League By-Laws

1General Information

1. The following rules will govern the play of Blue Ridge BCA League and Tournaments. All rules will be superseded by BCA Rules and can be referenced at BCAPL - Rules PDF direct link unless otherwise stated below.
2. What is BCA? Please review BCA Pool League - About.
3. What is Blue Ridge BCApl? A pool league for players by players in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC and surrounding areas. Find us on Facebook Group Blue Ridge BCApl or https://www.facebook.com/BlueRidgeBCA
4. All communications of League and Tournaments will be done via email blueridgebca@gmail.com, text, or Facebook.

2League Handicap, Stats, and League Management System

1. League Handicap Calculations are available through the FargoRate League Calculator.
2. League stats are available 24 hours a day at https://lms.fargorate.com/publicreport
3. LMS is the official League Management System: https://lms.fargorate.com/

3League Fees

See BCA official policies: BCAPL - League Policies.

1. There will be a $25 fee per year per player which will go towards operating cost. This will be collected and provided to the League Operator. This fee is due every January or in the case of a new player not previously sanctioned. The fee is due to the BCA National Office every January. Failure to do so will forfeit the player from that team and session.
2. Blue Ridge BCApl weekly league fee is $11 per player for each match played. Fees must be collected by each Team Captain or representative and provided to the host room or LO/VP/Secretary.
3. Failure to collect league fees may result in increased handicap, reduced winnings, penalty points, or expulsion from League with multiple infractions and is at the discretion of the League Operator.
4. Captains and team members are responsible for all fees due for all matches regardless of absent players.
5. Failure to collect fees hurts everyone.
6. The League Operator has the right to disqualify any player who does not pay their league fees.

4Teams, Captains, and Divisions

1. Teams will consist of one Captain and at least one designated representative or co-captain. It is each Captain's responsibility to collect fees, maintain the roster, and help promote Blue Ridge BCApl.
2. Divisions can consist of five-player, three-player, Doubles, Singles, or Platinum “Masters” Division. Players in singles and doubles leagues are not eligible to form teams at BCA Pool League events. However, players in singles and doubles divisions may act as substitutes for a team from a team division of the same league.
3. Platinum or “Masters” divisions can consist of up to four players with three players per match. This division has no handicap. A FargoRate of 500 or higher is recommended but is not required.
4. Five-player Division teams can have a minimum of five players and a maximum of eight players, including the Captain/DR. Keeping eight players is recommended to field matches when players are absent.
5. Three-player Division teams can have a minimum of three players and a maximum of six players.
6. Teams can replace players or add new players no later than three weeks from the start of the Session.
7. Teams can be added to the session no later than two weeks from the start of the session.
8. Substitutes are allowed in League Play before the start of a match. The requirement is that the player pays their $25 BCA fee and the regular weekly league fee. Contact the League Officers if you plan on using a substitute. It is up to the team how to disperse winnings. League Officers will not take ownership once winnings have been provided to the Team Captain.
9. Players can play on multiple teams in the same division, up to three teams. League Fees remain the same for each team a player plays on. This allows multiple chances to be on a team that can win a spot in the Championship and can help teams fill spots. Restrictions may apply.
10. To limit players from stacking teams there will be a FargoRate limit. League officers will assist in player assignment to teams if requested.
11. Five-player Division team rating cap: 2750.
12. Three-player Division team rating cap: 1650.
13. Scotch Doubles rating cap: 1200. When a team goes over 1200, a 20-point rating cushion is allowed. For every 10 points over 1220, a one-game penalty begins for every match.
14. Singles will have a rotational schedule but players must play their matches that week. Singles players are required to work with their opponent to play their match.
15. If a team starts a new session at the 1200 cap, it must add a member that reduces its rating or create a new team that prevents it from going over 1200. A team cannot be formed at the start of a session over the rating cap. If it goes over during a session, the rating cushion applies until the session ends. At the next session start, that team must split or add a member to go under 1200.

5Supported Division Format Types

1. Supported League format types can consist of 8-Ball, 9-Ball, 10-Ball, One Pocket, 14.1 (Straight Pool), and Bank Pool.

