Local Bylaws

What is a Bylaw?

Bylaws are rule changes or additions to the set of national league rules.

Why are there Bylaws?

Every BCAPL league operator has the discretion to implement bylaws as they see fit. We will be using bylaws as a way to maintain the experience that our existing players are accustomed to, or to correct rules that our players have identified as having issues.

What about at Tournaments?

The rule set used at the tournaments will be based on the national rules. Players are responsible with familiarizing them selves with these rules prior to playing in a sanctioned tournament.

Sanctioning Fees

All players’ annual sanction fees must be paid on the first week of play (Prior to even playing one match is recommended). Failure to do so could result in a match forfeit for any team with unsanctioned players.

Score/Handicap Manipulation

Definition

Manipulation of either a score or a handicap is defined as follows:

• Sandbagging – Intentionally losing a game or match, either to maintain a lower handicap, boost an opponent handicap, or gift points to an opponent
• Manipulating/Omitting Match Data – Incorrectly recording wins/losses or recording a match against an incorrect opponent (IE: Player A played Bob Smith, but didn’t want Bob’s handicap to go down, so during the recording of the scores, identified that the match actually took place against John Doe)
• Delaying Data Entry – Purposely delaying the entry of match data to maintain a skill level or point level, most commonly used to keep a handicap lower

Repercussions

Any player found to be knowingly manipulating their handicap or score as defined above (or in other ways) will be immediately suspended from play, and will be subjected to a ban from the league. The severity of the offense will dictate whether the ban will be temporary or permanent. At a minimum, the player will not be allowed to finish the current session.

Playback Rule

What is a Playback?

When a team is short a player to complete their roster for the evening (IE: Team A has 4 players present, but there are 5 matches to compete in), they may opt to utilize a player that has already played a match for the evening, to play the final match.

Choosing a Player

The opposing team will be permitted to choose the player from the roster of the team that is utilizing the playback. The opposing team must choose from the members of the roster that have already played that evening. Teams that are utilizing a playback must keep all members on hand until the player is chosen by the opposing team. Should a player depart that the opposing team desired to play against, then the match turns into a forfeit.

Double Play Formats (2 playbacks – 1 Team)

In Double Play leagues (IE: 8 Ball and Laggers Choice, or 8 Ball and 9 Ball on the same night), players are only permitted to perform a playback in one format, meaning a different player must be chosen for the second format.

Playbacks by Both Teams

In the event that playbacks are necessary for both teams, those teams may choose their own players for the final match, just as they would have normally for any other match. Again, a player may not play back in both formats in Double Play leagues.

Subs/Alts

What is a Substitute or Alternate Player?

Teams may utilize subs or alternates on their roster at any given time, with a couple of small exceptions.

Player Exceptions:

• Players from Opposing Team – You may not use a player that is part of the core roster of the team you are scheduled to play against that evening.
• Players with no Fargo Rating – You may not use a player that just walks in off the street and has no established Fargo Rating as a sub. You may add them to your roster as full time players and get them established, but you must clear this with the league operator first.
• Players Who Are Not Sanctioned – You may not use a player that is not a sanctioned player, UNLESS they pay their sanctioning fee on the West Michigan BCAPL website PRIOR to their match.
• Suspended or Banned Players – You may not use a player that has been suspended or banned from the league.

Date Exceptions:

• Final Week of Session – You may not use a Substitute player in the final week of the session.

Shot Clock

There is normally no shot clock time limit for local league play. If a player is to be considered as delaying the match unnecessarily or in an unsportsmanlike manner, a league director, referee, or representative may institute a 45-Second shot clock.

Timeout Limit

Players who are engaging in a timeout, have a time limit of 5 minutes to discuss and execute a play. Exceeding this time limit is to be considered a foul, and the incoming shooter will be presented with ball in hand.