SPARTA
AREA WEDNESDAY CO-ED POOL
RULE
GUIDE
2023-2024
A. Teams/Sponsors
1. A business may sponsor 2 teams per pool table
available for shooting.
2. The sponsor fee is $40.00 per team and is subject to
change with a vote at annual meeting. Checks made payable to Sparta Area WPL.
Sponsor fee and team captain name and phone number for each team is due by date
set at preseason meeting. This is the responsibility of the team captain or
sponsor.
NOTE:
Sponsors are not required to pay for
beverages, shirts, player fees, or state tournament fees. Those are things a
sponsor may choose to do, but none of those things are a requirement for
league. We strongly recommended that players try to spend time at their sponsor
bar and attend any tournaments they may hold in appreciation for the things
their sponsor does for them during the season.
3.
Teams may consist
of men and/or women, but must have at least 1 player of opposite sex. In an
emergency situation, a team may play with 4 player of same sex (with approval
of league president). NO TEAM MAY HAVE
ANY PLAYERS UNDER THE AGE OF 21. NO EXCEPTIONS!.
4.
If a team must
play with less than four players, the team is still responsible for paying full
four member fee. Any forfeit (individual / team) must still pay their money to
the league.
5.
If a team is
unable to play on a scheduled league night the team has 2 weeks to reschedule
with the opposing team or they forfeit. (Unless an extension has been approved
by league secretary) The secretary must be informed of makeup date.
6. All players will fill out player cards the 1st
night they shoot. Any time a new player shoots there must be a player card for
them placed in envelope that night. The captain shall be responsible for seeing
that the cards are filled out.
7. If a team has a player that is banned from an opposing
team location the team must have a sub available to take that players place. It
is recommended that the banned player and sponsor try to reconcile the
differences to allow the banned player to at least play the match and leave
immediately afterwards. The final decision however is up to the bar owner.
8. All sponsors will have a bridge stick available on premises.
B. Captains Duties
1. The captains shall be present or send an acting
captain to all league meetings.
2. The captains will be responsible for informing his
players as to all league rules and regulations.
3. The captain or acting captain shall collect all
players’ fees for the night.
5. The visiting team captain or acting captain will be
responsible for taking the sealed envelope to the designated drop off location by
6 p.m. on Friday of same week. Visiting captain is responsible for replacement
of money if it is lost. Drop off is Amber Inn or Shifty’s Shack. Morning drop
offs are Amber Inn after 6 a.m. or Shifty’s after 10 a.m.
6. The captain is responsible to make sure his team fills
out player cards the first night the player shoots. These must be filled out in
full and contain any alias/nicknames the player may have.
7. The captain will be responsible for settling any
disputes that might arise during a match. If the captain cannot settle a
dispute, he will be responsible for contacting the league president.
C. Subs
1. A team may add a sub player at any time during regular
season play. A sub does not need to shoot during regular season but must be on
the roster by the end of the last game of regular season play. You may call the
league secretary at any time during regular season play to add a sub to roster.
2. The sub will be responsible for paying the player fee.
3. A sponsor/bar owner may substitute for any of their
teams regardless if they are a full time player on a team.
4. Once a sub has started play, he/she must continue play
for that night and will only be available to sub for that team for the rest of
the season. If a sub does shoot for another team after having shot another team he will receive zero (0) pts. for all ineligible
matches played and the opponents will receive ten (10) pts. If a player
(regular or sub) must leave during a match due to an emergency, the team can
call a player from their roster to finish that players games or the player that
has the emergency may opt to reschedule her un-played games. Player has up to 2
weeks to reschedule and is responsible for the rescheduling.
Secretary/Treasurer will be notified when this situation occurs.
D. Game Play
1. Play will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Monday nights with a
fifteen (15) minute grace period.
2. Players will pay a nightly fee of $6.00. (This
includes quarters for table and .50 per player/week to be split between 2 local
charities at season end). Players will
pay .25 cemts per scratch.
