LONG ISLAND POOL LEAGUE

http://thepoolleague.com/

OFFICIAL LEAGUE RULES

Game

• All games will be 8-Ball.
• All rules common to the game of 8-Ball shall apply unless otherwise specified within these league rules.
• The team captains may agree to modify any of the “Supplementary Playing Rules” rules before the match begins. In the absence of any prior agreements between the captains, the league rules will take precedence.

Match

• The match will consist of three sets of 5 singles games and one set of 3 doubles games.
• Each Singles game is worth one point. Each Doubles game is worth 2 points. The entire match consists of 21 points.
• One player may play twice in each of the singles sets. The same player may not play twice in more than one singles set. Two players may play twice in the doubles set.
• A minimum of 4 players is necessary for a match with no penalty.
• A team may play with only three players but the last game of each singles set and the last game of the doubles set will be forfeited resulting in a five-point penalty.
• No team may play with less than three players (Automatic forfeit).
• The starting time of the match is 7:30 PM. The match may be started with whatever players are available at that time.
• The home team will allow the visiting team to practice on the table between 7:00 & 7:30 PM if time allows (if any of the visiting team players are there by 7:00. (Practice games are not free)).
• At least two players from each team must be ready to start playing at 7:30 PM. The Match MUST start by 7:45 PM.

• These two players may play the first three singles games and the first doubles game while waiting for the rest of the team to arrive.
• The match must begin as soon as possible with the players available so that everyone can get home at a decent hour. As more players show up, they may be placed on the scoresheet to play a game.
• If the match didn’t get started by 8:00 PM AND the last doubles game isn’t already in progress by 11 PM, the team responsible for the delayed start will forfeit that last doubles game.
• If a team has only 2 players by 8:15 PM, the entire match will be forfeited.

Note: Any time a rostered player shows up for a match, he/she may play any remaining games in the match, but may not make up any previously forfeited games. Once the names are posted on the scoresheet for a particular set of games, the captain of either team may make changes to it as long as they make the other team aware of those changes and affords them the opportunity to change their own lineup accordingly. Any changes made after the initial lineup will be open to view as they are made. Any forfeited games will not be counted in the individual standings.

Protests & Disputes

• In the event of a dispute over the rules, the game will continue and the dispute noted in the comments section of the sign-in sheet. It will be brought before the protest/rules committee who will make a final decision as to the outcome of the game.
• Poor sportsmanship and unethical conduct may be grounds for forfeiture of a game/match or expulsion from the league.
• Fighting will result in expulsion from the league for all teams involved; it is up to the team captain to maintain control of their players.
• The sponsors, teams and players in the league are participating at their own risk. The Long Island Pool League, its executives and assigns will not be held liable for any injuries, damages or misconduct resulting from playing in the league.
• The protest/rules committee will make a binding decision on any protests, disputes or anything not specifically addressed in these rules.
  
  

Equipment

• There are many factors that can affect the environmental conditions of a match. There are some tables are 6 foot as well as some that are 7 foot. There are red tables, blue tables, green tables, etc. There is sometimes limited clearance, loud music and a host of other distractions. It is the leagues position that every team that plays on a particular table in a particular bar are subject to the same environmental handicaps or distractions.
• A “bridge” must be made available for both teams. “Short Sticks” where necessary must be made available for both teams. 

Scoresheets, Standings & Statistics

• The score sheets must be filled in legibly and signed by both captains. Please note that if you have 3 guys named Mike or Joe on your team, be sure to differentiate them on the scoresheet. Also, we have no idea who “Bubba” or “Doogie” might be unless you note it on the sign-in sheet.
• It is the responsibility of the Home team to supply a blank scoresheet at the beginning of each match
• Both teams are responsible for texting a picture of the completed scoresheet at the conclusion of the match to (631) 944-2792 & (516) 835-1058 and are responsible for saving a copy (pic) of the scoresheets until the end of the season.
• Individual standings will be posted beginning with the 3^rd or earlier week of the season. The individual standings may not reflect the current week’s match due to the delay in receiving score sheets. If any scoresheet is missing for any week of the season, both of the teams that played the match will not be included in the individual standing and forfeit any awards that they might have received.

