BDPL Constitution

BDPL Constitution (downloadable version click on logo)

BDPL Constitution 2018-19

The League

The league shall be named Blyth & District Pool League, abbreviated to BDPL.
BDPL will be ran in accordance with the BDPL constitution.
All games under the BDPL banner will be played under Blackball playing rules.
League encashment area is open to venues from Blyth and surrounding areas including Seaton Sluice, Seaton Delaval, Hartley/New Hartley, Seghill, Annitsford, Cramlington, Bedlington, Stakeford, Guidepost and Cambois. Blyth venues will take priority over surrounding areas for any new teams wishing to enter the league.
BDPL will have 3 leagues – Super League, Premier Division and First Division.
The Premier Division will be known as Bob Brown Premier Division and First Division will be known as Kenny Stoker First Division.
The captain’s cup will be known as Keith Hall Captains Cup.
Tenders for sponsors will be invited.
Tenders for finals nights will be invited and will be decided by the committee.
Tenders to hold league meetings will be invited in Blyth.
BDPL will endeavour to become paperless – results sheets will not be required to be handed in. Results to be posted online by home teams on the night with a confirmation of the score by away team and any disputes sent to the committee. New players registered should also be posted online with results.

Administration

BDPL shall elect a committee to manage all business appertaining to the BDPL at the AGM meeting.
BDPL will be ran by a standard 3 man committee – Secretary, Treasurer and Chairperson.
1 non-controlling admin member from each league will be appointed to assist with running the league however they will not have a vote on any decisions.
The chairperson is responsible for chairing the meetings, creating an agenda and has the casting vote in any split decisions regarding votes, disputes and league matters.
The treasurer is responsible for keeping and maintaining the league finances.
The secretary is responsible for running of the league, keeping league tables, fixtures & stats up to date, making league members aware of any changes.
Committee members are voted onto their roles for the duration of one year.
Retiring officials positions are open for election at the AGM.
All retiring members are eligible to stand for re-election at the AGM.
Committee to be selected by vote if positions are opposed with 1 vote per team.
Each elected committee member will receive annual expenses for their roles and administering the league, £10 per month. As fees are payable at 9 monthly meetings this equates to £90 per committee member.
The committee have the right to alter or amend any fixture or advertisement they deem necessary.
The treasurer and secretary will be entered onto the bank mandate. Treasurer and secretary must sign all cheques. Bank transfers are also permitted as per banking procedure.
The treasurer will provide an audited balance sheet for each AGM.
The treasurer will check all income and expenditure receipts and observe proper banking procedures.
The treasurer will present the ledger book at each BDPL meeting showing all income.
Committee will set up a separate group for team representatives with 1 person nominated from each team, as well as maintain open forum page for all BDPL members.
The committee will endeavour to ensure that teams are playing in the correct divisions. There will be no option for teams to refuse promotion/relegation.
In line with no results sheets requiring handed in there will be no rankings published.

Membership

BDPL monthly subscription: £10 subs paid per team at each monthly meeting, 9 monthly fees payable, total amount £90. This can be paid monthly or in advance whatever is preferential for BDPL teams.
New teams wishing to enter the league must attend a meeting with the committee before being accepted into the league for the forthcoming season, and must agree to fully adhere to the BDPL playing rules and constitution.
For new teams the bond to enter the league is £50, payable at registration meeting for new teams. £25 is paid back to teams following completion of a full season, the remaining £25 is held by the league until the team wishes to leave the league.
In exceptional circumstance the committee may request a bond of £100 to be paid, £75 of which would be returned if the league season is completed by that team.
Any team failing to complete a league season will not have their bond returned. The bond will pay for any outstanding fees owed.
Any team wishing to re-join the league after leaving/folding must repay any outstanding fines in full before being allowed to re-join.
Teams wishing to move venue at the start of a new season will not be required to pay a new bond if the team moves in full. A team will be classed as still intact if 4 members of the team moves to another venue. If the number is less than 4 a new bond is required as they will be classed as a new team.
Teams must have a bond paid or they will not be entered into fixtures.
The league will repay any bond for a team that decides not to play before the fixtures have been published however after fixtures have been published the team is deemed to have folded and their bond will not be returned.
The committee reserve the right to refuse entry into the BPDL for prospective new teams or individual players if they believe entry will be detrimental to the running of the league.
All monies held within BDPL will be used for BDPL following managerial expenses.
Only members of BPPL will be allowed entry into any competitions organised by BDPL.
Teams must have a bond paid or they will not be entered into fixtures.
£1 membership fee for every player who joins the league, payable at league meeting by team.

