RULES | altrinchamandsale

Sale and Altrincham Darts League

Rules 2017/18

Your friendly local league

Winter League:

1) Seven players a team playing 3 legs per player.

2) The home team will always throw first in the starting leg, second in the next leg and back to first in the last leg. Every leg will be equal number of darts.

3) It is round the board, doubles count up to and including 10, if no double hit by the time the first player reaches 20 then the finishing double will be 20. It is double finish and bull to win the game [one red or two green bulls] – equal number of darts to be thrown ie if the starting player hits bull in the second arrow, the following player has 2 darts still to throw.

4) Should a game be 2 – 0 there is no need to play the third leg. If it’s a drawn game it stays that way.

5) The Gallon = 2 players per team [can be anyone on that team] this is played at end of the match. Best of 3, the order in this is;

Home team will always throw first in the starting leg, second in the next leg and back to first in the last leg. Every leg will be equal number of darts.

Gallon, it is simply first to win 2 legs.

The 2 named players in the gallon cannot change with other players once under way. It will be alternative throws throughout the gallon.

If it’s a draw it stays a draw.

6) Main game; 2 points for the winning team, 1 point for a draw, and nil points for a loss. The Gallon will be recorded as won, drawn or lost and as with the main game 2 points for a win, 1 for a draw and nil for a loss.

7) These rules are for the winter season, the summer season is different.

8) £125 per team in winter

Gallon general:

The gallon will run alongside the league results but is a separate competition and there will be prizes for the winners of the gallon at the end of the season.

The rules in the gallon are the same as those in the league except its pairs throwing alternate darts.

Competitions:

There will be competitions running through the Winter season:

Pairs KO

Individuals KO

Team KO

Captains Cup

Vets KO [55s and over]

Least darts

All KO competitions will be over 3 legs.

The TKO which will be 7 players playing 3 legs each, as per a normal league match [no gallon]

Unlike the league there are no drawn matches in any of the competitions, if a draw occurs an extra leg will be played until there is a winner.

Venues for the KOs will be agreed by the committee but will be from the team venues within the league.

There will be a presentation night at the end of the season and prizes/monies awarded on the night for winners of the league, runners up and competition winners and runners up.

Summer League:

1) This will be subject to change in 2017. We are looking at a first and second division using the same rules as the winter league. This will be confirmed early in 2017.

2) There are no competitions in the Summer league [except least darts]

3) £30 per team entry fee.

Miscellaneous:

The match should start no later than:

2100 Hours Winter league

Access the board for the away team 2015

Draw by 2045

Start playing 2100

If the match has not started by 2100, the team ready could start to claim a win for that game and another for every ten minutes after that. I would ask that common sense applies if invoking this rule - CB

The times are a guide but we all should really do our best to work towards them.

You can start earlier than these times if both teams are ready.

The cost of entry to the league will be:

Summer; £30 per season, per team.

Winter; £125 per season, per team.

If an increase to prices is being considered this will be discussed at the committee meeting and a vote taken to increase or not – this will only occur just before the start of a new season - if at all.

Teams should come from within the Sale and Altrincham area, the committee can allow teams out of area but this would have to be voted on by the team captains at the meetings.

Ladies can play in the league, either mixed in with the men as part of a team or indeed a full ladies team.

Teams must play their matches as per fixtures, there is no scope to re arrange matches. You must play your match regardless of how many players you have available on the night.

Any team wishing to play when the opposition try to cancel will win 7 - 0 and with all the legs, and gallon.

Dart Board Measurements:
Standard height from the floor to the bullseye on the dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches.

The Oche (distance between the front of the board and the toeline) should measure 7 feet 9.25 inches.

The Oche should be of a raised type, so as the foot rests against it when throwing.

The match board must be of a reasonable quality to play on.

Home teams will normally supply food on the night for both teams; open to players at the end of the match [both match and gallon should finish before food goes out].

TKO nights – food is optional.

