Thank you to the 6 Goal League for a great Fall Season!
Congratulations to Pegasus for winning the 2023 Penny Cup!
MVP: Mason Wroe, pictured with John Tasdemir
BPP: Boomerang, played and owned by Joe Bob Lequerica, pictured with Josie Day and Emi Silvestre
Final Score:
Pegasus (7) def BCI/CW Petroleum (3.5)
Congratulations to Pegasus for winning the 2023 Penny Cup!
MVP: Mason Wroe, pictured with John Tasdemir
BPP: Boomerang, played and owned by Joe Bob Lequerica, pictured with Josie Day and Emi Silvestre
Final Score:
Pegasus (7) def BCI/CW Petroleum (3.5)
Winning Team: Pegasus
(L to R) Mason Wroe, Joe Bob Lequerica, Lily Lequerica, David Andras
(L to R) Mason Wroe, Joe Bob Lequerica, Lily Lequerica, David Andras
Welcome to the 2023 Penny Cup! We have 11 teams playing in our third 6 goal tournament of the season!
Tournament Format
Group A: Bracket 1 plays cross bracket with Bracket 2
- Bracket 1: 3 teams
- Bracket 2: 3 teams
Group B: Bracket 3 plays cross bracket with Bracket 4
- Bracket 3: 3 teams
- Bracket 4: 2 teams
Semifinal Pairings
- After Bracket play, teams will be ranked 1-11 based on win percentages, top 4 win percentages overall advance to the semifinals. For the semifinal pairings, if possible, teams will play a team they have not yet played. Otherwise, percentage #1 vs percentage #4, percentage #2 vs percentage #3.
Tied Percentages for Semifinals
- In case of elimination from the top 4 spots, teams will shootout
- In case of seeding, teams will draw for placement
**If rain delays the schedule too much, the HTC reserves the right to remove the semifinal games, and the tournament format will change to the top 2 win percentages overall advance to the final.**
Subsidiary Semifinals:
- The remaining 7 teams will advance to the Subsidiary Tournament:
Gm 1: Team 1 vs Team 2
Gm 2: Team 3 vs Team 4
Gm 3: Team 5 vs Team 6 vs Team 7
Subsidiary Semifinal Pairings
Pairings will be based on teams that have not yet played each other, or if necessary we will draw for who plays who.
- The 3 winning teams will play a Round Robin final for the Subsidiary Tournament
**All tied records & tied game rules, and round robin rules are at the bottom of the page**
Optional Tournament Conditions: (found at bottom of page)
Buzzer Beater
Substitution
Fair Play Throw-in
*Reminders**
- Games will be played on handicaps
- Spare changes at end lines only
- All players are required to wear a helmet that passes the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification
- All players must have USPA Dues paid
https://www.uspolo.org/association/membership
- All players must have signed a HPC release form for this year
://houstonpoloclub.com/hpc-release-form/
- Emergency Information form
https://houstonpoloclub.com/emergency-info/
- Anyone on horseback must wear a helmet (spareholders, grooms, etc)
- Please keep dogs on leashes at all fields
- Social Media Policy - HPC is a private club that is the tenant of a private club, and we maintain a modest and positive social media presence consistent with that posture. With that in mind, we ask that our polo members respect each other's privacy and refrain from posting images of fellow members who do not wish to be publicized, or that risk the reputation of the club or its affiliates.
Tournament Format
Group A: Bracket 1 plays cross bracket with Bracket 2
- Bracket 1: 3 teams
- Bracket 2: 3 teams
Group B: Bracket 3 plays cross bracket with Bracket 4
- Bracket 3: 3 teams
- Bracket 4: 2 teams
Semifinal Pairings
- After Bracket play, teams will be ranked 1-11 based on win percentages, top 4 win percentages overall advance to the semifinals. For the semifinal pairings, if possible, teams will play a team they have not yet played. Otherwise, percentage #1 vs percentage #4, percentage #2 vs percentage #3.