Annual General Meetings (AGM)

Alteration of the constitution and playing rules can only be done at the AGM.
Proposals for any changes must be submitted to the secretary/chairman 1 month before the AGM so they can be added to agenda for items to be discussed.
No motion/proposal will be read out at the AGM unless proposed before the AGM meeting to the committee.
AGM will be held 3 days after the presentation night on either the 1st or 2nd Tuesday in July.
Only current BDPL teams are allowed a vote at the AGM for the new season with 1 vote per team.
If a vote is tied the chairman has the casting vote.
A separate meeting is held for new teams wishing to enter the league for the forthcoming season.

League Meetings

League meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of every month during the league season.
A minimum of 10 league meetings will be held a year.
Meeting fines for non-attendance are as follows:
-1st meeting – no fine
-2nd meeting - £10 fine
-3rd meeting - £10 fine + 5 point league deduction
-4th meeting – Eviction from the league

Disputes

In the event of a dispute occurring during a game of pool under the BDPL banner which cannot be sorted out on the night it is to be brought to the committee’s attention. The committee will rectify the dispute as soon as possible or at the next league meeting. Any committee decision is final.

Discipline

All members of BDPL are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting membership of the league and in the correct spirit the game is supposed to be played. The league will not tolerate any abusive behaviour, including violence. If the committee receives any reasonable or justifiable complaints appropriate action will be taken.
The committee reserves the right to fine, suspend or expel any members or team from the BDPL for any breach of rules or any act deemed by the committee to have brought the BDPL into disrepute; for not complying with standards of behaviour or adhering to the required spirit of the game. No official complaint needs to be made for the committee to take action against any members of the league if the committee believe behaviour is unacceptable or the league has been brought into disrepute.
Any member or team in BDPL accused of any offence within the BDPL will be offered the chance to defend themselves or explain their conduct at a meeting with the committee or in writing.
Disciplinary procedures are as follows:
-1st Misconduct – Verbal Warning
Any warning given to an individual/team stands for 12 months, if said individual/team have not received another warning during this time span the original warning is withdrawn.
Any individual/team using violence will be immediately evicted from the league, even if it is the first form of misconduct.
An individual/team barred from the league must appeal to the league via the secretary/chairman to re-join the league once their ban is finished. The must obtain clearance to play at the next league meeting scheduled before re-registering or playing with any other team.
Any individual/team barred from the league will not be allowed entry into any competition ran by BDPL until they have been re-registered by BDPL.
Any individual/team allowed back into the league and continuing to disrupt or cause trouble will be evicted for life.
Any individual whose name is on the local pub watch list in ineligible to register as a member of BDPL; any member who is subsequently added to the pub watch list will be ineligible to play/referee any league or cup sanctioned games until their name is removed from the list.
Any players barred from specific premises may not play in league matches held unless permitted by the manager of those premises.
The committee will provide a neutral venue for any player drawn to play singles or doubles knock-out at premises they are barred from.

Fines

Fines for non-attendance of league meetings is listed above (see League Meetings – 52)
Members not turning up for singles or doubles knockout matches who have also not made any contact to the opposing player(s) of non-appearance will be fined £5, this fine is attributed towards the team and payable at the next league meeting, with the proceeds going to the opposition player.
Any team failing to fulfil a league or cup fixture will be fined £20 and points will be awarded to the opposing team.
No results posted £5 fine