6Payment Options

1. We accept Venmo @blueridgebca, PayPal blueridgebca@gmail.com, Cash App, or cash.

7Photo ID

1. All players may be required to show valid photo ID for League or Tournament play.

8Board of Directors

1. Team captains will automatically be part of the Board of Directors, subject to change as the league grows. They will join the League Operator, Secretary, and Vice President for the betterment of the League.
2. The Board is responsible for the budget, league fees, discrepancies, league rules, and resolving issues.
3. Rules cannot be modified without approval from the Board.
4. Tie breakers will be decided by the League Operator.
5. Vice President and Secretary positions are voted on by the Board. Teams are encouraged to have input on who would fit these positions. If the VP/Secretary position is not filled, the League Operator retains the right to appoint a member temporarily.
6. VP/Secretary will take the place of the League Operator in case of absence.

9Number of Tables and Practice Tables

1. The number of tables for regular match play is at the discretion of the Host Room. Every effort will be made to allow two tables per match, but there is no guarantee.
2. Practice tables will not be provided and regular host room fees apply.

10Forfeits, Hardships, and Makeups

1. Teams unable to field a full lineup may request a hardship or makeup from the opposing Captain. It is at the discretion of the opposing team which option it is willing to allow. Only one hardship or makeup can be requested per week. Substitutes are allowed; see Teams, Captains, and Divisions.
2. A makeup must be completed before the next week's league play start time or it is marked as a Forfeit.
3. Fees are still required at the end of that night from each team regardless of the agreed option. Team members should consider pooling money for this scenario.

11Permitted Equipment

1. For Blue Ridge BCA Tournament and League play, jump cues (short cues) are allowed. Improper use may be ruled illegal. No “scooping” is allowed, and every effort should be made not to damage equipment when jumping.
2. Standard-length cues, including play, break, jump/break cues, and extensions, are allowed with no restrictions.
3. Rack Templates are allowed, but both teams/players must have access to use the same template if desired.

12Poor Sportsmanship

1. Be kind to others and show respect to the game, equipment, other players, spectators, staff, and event officials.
2. Penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct can include point reductions, expulsion from league or tournament, reduction or forfeiture of winnings, or other action deemed necessary by the Board.

13Concession of Game or Match

1. For any Blue Ridge BCApl sponsored Tournament or League play there is no penalty for concession of game or ball, and it is allowed.
2. Unscrewing the shaft on a play cue can be considered a concession of game. Before calling concession, it is the opponent’s responsibility to ask the player; a player may be changing shafts without conceding.

14Sandbagging

1. There will be zero tolerance for sandbagging or purposely playing at a skill level below the player's ability.
2. Penalties for sandbagging can include point reductions, expulsion from league or tournament, reduction or forfeiture of winnings, or other action deemed necessary by the Board.

15Slow Play

1. Players should make every effort to play their next shot in a timely manner. If a player goes over one minute per shot, a timer may be requested by the opposing team. The LO or Tournament Director can make the determination based on observed behavior and can start a 45-second timer on one or both players. Excessive abuse of time can result in a foul and the other player receiving cue ball in hand.

16Splitting Matches

1. Splitting a match may be required when current matches go over allotted time; this is at the discretion of the Host Room. If another team has completed all matches and a table becomes available, teams assigned to that table are expected to allow a match to be played and turn over control of the table.

17Coaching

1. Coaching is allowed in 8-Ball and 9-Ball play only. The player at the table may choose anyone on their team for coaching. To conserve time, coaching should take no longer than one minute.
2. Doubles teammates can openly communicate; however, when the shooting player is down on the shot, their teammate must step away from the table.

188-Ball Rules

1. See BCA official rules at https://www.playcsipool.com/BCA-rules.html for official 8-Ball play.
2. Eight Ball on the break does not count as a win. It will be spotted and the player may take the cue-ball position or break again.
3. If you scratch on the break, your opponent receives ball in hand anywhere on the table.
4. The table is always considered open after the break, with the exception of the 8-Ball.
5. Cue ball only fouls apply. Only illegal cue-ball contact is considered a foul and the opponent receives ball in hand. In the case of an accidentally moved object ball, the opponent may move the ball back or let it stay. No spectator or player, including the player at the table, may interfere or move the balls. If the player at the table moves the ball back without asking, the opponent may call a foul and receive ball in hand.
6. Rack your own and alternate break.

199-Ball Rules

1. See BCA official rules at https://www.playcsipool.com/bcapl-rules.html for official 9-Ball play.
2. Nine Ball on the break counts as a win in any pocket.
3. The three-foul rule is not in effect during League play.
4. Push-out after the break is allowed but must be called.
5. Nine-Ball is not a called-shot game; no ball, shot, or pocket needs to be called.
6. Cue ball only fouls apply. Only illegal cue-ball contact is considered a foul and the opponent receives ball in hand. In the case of an accidentally moved object ball, the opponent may move the ball back or let it stay. No spectator or player, including the player at the table, may interfere or move the balls. If the player at the table moves the ball back without asking, the opponent may call a foul and receive ball in hand.
7. Rack your own and alternate break.

