By Laws

BYLAWS

THE NORTHWEST HOUSTON DART LEAGUE (NHDL)

The NHDL will be operated as a non-profit league. This league is to be for the fun and enjoyment of the players.

Last Revision June 2011

Article I OFFICERS

Section II Officers

ARTICLE I - OFFICERS

Section I: Election

The officers will be elected for one year running three seasons. The officers will be elected by the team captains or co-captains. Only one vote per team, by ballot. This will take place at the end of the 3^rd league session. Any person elected into NHDL office, not accepting their term, will never be able to run for any NHDL officer position in any future NHDL elections, unless due to extenuating circumstances.

Section II: Officers

President

The President, along with the Vice-President will open a checking account for the league moneys. The president will chair all league functions, and verify the deposits of the league funds.

He will also appoint someone to a vacancy in a league office, with the team captain’s approval. Assist with pick up if necessary. Measure boards in sponsoring bars to ensure legal throwing distance. Post and maintain the website. Website will be posted by Tuesday evening.

Vice President

The Vice President will assist the President in all league matters. If the President is unable to attend a league function the Vice President will chair the event. He will also take office as President if the need arises. Assist with pick up if necessary. Measure boards in sponsoring bars to ensure legal throwing distance. Post and maintain the website.

Secretary/Treasurer

The Secretary/Treasurer will keep the stats for the league play. The Secretary/Treasurer will furnish the bars an electronic copy of the weekly standing sheets. Stats will be available to league players via the internet. The Secretary/Treasurer will furnish the President with a copy of each deposit slip.

Section III: Salaries

The office of the President and Vice President are voluntary. The office of Secretary/Treasurer shall receive the sponsor fees from the sponsored teams. This money along with any advertisement money and fines will be used by the Secretary/Treasurer to defray the cost incurred publishing the mid and end of season standing sheets, stats, newsletter, etc.

ARTICLE II - SPONSORING BARS

Section I: Bar Eligibility

Any new bar wanting to join the NHDL is up to the officers to decide if that bar is within the NHDL boundary. If the officers are uncertain about letting a new bar into the league it will be brought up at the captains meeting. The captain’s then will decide if that bar is allowed into the NHDL.

Section II: Sign Up Fees

The cost of each team signed up will be $75.00 per season ($3 / team goes to pay for the web hosting. This is payable by cash or check at the sign-up meeting. If the sponsor money and sign-up sheets are not turned in at this meeting it is at the discretion of the Secretary/Treasurer if this team may join this league late. Any team that drops out of the league, all their moneys will be forfeited even if they have not played a league match. The sponsor money will remain with the Secretary/Treasurer and weekly money will be distributed among the division they were playing in.

Section III: Stats

The bar should provide a location to post the weekly stats for the team members. This cannot be a requirement of the league as we cannot dictate to the bar owners. This will have to be insisted on by the bar’s players.

Section IV: Dart Boards

Sponsor bars must provide at least one electronic dartboard for every two teams. It is suggested that you have at least one spare; sometimes it is not possible to have the equal number of teams home and away. The boards are to be Merit Scorpion, the Arachnid, Galaxy II, Medalist, Valley or better. The boards shall be kept in good working order and available to the league play by 7:30 PM. The foul line shall be eight (8) feet from the face of the board.

A. Dart League Seating

The HOME TEAM bar must reserve sufficient room (table & 4 chairs minimum) for members of the visiting team(s) within CLOSE & CONVIENENT proximity of the dart board, the teams are throwing on that night.

Section V: Cover Charges

The sponsoring bar will not charge a cover charge for the dart players, or for their spouse or dates.

Section VI: Harassment

No harassment will be tolerated by player or customers toward any member of the NHDL during league play. The bar staff has the right to refuse service to anyone they deem intoxicated, barred, or not conducting themselves in a proper manner.

Section VII: Barred Players

NHDL or its officers cannot change a bars ruling about an individual who is barred from entering their establishment.

Section VIII: Live Music & Events

The sponsoring bar will not host live music or karaoke prior to 10:00PM on league nights. After 10:00PM, the sponsoring bar agrees to keep the level of music at a loudness so that NHDL teams throwing in the bar can communicate.

ARTICLE III - TEAMS

Section I: General Rules

Teams will consist of four (4) players, which at least one (1) has to be a female. A maximum of eight (8) players may be rostered at any one time. If you have eight and want to add one, you have to drop one. Once a player has been dropped that player becomes a free player, he/she can join any other team as long as it is in the same or higher division. He/she cannot rejoin the same team.

Section II: League Dues

The league dues are $5.00 per player, due at the sign-up meeting, or first night of play. If league dues are not paid by the end of the first night of league, the money paid in, will go towards your teams league dues and the team will be fined $5.00. No stats will count if this is not paid. This money will be divided between the mid-season and end of season tournaments.

