9-Ball LTC Rules. June 6&7, 2015

Transcription

1 9-Ball LTC Rules Captain Information Packet June 6&7, 2015 Location: Players Billiards, 536 Hope Road, Eatontown, NJ Congratulations on qualifying for the 2015 Local Team Championships (LTC) The top team will qualify for the 9-Ball National Team Championships in Las Vegas in August! Only the players on your team when you completed the spring session are eligible to play in the LTC. The LTC is the finale of the previous 3 sessions. If you have replaced some of your players or have new APA members on your team in the current session, they are not eligible to participate in the LTC. Skill level used is the highest session ending handicap since the session you qualified BUT IF YOU HAVE GONE UP IN SUMMER YOU MUST MARK WHAT YOUR CURRENT SKILL LEVEL IS IF IT IS HIGHER! Format: Modified Single Elimination, match is complete when the opposing team cannot possibly win the match. No ghost players can be used. Each player must have a minimum of 4 matches played during the spring season to be eligible for this tournament and 10 lifetime matches completed by the end of spring in the format you are playing in. Good Luck and Good Shooting! Dawn Hopkins APA League Operator

2 Tournament Schedule Day Round Start Time Must Be On-Site By Saturday 1 10:30am 10am Saturday 2 1:30pm 1:15 pm Saturday 3 4:30pm 4:15 Sunday 4 10:30am 10:15pm Sunday 5 1:30pm 1:15pm Sunday 6 4:30pm 4:15pm LTC Rules Match will be forfeited 15 minutes after match is called. The tournament director will determine the official forfeit time. DO NOT LEAVE THE TOURNAMENT SITE BETWEEN MATCHES WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE TOURNAMENT DESK. Continuous Play: When a match is finished, teams should be ready to put up the next player and start immediately. No breaks allowed between matches. If players are on-deck and they want to take a break, they should do so early enough so they can be back BEFORE the prior match completes. No Slow Play: Players should allow no more than 30 seconds between each shot. Slow play could result in a ball-in-hand foul or loss of game. Please note that matches starting 30 minutes or more past their scheduled time may be required to play the first two matches simultaneously on two different tables (at tournament director s discretion). 1. Players on the Watch List: Any player with a W by his or her name must have an observer present before the start of the match. Team captains are responsible for notifying the tournament director BEFORE that player starts their match. 2. Declaring Players: Once a player has been declared by both teams in a match, the players cannot be changed unless a 23 rule or originality rule is in jeopardy. 3. Checking IDs: All players must have a current, certified picture ID. Prior to the lag for each match, players have the right to request ID for their opponent. If the player does not have ID at that time, the team will forfeit that individual match, and that player without ID will not be eligible to play for the remainder of that match. The opponent (who requested the ID) remains eligible to play later in that match. If ID is not requested prior to the match, but during the match, and the player s identity becomes questionable, both players must finish the current game, and then ask for a tournament official to verify the opponent s ID before continuing. 4. Coaching: A player may receive only one coach (time-out) per game. If the coach, captain, or any member of the team suggests a time-out to the player, the time-out must be taken. Mark all time-outs with a T on your score sheet. Coaches may place the cue

