The Major League Pool Constitution

Leagues that wish to join MLP should contact an admin by email. There are a limited amount of leagues allowed in MLP each season in order that the MLP staff can continue to provide the same level of service that made MLP successful. Unfortunately we cannot accept all interested leagues, but will keep you in mind should circumstances change.

Player Signup and Qualifications

1. MLP is a private league. In order to join the team manager/captain must request an invitation. No one will be granted an invitation without the approval of that team's manager.
2. To represent a league in play, a player must meet the following requirements:
   • They must have at least 50 games 25 of which must be tourney games. If a player has their stats reset, they must meet these requirements again.
   • No provisional ID's allowed
   • Yahoo ID must have a minimum of 1100 rating. Players below 1100 rating are not eligible to play. There is no maximum.
   • Players must remain active in the league which they represent. "Active" is defined as a minimum of 5* tournament games a week.
   • The definition of "active" for the BLT tournaments will be lowered, to only 1* tournament game in the last 7 days, in the players home league.

   *Only ladder stats tournament games count towards this number.




3. When signing up to the MLP ladder, add your league initials and underscore to the front of your name. (Ex: bigbird_2003 from poolfighters (pf) would register to MLP as pf_bigbird_2003) Your Yahoo ID, your home league ID, and MLP name (after initials) must all match exactly. (If a players yahoo! name is longer than 20 characters with their league initials, cases will not allow them to put their full name as their MLP name. These people are still allowed to join and play so long as they use the 30 character maximum as their MLP name.) Other than this, there are no exceptions to this rule.
4. MLP reserves the right to remove any players registered to the MLP ladder that do not meet these qualifications at any time during the season. Random checks will be done of each team & of new members for eligibility.
5. If a player wishes to change their name, they must inform their Team Captain, who must inform a member of the MLP Admin team.

7 v 7 MLP Regular Season Format

1. The designated match umpire will have an MLP marked Headquarters table set up at least 15 minutes prior to match start time and contact both team managers via YM to confirm match.

   The Headquarters table will always be a RATED, PROTECTED table with NO TIMER. The table will be marked with a banner stating that it is the Headquarter table.

2. Each team should be at the Headquarters table at least 5 minutes prior to match start time.
3. The HOME team will be given choice of sides (Right or Left). Whichever side the Home Team chooses is the side they will play on for all 7 games.
4. The Umpire will ask the visiting team to call their player of choice first for each of the 7 games and will invite each player as they are called to play.
5. BEFORE a player is called to play, it is the Captains's duty to check each player to make sure they fit the MLP qualifications.
   • Once a player is called, if they are discovered to be ineligible for any reason during their game, they will be disqualified from the match. A reversal of a win may result where applicable. Penalties or punishment may be issued. Discovery must be made during the game between the 2 players for a disqualification to occur.  It is not the Admin or umpires job to check eligibility. This duty lies with the captain of each team.
   • If there is a name error on the MLP ladder, let an Admin on duty know so they can fix it immediately
   • All matches will be reported by the match admin once all 7 games are completed
6. Once a player has been called to play, no substitution or change can be made.
7. Umpires will not tolerate deliberate 'slow play' to delay matches. Snookers are part of the game, but if an Umpire feels that a player is just stalling, one warning will be given, followed by a dq.
8. The match will continue until all 7 games are played. The league that wins 4 out of the 7 games is awarded a victory in the MLP Season Standings.

Game Specific Rules

1. The Headquarters table will always be hosted by the designated Umpire or by an appropriate MLP Staff member. If an umpire is booted, becomes frozen or is not able to continue for any reason, the On Duty staff member should be notified immediately and a new table will be made or effort made for that staff member to gain control of the table.
2. If a player is booted, frozen, or becomes absent from the table at any time during their game, or if a team is unable to call another player their opponent may ask for a 10 minute timer. Teams cannot use substitutions once a name has called to play. Once time expires, they lose that particular game. The timer will NOT reset if a player returns, and then leaves / is booted again. It is a 10 minute cumulative timer. For example, Player A, is booted for 3 minutes and returns, this means he has 7 minutes of timer left if he is booted again.
3. If a 10 minute timer has been used and expired and in the following game, another timer is required. Then once the 2nd 10 minute timer expires, the 7v7 match will be forfeited.
4. Only players who are eligible and at the HQ at the time of forfeit can be given credit. If the match is a forfeit due to a league no longer participating in MLP, then the 7 named must be eligible as there is no need for a match HQ.

