Phenolic Tip Rule
Effective June 1, 2009, the Official Rules of the BCA Pool League in “Equipment Specifications” under “Cues,” item d. states:
“The cue tip must be composed of leather, fibrous, or pliable material.
Phenolic cue tips are not permitted.”
The BCA Pool League is amending this rule to state: “THE CUE TIP ON BREAK CUES MUST BE MADE OF LEATHER WITH NO NON-LEATHER MATERIALS ADDED TO THE CONTACTING SURFACE.” There have been questions asked, such as: “What if I break with my jump cue?” and similar questions. It is very simple. Whatever cue you break with must have a leather tip.
The reason for this rule is that the BCA Pool League has witnessed too many examples of damaged cue balls. After consultations with Aramith and Simonis, it has been determined the major contributing factor in cue ball damage is the hardness of the tip on break cues.
For several years the WPA has taken the position that the cue tip may not be of a material that can scratch or damage the cue ball. The BCAPL subscribes to the WPA philosophy.
This policy only applies to break cues. Jump cues are allowed to have a leather or non-leather tip - since it is difficult to stroke with enough force to cause damage.
This rule will be in effect at the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships and regional tournaments that the BCAPL promotes. Promoters, directors and operators of events such as league play or local tournaments may alter the rules as they see fit.
Bill Stock
Rules and Referee Administrator
Players pay a $15 BCAPL league membership fee only once per year -- no matter how many local leagues the player joins during the year.
Effective June 1, 2009 -- A player who has paid the annual $15 league membership fee in one league does not have to pay the sanctioning fee in any future leagues that they join for the same league year. The league year is from June 1 to May 31.
Please note: The BCA Pool League Membership Fee is $15. Any additional fee added by the League Operator MUST be called a ‘local registration fee’ or similar. Do not combine our membership fee and your operating fee into one ‘sanctioning fee’. It is misleading to the players. It is OK to have an additional fee – just call it what it is – a local league handling or registration fee. This secondary fee may still be collected by the 2nd league.
Example: A player joins the first league and pays a $15 membership fee. When they go to sign up for another league, they need to show the new League Operator the membership card from the first league. In this example, the 2nd League Operator may still collect their ‘local registration’ fee.
If unable to present a membership card, the player must provide the exact same name used in the first league - and provide the league name and contact info. This will allow the new League Operator to verify that the membership was paid.
When the new League Operator submits their player list (with payment), it needs to show that player ‘x’ has paid previously league number ‘y’. The national office will verify. This will also ‘red flag’ an operator who is slow in submitting his player sanctioning.
Hopefully this will work to everyone’s satisfaction. When the BCAPL initiated the policy of charging for each league, it was not our intention to have that as a permanent policy. Over the years, many more leagues have subscribed to LeagueSys and that helps in tracking player info. In addition, most players and League Operators now understand the importance of using a player’s legal name and being consistent in the names used.
Please note that when a player joins a 2nd (or 3rd) league, pressure will be put on the original league to submit the player sanction information and fees in a prompt manner. We will need everyone’s cooperation to make this new policy a success – constant verification problems can consume hours of research.
A player that has not received a membership card within about 4 weeks of paying should notify the national office at (702) 719-7665.
(Effective 6/1/2009)
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Open teams are allowed one (1) Master or Grand Master player per team in the BCA National 8-Ball Championships.
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Women’s Teams no longer need (3) original players.
Women’s teams are allowed and encouraged to form a team from anywhere in their league and are no longer required to have three (3) original players from a qualified team to play in the BCA National 8-Ball Championships.
(Effective 6/1/2005)
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Protection of Night Policy:
- BCA Pool League (BCAPL) does not grant geographical protections as we are not a franchise system. However, we do protect a night of play within the locations that an existing League Operator serves, and the area these locations serve. This means if an existing operator has a Monday night travel league, a competing operator cannot offer travel league play on the same night in the same market. The new operator MUST offer play on a different night, provided the existing League Operator is properly serving the market.