Section III: League Fees

The fees are $20.00 per night. If you have six people playing, it remains the same, $20.00. This may be paid by cash or check, made payable to NHDL (Northwest Houston Dart League). Any return checks will be charged $25.00 plus the amount the check was written. Except the last two (2) weeks of the Season – CASH ONLY. This money will be paid out 100% (minus $5.00 per team for sponsor trophy for first place team and $3 for pins). 75% per win and 25% per loss at the end of the season. League fees and score sheets are due by 2pm Thursday in a drop box.

Section IV: Team Captains

Each team will select a captain and co-captain. The captain or co-captain will represent the team at meetings, be RESPONSIBLE for the team score sheets, collecting the team fees, notifying the Secretary/Treasurer of any member changes, or postponements of games. If he/she wants to, can keep personal stats of their team. The captain and co-captain will furnish a phone number and email address. It is the responsibility of each team captain to collect the score sheets and money each night. The money and score sheet must be dropped off at a drop point before 2pm Thursday. There will be a $5.00 fine for each if not done. This fine will increase by $5.00 each time the sheet/money is late. Drop points will be published at the beginning of each season.

Section V: Adding Players to the Roster

After the season has started a player can be added to the roster pending a final approval by the officers.

Players being added to the roster must include the player signup fee. If a player is not approved for the roster that player cannot play or substitute for that particular team for the remainder of the season and the player fees will be refunded.

ARTICLE IV - LEAGUE PLAY

Section I: Format

Division 1, 2 & 3

Ø Four (4) games of singles cricket

Ø Six (6) games of doubles 501 open in/open out

Ø Six (6) games of doubles cricket

Ø One (1) game of team cricket

***All games will be played with split bull***

All other divisions:

Ø Six (6) games of doubles 501 open in/open out

Ø Six (6) games of doubles cricket

Ø One (1) game of team cricket

***All games will be played with split bull***

A rostered or non-rostered player (sub or floating sub) may ONLY participate in one match for each week of the dart season being played.

ANY GAMES PLAYED WITH A ROSTERED OR NON-ROSTERED PLAYER, HAVING ALREADY PLAYED IN ANOTHER MATCH THAT WEEK, WILL RESULT IN A FORFEIT FOR ALL GAMES PLAYED BY THAT PLAYER IN BOTH MATCHES.

Section II: Game Time

Game time is 8:00 PM - forfeit time is 8:30 PM

Section III: Schedule

The games must be played at the bar according to the schedule inclusive of early matches or make up matches.

Section IV: Game Play

The dart machine is always considered to be right; however, this is not always the truth. If a dart is thrown with the throw darts light on and sticks, but doesn’t score, then with BOTH captain’s agreement, the dart may be tapped to score.

Section V: Choosing the Board

The home team has the choice of which board to play the league match. The boards will be on a first come – first serve basis for home teams to choose. A higher division home team cannot over rule a lower division home team on the choice of a board. If you want a specific board, get there early to claim your board. The board must be available for visiting team to practice at 7:45 to 8:00.

Section VI: Throwing Before the Machine is Ready

If the dart is thrown before the throw darts light is on, the dart stays and the player looses all darts thrown.

Section VI: Throwing Out of Turn on an Opponents Score

If a player throws a dart or darts on the opponent’s score the opponent has the option to take the score and continue to play or reset the machine to the correct player and continue.

Section VII: Throwing Out of Turn on Your Own Score

If a player throws out of turn on his or her own score that player looses theirs and their partners next turn. It is the throwing player’s responsibility to make sure the machine is on the correct player.

Section VIII: Backing Up the Score and Resetting the game

If the players do not know how to back up the board to the correct player and correct the score or the machine is not capable of being corrected the opponent has the option to accept the score as is and continue play or start the game over. If the opponent chooses to accept the score as is the game will resume with the player only throwing his remaining darts on the correct score. If there are no darts left to throw then the opponent will resume play on the correct score. If the opponent chooses to back up the player score and the machine is reset or the score is altered then the game will be replayed.

Section IX: Power Failure

In the event of an act of God or the power company a game is wiped out, that game will be replayed from the start.

Section X: Darts not scoring

If a dart jams the machine a target light appears, remove the dart and continue. If a machine is not operating properly, the captains will decide to: make the match up at a later time, wait for repairman, score manually or play on another board in the same establishment. A dart that is thrown that doesn’t stick doesn’t score when playing manually.

Section XI: Playing during match

If a league player is playing in a league match they may not go to another board to practice.

Section XII: Unused boards

Non-league players may play on unused boards during league play per bars approval.

