 Three Foul Rule
Last year we incorporated the three foul rule used in the Pro Express format. If your opponent has three consecutive fouls in one rack the game is over and you get the point value of all the balls remaining on the table. All nine balls are racked to continue the match with a new game. Successful execution of the three foul rule is awarded with a framed Captain Hook certificate. The three foul rule is in effect at all times for the lower rated player in a match and only when player skill levels differ by no more than one for the higher rated player. You must inform your opponent when he/she is on two fouls prior to the third foul opportunity. If you have any questions about the three foul rule see Richard Cronkhite, Bill Nagel, Craig James, Jon Dingman or Darryl Crysler. They have a Captain Hook award. _____________________________________________________
Push Out In the MPLA we use the Pro format push out option after the break. The player at the table on the first shot after the break can shoot the cue ball to any location on the table without regard to the normal requirements of a good hit. The opponent can then shoot or give the shot back to the first player. The option is available whether or not a ball is pocketed on the break.
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Safeties
When a ball is legally pocketed on a safety the same player continues to shoot.
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 Jump Shots
Jump cues are allowed without condition. Players who choose to execute a jump shot should take care to not damage the table cloth. Jumping has become an important part of 9-ball at all levels so it is important for our players to have an exposure to it and develop the skill if they choose. If anyone wants a primer on “Jumping for Dummies” send a request through "Contact Us". ___________________________________________________  MVP Point Calculation
Effective April 5, 2010 the league policy committee has changed the method of MVP point calculation. Under the new system we will count one match score (the highest) per week during a league session when a player shoots multiple matches. The previous system of deleting the lowest of all the extra scores during a session will no longer be used. It is expected that this new system will decrease the MVP advantage to the player who shoots multiple matches but still provide some level of reward for players who fill the voids resulting from occasional absences. This system allows us to have teams where all players shoot every week and no team ever has to forfeit a match.
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 Break Shot Criteria
If no object balls are contacted on a break attempt and the cue ball stays on the playing surface the same player breaks until an object ball is hit. Any foul on the break results in ball-in-hand for the opponent. This includes failure to contact the 1-ball first, jumping the cue ball off the table, jumping an object ball off the table, scratching, etc. All object balls that leave the playing surface are "dead" balls whether on the break or otherwise.
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 Timeouts
One timeout per rack for SL 5-8 and two per rack for SL 1-4. Coaching must come from a team member. If the highest ranked team member is absent anyone who is willing and available may coach.
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 Hanging Ball Rule
If a ball is hanging on the lip of a pocket and falls into that pocket by itself after being stationary for five seconds or longer, it will be replaced as closely as possible to the position it was in prior to falling. (BCAPL Rule 1.49.3) __________________________________________________________________
Skill Level Calculation
Initial skill levels are assigned by existing levels from comparable leagues, i.e., APA, BCA, etc. If no comparable skill level is available a panel of league members assigned by the advisory committee determines the starting level. After that skill levels change according to the 27/53 rule. If a player accumulates 53 or more points in four consecutive matches the skill level goes up one point. If a player has 27 or fewer points in four consecutive matches the skill level goes down one point. Players SL-5 and under have the option to set a minimum skill level for themselves as long as their team captain concurs with the minimum.
In the interest of process improvement the MPLA is always interested in specific ideas for alternative handicap systems to determine changes in player skill levels. Send your ideas through the "Contact Us" selection in the Navigation bar on the left.
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 Fouls
The MPLA plays cue ball fouls only. Any player-induced movement of the cue ball other than a legal shot is a foul. Touching the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip is a foul. Dropping a chalk cube on the cue ball, blowing on the cue ball, or touching the cue ball to remove a foreign particle is a foul. Touching/moving the cloth or rail near the cue ball resulting in cue ball movement, however slight, is a foul. The player who wants foreign objects removed from the cue ball or from the cloth near the cue ball can request a third party for assistance.
A common cue ball foul is the double hit. This usually occurs when the distance between the cue ball and object ball is less than 1/2 inch.
If a player touches an object ball the opponent has the option to either leave the ball where it stops or replace it to the original location. The opponent is the judge of original location.
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 Match Scores
Match scores in the MPLA are determined by a simple division. First determine the loser match score by dividing the loser match points by the loser skill level. For example, if a SL-4 gets 30 points he/she has 30/4 = 7.5 for the match. We always round UP so the match score is 12-8 (match total is always 20). This works for all skill levels except SL-1. When a SL-1 loses, use the following table to determine the match score:
Starting April 19, 2010 we incorporated a small change to the match scoring system. Previously it had been possible to have a 20-0 match score only if the losing player pockets no balls. Under the new system the final match score is 20-0 when the losing player pockets fewer balls than his/her skill level. For example, the match score is 20-0 if a SL-6 player pockets five balls or fewer during a match. The same applies to a SL-9 who pockets eight ball or less and so on. A plaque will be issued each session to players who achieve a 20-0 match score. ______________________________________________________________
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