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League Rules

BDL is a private league and is not affiliated with any sanctioning authority.

If you are unsure of a rule or need clarification, contact BDL Admins: [email protected]

Rules That Matter (Quick Summary)

  • Don’t be a jerk, it’s just darts.
  • Match night / start time: Tuesday nights. Official start time is 7:00pm.
  • Roster size: Each team must have 4–8 players on its roster.
  • Minimum participation: All eligible players present for a match must play in at least 2 legs.
  • Lineups are blind: Both teams submit lineups for each set of games without seeing the opposing lineup.
  • Minimum players: Teams should have 4 eligible players available. If a team only has 3, the match may still be played under the short-handed rules (and may include forfeited legs).
  • Match format (standard): 12 legs total (details below). Total match points distributed = 12.
  • Tie-breaker: If the match is 6–6, teams must play a 701 SI/DO Quads tie-breaker (1 leg) to decide the match winner (does not add a match point).
  • Reschedules / no-shows: Reschedules require mutual agreement and must be reported to BDL Admins. No-show teams forfeit.
  • Eligibility: Only rostered, active players may play unless a substitute is approved per the rules below.
  • Sportsmanship: No harassment, heckling, or disruptive behavior. Captains are responsible for their teams.

Details

Article I — League

  1. Schedule: All BDL league competitions are scheduled for Tuesday night play.
    • Non-Tuesday match play is permitted only when there is a conflict (example: sponsor venue has multiple teams and limited boards) and must be approved by BDL Admins.
  2. Seasons: BDL typically offers two seasons per year: Spring and Fall.
  3. Home/Away: Teams play a mixture of home and away matches within the BDL sponsor venue area.
  4. Start time: Matches start at 7:00pm unless rescheduled per Article IV.
  5. Divisions: Divisions may be created based on the number of teams registered for a season.

Article II — Equipment

  1. Board type: Standard English bristle dartboard (20-point clock face) with a wire spider separating single/double/triple.
  2. Board height: Center of the bullseye at 5’8” from the floor, with the 20 at the top center.
  3. Throw line (oche):
    • Distance from the board face to the front edge of the oche: 7’9 1/4”.
    • Diagonal measurement (if needed) from bullseye center to the front edge of the oche: 9’7 3/8”.
    • Oche length: no longer than 36” total (18” on either side of center).
    • Clearance: at least 1 foot of unobstructed space beyond each end of the oche (no walls, shelves, tables, etc.).
  4. Board condition: Dartboards must be firmly anchored and in good condition (no lumps, severe indents, bent wires, etc.).
    • The home team / sponsor venue is responsible for supplying proper equipment.
  5. Lighting: Must brightly illuminate the board with minimal shadow, without impeding dart flight.
    • The bulb should not be visible from the throwing line.
  6. Scoring device: A scoring device must be provided (recommended 9” screen minimum).
    • The home team is responsible for providing a scoring device for the match.
  7. Scorekeeper safety / visibility: The scoring device should be adjacent to the dartboard and positioned so the scorekeeper can stand safely and see dart locations.
    • Recommended: scorekeeper standing area 18”–24” away from the board surface.
  8. Multiple boards: Venues with multiple boards should be separated by a minimum of 5’6” bull-to-bull.

Article III — Rosters

  1. Roster submission: Three weeks prior to the start of each season, captains email BDL Admins:
    • Player names, phone numbers, and email addresses
    • Email: [email protected]
    • If the same players are returning, an email from the captain stating that is acceptable.
  2. Sponsor venue fee: $75 per team, per season, due three weeks prior to season start.
    • Captains coordinate with sponsor venues for fee collection.
    • BDL Admins will provide payment instructions.
  3. Roster size: Rosters must have a minimum of 4 players and may include up to 8.
  4. Roster changes (in-season):
    • Changes are allowed up to the halfway point of the season and must be reported to (and approved by) BDL Admins in writing (email or text).
    • Subsitutue player: If a team would like to play a subsitute, that person must first register on the BDL website and inform the opposing team captain. They will play under ‘Sub’ in DartConnect and not earn AllStar points.
    • Add a player: Request must be received at least 24 hours before match play.
    • Remove a player: Request is effective immediately once received by BDL Admins.
    • A new roster player must not have participated on another team’s active roster during the current season.
    • If a removed player participated in at least one match during the current season, that player is not eligible for another team for the remainder of the season.
    • If a removed player did not participate in any match, they may join another team (space permitting).
  5. Hardship changes (after midpoint): Allowed at BDL Admin discretion and must be a proven hardship.
    • Typically requires the team to have 5 or fewer shooters remaining on the roster.
  6. Unapproved player: If a team plays an unapproved player, the leg(s) played will be forfeited.

