If anyone is curious about what a written code of conduct might look like, here are the relevant sections from Seattle’s bar league. This also exists mostly on the website. It’s not a document you sign or presented verbally at any time to the players in the league. It also references PAPA and IFPA player conduct rules. In practice the conduct rules are pretty lax. I’ve never actually seen them even mentioned, but I’ve also never seen them violated in any major way. Marijuana is ultra commonly used, as we are a recreational state and this was the case at the vast majority of pinball events long before it was formally legal. The only exception I’m aware of is some of the events held at people’s houses in our other league and that still might be the case today even after legalization.
Seattle’s Monday Night Pinball league has established a set of five core values that best define the spirit of the league, and are used to navigate decision making. The values are:
- Sportsmanship
- Community
- Learning
- Competition
- Fun
We encourage players to keep all five values in mind as a basis for their participation in the league.
Player Conduct
All players should read the IFPA/PAPA Player Conduct rules, listed in Section III here: https://www.ifpapinball.com/menu/rules/
We are all guests of the bars that host our matches, so we must behave like guests. If a player displays unsportsmanlike conduct or threatens the safety of any individual or machine, then that player should be reported to a league official. The league will investigate the incident and, if necessary, disciplinary action will commence. Mild infractions will incur a warning, while extreme misconduct or repeated infractions will result in suspension or expulsion from the league.
Monday Night Pinball prohibits discrimination or harassment of any kind and will strive to create a safe and fun environment for all participants. Any threats or intimidation of other players or teams will not be tolerated. Any league member who has experienced or witnessed harassment, discrimination, or violence toward another league member or guest, or believes a particular person, team, or location creates an unsafe environment for any reason should contact the league immediately. All league members have a responsibility to submit complaints to their captain or to the MNP board in a timely manner. The league encourages prompt reporting of all incidents, regardless of who the offender may be.
In the event that a formal complaint is submitted to the league, an impartial investigation into the complaint will begin. This investigation will be kept confidential to the best extent possible, and will be conducted by the MNP board. Every reasonable effort will be made to rationally, objectively, and promptly resolve all complaints. At the end of the investigation period a ruling will be made by the board.
Any league member who is found to be in violation of the code of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the league board. This action may include suspension or expulsion from the league. Any league member who is found to have initiated a false complaint at the end of an investigation may also be subject to disciplinary action.
The staff or management at any location has the right to evict any player from the location at any time. Should that happen, that player is disqualified from their current game if they are in the middle of a game, and cannot play in any subsequent round that night, nor can they remain on the premises. Any player that is evicted from a location,whether it be that night only or a longer period of time, will automatically incur a disciplinary review by the board. Captains are responsible for reporting such incidents to league officials within 24 hours of the incident, which should include their best assessment of what happened.
Coaching
Coaching of teammates is encouraged. However, coaching or any verbal communication to your opponent while they are playing is considered interference, and is not allowed.
Exception: per IFPA rules is if there’s a stuck ball during multiball, an opposing player can say “stuck ball” loud enough for the player to recognize it.
When coaching a player who is actively playing, that player must still adhere to IFPA/PAPA rule of not delaying more than 30 seconds while discussing or taking instruction from a teammate coaching them. If they do, the delay of game rules as described in the IFPA/PAPA rule are in effect.
Death Saves and Bang Backs
Techniques known as “Death Saves” and “Bang Backs” are not permitted during match play. However, should the drained ball bounce back into play without deliberate player action, the ball may be played. A player caught ATTEMPTING one of these techniques during match play will forfeit their score.
Exception: if the machine has a post with rubber in areas after the ball drained whose purpose is to provide the player a final chance to regain the ball, then in those cases only, the player can attempt to nudge the ball when it gets to the post. Notable machines with such features include Centaur with posts in each outlane and a gate to let ball in, the right-side post on Indy Jones for narrow escape, and the center post that is close to drain on Xenon.