REDCAR & DISTRICT POOL LEAGUE Official League Rules

1. League Constitution & Structure 1.1 League Name, Area & Venues

The league shall be known as the Redcar & District Pool League.

The normal geographical boundary of the league shall be a 10-mile radius from Redcar Town Clock.

Any new team's home venue must normally be situated within this boundary.

Venues situated in the East Cleveland area will not be eligible to enter the league, even where they fall within the 10-mile boundary.

This exclusion is in place due to practical considerations affecting league players and teams, including, but not limited to:

Availability of public transport, particularly later in the evening; The cost and availability of taxis and other transport; Travel difficulties for players who do not have access to their own transport; Previous issues experienced by the league involving travel to and from these areas; and The practical impact of additional travel on teams and players.

All new venues must be approved by a vote at the AGM before being permitted to enter a team into the league. This applies to all new venues, whether they are situated inside or outside the normal 10-mile league boundary.

A new venue situated outside the normal league boundary may only be admitted where its entry is specifically approved by a vote at the AGM.

Approval shall be considered on an individual basis and shall not automatically extend the league boundary or create a precedent for other venues.

Change of Venue

An existing team may change its home venue between league seasons without requiring prior Committee approval, provided the new venue is already an approved league venue and otherwise meets the requirements of these rules.

If an existing team wishes to move between seasons to a venue that has not previously been approved for use by the league, that venue shall be treated as a new venue and must be approved in accordance with the AGM requirements above.

Once the league season has commenced, a team will only be permitted to change its home venue in very exceptional circumstances.

Any request for a mid-season venue change must be submitted to the Committee together with the reason for the requested change.

The team must receive Committee approval before playing any home fixture at the proposed new venue.

The Committee shall determine whether the circumstances are sufficiently exceptional to justify a mid-season change and whether the proposed venue is suitable for league play.

All venues must permit women and under-18 players to access the areas reasonably required to participate fully in league matches.

1.2 Divisions

The league shall consist of three divisions.

The Committee shall aim to maintain equal numbers of teams in each division wherever reasonably possible.

1.3 Promotion and Relegation

At the end of each season:

The bottom two teams in Division One shall be relegated to Division Two. The top two teams in Division Two shall be promoted to Division One. The bottom two teams in Division Two shall be relegated to Division Three. The top two teams in Division Three shall be promoted to Division Two.

Where teams fold, withdraw or division numbers otherwise require adjustment, the Committee may make reasonable changes to promotion and relegation arrangements to maintain the appropriate league structure.

1.4 New Teams

New teams entering the league shall be placed into the division considered appropriate by the Committee.

The Committee may take into account the known ability and previous experience of the players registered to the new team when determining its starting division.

1.5 Playing Rules

All league matches shall be played under Blackball Rules, subject to any specific local rules adopted by the Redcar & District Pool League.

2. AGM & Captains' Meetings 2.1 Annual General Meeting

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held each year.

Teams shall register for the forthcoming season in accordance with arrangements set by the Committee.

League fees shall become payable after the AGM, allowing teams to consider any rule changes agreed at the AGM before committing to the new season.

2.2 Proposed Rule Changes

Any person wishing to propose a rule change must have played in the Redcar & District Pool League during the previous season.

All proposed rule changes must be submitted to the Committee no later than 72 hours before the scheduled start time of the AGM.

Any proposal received after this deadline will not be considered at that AGM.

The person proposing the rule change must attend the AGM to present or support their proposal.

If the proposer does not attend the AGM, their proposed rule change will not be considered.

2.3 Captains' Meetings

Captains' meetings shall consist of at least two Committee members and a representative from each team.

Meetings shall normally take place at 19:00 on the first Thursday of each month, unless the Committee gives advance notice of an alternative date or time.

Each team must be represented at the captains' meeting.

If a team is unable to attend, they must notify the Committee prior to the meeting.

Each team shall be permitted one notified absence per season without penalty.

Once a team's permitted absence has been used, any further failure to attend a captains' meeting shall result in a five-point deduction from the team's league points for each meeting missed.

