W.T.N.P.L. Rules & Bylaws

Sponsor Rules

1. Grandfather. Any Sponsor that was a member of the W.T.N.P.L. during the last pool season shall be considered a Lifetime Member. If a Sponsor leaves the pool league for any reason, they will be required to reapply for membership (be voted in by a captain’s majority vote).
2. Sponsor Membership. Sponsorship in the W.T.N.P.L. will be exclusive for the establishment (not the captains). All NEW Sponsors must apply for membership. If a Sponsor leaves the pool league for any reason, they will be required to reapply for membership (be voted in by a captain’s majority vote). A sponsored team shall maintain its standing in the league regardless of business modifications made by the Sponsor. Should a Sponsor go out of business or a new Sponsor reopen the establishment, then the team will need to reapply for membership. The new Sponsor will also be required to pay the Sponsorship Fee ($60) prior to being eligible to play. If a Sponsor changes mid-season, the team can maintain playing at the same location. The new sponsor will NOT maintain the position for the party at the end of the season. The Sponsor will also be required to be voted in the next season like a NEW Sponsor would.
3. Sponsor Fee. The Sponsorship fee of $60 per team should be paid at the first meeting. Failure to pay before league starts will result in the Sponsor’s team(s) forfeiting all games until the fee is paid.
4. Capacity. The end of season pool league party will be limited to Sponsors having sufficient capacity (185 minimum) and who can provide a minimum of two (2) pool tables. The current rotation is:
   • Offsides — 2027
   • My Place — 2028
   • Kingston — 2029

   This rotation will continue until another Sponsor meeting the requirements joins the league. They will be added to the bottom of the list, in rotation.

5. Pool Tables. Sponsors are responsible to ensure that their tables have new (acceptable) felt at the beginning of each season, and that the tables are in good playing condition (condition of cushions, pockets, level, etc.). In addition, Sponsors will ensure that a bridge stick is available during league play. Failure to comply will result in the games being transferred to the visitor’s home. The Home Captain will be permitted to use (share) a BATWING/MOOSEHEAD bridge with both teams if necessary.
6. Checking Tables. The League Operator shall be responsible for inspecting each Sponsor’s table(s) at the beginning of each season. The Team Captain will be made aware if their Sponsor is asked to repair their table. Sponsors may be disqualified from home play until their table is brought up to acceptable conditions. The Team Captain will share in the responsibility of making sure their sponsor maintains an acceptable table. The League Operator will work with the Sponsor and Team Captain to resolve any complaints about a table’s condition during the season.
7. Team Sponsorship. A Sponsor may have two (2) teams per table and one (1) team per additional table. However, there will only be a max of 2 votes per sponsor. Once a new team has been voted into the W.T.N.P.L. they will be on a probationary trial the first year. A probationary team can be voted out at the next season’s captain’s meeting. If not, they will become a lifetime member. The probationary team will still receive their winnings and has voting rights in all matters of the pool league through the last game night of the pool league season just like all other teams.
8. Players. All players must be 21 years of age or older to be eligible to play.

