Kalamazoo Bridge Center

• Most of the meeting centered around how teams are to be structured. Our goal is to achieve some reasonable level of competitiveness throughout the league. Stratifying the field, may not be practical, however, it is still available to us. Many options were discussed, but for the most part we currently favor two approaches. These will be described later in more detail.
• It was determined that playing twice a month is best, for a period not to exceed 4 months
• Our next step is to get tentative committments from all those interested in participating in the Bridge League. Players are being asked to sign up as pairs, rather than teams.
• Once we know the level of interest we will determined final team structure, create teams and draft a final set of rules.
• Team Structure - Option # 1
  Our first option is to use the traditional team approach. Each team would include 4 team members, who would play the entire season as a team. The league could be scored based on wins and losses and/or victory points. To accommodate absences, substitutes would be allowed.
• Team Structure - Option # 2
• Our second option is to assign two sets of pairs to play together during a week against another team. The next week, your pair would team up with yet another pair and play against another team. This would continue until such time as you partnered with all other pairs in the league. Substitutes would be allowed to accommodate absences. Again we could use wins and losses or victory points
• Both of these options have advantages and disadvantages. The determining factor will be the number of pairs that sign up to play in the league. If we determine that we have sufficient pairs, we will most likely use the traditional approach to team play.
• Once we understand the level of interest and the competitive balance of the field, our next step would be to actually create teams. There were several options discussed on how best to create teams. These options are: Players would create their own teams; have a small group of players assign pairs to teams. Another approach discussed was to have a draft. There was discussion on limiting the number of "A" players, or masterpoints to a team. No final decisions were made and there was no one particular option that was favored. Our best approach at the moment is to understand the level of interest and the competitive balance of the field, and then determine how we can best handle this problem. Whatever approach is taken, our goal is to achieve a reasonable level of competitive balance and harmonry among team members.
• We realize it is difficult to committ to something that is not yet finalized, however, we need to start somewhere. It is hoped that all those wanting to participate in the league, will keep an open mind and be patient as we try to work through some of the issues. Of course signing up for the league, is not a final committment, but rather a strong indication that you want to play, subject to the finalization of the rules and structure of the league.
• We welcome any ideas and comments

The original draft of the rules follows. Please bear in mind that the rules will be modified to accomodate the final leagure structure.

January 16, 2006

Overview: There are several bridge clubs in the U.S. that successfully conduct team games in the form of a league. Masterpoints are earned for each win, plus placing in the overalls at the conclusion of the season. Typically leagues are run as round robins, with each team playing every other team. Once everyone has played each other, the season is over. In our recent survey, there appears to sufficient interest in a bridge league to give it a try. Our first draft of the rules of the league appear below:

League Oversight:
• A league Commissioner will be responsible to oversee the league.
• For the first year Alan Bau will serve as the Commissioner.

League Format:
• The league will consist of teams of 4 to 6 players per team.
• The Commissioner would create a round robin schedule, with every team playing against all other teams.
• The length of the season is dependent on the number of teams participating.
• Each match will consist of 24 boards, played in two halves. Play 12 boards, and then compare with your teammates. Then play the next 12 boards and once again compare. Teams are allowed to change their lineup after the 1st 12 boards. In the event both teams want to change their lineup, resulting in playing the same way as the 1st 12 boards, then the team that is behind has the choice to change or not to change. 0 point victory scale would be used
• Masterpoints would be awarded as defined in ACBLscor
• All matches will be scheduled to start at 7:00 PM on Friday Evenings at the Kalamazoo Bridge Center
• The Bridge League would replace the open game currently being run on Friday Evenings.
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• Weekly entry fees per team are $20.00

Team Structure:
• Teams will consist of 4 to 6 players.
• Each team would appoint a captain to represent their team in league meetings and other matters. It is suggested that all team captains have email and access to the Bridge Center’s website.
• In the event one or more players is unable to play a scheduled match, for those teams that have only 4 players, a substitute player that is not already on another team can fill in.
• Substitutes can only play for the same team twice per season.

Matches:
• The number of matches will be determined once we know the number of teams participating in the league. The League Commissioner will provide each team with a schedule prior to the start of the first match.
• Matches are run on Friday evenings at the Kalamazoo Bridge Center. Most likely matches will be scheduled on 2 or 3 Fridays a month.
• We expect that each team will play all other teams once during the season. However, it may make more sense for each team to play each other twice during the season.
• It may also make more sense to play two teams weekly, rather than only one. This will be determined once we know how many teams will be participating in the league.
• All teams are expected to be ready to start their match at the scheduled start time. In the event they are unable to field a team at the scheduled starting time, they will be penalized one victory point for each minute they are late. They will forfeit if they are unable to field a team by 15 minutes after the scheduled start time.
• Teams forfeiting a match are still responsible for paying entry fees for that match
• If one or more teams know in advance they will be unable to field a team in a particular week, they can contact the captain of the opposing team and schedule their match for another Friday Evening. The match is to be played within 1 month of the scheduled date. The two captains are expected to work with each other to work out a satisfactory date. The league commissioner must be notified and approve the makeup date. In the event the two teams involved are unable to reach an agreed upon date for their makeup match, the League Commissioner will assist in the process.

Irregularities:
• We do not intend to have non-playing directors for any of these matches.
• In the event a director is needed to handle an irregularity, a director not involved in the match will be called to make the ruling. In the unlikely event those involved disagree with the director's ruling, they have the option of appealing to the league commissioner, at the conclusion of the match. In the event the League Commissioner is somehow involved in the problem, then an alternate Director will be appointed to handle the matter. The league commissioner, or the appointed alternate has the final say on all rulings.

Rules Changes:
• There will be a meeting of all of the team captains prior to the first match to review the rules. Changes to the rules, can be made with the approval of 2/3 of the team captains in attendance at the captain's meeting.
• Since this is our first attempt at such a program, changes to the rules should be expected, before the league starts. However, changes can only be made during the season if 100% of the captains and the league Commissioner are in agreement that changes to the rules should be made.
• We expect that the league will be stratified based on average number of masterpoints of the team members. Masterpoints are determined at the start of the season.
• The number of strats and the cutoff between strats will be dependent on the number of teams and the average masterpoints of those teams. The Commissioner will make the final determination on the strats and will notify all teams of the league makeup before the first match. In the event there are not sufficient teams to have separate flights it may be necessary to handicap the league?

Conventions:
• The General Convention Chart will be in effect for all matches.

Other Items:
• All profits from the league go to the Kalamazoo Bridge Center
• This is intended to be a competitive event, however all players are expected to conduct themselves within the guidelines of Zero Tolerance and good sportsmanship.
• The League Commissioner has final say in all matters pertaining to the league.