HardBat Classic Rules

Revised 06.08.09: Sections 1.4 and 1.6

• The 2009 HardBat Classic Champion wins a grand prize of $100,000. The second place finisher receives $5,000 with $3,000 going to third place and $2,000 for fourth place.
• Competition Format and Schedule.
  • There are four brackets of players competing to make the final four (one from each bracket) in the Championship Round.
    • Bracket One is the HardBat Classic group of players invited by the HardBat Classic management. Players will compete on a point handicap system based on their U.S. or International Table Tennis ratings. The point handicap system is listed in Addendum A.
    • Bracket Two is the Professional group with players that have a U.S. rating, an international ranking, or that have competed in tournaments or leagues sanctioned by the Table Tennis Association of any country. Players will compete on a point handicap system based on their U.S. Table Tennis or International ratings. The point handicap system is listed in Addendum A.
    • Bracket Three is the Bar group, which consists of the qualifiers from the Bud Light HardBat Classic Tournaments. Any qualifier that meets the qualifications of Bracket Two will be re-positioned into Bracket Two. Competition will be on a scratch point basis (no handicap) until the final four of Bracket Three are determined. Point handicaps for the final four competition for this bracket will be determined on a points won to points lost differential. Please see Addendum B for the Handicap Schedule.
    • Bracket Four is the Basement group that consists of those players that enter on-line or at the door and do not meet the qualifications of Bracket Two. Those that meet Bracket Two qualifications will be re-positioned into Bracket Two. Competition will be on a scratch point basis (no handicap points) until the final four of Bracket Four are determined. Point Handicaps for the final four competition for this bracket will be determined on a points won to points lost differential. Please see Addendum B for the Handicap Schedule.
  • Bracket One:
    • Bracket One Round One begins at 3pm on Saturday with players competing in round robin groups with the top four finishers advancing to Round Two. These matches are two out of three games to 21 points using the point handicap system listed in Addendum A.
    • Bracket One Round Two begins at 6pm on Saturday with the final four players in Bracket One competing in Bracket semifinals with matches that are two out of three games to 21 points using the point handicap system listed in Addendum A.
    • The winners of Bracket One semifinals compete against each other to see who will represent Bracket One in the Championship Round on Sunday.
  • Bracket Two:
    • Bracket Two Round One Session One begins at 3 pm on Friday with players competing in four- or five- person round robin groups with the top two places from each group advancing to Round Two on Saturday. Round one matches are two games out of three games to 21 points using the point handicap system listed in Addendum A.
    • Bracket Two Round One Session Two begins at 5 pm on Friday with players competing in four- or five- person round robin groups with the top two places from each group advancing to Round Two on Saturday. Round one matches are two games out of three games to 21 points using the point handicap system listed in Addendum A.
    • Bracket Two Round One Session Three begins at 8 pm on Friday with players competing in four- or five- person round robin groups with the top two places from each group advancing to Round Two. Round one matches are two games out of three games to 21 points using the point handicap system listed in Addendum A.
    • Bracket Two Round Two begins at 11am on Saturday with players competing in four- or five-person round robin groups with the top player from each group advancing to Round Three. Round Two matches are two games out of three games to 21 points using the point handicap system listed in Addendum A.
    • Bracket Two Round Three begins at 2pm on Saturday with players competing in single elimination competition with matches of two out of three games to 21 points using the point handicap system listed in Addendum A. Semifinal play of this round will be at 6pm on Saturday in Round Four. The top eight players will be seeded according to their USATT ratings with the remaining players randomly placed. Due diligence will be performed to prevent the same two participants who played in rounds One and Two from competing against each other until the final four but this is not guaranteed.
    • Bracket Two Round Four begins at 6pm on Saturday with the final four players in Bracket Two competing in Bracket semifinals with matches that are two out of three games to 21 points using the point handicap system listed in Addendum A.
      • The winners of the semifinals compete against each other to see who will represent Bracket Two in the Championship Round on Sunday.
  • Brackets Three and Four:
    • Brackets Three and Four Round One, Session One begins at 3pm on Friday, June 26, 2009 with Bracket Three players and Bracket Four players competing in two separate preliminary brackets. The competitions are in five- or six-person round robin groups with the top three competitors of each group of each Bracket advancing to Round Two. Round One matches are one game to 21 points, on a scratch point system (no handicap points). Each player will play up to five other players in their group.
    • Brackets Three and Four Round One, Session Two begins at 5pm on Friday, June 26, 2009 with Bracket Three players and Bracket Four players competing in two separate preliminary brackets. The competitions are in six-person round robin groups with the top three competitors of each group of each Bracket advancing to Round Two. Round One matches are one game to 21 points, on a scratch point system (no handicap points). Each player will play up to five other players in their group.
    • Brackets Three and Four Round Two begins at 8pm on Friday with players competing in four- or five-person round robin groups with the top two places from each group advancing to Round Three. Round Two matches are two out of three games to 21 points on a scratch point system (no handicap points).
