Crawley Pool League

 

1.        NAME

The organisation will be known as the Crawley Pool League, hereinafter referred to as the League

2.        OBJECTIVES

1.        To promote and organise the game of pool in Sussex in an area covering seven miles in all directions from Crawley town centre.

2.        To ensure the game is played in a sportsmanlike manner.

3.        To be a non-profit making organization.

4.        To be fully affiliated to the English Pool Association through the Sussex County Pool Association.

 

3.        MEMBERSHIP

1.        Membership is open to all pool players over the age of 14 years (if under the age of 18 years they may not be permitted into certain public houses) providing they are not suspended by the Committee of this League or any other League affiliated to the English Pool Association.

2.        Membership is open to all teams (a minimum of seven players constitutes a team) from pubs or clubs within the prescribed area.

3.        Application for team membership must be made on the Entrance Forms provided and received by the League Secretary by the date published and must be accompanied by the applicable fee.

4.        All players wishing to take part in any of the league competitions must complete and submit an individual entry form within 2 weeks of the committee publishing the competition dates and by the published closing date.

5.        A team may add to its members at any time up to six weeks before the last scheduled match night. A maximum of 15 players may be registered to play for a team at any one time. New members may only play for a team after 3 days have elapsed from registration.

6.        A player may transfer only once in any season for a fee of £3, but this may only be up to the end of the first half of the season. Transfers after that will only be permitted if the Committee of the League grants such transfer under special circumstances. Transferred players may only play for a new team after three days have elapsed from the date of the transfer providing the transfer’s fee has been paid.

7.        A player wishing to transfer must inform their current Captain of the transfer prior to their new Captain making an application for transfer.

8.        Players who are suspended by the League Committee may not take part in any League event until the suspension is lifted or has expired.

9.        Two registered players from each team are entitled to a vote at an AGM. All registered players are entitled to vote at an EGM.

10.     The League shall pay part or full entry into the Champion of Champions Tournament at the discretion of the committee. The League Champions and the Men's and Lady's singles winners will be entered. In the event that those entered do not attend this Tournament the League shall be entitled to ask for reimbursement from the players in question.

 

4.        MANAGEMENT

1.        The management of the League will be vested in a committee elected each year at the AGM.

2.        The Committee will consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and 5 general members.

3.         All Officers and Committee Members must stand down at the end of each year and may stand for re-election if they so wish.

        The main duties of the Officers of the League are as follows: -

     

Chairman’s Duties.

 

·         To ensure that the main objectives of the League are achieved.

 

Vice-Chairman’s Duties

 

·         To stand in for the Chairman when called upon to do so.

 

 

 

 

Treasurer’s Duties

 

·         To maintain the League Accounts and to keep an updated record of all added income as advised by the League Secretary.

·         To sign all cheques along with a counter signature from either the Chairman or League Secretary.

·         To present an annual Balance Sheet to the AGM.

 

Secretary’s Duties

 

·         To handle all correspondence pertaining to the League.

·         To ensure that the minutes of all meetings are recorded.

·         To maintain a list of all teams and registered players.

·         To share responsibility with the Treasurer to collect all monies for the League from whatever source.

·         To set the League schedule for the season and to maintain League Tables. Also to set all tournament dates and venues and issue such information to team Captains.

·         To issue membership cards and process all new registrations and transfers.

·         To inform the Chairman of any disputes and inform team Captains and/or players of the date of any meetings called to settle such disputes.

·         To organise and issue the League Handbook and to act on the League's behalf when obtaining new sponsorship for League events.

 

5.        COMMITTEE RULES

1.        At least 5 members of the Committee must be present at any meeting to form a quorum.

2.        The Committee may remove any member, from the Committee who has been deemed to be acting against the best interests of the League or for persistent non-attendance of meetings.

3.        The Committee may co opt new members to replace those who have been removed or who have withdrawn.

4.        No member of the Committee, who has a direct interest in decisions to be made at a meeting, may sit at that meeting.

