are permitted in locations where the state law prohibits them. In the event that the minor is not able to have their legal guardian present they will be credited One (1) match and the required minimum scheduled games toward their play-off eligibility. 3.13 Geographic Considerations - Geographically undesirable teams are those that are in excess of 60 minutes travel away. If the visiting team is not capable of having their team present by 7:15PM so that the match can start by 7:45PM then the start time can be delayed by not more than one half hour.
4.0 Conference Sanctioning with the BCA 4.1 Conference Sanctioning – Conferences may be sanctioned if the teams within the given conference desire and pay their BCA sanction fee. The player sanction has a yearly calendar from June through May of the following year. 4.2 BCA All-American Tour - Each sanctioned player will be eligible to participate in the BCA All American Tour during their sanctioning. 4.3 BCA National 8-ball & 9-ball Championships - Players meeting the following criteria will be eligible to participate in the BCA North American 8-ball Championships. 4.3.1 Must play a minimum of eight (8) matches in the season of sanctioning. 4.3.2 Must play a minimum of 32 games in the season of sanctioning. 4.3.3 Must satisfy the Professional Player Definition guideline provided by the BCA. 4.3.4 For BCA North American Amateur 9-ball Championships, each team must consist of a nucleus of players from their Players' League team with the remaining players coming from any of the sanctioned conferences of the current season. (Contact BCA for current requirements) 4.3.5 For BCA North American Amateur 8-ball Championships, each team must consist of a nucleus of players from their Players' League team with the remaining players coming from any of the sanctioned conferences of the current season. (Contact BCA for current requirements) 4.3.6 The BCA North American championships are held each year. Contact the Players' League for detailed information.
5.0 League Match Procedure 5.1 Match Start Time - Matches start at 7:45PM. Start time can be adjusted earlier or later if both captains agree. Site owner designates the match table. All matches should be played in a continuous fashion on one table. The home team captain should assure that the visiting team gets to warm up on the match table for not more than one (1) half hour prior to start of the match. 5.2 Cue-Ball Preference - The Preferred cue ball is a red circle or equal. 5.3 Practice Time - No Practice time is given on the match table after 7:45PM. If the site owner wants to provide a practice table, it must be available for both teams. A practice table is not required but is sometimes provided as a courtesy of the site owner. Players may rent other tables at any time for practice. 5.4 Standings and match lines for participating sites – Standings for upcoming matches are sent each week to participating sites either by fax or mail. Match lines are shown on the standings. Sites can retrieve their own @ www.ThePlayersLeague.com each week on the day of the match. 5.5 Standings and match lines for teams and players – Captains and / or league players can access current standings at www.ThePlayersLeague.com. Updated standings will be available no later than Thursday morning during the current season. If no player on a team has Internet capability, then the standings will be sent by fax or mail to the team captain. Team captain is to notify the league. In the event the line for a match is not known, then contact League Commissioner. (See Section 5.6) 5.6 Contacting the Commissioner - If you are unclear, or information is missing, then the commissioner can be contacted @ (412) 215-3130 during your match, and @ (412) 276-0594 during the week. If the commissioner can’t be reached then play all thirty-one (31) games and match outcome will be decided at the league office. 5.7 Player Game Requirement - Each player can play up to eleven (11) games in a match but not more than five (5) games in a given set. 5.8 Scheduling Games – To begin match any roster player can be scheduled. Present roster players must be scheduled to play all available games first. For the start of the second or third sets roster players must be present to be scheduled. 5.9 Line-up Exchange - Each captain makes up their opening set line-up then exchanges the information with the opposing team. Games are played one at a time, and the break is alternated with the home team breaking the first game. The process is repeated for all sets. Each match is broken into three (3) sets of ten (10), ten (10), & eleven (11) games. 5.10 Scheduling Error - A scheduling error must be caught and corrected prior to the game coming to play. For each correction made to a line-up the opposing team is allowed a line-up change for the affected game. Outcomes of erroneous scheduled games already in progress remain as played. 5.11 Green Fees - Most locations provide a drop pocket style table. Green fees are collected by the home team captain and given to the host site. If the table is coin operated, then change becomes the green fees.
