Rules

League Fees

  1. Sponsor fees are $20 per team for each per session and must be paid by the fourth week of play.
  2. Player fees are $6 per night and must be paid on the night of play. New teams joining in the second session must pay $7 per player. Teams which do not play the second session must pay $72 if they wish to participate in the end of year tournament.
  3. Teams with Byes must send in the completed league envelope with $36. This is due like a normal play week and subject to the same penalties if late.
  4. One win will be taken away if the league envelope is received late and another if the sheet is incomplete
  5. There are no sanction fees.

Player Information

  1. Team rosters must be submitted by the end of the second week of play. Rosters may be submitted online from the home tab of www.tricityopenpoolleague.com
  2. Players added after the second night of play will not receive credit for wins unless they have been approved before the night of play
  3. All wins will be paid at $5 per win at the end of each season.

League Information and Team Responsibilities

  1. League nights are Tuesday at 7pm.
  2. League play will only be called off if there is a "Travel Not Advised" warning issued by NWS.
  3. The home team captain will collect $36 from each team totaling $72 for the match. The home team is responsible for any money shortages in the envelope and will be penalized 1 win if the envelope is not received by 5pm on Thursday following the match. The money will be put in the score envelope and dropped off in the collection box at approved locations.
    Note: Collins Credit Union is no longer accepting envelopes.
    Approved Drop Locations: (Envelopes must be turned in by 5pm Thursdays)
    • Cocktails 1625 Blairs Ferry, Marion
    • Additional locations are being looked into.
  4. All envelopes must have the completed score sheet and proper amount of money. This includes the date, team names, and first and last names of each player. Failure to write the complete first and last names of each player will result in the loss of one win. If the league, for any reason, does not receive the envelope with the completed scores and fees enclosed - the home team will forfeit the night and will still owe the league fees for both teams.
  5. Current scores and schedules are available online at www.tricityopenpoolleague.com
  6. This league allows free talk to anyone as long as it doesn't interfere with the flow of the match or the players who are shooting.
  7. The home team will allow the visiting team at least 20 minutes to practice on the match table prior to the first game.
  8. Only the team captain has the authority to protest a ruling. The protest shall be made in writing (please print legibly) and submitted to the league within 48 hours after the match.
  9. Any team that forfeits two weeks in a row may be expelled from the league. If a team is expelled, all wins and league fees will be forfeited to the league. Teams which voluntarily quit shall forfeit all wins and league fees to the league.

Sportsmanship

  1. The team captain, home team sponsor, or employee of the location must deal with an unruly individual, player, or non-player immediately. Please handle these situations in a friendly, but firm manner.
  2. To ensure good sportsmanship, a team or individual may be expelled for unbecoming conduct, poor sportsmanship, or any good reason considered to be detrimental to the league.
  3. Any parties so expelled may request a hearing. Whatever findings are rendered in said meeting will be considered final and no additional resources will be made available to said individual.

Coaching

  1. Once a coach is designated, the coach will be the same person for the course of the entire night. The coach must be a member of that team, but does not have to be the captain.
  2. The coach can only discuss the shot with the two players shooting with a time limit of 1 minute.
  3. Each team may call one time out per game. A time out must be called by one of the two players shooting or the team coach. Captains can not call a timeout unless they are the coach or shooter.
  4. The coach may not use a time out to call a foul.

Byes and Forfeits

  1. Six wins will be granted to teams receiving a bye. Nine wins will be granted to teams receiving a forfeit.
  2. If a team fails to have at least two players show by 7:30pm (cell time) that team will forfeit the night. If there are two players available, then the match may begin. If two additional players don't show up by the end of the first game, the night will be forfeit regardless of the first games outcome. A team needs at least four players to play. If there are only four players by the end of the second game, the games the missing players would have played will become wins for their opponents.
  3. The captain of the receiving team must send in the league envelope with their team fees and completed score sheet with the team and player names and indicate if the match was a bye or forfeit.
  4. Teams which forfeit are responsible for turning in their fees to the league. Unpaid fees will be deducted from the payout.
  5. No wins will be given to any team unless the league receives the score sheet and fees.

Equipment

  1. Home teams decide the use of table equipment - table surface, ball condition, cue ball size, etc.
  2. Both teams will have the opportunity, if time permits, to play one game on the table to be used before the match begins. To ensure enough time, players are encouraged to arrive early.

League Players

  1. To play in the Tri City Open Pool League, players must be 21 years of age and be on a team roster.
  2. A team roster with full player names and the captain's phone number must be turned in by the end of the second week of play. It is very important for teams to keep their rosters current. Only players on the team roster are eligible to play. A digital roster form is available on the league website.
  3. A legal team consists of six regular members and up to three substitutes.
  4. Substitutes may not be shared between teams.
  5. A substitute may be added the night of play with the approval of the league before the match begins. If an individual is not approved prior to play, then all games the ineligible player was involved in will be losses.
  6. Sponsors are allowed to sub on any team they sponsor. They may not sub for a player of the opposite sex in any position or tournament match.
  7. No new players will be allowed after the tenth week of play without one week advance notice and approval by the league.
  8. If a team is scheduled to play at a location that a player is barred from, a sub must be used.
  9. A player must play in at least six weeks in either the first or second session in order to qualify for the end of year city tournament. Alternatively, a player can qualify by playing seven weeks split between the first and second sessions as long as it is for the same team.

Line Ups and Starting Times

  1. Players will be written on the score sheet by the team captain or acting captain. A second score sheet, not an envelope, will be provided to the opposing team for their tracking and reference.
  2. All times are considered actual time (cell phone time) not bar time.
  3. Starting time is 7pm Forfeit time is 7:30pm.
  4. A team needs at least four players to play. If there are two players available by 7:30pm, the match may begin. If two additional players don't show up by the end of the first game, the night will be forfeit regardless of the outcome of the first game. If there are only four players by the end of the second game, the games the missing players would have played will become wins for their opponents.

