06/13/2023
11 Team – Travel League
Cost per club to join N.J.C.A will be $1600.00 per club Per season. This fee will be paid to N.J.C.L
Each Travel team will be made up of 16 players that will be rostered for that club for that season. Every club can charge a registration fee needed to recover their $1600.00 registration fee. Clubs may also charge a Venue fee to cover their costs. The fee depends on the Club
Rostering of players.
If Clubs have enough players we will run 2 divisions - Premier and National
Players that will makeup rosters for each travel team, will have to make a certain critiera to play for a club.
1. A Player has had to play in current in house league prior to set date or in a league in one of your last two seasons. ( Proof Must Be Shown)
2. Clubs will have to turn in their official roster 3 weeks prior to start of season.
3. Players transferring from 1 club to another club during the 10 week season will have to wait minimum of 4 weeks before playing for new club and also meet the critiera of playing for a league.
5. Pros are allowed to play, but the must meet criteria to play. Pros have to make 70percent of league games to be eligible to play
6. No player is aloud to play for two teams or guest play.
7. If 2 divisions are created Premier and National. Players from National division can fill in for the Premier division. But Premier players can not fill in for National Division . These teams are 2 separate teams. All clubs should fill in Premier squad first .
8.Players rostered to a club can not play for another club. This is for league play.
Deadline for Clubs to Enter League:
July 15, 2023
Season Play Fall & Winter Season
Fall Season Start- September
Winter Season - January
Will season will consist of 5 home games and 5 away games.
Games will all be played within a 12 week span. Each week the home coach is to contact the away coach and figure out a day to play the game.
After each club battle both coaches are to email the travel commissioner who won the game. With the total wins and losses for each squad.
The winning team will be awarded victory . Each Victory is worth 3 points. A loss is worth Zero. If a team was to win all their matches the would have 30 points for the season.
Official Roster
Each team will have an official roster that has been approved by the N.J.C.L When teams show up to play each other team representatives from both teams will exchange rosters and tellin each other what players are there and what players represent each doubles teams for that week. Example
Team - Bloodline 1- Mike Torchia / Liam Torchia
Team - Bloodline 2- Stefan Roman / Jerry Kinney
Team- Bloodline 3- John L / Randy S
Team - Bloodline 4- Eric L / Jake M
Team- Bloodline 5- Kim B / Steph D
Team - Bloodline 6- Mike G / Rod J
Each week teams can change whos playing with who. Once games start there is no changing of players from one team to another.
Gameplay
Matches will be pool play. Each team will have 6 doubles teams. Each double team will play the 6 from the opposing team. The league that has the most wins on the day wins. Wins are worth 1 point.
Proper pitching technique i. A pitch is defined as one player throwing a co****le bag towards the opposite board from which he or she is standing attempting to make the bag onto the board or into the hole. 1. A player is not necessarily required to attempt to contact the board. He or she may voluntarily choose to earn zero points on a pitch by pitching the bag intentionally off to the side or short of the board. ii. A pitch of a co****le bag may be underhand or overhand. iii. When pitching a bag, players must release the bag before any part of the player’s body touches the ground on or beyond the foul line iv. Upon release of the bag during a pitch, a player must have at least part of one foot inside the pitcher’s box and not across the foul line 1. No part of a player’s body, except for a hand or arm, may cross the midpoint of the board in the direction of the opposing player’s pitch box (i.e. a player may not straddle the board in order to attempt a shot) v. A player may not step on or over the foul line during a pitch of a co****le bag. 1. In the event of a player stepping over a line, an official must be contacted. 2. Once the official is contacted, he or she will come watch the remainder of the match. 3. If the player steps over or on the foul line during this observation, the player will receive a warning from the official. 4. For every pitch from that point in the game onward that the player steps on or over the foul line, he or she will have the bag corresponding to that pitch forfeited. a. A forfeited bag will be removed from the area of play during that round by the official with as little disturbance to play as possible. i. If the forfeited bag has already caused bags in play to move, the player or team opposing the player who pitched the forfeited bag decides to either (not both): 1. Have an official place the moved bags back in their original location as best as possible per instructions by both teams. 2. Accept the new bags’ locations and proceed through the remainder of the round. b. Any scoring that is unavoidable when removing the bag from play will still count. b. Sequence of Play i. Rounds 1. A round is defined as a complete sequence of 8 bags thrown by two players (4 each) towards one board. 2. Scoring is calculated at the conclusion of each round. 