3. League Fees, Fines & Money Owed 3.1 Payment of League Fees

League fees must be paid either:

In full; or By the agreed monthly instalments at captains' meetings. 3.2 Arrears

Any team in arrears with league fees, fines, additional trophy money or any other money owed to the league shall be notified by the Committee.

From the date payment becomes overdue, the team shall not be permitted to play league fixtures at its home venue until all outstanding monies have been settled.

Where the team has a home fixture scheduled while money remains outstanding, the fixture shall, where possible, be reversed and played at the opposing team's venue.

Any fixture reversed under this rule shall not result in the corresponding future fixture being reversed or changed.

The original venue for the future fixture shall remain as scheduled. This means the team in arrears will lose the home fixture affected by this rule.

Where it is not possible or practical to reverse the fixture, the match shall be postponed and rearranged once the outstanding monies have been settled.

The restriction shall remain in place until the Committee confirms that all outstanding monies have been paid.

3.3 Suspension and Expulsion

If outstanding league fees, fines or other monies remain unpaid for 14 days after payment became due, the team shall automatically be suspended from all Redcar & District Pool League games and competitions.

During suspension, the team may not participate in league fixtures, cup matches or other team competitions.

Players registered to the suspended team shall also be ineligible for league-organised singles or doubles competitions while the suspension remains in place.

Where a player has already entered or qualified for a singles or doubles competition, they shall be removed from that competition if their scheduled match or competition night takes place while the suspension remains in force.

Players from a suspended team shall also be refused entry to new singles and doubles competitions.

Any team fixtures due during the suspension shall be postponed.

If the outstanding balance is paid in full, the suspension shall be lifted.

Players shall regain eligibility for future singles and doubles competitions from the date the suspension is lifted.

Any player already removed from a competition as a result of the suspension shall not be reinstated into that competition.

Any team fixtures postponed during the suspension shall be rearranged where appropriate.

If payment has still not been received by the next monthly captains' meeting, the team shall be expelled from the league.

The team remains responsible for all outstanding monies regardless of suspension or expulsion.

4. Player Registration & Transfers 4.1 Registration

A player must be properly registered and approved by the Committee before representing a team in a league or cup fixture.

4.2 Transfers During the First Half

Players may transfer between teams during the first half of the league season, subject to Committee approval.

A player who has played on one league night only during the current season may transfer to another team free of charge.

Once a player has played on two or more league nights during the current season, any subsequent transfer shall require payment of a £5 transfer fee.

For transfer-fee purposes, all league nights played by the player during the current season shall be counted cumulatively, regardless of which team or teams the player represented.

A player's appearance total shall therefore not reset following a transfer.

A transfer is not complete until approved by the Committee.

4.3 Halfway Stage and New Registrations

Once the league reaches the official halfway stage, no transfers shall be permitted between existing teams.

During the second half of the season, each team may register a maximum of two new players who are not already registered with another Redcar & District Pool League team.

Once a player has been registered, that registration counts as one of the team's two permitted registrations even if that player subsequently leaves, stops playing or becomes unavailable.

A team cannot replace that player in order to regain the registration.

All new registrations must be approved by the Committee before the player is eligible to play.

4.4 Final Two League Rounds

No new player registrations shall be permitted once the league reaches the final two scheduled league rounds.

The cut-off is determined by the official league fixture schedule regardless of postponed, rearranged or outstanding fixtures.

Outstanding fixtures played after the cut-off do not extend or reopen the registration period.

Players properly registered before the cut-off remain eligible for outstanding or rearranged fixtures, subject to all other eligibility rules.

4.5 Unregistered or Ineligible Players

A team fielding an unregistered, unapproved or otherwise ineligible player shall forfeit each frame in which that player participated.

The affected frame shall be awarded to the opposing team regardless of the original result.

If the player participated in more than one frame, each affected frame shall be forfeited.

If the player participated in the doubles frame, the entire doubles frame shall be forfeited.

Unaffected frames remain valid.

The team captain shall also be required to appear before the Committee, which may consider additional disciplinary action.

5. Venues, Tables & Equipment 5.1 Table Condition and Equipment Failure

The home venue must provide a pool table in reasonable and playable condition.