Tied Percentages for Semifinals
- In case of elimination from the top 4 spots, teams will shootout
- In case of seeding, teams will draw for placement
**If rain delays the schedule too much, the HTC reserves the right to remove the semifinal games, and the tournament format will change to the top 2 win percentages overall advance to the final.**
Subsidiary Semifinals:
- The remaining 7 teams will advance to the Subsidiary Tournament:
Gm 1: Team 1 vs Team 2
Gm 2: Team 3 vs Team 4
Gm 3: Team 5 vs Team 6 vs Team 7
Subsidiary Semifinal Pairings
Pairings will be based on teams that have not yet played each other, or if necessary we will draw for who plays who.
- The 3 winning teams will play a Round Robin final for the Subsidiary Tournament
**All tied records & tied game rules, and round robin rules are at the bottom of the page**
Optional Tournament Conditions: (found at bottom of page)
Buzzer Beater
Substitution
Fair Play Throw-in
*Reminders**
- Games will be played on handicaps
- Spare changes at end lines only
- All players are required to wear a helmet that passes the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification
- All players must have USPA Dues paid
https://www.uspolo.org/association/membership
- All players must have signed a HPC release form for this year
://houstonpoloclub.com/hpc-release-form/
- Emergency Information form
https://houstonpoloclub.com/emergency-info/
- Anyone on horseback must wear a helmet (spareholders, grooms, etc)
- Please keep dogs on leashes at all fields
- Social Media Policy - HPC is a private club that is the tenant of a private club, and we maintain a modest and positive social media presence consistent with that posture. With that in mind, we ask that our polo members respect each other's privacy and refrain from posting images of fellow members who do not wish to be publicized, or that risk the reputation of the club or its affiliates.
GROUP A
Bracket 1
A. C-Bar Thoroughbreds / Patagonia Grill (2,1)
B. Pegasus (3,0)
C. Sullivan Group / No Le Hace (1,2)
Bracket 2
D. La Portola (1,2)
E. Island Time Polo / Plank Companies (0,3)
F. BCI / CW Petroleum (2,1)
GROUP B
Bracket 3
G. Brown Bears / Schiffer Hicks Johnson LLC (0,2)
H. Roxstars (0,2)
I. Shooting Iron Ranches (2,0)
Bracket 4
J. Piney Woods Polo (2,1)
K. BTA (2,1)
Thursday October 26
*BCI/CW Petroleum (8) def *C-Bar Thoroughbreds/Patagonia Grill (7) OT
10:00am @ Coushatta
Umps: K. Huddleston / J. Shelton
Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring 1 ump horse
CANCELLED
*Pegasus vs Island Time Polo/Plank Companies
4:15pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: M. Pascual / R. Orthwein
Timer: E. Tooth
*Please bring 1 ump horse
CANCELLED
Brown Bears/Schiffer Hicks Johnson LLC vs *BTA
5:15pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: M. Pascual / JW Barry
Timer: E. Tooth
*Please bring 1 ump horse
CANCELLED
*Sullivan Group/No Le Hace vs *La Portola
4:15pm @ BPC - #1
Umps: E. Ezcurra / P. Blake
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
CANCELLED
*Shooting Iron Ranches vs *Piney Woods Polo
5:15pm @ BPC - #1
Umps: E. Ezcurra / P. Blake
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Saturday October 28
Piney Woods Polo (10) def *Roxstars (5)
10:00am @ HPC - Flanders
Umps: P. Blake / N. Cifuni
Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring 1 ump horse
*BCI/CW Petroleum (6) def Sullivan Group/No Le Hace (5)
11:00am @ HPC - Flanders
Umps: P. Blake / J. Kiely
Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring 1 ump horse
*C-Bar Thoroughbreds/Patagonia Grill (8) def *Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (3)
10:00am @ Fulshear
Umps: K. Huddleston / J. Shelton
Timer: E. Tooth
*Please bring 1 ump horse
*Shooting Iron Ranches (5) def *BTA (4)
11:00am @ Fulshear
Umps: K. Huddleston / J. Shelton