3. A Player may adjust the board to which he or she is pitching only before a round if it is misaligned or not at the correct distance. a. A player may adjust the board from which he or she is pitching at any point as long as it does not disrupt the opposing players pitch, in which case that player would have his or her next bag forfeited. ii. Pitch Sequence 1. A game begins with a round in which the winner of the coin toss chooses who pitches the first bag. 2. The opposing player at the same board in the opposite lane then pitches his or her first bag. 3. Pitching alternates until all 8 bags (4 by each player) have been pitched which concludes the round. 4. For singles play, the players will then walk to the other board, remaining in their designated lane, and complete another round of pitching. 5. For doubles play, the two players’ partners at the opposite board will then complete a round of pitching. 6. Play continues until a score of at least 21 points is achieved by one team at the conclusion of a round. a. A player or team does not have to win by a minimum of two points. b. A player or team is not penalized for achieving a score over 21 points, the game is finished and that player or team wins the game. 7. If a player pitches in an incorrect sequence, the bag that is incorrectly pitched is forfeited. a. Then, to reestablish the correct sequence of pitching, the opposing player will pitch two consecutive bags. b. If a player pitches in an incorrect sequence and it is not called/identified immediately, then the round finishes out as it started (which is the incorrect sequence). If that particular round finishes in a wash/push, then next round is then played in the CORRECT sequence as it was supposed to be played previously. If that round finishes with one team scoring points, that team will start the next round. 8. If a player refuses to finish a game, that player will forfeit the game by a score of 21-0. 9. If one partner of a doubles team cannot finish the match for any reason that game will be forfeited by the team that could not finish by a score of 21-0. iii. Timing 1. Each player will have 20 seconds to pitch his or her bag from the moment that the opposing player’s bag comes to rest on the other end. a. A player may request that the “pitch clock” be enforced by having an Coach come to the board and enforce the rule. If a player calls for an Coach to do this, then the pitch clock is enforced for BOTH players effective immediately. b.If a player has the first pitch in a round, they will have 45 seconds from when the last bag from the previous round comes to rest on that side of play for doubles and 1 minute for singles play. d. Failure to pitch a bag in time results in loss of bag. 2. Bags must not be picked up while still moving. Players can pick up bags 3 seconds after the bag comes to a complete stop. 3. In singles play, each player is awarded (2) 90 second timeouts. a. During a timeout, a player may leave the pitcher’s box to view the other board. b. The opposing player who did not call the timeout may also leave the pitcher’s box in order to view the other board. c. Touching of bags is prohibited. If a player (or a player’s teammate) touches a bag that is in play during the timeout (or during play outside of a timeout before the round is complete), the round immediately ends and all bags are transitioned to the next round at the other board. i. In addition, if the team that touched the bags still has just 1 bag left and their opponent has 0 bags remaining, that bag is dead and the round is ended and scored just like any co****le round. ii. If the opposing team of the team who touched the bags still has a bag left then the round is over and that team will earn a valued score of 12 for the round regardless of the results of the round. iii. The team that touched the bags will receive a valued score totaling the points scored only in the hole for that round for that team prior to the touching. iv. For example, Team A has two bags in the hole and one bag on the board with one bag left yet to throw. Team B has one bag in the hole and two bags on the board with one bag left yet to throw. Team A touches the bags on the board and moves them from their original place. Team A receives a valued score of 6 for the round for the two bags in the hole and Team B receives a valued score of 12 for the round. The round is over and Team B earns 6 total points towards the overall score using cancellation scoring. v. If all bags are believed to have been thrown and both teams/players clear the board of bags and proceed to start the next round only to find that a single bag has not yet been thrown, the round is still over and the points are scored as the round finished. The single bag leftover is simply forfeited. d. Rules for touching the board i. In most cases touching the board will not impact the bags, however, if bags are impacted then the same rule is in effect as if you touched the bags (see rules Timing - 3ci and 3cii above) e. If a player crosses the foul line prior to pitching a bag attempting to get closer to the opposing board for viewing purposes, it is inferred that that player is choosing to take a timeout. f. Timeouts taken in excess of the allowed timeouts will lead to that player or team forfeiting all remaining bags during that round. 4. In doubles play, each team is awarded (1) 90 second timeout. a. Same timeout rules apply as above c.