Captain’s Rules

1. Each team will designate a Shot Captain and Co-Shot Captain at the beginning of each night.
2. The Team Captains will be responsible for all disputes and their decision will be final. If the Team Captain is not playing that night, please note who will be “acting” Team Captain on the scoresheet. If there are any unresolved disputes, you should immediately contact the League Operator. A decision will be made by the League Operator during that conversation.
3. Rosters. Team Captains will turn in a final Roster by the Monday after the second week of play. Sponsors with a single team will have a total of 6 player spots and 8 subs. Sponsors with 2 teams will turn in rosters with 6 player spots each and up to twelve (12) subs (6 for each team that they will share). All names must be legible and include first and last names or the player will not be added to the team Roster (please also include the nickname that might be written on the score sheet). If there are two (2) or more teams that have the same player, that player will not be listed on either team Roster.
4. Adds & Deletes. To add or delete players during the season, it must be written in the designated area of the Official Score Sheet, emailed or texted to the League Operator on the night of play or by the following Monday at the latest. It is the team captains’ job to make sure that the add or remove request was received. Any issues with email or text will not be accepted. Verbal notification or names scratched on a piece of paper will not be accepted.
5. When a new player is added to the roster, they are not eligible to play until the following week. For example, a new player that is added on Thursday night of week 3 is not eligible to play until Thursday night of week 4.
6. Illegal Players. Any team that shoots games with an illegal player not on the Roster will result in forfeiting those games to the opposing team. Also, the cheating team will be penalized minus five (−5) points from their team’s overall points.
7. Captains wishing to challenge a player’s eligibility to play should do so on the night of play. If a player is not listed on the current Roster, the League Operator should be contacted immediately to verify eligibility. Additionally, if the League Operator catches later that an ineligible player has played, it will also result in a penalty as seen in rule #6.
8. Fees. Team Captains are responsible for collecting the fees from each player. Player fee is $6.00 ($36 per team). If a player is not there, the team Captain must pay the missing player’s fee. Each team shall also pay $6 for the cost of maintaining the pool table. The Home team Captain will pay the pool table money ($12) to their Sponsor.
9. Turning In Money. All money will be collected each pool night at the home bar. The money and score sheet must then be turned in to Offsides (voted as a central location) by the following Monday. If a team does not turn in their fee to Offsides by Monday, then a four (−4) point penalty will be assessed. If the fee is still not turned in before the next night of play, an additional one (−1) point penalty will be assessed each day until it is turned in. Money and score sheets shall be in a sealed envelope when turned in. If the money and score sheet are turned in loose, the responsible party will count the money with the bartender on duty. A receipt from the bartender on duty is available upon request.
10. Score sheets and fees turned in late will result in any players being added or deleted to be delayed until the following week.
11. Coaching. Shot Captains may be called for a coach or voluntarily coach players on the table without being asked by a player. The Shot Captain will be allowed to coach players a maximum of two (2) times per game. Other team players may not discuss shots with players in a game. If teammates not playing call out directions for a shot, this will be considered a foul and a loss of turn. During the Shot Captain’s game, the Co-Shot Captain may coach as noted above.
12. Calling Fouls. Only the Players in the game, the Shot Captain and the Co-Shot Captain may call a foul at any time. This does not count as one of the 2 coaches. All other players will stay out of the discussion. Any other player calling a foul before the game player does will nullify the foul.
    Remember: prior to a shot, if you think there is potential for a foul, you can ask for the shot to be watched.
13. Earbuds & Headphones. A player may not wear ear buds or headphones when your team is playing. If your opponent or their captain catches you wearing earbuds/headphones when it is your turn, you will receive one warning. On the same night, if you are wearing them again when it is your turn, this will be considered a foul and a loss of turn.
14. Interference. Any verbal or physical interference with a player in the process of shooting may result in a forfeit of the game. If any patron(s) interfere with a game in play, the Home team will get one (1) warning. If the same patron(s) interferes again, it may result in the Home team’s forfeit of the game in play.
15. Bonus Points. If your whole team wins the night, your team will receive one extra WIN BONUS point. You receive this win bonus regardless of forfeits from the opposing team. If your team scores all nine points, or sweeps the night, your team will receive one extra SWEEP BONUS point. The sweep bonus point will not be awarded to wins due to a forfeit. If your opponent’s whole team forfeits, your team will receive 7 points for the night.
16. Bad Weather. In bad weather, if a team wishes to cancel, the two (2) opposing Team Captains should contact each other about canceling before 6:00 pm. They should then contact the League Operator. If agreed, a make-up date can then be scheduled within one (1) week between Friday and Thursday. If the weather causes all teams to cancel (by determination of the League Operator after a captain’s vote) we will push the whole season back one week.
17. Captains are responsible for providing and explaining these Rules and Regulations to their players and making sure they are understood.

Attendance

1. First game starts at 7:00 pm.
2. There is a fifteen (15) minute grace period at the start of the night, or forfeit the first game. There is a maximum five (5) minute grace period for each game thereafter, or forfeit that game and each additional game that passes the five (5) minute grace period.
3. If a player is not there for the first game, they forfeit that game only. If they arrive by their second game, they may play. If a player is not there by the second game, they forfeit all games for the night.
4. If a designated substitute is used for the first game, they must finish all three (3) games. Once a player is out of the game, they may not re-enter that night.
5. In the case of a medical emergency only, a player can be replaced by a substitute from the roster at any time during the night. What is considered a medical emergency will be at the captain’s discretion at the time of the incident. Any disputes will go through the League Operator.
6. Team Forfeits. The first time your team has a total team forfeit, the total dues ($36) must still be paid. The second time your team has a total team forfeit, double dues ($72) must be paid by the following Monday. If double dues are not paid by the following Monday, your team will be ineligible to play the remainder of the pool league season. All moneys are forfeited to the W.T.N.P.L.
   Reminder — as stated in the Captain’s Rules, a full team forfeit awards 7 points to the opposing team.