- In some particular situations, league play may be on the same night if they are a different style of play in a different portion of the market. Each situation would be looked at individually and the existing operator would be consulted and be part of the decision making process.
- Many factors will be taken into consideration. Some of the more obvious would be size of the town, competing similar leagues (e.g. scratch vs handicap, 8-ball vs 9-ball etc.). Length of being an operator is important as well as the personal history between the League Operators. All will be considered.
- Keep in mind the purpose is to grow the BCA Pool League system. Adding new operators without adding new players is not necessarily good for the league system. We need to protect existing League Operators, just as the new operators would wish to be protected in the future.
- Separate “in house” league play is usually exempt from these protection of night restrictions.
- A League Operator is expected to observe the spirit of this rule. Giving current BCAPL players and locations a league option on another night can be beneficial, but competing for the same players and locations on the same night is not allowed.
This policy is strictly a guideline and will be applied according to an overall evaluation of the facts in each market.
Important: Before entering a new market, it is the responsibility of each League Operator to first find out which nights and locations are already active in the BCA Pool League. The "Find a League" feature on playbca.com is a valuable starting point -- http://www.playbca.com/Default.aspx?tabid=101 Then, consult with the existing League Operator (or BCAPL headquarters) to answer any questions that may arise.
How is this policy applied?
The purpose of the policy is to keep market competition fair and equitable for the players and locations. Totally free and open competition could result in putting the players, teams and locations squarely in the middle of countless battles between League Operators. We need some mechanism to protect the divisions that a League Operator has established from a frontal assault by another League Operator, and the Protection of Night Policy serves that purpose.
The single most important factor in our ability to enforce the policy is how quickly the League Operator acts when a competitor first begins to contact locations and teams. If a division is against our policy, then we want somebody to call us before it gets established so that we can enforce the policy. But we have to hear from an established League Operator right away. Once a division gets established, it is very difficult to tell the locations and players that they can’t continue.
Any grievance should be documented. It can be submitted in writing up front, or we can discuss the specifics over the phone. Both have value. Writing keeps the focus on the facts, and a discussion allows for additional information to be requested by us.
During the resolution process, we apply our guidelines to an overall evaluation of the facts in any given situation. Therefore, we need to ask a League Operator to be specific regarding their questions about the application of the policy. We always need to consult with the other party, and we occasionally have to communicate with locations or teams to confirm the facts.
So, what can the BCAPL actually do to help a League Operator compete?
We cannot ...
... tell a League Operator what to charge a location, a team, or a player
... protect a geographical “territory” for you. Your best protection is your ability to attract and keep players and locations.
... tell a location owner that they can’t start their own in house league. In house leagues have normally been exempt from the protection of night restrictions. If we tell a location owner that they cannot install a new League Operator, they will probably continue but they won’t be BCAPL. That would make it doubly difficult for you (or us) to get the players to rejoin your league.
We can ...
... say no to a League Operator who thinks they can walk into your location on your league night and directly solicit your teams to play in a different league (especially on the same night) next session. That would be unacceptable. Keep in mind, however, that our ability to stop such a rogue League Operator is directly proportional to the time it takes the established League Operator to get us involved. We would need to nip that in the bud.
Once a division gets established, it is very difficult to tell the locations and players that they can’t continue.
... influence any League Operator who appears to be skirting the spirit of the protection policy. However, we would need the FULL cooperation of the established League Operators in the area to be effective, and there is only so much we could do from here. You are there, and we are here ... you are in command of the facts we need in order to enforce our policy, and we can’t do it without a lot of help from you. Also, we must carefully differentiate between what is “competition” and what is “undermining” or policy violations.
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Dual Sanctioning Policy:
- Any league sanctioned with another recognized national league system may sanction with the BCAPL (dual sanctioning) as long as its intention is not to undermine the BCAPL national league system. The applicant for dual sanctioning may be required to offer a separate BCAPL sanctioned league or division. Leagues with existing dual sanctioning may continue sanctioning annually with no restrictions on a consecutive year basis only.
