MCA TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
The MCA no longer accepts players into an event who are unable to compete until the conclusion of their respective division schedule. This includes scheduled playoff games. If, however, a player must withdraw from the event for any reason, any games played count and a player eliminated by the withdrawing player is still eliminated. If this creates a forfeit in any part of the playoff bracket, the forfeit winner will be awarded a win and points rounded down to the nearest whole number based on the average of games that individual player has played in the event prior to the forfeit. The forfeit loser will be given a loss and zero points.
LATE WITHDRAWALS: Any player that withdraws after the tournament entry deadline must still pay the entry fee. If the player does not submit the fee to the MCA, the fee will be added on to the player’s next tournament entry or following season’s membership invoice.
DIVISION PLACEMENT
Beginning players will start in the lowest available division. The MCA divisions starting with the most challenging are Pro, Gold, Silver and Bronze. For players with MCA experience, the MCA Ratings Index will be utilized for placement. For new players with USCA handicaps or Association grades, those can be converted to an MCA rating through the chart located on the MCA website: www.midwestcroquet.com/9w-ranking-system
Tournament managers should consult with the MCA Rules & Competition Committee (R&CC) on placement for MCA Nine Wicket Series events
The following guidelines are in place for the R&CC on upward and downward divisional recommendations:
Parameters to Move Up
a) Eight games played in division
b) Above 500 rating played in a division
c) Tournament win at a level
Primary Criteria for a Move Down Request
a) Below 300 rating after eight games in division
b) Winless season in division
APPEAL: A player may appeal any move recommendation or request through first petitioning the Rules & Competition Committee. If the player does not agree with the R&CC decision or recommendation, they may then appeal to the MCA Board. The MCA Board decision will be final.
CODE OF CONDUCT
- A PLAYER MAY NOT ALTER THE COURT. Debris may be removed, but anything attached to the court cannot be altered without the permission of the opponent or the referee or tournament manager.
- HOOPS MAY NOT BE ADJUSTED, RESET OR POUNDED IN by the striker without first asking permission. The striker must ask the opponent if it is okay to adjust, pound in or reset a wicket or stake. If the opponent refuses, the tournament manager or referee should be requested for a final decision. The referee’s guidance is the equipment should be in proper position.
- IT IS PREFERRED THAT THE OPPONENT STEP OFF THE COURT when a striker is in play; however, this is not required. In general, it is common courtesy to step behind the striker so as to not be in the field of vision during the striker’s shot. If the opponent is in the field of vision, the striker may request that he move out of the field of vision. In such case, the opponent must comply.
NOISE
Spectators are expected to cheer or offer applause after a shot is made. Conversation or general crowd noise is acceptable during play. Common courtesy is to keep noise to a minimum during an actual shot. And, it is the striker’s right to ask for quiet on a shot that is challenging. In such case, spectators must honor the player request.
Heckling a player during a shot is not permitted by a spectator or opponent. Spectators or opponents may not make attempts to distract the striker in any way during a shot.
Abusive comments toward a player are not acceptable.
Spectators (or coaches) may not offer a player advice during a Pro, Gold or Silver Division game.