6.0 Rescheduling of matches 6.1 Short-Handed Rescheduling - Phone numbers of team captains will be kept by The Players’ League. If you need to reschedule a match, then you must call in to the league office to get the opposing captains phone number. Anytime a team knows it will be short handed and can notify the opposing team captain 24 hours in advance (By 7:45PM the day before), then the match can be rescheduled at the opposing teams convenience. (See 6.3 Rescheduling process) 6.2 Geographical Rescheduling - Matches can be rescheduled due to geographical undesirable conditions where home team is more than 60 minutes travel away from the visiting team. Notification must come from the visiting team captain 24 hours in advance and the match can be rescheduled at the opposing teams convenience. If the match is not scheduled prior to the season’s end then the visiting team will be charged with a forfeit. (See 6.3 Rescheduling process) 6.3 Rescheduling Process - After learning the availability of the host site, the opposing team captain will select two (2) possible make-up dates for the rescheduling captain to choose from. These dates will be phoned into the league office by the opposing team captain. Make-up dates will be forwarded to the rescheduling captain. The rescheduling captain will choose one of the dates and notify the league office. The league office will notify the opposing team captain and schedule the match. If match is not scheduled prior to season’s end, then the team requesting the rescheduling will be charged with a forfeit. 6.4 Rescheduling Limit - No team can have more than one (1) rescheduled match at any time during the current season. In the event this occurs, each additional rescheduling is an automatic forfeit. Assigned rescheduling by the league or bad weather rescheduling does not apply toward a team’s number of rescheduled matches. 6.5 Forfeited Matches – When a match is forfeited the forfeiting team will be responsible for both teams green fees. The Players’ League will credit the host site future team sponsorship and collect the green fees from the forfeiting team. 6.6 Bad Weather Rescheduling - Matches can be rescheduled at any time by the captains or commissioner due to severe weather conditions. If either team captain initiates the postponement, then that captain should notify the league commissioner by leaving a voice message at (412) 276-0594. The rescheduling in this case is done at both teams’ convenience. If match is not scheduled prior to season’s end, then both teams will be charged with a forfeit. (See 6.8 Mutual Rescheduling Process) 6.7 Assigned Rescheduling – The league can assign rescheduled matches to avoid byes. This occurs when a four (4) team schedule with twelve (12) matches are required. Rescheduling allows 12 matches to be played within a 10-week season. Matches can be made up at both teams convenience prior to season’s end. If match is not scheduled prior to season’s end, then both teams will be charged with a forfeit. (See 6.8 Mutual Rescheduling Process) 6.8 Mutual Rescheduling Process – The Players’ League will learn the availability of the host site. Both captains will forward to the league office two (2) possible days when their teams can make-up the match. The league will notify both captains of common days and coordinate the rescheduling process. The league office will confirm the make-up date to both captains and schedule the match.
7.0 Prizes and Eligibility 7.1 IRS Report Limit - If player’s earnings in a calendar year exceed the limit set by the Internal Revenue Service, then The Players’ League will be obligated to report the earnings. 7.2 Individual Prizes – The following individual prizes are given out for season performance. Each conference will have a set of individual prizes available for its players. 7.2.1 Best Winning Percentage - Player must at least average 3.0 games played per scheduled match. Player is not penalized due to opponent’s forfeiture. Under these circumstances the player will get credit up to their games per match average. 7.2.2 Most Improved Average - Current season winning percentage will be compared to player's all time statistics. Player must have played in 3.0 games per scheduled match for current season. Player is not penalized due to opponent’s forfeiture. Under these circumstances the player will get credit for games, which could have been played if match occurred. 7.2.3 Total Runs - Combines Runs from the opening break RB, runs from the opponents break RO, and 9-ball table runs not off of a break BD. Minimum number of games played is the tiebreaker. 7.2.4 9-Balls - Most 9-balls made on the break without scratching. Minimum number of games played is the tiebreaker. 7.2.5 Total Caroms - Includes Carom Wins CW and Carom Outs CO. For simplicity, both combinations and billiards are considered caroms. Minimum number of games played is the tiebreaker. 7.2.6 Total Foul Outs – Foul outs (FO) are when a player wins a game on three (3) consecutive fouls. Minimum number of games played is the tiebreaker.
8.0 Team Playoff Eligibility 8.1 Playoff Prize Money – All playoff teams receive money. $210 per team generates the prize pool to be distributed to all playoff teams. 8.2 Playoff Format - The Playoffs are a single elimination seeded format. One half of the bracket will have Competitive division teams and the other half will have Non-Competitive Division teams. Visit www.ThePlayersLeague.com for finals bracket. 8.3 Number of Playoff Teams – Seventy (70%) percent of the total number of teams within the league advance to the playoffs. 8.4 Finals Tournament – Not more than Eight (8) teams can participate. Tournament is held on a Sunday. Contact the league office for the date. (See Section 9.1 8.5 Regional Tournaments – Not more than eight (8) teams per location. Tournaments held on a Sunday the week preceding the finals. Contact league for date. (See Section 9.1) 8.6 Order of Qualification – The moment that a team qualifies for the playoffs, numbers will appear on the weekly standings. The number represents the order and seeding of the team qualifying for post-season play. 8.7 Qualification Process - Divisional standings are determined first and by the criteria given in section 8.8. When qualifying a team for the playoffs, only the highest finishing team in a particular division can be compared then selected. Conference champions must be selected before any wild card team. In determining playoff spots when teams are tied, it is always done on the highest common criteria. For example, tied teams, which play in separate conferences and have not played one another. In this situation, (Reference section 8.8) the tie that was determined at level 1 would be evaluated at level 4. Levels 2 and 3 would be passed since all tied teams did not play one another. After qualifying a team, the tied teams left will then be considered for the next spot. If teams are from separate conferences we would repeat the evaluation as described previously, otherwise the teams are all from the same conference, which means all levels, would be considered in the evaluation. Once again qualifying only one team at a time. 8.8 Qualification Criteria - Top teams from each conference qualify as determined by the following criteria: 8.8.1 Overall team match record during season. 8.8.2 Match record between tied teams. 8.8.3 Game record between tied teams. 8.8.4 Overall team game record during season. 8.8.5 Single match playoff between tied teams. 8.9 Regional Placement – Each assigned regional location will have playoff berths available as determined by qualifying teams. Regional tournaments will be filled with top seeds playing as close to home as |