National Team Championship Rules - 2003 APA National Team Championships

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National Team Championship Rules

1. PRACTICE TIME - Practice is allowed on tournament room tables during specified periods, and only with the permission of the Tournament Director. You are encouraged to practice on all tables designated for that purpose, and are asked to share the tables with any other contestant who wishes to use them. Any table designated as a practice table during the event should be reserved for those contestants who have not yet been eliminated from the tournament. These tables are provided on a “challenge” basis. The winner of the game in progress must accept the challenge of any incoming player.

2. BEVERAGES - Beer and other beverages are available on site. Players cannot bring in coolers or outside beverages. No glass containers will be allowed in the tournament room.

3. FORFEIT TIMES - Forfeits will be determined 15 minutes after a match has been called. If a team has registered for the tournament, every effort will be made to locate the team before a forfeit is declared. The Tournament Director determines when a match is officially forfeited.

4. "SUDDEN DEATH" FORMAT - When the "Sudden Death" format is used, all other League rules apply to player selection. All players are asked to help keep to the schedule by being ready when their match is called, and by observing the “Match Time Guidelines”.

8-BALL - This format will be implemented 3 hours and 45 minutes into the match. Each team match must be in the 5th individual match by the 3-hours-and-45-minutes mark or all subsequent matches will be a one game race.

9-BALL - This format will be implemented 3 hours into a match. Each team match must be in the 5th individual match by the 3-hours mark or all subsequent matches will consist of all points earned being doubled. Each object ball made will count as 2 points and the 9-ball will count as 4 points.

5. DECLARING PLAYERS – Once both teams in a match have declared a player, the players cannot be changed unless the 23/19 Rule is in jeopardy.

6. COACHING - A player may only be coached once per game. If a coach suggests a time-out to the player, the time-out must be taken. Mark all coaches (time-outs) with a “T” on your scoresheet. Coaches are allowed to place the cue ball (during a coaching time-out) in a ball-in-hand situation. All rules regarding fouling the cue ball apply to the coach when placing the cue ball for a player.

7. CHECKING PLAYER IDENTIFICATION - All players will be required to present current certified positive picture I.D. in the form of a state I.D. from their state of residence, a passport or a Military I.D. Prior to the lag at the beginning of each match both players in the match must place their I.D. on the table for their opponent’s review. If the player does not have the I.D. at that time, the team will forfeit that individual match and the use of that player for the remainder of the match. The opponent remains eligible to play in a later match; however, the team must show it can stay within the 23-Rule by using a remaining player on the roster. If a player(s) neglects to ask an opponent for proper identification prior to the lag at the beginning of their match, and the identity of the opponent becomes questionable after a game is in progress, the only option is to finish the game currently underway, then ask for a tournament official to verify the opponent’s identification before continuing the match. The Tournament Director is the only person who can make a judgment on any form of I.D. in question and decide what course of action will be taken concerning the identity of the player in question.

8. SCOREKEEPING – Scoresheets with “innings” recorded and “defensive shots” marked must be kept by a member of both teams or by an official scorekeeper. If it is determined that a team is not marking defensive shots, then the Tournament Director may arbitrarily raise some or all skill levels on that team. Scoresheets must be signed and turned in to the Control Table to receive credit for match wins. Refusal to sign a scoresheet does not affect any match protest. It is the responsibility of the winning team to make sure the Control Table receives proper scoresheets.

(8-Ball Only) - Please make sure you mark Early 8s (E-8), 8-on-the-Breaks (8OB) and Break and Runs (BR) on your scoresheets. Patches for 8-on-the-Break and Break and Runs will be awarded. They must be claimed at the Control Table when the scoresheets are turned in for processing.

(9-Ball Only) - Once one team has reached 51 points, the match is over. Do not finish out that individual match, simply mark on the scoresheet “Not Finished” (NF). Please make sure you mark all balls pocketed, dead balls, Break-and-Runs (BR) and 9-on-the-Breaks (9OB). Patches for 9-on-the-Snap and Break and Runs will be awarded. They must be claimed at the Control Table when the scoresheets are turned in for processing.

Important Note: Any team caught fraudulently keeping score—adding innings, altering scoresheets in any manner, etc.—will be subject to disqualification.

9. DRESS CODE - Proper attire must be worn at all times in and around the tournament site. The Tournament Director shall determine what is proper attire, and is responsible for requiring the change of improper attire on the part of any contestant. Any change of improper attire will not be just cause for delay in the progress of a team match. Refer to the "Tournament Dress Code" flier in your Finalist Packet to know what is considered proper attire.

