Rules

GENERAL RULES

All matches will be governed by a referee; the home team will be responsible for the referees and also the table money (including all competitions).

The winning team will be responsible for forwarding the result card to the League Secretary, to be received no later than 7 DAYS following the match, failure to send in the result card on time will result in a 1 point penalty against the winning team, results (including most wins) will only be accepted as true and binding if both captains signatures are on the card.

Each best of 5 frame match will commence with a LAG, (see playing rules) then alternately thereafter. The captains are required to sign the result cards, thus giving declaration that the result be true and binding; you should not sign the card if there is any dispute over the result.

It is courtesy to supply food for the visiting team (including the Team Knock-out).

Any team or individual player that cannot play according to the set dates must notify the opposing team or player to rearrange the match by mutual agreement; (48 hours notice must be given) the League Secretary (Sheree Houseman on 07775 694773) MUST be notified of any arrangements. Alternative dates for rearranged match MUST be played by 1 week before the last match of season.

Should any team wish to withdraw from the league at any stage during the season, two weeks notice must be given to the League Secretary; (All points gained will be deducted) any team that withdraws from the league without exceptional reasons, WILL BE EXPELLED FROM THE LEAGUE for the following season; any team failing to fulfil fixtures (i.e. Missing more than one match including the Team Knockout) will also be withdrawn and refused entry for the following season.

The Landlord/Manager of the Pub/Club, where a trophy is being held will be entirely responsible for its safe custody during the season, and as such is fully liable for any damage or loss incurred during the time in their care. All trophies must be returned in a polished condition, 4 weeks prior to the presentation night.

Trophies will be awarded to all winning teams, runners up, and all knockout finalists, the trophies will be awarded on PRESENTATION NIGHT ONLY.

If any player of a team is barred from the premises of another team, he/she will not be able to play at that venue, unless the Landlord agrees to make an exception. The barred player will forfeit their match points unless another player is available/eligible to substitute him/her.

CONSTITUTION

That the name of the league is to be known as OXFORD (mile) INVITATION POOL LEAGUE, hereafter called The League.

The League shall be open to INVITED licensed houses or clubs, within 1 mile of the 2 furthest points, consisting of both male and female players of the premises, for which they are registered. The League shall be governed by a committee comprising of a Chairman, Secretary and a Treasurer, as well as ordinary members of the committee. The forming of the League shall be left to the discretion of the committee.

The league committee will reserve the right to refuse entry of any team or player.

The Chairman and Treasurer will hold office jointly for a period 2 years, as will the Secretary, but not all 3 officers positions will open for election at the same time, they will be eligible to stand for re-election on a alternative basis at the AGM, providing nominations have been received within the 7 days limit, (in writing) other members will retire on a yearly basis, but will be eligible to stand for re-election, the committee is to appoint any member to the committee to fill any post that may become vacant.

All funds belonging to The League will be held in a special account with the treasurer being responsible for the funds thereof. No funds are to be withdrawn from the account without prior knowledge of the committee.

The committee will reserve the right to make any decisions throughout the season as deemed necessary or beneficial to the members of The League.

All matches should be played on a standard 7x4 table; only if the room does not allow may smaller tables be used.

All matches will be played to the Official Blackball Pool Rules (2006).

Time Rule - each shot is at the referee's discretion, if however a penalty (foul) is called for slow play a thirty second warning MUST have been given.

THE OXFORD (mile) INVITATION POOL LEAGUE supports The E.B.A. (EUROPEAN BLACKBALL ASSOCIATION)

The minimum age to register with any team is 14 years. No team shall consist of more than one player under the age of 18.

Teams are able to sign on players at any stage throughout the season, providing the player does not unbalance the section, or is registered with any other team (see transfers). A player is deemed as registered after being entered on the result card before playing in any match. One point will be deducted for each non-member playing irrespective of result. A player cannot play for A & B teams of any licensed premises or club without being transferred.

Should any player wish to TRANSFER to any other team during the season, he/she must make an application in writing to the League Secretary (before playing), enclosing a fee of £5 (which will be retained) and state the full reason for the request. The application will be considered by the committee for approval.

Match rules are issued to all registered teams and clubs within the league. Please note that these rules will be used throughout the entire season and will also apply to all competition matches.

Each team should elect a CAPTAIN to manage the business of the team. All League and Team Knockout matches are to comprise of 3 single best of 5 matches, with each player receiving 1 point for every frame won going towards final team score.

Sample result card.

Card

The order of play is determined by the HOME captain adding their three players names to the result cards then folding the result card in half then passing to AWAY team to entered name onto the result card. The order of matches can only be altered once the match has started if both Captains agree.

In the event of a draw in the team knockout competition the last player in each team will play an extra frame THIS ONLY APPLES IN THE TEAM KNOCKOUT.

ALL MATCHES ARE DUE TO START AT 8.15PM SHARP. If for any reason a team is going to be late it is courtesy to notify the opposing team.

If a team is not present by 8.35pm, the FULL MATCH POINTS (i.e. 9-0) will be awarded to the team present. If both teams fail to be present the match will be deemed as void (with no points awarded). Please remember that the object of this league is to PLAY POOL. Any teams/players continually claiming games will not receive a favourable response from the committee.

If a team or player/players are arriving late it is courtesy to notify the opposing captain. DON'T FORGET THE OBJECT IS TO PLAY POOL AND NOT CLAIM MATCHES.

Please note the following regarding eligibility for knockout competitions:

In the event of any teams being level (i.e. joint 1st/2nd) at the end of the season, a play-off will be arranged to decide the final standings.

The match host is to provide referees for all the games. Captains should ensure that their players are conversant with the rules. Please use a sportsmanlike manner when refereeing.

Disciplinary Action will be taken against any team or player, who repeatedly behaves in an unacceptable manner. The severest penalty which can be incurred is for a team to be banned from participating in the league. Our aim is to promote a friendly, honourable, and competitive pool league, to this end offenders will be dealt with accordingly.

THE OXFORD (mile) INVITATION POOL LEAGUE is a friendly league in which the participants are expected to play their matches in a sporting manner. Players are reminded that when they play away from home they are to ensure that their conduct does not cause offence to their host. Please remember that the league does not entertain unsporting behaviour or grievances. In the event of a team having a genuine complaint against another team or player, the complaint must be sent to the League Secretary in writing within 48 hours of the incident. (Please note that disputes concerning matches will not be considered by the committee after the match has been completed).

COMMITTEE RULES

Any members of the committee found or reported to be involved in any form of personal gain will be suspended of all activities from the league, the committee will fully investigate the allegations and only when a full investigation has been carried out into the alleged offences will a final decision be made.

No committee members shall be involved in activities with any other league that operates on TUESDAY NIGHT.

Committee members consistently failing to attend meetings without a valid reason will be expelled from the committee.

All decisions made by the committee will be based on a majority vote.

There will be an Annual General Meeting at the end of every season which will be open to players and landlords who are registered members of the league.

Revised: November 2007 by Sheree Houseman.

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