General

The committee requires all teams to take responsibility for the standard of pool table in their venue (level, baulk lines clearly marked, visible 8 ball spot marked, sufficient lighting). A rest should also be available as part of equipment on the night if needed.
All teams to be play with Pro-Cup standard pool balls.
The committee ask that team’s use referees who have a good knowledge of the playing rules and are confident of applying these rules during games. A referee's decision is final unless...
In the event of a dispute during a frame being played both teams should consult the playing rules for guidance (copy of playing rules should be held at every venue, failing this contact a committee member) to settle the dispute. If there is a dispute and both players agree to the same outcome the referee should change his decision accordingly.
If there is a dispute and it's sorted out at the time and the frame has continued to be played the committee will not listen to anything further on the matter.
In the event a dispute cannot be resolved the committee must be contacted who will attempt to resolve the issue immediately or ask for written explanation from both teams and will make a decision at the next scheduled meeting.
The league chairman only has a casting vote at any meetings if required, another member of the chairperson's team should also be present at the meeting for their teams vote.
If 1 team requests names to be drawn out for order of play on the night this must be done. Failing that order of play is written out by both teams with sheet folded if wished for a 'blind' draw.
We ask that members leave all decisions to the committee and in return the committee will inform you of any issues that may arise.
Food being provided on a league night is mandatory by the home team. Knockout games this is optional and at the discretion of the home team.

Playing Rule Clarifications

BDPL has adopted Blackball playing rules for all forms of competitions under the BDPL banner. The following are clarifications of rules and practices followed in BDPL.

There is no automatic time limit to be administered on a pool night, however if 1 team wishes for the time limit rule to be played it must be played on the night. Time limit is 1 minute per shot, timing beginning once the white ball has stopped moving, or is placed back on the table after a foul.
If one team wishes to enforce no speaking in doubles once a player has addressed the table (including placing hand on the table) this should be agreed before the fixture begins and then must be adhered to. Failure to follow this is enforced will result in a foul being called and two shots awarded.
Moving the cue ball with the tip, or any part of the cue when lining up a shot from a break or after being awarded two shots and taking ball in hand is a foul.
If the cue ball looks like it is going to go down a pocket it must not be stopped by an individual. If it is stopped this is a loss of frame offence.
Taking a part your cue apart without reason to do so in a frame is a loss of frame offence.

Matches – League

League games are to be played on a Thursday night.
The league will have no option to cancel league fixtures. If teams know they are not available to fulfil a designated fixture contact should be made with the opposing team and committee in advance and the game be played on an alternative date.
Leagues games are to start from 8pm promptly.
Any team that has not turned up at a venue by 8:10pm and not made any contact to opposing team will forfeit the game, and be fined in accordance (see Fines 73).
Teams must have 3 players present to start the game (3 players can still win a league or cup fixture).
League and knockout cup fixtures will consist of 2 x 5 singles and 1 game of standard doubles.
Captains cup game to be played at the start of league fixtures.
Teams to lag for every frame in league and knockout cup fixtures for break.
Alternating referees to officiate between home and away teams, with the home team refereeing first league fixture. Home referee also officiates captain’s cup.
1 point will be awarded for each frame won during a league fixture. There will be no bonus points awarded to the league tables for winning a fixture overall.
Any league fixture that does not completed all scheduled frames to take place by the time the home venue is closing have two options:
-If both captains agree to move to an available alternative venue to complete the fixture they should do so.
-If there is no agreement between captains the scores as currently played up to will stand and be posted to the committee.
All players must be registered with a team in BDPL to be able to play in all league competitions.
Home teams are responsible for posting league results, no later than Saturday midday. Posting of result from away team is accepted. If no result has been posted by Saturday midday home team is subjected to fine (see Fines 72) and subject to 3 points being deducted from the league table.
If teams are level on total points during the season they will be separated in the following order: Games Won, Number of Frames Won, Head to Head. If by the end of the season all of these are level a play-off between the teams in question will be arranged.
The BDPL does not have a minimum age limit for members, but it is up to home venues rules whether a player aged under 18 is allowed to play. This rule must not be abused – if an under-aged player is not permitted to play in the bar but that player’s team still has a full complement of players the fixture must still be played.
Home teams must provide food for league matches, failure to comply results in a £10 fine. In addition to this – if a fixture is reversed by the home team (E.G closure of home venue) they must reimburse the away team for food being provided if requested by the away team.
Teams that complete half a season but do not complete the full season will have their points from the half-way point of the season removed, and opponents points accumulated during this period will also be removed.
Teams may register a new player on a league night. The players name must be printed onto the bottom or back of the results sheet with a signature from both player & captain. If a player signs onto another team but who is already registered to another team any fixtures play will be null 7 void and points not awarded.
Players may transfer between teams during the designated transfer window in the league which are during the 1st 6 weeks from the season starting, and also the month of January. The cost of a transfer is £20 – 310 to the team losing the player and £10 to the league for extra admin work required.
If a team folds during the season the players who were a part of that team are classed as free agents and may sign for a new team outside the transfer windows. Maximum of 3 players can sign onto a new team from a team which has folded.