Article IV — Match Play

  1. Scoring app: DartConnect (DC) is the primary scoring application for BDL matches.
  2. Blind lineups: Captains submit lineups without seeing the opposing team’s lineup.
    • Captains may use DC Express Player Lineup or submit via the DC scoring app.
  3. No-shows / refusal to play:
    • If a team does not notify the opposing captain and does not show for a match, that team forfeits the match.
    • If a team refuses to play at another mutually agreed venue, that team forfeits unless both captains agree otherwise.
    • BDL Admins may arbitrate disputes case-by-case.
  4. Eligibility: Each lineup spot should be filled with an active, rostered player (unless a substitute is approved below).
  5. Player usage limits (per match): Each active, rostered player may only play in one set in each segment:
    • One 301 singles set, one Cricket doubles set, one 501 doubles set, and one Cricket singles set.
  6. Minimum participation: All eligible players who are present when lineups are submitted must play in at least 2 legs.
    • Exceptions are limited to injury/illness or when a player arrives late or leaves early.
  7. Minimum players: A match is intended to be played with 4 eligible players per team.
    • If a team only has 3 eligible players available, the match may still be played under the short-handed rules (Sections 9–10).
  8. Start without full attendance: A match may start without a full team in attendance.
  9. Two boards: A match may be played on two boards simultaneously if both boards comply with BDL rules.
  10. Substitute player (only when short-handed):
  • If a team has at least 3 active rostered players present, that team may request one substitute player for the match.
  • Requirements:
    • Only if the team is short of the minimum four active roster players for the current season
    • Only with knowledge and consent of the opposing captain
    • Must notify BDL Admins with the substitute player name before the match starts: [email protected]
    • A specific substitute player may play a maximum of three individual matches during the regular season for a specific team
    • A substitute player may not be on the roster of any team competing in the current season
  1. If substitute is not approved by opposing captain:
    • The short-handed team must play either Iron Man or Recycled Player.
    • Iron Man: The team plays with three players and forfeits one leg in each segment where a fourth player would be required.
    • Recycled Player: The short-handed team may repeat one player once per match in up to three segments (example patterns are allowed; captains should use common sense and keep it consistent).
    • If the match is tied 6–6, the short-handed team automatically forfeits the 701 SI/DO Quads tie-breaker if they cannot field four eligible players.
  2. Rescheduling:
    • Matches may be rescheduled through mutual consent and must be reported to BDL Admins: [email protected]
    • Rescheduled matches must be played prior to the last week of the season (sooner is better).
    • If teams cannot agree on a make-up date/location, the team that caused the reschedule forfeits the match.

Article V — Format / Order of Play

  1. Match points: Each leg is worth 1 match point.
    • Standard matches distribute 12 match points (12 legs).
    • If a tie-breaker is required, it is played only to determine the match winner and does not add a match point (match points remain 12 total).
  2. Standard match format (12 legs):
    • 301 SI/DO Singles: 4 legs
    • Cricket Doubles: 2 legs
    • 501 DI/DO Doubles: 2 legs
    • Cricket Singles: 4 legs
  3. Tie-breaker (only if tied 6–6):
    • 701 SI/DO Quads: 1 leg
    • This tie-breaker is mandatory when the match score is 6–6 after 12 legs.
    • The tie-breaker decides the match winner but does not change match points (the match remains 6–6 for match points/legs won).
    • For standings purposes, the tie-breaker winner receives the match win/loss result.

