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SPORT 9 TOUR MEMBERSHIP RULES & BYLAWS

There shall be two types of memberships, each with its own privileges and structures, all of which shall be set by the Tour Director(s).
Memberships 1) Player member: Any male or female individual interested in joining the Tour as an active participant in Tour events.
2) Patron member: Any individual, firm, or association interested in joining the Tour as a non-participating fan or supporter. With application and payment of appropriate dues, patron members will have privileges of displaying approved materials recognizing their support for the tour and may be afforded other privileges as determined by Tour Director(s).

As a condition of the membership, each player member agrees to uphold and be subject to the rules of the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct will be enforced at all Sport 9 Tour hosted events. In addition, as a regional Tour sanctioned by the North American Pool Tour, each player member agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the Regional Tour / NAPT Handbook.
Any player whose conduct is deemed unsuitable by the tournament director(s) will be subject to a single warning or no warning. Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in loss of game, loss of match, suspension and/or expulsion. The decision of the Tour Director is final. In the case of suspension and/or expulsion, appeals can be made to the Tour Director verbally must be filed electronically within 3 – 7 days.
Appeals A member who has received a citation may appeal the decision first to the Sport 9 Tour Director(s). In order to appeal, the player must declare his/her intention in writing within 10 days of notification of any charge. If the player has been fined, he/she must first pay the fine to qualify for an appeal.
Appeal forms must be used and can requested in person or can filled out online. Emails are the only digital form of communication for an appeal. Text messaging, or any other form of messaging is unacceptable. For more information about appeals speak with your tournament director or official.
Meucci Sport 9 Tour Player Handbook

CODE OF CONDUCT

All who participate in any Sport 9 Tour events will abide by the following rules and regulations:

1. NO DRUGS! Any player member using drugs at Sport 9 Tour events will result in immediate expulsion, one to two year suspension, possible fines, and no appeal. All fines must be paid prior to returning.

2. Members as well as players should not convey any negative or derogatory message verbally or in print about the players, facilities, equipment, the Sport 9 Tour or its members. Consequence for such action will be judged and enforced by Sport 9 Tour Director(s).

3. As a Sport 9 Tour member or player in such Sport 9 Tour event, you are under scrutiny and must avoid behavior that could discredit fellow competitors of the Sport 9 Tour or the sport. The following actions will not be tolerated: Unsportsmanlike conduct, abusive language, abuse of public equipment, whether verbal or physical, profanity, public drunkenness, public arguments with fellow players, rudeness to Tournament officials, staff, sponsors or promoters. Depending on the violation, disciplinary action will be determined by Sport 9 Tour Director(s) and/or officials.

4. All rules and regulations must be followed. Tournament officials may penalize at their discretion, any player who does not (or will not) comply. In addition, players must comply with specific rules and regulations of the event.

5. All complaints should be addressed to either Sport 9 Tour Director(s), Tournament official(s) and/or submitted in writing to the Sport 9 Tour Director(s).

DRESS CODE / PERSONAL ITEMS

As a member, you represent the Meucci Sport 9 Tour, the NAPT, and all women and men participating in competitive billiards. Appropriate attire is strongly encouraged. Dress codes will vary by event which can be found on event flyers, on the website, and/or promotional material(s). Players are responsible for knowing and abiding by the dress code so come prepared. If there is no dress code specified, the default dress code is B*.
Players not in dress code may have up to 15 minutes to change before their match is called. However, once matches are called, players not in dress code will be placed on the clock. If you are uncertain about dress code requirements or have questions about specific attire be sure to ask the tournament director well in advance. Dress Code A (Professional) Dress Clothes only. Attire must be like going to job interview or church. A belt must be worn if shirt is tucked in or needed. Acceptable: Dress Pants, Dress Shirts, and Dress Shoes Unacceptable: White colored clothing, T-shirts, Jeans, Tennis Shoes, sweats Dress Code B* (Default/Casual) Casual attire can be jeans, graphic tees and tennis shoes. Acceptable: Jeans (no holes and no SAG!), T-shirts with the exceptions of graphic tees with derogatory or perverse messages. Tennis shoes Unacceptable: NO plain white t-shirts, no leggings or sweats.

Personal Items / Accessories
1. Accessories: No electronic devices (including, but not limited to: cellular phones, tablets, etc.) in the playing area. ABSOLUTELY NO: calls, texting, messaging, web surfing, etc. EXCEPTION: Headphones for playing music ONLY!
Meucci Sport 9 Tour Player Handbook

2. Hygiene - Some people are highly sensitive to perfumes and odors causing them to have allergic reactions in varying degrees of intensity. Please be aware and give special consideration for your fellow competitors.

3. As a member, you represent the Meucci Sport 9 Tour, the NAPT, and all women and men participating in competitive billiards. Appropriate attire is strongly encouraged. The dress code will be set prior to each event and can be found either on the website, location, and/or promotional material(s). Members are responsible for knowing and abiding by the dress code.
Meucci Sport 9 Tour Player Handbook
 

 

GENERAL PLAYING RULES & GUIDELINES

It is essential that all Sport 9 members respect their fellow competitors, staff and patrons. When playing be courteous to players around you and fight fair during matches. Players are not to address or disrupt other players, staff or patrons while in the playing area. If there is a discrepancy or issue of any kind notify the tournament director or official immediately.

Schedule
- It is the player’s responsibility to be aware of all rules, regulations and schedules applying to competition. While tournament officials will make every reasonable effort to have such information readily available to all players as appropriate, the ultimate responsibility rests with the player. Players are responsible for knowing and keeping their scheduled match times and table assignments when called. If you need to leave in between matches, you will need to notify the tournament director or official verbally (no texting) before leaving.