Timer: E. Tooth
*Please bring 1 ump horse
*Pegasus (8) def *La Portola (5)
11:00am @ HPC - Farish
Umps: M. Pascual / E. Ezcurra
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Thursday November 2
*C-Bar Thoroughbreds/Patagonia Grill (7) def *La Portola (4.5)
4:15pm @ BPC - #1
Umps: K. Huddleston / J. Shelton
Timer: E. Tooth
*Please bring 1 ump horse
*Sullivan Group/No Le Hace (7) def *Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (6) OT
5:15pm @ BPC - #1
Umps: K. Huddleston / J. Shelton
Timer: E. Tooth
*Please bring 1 ump horse
*BTA (6) def *Roxstars (4)
1:00pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: P. Blake / E. Ezcurra
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
*Pegasus (7) def *BCI/CW Petroleum (3)
5:15pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: P. Blake / S. Rice
Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring 1 ump horse
*Piney Woods Polo (5.5) def *Brown Bears/Schiffer Hicks Johnson LLC (2)
5:15pm @ Fulshear
Umps: E. Ezcurra / M. Pascual
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Sunday November 5 **TIME CHANGE**
*Pegasus (7.5) def *Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (3)
10:00am @ Pegasus
Umps: M. Pascual / J. Shelton
Timer: E. Tooth
*Please bring 1 ump horse
*BTA (5) def *Brown Bears/Schiffer Hicks Johnson LLC (4)
11:30am @ Pegasus
Umps: M. Pascual / J. Shelton
Timer: E. Tooth
*Please bring 1 ump horse
*La Portola (7.5) def *Sullivan Group/No Le Hace (5)
2:00pm @ HPC - Farish
Umps: P. Blake / K. Huddleston
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
*Shooting Iron Ranches (9) def *Piney Woods Polo (5.5)
3:00pm @ HPC - Farish
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Huddleston
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Shootout at HPC for teams playing at HPC
Satellite Shootout for outside teams
4:15ish @ Coushatta
Coushatta Field Umps: M. Pascual / J. Shelton
Scorekeeper: C. Middleton
Shootout Results:
1 & 2: BTA & BCI/CW Petroleum
3& 4: C-Bar Thoroughbreds/Patagonia Grill & Piney Woods Polo
Tuesday November 7
Penny Cup Semifinal 1
*Pegasus (4.5) def *BTA (4)
2:45pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: M. Pascual / K. Huddleston
3rd Man: M. Villanueva
Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Penny Cup Semifinal 2
*BCI/CW Petroleum (6.5) def *Shooting Iron Ranches (5)
4:00pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: M. Pascual / K. Huddleston
3rd Man: J. Seward
Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Copper Cup Semifinal 1
*C-Bar Thoroughbreds/Patagonia Grill (9) def *Sullivan Group/No Le Hace (7)
10:00am @ BPC - #1
Umps: E. Ezcurra / P. Blake
Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Copper Cup Semifinal 2
*Piney Woods Polo (9) def *La Portola (4)
4:00pm @ BPC - #1
Umps: E. Ezcurra / P. Blake
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Thursday November 9
Copper Cup Final
*C-Bar Thoroughbreds/Patagonia Grill (4) def *Piney Woods Polo (3.5)
10:30am @ Coushatta
Umps: P. Blake / E. Ezcurra
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
CANCELLED
Penny Cup Final
*Pegasus vs *BCI/CW Petroleum
3:00pm @ BPC - #1
Umps: M. Pascual / K. Huddleston
3rd Man: E. Ezcurra
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
CANCELLED
Match Game
La Portola vs *Sullivan Group/No Le Hace
4:00pm @ BPC - #1
Umps: K. Huddleston
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Friday November 10
CANCELLED
Penny Cup Final
*Pegasus vs *BCI/CW Petroleum
TBA @ TBA
Umps: M. Pascual / K. Huddleston
3rd Man: E. Ezcurra
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Sunday November 12
ALL POLO CANCELLED
Match Game
2:00pm @ HPC - Farish
Match Game
3:00pm @ HPC - Farish
Penny Cup Final
*Pegasus vs *BCI/CW Petroleum
TBA @ TBA
Umps: M. Pascual / K. Huddleston