- The BCA Pool League will continue to reserve the right to accept dual sanctioning from any league it feels is sanctioning with the BCAPL for the express purpose of offering its players extra benefits, and not for the purpose of undermining an existing BCA Pool League within its area of administration.
What this means is that the league can truly “dual sanction” with the BCAPL. This policy helps insure that all League Operators are treated equally.
The BCAPL’s position is to make available to all league players the opportunity to benefit from being affiliated with the BCAPL whether purchasing from BCAPL member store or participating in the largest pool tournament in the world every May in Las Vegas, NV. and regional tournaments throughout the country.
Join the BCA Pool League experience!
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Minimum League Size:
The BCA Pool League is primarily a league of standard weekly 8-Ball team divisions. Most divisions are 5-player teams, but 4-player team divisions are sometimes used, especially where it is difficult to build 5-player teams. The smallest league we can sanction is normally 30 players in one division, which is a minimum of six 5-player teams. Each standard 4 or 5-player team division must meet this 30 player requirement.
However, we can sanction a new league with fewer than 30 players, provided the league has a plan to achieve the 30 player minimum within the division. Exceptions are automatically made for smaller (fewer than 30) summer divisions also.
What other formats does BCAPL sanction?
9-Ball, Straight Pool & One Pocket - Established leagues sometimes sanction other pool games, especially in billiard rooms. We sanction many 9-Ball divisions, and an occasional Straight Pool or One Pocket division, as well.
Singles only divisions have also been sanctioned. However, Singles divisions must be requested by the League Operator and approved by BCAPL in advance. Singles Division players are allowed to qualify for the Singles and Scotch Doubles Divisions (only) of BCAPL championships. Players are not allowed to qualify for team divisions based on participation in a sanctioned Singles only division. This means that they cannot be a "sub" on a team.
Scotch Doubles division players may qualify for the Singles and Scotch Doubles (SD) Divisions, and as "subs" in the Team Divisions of BCAPL championships.
Minimum Division Sizes:
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Regular team divisions - 30 players (six 5 player, eight 4 player, & ten 3 player teams)
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SD (Scotch Doubles) divisions - 12 players (six SD teams)
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Singles divisions - 16 players
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Straight Pool & One Pocket - 16 players recommended, 8 players minimum
BCAPL Player Members automatically qualify for the Player Member (Singles), Master Singles, Grand Master Singles, Seniors, Super Seniors and Master Scotch Doubles Divisions of BCAPL championships. Player Members are not eligible for any Team events, for Open Scotch Doubles, or for Open Singles Divisions. They must play in the Masters or Grand Masters Divisions if applicable. Exceptions can be made in some regional, state, and local events.
Glossary of terms:
League - is a distinct group of divisions operating under one league # and name. A league can be comprised of one small division or of many divisions of teams playing in many different cities.
Division - In a local league, a "division" is a group of teams playing together in a schedule for a single session. The same division can continue into the next session, but the complement of teams and players may change, and the schedule for the next session may be different from the current session.
In a tournament, a "division" refers to a group of players or teams playing together in one division of a multi-division tournament (e.g., Men's Masters Singles Division, Women's Open Team Division).
Session - is the schedule of weeks for the division. Sessions are several weeks long, and can begin at any time. A fall session would be a division schedule that begins right after Labor Day and ends soon after New Years Day, for example. Sessions should be compatible with the league year calendar, which begins June 1 and ends the following May 31. In other words, summer sessions should begin after June 1 and spring sessions should end before May 31. Summer sessions usually run a shorter (8-10 week) schedule, whereas fall and spring sessions are usually longer (12-14 weeks). Summer sessions usually start in early June, fall sessions in September, and spring sessions in January.
