Stanislaus Pinball League Rules

 Stanislaus Pinball League (SPL) – League Rules

Before diving into format and rules, it’s important to know that at the heart of it, The Stanislaus Pinball League is a CASUAL competitive league with an emphasis on it being casual. We strive to be welcoming to all skill levels.

Stanislaus League Officials (SLO)

President - Robert Riess

Vice President / Social Media - Derek Waring

Treasurer - Matt Ernst

Secretary - Robert Wilson

 I.T. - Hugo Mejia

Concierge - Kipp South

Multiball forever and not forgotten- Luke DeMott

The SLO's main duty during league play is for immediate rules interpretation.

Please raise your hand if you have issues during league play and an SLO will come to your game for a ruling. These rules are a guide. At times situations will arise that aren’t specifically covered by the league rules. In these cases, the SLO will make a decision in the spirit of the rules.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1.  League Format and Attendance

1.1 - Scoring on Pins / Points in League

      1.1a - Recording Scores

1.2 - Missed League / Make-Up Games

1.3 - Start Time / Warm Up Games

2.  Player Conduct

2.1 - Respecting other Player(s)

2.2 - Respecting the Pinball Machines

2.3 - Accidents and Illegal Actions

3.  Pinball Machines

3.1 - What to Expect From the Pins

3.2 - Minor Pin Malfunctions

3.3 - Major Pin Malfunctions

3.4 - Advantageous Malfunctions

4.  Undefined League Rules Procedure

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1. League Format and Attendance

There will be 4 games played each night per player. Your lowest league night will be dropped from your league total points so if you are sick please do not attend.

The final league night will involve playoffs with players competing for trophies and/or awards. Each league will specify the exact format and playoff rules during league should they deviate from these general rules. Attendance is important; see 1.2 below.

 1.1 - Scoring on Pins / Points in League

All players are competing against each other. Game points are awarded by comparing your score on a particular game against the score of all other players playing that particular game. Players are awarded 1 point in league per game, plus a point in league for each player’s score they outscore. For example, suppose there are 20 players at a league night and one of the games for the evening is Deadpool. The player with the highest score on Deadpool, will be awarded 20 points in league for that game (1 point + 19 points because he/she outscored 19 people).

 1.1a - Recording Scores

Each player is responsible for ensuring their scores are accurately recorded on the score sheet after each game is finished. A good habit is to take a picture of your groups scores after a game and have at least two players confirm the written scores. Failure to record scores accurately may result in: a ruling to replay the game (if time permits), the scores are kept as written, or a score of zero at the SLO's discretion.

 1.2 - Missed League / Make-Up Games

Attendance: We encourage you to prioritize your health and responsibilities. Please stay home if you are sick or have family/work reasons preventing you from attending a league night.

Make-Up Games: If you cannot attend a league night, make-up games are permitted. These must be completed within 30 days of the missed night and before the final regular league night before playoffs. You can also pre-play make-up games if you anticipate future absences. Generally, make-ups can be played on a league night before the official start or on a machine not in use for league play that evening. Consequences of Excessive Absences: Missing more than two league nights without completing make-ups may result in disqualification from the current seasons playoffs and potential wait listing for future leagues.

League-Specific Rules: Please refer to your league's "sign up / welcome email" for any specific rules regarding missed nights and make-up games, as these may vary between leagues.

1.3 - Start Time / Warm Up Games

To allow for a smooth transition to league play, which begins between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM, all practice on league machines must conclude by 6:10 PM. If all league machines are occupied and a group is ready to begin their match, anyone still practicing on a needed machine should be prepared to forfeit their game if asked. We ask that groups first check for and utilize any open machines before requesting a practicing player to stop. Furthermore, if a group collectively decides, each player may have a short 30-second practice on their assigned machine before starting their league game. The group is responsible for making sure this 30-second limit is followed and does not extend to playing an entire ball.

Wednesday leagues will not allow a 30 second practice before playing due to time.