Signing on sheets;

All players to sign on.
Captain and Vice Captains to be named.
Signing on sheets to be returned to the league secretary as soon as possible.
10 of those signed on to be identified – in the event of wining trophies at the end of the season. Make sure the names are clear to read.
Players can be signed on up the closing date but after the set closing date [set by the committee], names to be added must be agreed by the committee

Players must be signed on and have had committed themselves to playing regularly in the league to enter any of the competitions. The league secretary has the right to disbar a player from playing in the league or entering a competition if he believes this rule has been breached.

In the spirit of a good league we ask that ‘Ringers are not used’ and that anyone entering the league or competitions do so as a player committed to our league. You cannot introduce players for the ‘odd’ night or two, the aim is to have played at least half the matches within the season.

Players can no longer play in an alternative league on a Monday. The rule has changed from the 2016 summer league onwards.

By the end of the 4th game [winter season], if a player/s are not at the venue the opposing team can claim that game/s.

When drawing a team you must put 7 markers down for the draw. You can ask to put a player on later or earlier if there are good reasons, but in any event the captains must agree otherwise a full blind draw will stand.

If you have less than 7 players you must still put down the required number of markers with blank markers to make up the numbers, ie 5 with names on, 2 just blank = 7 markers.

If the opposition wishes to put more than 7 markers down for you to select 7 of them this can be done if both captains agree if not you must put down only the required number of markers.

You can ask for a player to go on early if both captains must agree to this [if they don’t the draw will be done blindly for all]. If the player you have put on early is still there at the end of the all the games then the captain who agreed the request has the right to claim the points – putting a player on early and then still being there is not in the spirit of the game.

You can agree to put a player on later if both Captains agree, however this should be if it is necessary [not just a preference] and in any case if they are not there at the venue by the end of game 4 in winter [2 in summer – first ‘5’s only] they lose that game.

The winning team must text the secretary with the final scores on the night. I would ask that you txt any key highlights on the night so as I can put this in our press coverage - CB

Teams must supply a good quality board for match nights.

There should be a raised ‘oche’ for players to throw from.

Pubs and clubs should do their very best to keep noise distractions to a minimum and if possible cater to the requests of the visiting team if this is a problem.

Personal issues cannot be dealt with by the darts committee, these issues should be sorted by the individuals involved. If a player is barred from a pub/club the only course of action is for the captain of the team to ask if the player can come to the venue. The league cannot override a pub/club barring them

Fixtures will remain as they are with 2 Byes in them.

Another vote took place over players playing in another league on Monday nights whilst playing in our league – this was the second vote on this [first done at a meeting in 2015] and for the second time the vote was all except one in favour of NOT allowing players to play in our league when they play for other teams/leagues on a Monday night. This will not go to another vote given it has been voted on twice already.

You can allow a player to play up to the end of game 4 – if they are not on site by then the game is forfeited.

If there is a 4 – 0 score captains can agree to swop the last 3 players but both captains must agree this if not the draw remains as it was.

Games in the league including the gallon will remain a draw if that happens. In any competitions it is the opposite they should have an extra leg to find a winner

Players can be added to the signing on sheet up to mid season. Anyone thereafter has to go to the committee to be agreed or not.

Constitution:

The name of the league is; The Sale and Altrincham Darts League, therein referred to as the ‘League’.

The League Committee [LC] consists of all league team Captains who shall attend the general meetings or ensure their team is represented at the meetings. They will also be required to attend the AGM of the league.

The Executive Committee [EC] is made up of; The Secretary Chairman and Finance Officer [FO]. They will set up meetings and send invites for LC members attend them.

Duties of the Executive Committee:

Act as arbiter in the event of a dispute or complaint.
Interpret rules should any ambiguity arise.
Consider any matters not covered within the rules.
To select a disputes committee, with a minimum of 3 members of the EC.

