The Summer/Fall 2015 organizational meeting was held in Dolce Vita on July 8th, 2015. It was a lovely evening and everyone was full of cheer. Or Cass.

24 teams registered for the new season. There is one new bar, 3 Alley Seoul, located in the basement of the Chiel Building opposite the IP Boutique Hotel.  JR Pub has also returned to the league.

The teams for the Summer/Fall 2015 season are as follows:

The executive committee for 2015 will be:

President: Dominic Johnson

Vice President: Ronan Spillane

Secretary: Jumie Ahn

Treasurer: Mark Jones

First off, Dominic spoke about the captains’ responsibilities:

1)           Please ensure score sheets are correctly filled out and entered on the website as soon as possible after the match.

2)            Send a Kakaotalk photo of the score sheet to the President or Vice President after the match. Alternatively please drop off the score sheets at Scrooge Bar. These are important as they can help settle any possible disputes.

3)            Enter any new or migrated (this can’t be done until the season starts) players into the website as soon as possible. If you don’t know how to do this please speak to any league official and we’ll help you understand the process.

4)            Make sure team fees (350,000won) are paid by January 28th. The team fees can be paid to Mark Jones and he will be based at Scrooge Pub for the first three matches of the season. Any team that has not paid by that date risks elimination from the league and loss of deposit

5)            Manage your team’s behaviour. This is a social pool league and we aim to promote good sportsmanship and friendly competition. Please work with others throughout the league to settle any disputes fairly. We have a lot of experience in the league and most weeks you’ll be playing with or against someone who has worked for the league in the past so let’s try and resolve any problems amicably. If major disputes do arise you can contact anyone on the committee for advice on the night of the game.

6)            Make sure your table is free for an opposing team to practice on at 7pm or half an hour before the start of a game. If possible try to make sure the bar regularly keeps its table in the best possible condition.

7)            Make sure your team provides the required refreshments for the visiting team.

The President then went on to inform us that Bird Riders Food Delivery are offering a discount to IPL members on Thursdays. Leave your name as it appears on the website along with your team name in the comments box when ordering to avail of the discount. 

There were a number of proposals discussed and/or voted on by the captains. It was all very amicable apart from the odd offer to step outside.

Proposal 1: if a seeded team loses their first round play-off match, they should not be given a home match in the third round

This issue caused some heated debate but it was finally decided not to change the play-off system just yet. Proposal failed.

Proposal 2: to create a three tier system with Championships A,B and C

This proposal also failed after much discussion.

Proposal 3: to award teams who finish matches by 11pm with a bonus point (or dock teams who finish after 11pm)

This proposal led to some frank exchanges and a half-hearted offer of violence. Eventually it was defeated. Shot clocks are available people. Use them!

Proposal 4: To lag for the break in the upper brackets of tournaments

The proposal was defeated unanimously.

Proposal 5: To raise the qualification for play-offs from 5 to 10 matches

This was also unanimously defeated.

Proposal 6: To use slo-mo cameras to film suspect double hit/push shots

Another unanimous defeat here.

Proposal 7: Banquet Fees for players who have played less than 5 matches

It was noticed at the last banquet that there were many players present who had played less than 5 matches.  It was proposed that in future these players would be asked to pay a fee of 15,000 to attend. It was decided to postpone the vote until the midseason captain’s meeting.

There were also some debates about issues that weren’t voted on.

Issue 1: the Hall of Fame.

It was decided at last season’s organizational meeting to establish a Hall of Fame to honour people who have contributed to the league over the years. Much discussion has ensued about who should be eligible for induction and how it would be decided. After some debate it was decided that the issue should be dealt with by the executive committee.

Issue 2: Sunday Playoffs

Many teams have an issue with playing on Sundays during the playoffs. Captains were reminded that they are free to rearrange the games at any time between Friday and Monday, as long as both captains agree.

Issue 3: Choosing bars for tournaments

Some people have been complaining about the quality of the tables used at some tournaments, others think we play on the tables during the season so it doesn't matter. So should all bars be offered tournaments or only those with the best tables? The issue was divisive but it was decided that it is the prerogative of the executive committee to award tournaments as they see fit.

Issue 4: New Trophies

The feedback on the new trophies and medals has been mostly positive, although some present did lament the demise of the bigger trophies used in the past.

Finally the divisions for the new season were drawn randomly. Everybody had a good gawk at it and flitted out into the night muttering to themselves.