3. Tables:
a) Tables will be as level as possible. Captains may ask
a table to be cleaned and/or leveled prior to game play. If after the first (1st)
game, the table is not level and both players agree they may go to their
captains and have the captain ask that the table be leveled again with each
player splitting the cost. If the teams agree the table is level and playable,
no table shall be moved by anyone until after all games for that night are
completed.
b) In bars having 2 tables, matches are to be played on 1
table unless time requires play on 2 tables. In the case of a table
malfunction, if repair cannot be made within an hour, the remaining games are
to be moved to a location agreed upon by the both team captains. If either team
declines to move that team forfeits the night.
A. Scoring
(Points, Ties & Awards)
1. The point system will be used to determine the winner
of the game.
2. The team scoring the most total points will be the
match winner. If tied in points, 1 player from each team will be chosen to play
a match. This will be a tiebreaker only match with the winner receiving 1 team
point. Both teams will keep their original points.
3. Points are scored one (1) point for every object ball
& three (3) points for the 8 ball. Both players count all balls.
4. Individual averages are determined by dividing the
total points by the total games played.
5. Players must shoot 85 percent (85%) of the league
season to qualify for top shooter.
6. Individual point payout: Each player will receive 5 cents per point earned.
7. Team payout will be balance of total money remaining
after all payouts have been done, including amount required by bank to keep
account open for the following season. Match wins will decide any ties for team
and individual awards.
8. League secretary receives $250.00 for the season.
9. There is a traveling plaque for 1st place.
The 1st place team will have it displayed in their sponsor
establishment until the end of the following season. If plaque is lost or
damaged it will be the responsibility of the establishment to replace or
repair. There will be individual plaques awarded for the top shooter for each
team.
Weather Cancelations
League officers will only do weather cancellation in extreme weather. Teams can decide to play or not in bad weather. Those deciding not to play will have 2 weeks to do a makeup game. In the event that the league officers determine that the weather is
Bad enough, league will be cancelled that week and will be pushed back 1 week for the remainder of the league calendar. New
Schedules will not be done. It is up to each team to move the dates on their existing schedules.
Contact/Social Media/Website
1. PHONE/TEXT:
President – Mishelle Scafe 608-487-6024
Secretary – Terry Kinserdahl 608-633-9743.
Contact – Kari Monnahan 608-769-7495
2. FACEBOOK:
Sparta Area Co-Ed Pool League- All pool things are posted here. (updates, link to standings etc.)
3. WEBSITE:
http://www.stenbackcues.com-Sparta pool section for a weekly standings, player guide and schedule
Official Rules of Play
B. Balls and
Racking
1. The game is played with one (1) cue ball and fifteen
(15) numbered object balls.
2. Players rack own rack. The balls are racked in a
triangle at the foot of the table with the 8 ball in the center of the
triangle, the first ball of the rack on the foot spot, a stripe ball in one
corner of the rack and a solid ball in the other corner.
3. The object of the game is to make one group of
numbered object balls, either stripes or solids, and then legally pocket the 8
ball, which then wins the game.
C. Break Shot
1. Start of play- Teams will break according to score
sheet with each player racking for the opponent.
2. If the breaker hits the racked balls with the cue ball
driving four (4) or more numbered balls to a cushion or pocketing one or more
object balls, the game is considered started. If the player fails to make a
legal break it is not a foul; however, the opponent has the option of:
a) Accepting the table in position and shooting, or
b) Have the balls re-racked and shooting the break
himself or have the original breaker re-break.
3. Stopping or deflecting the cue ball (with hand or cue
stick) prior to hitting the racked balls is considered a foul and loss of turn.
The opponent will receive the cue ball in hand behind the head string.
4. When positioning the cue ball for the break shot, the
base of the ball must be behind the head string (kitchen).
5. If a player scratches on a legal break shot:
a) All balls pocketed remain pocketed (Exception: the 8
ball)
b) It is a foul
c) The table is open
d) The incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the
head string and may not shoot an object ball whose base is not outside the head
string, unless he first shoots the cue ball past the head string and cause the
cue ball to come back behind the head string and hit the object ball. If a
player positions the cue ball completely and obviously outside the kitchen and
shoots the cue ball, it is a foul if called by the opponent.
e) The opposing player must inform the breaking player of
improper positioning of the cue ball before the shot is made. If the opposing
player does not so inform the breaking player before the shot is made the break
is considered legal. If the shooting player is informed of improper
positioning, he must then reposition the cue ball.