Section XIII: Postponements

In the case of extenuating circumstances, a match may be postponed if the team makes arrangements with the Secretary/Treasurer and the opposing team captain twenty-four (24) hours in advance. If the Secretary/Treasurer is not contacted then a late fee will be accrued. This match must be made up within two (2) weeks at the convenience of the opposing captain. If an agreeable date cannot be reached, the Secretary/Treasurer will set a date and time. If this is not met, a forfeit will be declared. The Secretary/Treasurer must be notified of new date. All make-up games must be made up before the last 2 weeks of scheduled play. Make up matches may be done before the schedule night but must still be played at the scheduled bar.

A team may only reschedule up to a total of two (2) matches in one season. Any reschedule in excess of the allotted two per season will be at the discretion of the NHDL Officers.

Section XIV: Dart Weights

Darts must be soft tips and a maximum weight of 18 grams.

Section XV: Teams

Each team will consist of a maximum of eight (8) players. Only four (4) players in the line-up at one time, one (1) must be female. In the case of a team not having enough players, the team can play without a player. A match can Not be played with less than three players. If the female is missing - the match cannot be played. (See forfeit and sub rules below). If a male is missing they may play their game losing a turn on the missing players turn, i.e. missing players turn, press the player change button. Once teams begin, game play should flow smoothly. All players should be present and ready to play when it’s their turn. If a player is not present to play and is gone more than 5 minutes, the other team has the right to press the Player Change button and proceed in this manner until the player returns or game/games are done. Only 5 minutes allowed per player, per night. Example: If team players are on stage singing karaoke then they have 5 minutes to get to the board. All players must be at least 21 years old.

Section XVI: Substitutes

A sub may enter the game at any point in the match, at the start or during the game. Once a player has been removed from the line-up he/she cannot return that night. A player cannot leave a position and move to another position in the line up during a night. Once they leave a position they cannot re-enter the line up for the remainder of the night. The female spot has to remain a female spot unless there is more than one female, i.e. position 2 is the only female, a male may not be substituted in that spot and a female substituted on another spot. A female may be substituted in a male spot anytime.

A SUB MAY BE PICKED UP FROM THE BAR IF THE OPPOSING CAPTAIN AGREES AND BOTH SIGN SCORE SHEET TO THAT EFFECT. NO EXCEPTIONS!! AN UNSIGNED SCORE SHEET WITH A NON-ROSTERED PLAYER WILL RESULT IN A FORFEIT FOR ALL GAMES PLAYED BY THAT PLAYER.

NON-ROSTERED AND ROSERTED FLOATING SUB PLAYERS ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO PLAY 2 TIMES PER SEASON, PER TEAM.

Subs / Non-rostered players can play the last 2 weeks with approval of the officers.

**** Please make sure both sheets are signed for subs.

A ROSTERED FLOATING SUB must pay a $5.00 sign up fee. They are only allowed to play in their assigned division(s). Floating Sub players are only allowed to play 2 times per season, per team. On the 3^rd match of play, you will become a rostered player for that team and will be removed from the Floating Sub List.

Section XVII: Team/Player Change

In the event of a bar closing or loss of machines, the team/teams may move to another location with the approval of the NHDL officers. A $10 fee will be paid by bar acquiring a team that moved. Teams may not change bars for any other reason.

If a player has been dropped from a team he/she may sign with another team within that division or a higher division. If a player is still rostered on a team as a player or sub, he/she must have the written permission from the releasing captain to join another team in the same division or higher division. No additional fee will be charged in either case. A new member must be signed up at least seven (7) days before he/she will be legal to play. The sub rule above may apply, BUT HAS TO BE SIGNED. NO roster changes may be made in the last four (4) weeks unless approved by the NHDL officers.

Section XVIII: Team/Player Removal

Any physical violence by a player or team may be grounds for dismissal from the NHDL and forfeiture of all moneys collected. Any abuse of equipment, poor sportsmanship, or unethical conduct may be grounds for forfeiture of a game, match, or expulsion from the NHDL. If a machine fails due to an angry player’s abuse the game is forfeited.

Section XIX: Protests

All protests will be answered by the Secretary/Treasurer. If the protester does not accept the explanation then the NHDL officers will make the ruling.

Section XX: Movement of Teams in Divisions

The winning team and the runner-up team in each division are eligible to move to a higher division each season. Also, the last two places in each division are eligible to move down. This is not mandatory but may happen, depending on the amount of new teams and returning teams for each division. Subject to Officers discretion

Section XXI: Forfeits

A team must notify the opposing team and one of the league officers 24 hours before postponing a game. If for good reason after 24 hours a team must postpone a game they need to still notify the opposing team and one of the league officers ASAP. The league officers will decide if the game should be made up or a forfeit declared. If the team does not show up and does not notify the opposing team and a league officer, the game will be forfeited. For the first forfeit the team will be fined $10 plus they still have to pay the $20 for that week.