Game Rules

1. Cue Ball Requirement. The “Red Dot”, NOT “Red Circle”, cue ball is the designated cue ball that all teams are required to use during league play. The “Red Dot” cue ball must be 2-1/4 inches in size. Team Captains will verify the “Red Dot” cue ball to be acceptable for use prior to the beginning of play. It is the Home team’s responsibility to supply a “Red Dot” cue ball. Failure to comply may result in a forfeit.
2. Breaking Order. In the first frame, player A of the Home team will rack and break, and player A of the Visiting team will shoot first after the breaker’s turn is over. In the second frame, player A of the Visiting team will rack and break and player A of the Home team will shoot first after the breaker’s turn is over. In the third frame, players B of the Home and Visiting teams will lag to determine who breaks. The winner of the lag will rack and break and the loser will shoot first after the breaker’s turn is over.

   Lag for Break

   Each player should use balls of equal size and weight. With the balls in hand behind the head string, one player to the left and one to the right of the head spot, the balls are shot simultaneously to the foot cushion and back to the head end of the table. The player whose ball is closest to the edge of the head cushion wins the lag.

   It is an automatic loss of lag if:

   • The ball crosses into the opponent’s half of the table
   • The ball fails to contact the foot cushion
   • The ball drops into a pocket
   • The ball jumps off the table
   • The ball touches the long cushion (side rail)
   • The ball rests within the corner pocket and past the nose (edge) of the head cushion
   • The ball contacts the foot rail more than once

   If both players violate the automatic loss lag rules, or if the captains are unable to determine which ball is closer, the lag is performed again.

3. 8-Ball Rules.

   The 8-Ball

   • You cannot win or lose the game if the 8-ball is pocketed on the break.
   • During the game, if the 8-ball is pocketed early or leaves the table, it is a loss of game.

   If you are on the 8-ball:

   • If you sink it in the called pocket and do not scratch, you win.
   • If you sink it in the called pocket and scratch, you lose.
   • If you do not sink it and scratch, it is ball-in-hand for the opponent.
   • If you sink it in the wrong pocket, you lose.

BCA Rules

Rule and page numbers reference the official CSI-BCA rulebook — see BCA Rules for the full document.

1. On the break, if you do not perform a legal break as described in rule 2, your opponent has the option to break or let you try again. Rule 2-9, pg. 44
2. Four (4) object balls must hit a rail on the break to constitute a fair break. If a break is attempted and no object balls are driven into the rail it is a foul. If a player attempts to stop the cue ball from breaking the rack because of a miscue, that would be considered a foul. Also, if the cue ball scratches from the break but does not hit the rack, that is also considered a foul. Rule 2-3, pg. 43
3. If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, the breaker may ask for a rerack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting. If the breaker scratches while pocketing the 8-ball on the break, the incoming player has the option of a rerack or having the 8-ball spotted and begin shooting with ball in hand. Rule 2-4, pg. 44
4. It will always be open after the break. Rule 2-5, pg. 44
5. If the cue ball gets pocketed or leaves the table during the game, that is considered a scratch and it will be the opposing team’s turn to shoot. The opposing team will have ball-in-hand, including if the scratch was made on the break. If the cue stick tip or ferrule touches the cue ball before the shot, this will be considered a foul and ball-in-hand for the opposing team. Rule 1-27, pg. 34
6. On an open table, any combination of balls may be used, except for hitting the 8-ball first. The 8-ball can be used in the middle of a combination. During the game, the 8-ball is not a neutral ball. It cannot be hit first unless you’re shooting it in.
7. A player does not have to verbally call the ball and the pocket where the object ball (including the 8-ball) is to be made if it is obvious. Combinations, bank shots, kick shots, and any other shots that are not obvious — the intended ball in the intended pocket should be called. Rule 1-16, pg. 28–29
8. It is NOT a loss of game if you foul when shooting the 8-ball but do not pocket the 8-ball. Your opponent receives ball in hand. Rule 2-9, pg. 45
9. Spot any ball (except for the cue ball) that leaves the table. If the object ball that was called is pocketed, the player will continue to shoot. If the 8-ball leaves the table, it will be a loss of game.
10. A double hit on the cue ball is an illegal hit and will be considered a foul and ball-in-hand for the opposing team. If you believe your opponent may perform a double hit, ask a Team Captain or Shot Captain to watch the shot. Tip: slow-motion replay on cell phones really helps here. Rule 1-30, pg. 33
11. If the object ball is frozen to a rail, you must make contact with a rail after you contact the frozen ball. Rule 1-19, pg. 30 When the cue ball is frozen to the ball you are shooting, you may shoot toward the object ball provided it is a legal stroke. Rule 1-20, pg. 32
12. Massé shots will be allowed. Rule 1-34, pg. 35 Jump shots will be allowed. Rule 1-20, pg. 31