6. Making the 8 ball on the break
a) The breaker may ask for a re-rack or have the 8 ball
spotted and continue shooting-
b) Should the breaker pocket the 8 ball and scratch the
incoming player has the option of spotting the 8 ball and shooting from behind
the head string or re-racking and assuming the break.
c) A game cannot be won or lost with an 8-ball break
regardless of what is pocketed on the same shot.
7. If a player legally breaks the rack and does not make
any balls his opponent then shoots having an open table.
8. If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the
break it is a foul and the incoming player has the option of:
a) Accepting the
table in position and shooting or
b) Taking the cue ball in hand behind the head string and
shooting. Any jumped balls are spotted in numerical order.
D. Open Table
1. THE
TABLE IS ALWAYS OPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BREAK SHOT.
The table is open when the choice of group (solids or
stripes) has not yet been determined. When the table is open, it is legal to hit a solid first to make a stripe or
vice versa. When the table is open it is legal to hit any solid or stripe or
the 8-ball first in the process of
pocketing the called stripe or solid. On an open table, all pocketed balls
remain pocketed. The choice of stripes or solids is
not determined on the break even if balls are made from only one or both groups.
The choice of group
is determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the
break shot.
E. Game
1. All shots must be called. It is the opponents’ right
to ask which ball and pocket if he is unsure of the shot. Banks and
combinations are not considered obvious and both the object ball and the pocket
must be called or it is a loss of turn. When calling the shot it is never
necessary to details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms,
etc. Any balls pocketed on a foul remain pocketed, regardless of whether they
belong to the shooter or opponent.
2. The opening break is not a called pocket. Any player
performing a break shot in 8 ball may continue to shoot his next shot so long
as he has legally pocketed any object ball on the break.
3. A legal shot is defined as: On all shots except on the
break and when the table is open, the shooter must hit one of his group of
balls first and
a) Pocket a numbered ball or
b) Cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a
rail.
Note: It is permissible for the shooter to bank the cue
ball off a rail before contacting his object ball. However, after contact with
his object ball, an object ball must be pocketed or the cue ball or any
numbered ball must contact a rail. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.
4. Each player continues to shoot so long as he legally
pockets any of his object balls (Exception: calling a safety). Should a player
fail to pocket his designated group ball he shall lose his turn.
5. If a player fails to hit the 8 ball while shooting at
it, it is a foul and the game continues. When the 8 ball is the legal object
ball, a scratch or foul is not a loss of game if the 8 ball is not pocketed or
jumped off the table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand.
6. In the event the cue ball or object ball stops on the
edge of the pocket then falls into the pocket because of vibrations, fans or
stamping of feet, it shall be replaced on the edge of the pocket as near as
possible to its position before interference.
7. When a player has pocketed all of the balls in his
group he then shoots at the 8 ball. He must call the pocket he intends to put
the 8 ball in.
F. Safety Shots
1. For tactical reasons a player may choose to pocket an
obvious object ball and discontinue his turn at the table by declaring *safety*
in advance. A safety shot is defined as a legal shot. If the shooting player
intends to play a safe by pocketing an obvious object ball, then prior to the
shot he must declare a *safety* to his opponent. If this is not done, and one
of the shooters object balls is pocketed, the shooter will be required to shoot
again. Any ball pocketed on a safe shot remains pocketed. A player may only
call 3 safes per game.
G. Combination
Shots
1. Combination shots are allowed. However, the 8 ball
cannot be used as a first ball in the combination except when table is open.
H. 8 Ball Run
Out (ERO)
1. The only time a player may achieve an ERO is in his
first approach, with 15 balls on the table. If the breaker runs out and wins
the game from the break, it is an ERO. If the breaker does not make any balls,
his opponent will have a shot at an ERO. He must pocket his 7 object balls and
the 8 ball without a miss.
2. ERO’s should be recorded on the score sheet in the
area provided.
I. Playing
games out of order
1. Sometimes under extenuating circumstances, players may
ask to play all games consecutively. Although permissible, this can only be
done after the 1st round is completed. It will be up to both team
captains to make the decision.
J. Slow Play
Rule
1. Exaggerated slow play will be penalized.
After a warning, any longer than ONE MINUTE
between shots will be a foul.