    • Brackets Three and Four Round Three begins at 11am on Saturday with players competing in four- or five-person round robin groups in each of their separate brackets with the top player advancing from his or her group. Round Three matches are two out of three games to 21 points on a scratch point system (no handicap points).
    • Brackets Three and Four Round Four begins at 2pm on Saturday with players competing in single elimination competition with matches of two out of three games to 21 points with no point handicap. Semifinal play of this round will be at 6pm on Saturday in Round Five. The single elimination seeding for this round will be done according to the points won to points lost differential of the top eight players remaining after Round Three. Those advancing in Round Three but not seeded will be placed randomly in the single elimination draw.
    • Brackets Three and Four Round Five begins at 6pm on Saturday with the final four players from each bracket competing within their bracket in the semifinals and finals to determine the winners of each bracket that will compete on Sunday in the Championship Round.
      • Competition in this round uses the point handicap system listed in Addendum B.
      • The winners of the semifinals of each bracket compete against each other to see who will represent Brackets Three and Four in the Championship Round on Sunday.
  • Championship Round begins at 11am on Sunday. The four Bracket winners compete.
    • For finals competition between the four brackets, Brackets Three and Four will be assigned an estimated rating for determining point handicaps using Addendum A.
    • All play in the Championship Round will use a point handicap system listed in addendum A.
    • All play in the Championship Round will be two out of three games to 21 points.
    • The semifinal losers will compete for third and fourth places prior to the finals match.
    • The semifinal winners will compete for the 2009 HardBat Classic Championship.
• Players Responsibility.
  • Check in with registration before their first match.
    • All players must be residents of the United States.
    • To pick up your official HardBat Classic racket
    • To show a photo ID, for example, a driver’s license, school ID, passport
    • To sign the Player Release Form
    • To sign the General Name and Likeness Release agreement.
    • To sign the agreement to abide by the decisions and rulings of the Umpires, Referee, and Tournament Director.
    • To be forthright with prior table tennis competition history. The Tournament Director has the right to re-position players from Brackets Three and Four and place them in Bracket Two if warranted.
    • To allow ample time before their first match.
  • Read and understand the rules of the tournament.
  • Read and observe the Draw Sheets posted throughout the venue.
    • The players’ starting times and table numbers are posted.
  • Be on time to their first match. Go to the table listed on the Draw Sheet for your match.
    • Match time is default time.
  • Mark and confirm the outcome and scores of each match.
    • Sign each match slip and return it immediately to the satellite control desk.
  • Remain next to the court for which your match is assigned until the round is completed – not just your matches! If your match is ready to begin and you are not there, you will be defaulted.
  • Two minute warm up allowed for the first match of each round. No warm up allowed for subsequent matches of the same round.
  • For prize money winners, sign the appropriate IRS documents after the conclusion of the tournament
  • Have fun!
• Tournament Procedures.
  • All matches are time scheduled and posted on the Draw Sheets.
  • Satellite control desks direct play on groups of tables. There are satellite desks with each one controlling eight tables. There is one satellite control desk controlling the five featured tables and the one championship table.
  • The results of every round are compiled for every player.
  • Draw Sheets with players’ names and table numbers for each round will be posted before the start of each round.
• Placement and Seeding of Players.
  • Seeding and placement of players in Brackets One and Two are based on all available date including USATT ratings and International Rankings.
  • In Brackets Three and Four, all players will be placed in Round One round robin groups with the use of available and current information as to their strength of play. Fifty percent of all players advance from Round One, thereby reducing the importance of placement. Due diligence will be performed to equalize the strengths of the players in each group but there is no guarantee as to such.
• Tie Break Procedures.
  • In the round robin groups, each member of the group shall play every other member. 2 match points shall be awarded for a win, 1 for a loss in a played match, and 0 for a loss in an unplayed or unfinished match. The ranking order within the group shall be determined primarily by the number of match points gained.
  • If two or more members of a group have won the same number of match points, their relative positions shall be determined by the results only of the matches involving those tied. Compare those tied first for match points, then successively the ratio of games won to games lost; and points won to points lost, as far as necessary to resolve the order of finish. If the tie cannot be resolved, positions are determined by lot.
  • Only the results of matches between players tied shall be taken into account. In a two-way tie, the winner of the match between the tied players is the winner of the group (or of the higher position for which tied).
  • If advancing positions cannot be determined at one stage, all players tied for the final advancing position will advance.
• Dispute Resolution.
  • Non-umpired matches.
    • Scoring disagreements will be settled by the umpire as follows: If both players cannot agree on the current score, the umpire will ask both players what the last score upon which both agree. The game will start from that score. If no agreement can be reached, the game will begin with both players at zero.
