The game

Additional Shots
There are two ways to accumulate additional shots:
1)   Passing through a wicket (in correct sequence).
2)    Hitting an opponents ball.
You can only hit the same opposing ball once (for an additional shot)    until you pass through your next wicket.
You can never accumulate more then two shots.

Wickets: 51% vs. 100%
Your ball is through a wicket when, moving forward, 51% of it passes an imaginary line between the two holes in the ground caused by the wicket.
However, if you are on the ‘wrong’ side of the wicket, you must get your ball back100% past the imaginary line to be in position to go through the wicket on your next shot.

Also, in order to hit an opponents ball on the ‘other side’ of the wicket (for an additional shot), the opponents ball must be 100% through the wicket.

Setting Your Ball
Once you have hit an opponents ball, you have the option of hitting your next shot from:
A)   where your ball lay
B)   picking it up and setting it off the opponents ball.
When setting off of the opponents ball you have the option of:
1)    placing it a mallet’s head away (no less) in any direction, or
2)    touching it against the opponents ball as if to send it.
When sending an opponents ball, you have the option of hitting your ball in such a way that it: sends just his ball, sends both balls, or sends just your ball in any direction(s).

Out of Bounds
A ball is out when 51% of it crosses the line, or makes contact with a side board that would otherwise impede the ball from crossing.

When a player hits his own ball, or sends an opponents ball out of bounds, he loses a stroke. If BOTH go out, he loses 2 strokes.

A ball is placed back in bounds a mallet’s length in any direction from where it went out. A player can never be penalized more than 2 strokes.

Multiple ‘Events’ Within A Single Shot
If there are two (or more) events in the same shot, the last event takes precedence over anything that happened before it. Examples:
1)    If a player should hit an opponents ball and then have his own ball travel through a wicket on the same shot, he has two shots from where his ball lays with the option of hitting the opponents ball again. He can not pick up his ball and set it off of the opponents ball.
2)    If a player hits an opponents ball and then his own ball travels out of bounds, he places his ball in bounds, his shot is over but he avoids losing his next turn.

Hitting a Pole
When you hit the pole at the far end of the field you only get one additional shot, regardless of how many shots you had before hitting it.

You must play your ball from where it bounces off of the post.

Hitting the pole is considered the same as going through a wicket and you are eligible to hit any opponents ball that you had already hit previously.

Post and ‘Jam’ Shot
When your ball is resting against the post you have two options:
1)   You may attempt to pop it out with a vertical downward ‘jam’ stroke. However, if all you do is hammer the ball into the ground without advancing the ball, you will only be allowed one more attempt.
2)   Tapping the back of the post to advance the ball is acceptable.

Ending the Game
A player ends his game when he strikes the last post 3 times, each time he hits the end post he receives an additional shot. Any events that occur after hitting the post a 3rd time (going out of bounds, hitting another ball) is inconsequential.

Entering the Game Late
A new player who arrives late can elect to join in on a game providing:
A)   The last player has not yet cleared the middle wicket.
B)   The lead player has not yet hit the far post.

The Etiquette

Any blatant or repeated infractions of the below etiquette, as agreed on by all other participants, may result in a loss of turn.

No Coaching
Do not attempt to coach, influence or persuade other players how to make their shot.

Wait until the shot has concluded to discuss what the options might have been.

Stand By Your Ball
Stay next to your ball to prevent unnecessary delays when it is your turn to shoot.
Do not participate in conversation when it is your turn. Economize your time, know in advance what your strategy is. A game can only move as fast as it's slowest player. The quicker the pace, the more enjoyable the game is.

‘Push Shot’
Each player is allowed 1 push shot per tour. If there is an audible sound of the mallet hitting the ball, then the shot can not be considered a push shot. If there is a possibility that a player feels he might be called for pushing his ball, then he should request in advance, that a judge stand over the ball to listen for an audible hit.

Dislodging Wickets
Dislodging a wicket is an accepted part of the game, but the primary concern should be to avoid equipment damage.