The table should be in general working order and the cloth must not contain significant rips or damage that materially affects play.

If the table, lighting or other essential equipment becomes unsuitable or unusable before or during a fixture, both captains should make reasonable efforts to allow the match to be played or completed.

Where another suitable table is available at the venue, the match may be transferred to that table by agreement between the captains.

Where the problem can reasonably be corrected within a short period, the captains should allow reasonable time for this to take place.

If the fixture cannot reasonably begin or continue, the match shall not automatically be awarded to either team.

Where play has already commenced, the score at the point play stops shall be recorded.

The matter shall then be referred to the Committee, which shall determine whether the fixture should be resumed from the recorded score, replayed or otherwise dealt with.

Any complaint regarding the condition of a table or equipment should be reported to the Committee.

5.2 Pool Balls

A recognised set of Blackball-style pool balls shall be used.

American-style spots and stripes shall not be used.

5.3 Food

The home team shall provide food for the visiting team on league match nights.

6. League Match Format 6.1 Match Format

Each league fixture shall consist of 11 frames:

10 singles frames; and 1 doubles frame.

One league point shall be available for each frame won.

6.2 Doubles

The doubles frame shall be played using Scotch Doubles rules.

6.3 Playing Order and Player Appearances

The home team captain shall complete their playing order first. The away team captain shall then complete their playing order.

Once both playing orders have been submitted, the order must be adhered to.

Players shall be recorded using their first initial and surname. Where two or more players have the same surname, their full first names must be recorded.

A player may play a maximum of two singles frames during a league fixture.

Once a player makes their second singles appearance, no player making their first singles appearance after that point may subsequently play a second singles frame.

Players who have already made their first singles appearance before the first player makes their second appearance may still make a second appearance later.

Example 1: If Player A plays Frames 1 and 2, players introduced in Frames 3–10 cannot subsequently play a second singles frame.

Example 2: If Player A plays Frames 1 and 6, players who have already appeared in Frames 1–5 may still make their second appearance later. For example, Player B could play Frames 2 and 7.

No player may play more than two singles frames in the same fixture.

6.4 Lag and Break

The players in Frame 1 shall lag to determine the break.

The winner may either:

Take the break; or Require their opponent to break. 6.5 Refereeing and Rules Disputes

The referee for each frame shall be provided by the team whose player breaks.

The referee's decision shall normally be final for the purposes of that frame.

Where there is uncertainty or disagreement regarding the correct application of a playing rule, play should be stopped before the next shot is taken.

The players, referee and captains should first consult the Blackball Rules available on the Redcar & District Pool League website.

If the disagreement cannot be resolved by consulting the published rules, a Committee member should be contacted for clarification before play continues.

Once clarification has been obtained, play shall continue in accordance with the ruling given.

This does not prevent the team captain from subsequently submitting a formal protest.

6.6 Coaching

Coaching is not permitted while a frame is in progress.

Coaching means giving a player advice, instruction or information intended to influence their choice of shot, shot execution, tactics or decision-making.

This includes verbal advice as well as deliberate gestures, signals or other communication intended to influence play.

Normal encouragement or reaction such as “good shot”, “unlucky”, applause or similar general support shall not normally be considered coaching provided it does not contain tactical advice or instruction.

Where the referee believes coaching has occurred, play should be stopped and the individuals concerned warned.

Repeated or deliberate coaching may be referred to the Committee for disciplinary action.

6.7 Incomplete Teams and Byes

Where a team cannot field enough players to fill all required singles frames, byes must be placed in the first available position in the playing order.

A bye cannot be moved to a later frame for tactical or convenience purposes.

After a bye has been entered, each available player must be entered before another bye can be entered.

For example, with four available players:

Frame 1 – Bye Frame 2 – Player 1 Frame 3 – Player 2 Frame 4 – Player 3 Frame 5 – Player 4 Frame 6 – Bye

The same process shall continue throughout the singles frames.

A bye counts as a frame win for the opposing player and a point towards the team result.

However, it shall not count towards the player's individual Most Wins statistics or equivalent individual win statistics.