The Game

Games are played by "Call Pocket" rules. All shots will be called or indicated in a manner in which there is no doubt as to the intended ball and pocket of the shot. Only the ball and pocket have to be indicated. Banks, kisses, and tips do not have to be called.
  1. The cost of the games will be paid equally by both teams. If the table cost is not evenly divisible, the home team will pay the extra quarter.
  2. The away team breaks first and then alternate breaks for each game afterwards.
  3. The balls will be racked by the opposing team. Racks must be reasonably tight with the head ball placed on the spot. The 8 ball must be in the middle and the foot balls (back corners) must be opposite - solid and stripe. The remaining balls will be reasonably mixed.
  4. When breaking, the cue ball must be completely behind the head string, not half in half out. The opposing team may warn the breaker if the ball is not in the kitchen, but it is not a foul unless the warning is ignored and the player continues to break with the cue ball out of the kitchen.
  5. The game is considered started when the person breaking hits the rack with the cue ball and drives three or more numbered balls into a cushion or pockets one or more numbered balls.
  6. If the breaker fails to get a legal break twice, the opposing team will break.
  7. Pocketing the 8 ball on a legal break is not a win, loss, or foul. The sponsor will pay for the game and the shooter will have the option to re-rack and break again or spot the 8 ball and continue shooting with the remaining balls left in position.
  8. Pocketing the 8 ball on a legal break and scratching is a foul, but not a loss. The sponsor will pay for the game and the incoming shooter will have the option to re-rack and break or spot the 8 ball and shoot with the cue ball in the kitchen. Legal balls to shoot at must be fully outside of the kitchen.
  9. If the player breaking commits a foul on the break (shoots a ball off the table or pockets the cue ball) then the opponent will receive ball-in-hand in the kitchen with an open table. Object balls shot off the table remain out of play except the 8 ball, which will be spotted.
  10. The table is considered open after the break, regardless of any balls pocketed. The table will remain open until a player legally pockets a numbered ball.
  11. Mixed combinations (hitting a solid to make a stripe) are allowed while the table is open.
  12. The 8 ball is never neutral,
  13. All balls pocketed, legally or not, remain pocketed.
  14. The 8 ball must be called. If the 8 ball goes into any pocket, other than the one called, the player loses the game, except on the break
  15. If the cue ball goes into a pocket or is shot off the table it is a ball-in-hand foul, except on the break. Any numbered ball (except the 8) which leaves the table will be pocketed and result in a ball-in-hand foul and play goes to the opponent.
  16. If the 8 ball leaves the table during a players non-breaking turn it will be a loss for the shooter.
  17. When a ball is shot off the table and a player picks it up they must hand the ball to the player shooting next. Only the incoming player is allowed to place the ball on the table. Anyone else putting a ball on the table when it is not their turn will receive a sportsmanship violation and may be suspended from future games.
  18. Scoop shots (when the cue strikes underside of the cue ball) are illegal and result in a ball-in-hand foul when intended to make the cue ball jump over another ball.
  19. Jump shots (striking the cue ball on the top side to make it jump over another ball) are allowed.
  20. If a player moves any numbered ball at any time other than by legal play, the opponent has the option of leaving the ball where it stopped or returning that ball to its original position (or as close as possible) and the same player will continue. If the ball is accidentally pocketed or the player who moved the ball moves it back without permission from their opponent, it will be a ball-in-hand foul.
  21. Any team which shoots out of turn will result in loss of game. Any player shooting out of turn will also be loss of game.

Legal Shots

  1. The player shooting must hit one of their balls first and then either pocket their ball or cause any ball to contact a rail. On an open table, first contact must be made with a numbered ball other than the 8.
  2. At least one foot must remain in contact with the floor while shooting. If both feet leave the floor during the shot it will be a ball-in-hand foul.
  3. Rule of 45 - if the distance between the cue ball and an object ball is less than an inch (about the width of a chalk block) then the player must shoot with the cue stick held at a 45 degree angle or greater from the direction of the object ball. The direction may be vertical or horizontal or in between. The opponent player must tell the shooter of the rule before the shot or it will be considered a legal shot. If the shooter continues to shoot without adjusting the angle it will be a ball-in-hand foul.
  4. Frozen Ball - When a ball is touching a rail, the opposing shooter must call a frozen ball before the player shoots. If the player shooting decides to shoot the frozen ball, they must hit the frozen ball and then either pocket a numbered ball or cause any ball (including the cue) to contact a rail other than the one the ball is frozen to. Failure to do so will result in a ball-in-hand foul.

Actions which result in a ball-in-hand foul

  1. Failure to make a legal shot as defined in the Legal Shots section.
  2. Any time the cue ball goes into a pocket or off the table, except on the break.
  3. Moving the cue ball by any means other than legal play. Positioning the cue ball after a foul with the cue stick is allowed as long as the tip does not touch the cue ball.
  4. Stopping the or touching the cue ball before it stops moving.
  5. When shooting the 8 ball, no ball may be stopped or moved in any manner or it will be a loss of game. Players must wait until all balls have stopped moving.
  6. Only the four players involved in the game may call a foul.
  7. When a foul is called, the shooting player must stop shooting until the foul is resolved. If the player continues to shoot after a foul is called, it will be loss of game.
  8. Only the player shooting may place the cue ball on the table. If the shooting player's partner positions the cue ball or touches it after it has been placed on the table, it will be a ball-in-hand foul for their opponents. The coach may not touch the cue ball or any other ball on the table.
  9. While positioning the cue ball, if the cue ball contacts another ball it will result in a ball-in-hand foul.

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