Welcome to the Clark & Son Canton, OH BCA 8Ball League! We are a paperless league, which means weekly standings are posted to our web site at www.8Ball.org.
First and foremost...we have been told that we are the fairest of leagues and we have the best league payout anywhere...we work very hard trying to make our league the best it can be...we can only do this with your input, whether it's cheers or jeers...we want your thoughts! Please talk to us by phone, write something on your score sheet or send an anonymous letter...we never mention names...we can only fix what we know are problems...In advance, thank you!
We offer complete open book financials on the site as well as pictures from pool events and the like.
At the end of our season is a free covered dish banquet held at Fiddlestix Billiard Cafe. Closer to the banquet date each captain will receive a list of what their team should bring. We DO NOT have you sell tickets nor do we take money out of your dues for the banquet...We try to give back as much money as possible...Our banquet is informal, it's what the players want...we have all kinds of food imaginable so we can graze all day long while we party!
We have always and will continue to offer 2 banquet tournaments. It's based on a natural break in the standings "A" player standing - league coordinator discretion. We do our best to make it fair and not mix in really good players.
Several years ago the players voted to let any BCA bar sponsor, who doesn't play in league, play in the tournament for free. This year (2007), they also voted to let subs pay and play in the banquet tournaments if they played at least 4 weeks. We figure that if subs could play full time they probably would. Why not let them play?
We are very proud to say that we've only had a handful of phone calls and problems combined in the eight years we've run Canton, OH BCA Pool Leagues! We have been accused of doing what's right and not what's popular!
The league does buy several party size pizzas each year for the banquet.
We believe in having fun and winning by playing the game not by playing the rules. We will not side with the shooter; we were not there to see the shot so we couldn't possibly make a ruling. If you cannot agree on a call, RE-RACK. We have an open sub list so there should be NO FORFEITS - Drag someone off the bar stool rather than forfeiting a game.
All teams and players have a guaranteed spot at Nationals. The Columbus State Tournament is based on a first come basis.
Watch Pros play in Las Vegas because they play at the same time the amateurs are out there!
Players watch their own game:
Players call their own fouls (except when a player asks a 3rd party to referee a shot, then the referee calls the foul and the call stands)
Playing Out:
As needed only; not on a weekly basis unless okayed by League Coordinator (i.e. work). Alternating every other game after the third game is preferable, however not mandatory. Yes, subs can play out all 5 games if necessary...it's actually better for the team because you will not have long waits! In general, playing out should be done after the third round. However, if someone just has to get out for work, illness, emergency, by all means play the games ASAP! We all will need a break sometime so we will work together with each other to that end.
Coming Late and Starting Early:
Again only as needed. Not to be done week after week unless working. If you have an event, a child's program, a funeral or other really important meeting, feel free to attend and not fear that you will lose your games! Just come to league as soon as you can. Of course you won't come waltzing in at the last minute...if it will be real late, after 9:00 pm, please try to get a sub...or start a little early...make up games by alternating every other game till current in round.
If several players want to start earlier than 7:00 that's perfectly acceptable...clear it with the captains. You don't have to have a set number of players present to begin a match!
Open Sub List:
We ask each team to provide at least 2 subs, if not more, to put on our open sub list. This means that you can choose anyone from the entire list each time you need a sub. If you have a sub that you want to keep just for your team, that's fine too. Don't add this one to the open list just put them on your roster and mark "for my team only".
IF YOU ARE HAVING A PLAYER SIT OUT IN ORDER TO BRING IN A SUB, YOUR PLAYER IS MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME TO THE MATCH TO WATCH IT!
If you can't find a sub from our open sub list, grab someone off a bar stool...remember to pay the $10 sanction fee and get complete address and phone #. Don't take a zero.
We are a very laid back league and are proud of our virtually problem-free record! We work with you and for you!
Due Week One:
Complete Roster with 2 or more subs listed; please remember zips, phones, etc. BCA requires complete info.
$10 Sanction per player
$50 bar fee per team sponsored. Bar sponsor fees go into the league for administration (score sheets, folders etc) pizzas and jackets.
$10.00 weekly dues: players voted to raise dues to $10 knowing that it will come back to them in league monies (due each week)
Sanction Fees:
Sanction fees will be deducted from weekly dues if unpaid after 2 weeks. This is done to insure the timely filing of sanctioned players as required by the BCA. The Captain will be responsible for those fees to be repaid.