For the second forfeit the team will be suspended for the remainder of the season and all moneys for that team will be forfeited back to the league. The league officers will adjust the scores for the rest of the teams in the division. If the team made it to mid-season before they drop or are suspended, all first half stats will remain. If they drop or are suspended after mid-season scores are adjusted back to mid-season.

Section XXI A: Forfeited Match Scoring

A forfeited match score will be determined by the number of games won divided by the number of weeks played. The resulting average will be your teams score. (No more than a three game difference) Individual scores will not count in a forfeited match.

If a forfeit occurs before any matches have been played, or in the last two weeks of the season, then the match will be scored 9-8 in Divisions 1-3 and scored 7-6 in Divisions 4-7.

Section XXII: Drop Teams

This will also hold true if a team drops. The money from the dropped or forfeited team will be forfeited back to that division. No credits will be issued to the other teams. If a team drops before mid season credits will be issued at Secretary/Treasurer discretion. If a new team replaces forfeit team or dropped team, the sponsoring bar will pay a $10 fee to cover costs and the new team will take over the existing scores and existing fees.

Section XXIII: Suspended Teams

If a team owes more than $55 in fees and fines the team may be suspended. All monies already paid minus fees and fines owed will be paid back to that division.

Section XXIV: Individual Awards

The individual awards will be based on winning percentage. 65% of the games are required to be played to qualify for individual awards. 65 % is not required for pins. Thus players switching out every other week will not qualify at the 65% level.

Section XXV: Team Awards

Team awards will be based on a winning percentage.

ARTICLE V - TOURNAMENTS

Section I: Tournaments

Three tournaments a session will be held, after the sign-up meeting, after the mid-season meeting, and after the end of the season meeting. Mid-season and end of season tournaments are open only to NHDL members for $2.50 entry fee ($2.50 per tournament comes from the player sign up fees). The sign-up tournament is open to any player with a $5.00 entry fee. NHDL officers are responsible for running the mid and end of the season tournaments.

Section II: Tournament Location

Tournament locations will be decided on by the NHDL officers. The location will be based on the space for boards and seating capacity of the bar, the willingness of the bar to host a tournament and meeting.

Owners must also attend the owner's meetings. Midseason and end of the season meeting will start at 5pm and the tournaments will start at 6pm.

Section III: Host Bar Requirements:

Ø A minimum of five (5) league approved dartboards for Mid Season and seven (7) league approved dartboards and preferably 8 dartboards for End of Season. We always have boards go down in a large tournament.

Ø A P.A. system for the meeting and tournament.

Ø An area for the meeting to be conducted without the interference of the jukebox.

Ø Provide hot food, hamburgers or better, no cold cuts or hot-dogs. (Option for sign-up tournament)

Ø Add $100.00 to the pot or match 1/2 the pot at a $5.00 entry fee rate, whichever is lowest.

Ø Bar owners voted that NHDL officers are responsible to run mid & end of season tournament.

Ø No live music.

Section IV: Tournament Entry Fee

The mid and end of season tournament fees are $2.50 for NHDL members. Mid season and end of season tournaments are open only to NHDL members. The sign-up tournament entry fee will be $5.00 and is open to members and non-members.

Section V: Tournament Payouts

50% of the player’s dues will be added to the mid-season tournament. The remainder of the player's dues including members signed up after mid-season will go into the end of season tournament. Mid and end of season tournaments will pay a minimum of eight (8) places. The sign-up tournament will be based on one (1) out of four (4) entries.

Section VI: Tournament Format

For mid and end of the season tournaments. During a single elimination losers bracket game there will be a coin flip and the winner of the flip chooses to go first or pick the game. Anyone can throw first for the team that starts the game.

Ø 25-32 teams Double elimination all the way through the winner’s bracket. Single elimination in the loser’s bracket until playing the 8^thplace match.

Ø 33-38 teams Double elimination all the way through the winner’s bracket. Single elimination in the loser’s bracket until playing the 6^th place match.

Ø 39 or more teams. Double elimination all the way through the winner’s bracket. Single elimination in the loser’s bracket until playing the 4^th place match.

*** Tournament format up to Officers discretion

ARTICLE VI - LEAGUE MEETINGS

Section I: General

A league meeting will be held at the beginning of the season, at mid-season, and at the end of the season. The Secretary/Treasurer will set these meetings, with the President chairing each meeting. A bar owners meeting will be held within two (2) weeks before end of season.

Section II: Voting

Rules will be voted on by the team captains at the end of the season meeting. New officers will be voted on by the team captains at the end of the season, close to March each season.

Section III: Special Meetings

Any NHDL officer may call a special meeting with the approval of at least one other officer. Any team captain may call a captain's meeting with the approval of the president; every team will be notified of this meeting.

President: Sharon Morgan – (281) 851-9520