Rules

Section 1: Formation and Management

 

1. That the League be called “The Thornbury & District Skittles League”.

 

2. That the League shall consist of 3 Divisions each with 16 teams. Division 1 will play Front Pin First, Division 2 will play first 4 ups All in and last two ups as Front Pin and Division 3 will play as All in.

 

3. At the conclusion of the season, there will be 3 teams promoted and 3 teams relegated from each division.  In the event of team or teams resigning from the league, then the committee  have the right to adjust the divisions accordingly.

 

4. That the officers of the league consist of a President, Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, General Secretary, Treasurer, Fixture Secretary, Pairs Secretary and a committee of 8, all of whom must be registered members of the league.  Committee members may be voted into office.

 

5. That each team will pay an annual fee of £55.00 which should be paid directly into the Leagues Bank Account, using their Team Name as Reference, prior to the pre-season meeting.  The fund to be administered by the Treasurer.

 

6. The General Secretary shall keep full records of all business conducted by the League Management Committee.

 

7. That all disputes affecting any teams or registered members shall be submitted in writing or by email for consideration by the League Management Committe, whose decision shall be final.  A personal hearing is available if requested.

 

8. That the League Management Committee may out of funds held, provide any trophies or prize monies to be awarded to any winners of the League and Cup Competitions.  All such trophies shall be held by the winners for one league season and should be returned to the Fixture Secretary by a pre-determined date and venue selected.  PLEASE NOTE: WINNERS OF ALL CUPS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE.

 

9.  All meetings unless otherwise arranged will be held at The Blackhorse in Thornbury.

 

10. That the Annual General Meeting will be held on a date at the discretion of the Committee.

 

Conditions of Play and Registration

 

11. That every team Secretary/Captain or appointed person, shall represent their team at the AGM.  For non-attendance or non- representation a £5 fine will be imposed and this to be paid before the commencement of the new season.

 

12.  That all team members names/surnames/gender must be registered on the league’s website prior to all games commencing.  If possible, contact details for Captains should also be recorded.  We do, however, ask that you keep the website up to date at all times.

 

13. Any new player must be registered on the website and the Fixture Secretary notified 24 hours before a game commences.

 

14.  No player(s) already registered for a team in this league shall be permitted to play for any other team within this league, unless he/ she is transferred to that team.  We do, however, ask that 7 days notice is given, if possible, by email to the Fixture Secretary before such transfer.

 

15.  No alteration to the fixture list shall be allowed except (a) fixtures having been scheduled over a Bank Holiday or (b) by mutual agreement by both teams and the Fixture Secretary notified.  Please note: all games must be completed by the close of the season and within one month of the original date.

 

16. Any team that postpones 3 or more league fixtures during the season will be deducted 2 points from their total and a £15 fine imposed.

 

17. All games are to be played.  If a team has repeatedly tried to re-arrange a game and the opposing team will not agree a new date, providing the fixtures secretary kept is informed, then the team trying to re-arrange will not get fined.  Any games not completed by the end of the Season will result in a £10 fine for each team.    

 

18. Teams failing to turn up for a game without prior notification unless inclement weather conditions, shall forfeit the game and have 2 points deducted and a fine of £15 will imposed to cover the sticker up fees and 2 points will be awarded to the opposition.  If both teams turn up at an alley and the game cannot be played due to the alley not being available.  The away team will have the option to play the re-arranged game on their home alley. 

 

19. Games should be played between teams of no more than 6 players per team playing 6 hands of 3 balls.  2 points awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw.

 

20. All games must commence by 8.30pm, if possible unless by prior arrangement. 

 

21. The home team is responsible for sticker up fees in all League matches and sticker up fees to be shared by both team in all Cup competitions.

 

22. Please note that players taking part in a game shall not be allowed to practice on the alley prior to game starting.  Only exception to this, is if it is necessary to play more than one game on the same night.  Please note this must be by mutual agreement by captains of all teams involved, prior to the game.

 

23.  Any Player(s) arriving late on the alley after the last pair has started shall not take any part in the game.

 

24. That both teams to play with the balls supplied by the home team.  Only three balls to be in the chute at anyone time.  The balls being of Laminate or Composite material or of Wooden Variety. No other type of ball will be permitted.