    Jump Shots

    A legal jump shot must be executed by stroking down through the cue ball. Scooping (when the cue tip contacts the playing surface and the cue ball at the same time) or double hitting the cue ball during a jump shot will be considered a foul and ball-in-hand for the opposing team. Rule 1-34, pg. 35

13. Legal Shot. The cue ball must contact one of your balls (or any ball on an open table, except the 8-ball) and then any ball must hit a rail or get pocketed. If there are no balls pocketed or no balls touch a rail after contact, this is considered a foul and ball-in-hand for the opposing team. Rule 1-19, pg. 31
14. Combo Shots. You do not need to call the first ball you intend to hit, only the ball that is being pocketed. You must make a legal shot by hitting one of your balls first and then pocket the ball you called into the pocket you called. Rule 1-16, pg. 30
15. Safety Shots. Players may verbally call a safety shot. In doing so the player forfeits their next turn even if a ball is pocketed. To perform a legal safety, you must perform a Legal Shot. If the ball you’re hitting first is frozen to the rail, it does not count as a ball hitting the rail. On an open table, a player may hit either a solid or stripe first (not the 8-ball). If the player is on the 8-ball, they would play a safety by hitting the 8-ball first with the Legal Shot and Frozen Shot rules applied. Rule 1-17, pg. 30–31
16. Disturbed Balls. Any movement of a ball unintentionally by the player before, during, or after a shot has been completed will NOT be a foul unless it affects the outcome of the shot (the ball was in the path or moves into the path of a ball in play). If it does affect the outcome of the shot, it will be a loss of turn. The opponent will have the option to move the ball back. Any movement of the CUE BALL, outside of ball-in-hand, will result in ball-in-hand for the opponent. If you are shooting the 8-ball and the disturbed ball affects the outcome of the shot and you make the 8-ball, this will result in a loss. Rule 1-33, pg. 33–34
17. Balls settling or moving undisturbed. Rule 1-49, pg. 42
18. Shot Clock. A player has two minutes to make a shot. If longer than two minutes is taken, the Captain/Co-Captain of the opposing team may give a one-minute warning. There will be only one warning given per set of partners in each game. If longer than the one warning is taken, a loss of turn could occur. If longer than two minutes are taken in the same game, an immediate loss of turn may occur. No additional warnings will be given. The two minutes will start right after the shot and all balls on the table have completely stopped.

Miscellaneous

1. Ceremony. Trophies and Point Money will be awarded at the bar chosen for the W.T.N.P.L. Ceremony. The chosen establishment and League Operator must set a date, time, and menu for the League Ceremony. The sponsor fees collected at the captain’s meeting will be used for the cost of the League Ceremony.
2. Ties. In the event of a tie between any teams, there will be a tie breaker one week following the last night of play. The teams will play a regular 6-man team game night. The winner will receive half a point to put them ahead in the standings. There will be no league money collected for a tie breaker game. Each player will still need to pay $1 for the pool table fee ($12 turned in to the hosting sponsor). We will vote and decide where the game will be played and how to determine who will be the home team when and if this situation occurs.
3. Awards. Trophy given for First Place only. A Photo Plaque with names given for 1st and 2nd place. In addition to Points Money:

   Place	Award
   1st Place Team	$70
   2nd Place Team	$30

   In addition, there will be a trophy honoring the player with the most Table Runs (when a player pockets all seven of their balls on the table and the 8-ball in a single turn and wins). In the event of a tie between two players for most Table Runs, each player will be honored with a trophy. If there are three or more players that tie in any given pool league season, no trophy will be awarded for that year.

4. The League Operator will be given a salary of $300 at the end of the season.
5. Anyone in the W.T.N.P.L. is eligible to become League Operator of the W.T.N.P.L. by a majority vote at the end of the season Pool League Ceremony. However, all meetings will be in Woodstock and the weekly dues will be dropped off at a designated place in Woodstock.
6. Captains Meetings. Anyone may attend, but only the Captain or team representative may vote on the subject at hand. If there is a phone call/text poll, all team captains must be contacted even if there is a majority vote.
7. Free Drink Ticket. A free drink ticket will be issued to pool players that are shooting that night. Sponsors will use their discretion as to what their free drink ticket will be worth. A bar can give players an upgrade if they choose but the general rule is “buy one get one”. For example, drinking beer all night long and getting a top-shelf alcohol drink for free will most likely not happen. Players drinking water or soda will get water or soda. The free drink does not apply to shots. Please be courteous.