MMDL RULES CHANGES
The MMDL Rules Committee has made several changes to the MMDL ruleset which were approved by the Board of Directors on July 20, 2009. For a detailed spreadsheet outlining the changes, please click here. For more information about rules changes, please contact the Chair of the Rules Committee, Dan Doherty by email at dand@mmdl.org
To Download the Complete Ruleset as an Acrobat .pdf document, please click here.
Minuteman Dart League Rules
ARTICLE I – EQUIPMENT
A) ALL LEAGUE COMPETITION, including tournaments and playoffs, shall be played
on a standard English bristle board with a 20 point clock-face of the hand wired
variety, that is, with the wires on the outside of the board separating the
single, the double and the triple sections.
B) Dartboards shall be placed 5' 8" from the floor to the center of the
bulls-eye with the 20 bed at the top center. The front edge of the toe line/oche
(edge closest to the shooter) will be 7' 9¼” from the surface of the board. The
diagonal measurement from the center of the bulls-eye to the toe line/oche shall
be 9' 7&3/8". The toe line/oche shall be no longer than 36" or 18" to either
side of center.
C) The Pub owner will be responsible for supplying and maintaining the League
play dartboard which must be acceptable to both the home and visiting teams.
D) The dartboard shall be firmly anchored and WELL ILLUMINATED, with lights that
cast minimal shadows on the dart board.
E) The dartboard shall be positioned so that it is readily available to the
players without distraction to the thrower.
F) A scoring surface must be provided and located adjacent to the dart board so
that the shooters and score keeper can see the location of the darts thrown.
G) Any non-compliance with the above should be reported to your Area Director.
The home team will have until the next scheduled home match to fix violations to
area director’s approval. Violations that are not fixed will result in the loss
of 2 points for each week until fixed.
H) All darts must have a single one-piece metal point, fixed or movable. (Soft
tips are also allowed, but not recommended.) No “split-tip” darts are allowed.
ARTICLE II - DATES & TIMES OF MATCHES
A) All League competition is scheduled for Tuesday night except where noted on
the schedule of play.
B) Any match rescheduled through the mutual consent of the involved team
Captains MUST be played prior to the Saturday before the next regularly
scheduled match. The Area Director MUST approve all rescheduled matches.
C) STARTING TIME for the match is between 7:30pm and 8:00pm. A match MUST be
underway by 8:00pm SHARP or the LATE team will be subject to a 2-point penalty
at the discretion of the Area Director/Board of Directors.
D) The MMDL Board of Directors reserves the right to reschedule any match or
matches in order to maintain an equitable and efficient competition schedule,
during the regular season and playoffs.
ARTICLE III - MATCH PROFILE
A) The playing line-up must be completed by both team Captains before 7:30pm and
must be completed in the blind. The visiting Captain must submit a complete
line-up to the home Captain after the home Captain has completed his/her side of
the Match Report. All players’ spots must be filled in with a registered
player’s full name. All 9 registered members of a team can be used in any order
in any spot on their team’s line-up. No player may be used more than once in
each event, i.e., no player may play 2 or more 301 games, 2 or more cricket
games or both 601 games.
B) Each match will be structured as follows: (1) 2 games of 601, 3 person teams,
double start, double finish and each win will gain 1 match point; (2) 3 games of
doubles, American cricket, with points. Each win will gain 1 match point; (3) 6
individual games of 301, each to be best 2 out of 3 games, double start, double
finish. The player who wins 2 games will gain 1 match point.
C) The highest recognized division (eg,Super A, or if no Super A in any
division, A) will play a best 2 out of 3 in doubles (abbreviated cricket) during
the regular season and playoffs The doubles team who wins 2 games will gain 1
match point. The loser of the first game shoots first for cork in the second
game. If a third game is necessary, the loser of the second game will call the
coin toss. The winner of the coin toss has the choice of throwing first or
second for the cork. The player closest to the cork starts the third game.