Article VI — Scoring / Scorekeeper

  1. DartConnect: DC is the scoring application for all BDL matches.
  2. Home team responsibility: The home team provides the scoring device.
    • If needed, work with the opposing captain or contact BDL Admins.
  3. WIFI / offline play:
    • WIFI is required to start and save the match in DC.
    • If the venue has poor WIFI, log in before arriving so the match can be played offline and later saved when reconnected.
  4. If DC is unavailable: The home team reports the match score to BDL Admins and provides a copy of the match report.
    • A match may be hand-scored on a whiteboard adjacent to the dartboard, and shadow-entered into DC by a non-shooting player behind the line (example: on a phone/tablet).
  5. App updates: Check for DC app updates regularly (WIFI required).
  6. Discrepancies: Report scoring issues or incorrect player selections to BDL Admins promptly so they can be corrected.
  7. Scorekeeping expectations:
    • In DC Cricket games, “D” and “T” are not shortcuts for “two/three taps.” They should only be used when a dart actually hits the double/triple segment.
    • The scorekeeper should stand adjacent to the scoring device, remain visible to the shooter, and keep distractions to a minimum.
    • Do not enter scores until the shooter’s turn is complete and the score is verified (exception: shooter asks what remains and the darts are verified).
    • Verify what was scored before darts are removed from the board.

Article VII — Playoffs

BDL will make every effort to plan for post-season playoffs each season.

  1. Player qualification: Only players who competed in 40% or more of total possible matches (excluding byes) during the regular season may compete.
  2. Team participation: The top 4 ranked teams will make the playoffs.
    • If a team chooses not to participate, the captain should notify BDL Admins: [email protected]and the next ranked team will take their place
  3. Seeding: Standard seeding will be used when applicable (example: 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3).
  4. Home team: The higher-ranked team is considered the home team, regardless of match location.
  5. Scheduling window: Each round must be completed within the defined play week timeframe (Tuesday through Monday unless announced otherwise).
  6. Single-board venues: If multiple playoff teams share a venue with limited boards, captains coordinate to complete matches within the play week.
  7. Standings tie-breakers (regular season):
    • Primary: season match win record
    • 1st tie-breaker: head-to-head match win record
    • 2nd tie-breaker: match points (total legs won)
    • 3rd tie-breaker: season leg win differential
  8. Playoff match format: Unless BDL announces a different playoff format, playoff matches use the same format as regular season (Article V).

Article VIII — Sponsor Venue

  1. Geographic area: BDL sponsor venues are intended to be located in:
    • Jacksonville Beach
    • Neptune Beach
    • Atlantic Beach
    • Mayport
    • North Ponte Vedra may be approved on a case-by-case basis
  2. Venue approval: New venue requests and venue changes must be submitted to BDL Admins for approval: [email protected]
  3. Sponsor changes / closures:
    • If a sponsor no longer wants to host a team (or closes), the team notifies BDL Admins and BDL will help accommodate a new venue as best possible.
    • Teams may propose another venue within the intended area for approval.
    • Sponsor fees are not refundable.
  4. Changing sponsors mid-season: Teams may request to change sponsors at any time, with BDL Admin approval.
    • The team is responsible for reimbursing the prior sponsor fee when applicable.

Article IX — Conduct

  1. Captains are responsible for maintaining good order during league play.
  2. No heckling or harassment during league play or any BDL-sponsored event.
  3. No insulting language during league play or any BDL-sponsored event.
  4. No attire with foul, rude, or vulgar writing/artwork during league play or any BDL-sponsored event.
  5. Avoid comments and gestures that distract the shooter.
  6. Physical acts may result in immediate, indefinite suspension and may be reported to local authorities.
  7. Property/equipment damage should be reported to BDL Admins and the sponsor venue as needed.
    • BDL is not responsible for property/equipment damage caused by players.
  8. Misconduct (physical, verbal, or otherwise) should be reported to BDL Admins immediately and may result in penalty.
  9. If, at a BDL-sponsored event, a player damages BDL or venue property/equipment, the player may be held liable for repair/replacement and may face penalty by the league and/or venue.

Appendix

Season-by-season updates and changes will be documented here.

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