Duties of the Chairman

Promote the league
Advertise and encourage membership
Attend the meetings, they will be able to speak and vote on any resolution [as a team captain]

Duties of the EC Secretary:

Govern and manage the league.
Make emergency decisions on the night in respect of disputes or issues – the secretary will take these back to the EC for discussion afterwards

Attend all meetings
Chair the meetings including the AGM
They will be able to speak and vote on any resolution [as a team captain]
The Secretary holds the right to a casting vote in the event of an equal number of votes concerning a particular issue
Organise all fixtures including KO competitions
Maintain clear and accurate records of matches played
Issue the rule book to teams
Be the counter signatory for the league finance officer
Organise AGM to discuss, rules, finances, appointments, elections and any other business

Duties of the Finance Officer:

Be responsible for all monies received on behalf of the league
Keep clear and legible records of all financial transactions associated with the league
Account for all monies taken
Disburse monies on behalf of the league
Produce clear and legible records for all team Captains, and where possible produce end of season records of financial transactions for all Captains.
Ensure counter signatory counter signs cheques as required if a bank account has been set up - must be in both FO and ECS names.
Collate the trophies and organising the engraving for the end of the season.

The licensees of any public house or club may nominate a darts team for membership into the League. Licensees can play for a team within the league.

Acceptance of a team to the league lies with the decision of the Executive Committee.

Any person or persons under consideration for disciplinary measures who may have brought the league in to disrepute will be considered by the EC for their continued participation in the league, an extraordinary EC meeting may be held in such circumstances.

Any person or persons in the opinion of the EC who is found guilty of conduct detrimental to the good name of the league, shall be banned in taking part in any competition under the jurisdiction the league. The EC alternatively can impose a warning, match suspensions or go straight to ban on any incidents arising.

The league fees will be set by the Executive Committee, all teams that have been accepted into the league will pay the fees as set out by the EC.

There will be no refunds of league or any competitions fees.

TKO, individuals, pairs, veterans and any other competition will be set out by the EC, this will include the costs of these competitions and how the monies will be collected.

All team players and team members will be subject to the rules set out within this rule book, including any amendments as deemed by the EC.

A team retiring or being required to resign or being expelled from the league shall surrender all claims in respect of monies or otherwise against the league, or any Officer or committee member acting on behalf of the league.

All League fees will be paid in full to the league secretary or finance officer at the earliest opportunity.

A team should not be considered for re entry in to the league until all obligations have been met. The EC withhold the right to over turn this if they consider exceptional circumstances apply. The EC have the right to refuse entry of a team in to the league, this will be via an EC vote.

A team member may only sign on for one team during the season and should register this with their team Captain on the registration form – this is to be returned to the EC. The Secretary will set the date of closing for registration of a team.

Once a player is registered to a team, or they have indeed played a match for a team they cannot then change to another team during that season. The only exception to this is during the pairs competition whereby players from different teams may make up a pair for the duration of the pairs KO.

The Secretary should collate all the signing on forms

If a team resigns from the league a player may put in a request to the EC to be considered to be allowed to play for another team. The decision in this case lies with the LC via a vote, with the secretary having the casting vote if it is equal.

If there is a complaint arising during a match the Secretary should be informed within a 48 hour period, if this is not done within the time frame no actions will be taken. The Secretary will take forward the complaint to the next EC meeting.

The league Secretary has the authority to take immediate actions and make decisions on behalf of the league but will then take this back to the EC at the earliest opportunity.

All Captains or their nominated representative are required to attend the LC meetings, in the event of team captains failing to attend, the Chairman and Secretary have the right to make executive decisions. They must be satisfied that the LC members had been given due notice of the meeting and the right to attend, before taking any executive decisions.

The Secretary shall produce the fixture lists in advance of the league starting.

The Secretary shall maintain the league table scores, it is the obligation of the team Captain of the winning team to inform the Secretary of the results as soon as they possibly can.

All spectators should be behind the Oche and not in the line of vision of the throwers once a game is under way.

Any type of standard dart may be used by a player, but players are not permitted to swop darts during the game, the only exception being if the dart is damaged.

Matches will be played on a Monday night.

There is no scope to re arrange a match, the team willing to play will take the points and legs as well as the gallon. If it is a venue problem [such as Football match issue] Captains can arrange to play at an alternative venue. Being short of players is not a reason to cancel.

The Scorer:

The scoring of games lies with the home team, including the gallon, it is the responsibility of the home team Captain to ensure there is a scorer for each game played.