Market - is a flexible term that can refer to a theoretical economic base. For example, a "Chicago market" could refer to the city of Chicago (about 3 million population), or to Cook County which encompasses Chicago and some suburbs (about 5 million population), or to the "metro market," which would include all of contiguous cities and towns which surround Chicago and Cook County (about 9 million population). For pool league purposes, no single league could possibly serve any of the "Chicago markets" described; it would take many leagues to "serve the market."
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It pays to play BCAPL!
Our goal… To create and improve opportunities for pool players of all abilities through fair governance and equitable policies.
BCAPL has sanctioned Scotch Doubles divisions with three or four SD pairs (6 or 8 players) combined on one team playing in a team league format. Those divisions qualify teams for the Team Divisions of BCAPL championships, provided they meet the normal eligibility requirements, including the "3 original members" rule for Men's/Mixed Teams.
Question: Can we play just once a month? Answer: Teams must play in standard weekly divisions to qualify for the team divisions of our regional and national tournaments. However, the BCAPL office has approved Singles and Scotch Doubles (SD) divisions that meet semimonthly, or even monthly, under certain circumstances. For example, if an SD division wants to meet once a month for an 8 month session, then we can count the session as 8 weeks of play.
Each exception to the standard weekly format for Singles and Scotch Doubles (SD) divisions must be preapproved in writing by the BCAPL national office each year. Each competition day in monthly or semimonthly Singles or SD divisions will count as one "week of play" only. For example, if a monthly division meets to play the equivalent of 4 weeks of play on a Saturday, then the play in that division will count as a single week of play only.
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Sanctioned Tournament Added Money Program (S.T.A.M.P) --
Through this program, the BCAPL offers its stamp of approval nationwide for every BCAPL sanctioned player to share in added monies for state and regional tournaments when sanctioned by the BCAPL whether their state is supported by a state association or not.
Policy: Sanctioned Tournament Added Money Program (S.T.A.M.P.)
- The BCAPL will make available to approved event promoters $1 per player per state, or in some cases per region, as added money to BCAPL sanctioned state tournaments. This program is offered nationwide in all 50 states whether there is a state association in place or not. The event promoters are asked to structure their payouts to assist players in attending the BCAPL national championships. Added money will be available on a request basis and released to approved event promoters 14 days prior to the competition date.
- Event coordinators must submit a written request for added funds and include specific event dates, competition location, number of tables, list of events, entry fees and all other pertinent tournament information to the BCAPL for review. The BCAPL reserves the right, at our sole arbitrary discretion, to refuse added money to any event we deem not in our best interest or not consistent with the policies of the BCAPL.
- To qualify for the added money, pre-event information and post event results must be provided on a timely manner, so that the BCAPL can assist in advertising and marketing the event. We need details at least six months in advance of each tournament to post under "Upcoming Events" on our site. Failure to supply the information can disqualify an event for added money in current and future years. We will withhold a percentage (usually 25%) of the added money (up to $1,000), until we receive the results and photos from each event. Please "help us to help you." Thanks. (Effective 6/1/2007)
Disclaimer: Sanctioned Tournament Added Money Program (S.T.A.M.P.)
The S.T.A.M.P. program is voluntary and offered at the sole arbitrary discretion of the BCAPL and may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice. These offers do not bind the BCAPL to any contract with any entity in any state or region for future support or added monies.
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Age Restrictions for BCA Pool League sanctioned league and tournament participation --
The BCA Pool League (BCAPL) has no age restrictions for players to participate in local BCAPL league play.
However, local jurisdictions are the final authority when defining age related entrance into venues. For example, at our national events in Las Vegas, casinos allow minors to enter the venue only when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Policy
- It is the policy of the BCA Pool League that anyone who is a BCAPL sanctioned member, regardless of age, may participate in all BCAPL sanctioned events including league play (subject to local jurisdictions).
- A parent or legal guardian must accompany minors who are 17 years old and younger when competing in national BCAPL events.
The BCAPL encourages local leagues to continue to provide stable learning venues for minors to learn and enjoy the sport of pool.
We never know where the next world champion might come from. Make a difference!
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