Money Drop Off:
The drop off is at Fiddlestix by 6:00 PM Fridays by visiting team. We do not fine for late envelopes or for that matter for anything at all. Know that you can always phone in your scores so we can keep them current...just turn in the score sheet ASAP. We know that crap happens sometimes.
Quarters:
Each team pays $1.50 per player or $7.50 per team (for 75 cent tables) or $2 per player or $10 per team (for $1 tables)
When playing at Fiddlestix it's the home captain's responsibility to give both teams quarters to management at beginning of match. On top of all their other duties, we don't like for them to have to worry about coming around to collect the money. Please play on the tables Fiddlestix owns. The beauty of BCA pool leagues is that we can play on any table which includes those that the bar owner owns!
Please give visiting team warm up time on the table.
Pay By Check:
Captain is responsible for paying weekly dues but may appoint a team treasurer. Please make sure the person writing the checks is fiscally responsible, returned check fees will be charged against the team winnings. We are a cashless league, paying by check insures no money will be lost or stolen. Paying with cash is at your own risk. It is permissible to pay both team dues with 1 check. You are personally responsible to make sure your personal checkbook is kept up to date with the correct balance.
Standings: Posted to www.8ball.org for you to download.
100% Payback League:
All weekly dues go back to the players in prizes. Any Admin Fees paid by the $50 Bar Fee. The players voted to jump weekly dues to $10 because they know it will all come back to them. We take no money out for running the league!
Score Sheets* * * * * HOME TEAM has the option of filling out the score sheet first or letting away team do it first * * * * *NEW 20 GAME FORMAT...get home earlier and strategize who doesn't play who!!!
Every team will be provided a team folder which will have score sheets in it as well as other necessities. Only one score sheet is used each night; HOME provides it and keeps the white and yellow copy. AWAY gets the pink copy. After each round played, captains should compare totals. The only copy that gets turned in to us at the end of the night is the WHITE copy. Both captains sign the score sheet. Both captains also count the money and sign the envelope. AWAY team drops off the envelope at Fiddlestix.
Break and Run vs Table Run (BR or TR on your score sheet):
We all know what constitutes a break and run. Our table run differs in that it can be your 15th time to the table as long as you run your 7 balls plus the 8. It doesn't matter how many opponent balls are on the table when you start your run. How nice is that?!
Scratch on the 8:
If you scratch while shooting at the 8, it is not a loss if you miss. It is only a loss if you make the 8 and scratch.
8 on the Break is not a win, but you can record it on score sheet. Breaker can spot it or have it reracked and continue shooting.
What you should expect from us:
Dedication, Information, Cooperation, Integrity, Respect; Never read notes as being negative! We listen to what you are saying.
What we expect from the teams:
Conscientious behavior - No Threats & Fighting; NO SHARKING. If asked to move out of players line of sight, please do so. SHARKING or other unsportsmanlike tactics/conscious ways of interfering with opponents play will not be tolerated.
Start on time OR earlier is OK
Prompt payment - sanction fees & weekly fees
Feedback
What we expect from the captains:
Complete roster
Fiscally responsible for weekly dues, accounting of dues and collection of bar fee. Appoint a co-captain or treasurer.
Assertive relationship with the bar sponsor AND sweep table as needed
Keep team AND bar sponsor up to date with what's going on as covered in the league notes, etc.
What we expect from the bar sponsors:
1 free drink provided for each player, each night of play
Clear the table for league play to begin
No tee shirts or league shirts required
Call us with any suggestions, problems etc.
First Place:
First place receives 5 of "those great BCA jackets"! Teams who rotate a 6th player always take a collection from their team to provide a jacket for the 6th.
We do not give personal trophies or bar trophies. We like to give back as much cash to the players as possible. If first place would like to buy a bar trophy, that's great.
Male MVP: Choice of "One of Those Great BCA Jackets" or $275 cue
Most Improved Player: 8Ball trophy. This is calculated in the fairest way possible: we look at players scores at the end of the first 1/2 and second 1/2 of the year to see who had the most difference/increase in percentage. This prize is based on statistics.
Female MVP: Choice of "One of Those Great BCA Jackets" or $275 cue
Outstanding Sportsmanship Award: Whichever prize FMVP doesn't choose. This prize is based on votes from all regular league players.
As always, talk to us with ideas and concerns.
Have a Fantastic Year of Fun and Competition!