7. Match Start Times & Late Arrival 7.1 Start Time

League fixtures shall commence at 20:00.

The first players should be available at the table ready to begin at this time.

7.2 Late Arrival

Where a team is running late, the captain should notify the opposing captain as soon as reasonably possible.

Where advance notice has been given, teams are encouraged to use common sense and reasonable discretion to allow the fixture to be played wherever possible.

It is in the interests of both teams and the league for fixtures to be decided at the table rather than through late-arrival rules.

Where both captains agree to allow additional time, the penalties below do not have to be applied.

Where no agreement is reached, or the opposing team has not been notified:

20:10 – Frame 1 forfeited 20:20 – Frame 2 forfeited 20:30 – Fixture declared void and referred to the Committee

Once a frame has been forfeited, it cannot subsequently be reinstated because the team arrives later.

If a team arrives at 20:15 and no alternative arrangement has been agreed, Frame 1 remains forfeited and play commences from Frame 2.

If a team arrives after 20:20 but before 20:30, Frames 1 and 2 remain forfeited and play commences from Frame 3.

If the team has still not arrived or cannot commence by 20:30, and no alternative arrangement has been agreed, the fixture shall be declared void and referred to the Committee.

8. Scorecards & Results 8.1 Scorecard Submission

Both teams are responsible for ensuring that an electronic copy of the completed scorecard is submitted via the league's Facebook arrangements.

Scorecards should be submitted as soon as possible after completion of the fixture, but no later than 10:00 on the day following the fixture.

Both captains are responsible for checking that the scorecard is complete and accurately reflects the result.

Where submitted scorecards contain conflicting information, the matter shall be referred to the Committee.

9. Cancellations & Outstanding Fixtures 9.1 Advance Cancellation and Rearrangement

Where a team is unable to fulfil a scheduled fixture, the League Secretary and opposing team must be notified as soon as reasonably possible.

A cancellation made more than 24 hours before the scheduled start time shall be treated as an advance cancellation.

The team cancelling the fixture shall be responsible for arranging the rearranged fixture with the opposing team.

The rearranged fixture should be offered for the first possible free week available to both teams.

The new date must be mutually agreed by both teams. Neither team shall be required to accept a date on which it cannot reasonably fulfil the fixture.

There is no fixed period within which the rearranged fixture must be played, subject to Rule 9.4.

A team may only have one fixture that it has itself cancelled awaiting completion at any one time.

Once a team has cancelled a fixture, that team shall not be permitted to cancel another fixture until the fixture it previously cancelled has been played.

This restriction applies only to fixtures cancelled by that team. It does not include fixtures cancelled by an opposing team.

A team may therefore have multiple outstanding fixtures where other teams have cancelled fixtures against it.

Example: If Team A cancels against Team B, Team A cannot cancel another fixture until the Team A v Team B match has been played. If Team C subsequently cancels against Team A, Team A may have two outstanding fixtures, but Team A has still only cancelled one fixture itself and has not breached this rule.

If the teams cannot mutually agree a suitable rearranged date, the matter shall be referred to the Committee, which shall set a date for the fixture.

9.2 Cancellation Within 24 Hours

Where a team cancels a fixture within 24 hours of the scheduled start time, the cancelling team shall receive a five-point deduction from its league points.

The cancelling team shall also pay £15 towards food costs.

Where the away team cancels, the £15 shall be paid to the home team.

Where the home team cancels, the £15 shall be paid to the league.

These penalties apply in addition to the requirement to rearrange and play the fixture.

The fixture shall not automatically be awarded to either team.

The cancelling team shall be responsible for arranging the rearranged fixture in accordance with Rule 9.1.

The rearranged fixture should be offered for the first possible free week available to both teams, and the new date must be mutually agreed.

Once a team has cancelled a fixture, whether more than or within 24 hours before the scheduled start, it cannot itself cancel another fixture until the fixture it previously cancelled has been played.

Fixtures cancelled by opposing teams do not count towards this restriction.

9.3 Rearranged Fixtures and Repeated Cancellations

A rearranged fixture shall be treated in the same way as an original scheduled fixture for the purposes of the cancellation rules.