3 ball for the player in a ball-in-hand situation during a coaching time-out. If the player or the coach fouls in the process of placing the cue ball, it will be ball-in-hand for the opponent. Coaches may not mark the playing surface of the table, or guide the shooter s cue. The coach must leave the playing area before the shooter attempts the shot. Only the captain or an eligible player on your team may act as coach. 5. Common Players: When players qualify on more than one team, the following rules will apply: a. If all players on both teams are common, but one team has an extra player, the team with the extra player automatically advances. b. When teams have both common and uncommon players, matches will be determined by an odd number of matches between the uncommon players. Common players would advance with the winners of the match. If the team captain is a common player, he or she is not allowed to decide who plays who. In that case, the player selection is to be made by uncommon players. 6. Skill Levels: The APA is the sole judge of a player s ability, and may at any time raise or lower a player s skill level. It is especially important that the skill level at which you participate in this event reflects your true ability according to the national rules and standards. This is your responsibility. You are advised by the APA to make certain that you and your teammates fully understand and conscientiously follow all of the rules and standards. If you feel that you or one of your teammates is playing at a level above the level he qualified with, it is your responsibility to discuss this with the league office prior to the start of play, so that the player can be adjusted accordingly. 7. Forfeit Times: Forfeits will be awarded 15 minutes after a match has been called. Every effort will be made to locate the team before a forfeit is declared, however it is the team s responsibility to be on-site and available when their match is called. The tournament director will determine the match times and when a forfeit is official. 8. Team Disqualification Procedure: If higher level tournament play is to be truly meaningful and rewarding, then those who play below their true ability must be penalized. The league operators will review the performance of the teams and players throughout the tournament and make skill level adjustments as necessary. The league operators will investigate complaints and review elevated skill levels to determine the eligibility status of the team(s) involved. This is one of the few tournaments where the league operator gets to actually see the player s ability. a. Teams may be disqualified at any time during or after tournament play if the league operator concludes that the team members have, without justification, played below their true ability. It is up to the disqualified team to provide an explanation or justification for elevated skill levels. b. In order to conduct a fair and equal tournament for all APA players, the APA must ensure that all participants are playing at skill levels that reflect their true ability. Handicap manipulation compromises the fairness and integrity of the league and will not be tolerated. Accordingly, the APA may disqualify any team if, in the APA s sole judgment and absolute discretion, one or more of its players are deemed by the APA to be playing at a skill level below their true ability. This determination is necessarily subjective and will be based on the experience of the tournament official. The APA is the sole judge of a

4 player s ability and all decisions are final. Disqualification will mean forfeiture of all titles, awards, prize money, and a possible suspension from the league. 9. Sudden Death 8-Ball Format: This format will be implemented 3 hours and 45 minutes into the match, matches not begun will go into sudden death. The first game in sudden death is worth 2 points. If that does not determine a winner, a 2 nd game is played is worth 1 point. If this is not the 5 th match and there is not a winner determined, the same is done in the next match. If there is still a tie after the 5 th match, the team who has won 3 out of 5 matches is the winner (whoever wins the 2 point game in sudden death is considered the winner of that match) When the sudden death format is used, all other league rules apply to player selection. 10. Sudden Death 9-Ball Format: This format will be implemented 3 hours into the match, if the teams have not already started their 5 th match. All un-played matches from this point forward will have each object ball pocketed worth double (2 points for a regular ball, and 4 points for the 9-ball). If the score is tied after the 5 th match, the team who has won 3 out of 5 matches wins. All other sudden death rules apply as mentioned above. 11. Scorekeeping 8-Ball: Score sheets must be kept by a member of both teams or by an official scorekeeper. Once the opposing team cannot win the match, the match is over. Do not finish out any un-played games. Please make sure you mark all break-and-runs, and 8-on-the-break. Score sheets must be signed and turned into the control table to receive credit for match wins. Refusal to sign a score sheet does not affect any match protests. It is the responsibility of the winning team to make sure the control table receives the proper score sheets. 12. Scorekeeping 9-Ball: Score sheets must be kept by a member of both teams or by an official scorekeeper. Once one team has reached 51 points, or 50 points with 3 match wins, the match is over. Do not finish out that individual match. Simply mark that match as Not Finished. Please make sure you mark all balls pocketed, dead balls, break-andruns, and 9-on-the-breaks. Score sheets must be signed and turned into the control table to receive credit for match wins. Refusal to sign a score sheet does not affect any match protests. It is the responsibility of the winning team to make sure the control table receives the proper score sheets Ball: MARK YOUR POCKET!!! Teams are required to mark the pocket for the 8-ball. Do not mark the pocket with chalk. 14. Defensive Shots: Teams are required to mark defensive shots. If it is determined that a team is not marking defensive shots, the tournament director may place the entire team on watch and possibly raise some players. 15. Senior Players (9-Ball Only): Only 2 senior skill level players may play in any given team match. Senior skill level players are those players who have a skill level of 6 or higher. 16. Protests: All protests must be made to the league operators in a calm and professional manner by the team captain. There is a $25 filing fee for any protest, which is refundable if the team wins the protest. Any team / player disrupting the tournament, causing a scene, or causing other problems at or around the tournament site will lose the right for a protest and may be asked to leave. The league operator will resolve all issues on the spot. The APA is the highest authority, and any decisions will be final. a. Two common violations of good sportsmanship are conceding an unfinished game and undoing a cue stick during play. Both forms of conduct are frowned