Do Not Dropout
Once you have begun a game you must agree to stay in. The presence of your ball could have an effect on the outcome of the other players results. Anyone leaving in mid game must be penalized 3 points in their overall standings.

Do Not Cheat
Manipulating ball position can effect the outcome of all the players results.

Do Not Chase
If you feel you are out of contention, abandoning your game to effect the outcome of the other competitors, by either sending or setting, is objectionable. It is only allowed if the ball you are chasing is a maximum of 2 wickets in front of you.

Meltdowns
Like all bad etiquette, anger is tolerated. However, it crosses the line when it is vented towards another individual. Walk away from an angry player, do not debate him.

Being ‘sent’ is an accepted part of the game and can not be taken personally

Equipment
Throwing a mallet or smashing a ball will fracture or break a piece of equipment, ruining an entire set. This occurs most often when a game has just been completed or not even in progress. Anyone responsible for these actions must withdraw from competition until they have replaced or repaired their damage.

The Field Layout
Posts and wickets are 2 mallet lengths in bounds.
The side and middle wickets should all align in the shape of a ‘X’.
The preferred dimensions are approximately 100ft. x 50ft.

The Field
The field is maintained as a putting green and should be respected as such.
No cleats, children must be supervised. Olmsted Parks prohibits unleashed dogs.
Do not discard beer caps or butts on the grounds.

Garbage
Please take out what you bring in. Technically, no alcohol is allowed in the park, so do not leave empty bottles.

The LEAGUE

Game Point System
All games are once around the course (unless agreed otherwise) with points going to first and second place. Points are also awarded to third place if there are 6 players.
   The point system is as follows:
   1st place = 5 points       2nd place = 3 points       3rd place = 1 point
   The final game of the tour carries additional points:
   1st place = 6 points       2nd place = 4 points       3rd place = 2 points

Sanctioned Tours
A series of two or more games are considered a tour.
It takes a quorum of at least four league players to have a sanctioned league tour, which at present, only takes place every Monday night.

Tour Wins
A tour win is awarded to the player with the most points at the end of the day.
Winning a tour now earns an additional point.
If there is a tie, both players earn a tour win and the additional point.

Season
The Summer season runs 12 consecutive weeks followed by a playoff in week 13.
The 6 (or possibly 12) players with the highest point totals qualify for a playoff position.
Tie breakers are decided by
A) Tour wins,
B) Overall wins
C) Most games

Season End Bonus Points
The sole leaders in the following categories at the end of the season will each receive 5 additional bonus points (a tie in any of the categories negates the bonus):
Most Games Played • Best Average (minimum 15 games) • Most Wins • Most Points • Most Tour Wins
Bonus points can not elevate a player into a tie.

Playoffs
The playoffs will consist of 5* separate games (*if necessary) to determine the overall champion, using the same format as a regular night:
       5 points to the winner of games 1,2,3,4
       6 points to the winner of game 5
Any player who becomes mathematically eliminated from winning, will be required to drop out of the playoffs to assure the integrity of the outcome.
It is possible for the final game to involve only 2 players.
Entering the playoffs, the following ‘Playoff Point Advantage’ will be awarded to the top season finishers, and the advantage it will give them towards clinching the win:
       1st place   5 points   19.2% towards clinching championship
       2nd place   4 points   15.3% towards clinching championship
       3rd place   3 points   11.5% towards clinching championship
       4th place   2 points   7.6% towards clinching championship
       5th place   1 points   3.8% towards clinching championship
       6th place   0 points   0% towards clinching championship

12 Man Playoff Format
Playoffs involving 12 players will require two consecutive nights of play.
The first night would be a qualifying round on 2 courts of 5* games each.
Using Playoff Point Advantage to the top season finishers, Court A would pair the 6 players who finished ‘odd’ in the standings, while court B would pair the 6 ‘even’ players. The top 3 finishers of each court would come back the following night to compete in the final championship playoff.

Playoff Dress Code
Playoff participants are requested to wear all white.