   Players who LOSE by DQ or timer do not receive ANY credit. The game is a forfeit. In the event a player has started a game and then is booted and TIMED OUT (but not DQed due to ineligibility), as long as there was a clear intent to play, the Admin will award credit to the both winner/loser.

5. The cue ball (White Ball) must be moved from its original position before breaking. The move must be noticeable to the umpire.
6. If the 8 ball (Black Ball) is made on the Break Shot then it is a RE-RACK and does not count. In the case of a loss because of accidentally pocketing the 8-ball NOT on the break but early in the match, RE-RACKS cannot be requested by the Loser of the match. A re-rack can only occur IF OFFERED by the Winner.
7. Yahoo Glitches can happen to anyone, and could go either way. If a glitch happens, players will continue the game as if the glitch never happened. Glitches do not warrant re-racks except for extreme cases in which the opponent who stands to have an advantage due to a glitch may offer if he/she wishes. The player that has been glitched CANNOT ask for a re-rack.
8. If on the break shot, you make a solid and a stripe, you may NOT take the ball in hand.
9. If on the break shot you make a solid, stripe, and scratch, you must take the cue ball out of the "gutter" and tap to your opponent.
10. Safety or Defensive shots are legal and all players must learn to accept it. They are part of the game. Do not whine after a safety! Do not attack a person if they safety you! Please just continue playing the game.
11. All players and viewers are required to participate with good sportsmanship, please see rule in sportsmanship section.
12. Coaching on any messenger service or on the table is absolutely forbidden.
13. Making any comments regarding the game in play, including mentions of telling players they have BIH, will result in DQ's under the rule of NO COACHING.
14. You must NOT be seated at any training table whilst playing any MLP game. Any player found seated at a training table whilst playing in a game will be disqualified.
15. Use of Camtasia during a match is optional and not mandatory. All MLP members have the right to confirm OR deny a Camtasia request. If an agreement is established, MLP will honor it by holding players accountable to the agreement. All tapes must be transferred within the timeframe set forth by an MLP Official. Non-compliance of these measures may result in penalties and/or disqualifications. All pertinent Camtasia rules/guidelines are required. Players may NOT resort to harassment regarding decisions to record matches. The timeframe is 60 minutes. If you send your tape via a messenger service (Yahoo or MSN) then you have 10 minutes to begin the transfer, and 60 minutes in total for the tape to send. If you choose to email your tape to an admin, then the mail must have been received within the 60 minute timeframe. If you choose to upload your tape (e.g. via yousendit) then the link must be provided to an admin also within the 60 minute timeframe. There is no time limit for game 7 tapes in a playoff match.
16. In a 7v7 game if the player who has won the match submits a tape that does not meet MLP cam requirements then the loser of the game will be asked to submit their tape. Should the loser's tape also not meet MLP cam requirements (or they have deleted the tape) then the original winner of the game will be given the benefit of doubt and subsequently the win. (This applies to reg season if both players agree to use cam & playoffs where cam is mandatory)
17. RE-RACKS cannot be requested by the Loser of the match A re-rack can only occur IF OFFERED by the Winner. Glitches do not warrant re-racks except for extreme cases in which the same idea applies: the player who has been glitched cannot ask for a re-rack. The opponent who stands to have an advantage due to a glitch may offer if he/she wishes. Under no circumstances should players be harassed for accepting a win in either case. This is considered bad sportsmanship and will be treated as such.
18. The use of game enhancing programs otherwise known as aimers are forbidden in MLP. In extreme cases, MLP reserves the right to require individuals we believe to be utilizing game enhancement software to document matches with Camtasia until further notice.
19. Should you feel that an umpire made an error in judgment on a decision that might affect the outcome of the match, you may appeal that decision to an Admin. An appeal will only be heard if it is presented in an orderly, well-mannered fashion. If an admin is not immediately available to hear your appeal, an over-rule cannot be made.
20. Deliberately withdrawing before a 7v7 game has been reported or TD has reported BLT or any other tourney games is an offense. 1st offense will result in a 2 match suspension, 2nd offense will result in a season long ban.
21. If you are boxed in your home league, you are NOT eligible so therefore may NOT participate in any MLP event.