5.        The Committee will decide on all disputes or complaints concerning any team or member of the League. Their decisions will be final and binding.

6.        All complaints must be sent to the League Secretary in writing. Verbal complaints cannot be entertained.

7.        All complaints will be put before the committee at the nearest committee meeting following the complaint being received in writing. Most committee meetings are held on the first Monday of every month.

8.        Any team or player that has a proposal for the League Annual General Meeting must present the same in writing to the League Secretary at least 14 days prior to the-meeting

9.        An Emergency General Meeting may be requested in writing by any team or player for a specific matter relating to the League. At least 5% of the registered players of the League must sign such a request, which must give a detailed account of the matter needed to be discussed. Only the matter in question will be discussed at the subsequent EGM when it is called.

 

6.        MATCH RULES

1.      The League will play all matches on Wednesday evenings starting at 8.00 pm.

2.      All players names for frames 1-7 must be entered on the result card by no later than 8.15 pm. unless both Captains have made a prior agreement. All players’ names for frames 8-10 must be entered on the results card once frames 1-7 have been played.

3.      The 'home' team enters their player's names first on the result card and are responsible for table costs.

4.      Once a player's name has been entered on the result card no alterations can be made unless agreed by both Captains If a player is called to the table to play and is not present he/she must be given a 5 minute 'grace' period to arrive, after which time the frame shall be forfeited.

5.      Matches will consist of 10 single frames. One point is awarded for each frame won.  Any changes to the format can be changed at the AGM but the changes do not take effect until one year after the forthcoming season.

6.      Three players must be present to constitute a team. Failure to have three players present will result in the match being referred to the committee (see rule 7. 4).

7.      Home team captain to toss a coin with Away team captain to call heads or tails. Winning captain to choose to break in frames 1/3/5/7/9 or 2/4/6/8/10. No amendments to be made to the names in frames 1 -7 once this has been done.

8.      Ranking points will only be awarded on the result of your first frame played. Any additional frames will be awarded a match point but will not be recognised in the rankings.

9.      Any team found playing a non-registered or a suspended player is liable to lose that match to their opponents. The Committee will decide on what action is to be taken after taking all relevant matters into consideration. This may result in team suspension, points being taken away or any other action deemed appropriate.

10.   A player may only be registered to play for 1 team at any one time.

11.   The home and away team Captains are responsible for getting the match result to the League Secretary by whatever means and as soon after the match as is possible, but certainly no later than Saturday following the match. No excuses will be accepted now that there are so many ways in which results can be submitted. Result Cards can be sent by post, scanned and e-mailed or delivered in person to the League Secretary following matches. The card must be submitted even if the result has been communicated by another means.

12.    Failure to submit a result by the time stated, together with failure to get the result card to the League Secretary, will result in a £5 penalty being imposed.

13.   In addition to the £5 fine there will be one point deducted for every ‘subsequent’ occasion a team fails to submit the result card on time. This will mean for a 2nd offence 1 point deducted, 3rd time 2 points deducted, 4th time 3 points and so on, increasing by 1 point on each and every further occasion.

14.   The fine must be paid within 4 weeks of issue. If the fine is not paid before this time the matter will be brought before the committee and the team will be suspended until such time as the fine is paid. If a team is suspended the Committee will, at the same time, determine the action to be taken regarding matches not played during the suspension.

15.   If a team withdraws or is suspended from the League then all points from previous matches involving that team will be withdrawn and the match night will become a 'bye'

 

7.        POSTPONEMENTS

A team may request a postponement of a match by giving at least 48 hours notice to the opposing Captain. The exception to this is a postponement on the evening of a match due to it not being practical to play because of another event at the venue (e.g. football on TV not allowing enough room to play). Both Captains can agree to postpone the match as long as the match has not begun.

