I. Membership

1. Only registered GCDA members are eligible to participate in GCDA activities.

2. Sponsored teams, or members of teams, who are delinquent in fees shall not be allowed to participate in match play. Points will be deducted for illegal players; scores will be held until sponsors fees are paid.

3. A player's membership is automatic acceptance of these rules and conditions, which are not subject to appeal, except to the Rules and Protest Committee.

4. The GCDA will not practice discrimination due to age, sex, race, religion or national origin and all reference to "he" in the RULES OF PLAY and BY-LAWS shall apply and mean "she" as well.

II. Schedules

1. All league scheduling will be in the best interest of the GCDA. Any team that finishes in first place or second place in regular season play will automatically advance to a higher division providing that at least fifty percent of the players remain on that team.  The move to the AA division must have the approval of the council.  All other top place teams may be moved to equalize divisions for best competition. Points per dart for the top six- (6) team players and all pertinent considerations will be used in making these determinations.

2. All league schedules shall be construct by the GCDA League Council as soon as practical after the submission of completed rosters, team fees, and sponsor fees.  The League Council will announce the initial and final roster submission dates.

3. Copies of the schedule will be published to the team sponsor and to the team captains prior to the beginning of each season.

4. A pub may have only one team per board. Example: 4 boards = 4 teams; 2 boards = 2 teams. Due to increased participation the GCDA League Council may vote to waive this rule.

5. "COMPLETED ROSTERS" means:  all names, addresses, GCDA numbers, sponsor fees, as well as new membership dues when applicable. If a team can not play on a specific night (i.e. Tuesday or Wednesday) it must be noted on top of the roster when it is turned in.

6. Any captain or co-captain that does not maintain current and accurate roster records when turning in roster (i.e. street and mailing addresses and telephone numbers) will have 4 points taken from their season point total until errors are corrected up through the second week of play.

7. Any person or persons that are listed on one or more rosters may only throw on one team.  That team is determined by whichever team that the person throws their first dart with.

8. Any member of the league may not be captain of one team and throw for another, even if they do not throw a dart for said team.  Said member may, however, be a representative of a team in which they can fill out score sheets but may not sign score sheets.

III. Divisions

1. The GCDA will endeavor to have as many equal number of teams per division and the number of divisions each season as is necessary to provide relative levels of match play for all of it’s members. Division designation will be based on points per dart for the top six- (6) team players and other relative information accumulated.

2. For a pub to have a game each week, it must sponsor at least two teams for the current season.

IV. Time Of Matches

1. The start time for the first game of the match is to be within 15 minutes of 7:30pm for all divisions playing the best 2 of 3 format.  All other divisions are to start within 15 minutes of  8:00pm.  Any match not underway by 15 minutes after the official start time may be subject to forfeit.   Players arriving late who are members in good standing and listed on the appropriate roster are eligible to play in non-thrown sections of play.  Games shall not be delayed because of late players.

V. Match Profile

1. Match play format – minimum of six (6) players
   1. Six (6) single 501, straight in, double out (SIDO) ; one (1) point for each game won.
   2. Three (3) doubles Cricket; two (2) points for each game won.
   3. Two (2) triples 601, double in, double out (DIDO) ; three points for each game won.
   4. Total possible points for the match play are eighteen (18).

2. Divisions of AA & A are to play the best 2 of 3 format for all matches.  B division will utilize best 2 of 3 format for 501 matches.

3. The line up for the games shall consist of the player’s name and current GCDA number.
4. The line-up for each game must be entered on the score sheet at the starting time for that game.  Games should be started in a timely manner.
5. The home team will put up their players first in the first two 501 games.  The visiting team will put up their players first in the next two 501 games.  The home team win put up their players in the last two 501 games.  In Cricket, the visiting team will put up the first-round Cricket team first, the home team will put up the second-round Cricket team first, and the visiting team will put up the third-round Cricket team first. The home team will put up the first-round 601 team first and the visiting team will put up the second-round 601 team first.
6. All games must be thrown two at a time, unless both team captains agree otherwise. 601’s shall be thrown one at a time, unless both team captains agree otherwise.
7. Changes and substitutions may be made only in case of a personal emergency where a listed player can not throw the game and must leave the building.

8. A player not present, can not be listed in the line-up. Any substituted illegal player used and discovered shall result in at least the forfeiture of those points gained by the use of an illegal player. Further action may be considered by the Rules and Protest Committee or the GCDA League Council, should circumstances require.