Once a dart has been thrown and hits the required number the scorer will call the next number needed, if the thrower misses the scorer will stay silent.

It is the responsibility of the person throwing the dart – The ‘Thrower’ to ask for a check if they think the scorer has not called a dart ‘in’ that they believe is in the required number.

If the dart is in the board and is ‘hanging there’ it will count provided the ‘Tip’ is in the required number.

If there is a dispute as to whether dart/s were in a number or not, or if the caller has called incorrectly, or any other dispute the thrower should leave the darts in the board and both Captains called to make a decision. If the Captains cannot agree on a decision the dart/s will be thrown again.

If the scorer calls a number ‘in’ and then the dart falls out, that number will be counted as in, the scorer must be sure the dart was in the required number before it fell out.

If a dart falls out of a required number before the scorer has called it then this will not count as ‘in’.

This rule does not apply to ‘bounce outs’ it only applies to a dart that hits the number and then falls out whilst the thrower is going for the next number.

Scorers should position themselves in a way that is not intrusive to the Throwers, they should not stand in the way of the board when darts are thrown, and unless a check is requested should remain still at all times.

The scorer will ensure the correct players are in position at the start of the game, and they should ensure timeliness in all games being played.

The scorer will ensure equal darts are thrown. They will keep a running score that all can see. The scorer will ensure the returning double is ‘chalked up’ – this is the first double to be hit on the way round, or if no double hit by the time the first Thrower reaches 20 and hits it, then the double will be the double 20.

All Throwers and supporters/friends should be respectful to those volunteer scorers, it is not appropriate or helpful to heckle those doing the best with scoring on the night.

General rules:

Matches should commence no later than 2100 in winter and 2100 in summer, teams should try to start earlier if possible.

Any team failing to supply the requisite number of players for the match will forfeit those games and legs that they have no player for - to the other team. Players cannot throw twice in one match, with the exception of the gallon, whereby a team can select players who have already played

A ‘selected’ player who does not arrive on time may only be substituted up to the end of game 4, substitute names must be highlighted to the opposing Captain at the time of the draw and only those names declared will be allowed to play as a substitute.

Teams should be drawn by the Captains of each side, normally this will be a ‘blind draw’ with the Captain of one team turning the names of the other team one at a time. If both Captains wish to alter the way they draw then they can agree this on the night however the guiding principal of not knowing who is playing against who must exist, ie draw your 7 players in the order you wish but without the other Captain seeing and both turn over their list at the same time, therefore players are in the order you wish but don’t know who they are playing against.

The players drawn must play the match in the order they were drawn, only the Captains can agree to change the order and in which case this should be for good reasons and with both Captains agreeing. If no agreement reached the game will proceed as planned.

If a match is won and there are remaining players still to go, Captains can agree a substitute replacement to play, this must be in agreement with both Captains, if they do not agree a replacement will not be allowed.

All players must be registered to that team. Once a player has ‘thrown’ for a team they cannot then go to another team during that season. The only permitted cross over is during the pairs KO when players from different teams can make up a pair.

The wining team on the night must inform the Secretary of the league of the result as soon as possible.

Matches will be played ‘around the board’ with doubles up to and including 10 counting, the final dart will be for the ‘bull’.

Least darts on the night will be highlighted to the league Secretary by the Captain calling the results in. If this is not done the least darts trophy will only be given to the player identified by the Captain at the time as having thrown the least darts – it cannot be claimed for after 7 full days of the end of the match.

Practice boards may be used during the match however if this interferes with the throwers concentration then the practice darts being thrown should stop immediately. It is for the affected thrower to highlight their concern to the scorer who in turn will ask the ‘practice throwers’ to stop

Teams should be respectful to other occupants of the pub or club on match night. Teams should seek to have as quiet a ‘pitch’ as possible during matches to allow the scorer to be heard and the ‘throwers’ to concentrate.

The winning team will receive 2 league points, the losing team Nil and if a draw of the match occurs, 1 point goes to each team.

The wining team is the one who wins the most games at the end of the match.

The gallon will be played at the end of the scheduled games.