Calling a Referee
- It is the non-shooter’s responsibility to call the referee before any shot is attempted. The shooting player must wait for the referee before attempting the shot. If the shot is attempted without a referee present, an immediate time out must be called and play must not continue. It is the tournament official’s call on whether a foul has been committed or not. The balls can either be returned to their starting position or foul can be called depending on the severity of the situation. on the situation the tournament official may either return the balls to the starting position or a foul will be called and a tournament official the non-shooter has the option to return the balls to starting position or take ball in hand, depending on the severity. Only the tournament then a foul can be the If a referee is not present to make a call, the decision goes to the shooter. The referee’s decision is final. - Headphones are allowed during matches. HOWEVER, players wearing headphones are responsible for making sure they are aware of the table and their opponent at all times. If you are unable to hear your opponent it is NOT their fault. In the case of a hit call where a referee is necessary, it is the non-shooter’s responsibility to notify the player before the shot is made. In the case of miscommunication it is the shooters call.

Forfeits
- When a match is called, players will have up to 10 minutes to report to their table, or will be forced to forfeit that match.

Five-Minute Time Out
- Both players are allowed one five-minute time out per match. A time out may only be utilized in between racks. A referee must be called if the opponent chooses to continue play. The opponent may utilize that five minute break by either practicing until opponent returns, remain seated, or leave play area but must return before the player returns from break. Any player who does not return within the five minute timeout will be subject to foul, forfeit, or loss of match depending on the severity.

Etiquette
- Players should be seated while their opponent is shooting. If chairs are not available, non-shooting players must be still and quiet.

- NO SHARKING "Sharking" is any act designed to upset your opponent or disrupt their concentration at any time during the game. Examples include using profanity, sarcastic comments, refusing to acknowledge an obvious foul, standing close to you opponent's line of vision, or creating a sudden noise.

- Disassembling the cue stick while opponent is at the table is a loss of game. Changing out a shaft is not considered conceding but the player must wait until it is their turn to shoot and must notify the opponent of the change out.

Meucci Sport 9 Tour Player Handbook
- Conceding the final ball is considered inappropriate conduct. It is not allowed and will result in the loss of current and next game.

Illegal Marking
- It is a foul to mark any part of the table with chalk, powder, etc., to assist in aiming or marking a shot.

Interference
- Purposely interfering with opponent’s play is illegal and can be declared a foul at the discretion of a referee.

Spectators (Friends or Family)
- Talking with spectators during play is not allowed except in the context of showmanship.
Practice on Tournament Tables

- Practice time is not allowed on match tables utilized during any tournament, except during timeouts. Practice tables will be designated (where available) prior to the event at the players meeting.

Outside Interference
- When outside interference occurs during a shot that has an effect on the outcome of that shot, the referee/official should be called to restore the balls to the positions they had before the shot, and the shot will be replayed. If the interference had no effect on the shot (i.e. someone walking by touches/moves balls other than the legal object ball), the referee/official should be called to restore the disturbed balls and play will continue. If the balls cannot be restored to their original positions, the game should be replayed with the original player breaking.
Meucci Sport 9 Tour Player Handbook

- Players should not approach distracting spectators. Simply report them to the Tournament Director(s) or official.

Slow Play
- If, in the opinion of the Tournament official, a player is impeding the progress of the Tournament or game with consistently slow play, the official can warn the player and then at his/her discretion impose a time limit up to a maximum of 45 seconds that applies to both players between shots (that is, both players are put on a shot-clock).

- If the official does impose a time limit and that limit is exceeded by a player who has received a 10-second “time” warning, a foul will be called and the incoming player is rewarded according to the rule applicable to the game being played.

- During a player’s inning, the shot clock starts when the previous shot ends, and runs until tip-to-ball contact begins the next shot. The time while a shot is in progress is not counted.

- If a player begins with cue ball in hand, the shot clock starts when the player has possession of the cue ball, and any spotting or racking is finished.

- If the player has not approached the shot, a warning with the announcement of “time” should be made 10 seconds prior to the time limit being reached. If a player exceeds the announced time limit, a foul will be called and the incoming player is rewarded according to the rules applicable to the game being played.

- In the case of a player down over a ball at the 10-second mark prior to the time limit, no announcement is to be made and no penalty is to be imposed. In the event of the player standing up off the shot, “time” will be called at that point and normal shot-clock procedure is followed. Each player may call for one extension per rack.

- Extension period is identical to the time limit imposed. In the event of a tie score with only one game remaining, each player may utilize two extensions. The player must ensure that the official/timekeeper is aware when an extension is called.

Balls Moving Spontaneously
- If a ball shifts, settles, turns or otherwise moves “by itself”, the ball shall remain in the position it assumed and play continues.

- A hanging ball that falls into a pocket “by itself” after being motionless for 5 seconds or longer shall be replaced as closely as possible to its position prior to falling, and play shall continue.

- If an object ball drops into a pocket “by itself” as a player shoots at it, so that the cue ball passes over the spot the ball had been on, unable to hit it, the cue ball and object ball are to be replaced to their positions prior to the stroke, and the player may shoot again. Any other object balls disturbed on the stroke are also to be replaced to their original positions before the shooter replays.

Contact / Resources

Sport 9 Director: Janeen Lee

Cell: (901)304-8456

Email: sport9tour@gmail.com

Sport 9 Tour MEDIA

Website: http://www.sport9tour.wix.com/sport9

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Sport9Tour

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Sport9Tour BudTour

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North American Pool Tour (NAPT)

Website: http://www.playnapt.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/playNAPT

Email: office@playnapt.com

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