Where a team has already cancelled a fixture that remains outstanding, that team cannot cancel another original or rearranged fixture until the fixture it previously cancelled has been played.

This does not prevent another team from cancelling a fixture against that team.

Where a team cancels within 24 hours on two occasions during the same season, whether involving original or rearranged fixtures, the matter shall be referred to the Committee.

The Committee may consider further disciplinary action, including whether the team should be permitted to continue in the league.

9.4 Outstanding Fixtures

All outstanding league fixtures must be completed before the final two scheduled league rounds of the season.

This requirement is determined by the official league fixture schedule and is not extended because a team has postponed, rearranged or outstanding matches.

Teams are responsible for ensuring their outstanding fixtures are completed before this deadline.

Where an outstanding fixture is approaching the deadline and the teams have not agreed a date, the matter shall be referred to the Committee.

The Committee may set the date on which the fixture must be played.

Where a team fails to fulfil a date set by the Committee, the matter shall be referred back to the Committee to determine the outcome of the fixture and whether any further penalty or disciplinary action is appropriate.

9.5 Exceptional Circumstances

The Committee may waive or modify a cancellation penalty where it is satisfied that the cancellation resulted from genuine exceptional circumstances outside the reasonable control of the team concerned.

Exceptional circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

Unexpected closure of a venue; A serious problem making the venue or table unusable; Severe weather or significant travel disruption; A serious emergency affecting the team; or Other circumstances which the Committee considers genuinely exceptional.

Exceptional circumstances shall be determined by the Committee on a case-by-case basis.

Teams should notify the Committee and opposing captain as soon as reasonably possible.

Simply having insufficient players available shall not normally be considered an exceptional circumstance.

Where a penalty is waived because of exceptional circumstances, the fixture shall still be rearranged and played unless the Committee determines otherwise.

10. Protests & Disputes 10.1 Formal Protests

Any formal protest relating to a league fixture, cup match, player eligibility, application of the rules or other league matter must be submitted by the team captain.

The protest must be submitted in writing to the Committee within three calendar days of the incident or fixture concerned.

It should clearly explain the complaint and include relevant information or evidence.

Individual players may raise concerns with their captain, but only the captain may submit a formal protest on behalf of the team.

The Committee may seek information from either team, referees, witnesses or other relevant persons before reaching a decision.

11. Singles & Pairs Competitions 11.1 Eligibility

Only properly registered Redcar & District Pool League players may enter league singles and pairs competitions.

11.2 Arranging Matches and Competition Deadlines

Singles and pairs matches must be completed by the dates set by the Committee until the Last 32 stage.

Both players, or both pairs, share responsibility for making reasonable efforts to arrange and complete the match before the deadline.

Players should respond reasonably to attempts by their opponents to arrange the fixture and offer reasonable availability where possible.

Where a match is not completed by the deadline, it shall be referred to the Committee.

The Committee may request evidence of attempts to arrange the match, including messages or other communications.

Where one player or pair made reasonable efforts but the other failed to respond, cooperate or provide reasonable opportunities, the Committee may award the match to the player or pair who made reasonable efforts.

Where neither side made reasonable efforts, the Committee may remove both from the competition.

11.3 Last 32 Competition Night

From the Last 32 stage, remaining matches shall be played on the designated competition evening arranged by the Committee.

Any player or pair unable to attend shall forfeit their place, with their opponent receiving a bye into the next round.

Matches shall not be rearranged because of player unavailability.

In pairs, if either player cannot attend, the pair forfeits.

11.4 Home Player or Pair

Before the Last 32, the player or pair listed first in the draw shall be the home player or pair.

The match shall normally be played at their registered team's home venue.

11.5 Match Length

Singles and pairs matches shall be best of five frames until the Last 32.

From the Last 32 onwards, the Committee may increase the number of frames and shall announce the format beforehand.

11.6 Entry Fees

Entry fees must be paid in advance.

The amount and payment arrangements shall be determined by the Committee.

12. Team Cup Competitions 12.1 Standard Cup Competitions

Unless otherwise stated, team cup matches shall follow the same rules and format as league matches.

The first team to reach six frame wins shall win.