Rosters

• You must be at least 21 years old to participate in the league.
• Whenever a new player signs the roster form, he/she will be automatically added to the roster of that team provided all of the following conditions have been met:

ü  He/she has not played with any other team in the league.

ü  It is not later than the 7^th of a 14 week, 9^th of an 18 week or 5^th of a 10 week season.

ü  There are less than 10 players already on the roster. A player may be dropped from the roster at the same time that one is added.

• It is the teams' responsibility to keep track of the number of players on their own roster. When a player signs the roster form he/she is automatically added to that team’s roster. No team is allowed to have more than 10 active players on the roster at any time. If you add an 11^th player without deleting one from the roster, the games that player plays will be forfeited.
• Remove a player from your roster simply by writing a note stating which player or players are being removed on the comments section located on the back of the scoresheet. This may be done at the same time a player is added to the roster.
• Once a player plays a game for a particular team, he/she may not play on any other team in this league without express permission of the league.
• If there is a dispute as to a player’s eligibility on a team, make a note of it on the "comments" section of the scoresheet. The disputed player’s signature will be checked against the league records. If it is determined that a player was ineligible to play, any games that he/she played on the night in question will result in a forfeited. If there is a question as to whether the player that signed the roster is the same player that is playing in the match, ask for ID. Any player that refuses to show ID when asked will be regarded as an ineligible player and will forfeit all games played that night.  If the ineligible player(s) on the team brings the team’s total below three players in the match, the disputing team has the option to either take the points as stands at the end of the match or take the forfeit. 

Forfeits

• In the event of a forfeit, the team that forfeits will receive no points for the match. Their opponents will receive their average for the season rounded off to the nearest whole number, or the difference between 21 points and the average of the games played by the team that they were supposed to play rounded off to the nearest whole number, or 11 points, whichever is higher. This average will be calculated on a weekly basis as the season progresses but will never be less than 11 points.
• In the event of a forfeit that is not made up, the team that forfeited will play their next match at the opponents bar (pending availability of an open table on the night of the match).
• Any team that forfeits twice without notifying the league or their opponents will be dropped from further league play.
• Any team that forfeits three times, regardless of the reasons, will be dropped from further league play.

Note: Any team that forfeits twice during the season or forfeits their last "away" match will also forfeit any trophies or awards that the team or the players on the team may have been entitled to. They will also forfeit their right to participate in the playoffs.

Postponements/Make-Up Matches

The following are the guidelines to be followed if it becomes necessary to postpone a match during the season. In all cases, it is the league that must be notified first of the postponement.  No make-up matches can be played or rescheduled after the last week of the regular season regardless of the rules below. The rules below apply for the first time that a team finds it necessary to postpone a match. Any subsequent postponements, regardless of the prior notice given, will be treated in accordance with the rules governing "Less than 24 Hour Notice". The team that is accepting the postponement must supply the make-up dates on the night of the originally scheduled match. If both teams can agree on a date that falls outside the prescribed windows below, they may do so..

Irreconcilable Differences

On rare occasions, arguments can occur during a match that can not be settled amicably. It is not leagues position to force a team to continue a match when the end result may erupt in a fight between the teams or any of the players on the teams. If a team feels that their safety is in jeopardy, they may opt to leave the match at any time. The league will, at its option, declare the match a double forfeit (in which case both teams receive 10 points), or pro-rate the match based on the games that were played (if a scoresheet is submitted to the league). If the league determines that any team uses this rule to their own advantage, their games will be forfeited and the team will be dropped from further league play.  If a player starts a fight, he/she will be banned from the league indefinitely and his/her team runs the risk of the entire team being banned.

Inclement Weather

It is the league’s position that your safety is ultimately more important than playing a match on a particular night. In the event of a Winter Storm Warning, Hurricane, Super Storm or any other weather event that would make it dangerous to travel, we will cancel all matches for that week and reschedule them to the end of the season. A notice of cancellation will be posted on the league website and group texted/e-mailed to all team captains by 6:00 PM on the day of the match.

