Logos, Banner by KaitlinB and Tom45.

Steering Committee members:
      Permanent Members:  DaveTheRook (chair), BosqueVerde, chesskix, rgadoury
      General Members:  A-Ru, bmw2002, f5, Gomer, Kingofknights, Tomate

Standing Subcommittee (Rules):
      rgadoury (chair), bmw2002, BosqueVerde, chesskix, f5/fpawn, KingofKnights

Standing Subcommittee (Technology):
     bmw2002 (chair), AlPearson, BosqueVerde, chesskix, DaveTheRook, fledermaus, Gomer, rgadoury

The role and purpose of the Steering Committee is to manage the affairs of the league, to set its direction and expansion, see to its advertisement and management, writing the Constitution, Statutes and Handbooks, and reviewing the rulings of the previous Oversight Committee. This is the ultimate governing body of Team 45 45 League with all rights and responsibilities. (Article III of the League Constitution)

League Members may stay informed of potential rules changes by watching this page. Prior to voting results being displayed here, members may make their comments known by notifying any Steering Committee member, who may choose to forward your comments to the Steering Committee. The Committee members will not disclose any details of the Committee discussions.

Item 1.  Addition to Statute to clarify when restrictions on team movement begin.
Submitted by the Entry Clerk. 27 January, 2007.

Section 16.D. (New) The restrictions on player movement and roster changes given in this statute do not become effective until the Pairing Posting Deadline (PPD) of round 1 of the tournament being conducted. Prior to the PPD, teams may make as many changes to their rosters as they wish, so long as they continue to meet the Section and player eligibility requirements.

Explanation by the Entry Clerk, as presented to the Rules Subcommittee:

For several years, at least since T13 when I became entry clerk, I have taken the thus far unchallenged position that the rules of Section 16 are to be applied once the Pairing Posting Deadline (PPD) of round 1 begins, such as 22:00 Jan. 16 for T32.

Prior to the PPD I have allowed all changes to a team roster to be made without any consideration of Section 16, except that an entered team has to limit changes to those that keep its eligibility to the section they entered, and the limits on player eligibility by his or her RR.

This is not uniformly known, and occasionally captains have misunderstood what they can and cannot do prior to the PPD.

Approved 10 - 0; 29 January, 2007

Item 2.  Editorial revision of Section 3.A. vi (and new vii.)
Submitted by the Rules Subcommittee, 31 January, 2007

It is the unanimous opinion of Rules that Section 3.A.vi should be editorially revised to show the effect of Reliability Ratings on members’ team eligibility. No new statute is being proposed. Thus, unless a SC member wishes further debate, this change will be incorporated into the Statutes in seven (7) days from date of posting to the agenda.

Under our editorial revision policy, unless a SC member wishes to bring it up for further debate, this change will be incorporated into the Statutes in one week.

Effective as of 7 February, 2007.

Item 3. Multiple disconnects.  Revision of 11.E. iii.
Submitted by the Rules Subcommittee, 8 February, 2007

Problem: Player, and officials, confusion about what to do about multiple disconnections.

The Rules committee has reviewed the matter of disconnections during games and come to the conclusion, as a matter fairness to the “offended” player in a disconnection, to distinguish between single and multiple disconnections given in Section 11.E.iii. We submit the following rule change to the SC for approval and application in T33 and beyond.

The recommended change, which quickly became known as the “15/30” rule, changes the second sentence from “However, should a player disconnect for more than 30 minutes, …” to a more convenient and fair “one disconnection of 15 minutes or longer, or multiple (obviously two or more) totaling at least 30 minutes. The offended player still has the right to sit there and wait, or can invoke the rights of the statute.

Solution:  Put separate times on the single versus multiple disconnections.

11.E. iii (revise second sentence). In other situations that can best be described as technical difficulties, the intent and spirit of the league is that the games be played to a conclusion if possible. However, should a player disconnect for more than 15 minutes (or multiple times totaling 30 minutes), the offended player may either request a set game win, or may offer to reschedule at times convenient to him. It is expected that players and captains will discuss resolution of affected games with Section 3.B. in mind, and not question the motives of the opponent.

Final Version, specifies three options of the offended:

In other situations that can best be described as technical difficulties, the intent and spirit of the league is that the games be played to a conclusion if possible. However, should a player disconnect for more than 15 minutes (or multiple times totaling 30 minutes), the offended player may request a set game win, may offer to reschedule at times convenient to him, or may choose to continue with the game as originally scheduled. It is expected that players and captains will discuss resolution of affected games with Section 3.B. in mind, and not question the motives of the opponent.