Remaining frames may be played by agreement but shall not affect the official result.

12.2 Handicap Cup

Handicaps shall be based on the league standings at the official halfway stage.

The team in 1st place shall always play off scratch (0 handicap).

The Committee shall determine the handicaps of the remaining teams based on their league positions.

The maximum handicap shall be +3.

The difference between the two teams' handicaps determines the starting score.

For example, a +3 team playing a +2 team begins 1–0 ahead, with play commencing from Frame 2.

Teams with identical handicaps begin 0–0.

The first team to reach six frames, including handicap frames, wins.

13. Cup Finals Night Eligibility 13.1 Player Eligibility

To represent a team on Cup Finals Night, a player must have played at least six singles frames for that team during the league season.

Only singles frames actually played shall count.

Doubles frames and frames awarded as byes do not count.

As a player may play a maximum of two singles frames in one league fixture, the player must therefore have represented the team on at least three separate league nights.

14. Trophies & Presentation Night 14.1 Trophy Care

Any player or team receiving a league trophy shall be responsible for its care, normally for 12 months.

Trophies must be returned clean and presentable when requested.

The holder may be required to meet the reasonable cost of repairing or replacing a trophy that is lost or damaged while in their possession.

14.2 Presentation Night Raffle

Each team shall provide a raffle prize for Presentation Night.

Proceeds shall support under-18 players progressing to county-level competition and associated costs.

14.3 Presentation Night Attendance and Prize Money

Any team winning a team trophy that fails to attend Presentation Night shall forfeit the prize money associated with that trophy.

This applies to team competitions only.

Winners or runners-up of singles and pairs competitions shall not lose their prize money solely because they cannot attend Presentation Night.

15. Conduct & Discipline 15.1 Expected Conduct

All players, captains and team representatives are expected to behave reasonably and respectfully when participating in league activities.

Disciplinary matters may include, but are not limited to:

Fighting or physical violence; Threatening or intimidating behaviour; Abusive behaviour towards players, referees, Committee members, venue staff or spectators; Serious or repeated referee abuse; Deliberate cheating or knowingly attempting to gain an unfair advantage; Deliberate damage to tables, equipment, trophies or venue property; and Serious behaviour that disrupts a fixture, competition, meeting or other league event. 15.2 Disciplinary Procedure

Any serious allegation of misconduct shall be referred to the Committee.

The person or team concerned shall be given a reasonable opportunity to provide their account before a final disciplinary decision is made.

The Committee may obtain information from captains, players, referees, witnesses, venues or other relevant sources.

Where an allegation is sufficiently serious, the Committee may impose a temporary suspension pending consideration of the matter where necessary to protect players, officials, venues or the proper running of the league.

After considering the available information, the Committee may take action including:

No further action; A formal warning; A fine; A points deduction; Suspension for a specified period or number of matches; Removal from a competition; or Expulsion from the league.

Any disciplinary action should be reasonable and proportionate to the seriousness of the conduct concerned.

The Committee shall communicate its decision to the person or team concerned.

15.3 Committee Conflicts of Interest

A Committee member shall not take part in deciding a protest, disciplinary matter or dispute where they are directly involved or where their own team is directly involved.

The Committee member may provide relevant factual information but shall not participate in the final decision or vote.

Where conflicts of interest leave insufficient Committee members to determine the matter fairly, the matter may be referred to the captains for consideration.

16. Matters Not Covered by the Rules 16.1 Matters Not Specifically Covered

Any matter not specifically covered by these rules shall initially be considered by the Committee.

Where an immediate decision is required, the Committee may make an interim ruling to allow the league, fixture or competition concerned to continue.

The interim ruling shall remain in force until the matter is considered by the captains.

The matter shall normally be presented at the next scheduled captains' meeting, where team representatives may vote on how the matter should be dealt with.

Where the Committee considers the matter sufficiently serious or urgent, an emergency meeting and vote may be called rather than waiting until the next scheduled captains' meeting.

Each team shall be entitled to one vote.

Any decision made by the captains shall apply to the matter concerned and may subsequently be proposed for formal inclusion within the league rules at the next AGM.