D) ORDER OF PLAY - (1) 601 - The visiting team starts the first 601 game and the
home team starts the second 601 game. (2) Cricket - At the start of each cricket
game, one person from each team will throw for cork. The closest to the cork
starts the game. The visiting team throws first for cork in the first and third
games; the home team throws first for cork in the second game. (3) 301 - The
visiting team starts the first, third and fifth 301 games. The home team starts
the second, fourth and sixth 301 games. In each 301 game, the loser of the first
game starts the second game. If a third game is necessary, the loser of the
second game will have choice of throwing first or second for cork. The player
closest to the cork starts the third game. (4) The submitted line-up will be the
playing order of the match. Each of the games in each event will be played by
the players in the order that their names were submitted on the line-up
E) THROWING FOR CORK - A throw for cork is valid if the dart remains anywhere in
the dartboard. A single or double cork may be pulled from the dartboard when
recognized by the second shooter. Darts will be re-thrown in reverse order if
(1) the second dart knocks out the first dart from the dartboard; (2) both darts
are in the single cork, (3) both darts are in the double cork, (4) the
scorekeeper is unable to determine which dart is closest to the cork. A DOUBLE
CORK BEATS A SINGLE CORK!!!!
F) SUBSTITUTION - If a posted player is not present for his/her turn to play,
one of the team’s registered players can play in the absent player’s place
provided that the substitute is not being used in the same event. Once the
substitution has been made, the original player will be ineligible to play in
that event. If no substitute has been made and the original player on the match
line-up arrives to play, he/she may step in and play at his/her regular turn in
the rotation without warm-ups.
G) A match is deemed legal with a minimum of 3 players per team. A match can
start without a full team in attendance. When a scheduled player is not there to
play his/her 301 game, that particular game point will be awarded to the
opposition in attendance. If scheduled players are absent from both teams, no
points for the game will be awarded to either team.
H) In the team events (601 & cricket), the team with fewer player(s) will lose a
turn in rotation for each absent player in that game, e.g., a 2 person team
playing against a 3 person team would have only 2 turns for every 3 turns the
opponents have. The cricket games would have the shorthanded team throw once to
the full teams twice.
I) The home team has the prerogative of choosing the board on which the match is
to be played if there is more than one board in the Pub and provided that the
board and set-up meet the requirements set forth in Article I of these rules.
J) No later than 30 minutes prior to the time competition is scheduled to begin,
the game board shall be cleared of play by the management. The board will then
be declared open and will be available for player warm-up. All warm-up
activities must be completed by 7:30pm.
K) WARM-UP BEFORE EACH MATCH PLAY: A Player is allowed only 4 rounds (12 darts)
for practice before each match.
L) The Captains are responsible for the smooth running of each match.
M) The Captains alone must settle any disputes that arise during the course of
play in private conference only.
N) In 601 and 301, when a double is thrown that ends the game, the game is over
regardless of subsequent throws.
ARTICLE IV - PLAYOFFS
A) All teams in the playoffs must call their Area Director to be certain they
are playing the correct team. Week #14 match results are not always complete. If
a team’s score is not reported on the week #14 Match Report, it is the Captain’s
responsibility to call his/her Area Director immediately.
B) The team to reach 12 points in each playoff round advances and has the
responsibility of calling or emailing their results to the Area Director by 12
noon the following day.
C) In the event of a playoff tie (11-11), the visiting team will call the coin
toss. The winner of the coin toss will begin the first tiebreaker game
(alternating format thereafter). The playoff tiebreaker will be structured as
follows; (1) one game 3 person 601, double start, double finish; (2) one game
doubles cricket; and (3) one game singles 301, double start, double finish, best
2 out of 3 games. The first team to win 2 of these 3 tiebreaker games advances.
D) Playoff matches must be played on Tuesday and Thursday nights (home and home)
unless different nights are agreed to by both Captains and approved by the Area
Director. All playoff matches are scheduled to start between 7:30 - 8:00 (Travel
Time should be considered, call opposing captain if start time is an issue).
E) Playoff matches must be played at both sponsors pub/club. Finishing out a
match on one night is not recommended, unless agreed upon by both captains.
F) Highest Division teams will refer to ARTICLE III Section C of MMDL Rules and
Regulations.
ARTICLE V - TEAM PROFILE
A) A team shall consist of no more than 9 players. All current players must be
registered and in good standing with the MMDL. All players must be at least 21
years of age.