9. Blinds (absent players) may not be used until all players present have been played in each section of the format (a section to mean singles, doubles, or triples matches).  If a blind is played incorrectly, the penalty will be the loss of both the incorrectly played game and the game in which the blind should have been played.  If both teams have a blind in the same game, it will be scored as a loss for both teams.  If neither team enters a player's name the game shall be considered a loss for both teams and no match points will be awarded.
10. All games should be played on the center most boards available unless both team captains agree otherwise. This is to address end boards and possible distractions.

VI. Equipment

1. All league competition, including tournaments and playoffs, shall be conducted on a Standard English Bristle (Red, Black, and Green colors only) 20-point clock faced dartboard of top quality and decent condition.

2. Dartboards shall be positioned five feet, eight inches (+ or –1/4 inch) from floor to the center of the bulls eye, with the "20" wedge at the top center.

3. The hockey (foul or toe) line shall be no longer than thirty-six inches (eighteen inches either side of center) and be seven feet, nine and one-quarter inches (measured from the front surface of the board to the front of the toe line), and with a diagonal of nine feet seven 3/8 inches (from center of bull to front of toe line).

4. A lateral distance of two feet from the bull’s eye shall be clear of all obstructions (i.e. walls, shelves, and tables.)

5. When more than one board on the same wall is being used for play during a match, a minimum of five feet (preferably six) shall be maintained between the centers of the boards in use.

6. All league boards shall be firmly anchored to the wall and will be well illuminated.
7. The dart board spider wire must not be broken, and the double and triple rings must be within a tolerance of 1/32 inch of the normal space of 3/8 inch.
8. The pub owner is responsible for supplying and maintaining the league play dartboards, which must be deemed appropriate for play by the district director or the GCDA League Council.
9. Prior to the beginning of league play, the director from each district will inspect each league play board for the compliance of measurements, lighting, and play condition.
   

VII. Beginning the Game

1. Local play should be ended 30 minutes prior to league play on the night(s) of scheduled GCDA league play  so that both the visiting and the home teams can use the boards for warming up. It is considered the home team’s captain’s responsibility to enforce this, and in keeping with good sportsmanship and hospitality to identify the visiting team's captain and invite the team to warm up.
2. The warm-up period after the players have been put up by the captains and prior to the start of match play, shall be limited to nine (9) darts per player.
3. All games must begin by "throwing for the cork" with the home team having the option of first or second throw at all times. The team of the player who throws closest to the cork shall throw first, starting the game. Only the players scheduled for the match play may throw for the cork.
4. An "01" game is concluded at such time as a player/team hits the double required to reduce the remaining score to zero. Any and all darts thrown subsequently shall not count for score. Any thrower may approach the board, without touching it, to check the dart(s) thrown.

5. The player throwing for the cork need not go first in the doubles or the triples team games.
   

6. Should the scorer (see Article VIII) call for a re-throw of the cork, the visiting team will throw first with additional re-throws being made on an alternate basis.
   

7. The dart must remain in the board in order to count. Additional throws may be made (only when throwing for the cork) until such time that the player’s dart remains in the board. Should the second thrower dislodge the dart of the first thrower, a re-throw will be made with the second thrower now throwing first.
8. Re-throws shall be called for if the scorer (see Article VIII) cannot decide which dart is closer to the cork or if both darts are anywhere in the inner bull or both darts are anywhere in the outer bull. The thrown darts that remain in the board may not be touched to determine closeness to the cork. Measurement or decision must be made from the distance of the entrance point of the dart in the dartboard to the cork without touching or straightening the dart.

9. The second thrower may acknowledge the first dart as an inner or outer bull and ask the dart be removed before throwing.
   

