Eastern National Tournament Guidelines, Procedures and Regulations as determined by the tournament committee (last meeting on 5/17/03):

Eastern National Tournament Structure and Guidelines:

Adult classes to be divided into 8 player classes where at all possible.
Junior classes will be divided into sensible classes, based on current entries.
Any class of less than 6 players will play a double round robin.

 All classes will be scheduled to play 40-point cancellation style games (unlimited shoes) except classes with the majority of players below 25%; they will play 30 point cancellation (unlimited shoe) games.  Delays in the start of play may result in games being shortened to fewer points rather than a shoe limit, see details below concerning delays.

  Tie Breaker for First Place (all classes):

 All ties for first place in any class are to be settled by way of a play-off game, using the same game length and format that was used in regulation play, except there will be no shoe limit on play-ff games.  A player must reach the prescribed number of points to be declared the winner.  If a play-off game is permanently suspended by tournament officials prior to it’s completion (usually for weather related reasons), the prize money for first and second place will be combined and split evenly between the two players.  First place will be awarded to the player who was ahead on points in the play-off game.  In the event of a tie score in a suspended play-off game, first place shall be awarded to whichever player won the match that they had played against each other in the original round robin.  In the event that they did not play each other in the original round robin, first place will be awarded to the player with the higher overall ringer percentage (rounded up to two decimal places).  In the event of a tie on ringer percentage, the player with the most shoes pitched during regulation play will be awarded first place.  In the event of a tie on shoes pitched, first place will be awarded to the winner of a shoe flip.

 Tie Breaker for Awards less than First Place (all classes):

 As described above in the tie breaker for first place, but in the following order:

      1)       overall ringer %

2)       winner of match played in round robin (skip and go to #3 if more than 2 players are tied)

3)       highest shoe count

4)       If a tie still exists, combine prize money and split evenly amongst tied players and then award places based on the results of a shoe flip, drawing straws to see who flips first if more than two are still tied

 Procedure for delay of the start of play for a class:

      1)       After a delay of 1 hour, reduce games to 30 points and play all scheduled games

2)       If the delay is over 1 ½ hours, then eliminate the last game of the round robin

3)       At the 2 hour point in the delay, eliminate the last two games

4)       At the 2 ½ hour point, eliminate the last 3 games

5)       If start is still delayed after waiting 2 ½ hours and play is not likely to start within the next ½ hour, then the class will be canceled at that point and players will be refunded their entry fees

6)       Players must fix their court and begin play within 15 minutes of announcing the start of play

 Procedure for delay in play after the start of a class:

      1)       If play is delayed 1 hour or less, resume play as normal (no changes)

2)       If delays total 1 to 1 ½ hours, then eliminate the last game of the round robin

3)       If delays total 1 ½ to 2 hours, then eliminate the last 2 games

4)       If delays total 2 to 2 ½ hours, then eliminate the last 3 games of the round robin

5)       If delays total more than 2 ½ hours, then all remaining play is canceled.  If more than 50% of the scheduled rounds have been completed at that point, then the current standings will be used to determine the official order of finish and awards will be given based on that and the tournament will count as an official NHPA sanctioned tournament toward Nat Stats and World/PA State Tournament entry requirements.  I f less than 50% of the scheduled games have been played at that point, then the class is considered canceled and will not count as an official tournament and all affected players’ entry fees will be refunded.

6)       When resuming play after a temporary suspension of play, players will be allowed only a 4 shoe warm up after fixing courts.

 Adult Championship Classes Structure:

The Championship Class will be made up of the top eight percentages of the top 24 players in each division.  They will be divided into 8 player groups, making up classes A, B and C, which will play on Saturday.  The top 8 players, based on ringer percentage thrown during play on Saturday, will advance to the championship class and play another 8 person round robin on Sunday, competing for the top prizes of the tournament.  In the event that Saturday’s round of play is canceled, the adult championship classes will be played on Sunday with the original Class A’s becoming the Championship Classes in each adult division.  Classes B & C will remain canceled and the B & C players’ original entry fees will be refunded unless they happen to qualify for play in the Championship Class by the default of a qualified player.  Any qualifying players that are unable to compete in the Championship Class will be replaced with the next highest ranking, available player.

Classes A, B & C will pay winnings equal to that of all other adult classes in the tournament.