An alleged leaked document has surfaced from an undisclosed source outlining a list of rule changes a break-away league involving current Second-Division clubs would implement to try to create a more attractive Rebound Table Tennis game.
The document does not have any header, logo or other contextual or identifying marks, just the list of rules.
All Second-Division clubs have denied any knowledge of the document and any involvement with any groups, committees or otherwise in considering the establishment of a break-away league.
Radical rule changes detailed in the document include:
- Extending the current distance between the net and back-board from 15cm to 30cm.
- If in travelling the ball strikes or bounces off any other object, such as a wall, shelf, roof or workbench, and otherwise strikes the backboard then the table, then it will be deemed a legal shot.
- Awarding two points for a clean winner (ie: when the opponent does not make any bat contact with the ball before it strikes the floor or the table a second time).
- Allow teams one "Power Play" per match in which for three consecutive points any points they score are doubled.
- To compensate for the shortening of the game some above rules may lead to, extend the matches to first to 13, must win by 2, with teams serving three serves consecutively instead of five.
- Allow players unlimited freedom to establish corporate deals with private organisations without any need for approval.
- Remove the salary cap of $4 million.
- Introduce an average table tennis player at each match, to be known as "The Roy", to be randomly assigned to one of the teams to spice up the game.
Asked for his thoughts, ARTTSL director Bernard Elksteine simply said "It's just a piece of paper, but it's interesting such a thing should surface at this time. Certainly someone has put a lot of thought into it. But I feel we've got the right mix of rules to encourage exciting play in ARTTSL and I think a lot of what's listed is, well, they're fairy floss rules. I mean, what next, put a rubber duck on the table?! It's all just plain silly. I'm confident all our teams will stick with us"
Rumours have abounded for some time that Second-Division clubs would consider a break-away league as they wait in the wings for First Division to play their 2011 championship, an arrangement that has been widely criticised. There are also rumours some current First-Division sides could consider defecting if the alternative was more enticing.
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2 comments:
well, well, well it's all coming out now.
Sure is Karen. I'd be interested to know what Gus Gold thinks of all this. But he'll probably just use it to advance his political interest in keep Melbourne as competitive as possible in the comp and all the salt of the Earth fans can go to hell. Bring on the alternative I say.
Cheers,
Brian McJones (mad Brisbane supporter)
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