10. NO SMOKING - Smoking is not permitted at the pool table; however, ashtrays are provided on each player table.

11. GAME RULES - APA game rules apply. Any and all local bylaws or interpretations which are not in full accord with the National rules established by the APA do not apply to your participation in the National event. It is your responsibility to know what is a National Rule (or standard), and what is a Local Bylaw (or standard).

12. SKILL LEVELS - The APA is the sole judge of a player’s ability, and may at any time raise a player’s skill level if the APA believes that he is not playing up to his true ability.

It is especially important that the skill level at which you participate in this event reflects your true ability according to 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 you or one of your teammates is playing a level above the level he qualified with, it is your responsibility to discuss this with your League Operator prior to the event, or with the Tournament Director at the event prior to the start of play to raise the player to his appropriate level.

13. FOULS - Fouls may be called by the player or by his coach. It should be kept in mind, since everybody on the team may communicate with the coach, that in effect, anyone on the team may call a foul, but only a call made by the coach or the player makes it official. Each player is advised when taking ball-in-hand, to make certain you actually have ball-in-hand. If you do not confirm ball-in-hand with your opponent, or with tournament officials, and there is a difference of opinion, then you subject yourself to the potential costly mistake of fouling the cue ball unknowingly.

14. CUE BALL FOULS - The cue ball is always alive. Do not touch the cue ball while it is still rolling. Doing so may result in a foul.

15. CLOSE SHOTS - If a shot looks like it may result in a “bad hit,” stop the game and get a tournament official to make the call. Either player may stop the game to ask for a call. The decision of the tournament official is final. If a shot is close and a tournament official is not called, the ruling will have a tendency to be in the shooter’s favor.

16. MARK THE 8-BALL (8-Ball Only) - A coaster, pocket marker or any other reasonable marker must be placed by the intended pocket. If a player pockets the 8-ball without marking the intended pocket and the opponent calls “loss of game” prior to racking, it will result in a loss of game. If the marker is already at the intended pocket from a previous attempt or game, it is not necessary for the shooter to touch it, pick it up, or reposition it. Anyone may remind a player to place the pocket marker and it will not be considered coaching or a foul.

17. THE 23-RULE - The 23-Rule will be enforced. No team may play five players whose combined skill levels exceed 23. In addition, a team must show that it could have fielded a legal team (meaning it could have fielded 5 players that did not exceed 23) if the match had gone the entire 5 individual matches. If the total skill levels of the lowest five players listed on your roster are equal to or less than 23, then your team can meet the 23-Rule. This means that a team may not lead off with three players whose skill levels add up to 19 unless there are two 2’s listed on the roster. A team may not try to win with its first three players and disregard the 23-Rule. All the above applies to the Ladies Division except that it concerns the 19-Rule instead of the 23-Rule.

What Happens If A Team Is Unable To Comply With The 23-Rule? If the total skill levels of the lowest five players listed on the roster exceed 23, the team will have to play four players whose skill levels do not exceed 19 in the Open Division (16 in the Ladies Division) and forfeit the fifth match. If the skill levels of the lowest four players on the roster exceed 19, then they can play three players to 15 (13 in the Ladies Division) and forfeit the fourth and fifth matches.

18. INELIGIBLE PLAYERS - Ineligible players are those players who, for whatever reason, are not eligible to play in any match during this tournament. All ineligible players will be removed from the Higher Level Tournament roster and will not count for 23 (19 in the 8-Ball Ladies Division) Rule purposes.

19. SENIOR SKILL LEVEL PLAYERS (9-Ball only) - Only two 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, 7, 8 or 9.

20. COMMON PLAYERS - NATIONAL LEVEL - A common player is defined as a player on more than one team. A team may have up to two players that are common with another team in the same format at the National Level of the Team Championships. A player may be common on up to two teams in each format at the National Level of the Team Championships. This means a player may qualify on up to two 8-Ball Open Teams, two 9-Ball Teams and two Ladies Teams (ladies only, of course). If you qualify on more than two teams in any format you must choose which team rosters you will stay on, prior to entering the National Level of the Championships.

NOTE: Matches will not be held up for players who are participating on multiple teams.

21. WHAT HAPPENS IF A TEAM MATCH ENDS 2-2? (8-Ball only) - If it is time for the fifth match and neither team has an eligible player present to play, the match is decided by the performance of the two teams in the first three matches. The team that won two out of the first three matches is determined the winner and advances to the next round of the tournament.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A TEAM MATCH ENDS 50-50? (9-Ball only) – Championship matches will be scored the same as weekly play, except individual forfeits will be worth 20 points (instead of 15). The first team to reach 51 points is the winner. In case of a tie at the end of the match of 50 to 50 match points, the number of individual matches won by each team would break the tie.