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAYING RULES

Play

• The balls are racked at the foot spot with the 8-Ball in the center and opposites in the rear corners.
• The rack for each break alternates with the “Home” team racking the 1^st game
• A player must either pocket a ball other than the cue ball or drive two or more balls to the rails for a legal break. Penalty: The opposing player has the option of accepting the table in position and shooting or having the balls reracked and having the option of shooting the opening break himself or allowing the offending player to rebreak. Note: that if the balls are re-racked, whoever breaks can potentially lose by sinking the 8-ball & scratching but can NOT win on an 8-ball break.
• If on the break, a player pockets the 8-Ball without committing a foul, he/she wins the game.
• If on the break, a player pockets the 8-Ball and fouls, he/she loses the game.
• Choice of group is not established on the break, regardless of which group or how many of which group of balls are pocketed. A player who pockets any ball on the break (other than the cue or 8-Ball) may continue to shoot.
• Choice of group is established only when a player legally pockets a called ball after the break.
• Ball and pocket must be called on all shots after the break, whether or not choice has been established.
• You must strike one of your own type balls first for a legal combination shot.
• Before choice is established, a player may use any combination, including the 8-Ball as long as the 8-Ball is not the first ball struck (by the cue ball) in the combination.
• The 8-Ball may be used in any combination shot as long as you strike one of your own group of balls first.
• No coaching is allowed during the execution of the shot and under no circumstances may any person other than the player himself or his partner in a doubles game be within 3 feet of the perimeter of the table during the execution of a shot.
• Double-Kisses are legal shots as long as the object ball drops in the pocket that was called.

Coaching

• While your opponent is shooting, you may talk to or discuss anything about the game quietly with any of your team members away from the table and so as not to distract the player that is shooting. Once your opponent has completed his/her turn at the table, you are to end all conversations and approach the table to take your turn to shoot.
• During the playoffs, absolutely no coaching or “time-outs” are allowed with the exception of one’s doubles partner.
• Team captains may modify the coaching  rule by mutual agreement prior to the start of the match.

The 8-Ball

• After legally pocketing his entire group of balls, a player must then call & pocket the 8-Ball in a pocket of the player’s choice.
• The 8-Ball must be hit first but does not have to go into the called pocket cleanly. (After being struck by the cue ball the 8-Ball may strike any combination of rails or opponents balls before dropping into the called pocket.)
• If a player pockets the 8-Ball before pocketing all of their group of balls or pockets the 8-Ball in a pocket other than the one that was called, they lose the game.
• If, during your turn at shooting, you sink the last of your group of balls, you must hit the 8-Ball first. Penalty: Loss of Game
• If, beginning your turn to shoot, the 8-Ball is all that is left for you to shoot at and you have a "clear shot", you must hit the 8-Ball before hitting any other ball. Penalty: Loss of Game.
• If, beginning your turn to shoot, the 8-Ball is all that is left for you to shoot at and you do not have a "clear shot", you must hit the 8-Ball before hitting any other ball. Penalty: Ball-in-Hand for your opponent.

·         Clear Shot Definition: A player will be considered to have a "clear shot" when it is physically possible for the player to strike the center of the 8-ball with the cue ball without having to use any rails or use any "english" on the cue ball.

·         Note: A player is considered to have a "clear shot" unless they notifiy their opponent before attempting to execute the shot. If there is any dispute as to whether or not a "clear shot" as defined above is available to a player, the dispute must be resolved before the shot is attempted.

• If your opponent has only the 8-Ball left to shoot at you must make a legal shot (any shot that does not constitute a foul): Penalty - Ball-behind-Headstring for the opponent.
• If you commit a foul and as a result of that foul your opponent is left with only the 8-Ball left to shoot at (i.e. you pocket his last ball and foul in the process), your opponent will be awarded Ball-in-Hand.
• When shooting the 8-Ball, a player need only touch the 8-Ball with the cue ball to constitute a legal shot (unless the player does not have a ‘clear shot’ as described above). Neither the cue ball or the 8-Ball has to be driven to a rail.
• If a player commits a foul as listed below while shooting the 8-Ball: Penalty – Loss of game

 Fouls

Whenever both teams opt to play by the Ball-In-Hand Rules, the penalty for all fouls listed below is Ball-In-Hand for their opponent.