2010-Ball Rules

1. See BCA official rules at https://www.playcsipool.com/bcapl-rules.html for official 10-Ball play.
2. Ten Ball on the break does not count as a win. The 10 ball should be spotted and the breaker can continue if the break was legal.
3. A combo on the 10-Ball is legal and results in a win but must be called.
4. Push-out after the break is allowed but must be called.
5. The three-foul rule is not in effect during League play.
6. Cue ball only fouls apply. Only illegal cue-ball contact is considered a foul and the opponent receives ball in hand. In the case of an accidentally moved object ball, the opponent may move the ball back or let it stay. No spectator or player, including the player at the table, may interfere or move the balls. If the player at the table moves the ball back without asking, the opponent may call a foul and receive ball in hand.
7. Ten-Ball is a called-pocket game. The player need not call obvious shots, but banks, caroms, combos, kicks, or other non-obvious shots should be called. The player must strike the cue ball first and the lowest numbered object ball on the table.
8. Rack your own and alternate break.

21Match Start Time

1. Start times may vary and will be provided on the session schedule via LMS. Teams should make every effort to start on time or early, at the discretion of the Host Room or based on table availability.
2. Any makeups should start in advance of League session start time or as soon as possible.
3. If a player or team does not show up for a scheduled match, first contact the player or team to determine whether they would like to reschedule or do a makeup. If a player or team does not respond to text/phone, the match is considered a forfeit; contact the LO to receive the forfeit. Please be courteous, as there may be unforeseen circumstances. Work through scheduling when you know you will be late.

22End-of-Session Playoffs

1. At the end of each session the top five teams in points will advance to the playoffs.
2. Singles will have three brackets: under 400, 400-499, and 500+. They will be seeded based on points. The number of players in each bracket will depend on bracket size; for example, if there are five players under 400, all five could be in the tournament.

23Tournaments

1. Blue Ridge BCApl will run monthly Tournaments with alternating formats of all game types.
2. We request that all players contribute to the Facebook page and assist with Tournament promotions.
3. We will seek sponsors from local businesses wherever possible. Keep Facebook updated or email suggestions or recommendations. Sponsors will be promoted through Facebook and at the event. This would be “Money added” to the winnings.
4. Tournaments will be registration only with lower entry counts but higher entry fees.
5. Entry fees may vary depending on format and player participation.
6. Registration will occur via Facebook. Late entries can be accepted the day of the Tournament but will incur a $5 late fee for each entry, dependent on slot availability.
7. Tournaments will have all-ball fouls unless otherwise stated, with the exception of 8-Ball. The opponent may call a foul and receive ball in hand.
8. Tournaments will occur monthly. Formats will be rotated and may vary. For example, two Tournaments may run together: one may be One Pocket, Banks, 14.1, or 10-Ball played on 9-foot tables, and the other may have 8, 9, or 10-Ball played on 7-foot tables.
9. Players with no established FargoRate and who do not play in regular League may pay the $25 fee to be added to FargoRate. These players can also be considered substitutes in League Play.
10. FargoRate handicapping will be used for handicapped Tournaments. “Open” tournaments will be straight races.
11. All Tournaments will follow BCA official rules and Local By-Laws.

24Eligibility for BCAPL National Championships in Las Vegas, NV

1. Players who have played a minimum of eight full regularly scheduled BCA league matches in the same division during a single sanctioned session, and are deemed an active player by the League Operator, are eligible to play in the BCA National Championships.

25Initial Player FargoRate

1. This will be the initial entry when a player is first created in FargoRate. Your rate will change over time. Please see the following guide.
2. APA to FargoRate Conversion
3. 8-Ball SL 7 or 9-Ball SL 9 = 560.
4. 8-Ball SL 6 or 9-Ball SL 7-8 = 500.
5. 8-Ball SL 5 or 9-Ball SL 6 = 450.
6. 8-Ball SL 4 or 9-Ball SL 5 = 400.
7. 8-Ball SL 3 or 9-Ball SL 4 = 350.
8. 8-Ball SL 2 or 9-Ball SL 3 = 300.
9. 8-Ball SL 1 or 9-Ball SL 1-2 = 250.