At an NIPA Executive Committee meeting on 7th January, it was decided after taking on board many players views NOT to introduce the new EBA "Ball in Hand" Tournament Rule (below) at the Northern Ireland Individuals in the Stormont Hotel later this month. We will review the matter directly after the 2015 European Championships in Bridlington in April when the rule will be implemented and first played at a major tournament.
NEW EBA TOURNAMENT RULE
""When playing without a referee and a foul is committed and a player wishes to take the cue ball back to the baulk area.
He/she (the player with two shots) MUST ask his/her opponent (the player who committed the foul) to pick up the cue ball and hand it to him/her, failure to do so and picking up the cue ball yourself will result in 'LOSS OF FRAME'. This does not apply when the cue ball is in the ball return chute""