Matches – Knockout

BDPL will run separate Singles, Doubles, 3-a-side and KO Cups for each league.
Women’s only singles knockout will be ran through the season across all 3 divisions.
Over 50’s singles knockout will be ran through the season across all 3 divisions.
Singles, Doubles, Women’s and Over 50’s knockout ties will be contested best of 5 frames from the first round. Best of will increase to best of 7 for quarter finals, and potentially best of 9 for semi-finals and finals.
Lag is to be done for opening frame in Singles and Doubles to determine the break. After this is it alternating breaks. KO cups and 3-a-side competitions have a lag contested for break for every frame.
Doubles knockout games are to be played in standard format.
Singles and Doubles entry is £2 per person
3-a-side entry is £5 per squad. At least 1 squad must be entered per team in the league. Minimum 3 players per squad with a maximum of 5.
Singles knockout games are to be played by the last Monday before the league meeting.
Doubles knockouts are to be played by the last Sunday before the league meeting.
3-a-side knockouts will be played by Tuesday one week before the league meeting.
All knockout games are played at own venues with a draw completed for home/away player up to and including semi-finals. Finals for all competitions will be played on one night across all divisions at a suitable and neutral venue.

Claiming Games and Deadlines

Any fixture not played due to no-show by an individual will be subject to relevant fines (see Fines).
Singles, Doubles & 3-a-side – Players are responsible for making contact to arrange an earlier date to play if unable to play on the deadline. Contact should be attempted out of courtesy if intending to play the game on the deadline night. If EITHER player cannot play the game on the deadline night they must give their opponent a minimum of ONE WEEK’s notice before the deadline date in order for a game to be rearranged. Failure to give the required notice will result in the player being removed from the competition (unless lack of notice is for a medical emergency)
If the minimum of 1 weeks’ notice is given and an alternative date cannot be arranged before the deadline, the secretary of the league is to be notified immediately and a date will be scheduled or extension considered.
If a knock-out game is arranged early by both players and a player then fails to turn up for the pre-arranged game to be played with no warning given for not appearing they forfeit the game and are removed from the competition, with the relevant fine given to their team.
The winners of Singles, Doubles & 3-a-side games are responsible for posting results of the games played, no later than the next scheduled meeting. Failure to do so will result in the result being void and both players/teams being eliminated from the competition.
The committee have the overall right to exclude anyone entering any BDPL competition.
During a league game if players are delayed on arriving on the night it is up to two team captains to sort out the order of play on the night and reach agreement. If no agreement is made & a player is not present at the time his game is due to be played that frame is forfeit.
Singles, Doubles & 3-a-side games if the game is to be played on the final night and opposing player has not turned up to play by 8:15pm and made no contact during the day the game can be claimed by forfeit.
3-a-side knock-outs – it is the responsibility of the home team to arrange a date & time for the game to be played with the away team. If an agreement is made the game is played at this date. If a date cannot be agreed contact a committee member.
All competitions, if for whatever reason, a team or individual cannot arrange a date to play before or on a deadline the committee must be contacted, and they will attempt to resolve the issue and set a date for the game to be play, either before the deadline or granting an extension after the deadline. An extension can only be granted by the committee in exceptional circumstances. Ultimately, a deadline is a deadline.
If a game requires re-arranging it should be brought to the committee's attention at the earliest possible date to allow possible rescheduling.

Trophies and Prize Monies

The league will continue to use current trophies, however new trophies will be purchased where required with league funds.
Main trophies will be purchased with the intention of being engraved with winners and returned every year in a hand-me-down trophy style.
Presentation nights will be held to hand over trophies won. This is usually held on the first Saturday of July.
Trophies will be purchased for winning the league and knockouts individually. Any players/teams not wishing to receive a trophy must inform the committee.
No money alternative will be offered for not receiving a trophy.
Prize monies for winning knockouts will be reviewed and paid out depending on league finances after all other items requiring money has been addressed.
All league winners & runners-up will receive a main trophy & 8 individual trophies paid for by the league, any additional trophies have to be paid for by the team. 3rd place in the league get a smaller main trophy.