3rd Man: E. Ezcurra
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Tuesday May 28, 2024
*Pegasus (7) def BCI/CW Petroleum (3.5)
(This game was played in the following season as the first game of the 2024 USPA Constitution Cup)
5:15pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: M. Pascual / M. Villanueva
3rd Man: N. Cifuni
Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring one umpire horse
TEAMS
BCI / CW Petroleum
Cara Kennedy 0
Chris Williams 0.5
Chad Bowman 2
Matt Thake 3T
Handicap -- 5.5
Brown Bears / Schiffer Hicks Johnson LLC
*Will Brown 0
Logan Johnson 0
Billy Mudra 2
Robert Orthwein 4
Handicap -- 6
*Sub: JB Long -1
BTA
Chrys Beal -0.5
Joao Aranha 1.5
KC Krueger 2
Jimmy Seward 3
Handicap -- 6
C-Bar Thoroughbreds / Patagonia Grill
Nick Dunbar 0
Carin Middleton 0
Vaughn Miller Jr. 3
Bryan Middleton 3
Handicap -- 6
Island Time Polo / Plank Companies
Michelle Agrons -1
Kendall Plank 0
Joe Wayne Barry 3
Tommy Alberdi 4
Handicap -- 6
La Portola
Mark Urdahl 0
Will Mudra 0.5
Martin Munoz 2
Ignacio Saenz 3
Handicap -- 5.5
Pegasus
David Andras 0.5
Lily Lequerica 0.5
Joe Bob Lequerica 0.5
Mason Wroe 4
Handicap -- 5.5
Piney Woods Polo
Marit Stout -1
Grace Mudra 0.5
Drew Luplow 2
Jack Kiely 4
Handicap -- 5.5
Roxstars
Roxy Mounter -0.5
Anson Moore 1
Sloan Stefanakis 1.5
Shane Rice 4
Handicap -- 6
Sullivan Group / No Le Hace
George Georgiades 0
Joanie Jackson 0
Nicolai Galindo 3
Nick Cifuni 3
Handicap -- 6
Shooting Iron Ranches
Tomas Tejera -1
*Charles Fridge 0
Hernan Tejera 2
Marcos Villanueva 4
Handicap -- 5
*Sub: Jose Pascal 0.5
Tied Games
If team handicaps indicate the possibility for a tied game, teams will be asked prior to the match for either a shoot out or overtime. If both teams cannot agree, then teams will do a shootout.
-- Tied Game Shoot outs will follow USPA Rulebook Rule 14.d
-- Rule 14.d: Each player, alternating teams, will shoot Penalty 3s. After all players have hit, the teams with more points is declared the winner. Should a tie remain, ALL PLAYERS will hit again, however the team which hit first will now hit second.
- Overtime will follow USPA Rulebook Rule 14c, first goal wins.
In case of elimination shootouts:
-- 1 player from each team will shoot
-- Shootout time and location is TBD and will be determined by the HTC
Round Robin Tied Game Rules:
Should any 2 chukker game result in a tie, the winner shall be determined by the shootout procedure in USPA Outdoor Rule 14.d (players shoot penalty 3s only) except that only 1 player from each of the tied teams will shoot. The shootout will take place immediately following the game between the 2 tied teams.
Round Robin Rules:
The winner of the Round Robin is the team with the best won-lost record. In the event of a won/lost tie at the end of the Round Robin, the order of finish will be determined using the following method:
1. Based on net goals
2. If net goals is inconclusive, then gross goals
3. Lastly, the “shoot out” procedure set forth in USPA Outdoor Rule 14.d, if both net goals and gross goals are inconclusive
OUTDOOR RULE 2a: Substitutions
(i) If during bracket a game of a tournament, a player is hurt DURING a game, a player (with equal or lesser handicap) in the same tournament can finish the game. BUT for all games following, only eligible substitutes (players not in the tournament) can sub. This will apply to players with handicaps from B to 10 goals to help teams when they are playing on remote fields.
(ii) After bracket play, so either in Quarterfinals, Semifinals or Finals, if a player is injured or ill and can't start or becomes injured during game, an eliminated player of equal or lesser handicap may substitute for that game and/or the remainder of the tournament. An eliminated player is someone who has completed their final game in that tournament.