5 upon by professionals, and should be eliminated from amateur play. All players are asked to allow opponents to finish the game before racking the balls or undoing your cue. b. Another violation concerns fouls. A foul is a foul and should be observed as such. Occasionally a player feels that a foul is only a foul if he gets caught. This is not the case. Professional players call fouls on themselves. Likewise, good sportsmanship in the amateur ranks requires a player to admit a mistake and inform their opponent when they have fouled. However, it is ultimately each player s responsibility to protect himself or herself, so please pay attention to the match. 17. Don t Root Against The Other Team: It is okay and encouraged for you to root for your team during a match. Out of courtesy to the other team, please do not root against the other team out loud. 18. Cell Phones / Ear Pieces: Cell phones may NOT be used by any player in a match. Team members not currently playing may only use their cell phones if they leave the match site. Absolutely no ear pieces are allowed during play. This includes, but is not limited to, ipods, blue tooth devices, etc. 19. Handicap Reviews: If anyone wants their skill level reviewed prior to the tournament, all requests must be called to or ed to dawnhopkins@jerseyshoreapa.com, and received by league office no later than the Thursday before the tournament. Any handicap reviews received after that will be done as time permits. ABSOLUTELY NO HANDICAPS WILL BE DISCUSSED VERBALLY AT THE TOURNAMENT. ANY PLAYER VERBALLY COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR OPPONENT S HANDICAP WHILE THAT PLAYER S MATCH IS IN PROGRESS WILL BE CONSIDERED SHARKING AND MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE TOURNAMENT SITE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TOURNAMENT. 20. Dress Code: Players may wear whatever they want, but clothing with offensive pictures or words will not be allowed. Captains are responsible for making sure their players adhere to this rule. Any player who, in the tournament director s opinion, is in violation of this rule, will be asked to leave the tournament site immediately, even if that player is in the middle of a match or about to play a match. If the player is the in the middle of a match, that match will be forfeited. 21. All general APA rules apply. Please review your team manual. All rules in the team manual will be enforced, even if they are not specifically mentioned above. Good Luck & Good Shooting

6 RULES OF CONDUCT The APA has established and will strictly enforce the following conduct rules for Higher Level Tournament play: 1. No loud, abusive or profane language will be tolerated at this tournament. You are in the League to have a good time and to enjoy some friendly competition. If you experience a problem, one of the tournament officials will address it; simply bring the matter to our attention. Remember that in each situation the ruling will favor one side against the other side, and it is required that each team or player accept official rulings without causing a scene. 2. Unsportsmanlike conduct directed to the opposing player, team, or tournament official is not allowed. 3. Anyone involved in an incident that includes either physical abuse or the throwing of an item in a dangerous manner will be disqualified immediately, and required to leave the tournament premises. 4. Hitting a cue against the table, wall, floor, etc., or recklessly swinging a cue will not be allowed. 5. Abusive behavior directed to the Tournament Director or any of his/her designates will not be tolerated. 6. Excessively slow play will not be tolerated. You will be warned before any penalty occurs. 7. Openly complaining (by any player on the team) about a player s skill level while that player is in the middle of a match will be considered sharking and will not be tolerated. The penalties for violating any of the categories detailed above are as follows: A warning may or may not be given, depending upon the severity of the situation. Penalty Level 1 Penalty Level 2 Penalty Level 3 Penalty Level 4 Your opponent will be given ball-in-hand. If the player is still shooting, or already has ball-in-hand, then that player will be allowed to shoot until missing, and then be given ball-in-hand again. Please note that this may carry over from one game to the next. Your opponent will be granted the game. In 9-Ball, your opponent will be granted the game, along with points for all balls remaining on the table. Your opponent will be granted the match. Your team will be disqualified from the tournament. Please note that if the violation or disturbance that caused the initial penalty level to be levied does not cease, the Tournament Director and/or designated assistant has the right to go from one penalty level to the next penalty level immediately. In addition, the Tournament Director and/or designated assistant has the right to skip a penalty level and go immediately to a higher level if the situation warrants it.