Scoring
c. Scoring i. Scoring is always completed at the end of a round, not during. ii. A bag lying on top of iii. the board at the end of a round is valued at 1 point. 1. Bags “hanging” in the hole are valued at 1 point. iv. A bag through the hole at the end of a round is valued at 3 points. v. A bag that neither went through the hole nor is lying on top of the board at the end of the round is valued at 0 points. 1. Bags that are lying on top of the front edge of the board but are touching the ground are valued at 0 points. 2. Bags that touched the ground or any other surface before touching the board or going into the hole are valued at 0 points and must be removed from the board by an official. a. If this bag causes other bags on the board to move, the final resting places of the bags in play will count. vi. All scoring for a round features cancellation. 1. For example, Player A pitches 3 bags in the hole and 1 bag on the board for a total of 10 points. Player B pitches 2 bags in the hole and 2 bags on the board for a total of 8 points. Player A will then earn 2 points (10-8=2) towards his or her 2. overall score (or team’s score for doubles play). vii. In some instances, the bags in the hole will stack on top of each other until they reach the threshold of the hole. In this instance, a player may ask a spectator to “sweep” the bags from under the hole. 1. If a player throws a bag and it “hangs” in the hole but is touching a bag in the hole, an official must come and, if at all possible, “sweep” the bags in the hole without disturbing or touching the hanging bag. If an official is not present, an unbiased spectator must complete the sweep. a. If the hanging bag does not fall into the hole after a correct “sweep”, the bag is valued at 1 point. b. If the hanging bag unavoidably falls into the hole after a correct “sweep” the bag is valued at 3 points. viii. Players must wait 3 seconds after a bag comes to a stop on the board before the players may pick up a bag at the end of the round. If a bag is slick enough that it begins to slide down the board, players must wait for that bag to come to a complete stop before proceeding with a round.
Player Interaction/player conduct i.
Players may not make contact with each other during gameplay with the intent to disrupt pitching motions. 1. If a player disrupts another player’s pitch with obvious intent, The Two Team representatives reserves the right to disqualify a player for that game resulting in a forfeit. ii. Players may not interfere with an opponent’s bag during its flight path. 1. If a player interferes with the flight of a bag, the rest of that player’s bags are forfeited for the remainder of the round and the pitching player gets to re-pitch the bag. a. If bags in play are moved as a result of the interfered bag, see section IV.b.iii.2.b for how to proceed. iii. Talking, yelling, and movement that is distracting to the opposing team is not permitted. 1. The N.J.C.L and its Board reserve the right to deem any behavior inappropriate if it harms the integrity of the game. 2. Officials may award warnings to any players who display inappropriate behavior. 3. If a player continues to display inappropriate behavior during a tournament after receiving a warning from Team Directors, the Coach is to call N.J.C.L The League has the right to disqualify the player for the remainder of the League match. iv. Coaching is not permitted during a match by Spectators. 1. Spectators standing on the opposite side of the board may not comment on specific bag situations. 2. Spectators may not give specific strategic advice to a player during a game. This includes spectators that may be in the ear of a player on the same side of the board during a game.The N.J.C.L Directors and League may punish spectators and players engaged in coaching however they see fit. v. Player conduct 1. The N.J.C.L and its officials reserve the right to deem any behavior inappropriate if it harms the integrity of the game or the reputation of the N.J.C.L. 2. Spectators may encourage players with general statements like “push the bags in” or “drag the bags in” or “nice block” as long as it is not intended as coaching the player. 3. In Doubles and other Team Events, teammates may coach players as long as they are clearly identifiable and do not interfere with the timing of play. 4. Officials may award warnings to any players who display inappropriate behavior including but not limited to negative references toward the N.J.C.L, throwing bags in anger, cussing, fighting, inappropriate gestures and comments disparaging the N,J.C.L, its staff, sponsors, players and fans. 5. If a player continues to display inappropriate behavior during a tournament, on social media or in the presence of sponsors after receiving a warning from an official, the official reserves the right to disqualify the player for the remainder of the Event and/or ban them from playing in the N.J.C.L for the entire season. 6. Celebrations after throws will happen.
Equipment a.