OUTDOOR RULE 14.b (the Buzzer Beater)
b.(i) A ball hit prior to the second bell or horn, and prior to the Umpires’ whistle(s) officially ending the period, may count as a goal if it is not touched by an opponent or a teammate of the player hitting the ball and it rolls or flies between the goal posts (a “Buzzer-Beater)”.
(ii) If any player on either team touches a potential "Buzzer-Beater" with their mallet, body, or horse, the whistle is blown and the ball is dead at the spot of the whistle
(iii) If a foul occurs after a potential "Buzzer Beater" is hit, a whistle will be blown, and if a penalty is called, it will be played out at the beginning of the next period
(iv) In the final period or OT period, if a foul occurs while a "Buzzer-Beater" shot is live, and a penalty is called, then the penalty will be played out immediately, and 5 seconds will be added to the clock.
IX. OPTIONAL TOURNAMENT CONDITION FOR FAIR PLAY THROW-IN
Notwithstanding USPA Outdoor Rules 21.l, 22.e, and 22.e(4), which remain in force, if the Umpire or Umpires stop play due to an inadvertent whistle, a damaged or buried ball, a fallen or injured Umpire, player or horse, or some other perceived emergency or unexpected event, and the team in possession of the ball is significantly disadvantaged by the interruption of play, to be determined by the Umpires in their discretion, that team will be awarded possession in an “undefended throw-in” from the point where the ball was considered dead toward the nearer side boards or side lines. In the event this point does not allow sufficient room for the teams to line up on the field, the Umpire shall throw the ball in, in the same manner, from the nearest point that allows it.
In an undefended throw-in, the Umpire shall announce “fair play throw-in to the [color] team” and line the teams up with the team not getting possession at least one horselength wide of the line along which the ball will be thrown. When the ball is thrown in, only the team awarded possession may play the ball, but it must do so immediately, and no member of the other team shall affect that play. As used in the prior sentence, the word “immediately” means within 5 seconds of the throw-in, and the phrase “affect that play” describes conduct that includes but is not limited to being within a one horse-length radius of the first play by the team awarded possession. If a member of the team awarded possession does not play the ball immediately or a member of the other team affects the first play by the team awarded possession, the Umpire(s) may award an appropriate penalty
BCI / CW Petroleum
Cara Kennedy 0
Chris Williams 0.5
Chad Bowman 2
Matt Thake 3T
Handicap -- 5.5
Brown Bears / Schiffer Hicks Johnson LLC
*Will Brown 0
Logan Johnson 0
Billy Mudra 2
Robert Orthwein 4
Handicap -- 6
*Sub: JB Long -1
BTA
Chrys Beal -0.5
Joao Aranha 1.5
KC Krueger 2
Jimmy Seward 3
Handicap -- 6
C-Bar Thoroughbreds / Patagonia Grill
Nick Dunbar 0
Carin Middleton 0
Vaughn Miller Jr. 3
Bryan Middleton 3
Handicap -- 6
Island Time Polo / Plank Companies
Michelle Agrons -1
Kendall Plank 0
Joe Wayne Barry 3
Tommy Alberdi 4
Handicap -- 6
La Portola
Mark Urdahl 0
Will Mudra 0.5
Martin Munoz 2
Ignacio Saenz 3
Handicap -- 5.5
Pegasus
David Andras 0.5
Lily Lequerica 0.5
Joe Bob Lequerica 0.5
Mason Wroe 4
Handicap -- 5.5
Piney Woods Polo
Marit Stout -1
Grace Mudra 0.5
Drew Luplow 2
Jack Kiely 4
Handicap -- 5.5
Roxstars
Roxy Mounter -0.5
Anson Moore 1
Sloan Stefanakis 1.5
Shane Rice 4
Handicap -- 6
Sullivan Group / No Le Hace
George Georgiades 0
Joanie Jackson 0
Nicolai Galindo 3
Nick Cifuni 3
Handicap -- 6
Shooting Iron Ranches
Tomas Tejera -1
*Charles Fridge 0
Hernan Tejera 2
Marcos Villanueva 4
Handicap -- 5
*Sub: Jose Pascal 0.5
Tied Games
If team handicaps indicate the possibility for a tied game, teams will be asked prior to the match for either a shoot out or overtime. If both teams cannot agree, then teams will do a shootout.