22. 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.

In order to conduct a fair and equal tournament for all APA players, APA must ensure that all participants are playing at skill levels that are not below their true ability. Handicap manipulation compromises the fairness and integrity of tournament play and cannot be tolerated. Accordingly, the APA may disqualify any team if, in APA’s sole judgment and absolute discretion, one or more of its players are deemed by APA to be playing at a skill level below their true ability. The determination of whether a player is playing at a skill level below his or her true ability is necessarily subjective; APA is the sole judge of a player’s ability and may make such a determination in its absolute judgment and discretion. Disqualification will mean forfeiture of all titles, awards, prize money, and a minimum
2-year suspension from the League.

A National Handicap Review Committee consisting of APA National staff members and the APA National Tournament Directors has been formed to review the performance of each team after every round of play and make skill level adjustments as necessary. They will also investigate complaints and review elevated skill levels to determine the eligibility status of the team(s) involved. Teams may be disqualified at any time during or after tournament play if the committee concludes 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.

23. PROTESTS – The Team Captain must make all protests to the Tournament Director in a sportsmanlike manner. There is a $50.00 filing fee for any protest which is refundable if the team filing wins the protest. Any team disrupting the tournament, causing a scene, or causing other problems at or around the tournament site will lose the right to protest. The Tournament Director will resolve all issues on the spot. The APA is the highest authority. Any rulings made by the APA will be final.

24. RULES OF CONDUCT - Read the “Rules of Conduct”. Make sure you understand the penalty level system. It is designed to stop a problem while it is still a small problem. The Rules of Conduct may be used by the APA Tournament Director or designated tournament official at any Higher Level Tournament event for any form of misconduct.

25. WARNINGS – If a warning is given in an individual match, that warning will follow the team throughout the remainder of that team match. For example, if a player is warned for sharking his opponent, and in the next match a player from that same team is warned for sharking his opponent, the result will be ball-in-hand. Such warnings will be noted by a tournament official on the scoresheets.

26. SPORTSMANSHIP - The primary objective of the League has always been to provide players of all abilities with the fun and enjoyment of friendly competition. Naturally it is expected that each player arrived hoping to do well, and it is expected that each player will be doing his best to win. On the other hand, each player is also expected to accept defeat in a sportsmanlike manner.

Two common violations of good sportsmanship are conceding an unfinished game and undoing a cue during play. Both forms of conduct are frowned 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. No penalty will be assessed unless, in the opinion of the Tournament Director, a repeated violation of this conduct rule occurs.

Another area of good sportsmanship concerns fouls. A foul is a foul and should be observed as such. Occasionally a player feels that a foul is a foul only if he gets caught. Generally speaking, a professional player will call a foul on himself. Likewise, good sportsmanship in the amateur ranks requires a player to admit a mistake, and live with the consequences. On the other hand, it is technically each player’s responsibility to protect himself. Pay attention to your game.

A “Sportsmanship Award” will be given at the end of each event (8-Ball Open Division, 8-Ball Ladies Division and 9-Ball Open Division). You may vote for teams by making comments on the back of your scoresheet or by telling an APA Staff member at the Control Table.

27. EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS – In general, any piece of equipment designed specifically for pocket billiards, with the exception of jump cues and laser devices, is acceptable in APA Higher Level Tournament Events. Special equipment, such as bridges and cue extenders, are legal. A player may use one cue stick for breaking and a different cue stick for shooting. During the course of a game a player may not change cue sticks or shafts unless their cue becomes damaged. A player can change shafts or cue sticks between games, but once he has made a shot in a game he must continue playing with that cue stick until that game is over. Players are not allowed to break their cue sticks down and use just the shaft to attempt jump shots.

Any equipment bearing any message or image of a sexually explicit or political nature, or a message or image which may be offensive due to the use of profanity or by virtue of its promotion of violence, alcoholism or substance abuse, shall be prohibited from use in all APA events. The Tournament Director shall be the enforcing authority of this regulation.

The Tournament Director shall have the right to inspect a player’s cue or cues at any time during a tournament without prior notice to the player. If the cue or cues are found to be in violation of this regulation, the player shall immediately cease using the objectionable cue during tournament play or face immediate disqualification and forfeiture of all prize money earned and/or entry fee paid.