1 A match consists of 4 singles frames and 3 doubles frames.
2 Each player may play in a maximum of 1 singles frame and 2 doubles frames. However they can play with the same partner in the doubles only once.
3 All matches must start at 20:00. Match can be claimed if the opposition have not arrived at 20:15.
4 Away team to fill in card first and must enter all 4 singles. Home team may enter names one at a time. After singles doubles may be entered one at a time with the away team completing the card first.
5 Cup match cards should be split in half with both teams filling out the card separately. In this case both teams can complete the card one name at a time.
6 One referee from each team must referee each frame.
7 Balls used for all matches must be red & yellow, any exceptions to this must be agreed by the BSPL Committee.
8 Playing rules and league format must be on display for every game.
9 Coaching is not allowed during a game, whether this is a singles frame or a doubles frame. Talking is not allowed between partners during a doubles frame. If this rule is abused then the referee may call a foul against the offending player(s) and if it continues then the referee may call game away.
10 Any team not able to play their match must notify the opposition AND the Fixtures Secretary at least 24 hours before the start of the match. Failure to do so will constitute forfeiting the match and will result in the following:
1stTime £5 Fine
2nd Time £5 Fine and deduction of 2 points
3rd Time £10 Fine plus written warning
4th Time Expulsion from the BSPL
11 All rearranged matches should be played within 4 weeks of the original date, it is the responsibility of the team who asked for the rearrangement to contact the opposing team and agree a suitable new date. If no contact is received within 4 weeks from the rearranging team then the match may be claimed by the opposing team. If teams cannot come to an agreement on a date within the 4 week period then they should contact the Fixtures Secretary and the BSPL Committee will set a date for the match to be played.
Result Cards
12 The winning team are responsible for the match card.
13 All result cards must be received at the Branston Arms by FIRST POST the following Friday. Failure to comply with this rule will result in the offending team losing the 2 points when the card relates to a league match and for cup matches the offending team will be removed from the competition (the offending team being the winning team).
14 A lost card will be classed as a late card resulting in the offending team losing the 2 points or being removed from the competition for a cup game (the offending team again being the winning team).
15 Defacing of cards and obscene language will not be tolerated. Points will be deducted accordingly, plus a fine of up to £20 per card may be issued. Continuous problems may result in offending players and/or teams being expelled from the league.
Players & Transfers
16 Any player of a team still owing money to the league will not be allowed to play for any team in the league until all monies are paid in full. A list of players this currently affects can be obtained from the fixtures secretary.
17 New players can be signed on at any time during the season provided that they have not played for any other team in the league (in which case it will instead be a transfer and transfer procedure should be followed), and they are not on the list of suspended players (in which case they must speak to the fixtures secretary, pay any outstanding amounts and obtain approval first). New players can play immediately however they must also complete a new player registration form and return this to the Branston Arms along with a registration fee of £1 no later than the Friday following the match. Failure to submit the form and fee will result in this players frames (singles & doubles) being awarded to the opposition.
18 Transfers can only be made during the first half of the season, meaning no transfers after the last league game in the first half of the season. A transfer form must be completed and a fee of £10.00 must be paid to the treasurer 24 hours before the player can play for the new team. Transferring before the form is received and the fee is paid will result in immediate expulsion from the league for the player involved.
19 Junior players must be 14 years or over, unless they play for a County youth team in which case the minimum age does not apply. Please ensure that you telephone the landlord/landlady of an away pub prior to your match to ensure that junior players will be allowed to play (this is strictly at venues discretion).
Singles, Doubles & 14 - 1 Competitions
20 In order to be eligible to enter and play in the singles, doubles & 14 - 1 knockout competitions you must be signed for a team which is currently playing in the league and does so until the end of the season.
21 Each player in a doubles pairing can play in different teams, however the venue which you enter from will remain as your home venue for the duration of the competition, you CANNOT keep changing from one to another (the only exception is if you transfer teams away from your initially chosen venue)
22 All matches must be played on or before the stated date, meaning that any rearranged games must be played before the deadline NOT after (exceptions only in extreme circumstances and with approval from the BSPL fixtures secretary). Result cards must be in by the stated date or BOTH parties will be knocked out of the competition.
23 Any player who cannot make a singles/doubles/14 - 1 match must inform their opponent (or Fixtures Secretary) NO LATER than 11am on the day that they will not be attending, failure to do so will result in you being removed from any other competition you have entered and also from entering any competitions the following season, exceptions to this rule strictly at the discretion of the committee.
Disputes, Problems & Complaints
24 All complaints must be received, in writing, by the BSPL Committee within 5 days of the match.
25 Any team or individual involved in any dispute or problem will be allowed to appeal once on any decision made by the BSPL Committee, after which the BSPL Committee’s decision will be final.
Meetings
26 Meeting dates and venues will be published along with the fixtures at the start of each season.
27 Each team must have a representative at every meeting, failure to send a representative will result in the following:
1stTime £2 Fine
2nd Time £5 Fine
3rd Time £5 Fine & 2 Points Deducted
4th Time £10 Fine & 2 Points Deducted
5th Time Expulsion From The League
28 Current league tables to be available at each meeting.
29 A fee of £40 must be paid each season, payable when entering a team at the AGM. In addition a player registration fee of £1 is payable for each player signed on to a team.
30 The BSPL Committee’s decision will be final on any points which may arise that are not covered by these rules.
31 In the event of the league folding all monies relating to the league to be donated 50/50 to the St Giles Hospice and Macmillan Nurses.