    • The players are equally responsible for fair play in a match without an umpire. Specifically: No “second chances” are allowed. A player will have only one chance to score a point. The most common situation is where another ball comes into the playing area during a rally. If a player then strikes the ball (perhaps a high set up) and misses the shot, the result of that shot must stand; the player cannot then call a let because he was disturbed. S/he took his/her chance and doesn’t get another one.
    • The player closer to the play, such as an edge ball, will make the call. This call may not be disputed.
    • Players in a non-umpired match should attempt to resolve problems by applying the above rules and good sportsmanship.
    • Any player in a match has the right to request that that an umpire be appointed for that match.
• Referee and Umpire Conduct.
  • The umpire, when one is assigned, is responsible for ensuring that the match is conducted fairly under the Official Rules of The HardBat Classic. If a decision is required on an action or incident not covered in these rules, the Head Referee may apply the rules of the International Table Tennis Federation at his or her discretion.
  • The Point Penalty System as listed below is designed to control minor instances of poor sportsmanship. The Referee has full authority to default a player for gross misconduct whether or not the offender is playing a match.
  • Point Penalty System.
    • Penalties will be imposed as follows (for each match):
      • 1st offense: Warning. The umpire should briefly display a yellow card so it can be seen by the players and interested spectators.
      • 2nd offense: Loss of point. The umpire should display both a red and a yellow card, held fan like, in one hand. The point is awarded to the player's opponent. No point is taken away.
      • 3rd offense: Loss of 2 additional points. The umpire should display both a red and a yellow card. The points are awarded to the player's opponent. No points are taken away.
      • If misbehavior continues after imposition of penalties by the umpire, the umpire shall suspend play and report to the referee.
      • The referee will normally default the player after being called by the umpire in the above circumstance. The default may be from a match, an event, or from the whole competition (tournament).
      • The referee may, at his discretion, disqualify a player for persistent unfair or offensive behavior, whether reported by the umpire or not; such disqualification may be from a match, from an event, or from a whole competition (tournament).
      • The intent of the system is to deter unsportsmanlike conduct by having appropriate stages of punishment available. This authority must be used with considerable discretion. Properly used it provides an effective solution without having to tolerate poor behavior or default the offender.
      • Conduct which may warrant imposition of the point penalty system:
        • Delay of game; e.g. excessive toweling, deliberately hitting the ball out of the playing area, or taking excessive time between points or games.
        • Intentionally breaking the ball or hitting the table or net with a racket.
        • Conduct offensive to opponent, spectators, or officials; e.g. audible or visible inappropriate language or gestures, loud outbursts or remarks that tend to disrupt other matches in progress, or deliberately throwing a racket.
          • In evaluating "loud outbursts" the umpire must consider the total situation. We don't want to discourage competitive enthusiasm, particularly that displayed in a championship final when there are no other matches being played. In such a situation, consideration must be given to allowing reasonable expression without giving offense to spectators.
      • The referee may direct umpires to call him/her when issuing a warning. This should be done whenever possible, particularly if the umpire suspects that he may have to go further in the system. This will enable the referee to be on the scene should a player make an appeal from the umpire's imposition of a penalty point.
  • The referee, umpires, and staff are responsible for ensuring that matches start without excessive delay for warm-up and that play is continuous except for authorized breaks such as intervals between games and the one time out per side in each match.
  • Once a match is completed it should not be replayed or continued.
  • An emergency suspension of play may be authorized by the referee for the shortest reasonable time in the event of injury to a player or damage to his clothing or equipment. Only one suspension of play may be given to the same player as a result of the same accident. For injury the maximum time to resume play or retire is 10 minutes; for damage to equipment, 5 minutes. No suspension should be granted if the referee determines that the suspension would be unduly disadvantageous to the opposing player.
  • Under no circumstances will the players themselves make any decision as to continuation of a match. It is the duty of the umpire to determine whether the injury or damage is real or whether the player is using unsportsmanlike tactics.
  • Any illness or injury known at the start of a match will not qualify for a suspension of play. Likewise injury caused by the stress of play such as cramps does not justify a suspension of play. The player must play on or retire from the match.
  • Each player is allowed a one-minute time out in each match that has games up to 21 points.
    • Play must resume when the side that called the time out is ready or at one minute, whichever is sooner.
• Expedite System.
  • The expedite system may be applied solely at the discretion of the Referee in consultation with the Tournament Director for any match.
  • An umpire or player may ask the Referee to initiate the Expedite System but the Referee in consultation with the Tournament Director makes the decision.
  • If any game to 21 points exceeds 15 minutes excluding time outs or suspension of play for uncontrolled incidents, the person leading wins the game. If the game is tied, the winner of the next point wins the game.
• Notable Hardbat Classic Rule Differences.
  • Coaching is allowed at any time.
  • The service rule has more latitude.
  • All rackets and balls must be official HardBat Classic equipment.
  • The Expedite Rule is modified.
  • All games are to 21 points.
  • Foot stamping is allowed.