Team KOs, Pairs, Vets, Captains cup and Individuals will be set out by the Secretary who will ensure team Captains are informed of dates and venues at the earliest opportunity.

All throwers taking part in any KO competition should be at the venue for a 2030 start, anyone arriving after this time become ineligible to play.

TKOs will be drawn blind during an EC meeting [as set by the Secretary].

The Secretary will keep a record of all KO results and league matches. Where possible the Secretary will supply a league table as often as is practical.

Miscellaneous:

Disputes, disagreements, or any ill feelings should be addressed by the Captains on the night if possible and subsequently reported to the EC if necessary.

It is in the interests of all the teams to ensure a friendly and amiable atmosphere exists on match nights.

The league Secretary, in line with the committee can issue warning letters, suspensions and banning from the league, following any acts of inappropriateness.

The board must be open to all players on the arrival of the away team at the venue.

Apart from personal trophies won by players, all other trophies belong to the Sale and Altrincham Monday night Big Board Darts League. Any team leaving the league or having been disbarred and in possession of a trophy must return it to the then league secretary.

The trophies may not be used for any other league, unless the Sale and Altrincham EC agree to it. [This will only occur if the league folds]

The incumbent league secretary will take ownership of the league trophies and all teams/players will ensure they return the trophies to the secretary prior to season end and if they should be leaving the league, ASAP.

Signing on sheets;

All players to sign on.
Captain and Vice Captains to be named on the sheet.
Signing on sheets to be returned to the league secretary within the timescale set during the EC meetings
10 of those signed on to be identified – in the event of wining trophies at the end of the season.
Players can be signed on after the closing date [set at the EC meeting] will have to be put forward to the EC for a decision. Only the league secretary can make an interim decision.
Those qualify for the VETs should be highlighted on the sheet with an *

If you want to swop from home to away you can ask the relevant captain, the returning match to be agreed by captains in terms of venue - whether it is to be reversed back or not.

There will be trophies at the end of the season – no cash pay outs.

Voted on committee members 2016; Carl Bailey secretary, and Paul Andrews Finance Officer. Chairman post is vacant at present.

Annex A

Knock Out Competitions – A Guide

Pairs:

Pairs will be a straight KO, alternate darts [the pairing must stay in the same order from leg to leg] – best of 3 legs, bull up for the choice of start or have the darts. The chosen order will be in leg 1, reversed in leg 2 and back to the original order in leg 3

Individuals:

Individuals will be played as a KO – best of 3 legs, bull up for the choice of start or have the darts. The chosen order will be in leg 1, reversed in leg 2 and back to the original order in leg 3

Vets:

Vets is a KO – best of 3 legs, bull up for the choice of start or have the darts. The chosen order will be in leg 1, reversed in leg 2 and back to the original order in leg 3

Captains Cup:

Captains or Vice Captain are the only eligible players in this competition, one representative per team. It will be played as a KO – best of 3 legs, bull up for the choice of start or have the darts. The chosen order will be in leg 1, reversed in leg 2 and back to the original order in leg 3

Team KO:

TKO teams will be drawn during a league meeting, this will be a blind draw, in the first round, the team drawn first will be at home.

The TKO will be 3 legs per players, with a total of 7 players per team. The away team will start throwing on the odd number legs and the home team the even number legs. If it is a set/neutral venue one player from each team will ‘bull up’ to choose if they are the home or away team. No gallon on the night.

If there is a drawn match in the TKO the players who drew will play best of 3 again after all other legs have been played..

Miscellaneous:

Other than the TKO, if there is a drawn match after 3 legs, a deciding leg will be played.

All throwers taking part in any competition should be at the venue for a 2030 start, anyone arriving after this time become ineligible to play.

All KOs are ‘bull up’ no tossing of coins!

There are no Gallon TKOs.

VETs is the over 55s and overs.

The Captains cup is the named Captain or Vice-Captain [on the signing on sheet]. No other player may play in this

Pairs and Individuals is £3 per player paid on the night.

TKO is already paid for.

Vets is £2 per player paid on the night

Captain’s cup is already paid for.