2. Player Conduct

All players are expected to conduct themselves in a polite and friendly manner. We want all players to have fun. New and inexperienced players may not know pinball etiquette, so this section is a guideline. While poor conduct is rare, the following rules will be enforced to maintain a respectful environment.

2.1 - Respecting other Player(s)

No Disturbances During Play: When a player is actively playing their ball in a league game, please refrain from any actions that could be disruptive. This includes yelling, touching the machine, or any movements or sounds that might break their concentration.

Question Etiquette: We encourage players to ask questions, particularly while waiting for their turn. However, once you are playing, please wait until your turn is completely finished before asking questions about game specific rules. Do not ask questions to an SLO while they are playing a game.

Strict Penalty for Distraction: Any act of distracting another player during their turn will result in a warning followed by an immediate removal from the league, and no refund of league fees will be provided.

Acceptable Ambient Noise: Please be aware that pinball league environments can be noisy. Players are expected to tolerate general conversations and ambient sounds from nearby games. Do not expect a completely quiet setting while playing.

Any type of assault, be it physical, sexual, verbal, or otherwise is

grounds for immediate ejection from the league. You will be removed from league and no refund for your league fees will be given.

If you are having any problems with another league player, please let SLO know.

2.2 - Respecting the Pinball Machines

Treat the pinball machines with respect. Do NOT abuse the machines. Do NOT bang on the glass. Players are expected to be respectful of the games they are playing. The tilt mechanism on each game will indicate if you are playing too aggressively.. Players are allowed to Tilt at their own detriment.

If you are bumping your machine into nearby machines when you tilt, you will be given a warning. As with all warnings, a second warning can result in a zero on the machine you are playing or being asked to leave league for the night at the SLO's discretion.

If you are having a problem with a machine, raise your hand and an SLO will come by.

 2.3 - Accidents and Illegal Actions

Mistakes happen. A player may load too few players on a machine or play in the wrong turn order. Help each other and pay attention to your group of players. Ask your group questions if you are unsure about something. Learn how to tell when it is the end of your ball. Small mistakes can often be fixed right away.

Do not start a game until all of your group is ready. While you are ultimately responsible for your own game, good pinball etiquette in a casual league involves ensuring everyone in your group is aware and ready before you press start. 

Rules that can get you in trouble...

Only touch the pinball machine if it is your turn to play. Each game may automatically launch a ball after a certain amount of time. If the ball launched is not your turn, do NOT attempt to trap or cradle the ball. Your only thing you can do is try to find the current player and inform them that it is their turn.

One warning for touching the machine when it's not your turn. If you try to help someone in a future league night, you will receive a zero for that machine.

In general, when a player's action impacts others, those affected must immediately choose one of two options:

·         continue the current game or

·         restart a new one.

They cannot finish the current game and then decide.

Players who are not affected continue playing as usual. Accidental rule infractions will result in a warning unless the rule broken specifies otherwise.

3. Pinball Machines

A famous saying is "Well, that's pinball.."

3.1 - What to Expect From the Pins

All pinball machines have various ways of making you lose your ball. You are not meant to keep the ball up forever. Often it feels unfair. It might make you want to cry.. and that's ok. Find Luke's shoulder... it's a good shoulder to lean on (or his hip).

This section is meant to clarify when a game is just being mean, when it has a minor malfunction, and when it has a major malfunction.

If you detect any anomalies or irregularities during a game, please promptly communicate these observations to the SLO.

To ensure fair play, if a game has a scoring issue or a disabled feature that the SLO knows about, they will inform the league before anyone plays it. This notification will be through email, a note on the machine, or a verbal announcement. If you don't receive such a notification, please assume the games are operating normally, keeping in mind that minor imperfections can occur. The pinball gods giveth and they taketh...

Extra Balls: the SLO will decide before league starts if an extra ball earned by a player can be played normally or must be plunged without playing the ball.

3.2 - Minor Pin Malfunctions

Minor Malfunctions: Minor pinball issues that affect all players will not result in a new game. These are a normal part of the pinball experience.