B) All team rosters must be submitted at the first Captain’s Meeting and will
have a minimum of 7 players. This shall become the teams MASTER ROSTER at
http://stats.mmdl.org/ and can be found there by opposing team captains. MASTER
ROSTER must be filled out completely and be legible. That is your roster and
must be able to be read by everyone. This is your FINAL roster unless the team
falls to six (6) or less players (see section C).
C) A team is allowed to make up to 3 roster changes per season with the Area
Director’s approval. The new player(s) cannot have played for another team in
the current season and must be of a similar caliber as the other players in that
division. The player(s) removed from the roster will not be eligible to play for
any team for the remainder of that season.
D) Roster changes must be requested by phone or email and approved by the Area
Director at least 24 hours before their next scheduled match.
E) NO ROSTER CHANGES CAN BE MADE AFTER WEEK 8!!!!! (Regardless of the number of
players)
F) If the Franchised Pub or Club owner does not want to field a team any longer,
the team may move its rostered players to another Pub or Club to finish the
season with the approval of the Area Director.
G) A team Captain has the right to request of the opposing Captain positive
identification of any player(s) of that team. Any player(s) who do not comply
with the identification request will not be allowed to continue playing.
H) No player may play in more than one MMDL area or on more than one MMDL team
during any one season. A player may change MMDL areas from season to season, but
may not play in two (2) or more MMDL areas during one season. Violators will be
suspended for 1 year (2 Seasons).
I) A registered, sponsored team is obligated to the Franchised Pub or Club for
the duration of that season. In the event a team wishes to move or relocate
during the season, that team is responsible for compensating the Franchised Pub
or Club accordingly. Any team that wishes to relocate and has satisfied any and
all conditions may do so with the Area Director’s approval.
J) A player must play at least 3 matches (weeks) to QUALIFY for the playoffs.
K) A team submitting a roster with 5-7 players that were on a roster from
previous seasons’ will be considered the same team.
ARTICLE VI – PENALTIES
A) The use of an unregistered / ineligible player(s) in any match will result in
the following penalties: (1) the offending team will lose 2 points for using an
unregistered / ineligible player(s), (2) the offending team will lose 1 point
for every game the unregistered / ineligible player(s) participated in, (3) any
game won by the unregistered / ineligible player(s) will be awarded to the
opposing team, and (4) the immediate suspension of the offending team’s Captain
indefinitely and can be reviewed by the Board of Directors upon request.
B) Use of an unregistered / ineligible player(s) in the playoffs will result in
the immediate expulsion of the offending team. The illegal player(s) and the
entire team will be suspended for one year of play (two seasons) in the MMDL.
C) Should an unregistered / ineligible player(s) be discovered after the first
(or any subsequent) round of the playoffs and the team in question has won that
round, the losing team will advance to the next round of the playoffs.
D) Should an unregistered / ineligible player(s) not be discovered until after
the playoffs/finals, the runner-up shall be declared the MMDL playoffs/finals
champion.
E) A 1 POINT penalty will be deducted from both teams if the Match Report is not
filled out correctly and completely.
F) A 1 POINT penalty will be deducted from the home team for a Match Report that
is received late.
G) Any team that does not call or show for a scheduled match will be penalized 2
POINTS. All matches must be played (see section Article X )
ARTICLE VII – SCORING
A) The Captain of each team is responsible for providing a scorer for each
match. The option of scoring by the players themselves during the match can be
exercised. The scorekeeper does not have to be a member of either team, but must
meet the approval of both teams and is subject to section L below.
B) The home team is responsible for providing a “score-recorder” who will attend
to the match’s entries on the Match Report. The visiting team is responsible for
having someone check the Match Report entries as they are made to verify that
information and names are correct. Entries must be made as they occur. A signed
Match Report that is received by the MMDL will remain as received for record
purposes.
C) The scorekeeper must acknowledge the player’s score for each turn prior to
the player taking his/her thrown darts from the dartboard. For a dart to score
it must remain in the board until the score has been called and acknowledged. A
player must not touch or move his/her darts while they are in the board until
the scorekeeper acknowledges his/her score. Touching the darts before
scorekeeper’s acknowledgement will result in the disqualification of that throw
or turn. The Scorekeeper is not allowed to touch “Live” darts for any reason
during match play.