10. In the 2 of 3 format, the order of throwers need not remain the same in different legs of play.

VIII. Scoring

1. Having a scorer (chalker) is optional for any game by mutual consent of the players involved in the game. The scorer can be asked to step down by the shooter involved through their team captain at any time during the game.   The scorer will be a member of one of the teams playing, unless a capable person agreed upon by both captains.
2. The scorer will stand still in an area no further than three (3) feet from the scoreboard next to the board being used for the game. There will be no drinking or tobacco use (smoking, dipping, chewing, etc.) by the scorer during the game. The scorer will not make any unnecessary movements (head movement, leaning to check darts thrown, rocking, etc.) until all three darts of the turn are thrown. The scorer will face the board at all times.
3. The scorer will not call out a scorer on one dart or all three darts, unless asked to do so by the present shooter. The scorer may tell the amount scored or remaining if asked to do so by the present shooter. The scorer may not tell a shooter what to throw, what double to shoot, or the combinations available for an out shot.
4. If the shooters cannot agree, the scorer will determine the winner of the bull or the need for a re-throw. All darts will be counted by the shooter and must be acknowledged by the shooter before the darts are removed (including doubling in or out). When the winning dart is thrown, the scorer will signify that the game has ended.
5. The scorer will remain neutral at all times.
6. For a dart to count, it must remain in the board until called and scored except when the dart ends a game.
7. Should there be a mistake in the scoring, it must be pointed out and changed before the team’s next turn. Discrepancies discovered after the player’s throw of the team making the mistake will remain as scored unless both players agree to the change in the interest of good sportsmanship and fair competition.
8. Scores will be determined by the side of the wire separating the different areas and scored where the point of the dart first penetrates the face of the board. "Robin Hoods" and bounce outs do not score.
9. Infringements of the hockey (foot or toe) line will be brought to the attention of the thrower's captain the first time as a courtesy. If subsequent violations continue, and are called, the dart thrown will not count. CLARIFICATION: The throwers two (2) feet must be behind the line until after the darts are released. Reasonable accommodations shall be extended to the disabled.
   A player throwing out of turn will have their score removed and his turn forfeited for that round.
10. The captain of the home team is responsible for providing the GCDA score sheet and envelope must keep all of the home score sheets until the end of the league play for that season should there be any questions.  THE WINNING TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAILING OF THE SCORE SHEET.
11. There will be a three-part score sheet: one copy to each captain and one copy to be mailed.
12. All score sheets will be sent to an address designated by the GCDA League Council.
13. A Thursday postmark is the latest a score sheet can be mailed.
14. Penalty for not mailing or late mailing of score sheet:
    1. First time offense – 25% of games won.
    2. Second offense – 100% of games won.
15. The score keepers responsibility is scorekeeping only. Rules interpretation is the responsibility of the GCDA Rules & Protest Committee.

16. With respect to MVP points:
    1. Values are to be determined by the GCDA approved MVP list.
    2. All MVP points must be thrown and properly entered on the score sheet. They cannot be arbitrated with the score keeper at a later date.
    3. In Cricket, all darts must count full value to score MVP points.
    4. MVP points will not be counted during playoff matches.
    5. The GCDA will award one (1) MVP plaque per division to the person with the most MVP points at the end of the regular season. ALL-STAR awards will be presented to the top MVP point shooters. Any ties for top MVP point accumulation will be determined by a single throw off of a 501 match. 6. In 2 of 3 format, MVP points will be counted in the first two games only.   High Ins, High Outs, Ton 80's, and cricket patches count at all times.

IX. Postponements

1. A match may be postponed by mutual agreement between the captains prior to the night of the scheduled match play. Exceptions to the aforementioned shall be "Acts of God."
2. All postponed matches should be played within seven (7) days of the scheduled date. The Rule and Protest Committee will determine what course of action will be taken and the GCDA League President must approve all rescheduled matches by notification of both team captains.
3. CLARIFICATION: Please do not call the night of a match to get a postponement. It is not fair to the team that showed up, even if the other captain is willing to postpone. It is the responsibility of a team to be present at the scheduled match at the scheduled time and place.

X. Forfeits

1. Should a team have less than four (4) players of its roistered team present by starting time, plus a fifteen (15) minute grace period, the short team must forfeit the entire match, unless both captains agree to extend the grace period.
2. Games involving two or more players will take place with the team that is short a player forfeiting that player’s turn and all others players throwing in normal succession.
3. Any team which plays a member ineligible to play on that team shall forfeit, as a penalty, any points that were scored in that match that the ineligible thrower played. These points will be awarded to the other team.
4. Any team receiving a forfeit will be awarded twelve (12) points, or after the third week of competition, the teams average points, whichever is higher.  In the event that an entire team, or if less than four (4) team members, does not appear for the first two (2) consecutive matches of the season, that team win be considered null and void. All points awarded to opponents will be eliminated (this is to include MVP points). In the event that an entire team, or if less than (4) team members does play some of its matches, but forfeits three (3) or more games in a season, the number of forfeit points for the remaining matches will be handled in the standard format (Article 10, Section D). Any MVP points accrued by any member of the offending team WHO HAS NOT SIGNED THE SCORE SHEET OF THE FORFEITED MATCH will be considered null and void.
5. Any team that can be shown to have blatantly forfeited a match in any season. WILL BE PLACED ON PROBATION FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. THE SECOND OFFENSE WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION FOR ONE (1) YEAR.