Managers Responsibilities

The Manager is responsible for every matter that concerns his/her team, which includes, but is not limited to:

1. Knowing and making their team aware of all MLP rules & regulations
2. Reading Announcements & Newsletters to stay aware of events & rules
3. Having their team participate in ALL MLP-wide tournaments & events.
4. Making sure all their team's players meet ALL MLP qualifications
5. Having their team prepared and on time for all 7v7 Matches and Tournaments.
6. Approving or requesting invitations for their players in a timely manner
7. Choosing players who are able to act in a sportsmanlike manner - Keeping undesirables off their teams.
8. Providing an active and willing umpire representative of their league. Umpires who do not turn up for a match will be given a warning by the Umpire Manager. If they fail to show up for a second time, they will be subject to 5 days in the penalty box.
9. Set an example for their teams, and should never engage in arguments or unsportsmanlike conduct on the tables or in lobbies and should advise their players not to do so as well.
10. Recruiting players from other leagues is strictly forbidden. If you are found to be recruiting, you will be subject to disciplinary action & possibly removal as Manager.

Managers who can't handle keeping up with MLP events, and informing or sending players to the matches or tourneys should consider passing the position to someone who will do what is best for the league. They should keep up with current MLP news and upcoming tourneys and inform their players of them. Having players in all of MLP's events will only better their league's rank and make them a better team. If a specific manager continues to not have teams prepared or present for MLP events, the MLP admin staff will request to that league's admin team that they select a new manager who will handle the league's team more effectively.

Late or Absent Leagues

1. If a team is not at their match at least 5 minutes prior to the match time, and the team Manager is not able to be reached on YM, the Umpire will go to that leagues room and politely announce without caps in the lobby about the match and where it is.
2. At the scheduled start time, the ump will start a 10-minute timer. If the timer expires and no members show, the league that has shown up will get a 7-0 victory.
3. In the case that one league runs out of players midway through the match, a 10-minute timer will be placed on or resume on the team that is missing players. If this 10-minute timer expires before that league is able to put worth an eligible player then that league will forfeit the remainder of the match.
4. A forfeited game or match is the direct fault of the league's manager. If it becomes a trend for the same manager, the MLP will request that league find a new manager for their MLP's team.

Sportsmanship, Behavior, and Consequences

1. Players from all leagues are expected to show sportsmanship and respect towards Umpires, Opponents, Spectators, TD's, Lobby's & Headquarters or anyone involved with MLP and its hosting rooms. Misbehavior or bad sportsmanship such as swearing, cussing, scrolling, spamming or arguing will not be tolerated and penalties will most definitely be issued to those who display it.
2. If in the umpire's eyes, a player is not being sportsmanlike at the table or in any other way, that player WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY during that match.
3. A DQ because of un-sportsmanlike conduct cannot be appealed to or overruled by an admin.
4. Saying “gg” before the game is over could be considered a sign of bad sportsmanship, however it has no bearing on the outcome of the game and is not grounds for a DQ for not being sportsmanlike.
5. An umpire cannot DQ a player based on personal bias because of prior problems the umpire has had with that player. The decision must be made only on actions made concerning the MLP match. This includes actions in the lobby of a league that participates in Major League Pool.
6. Reporting a match to the MLP ladder that is not part of an MLP event is ILLEGAL and will be punished by players being placed in the penalty box for 10 days.
7. There are to be no accusations of any sort at an MLP function, table, lobby where function is being hosted, or the MLP website and related materials. If you feel the need to accuse someone of something (ie aimer, someone playing on another's account, statistic issues,etc.) , bring PROOF to an ADMIN, via email or a messenger service. 1st offence - 2 7v7 match suspension 2nd offence- Disqualified from playoff eligibility/ world series.