Boards i. Boards shall be made of wood for use in N.J.C.L events. The most common types are birch and oak. ii. Boards shall have a finished coat that features a smooth texture. iii. Boards must measure two feet wide and four feet long, with a ±1/4 inch tolerance. iv. The hole must be 6 inches (±1/8 inch) in diameter, centered width-wise. 1. The center of the hole must be 9 inches (±1/8 inch) from the back edge of the board v. Boards must have a minimum top layer thickness of ½ inch with cross-section support, or ¾ inch without cross-section support. vi. Boards must have a weight of at least 15 pounds. vii. The front edge of the board should be raised between 2.5 and 3.5 inches above the ground. viii. The top of the board should rest 12 inches above the ground (±1/4 inch).. ix. No foreign substances may be applied to a board after it has been purchased from a manufacturer. 1. Substances include but are not limited to baby powder, cleaning spray, and silicone sprays. 2. A dry cloth may be used to wipe down a board prior to play. b. Bags i. Players must supply their own bags for play in an N.J.C.L event. 1. Directors may provide players with bags as long as they meet the bag criteria listed below. ii. Bags must measure 6 inches wide and 6 inches long (±1/4 inch). iv. Bags must weigh between 15.5 and 16.25 ounces. v. Bags must have a thickness no less than 1.125 inches and no greater than 1.5 inches. vi. Bags may not be filled with any material other than plastic resin. vii. After purchase from the manufacturer, bags may not be altered in any way. 1. Alterations include repair, stitching, removing resin, adding resin, ironing, and any other manipulation that results in a bag becoming different that the original state of purchase. 2. Players may wash bags using fabric softener and/or detergent and dry in a dryer. 3. Players may label their bags with initials or a name with a permanent marker. The label must not exceed 1 in2 . 4. Bags with holes where plastic resin can leak will not be allowed. viii. Bags must feature a logo or stamp from the manufacturer. Bags are not required to, but usually feature two different materials on each side. 1. Any cloth, suede, or fabric-like material is permitted for use on either side of a bag. 2. There are currently no banned materials for use but the N.J.C.L reserves the right to deem a set of bags “not permitted” if a material is found to be either: a. Damaging to other equipment. b. Damaging to the integrity of the game. x. Players may dry bags but no foreign substances can be applied to the outside of a co****le bag. xi. All bags in a set of four must have the same design and color for each corresponding side on all four bags. 1. For example, a player may use a gray suede side and a red duck cloth side for a co****le bag. All three of the other bags must have a red duck cloth side and a gray suede side. 2. For example, a player cannot have four bags that have a grey suede side and alternating colors of red, blue, yellow, and green on the duck cloth side of a bag. 3. A Player may not switch bags during a game (but can after a single game in a series) unless a bag is unintentionally damaged and leaking or if a bag mid-game has been unintentionally altered such that it affects the play of game differently for one player in comparison to the other. In the event of a damaged bag all 4 bags in that set must be swapped out at the end of the round for a new set of 4 bags (intentional damage leads to a forfeit of the game) xii. If a player finishes a tournament and has earned prize money for his or her performance, the N.J.S.L reserves the right to inspect all bags used by that player throughout the tournament. 1. If any bags used by that player are inspected and found to not meet the criteria above, the player will forfeit all of hi games played
2. Layout a.
Court i. A court is defined as the total area of play for a co****le game consisting of two boards. b. Pitcher’s box i. A rectangle measuring 3 feet wide by 4 feet long (length of board) on either side of a board designates a player’s pitcher’s box. c. Lanes i. A lane is defined as two pitcher’s boxes directly across from one another on two different boards on one court. 1. If a right-handed player is in the pitcher’s box forcing his right hand to be directly over a board, the other pitcher’s box in his or her same lane would be on the opposite board forcing his right hand to be on the outside towards the edge of play. 2. In doubles play players on the same team will line up directly across from each other in the same lane, not diagonally from each other in opposite lanes. d. Boards i. 2 boards should be located exactly 27 feet (±1/2 inch) apart, from front of one board to front of another. ii. The front edges of the 2 boards must face each other. e. Foul line i. The foul line is designated as the front end of the board, which is also marked by the front edge of a player’s pitcher’s box. f. Vertical Clearance i. For play indoors or under covering, the minimum vertical height of a ceiling or covering is 12 feet. g. Score tower i. 1 score tower per court (2 sets of boards) should be used and shall be placed a minimum of 1 foot behind one board, outside of the field of play. 1. Score towers are not required for play. 3. Pre-game a. Coin Toss i. Each game begins with a coin toss. One player or team flips a coin and the other player or team calls their choice of “heads” or “tails” ii. In singles play, the winner of the coin toss will choose which lane he or she will pitch in for the entirety of the game. iii. In doubles play, the winner of the coin toss will either choose (not both): 1. The lane and location of each player of that team which will be permanent for the entirety of the game. 2. The player matchup for each board. iv. In doubles play, the loser of the coin toss will get to decide the outcome of the other option in the previous bullet not selected by the winning coin toss team. v. In all divisions, the winner of the coin toss will choose which team or player will throw the first bag of the game. b. Practice i. Unless unanimously decided otherwise by all players on a court, it is customary to complete a “down and back” practice round before beginning a game. 1. For singles play, players will complete one round of practice throws, walk down to the other board staying in their same corresponding lanes, and then complete one additional round of practice throws before the game begins. 2. For doubles play, competing players on one board will complete one round of practice throws, and then each player’s corresponding doubles partner will complete a practice round throwing from the opposite board in the same lane as their partner before the game begins
Payouts
Total Money Collected Based on 11 Teams
$17,600
N.J.S.A will keep .11365 percent
$2000.00
League Payouts ($15,600)
1st Place - $7,200
2nd Place - $5,200
3rd place - $ 3200
Top 3 Clubs will Get a Team trophy
