Rules Question

[zencues.com]

The shooting player has just made the 14th ball and has left the 15th ball and cue ball on the table.

He starts to help the other player rack by removing balls out of the pockets but accidently drops a ball and it moves the cue ball (or the 15th ball or both).

Is this a foul? Is it a standard foul or a serious foul? What happens to the "moved" balls? Is it loss of shot too?

 

[Bob Jewett]

The shooting player has just made the 14th ball and has left the 15th ball and cue ball on the table.

He starts to help the other player rack by removing balls out of the pockets but accidently drops a ball and it moves the cue ball (or the 15th ball or both).

Is this a foul? Is it a standard foul or a serious foul? What happens to the "moved" balls? Is it loss of shot too?

Since there is no referee, the shooter is acting as the referee while racking. Just put the balls back. Or at least that's the way I would play it.

 

[deebee53]

I wouldn't call a foul on this.

I was playing 9 ball in the playoffs once and made the 9. I put my cue on the table under the rail and started to pull the balls up for the other guy. Apparently the cue ball came around and barely tapped my cue. It was not near the pocket and didn't have enough steam to scratch anywhere. They called a foul on me and spotted the 9. Very cheap way to take a couple of points from me, IMO.

I think it is cheap to use technicalities like that. The game needs more common sense, not strict interpretation of rules. I say just respot the ball(s) and move on with life.

 

[cajunfats]

Bob's Right

Bob is exactly correct. While in the standardized rules scratches and other shooting fouls count for -1 point each, when there is no referee present and an inadvertent foul, as you stated requires the ball(s) moved, to be replaced at as near the original position as possible. Usually, after the first occurance both players are more aware of the circumstances on the table.

Great Question. Good Shooting.

That's why Bob Jewett was on the BCA Rules Committee for soooooooo long, he knows all this stuff!!!!!:grin:

 

[zencues.com]

Thanks Everyone!

Thanks for the replies.

I was ask to make the call for the players on a table next to me. It was a league game. I also play in the same league and know both player well.

After making the possibilties clear to them. I made the call that it was a 1 point foul, balls to be returned to position as close as possible and the shooter continues his inning. Both players were happy.

Personally, I would not call a foul. But that's just me.

But I would like to go back to the original questions... but in an offical match. What would the ruling be in the World Championships?

 

[Bob Jewett]

Thanks for the replies.

I was ask to make the call for the players on a table next to me. It was a league game. I also play in the same league and know both player well.

After making the possibilties clear to them. I made the call that it was a 1 point foul, balls to be returned to position as close as possible and the shooter continues his inning. Both players were happy.

Personally, I would not call a foul. But that's just me.

But I would like to go back to the original questions... but in an official match. What would the ruling be in the World Championships?

Well, if there is a referee -- and there hasn't been in the last several World Championships -- I think the referee should warn the player as soon as he tries to help gather up the balls: "Please do not touch the object balls." If the referee accepts assistance from the players, I think he must also forgive any clumsiness by the players when giving such assistance.