• Pocketing the cue ball.
• Shooting while and ball is spinning or in motion.
• Knock any ball other than the cue ball off the table. Opponent has the option of spotting the ball at the foot spot or having the ball removed from play.

• Knock the cue ball off the table (except on the break). Opponent gets “Ball-in-Hand”
• The cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball after it strikes an object ball or strikes the cue ball more than once.
• The cue stick makes contact with the cue ball after the cue ball has hit any ball or a rail. Opponent gets “Ball-in-Hand”
• Hitting any ball other than the player’s group of balls first.

• One of the players group of balls is not pocketed or any ball driven to a rail after the initial contact between the cue ball and any of the players object balls. If the players object ball is frozen to a rail, that ball, the cue ball or any other numbered ball must be driven to a different rail unless the cue ball strikes a different rail before contacting the object ball.

• Displacing any ball by other than a legal shot.

(Opponent has the option of leaving the displaced ball where it lies or move it back to its original position.)

• Jumping over any ball, before striking an object ball.

Note: If a player commits any foul, they lose their turn and their opponent has the option of having the player that committed the foul to shoot again.

On any penalty where the opponent is awarded Ball-behind-Headstring or Ball-in-Hand, he/she has the option of leaving the cue ball where it lies.

Consecutive Foul Penalties

• During any singles or doubles game each player/team has the option to invoke the “Consecutive Foul” rule on his/her opponent only one time per game.
• In order to invoke the rule the player must notify his/her opponent that the foul that was just committed AND is being counted towards the “Consecutive Foul” rule. If the player that committed the foul is not notified that it is being counted, any foul (consecutive or otherwise) that the player commits after that can only be counted as the first foul.
• The player that committed the foul can be made to shoot again.
• Any of a players teammates can alert the player that a foul was committed but only the player (or his partner in doubles) can invoke the “Consecutive Foul” rule by notifying his/her opponent that they are doing so.
• The following penalties apply only to consecutive fouls being counted unless specifically stated otherwise in this rules supplement:

ü     1^st foul - loss of turn.

ü     2^nd consecutive foul - opponent gets Ball-behind-Headstring.

ü     3^rd consecutive foul - opponent gets Ball-in-Hand.

ü     4^th consecutive foul - loss of game.

Spotting Balls

• After a scratch shot an object ball must be completely in front of the headstring to be eligible for a legal shot. (No part of the ball may touch the Headstring line.)
• After a scratch shot the cue ball may be placed anywhere behind the headstring such that the base of the cue ball (the point where the cue ball touches the table) is behind the headstring.
• If, after a scratch, none of the players’ group of balls is eligible for a legal shot, the player has the option of executing a bank shot or having one of his group of balls spotted. If there is more than one ineligible ball, the only one that may be spotted is the one that is closest to the cushion behind the footstring.
• Whenever an object ball is to be spotted, it will be spotted on the long string as close to the foot spot as possible and shall be frozen to any interfering ball.

Possession of Table

·         If a “called” ball (including the Eight Ball) falls into a “called” pocket prior to the “execution” of a shot by the players opponent, the original “called” shot counts and that player will continue his turn of play.

·         If any ball (other than a “called” ball) falls into a pocket at any time without any obvious external stimuli by a player or team member, the ball will remain in the pocket and there is no foul charged to either player.

·         If any ball falls into a pocket as a result of obvious external stimuli by a player or team member, that player loses his/her turn and is charged with a foul.

• Given the above, “Possession of Table” is only important when the Eight Ball is hanging precariously close to a pocket that was not “called”.

ü  If the Eight Ball falls into a pocket that was not called, the player that has possession of the table at that time, loses the game.

ü  A player takes possession of the table when that player touches the table (or anything on the table) or 1minute elapses from the time that either team captain decides to actually track the time.

ü  The players have the option through mutual agreement to reposition the eight ball so that it will not accidentally fall into the pocket if they so desire. Once they agree, if the eight ball drops before they have a chance to reposition it, a replacement eight ball will be used to replace the one that dropped.