League Changing Regulations

1. Once a player joins the MLP ladder for a league they cannot switch leagues without permission of an MLP admin. There will be a designated time when players can switch leagues freely and this rule will not apply. The player may only change leagues on the MLP ladder AFTER the switch has been approved.
2. Players who switch their league initials will have them changed back and will be subject to punishment.
3. Players who try to withdraw from the MLP then sign back up with a new league will be caught, because MLP Administration keeps records of all secured information on every player who withdraws on a daily basis.
4. If the Captain of the league is found to have known this was done against the rules, they will take the same punishment as the player and not be allowed to Captain while suspended. If a League Admin is a Captain in this situation, MLP may reserve the right to remove the league from MLP.
5. A player is limited to 1 league switch per season. The player must be eligible in the new league prior to switching.
6. Recruiting players from other leagues is strictly forbidden. If you are found to be recruiting, you will be subject to disciplinary action
7. You may not switch leagues once the deadline has been set. The deadline will be announced in advance on the main page.

Playoff Regulations

1. The top 3 leagues from each conference will advance to playoffs directly, with the 4^th and 5^th placed teams earning wildcards and playing each other one 7v7 , normal MLP rules, elimination match, for the last playoff spot in each conference.
2. Leagues not qualifying for the MLP playoffs still must participate in the rest of the MLP events held during and after the playoffs.

Tiebreaker

If teams are tied for a playoff spot, there are certain statistics that will determine which team is ranked higher.

1. In the case of a 2-way tie, the tiebreaker is HEAD TO HEAD, meaning whichever of the 2 teams won when they faced each other during the season is the team seeded higher.
2. In a 3-way tie situation, there are a few different scenarios that determines which team is seeded highest:
   • If 1 of the 3 teams defeated both others in regular season play, that team is seeded highest of the 3, and the 2 other teams are decided by head to head.
   • If all 3 teams are 1-1 against each other, the tiebreaker is win/loss record in games played during the matches. All 3 teams are ranked in order of best game record. In a situation where 2 of the 3 teams are tied in wins/losses, the tie is broken by head to head.
   • If all 3 teams are 1-1 against each other, and all 3 are tied in wins/losses, the tiebreaker is wins/losses against each other in the 3 Season games the tied Leagues played against one another during the regular season.
   • If all 3 teams are 1-1 against each other, all 3 are tied in games record, and are also tied in Games Record against each other, the next tiebreak is COMMON OPPONENTS. The 3 tied Leagues are measured on Win/Loss and/or Games Record against other Leagues in their division, starting with the Highest Ranked League in the division (outside the 3 tied leagues) and going down the list until the tie is broken.
3. In a 4 or more way tie, tiebreaker is always Games Record. Any teams tied in games won are decided by the above rules on 2 and 3 way ties.

Player Qualifications for MLP Playoffs

When the playoffs begin, there will be a players listing page provided to all managers and umpires that will list every player that is qualified to play in the MLP playoffs.

The qualifications are:

1. The player must have at least 4 7v7 games played on his or her MLP account in the home league they represent on the day that the regular season ends.
2. The player must be active in MLP within 50 days before the day of their MLP playoff match.
3. On the date that the regular season ends, playoff players who wish to change their MLP name must inform a MLP Admin before doing so.
4. When the playoff qualified players list is created, only players on that list are eligible to play in the playoffs for your league.

Playoff Match Format

1. Playoff matches are nearly the same as a regular MLP Season 7v7 match. All game rules and formats are exactly the same, except that when a team reaches 4 games won, the match is automatically over and the rest of the games are not played out.
2. The Pool World Series will be best of 3 MATCHES and the same format as above. There will only be one match per day and all matches will be held on consecutive days.
   
   

EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING AND ABIDING BY THESE RULES INCLUDING MLP MEMBERS, STAFF, AND ADMINS.

We cannot cover every aspect of the game in these rules, so if a situation arises where the rules are unclear, or the situation is not covered in the rules, an admin will make a fair judgment, and amend the rules to reflect that ruling with the approval of the MLP admin team.