Approved 9 yes, 1 abstention; 12 February, 2007

Item 3.b  A separate motion to consider the time specifications of Item 3:

Option A. 15 / 30 (as written)

Option B. 15 / 15

Option C. 30 / 30

Option A was Approved 7 - 3; 15 February, 2007

Item 4. Change to takeback and moretime.
Submitted by the Chief TD, 11 February, 2007

The Chief TD has requested that the SC take up changes to the takeback and moretime rules and the penalties.

Section 11. B. i reads: Optional rules of the ICS are to be used as follows:

1. "Takebacks" and "Moretime" shall never be offered or accepted by any player. Any game in which takeback is offered and accepted will be ruled double set game against both players. Any game in which Moretime is added will be ruled set game against the player who adds the time.

Change to read: “Takebacks” and “Moretime” shall never be requested, offered, or accepted by any player.

1. “Takebacks” requested or offered shall be set game loss against the requestor or offerer.
2. “Takebacks” accepted shall be double set game loss to both players, no game point.
3. “Moretime” extended shall be set game loss against the extendor. However, if the “moretime” is nullified by immediate resignation or agreed draw without any moves being made, the game score shall stand.
4. Repetitive “takeback” or “moretime” requests are harassment and subject to additional Section 3.B penalties.

Final Version:

Statute 11.B.i  "Takebacks" and "Moretime" shall not be offered or accepted.

1. Any game in which Takeback is offered and accepted will be ruled double set game against both players.
2. Asking for Takebacks or adding Moretime is considered disruptive to the peaceful enjoyment of the game, and is subject to the yellow and red card provisions of Section 3.B of the statutes.

Approved 10 - 0; 19 February, 2007

Item 5.  Entry Clerk powers regarding fixed ratings.
Submitted by Chief TD and Assistant Chief TD

A recent decision of the Oversight Committee found a need for more detailed specifications for the Entry Clerk.  “They (the OC) suggest that the Steering Committee give immediate attention to the introduction of a proper specification for the Entry Clerk and also to amend the Statutes to enable the Conference Director to be able to take action throughout any competition where sandbagging is proved.”

The principle function of the Entry Clerk (EC) is to assure that all Fixed Ratings are fair ratings. The current statute (4.E.ii) says how and what rating data to use to calculate Fixed Ratings, but does not cover exceptions. There is no specific authority for overriding the initial calculations. Neither is there a specific authority for the EC to bar a player from joining, or removing the player, if his or her rating is judged to be grossly inaccurate.

The Fixed Rating plays such an important role in team formation, team average limits, and even board order, that there should be a means of overriding or revising the initial calculated or estimated ratings. The specifications for Entry Clerk should provide for those exceptions.

Solution:  4.E.i and ii need some minor editorial changes.  iii and iv are new.

4.E.  The players' ratings shall be fixed by the Tournament Director prior to or at the time of each player’s entry into the tournament. at the time the Team Entry is processed, but no earlier than the official start of the team entry period.

1. Players must have an established rating on the handle they are using. Players may not change and play on new handles (an ICC feature) in mid-tourney without first establishing a rating on the new handle. If a handle is changed in mid-tournament, the player’s fixed rating from the former handle will be assigned to the new handle for the duration of the tournament. remain unchanged.
2. Effective with the beginning of play in T28 The current ratings for all present and former league members will be collected daily from the Round 1 Pairing Posting Deadline through Playoff Round 1 Pairing Posting Deadline. The computed average-daily-rating shall be the player’s Fixed Rating for the next tournament. Fixed ratings for new players and those returning from older tourneys will be determined by the Entry Clerk, utilizing data collected once they complete a profile. ¶ SC 27-28
3. All Fixed ratings are subject to review and possible revision by the Entry Clerk.
   1. Revisions to Fixed Rating calculations of returning players will normally be made before the initial public posting of Fixed Ratings.
   2. Revisions of previously estimated fixed ratings of new players will generally be posted just before the Team Entry period begins, and then periodically as new information becomes available.
4. A player may be rejected for membership, or participation delayed, if there is evidence or reasons to believe the rating is not representative of the player’s ability. Many factors, including those described in ICC’s “help abuse”, will be considered in evaluating each rating.

Approved 10 - 0; 21 February, 2007

Item 6, Changing Forfeit to Set Game for Captain Error
Submitted by Rules Subcommittee of the SC

During discussion of another matter, Rules realized that a player’s forfeit remained on his record when there was a RR deduction assigned to the captain for Captain Error, as defined in Section 17.A.i.d. Several members of Rules thought that when the change was made to the forfeit rules, and the captain error statute written, that the player’s record should be changed to show a set game, thereby removing the stigma of a forfeit from his record.

Rules therefore makes the recommendation that there be an addition to the statute to justify changing the posted outcome whenever the captain receives the point deduction for a forfeited game.