ü   

SPECIAL RULES/NOTES

• The registration fee that is paid to the League entitles a team to an equal number of scheduled home and away matches during the regular season. The registration fee does not include playoff matches. Scheduling of playoff matches is solely at the discretion of the league.
• While the League does its best to minimize the number of forfeited or postponed matches, it can not be held responsible for them.
• Any Double Elimination Tournament Finals that are scheduled will be held at a location of the League’s choice when time and scheduling permits.
• The final match(es) of the playoffs will be held at a location of the leagues choice.

• To be eligible to play in the playoffs, a player must have played at least one game in each of 7 different weeks in a 14 week season; 5 in a 10 week season & 9 in an 18 week season). Eligibility requirements will be adjusted accordingly for forfeits.

• Note: the minimum game rule does not apply to any player who has been a member of a particular team for the last two seasons that they participated in as long as they haven't played with any other team during that timeframe.
• In order to be eligible for any awards or to appear on the Top-25 List, a player must be on the roster and have played the minimum number of singles games required for the season. (an average of 1.75 singles games for each week of play, excluding forfeits and an average of 1.75 games per week for the remainder of the season if the player has reached the minimum number of games before the end of the season)
  • Minimum games to be eligible are 18 for a 10, 25 for a 14 & 32 for an 18 week season
  • Example: if you reach the minimum number of games and there’s still 4 weeks left to the season, you’ll need to play at least 7 individual games in those 4 weeks to retain your eligibility. For other examples, just do the math.
• To be eligible for an award if your team finishes in first place, you must have played at least 25 regular season singles games and must play an average of 1.5 singles per playoff match (for a 14 week season).
• If a player is eligible for an individual award, the scoresheets for all matches that his/her team played during the regular season must be submitted to the league or the player may forfeit his/her eligibility for the award. Each team is responsible for retaining a copy of the scoresheet for each of the matches played during the regular season.
• One player may play twice in only one of the singles sets. No player may play twice in more than one singles set. Two players may play twice in the doubles set. If a team places a player on the scoresheet who shouldn’t be able to play in a particular set, it is the responsibility of the opposing team to alert them and have that player replaced with a player who is eligible to play in that set.  If nothing is said and the player starts the game, the game will count towards the team points but will not be included in the individual standings for the ineligible player.
• Playing out of turn – If a player other than the player listed on the scoresheet begins playing a game, either team may stop the match as soon as the error is discovered and restart the game with the correct players except that if the error is not discovered until after both players have completed a turn at the table, the game will be played to conclusion and the scoresheet corrected to show the names of the players that did play. Once the game is finished, the outcome of the game stands and may not be replayed.
• Doubles rotation – The order in which the players names are placed on the scoresheet for a doubles game are the order in which the players must shoot, but that order may be switched (once) at either teams discretion before the rack is broken.
• Owners/Bartenders/League Operators as players – An owner, bartender or league operator who is confined to their home bar may play on up to two teams from that bar with prior consent from the league. He/she may only play the home games during the regular season. At the end of the regular season, that player must choose which of the two teams they will be playing on during the playoffs and may not play in any playoff games on the other (unchosen) team.
• Breaking apart your cue stick before the end of a game is considered unsportsmanlike conduct. Don’t be a dick!!.
• During playoffs and for the first week of the season, all start times (and grace periods) are extended by 15 minutes.
• The league reserves the right to modify any and all rules at any time during the season.

Communications

A lot has changed since this league first started more than 35 years ago. I do remember people complaining that they didn't have a quarter to call in their scores from the pay phone in the bar. There is a website where the scores, stats and info are posted weekly. There is also a Facebook page (Long Island Pool League) where you can post about your matches, discuss rules, whatever. We will do our very best to keep you updated on what's going on with the league and I implore all of you to use Facebook to post questions, comments, criticisms (or just plain anything that's going on in relation to the league).  

If you have a problem during the match, please call

Laura @ (631) 921-5582 or John @ (516) 835-1058

The web-site for the league is thepoolleague.com and E-Mail: john@thepoolleague.com