 

25. Players must have both feet behind the line furthest from the pins at the time the ball is delivered, the ball MUST be rolled (ie no upward motion from the hand).  Where two lines exist, the ball MUST hit the alley before the second line, where only one line exists the ball must land within approximately 8ft of the throwing line.

 

26. Any pin knocked through the horizontal plane by the ball or another pin during a game then rights itself on the diamond then the pin is deemed dead and must be taken from the diamond.

(a) Any pin knocked down by another pin rebounding off the side of the alley shall be deemed as scored.

(b) If the ball rebounds off the side of the alley after first striking a pin in the frame and knocks down pins, the pins shall be deemed as scored.

(c) If a pin is knocked down by a ball or another pin rebounding off the rear wall of the alley, the pin(s) shall be deemed as not scored and shall be replaced in its original position on the diamond.

 

27. Either team can post the result on the website, but this must be done within 48 hours of the completion of the game and checked by each team.  Failure to comply will result in a £10 fine for both times.

 

28. Any team resigning from the League during the playing season, for whatever reason, then the record of that team will be deleted and points removed.  If any fine(s) is outstanding that team cannot rejoin the league and its registered players cannot play in a league games until the outstanding fine(s) is paid.

 

29.Should two or more teams finish the season tied on points, at the top or bottom of their divisions, then the points gained between the teams concerned in home and away fixtures will then be the deciding factor.  If still equal the season pin difference will decide final placing.

 

30.  All fines shall be issued to teams on a monthly basis.  Fines to be paid within 21 days of the date of issue or a further fine will be imposed.  Failure to pay fines on time £10

 

31. No team shall be permitted to change alley during the season  unless there are exceptional circumstances.  The Management Committee (Fixtures  Secretary) must be in formed of the change in writing or by email immediately.  Failure to comply will result in a £5 fine.

            A         It will be the responsibility of the team to notify all teams within their division.

            B        Any team having to change their night of play or Telephone Number must inform the Fixtures Secretary immediately in writing or by email.

 

32. Any team or individual not represented at the Annual Presentation to collect awards will forfeit the money and the full cash sum will be credited to the League Fund.

 

33.  That the foregoing rules may be altered, amended, deleted or added to by a vote of a Special General Meeting called for that purpose, or at the Annual General Meeting, voting to be on the basis of one vote per team.  Any proposed alteration to these rules shall be in the hands of the General Secretary at least 14 days before such meetings.

 

The Management Committee will enforce rules and the decision in any matter not covered by these rules to be binding.

 

ALL CUP COMPETITIONS

(With the exception of Rule 2, this set of rules applies to all Competitions)

 

1. Teams from all divisions will play in the Front-Pin-First and All-In Cup Competitions, unless the Fixture Secretary has been notified.

 

2.  The first named team will be the home team.  In the event of the match being tied the result shall be decided on the same night by the same six players from each team that played that night having a further 3 balls each.  If after theplay-off the scores are still tied, then the same six players shall have a further 3 balls each until a result is achieved.  (No postponements will be allowed).

 

3. In the Front Pin Cup, the front pin must be knocked down before any score can count.  If a player hits the front pin and clears all pins on their second ball then the pins knocked down the second ball can be reset in their original places.

 

4. That an umpire be appointed for the Semi-final and Final Night by the Committee and take any position on the alley he or she may deem necessary. Each player will pay £2 sticker-up fees to the Umpire on the night.

 

5. Semi-Final and Final matches to be played at the Blackhorse Thornbury, using balls and pins supplied by the league.

 

6. It is the responsibility of winning teams in ALL cup competitions to email the score sheets to the Fixtures Secretary within 48hours of the game being completed.  Failure to comply, will result in a £10 fine.

 

PAIRS COMPETITION

1. That all players entering the competition shall be registered with the League.

 

2. Each pair to pay £5.00 Entry Fee payable in advance.

 

3. That Umpires be appointed for the whole of the competition.

 

4. All players to be on the alley 5 minutes and report to the umpire before the start time as notified.

 

5. Any player(s) not appearing on the decided date and time to forfeit the match.  Any pair defaulting on the night shall be fined £5 per pair through their team.  The pair affected by the default must be in attendance on the night of play.

 

6. Substitute(s) will be allowed up to the first match only.  Please notify umpire in charge on the night of play.  

 

7. In the event of a tie, one up extra will be played by each pair until a result is decided.