3. CALL POCKET / CALL SAFE
Must call ball and pocket or call safe
Except for breaks or any “free shot,” the shooter must call a ball and pocket or else call safe.
Calling safe
An intended safety must be actually called, else the opponent has the option of passing the next shot. A safety call must be clearly indicated. A safety is never considered obvious. BCAPL General Rule 1-17 applies to calling safety in American Rotation.
Bank, kick, kiss, carom or combination
When a ball is called (ball and pocket), it is not necessary to specify details such as banks, kicks, kisses, caroms, or combinations. Calling those details is irrelevant and not required.
Obvious shots
All shots that involve banks, kicks, kisses, caroms, or combinations are hereby defined as “not obvious.” If a pocketed ball was not called, and the shot involves (includes) a bank, kick, kiss, carom, or combination (intentional or not), then the shot is hereby ruled a non-called ball and Rule 4.2 or 4.4 ahead shall apply. If a ball is pocketed directly into a pocket, and the shot does not include a bank, kick, kiss, carom, or combination, then it is hereby defined as a called ball (an obvious shot).
Incidental contact with rail near the pocket
When the called or obvious ball touches either rail adjacent to the designated pocket but does not touch other rails on the table, the shot is not considered a “bank.” Touching either of those adjacent rails does not negate an “obvious shot.”
Good hit required
A called ball does not have to be the lowest numbered ball. However, a “good hit” is required. See also Rule 5 ahead, “Good Hits.”
Points
If no foul occurs, and a called ball is pocketed as designated, then the shooter gets credit for all balls pocketed on that shot. If any object balls remain on the table, then the player continues to shoot.
Missed shot
If no foul occurs, and a called ball is not pocketed as designated, then the opponent (the player that did not shoot) has the option of passing the next shot (assuming that object balls remain on the table).