The third infraction will result in loss of game.
K. Potential
Fouling Situations
1. When it appears that there is a possibility that a
foul might be committed any time before the shot is taken, it is the opponents’
responsibility to call for a person to watch the shot. Because referees are not
used in league play, every attempt should be made to get a neutral party to
make the call. It is the person’s responsibility to call either foul or good
hit. However, if the respective person is not instructed specifically of what
he/she is to call before the shot is taken and the person calls a bad hit and
foul, the bad hit call stands.
2. Both players must exercise good judgment and
sportsmanship concerning potential fouling situations. Pool is intended to be a
game of honor. Unless the shot is extremely close, referees or neutral parties
should not be called.
3. If the opponent calls for a judge, the shooter must
stop shooting until a judge arrives. If the player continues to keep shooting
before the judge arrives the opponent may call a foul on the player.
4. A player should also stop shooting when a foul is
called.
L. Fouling -
All fouls must be called and acknowledged before next shot is taken.
(Exception: scratching)
1. Only the players involved may call a foul. In the
event a foul is called, the opposing player receives cue ball in hand anywhere
on the table. This means that the player may place the cue ball anywhere on the
table (the cue ball does not to be behind the head string except on the opening
break or immediately after a foul on the break). A player must stop shooting
when a foul is called. If there is a disagreement on a foul between the two
players and the captain did not see the play or it couldn’t be determined by
the rules, the game will be re-racked and started over with the two players
paying for the game. This should only be in an extreme case and no one on
either team seen the shot.
2. Shooting the cue ball into a pocket or off the table.
3. When placing the cue ball in position, any forward
stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be foul if not a legal shot. It is
not recommended to use the cue to help with placement of the cue ball however,
if you choose to do this you may only use the ferrule or stick because once the
tip has made contact with the cue ball it is considered a legal attempt at a
shot.
4. When using a bridge, if the tip of your cue is in
contact with the cue ball and at the same time either the bridge or cue stick
makes contact with any object ball, it is a foul.
5. Shooting without at least one foot on the floor.
(Exception: Wheelchairs)
6. Picking up or shooting the cue ball while any balls
are in motion is a foul.
7. With cue ball in hand, touching any object ball with
the cue ball is a foul or touching any object ball with your hand while
touching the cue ball is a foul.
8. When the slow play rule is enforced taking longer than
one (1) minute between shots is a foul.
9. Jumping object ball off the table is a foul.
10. After a scratch on a legal break, if a player
positions the cue ball completely and obviously outside of the kitchen and
shoots it is a foul. The opponent must call foul or the game shall continue.
11. If your opponent commits a foul and you do not receive
acknowledgement of such foul prior to touching the cue ball you have committed
a foul. (Exception: scratching)
12. If a player intentionally marks the table in any way
(including placement of chalk or leaving cue stick laid on table) to assist in
executing a shot it is a foul.
13. After a shooter has distinguished either stripes or
solids and the incoming shooter inadvertently legally pockets one of the
opposing shooters object balls it is a foul and the incoming shooter has ball
in hand. If the opposing shooter does not acknowledge the foul before the next
shot is taken or anytime thereafter, the game will result in a re-rack with the
person who committed the foul responsible for paying for the re-rack. If
neither shooter acknowledges the original foul and the game is completed, the
result of the game will stand.
14. While cue ball fouls only is the rule of play when a
match is not presided over by a referee, a player should be aware that it will
be considered a cue ball foul if during an attempt to jump, curve or masse the
cue ball over or around an impeding numbered ball that is not a legal object
ball, the impeding ball moves, regardless of whether it was moved by a hand,
cue stick follow through or a bridge.
15. An object ball is considered to be illegally pocketed
and remains pocketed when:
a) That object ball is pocketed on the same shot a foul
is committed.
b) The called ball did not go in the designated pocket
c) A safe is called prior to the shot
16. Accidently moving or touching any ball is not a foul unless:
a) The moved ball is the cue ball
b) A moved ball makes contact with the cue ball
c) A moved ball that is jumped off the table or pocketed
or causes any ball to be jumped off the table or pocketed (Exception to #3: If
the 8 ball is jumped off the table or pocketed it is a loss of game if called
by the opponent before the next shot is taken). Only the opponent may replace
the ball moved as closely as possible or leave it where it rests. If the
shooter replaces the moved ball it will be considered a foul.