-- Tied Game Shoot outs will follow USPA Rulebook Rule 14.d
-- Rule 14.d: Each player, alternating teams, will shoot Penalty 3s. After all players have hit, the teams with more points is declared the winner. Should a tie remain, ALL PLAYERS will hit again, however the team which hit first will now hit second.
- Overtime will follow USPA Rulebook Rule 14c, first goal wins.
In case of elimination shootouts:
-- 1 player from each team will shoot
-- Shootout time and location is TBD and will be determined by the HTC
Round Robin Tied Game Rules:
Should any 2 chukker game result in a tie, the winner shall be determined by the shootout procedure in USPA Outdoor Rule 14.d (players shoot penalty 3s only) except that only 1 player from each of the tied teams will shoot. The shootout will take place immediately following the game between the 2 tied teams.
Round Robin Rules:
The winner of the Round Robin is the team with the best won-lost record. In the event of a won/lost tie at the end of the Round Robin, the order of finish will be determined using the following method:
1. Based on net goals
2. If net goals is inconclusive, then gross goals
3. Lastly, the “shoot out” procedure set forth in USPA Outdoor Rule 14.d, if both net goals and gross goals are inconclusive
OUTDOOR RULE 2a: Substitutions
(i) If during bracket a game of a tournament, a player is hurt DURING a game, a player (with equal or lesser handicap) in the same tournament can finish the game. BUT for all games following, only eligible substitutes (players not in the tournament) can sub. This will apply to players with handicaps from B to 10 goals to help teams when they are playing on remote fields.
(ii) After bracket play, so either in Quarterfinals, Semifinals or Finals, if a player is injured or ill and can't start or becomes injured during game, an eliminated player of equal or lesser handicap may substitute for that game and/or the remainder of the tournament. An eliminated player is someone who has completed their final game in that tournament.
OUTDOOR RULE 14.b (the Buzzer Beater)
b.(i) A ball hit prior to the second bell or horn, and prior to the Umpires’ whistle(s) officially ending the period, may count as a goal if it is not touched by an opponent or a teammate of the player hitting the ball and it rolls or flies between the goal posts (a “Buzzer-Beater)”.
(ii) If any player on either team touches a potential "Buzzer-Beater" with their mallet, body, or horse, the whistle is blown and the ball is dead at the spot of the whistle
(iii) If a foul occurs after a potential "Buzzer Beater" is hit, a whistle will be blown, and if a penalty is called, it will be played out at the beginning of the next period
(iv) In the final period or OT period, if a foul occurs while a "Buzzer-Beater" shot is live, and a penalty is called, then the penalty will be played out immediately, and 5 seconds will be added to the clock.
IX. OPTIONAL TOURNAMENT CONDITION FOR FAIR PLAY THROW-IN
Notwithstanding USPA Outdoor Rules 21.l, 22.e, and 22.e(4), which remain in force, if the Umpire or Umpires stop play due to an inadvertent whistle, a damaged or buried ball, a fallen or injured Umpire, player or horse, or some other perceived emergency or unexpected event, and the team in possession of the ball is significantly disadvantaged by the interruption of play, to be determined by the Umpires in their discretion, that team will be awarded possession in an “undefended throw-in” from the point where the ball was considered dead toward the nearer side boards or side lines. In the event this point does not allow sufficient room for the teams to line up on the field, the Umpire shall throw the ball in, in the same manner, from the nearest point that allows it.
In an undefended throw-in, the Umpire shall announce “fair play throw-in to the [color] team” and line the teams up with the team not getting possession at least one horselength wide of the line along which the ball will be thrown. When the ball is thrown in, only the team awarded possession may play the ball, but it must do so immediately, and no member of the other team shall affect that play. As used in the prior sentence, the word “immediately” means within 5 seconds of the throw-in, and the phrase “affect that play” describes conduct that includes but is not limited to being within a one horse-length radius of the first play by the team awarded possession. If a member of the team awarded possession does not play the ball immediately or a member of the other team affects the first play by the team awarded possession, the Umpire(s) may award an appropriate penalty