1. General Equipment and Game Rules.
   1. The Table
      1. The table must be on the Official HardBat Classic Equipment list.
      2. The upper surface of the table, known as the playing surface, shall be rectangular, nine feet long and five feet wide, and shall lie in a horizontal plane 29.9 inches above the floor.
      3. The playing surface shall not include the vertical sides of the tabletop.
      4. The playing surface may be of any material and shall yield a uniform bounce of about 9.1 inches when a standard ball is dropped on to it from a height of 11.8 inches.
   2. The Net Assembly
      1. The net assembly must be on the Official HardBat Classic Equipment list
      2. The net assembly shall consist of the net, its suspension and the supporting posts, including the clamps attaching them to the table.
      3. The net shall be suspended by a cord attached at each end to an upright post six inches high, the outside limits of the post being six inches outside the sideline.
      4. The top of the net, along its whole length, shall be six inches above the playing surface.
      5. The bottom of the net, along its whole length, shall be as close as possible to the playing surface and the ends of the net shall be as close as possible to the supporting posts.
   3. The Ball
      1. The ball shall be an official HardBat Classic ball and have the Hardbat Classic trademark on it.
      2. The ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 40mm.
      3. The ball shall weigh between 2.6 g and 2.8g.
      4. The ball shall be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be white or orange, and matt.
   4. The Bat
      1. The bat shall be an official HardBat Classic (HBC) racket with the Hardbat Classic trademark on it.
      2. You may use either the HBC-1 bat or the HBC-501B bat. All registered players will receive their own HBC-1 at the tournament. No other bats may be used.
      3. The HBC bat is comprised solely of rigid wood.
      4. The covering on the HBC bat is short-pips with no sponge. You may not remove the HBC rubber and attach other rubber.
      5. You may not alter the playing characteristics of the rubber or playing surface of the HBC bat.
   5. Definitions
      1. A rally is the period during which the ball is in play.
      2. The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is in the free hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally is decided as a let or a point.
      3. A let is a rally of which the result is not scored.
      4. A point is a rally of which the result is scored.
      5. The racket hand is the hand carrying the racket.
      6. The free hand is the hand not carrying the racket; the free arm is the arm of the free hand.
      7. A player strikes the ball if he touches it in play with his racket, held in the hand, or with his racket hand below the wrist.
      8. A player obstructs the ball if he, or anything he wears or carries, touches it in play when it is above or traveling towards the playing surface, not having touched his court since last being struck by his opponent.
      9. The server is the player due to strike the ball first in a rally.
      10. The receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in a rally.
      11. The umpire is the person appointed to control a match.
      12. The assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist the umpire with certain decisions.
      13. Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything that the was wearing or carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the rally.
      14. The ball shall be regarded as passing over or around the net assembly if it passes anywhere other than between the net and the net post or between the net and the playing surface.
      15. The end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions.
   6. The Service
      1. Service shall start with the ball in the server's palm of his or her free hand.
      2. The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, with the ball leaving the free hand and being struck by the bat with the ball on the way down. There is no height requirement on the toss but the ball must clearly be tossed upward and fall.
      3. The ball shall be struck so that it touches first the server’s court and then, after passing over or around the net assembly, touches directly the receiver's court.
      4. The ball must be above the playing surface and clearly visible to the opponent throughout the service motion. From the start of service until it is struck, the ball must remain behind the server’s end line.
      5. You may not spin the ball out of the hand. You may not use ‘finger spin’ serves nor hit the ball directly out of your hand. A ‘finger spin’ serve is when the server twists his or her fingers on the ball to create spin, which is not allowed.
   7. The Return
      1. The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it passes over or around the net assembly and touches the opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net assembly.
   8. The Order of Play
      1. The server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return and thereafter server and receiver alternately shall each make a return.
   9. A Let
      1. The rally shall be a let:
         1. if in service the ball, in passing over or around the net assembly, touches it, provided the service is otherwise good;
         2. if the service is delivered when the receiving player is not ready, provided that the receiver does not attempt to strike the ball;
         3. if failure to make a service or a return or otherwise to comply with the rules is due to a disturbance outside the control of the player;
         4. if play is interrupted by the umpire or assistant umpire.
      2. Play may be interrupted
         1. to correct an error in the order of serving, receiving or ends;
         2. to introduce the expedite system;
         3. to warn or penalize a player or adviser;
         4. because the conditions of play are disturbed in a way which could affect the outcome of the rally.
   10. A Point
       1. Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point:
          1. if his opponent fails to make a correct service;
          2. if his opponent fails to make a correct return;
          3. if, after he has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being struck by his opponent;
          4. if the ball passes over his court or beyond his end line without touching his court, after being struck by his opponent;
          5. if his opponent obstructs the ball;
          6. if his opponent strikes the ball twice successively;
          7. if his opponent, or anything his opponent wears or carries, moves the playing surface;
          8. if his opponent, or anything his opponent wears or carries, touches the net assembly.
   11. A Game
       1. A game shall be won by the player first scoring 21 points.
       2. If the game is to 21 points and both players score 20 points, then the game shall be won by the first player gaining a lead of 2 points.
   12. A Match
       1. A match shall consist of the best of any odd number of games, including just one game with proper notification to the players before the competition begins.
   13. The Order of Serving, receiving, and ends
       1. The right to choose the initial order of serving, receiving and ends shall be decided by lot (coin flip) and the winner may choose to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular end.
       2. When one player has chosen to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular end, the other player shall have the other choice.
       3. In games to 21 points, after each 5 points have been scored the receiving player shall become the serving player and so on until the end of the game, unless both players score 20 points when the sequences of serving and receiving shall be the same but each player shall serve for only 1 point in turn.
       4. The player serving first in a game shall receive first in the next game of the match.
       5. The player starting at one end in a game shall start at the other end in the next game of the match and in the last possible game of a match the players shall change ends when first one player scores 10 points in a game to 21.
   14. Out of Order of Serving, Receiving or Ends
       1. If a player serves or receives out of turn, play shall be interrupted by the umpire as soon as the error is discovered and shall resume with those players serving and receiving who should be server and receiver respectively at the score that has been reached, according to the sequence established at the beginning of the match.
       2. If the players have not changed ends when they should have done so, play shall be interrupted by the umpire as soon as the error is discovered and shall resume with the players at the ends at which they should be at the score that has been reached, according to the sequence established at the beginning of the match.
       3. In any circumstances, all points scored before the discovery of an error shall be reckoned.