XI.  Play-off Procedures

1. The number of teams to make the playoffs in each division will be indicated on the score sheets mailed to the team captains during the season.
2. There will be a maximum of ten (10) plaques awarded per team regardless of the number of players on a team. All plaques, trophies or patches must be picked up within thirty (30) days of availability.  Patches are available after the end of the regular season.
3. The following method will be used for end of regular  season tie-breakers in this order:
   1. Head to head matches during regular season play.
   2. The best won-lost records during regular league play.
   3. One game (unless 2 of 3 format) of 1001 SIDO six (6) person team in a neutral pub.
4. One team plaque will be awarded to the regular season team winner of each division. This plaque will have the team member’s names, the team name and the team’s captain name inscribed thereon.
5. Play-off team winners will receive one team plaque with each team member’s name, the team name, and the team’s captain name inscribed on them. Second place teams will receive a team plaque stating second place only, with individual plaques stating the same.
6. Before finals, if a controversy occurs between the two captains about rescheduling a match, and a new time has not been endorsed and introduced to the League Council at least 24 hours before the scheduled match, the team that does not show up prepared to play will forfeit.

XII. Conduct

1. Good sportsmanship and common courtesy are expected at all times. Heckling or other harassment is forbidden. A team may make as much noise as it wants while it is throwing, but must remain quiet while the other team is throwing. All players and spectators must give each thrower plenty of room to throw and refrain from undue movement or motion in or near the dartboard lane to eliminate distractions. Repeated harassment or loud, foul language may result in forfeiture of up to six (6) match play points. Physical abuse will not be tolerated and can result in suspension or expulsion of both parties relative to the circumstances.
2. The GCDA League Council reserves the right to suspend or expel any player team, sponsor, or pub whose actions and/or conduct is not the best interest of the GCDA.
3. There will be no gambling between players during GCDA events. Spectators will be asked to leave if it is discovered that gambling is going on during the match play.

XIII. Protest Procedures

1. Only team captains, acting team captains and sponsors may file protests about irregularities relating to any GCDA sanctioned event. All details must be submitted to the GCDA Rules & Protest Chairperson in writing within FORTY-EIGHT (48) HOURS of the incident.
   Irreconcilable differences that arise during semi-finals or finals are advised to be settled by arbitration through the Rules and Protest Committee chairperson, or the GCDA League Council designated alternate. Due to the time factors involved in these special protest, all contact shall be made by telephone.
2. A decision will be made by the Rules and Protest Committee whose decision will be final!

XIV. Adding New Players

1. Once the team roster has been submitted to the GCDA League Council and scheduled play has begun, there will not be allowed any changing of teams by individual players that have thrown. However, there will be allowed team/player changes between seasons.
   Submitted team rosters may not be altered except:
   1. Players may be added to the team roster up through the second week of regular play. Add-ons are to be considered by the council specifically on the night of the Captains Packet Pick-Up. In addition, there are to be additional reviews in the first and second weeks of play. The Council itself or its designated committee may perform these reviews.
   2. Should a team fall below seven (7) regular members, the GCDA League Council will allow add-ons subject to their approval.
   3. Any previous player not currently a GCDA member may play on a qualified team without GCDA League Council approval as long as that player's PPD history is lower than the average PPD in the division and it does not raise the team's PPD average above the average team PPD in the division requested.  A new player, meaning no previous league experience, may participate on any level. A current GCDA member is to mean specifically a member in good standing with dues current.
   4. Add-ons will not be accepted unless they are submitted on the GCDA approved add-on sheet and submitted to the official scorekeeper. The official scorekeeper will then notify the GCDA League Council for the need of a called meeting.
   5.   All Added players must throw at least two (2) weeks to be eligible for playoff matches.
   6.  All dues must be paid when add-ons are submitted.
   7.  All add-ons must be mailed so that it is postmarked prior to that teams match.

XV. Duties Of Team Captains

1. The team captain is responsible for the conduct of the team and the safety of all participants and spectators as referred to in the "Conduct" section (Section XII) of these rules.

2. Each team must be represented by either the captain or the acting captain only.

3. Each captain will give a home phone number, work number (if possible) and a certain hour to be reached.

4. Each captain will have the GCDA League Officers telephone numbers.

5. Each captain involved in weekly match play, season’s semi-finals, or final SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RESOLVING, while in private consultation with the opposing team captain, any rules infraction(s) which occur. Non-resolved differences shall be referred to the Rules and Protest Committee through the usual protest procedures of Article XII of the GCDA Rules Of Play.

XVI. Changes In Play Format

1. The GCDA Council may approve divisions that test new format ideas as well as promote tournament play. The council reserves the right to accept or deny requests and proposals that, in its’ opinion, are (are not) in the best interest of the GCDA.