1.        Emergencies are acceptable reasons for a postponement but shortage of players is not.

2.        All postponed matches must be played within 4 weeks of the original date.

3.        Any Match not played will go to the Committee, who will decide what action is to be taken.

4.        No team may request a postponement of a match within the last 4 weeks of the season but matches may be rearranged for another evening in the same week.

5.        All arrangements, agreed upon by both team Captains regarding a postponement must be made known to the League Secretary as a matter of courtesy.

6.        If a Team does not fulfil a fixture and does not go through the correct procedures, that Team will incur a £20.00 fine, which must be paid within 4 weeks of being issued.  On failure to do so or committing the same offence twice will result in expulsion from the League.

 

8.        SUSPENSIONS

1.        Teams who have been suspended or who withdraw from the League or fail to pay any fine(s) will not be permitted to rejoin the League for one season. Only special dispensation by the Committee can alter this.

2.        Players who are suspended by the League Committee may not take part in any League event until the suspension is lifted.

9.        TOURNAMENTS

1.        All individuals are responsible for their entry into each competition. Individuals who fail to attend and fail to inform their opponent, opponents Captain or the venue will be banned from entering competitions in the following season.

2.        All tournaments must be played on the advertised dates.

3.        Tournaments will be played on Tuesdays and Thursdays or as advertised. Entry Forms for tournaments will be found in the team folders and will be available from the League Secretary.

4.        In the Three-Person Team competition only 1 current County player may play in any one team and all members of the Three-Person Team must be from the same registered League Team.

5.        In Doubles/Mixed Doubles competitions any 2 registered players of the League may enter as a team.

6.        In Doubles/Mixed Doubles competitions if a partner is unable to play then a replacement is permitted but only prior to the 1st Round or Preliminary Round if applicable. Thereafter the replacement player must remain in the partnership.

7.        In Doubles/Mixed Doubles both players must be present when called to play.

8.        In the Chairman's Cup the competition is restricted to Captains and Secretaries only.

9.        All draws to be done by the draw committee which will consist of at least 3 members from the current elected committee.

 

 

10.  TOURNAMENT FORMATS

1.     Teams drawn first will be deemed as the home team and enter names onto card first.

2.     Any matches drawn on the night i.e. singles/doubles will follow the same format. A coin is tossed to determine the option to break first or second. The player with the first break shall also break in frame 3 (and 5 if necessary).

3.     Team knockout will be played as the best of 10 frames with a one frame playoff in the event of a draw. Captain to decide who plays. Final will be played as best of 20 frames - two sets of 10, again with a one frame playoff in the event of a draw.

4.     All losing teams from the preliminary and 1st round will go through to the consolation cup. This will be played in the same format as the team knockout.

5.     All Divisional singles matches will be played as the best of 5 frames

6.     Mixed Doubles. Scotch doubles format, with players taking alternate shots to be played. All eliminating rounds are best of 3 with a best of 5 final.

7.     Doubles. All eliminating rounds to play best of 3 with a best of 5 final.

8.     Chairman’s cup. 4 frames with each captain and secretary playing each other. In the event of a draw there will be one double match decider.

9.     Ladies Singles. All eliminating rounds to play best of 3 with a best of 5 final.

10.  Three-man. Home Team to play 123 123 123 Away Team to play 123 231 312

11.  League Singles. 1st round best of 3, 2nd round best of 5, semi final best of 7 and the final best of 9

 

11.     PLAYING RULES

The playing rules for the League will be the amended World Eight Ball Pool Federation Rules as laid out in a separate booklet in your folder.

 

12.     CONDUCT

1.        All players should conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner.

2.        The Team Captain will be held responsible for the conduct of team members and supporters at all times. This rule also applies to Presentation Evening.

3.        Team Captains must inform their players/guests that smart dress only will be permitted at the Presentation Evening.

 

12.     DUTIES OF CAPTAINS AND SECRETARIES 

1.        To inform their players of all fixture dates and venues for League matches. They should also inform their players of tournaments, entry dates and playing dates. They should arrange that a copy of the League Fixtures and all tournament draws are available for their players. These can be obtained from the League Secretary or can be printed from the League Web-site.