17. Object ball frozen to cushion or cue ball. This applies
to any shot where the cue balls first contact with a ball is with one that is
frozen to a cushion or cue ball itself. After the cue ball makes contact with
the frozen ball the shot must result in either:
a) A ball being pocketed
b) The cue ball contacting the cushion
c) The frozen ball being caused to contact a cushion
attached to a separate rail.
d) Another object ball being caused to contact a cushion
with which it was not already in contact with.
Failure to satisfy one of those four requirements is a
foul.
A ball which is touching a cushion at the start of the
shot and then is forced into a cushion attached to the same rail is not
considered to have been driven to that cushion unless it leaves the cushion,
contacts another ball, and then contacts the cushion again. An object ball is
not considered frozen to a cushion unless it is examined and announced as such
by either a referee or one of the players prior to the object ball being
involved in a shot.
18. Coaching
a) Coaching is a foul. Any member of a team called for coaching
will result in a foul on the team member shooting.
b) Coaching by spectators is a foul and may be called if
it is verifiable and obvious. Verifiable means coaching that would be confirmed
by a neutral party.
c) At no time should a player walk around the table while
their opponent is shooting unless they are asked to watch a close hit. Telling
a player what to do at your table or at the bar is still coaching even if you
are not at the pool table.
d) Because coaching has the potential to become the
source of a dispute, all members of both teams must make every effort not to
even give the hint of coaching or any kind of behavior that could give the
slightest impression of coaching.
M. Loss of game
– any of the following situations will result in loss of game.
1. Pocketing the 8 ball when it is not the legal object
ball except on an opening break.
2. Pocketing the 8 ball on the same stroke as the last of
his group of balls.
3. Jumping or knocking the 8 ball off the table at any
time.
4. Pocketing the 8 ball in a pocket other than the one
designated.
5. Fouling while pocketing the 8 ball in the designated
pocket.
6. Third infraction of the slow play rule (if enforced).
N. Forfeits
1. Individual
forfeits: if a player is not there
prior to the beginning of the second (2nd )
round, he shall forfeit the first round only. If a player is not there prior to
the beginning of the third (3rd) round, he will forfeit all four (4)
games for the night.
2. Team
forfeits: Teams must have 2 players
by 7:30 p.m. or the team forfeits for the night. Team showing up to play
receives their average from the four (4) weeks prior, or four (4) weeks after
if early in season.
3. After split
forfeits: Team showing up to play
will receive their average from the first half of teams in their division.
O. Postponements
& make up matches
1. Opposing captains, by mutual agreement, may postpone a
match. Postponements are highly discouraged and should be made only because of
extenuating circumstances. In the event of a postponement both captains must
notify the league secretary or president of the postponement and when the match
will be played.
2. It is recommended that request for postponement is
made 24 hours before the scheduled match was to be played. Teams should have
sub players who can take over in the case of illness, etc. Not being able to
fill a team is not grounds for postponement. Opposing teams do not have to
grant a postponement. It is a privilege and not mandatory, however, it is good
sportsmanship to try and accommodate. Common sense, fair play and sportsmanship
should always be considered when deciding whether to consider a postponement.
3. Postponed matches must be played within 2 scheduled
league nights of the originally scheduled match, and should be shot in the
originally scheduled location.
4. Captains must make every effort to clearly agree on
time and date of the make-up match. If a dispute arises over the rescheduling
of the match, the league president will set up the match. If the disputed match
involves the league president the league secretary will set up the match.
5. In the event of bad weather it is the captains’
responsibility to notify the opposing team captain if your team is unable to
attend the regular scheduled match.
P. Stalemated
Game
1. In 3 consecutive turns at the table by each player (6
turns total), they purposely foul or scratch and both players
agree that attempting to pocket or move an object ball will result in immediate
loss of game, then the game will be considered a stalemate.
The balls will then be
re-racked and the breaker of the stalemated game will break again.
PLEASE NOTE: Three consecutive fouls by one player is not a loss
of game