Rules

LoneStar Rules of Conduct and Play

LR 1 Dress Code

We want to give a positive impression towards our sport. It is highly recommended that teams obtain matching shirts. No tank tops. No flip-flops. Matching team uniforms are required at The National Competition.

LR 2 Team Names

Team names will not be allowed if they contain any vulgarity, sexual suggestion, or drug related messages (either forwards or backwards).

LR 3 PLAYER SUBSTITUTIONS

Player substitutions are not allowed in league play. If five players names have been entered onto the score sheet and those five players are present when the match begins, the team must use those five players. If a listed player doesn't show, an alternate player may be used (provided the substitute player meets all standard participation requirements).

Note: player substitutions are allowed in play-offs and national competition -- the tournament director will explain the substitution rules at the event.

LR 4 Match Start Time

Matches should start at the designated time ( 8:00 p.m.) There is, however, a grace period of twenty minutes, to allow for unexpected delays. Matches must therefore commence by 8:20 p.m. at the latest. Late players may fit into the game rotation as dictated by the schedule, and all missed games are assumed lost.

LR 5 Individual Performance Rankings

To be eligible for the individual performance rankings (most break-and-runs, most undefeated nights, highest average, etc.) a player must play for the same team for at least 75% of the season's matches. For example, in a 28 week season, only players who have played at least 21 weeks will qualify.

LR 6 Practice Restrictions

Please note that league players participating in the match cannot practice once the match has started. As soon as the first game is in progress, all other players must cease playing. If you plan on playing other (non-League) matches, you must wait until you have completed your last game.

LR 7 MISSING FEES

If any player fails to pay the weekly match fee, that player's scores will not count and the opposing players will be automatically awarded the win for the game against the non-paying player. Both teams' scores will be recalculated using the adjusted scores. No pay, no play! Any player who falls more than three weeks in arrears for membership or weekly dues will not be allowed to play in the league until the owed moneys are paid up in full.

LR 8 FIRST TWO WEEKS OF PLAY

On the first two weeks of the league, no player is assigned an average, and the teams play a scratch (i.e. non-handicapped) game.

LR 9 ESTABLISHING A HANDICAP

In the event that a team is playing with an established handicap against a team that has not yet established a handicap (due to a bye or no-show on the first week of play, etc.), the match will be played without a handicap, i.e. scratch.

LR 10 ADJUSTING SCORE SHEETS

Score sheets may be modified by a League Director if they have been completed incorrectly.

LR 11 DETERMINING THE TOP PLACED TEAMS

The team with the most wins is the top placed team. When there are two or more teams with the same number of wins, the teams are ranked by points, with the team with the most points placed first. Note that the team points exclude handicap points.

LR 12 FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE SEASON

Any team that fails to pay for every scheduled match will be ineligible for the end-of-season playoffs and national competition, and will not receive any cash awards. A forfeit or bye is not deemed a scheduled match. i.e., a match that is played is deemed a scheduled match.

LR 13 SUBSTITUTION PLAYERS

A sub player is defined as a player who participates in the LoneStar Pool League who is not a regular team member on any particular LoneStar Pool League team who has a combined handicap for all divisions of play. A sub player may play for any team not to exceed 4 matches for any one team. Upon play of 5 matches, that sub player then becomes a full time team member or alternate team member and therefore must adhere to rule on page 2 “Playing on Several Teams”. A sub player must also be a member of the LoneStar Pool League, in good standing with membership fee paid to date.

LR 14 MAKE UP GAMES

Due to special circumstances teams may need to reschedule their match. The Captain of the team that needs to reschedule must notify the opposing teams Captain & the league office within 24 hours of the scheduled match. Simply put, just because at the last minute or a few hours prior to a match a team doesn’t have enough players, will not constitute a valid reason for a make up game. Any and all make up games must be completed within two weeks after the original date of the scheduled match. If the match is not rescheduled, the opposing team may buy the win, however their fees must be paid no later than the 3 rd week of the original scheduled match date. All forfeited fees must be paid prior to the last 3 weeks of the season. (No make up games will be allowed once the last 3 weeks of the season has started. There will be no exceptions to this rule).

LR 15 SPECTATOR COACHING

Spectators on the sidelines are not allowed to advise or coach a player during competition. If after asking a spectator not to coach a player he/she continues to do so, the captains or sponsor should ask the spectator to leave the area.