D) A player must have both feet behind the toe line/oche for each throw. If
he/she has one or both feet over the toe line/oche, the violating player should
be warned upon completion of his/her turn by the opposing Captain. Repeated
violations will result in his/her throw being invalid.
E) Any changes made to correct mistakes in scoring or calling must be made
before the next turn of the player or team whose score is incorrect. Should a
mistake not be noticed and corrected, the number that is thrown for is the
number that stands (obvious mistakes such as deducting 50 from 601 and having a
total of 351 left can be corrected at anytime during the match as these are
inadvertent mistakes which sometimes go unobserved for many turns).
F) If a player throws out of turn, the opposing team has the option of having
the round re-thrown or allowing the round to stand as thrown.
G) The scorekeeper can only tell a player how much is left and/or what has been
scored with the darts thrown. The scorekeeper cannot tell the shooter what to
throw at.
H) It is the player’s responsibility to know his/her own score. If the
scorekeeper inadvertently tells the player the incorrect score, the score thrown
stands.
I) COACHING IS ALLOWED!!!! Exception: SCOREKEEPER/ CHALKER!
J) All scoring in the 301 and 601 games should show the score for each turn and
the remaining score. The use of Electronic Scoreboards is NOT RECOMMENDED unless
a written score is kept by the Captains or teammates at the same time the games
are being played.
K) A scorekeeper shall face the scoreboard, remaining still as not to disturb
the shooter in any way, until all three darts are thrown.
L) Any player(s) who deem a scorekeeper incompetent or distracting may request
another scorekeeper without explanation and/or recourse.
ARTICLE VIII – PROTESTS
The Captain of any team may file a protest with the Area Director and MMDL
Commissioner for perceived violations of MMDL rules and regulations or behavior
deemed to be detrimental to the League. Protests should immediately be phoned in
to the Area Director. Play should be suspended until conclusions reached by the
Area Director and/or Commissioner upon which time the match must be completed
(See Article X). Area Directors should be contacted first and the the
Commissioner if necessary. The protest also must be filed with the MMDL in
writing within 24 hours of the conclusion of the match in question. Protests
should be mailed or emailed to the Area Director and MMDL Commissioner, not sent
in with the Match Report.
ARTICLE IX - PERSONAL CONDUCT
A) Heckling or other harassment is strictly forbidden. It is the home team’s
responsibility to maintain the best of order during League play.
B) The repeated use of foul or insulting language shall be considered just cause
for the penalizing of the offender and his/her team by the Area Director and/or
the MMDL Board of Directors.
C) ANY ACTS OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE OR PROPERTY DAMAGE SHOULD BE REPORTED TO LOCAL
POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THE AREA DIRECTOR.
D) Talking by members of the opposing team, within earshot of the shooter, about
the current game or match, or any other subject, for the express purpose of
distracting the shooter is not only impolite but poor sportsmanship and could
result in a penalty to the offending team
E) Any acts of violence will not be tolerated for any reason! If a player is
found guilty of an unlawful act at a match they will be BANNED from future play
in MMDL.
ARTICLE X – FORFEITS
A) THERE ARE NO FORFEITS IN THE MMDL.
B) A team that does not show or refuses to show for a scheduled or rescheduled
match will be removed from play for a period of one year (2 seasons).
C) Points won and lost by this team during the current playing season will be
adjusted within the division to maintain a fair and equitable playoff schedule.
D) A team submitting a falsified Match Report (Not Played) will lose 2 POINTS
and be required to play the match. Captains will be suspended for the remainder
of the current season and the 2 subsequent seasons. Offenders will NOT be
allowed to be a Captain in the future.
ARTICLE XI – DISPUTES
The Board of Directors reserves the right to settle any disputes in accordance
with the facts presented in the individual cases in question.
Approved - July 19, 1978
Revised - July 1980
Revised - Sept 1982
Revised - Dec 1983
Revised - Sept 1986
Revised - Jan 1990
Revised - Sept 1994
Revised - Nov 2004
Revised - Dec 2008
Revised – Jul 2009