Addendum A

Ratings Handicap Chart for 21 Point Game

(USATT ratings from May 1, 2009 will be used)

Example: Player A has a rating of 2150 and Player B has a rating of 1820. The rating differential is 330 points so Player A spots Player B 9 points to a game of 21 points. In other words, Player B begins each game at 9 to 0. Service change is at multiples of five points. In this example the first server serves one point, and then service alternates every five points.

Rating Differential	Handicap
0 – 12	Handicap 0
13 – 31	Handicap 1
32 – 56	Handicap 2
57 – 87	Handicap 3
88 – 124	Handicap 4
125 – 161	Handicap 5
168 – 198	Handicap 6
199 – 249	Handicap 7
250 – 300	Handicap 8
301 – 351	Handicap 9
352 – 412	Handicap 10
413 – 524	Handicap 11
525 – 624	Handicap 12
625 – 724	Handicap 13
725 – 824	Handicap 14
825 – 924	Handicap 15
925 – 999	Handicap 16
1000 up	Handicap 17

Addendum B

Handicap System for Final Four competition for Brackets Three (Bar) and Four (Basement)

For competition within Brackets Three and Four: The handicap is based on points won to points lost. For each 10 points more you won than lost you spot your opponent one point to a game of 21 points. For example, you have won 300 points and lost 250 points for a differential of 50 points or five points in a game to 21. Your opponent has won 290 points and lost 260 points for a differential of 30 points or three points in a game to 21.

The player with the higher differential spots the opponent with the lower differential two points (five points less three points) in each game to 21 points. Each game begins with a 2 – 0 score in favor of the player with the lower points differential. Service change is at multiples of five points. In this example the first server serves three points, and then service alternates every five points. The maximum handicap spot is 15 points per game to 21 points.

For finals competition between the four brackets, Brackets Three and Four will use estimated USATT ratings of at least 1200 and 1000 respectively for determining point handicaps using Addendum A.