2.        To arrange for all appropriate Registration Fees to be paid for their team entry into the League, these should be delivered to the League Secretary before any relevant closing dates.

3.        Captains must sign Result Cards for each match after checking that the details are correct both Captains’ must initial any alterations. ‘Home’ teams Captains/Secretaries are responsible for getting match results, and the delivery of Result Cards, to the League Secretary.

4.        To ensure the eligibility of their team members, this includes ensuring that every player has signed his or her own Membership Card at the start of the season and particularly before playing in any match.

5.        Any Captain may, if they have doubts about a player's eligibility to play, request to see that player's Membership Card; if the card is not signed the player is NOT eligible to play.

6.        To inform the Landlord/Landlady/Manager of their home venue of any dates that the League has arranged for the use of their venue for any tournaments.

7.        To arrange through their Landlord/Landlady/Manager that the pool table(s) to be used are clean and level.

 

 

 

 

13.     NEW TEAMS

 

1.        All new teams must start in the lowest division of the League.

2.        Any team that has 5 or more players from the previous season's team may not enter as a new team. They may, however, be allowed to enter under a new team name and/or from a new venue.

3.        New teams who have entered the League in the lowest division because they have less than 5 players from the previous season may not, at a later date, register other players from that previous season.

14.     DISPUTES

 

1.        All disputes arising during a match will, in the first instance, be decided by the referee calling both players ONLY together to try and settle the dispute. Failure to arrive at an agreement must result in the frame being stopped and the matter should then be reported to the League Secretary who will consult the Committee for a decision. The match can continue.

2.        The Committee shall rule on any disputes and their decision shall be final.

3.        The Committee will not get involved in any disputes with a Landlord/ Landlady/ Manager where a player is refused entry into a pub or club.

4.        Some pubs/clubs do not allow junior players and if a team has a junior player (under 18 years) then the Captain must clarify in advance with whoever is in charge of the venue they are visiting.

5.        If a team is refused entry to a venue on match night the two Captains must set a new date for the match to be played and decide at which venue. Such matches must take place Within 4 weeks of the original date.

 15.  REFEREES

1.        All frames must be refereed in League Matches with the 'home' team going first and alternating thereafter. 

2.        It is desirable that tournaments should also be refereed. In the past, where referees are not called upon, disputes have arisen and the League will not enter into any disputes where referees are not used.

3.        Any players, asked to referee, should be conversant with the playing rules.

4.        The referee's decision is final, unless a playing rule is in doubt. In which case the referee should attempt to get in contact with the League Secretary, or any other League Official, for guidance.

5.        A player can ask the referee for a ruling before playing a shot but the referee should only give that ruling and not give any other advice about the shot to be played or any other advice that can be construed as coaching. (Refer to Referee guidelines and duties).

6.        A referee should not allow a player to waste time over a shot or a visit.

7.        'Home' teams are responsible for the provision of a stopwatch for doubles matches. A warning must be given after 30 seconds have elapsed from the balls coming to rest and then failure to play a shot within one minute means the visit is passed back to the opponents with two visits given The shot may be played from where the cue ball lies or the cue ball may be lifted and played from baulk.

 

16.     PERPETUAL TROPHIES

1.        All perpetual shields or trophies will remain the property of the League and must be returned to the League Secretary at least 4 weeks before the close of the season

2.        Failure to return such trophies will result in charges being imposed on teams/individuals to cover the cost of replacement. Failure to pay such costs will result in the team/individual not being allowed to rejoin the League.

3.        Perpetual shields /trophies may be displayed in a safe place at the winner’s venue.

4.        The team is responsible for team trophies whilst the individual is responsible for any individual trophies.

 

17.     DIVISIONS

1.        The League will be constructed of Divisions according to the number of teams who have registered in any one season.

2.        Promotions or relegations will depend on the number of entries for the season but the League Committee will endeavor to maintain a 3 up / 3 down system.