Section 17.A.i.d (Addition) Captains have a special responsibility to the league as well as to their teams. If a Team Captain admits blame for an unplayed game that results in a forfeit by posting that admission in the game forum, then the captain will receive the RR point reduction that the player would otherwise have received. >When a RR point reduction is given to the captain instead of to the player, the result of the unplayed game will be changed from forfeit (-:+) to set game (o:i), and so shown in the player’s history.

Approved 10 - 0; 26 February, 2007

Item 7. T33 tournament parameters
Submitted by the Chief TD, 11, March 2007

Time Control: 45 45
Sections: 5 (U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1300)
Rounds: 6 - (possibly 7) followed by Playoffs

Team entries accepted: March 27th, 2007 - April 10th, 2007.
Team Entry Deadline: April 10th, 2007.
Ratings "fixed" starting March 6th, 2007.
(Some ratings may be adjusted by the Entry Clerk)

Round 1 Posted: 22:00 April 17th, 2007.
Three rounds of playoffs will end June 26th, 2007.

Tiebreak rules start with board 1 this tournament.

Approved 10 yes, 0 no; 14 March, 2007

Item 8.  Should Yellow Cards Impact Team Eligibility, regardless of RR?
Submitted by Entry Clerk, 13 March 2007

When Item 2 was presented on the agenda it was billed as an “editorial change” not requiring full SC debate unless there was an objection. It became effective Feb. 7 under the one-week rule.

Subsequently, and as the result of a question about yellow cards, it was realized that the new section 3.A.vii.a subparagraph actually includes a new rule, and thus should have full SC debate before being approved.

Section 3.A.vii.a now reads, as “approved” in Item 2:

7. Limitations on eligibility.
   1. New players, those having a –1 RR, and those with an outstanding yellow card from the previous tourney (Sec. 17.B) may participate on one (1) team. Those returning from a red card suspension may participate as a player or assistant captain on one (1) team.

It is proposed that 3.A.vii.a. be revised to read (striking the reference to yellow cards):

7. Limitations on eligibility.
   1. New players and those having a RR of 0 or -1 from the previous tourney (Sec. 17.B) may participate on one (1) team. Those returning from a red card suspension may participate as a player or assistant captain on one (1) team.

The critical change here is the removal of the reference to yellow cards putting a player at 0 RR and limited to one team.

There are some who feel the yellow card is so important that it should carry the additional penalty of an automatic RR reduction to ‘0’, and by inference, for two tourneys (yellow card is forgiven in six months, which is two tourneys in length).

There are others who feel the “warning” and “matter closed” references in 17.B are severe enough penalty for the first yellow card offense.

Approval of the proposed change would remove yellow cards from the RR equation and free the player to continue to participate on as many teams as his RR dictates.

Should Yellow Cards Impact Team Eligibility, regardless of RR?
2 yes, 7 no, 1 abstention; 17 March, 2007

Statute 3.A changes made to reflect the above decision:

6. Reliability Ratings (RR) range from -2 to +2, and determine eligibility.
   1. New members, and those returning from a suspension, begin with a RR of zero (0).
   2. Players earn one RR point when they complete one tournament incident free (no forfeit)
   3. One RR point is deducted for each forfeited game, affecting participation in the next tournament. (See also Section 17.B regarding Red Cards). ¶SC32-33
7. Limitations on eligibility.
   1. New players and those having an RR of 0 or -1 (Sec. 17.B) may participate on one (1) team. Those returning from a red card suspension may participate as a player or assistant captain on one (1) team.
   2. Players who have a RR of +1 are eligible to participate on as many as two (2) teams.
   3. Players who have a RR of +2 are eligible to participate on as many as three (3) teams. ¶SC32-33

Under our editorial revision policy, unless a SC member wishes to bring it up for further debate, this change will be incorporated into the Statutes in one week.

Effective as of 27 March, 2007.

Item 9.  Withdrawing player with outstanding pairing to receive forfeit.
Submitted by Rules Sub-Committee, 2 May 2007

There is general agreement in Rules that if a player who withdrew from a team had an outstanding pairing, it should be a forfeit, except when the captain takes the blame.

We presently have an inconsistency in Section 16.B.i. “If games are outstanding, the player will receive forfeit(s) or set game(s) for outstanding game(s) in accordance with Statute Section 15”.

Rules proposes that Section 16.B.i be amended to read: “If any game(s) are outstanding and are not played, the player will receive forfeits(s), except under the provisions of Section 17.A.i.d (forfeit changed to set game for captain error).

If this amendment is approved, various other statutes will be changed editorially for consistency. The rule to take effect in T34.

Approved 9 yes, 1 no; 10 May, 2007

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