Stuck Balls: If a ball becomes stuck on the playfield during your turn, you may attempt to nudge it free. However, be aware that tilting while trying to free the ball will result in a lost ball (or a lost game on Gottlieb machines), just like a regular tilt. Alternatively, raise your hand, and an SLO will assist in freeing the ball. Please remain at your game in case the ball becomes unstuck on its own.

Inconsistent Game Behavior: Pinball games can be unpredictable. A plunged ball might occasionally fall short, or mechanisms like a VUK might sometimes be delayed. This is normal. As a player, it is important to stay focused and do your best to continue your turn. Do not give up and walk away until your turn has officially ended.

3.3 - Major Pin Malfunctions

Major Malfunctions Defined: A major malfunction is an issue that causes an unexpected loss of a ball during play, outside the normal rules of the game. To keep league play on track and prevent excessive focus on minor glitches, only a major machine malfunction can affect league play. Examples include the machine turning off, flippers becoming unresponsive, the continuous ejection of multiple balls from the ball trough, incorrect scoring, or a game feature not performing/scoring correctly.

Reporting Major Malfunctions: If you experience a major malfunction, please inform an SLO immediately.

Not Major Malfunctions: The following are not considered major malfunctions: weak flippers, non-functioning slingshots or pop bumpers, difficult shots, shots that don't register as expected, or ball saves that fail to save the ball.

Reporting Recurring Issues: If you notice any consistent problems with a game, please inform an SLO. However, please do not attribute poor personal play to machine issues. Remember, everyone is playing the same machines, and we strive to keep them in good working order for everyone's enjoyment.

Pre-Announced Issues: If an SLO informs league players of a known machine issue before league play begins, that issue will not be considered a major malfunction, even if it results in a lost ball.

Player Options for Major Malfunctions: If you experience a major malfunction during your game, the SLO will give you two choices:

1.    Continue playing the current game to completion, along with any unaffected players.

2.    Choose to start a new game.

3.4 - Advantageous Malfunctions

Exploiting Malfunctions for Unfair Points: You are not permitted to knowingly use a machine malfunction to gain an unfair scoring advantage. The most common example is when points are awarded without any action or simply by repeatedly pressing a flipper button. If you observe this happening to yourself or another player, please immediately notify an SLO. Specifically, do NOT trap a ball and repeatedly press the flipper button to accumulate points. This is considered cheating and will result in an immediate zero score for that game. The SLO will attempt to fix the issue, warn all players about the exploit, or

remove the game from league play for the night.

Exploiting Stuck Balls During Multiball: Another unfair advantage that is against the rules is continuing to play multiball when a ball is stuck. If you are in a multiball and realize a ball is stuck, or you are down to one ball but the multiball mode is still active, you must immediately try to trap your remaining

ball(s) and call for an SLO. If you can dislodge the stuck ball by hitting it with another ball or nudging, you should attempt to do so quickly. Other players who notice a stuck ball during your multiball should also alert you and call for an SLO. Once aware, you must attempt to trap any remaining balls until the stuck ball is freed. Intentionally ignoring a stuck ball during multiball will result in a zero score for that game. Consider this a serious rule violation and a form of cheating.

Death Saves and Bounce Backs: Death saves and intentional bounce backs are not allowed in league play. However, if a ball drains and naturally bounces back into play (a Lazarus) is permitted to continue play.

General Rule Against Cheating:

Any form of cheating is not allowed.  

4. Undefined League Rules Procedure

All rules not explicitly written above will be enforced at the discretion of the highest ranking SLO during league. If any player believes a ruling made during league was incorrect, send an email to stanislauspinball@gmail.com asking for a review. Please provide a detailed explanation of the situation. All seven SLO members will review the case and issue a ruling. This ruling will be documented and may be incorporated into future rules for consistency. Any suggestions, typos, clarifications, questions, or anything you feel will help improve the SPL, please email stanislauspinball@gmail.com

Let's get flippin'