League Rules: (rules changes in red)

Astley Bridge Area Darts League.
League Rules

1. GENERAL
1 .1 Each team shall consist of a minimum of five players.
1.2 All players must be registered with the league before start of the season.
1.3 It is requested that a delegate from each team attends the AGM.
1.4 Fixtures and welcome packs must be collected by a member of each team on the designated fixture collection night (hours 8pm-10pm). In the event that they cannot attend they must make arrangements for the fixtures to be collected.

2. LEAGUE FEES \ PLAYER REGISTRATION FEES
2.1 The league fees for the Astley Bridge Darts League are currently £50 per team during the Winter Season and £35 per team for the Summer Season, and ALL fees must be paid in full before or on fixture collection night.
2.2 There is a registration fee of £1 per player to be paid with all Entry Forms.
2.3 Any team wishing to sign additional players after submitting their application form will have to obtain approval from a committee member. Once approved, the team will have to submit an Additional Players Form together with the match card and the £3 registration fee at Halliwell Conservative Club or to a Committee Member. Players will only be allowed to transfer to another team within the league at the discretion of the committee. An additional £3 fee will be required
2.4 Any team fielding a non-registered player will lose all points their team had won during that match.
2.5 NO player shall be allowed to play for more than one team in the league.
2.6 It is required that at least one member of each team receives a copy of Saturdays Bolton News to view any amendments or changes to the fixtures. These changes will also be listed on the website www.abdarts.co.uk
2.7 If a team changes any details (eg venue, contact no, night of play) it is their responsibility to contact each team secretary within their section to notify them of these changes.

3. GENERAL – DARTBOARD \ SCORING \ SEATING
3.1 The dartboard shall be 5' 8" from the floor to the centre of the bull. The throw shall be 7' 6" for the men and 7' 0" for the ladies. All players can throw from any point behind these marks. Players waiting to throw must stand behind the player at the oche.
3.2 The board must be in good condition with adequate lighting.
3.3 The marking board should be visible by both players from the oche without the need to turn sideways to read it.
3.4 Marking - It is the responsibility of each player to ensure the scoring is correct. A wrongly marked board can be rectified at any time up to a finish (170), after which the mistake will stand.
3.5 In the event of uncertainty players should check their score with the marker as removing any darts from the board shall be deemed to have ended their throw and any score will stand.
3.6 Should a player finish the double with the first dart and then throws again, the first dart will stand and the leg ends.
3.7 Electronic scoreboards are only to be used if all players agree to their use.
3.8 The home team must provide adequate seating for both teams. If there is not enough seating for both sets of players, the home team must give priority to the visiting team.
3.9 No active player should leave the oche once the game has started. Any player leaving the oche will be deemed to have ended their match and any further legs will be awarded to the opponent.

4. GENERAL – POINTS SYSTEM
4.1 Mens league matches are 5 a side individuals, 501 flying start with double to finish. Three legs to be played by each individual, one point per leg, fifteen points in total. The exception is Mens Section 1 where five legs are to be played by each individual, one point per leg, twenty five points in total.
4.2 Ladies league matches are 5 a side individuals, 501 flying start with double to finish. Three legs to be played by each individual, one point per leg, fifteen points in total.
4.3 The AWAY team have first throw advantage on the first, third and fifth games.
4.4 Merits - one merit point will be awarded for each leg won. If a game is claimed 3-0 then only 2 merit points will be awarded. In Mens Section 1, if a game is claimed 5-0 then only 3 merit points will be awarded.
4.5 Should two teams finish with equal points at the end of the season, the team winning the most matches will finish higher. If the teams cannot be separated, then a playoff at a neutral venue will be required.
4.6 Should two or more players finish on equal points, regardless of games won, played or lost, then a playoff will be required. The playoff night will be highlighted on the competitions sheet.
4.7 No games are allowed to be played for ‘double’ points. All teams must inform the league secretary before playing more than one match in one night.
4.8 Result cards handed in with false results will not be tolerated. If ANY team is found to have submitted false information, the whole team will be expelled from the league.
4.9 Should any team withdraw from the league during the first half of the season, all points will be expunged. If a team withdraws after half way, then the points from the first half will stand.
4.10 Any team withdrawing from the league at any time will not have automatic entry into the league the following season.

5. NIGHT OF PLAY.
5.1 Both teams are to be present at 8-30pm. Matches to start no later than 8-45pm.
5.2 Winning teams must submit the result card to the league headquarters within 7 days of the fixture date.
5.3 Failure to hand in the card within 7 days will result in a 2 point team deduction for the winning team.
5.4 Repeat offenders of rule 5.3 will be subject to a committee hearing, which may result in further points being deducted.
5.5 All teams will only be allowed to play with less than 5 players on one occasion during the course of a season.
5.6 For each further game a team plays with less than 5 players, the team will be fined £5, and be subject to a committee hearing.
5.7 If a team cannot field 5 players, even at the start of the draw, then the opposition can request which of their players enter the draw to play.
5.8 If a player is going to be late, they are to be drawn out as usual at the beginning of the match, but their name should not be written on the match card until they arrive. This allows the team to play a reserve if the player does not arrive by the end of the fourth game.
5.9 A team has the option to play a guest player in the event that they are unable to field 5 players. The guest player must not have played for any other team and can only play once during the season.

6. CANCELLATIONS
6.1 ANY team wishing to cancel a match must give the opposition at least 48 hours notice. They are also required to set a provisional date at this time.
6.2 The team cancelling the match must inform the league secretary of the cancellation and also of the new proposed date.
6.3 Any team failing to fulfil a fixture will automatically forfeit the game and lose the match 8-0. Mens Section 1 will be 13-0.
6.4 If a team claims a game 8-0, each player will receive 2 merit points. Mens Section 1 will receive 3 merit points
6.5 Any team failing to fulfil a fixture after halfway through the season will be subject to a committee hearing.

7 TROPHIES \ PRESENTATION
7.1 At least one member of each winning team and the individual winners are to attend the annual presentation to collect their awards/winnings. If an individual cannot make the presentation evening, only a member of their team can collect on their behalf.
7.2 Any team or player failing to collect their awards will be deemed to have forfeited them and will not be able to collect or request them at a later date.
7.3 All teams and individuals shall be responsible for the safe return of any annual trophies.

8 PROTESTS \ DISPUTES
8.1 ALL protests regarding a match must be made in writing and be presented at the next available committee meeting.
8.2 Any item or rule not covered by the above, the decision of the committee will be final.

League Headquarters: Halliwell Conservative Club, Halliwell Road, Bolton, BL1 8DE
www.abdarts.co.uk