LR 16 TEAMMATE COACHING

A teammate (even the captain) may not advise the player in anyway if the player has not expressly asked for advise. A teammate may coach a player only when asked to do so by the player. Similarly, a teammate (even the captain) cannot draw the player's attention to a foul. All fouls must be called by the player prior to asking for a coach. While coaching, a teammate cannot touch the playing surface of the table, balls or sticks or place any form of marker around the table. Only one teammate may coach a player for a given shot. A player may only ask for coaching for up to three shots in a game. All coaching infractions are a foul, and the opponent is awarded ball-in-hand.

If a player is playing a match, that player is not allowed to coach his/her teammate playing on the other table. Note that any member of that team (playing or spectating that evening) is allowed to coach. Also, a player cannot delay the start of his/her game because he/she is coaching a teammate playing on a different table.

It is perfectly legal for players to talk to their teammates while the opponent is shooting. As soon as the opponent leaves the table and it is the player’s turn to shoot, all conversation with that player pertaining to the game must cease. It is not a foul to offer nonspecific encouragement to a player such as "good shot", or "take your time". However, comments such as "Don't shoot that" or "It's ball in hand" will influence the player’s next shot and are therefore considered coaching infractions. As a rule of thumb, you can encourage, but not influence a player.

Note: Coaching is not allowed in tournament play, e.g. playoffs and nationals.

LR 17 SHOOTING TIME RULE

As a courtesy to all players, be available and ready when your turn to play approaches. Once a game has started, the two players should concentrate on the game and avoid leaving the playing area. Consistent slow play is to be avoided. On rare occasions a player make take several minutes before playing a shot, but if a player frequently takes longer than one minute to play each shot, the opposing player may ask the team captains to determine whether a one minute time limit should be enforced. When a one-minute time limit is enforced a team captain must police the remainder of the game. If a one-minute time limit is enforced and that limit is exceeded, a foul will be called and the incoming player shall have ball in hand.

LR 18 CLOSE OR QUESTIONABLE SHOTS

It is the opponent's responsibility to ask the player to wait before making a close shot where there is the potential for a (disputable) foul. Both team captains (or designees) must watch the shot and determine a ruling. If the player proceeds with the shot (having been asked by the opponent to wait), it is a foul and the opponent is awarded ball-in-hand. Having watched the shot, it is the sole responsibility of the two "referees" to determine the legality of the shot and announce the ruling -- the players may not influence the decision as they have relinquished their responsibilities to their captains.

LR 19 DISPUTED SHOTS

It is the opponent's responsibility to ask the player to wait before making a shot when the opponent believes the previous shot was a foul. If the players cannot agree on the status of the last shot, the captains must make a ruling. If the captains cannot reach an agreement, the game must be replayed (with the same player breaking). IMPORTANT NOTE: If the player proceeds with the next shot (having being asked by the opponent to wait), it is a foul and the opponent is awarded ball-in-hand. If the opponent does not dispute the shot before the next shot is played, the shot cannot be questioned and is assumed legal.

LR 20 OBJECT BALL FROZEN TO CUSHION

This rule applies when the object ball to be struck by the cue ball is frozen to the rail. After the cue ball contacts the object ball you must (1) pocket the frozen ball or any other object ball, or (2) drive the frozen object ball to another cushion, or (3) drive the cue ball or another object ball to any cushion. Failure to do so is a foul. When there is any doubt about whether the object ball is frozen to a cushion, the opponent should ask for a ruling before shooting. NOTE: a double-kiss on a frozen object ball (driving it back to the same rail) is not a legal shot.

LR 21 BALLS MOVING SPONTANEOUSLY

If a ball shifts, settles, turns or otherwise moves "by itself," the ball shall remain in the position it assumed and play continues. A hanging ball that falls into a pocket "by itself" after being motionless for 5 seconds or longer shall be replaced as closely as possible to its position prior to falling, and play shall continue.

If an object ball drops into a pocket " by itself" as a player shoots at it, so that the cue ball passes over the spot the ball had been on, unable to hit it, the cue ball and object ball are to be replaced to their positions prior to the stroke, and the player may shoot again. Any other object balls disturbed on the stroke are also to be replaced to their original positions before the shooter replays

LR 22 CONCESSION

If a player concedes, he/she loses the game. The unscrewing of a jointed cue stick, except to replace a shaft, is considered to be a concession. No warning from the referee is required in the case of a concession.

LR 23 DISQUALIFICATION

A League Director has the right to disqualify any player from competition and the player forfeits the right to prize money and/or any other awards for unsportsmanlike conduct or tactics detrimental to the league or tournament.

LR 24 LEAGUE DIRECTOR/REFEREE RULINGS

All rule interpretations mandated by a League Director or Referee are final. Failure to accept the ruling is a loss of game.