The favorable reputations of SCRABBLE® Brand Crossword Game and the North American SCRABBLE Players Association (NASPA) are valuable assets. They create tangible benefits for all NASPA members.
SCRABBLE players and officials serve as ambassadors for the game. Accordingly, everyone involved in organized SCRABBLE is obligated to should refrain from engaging in conduct or behavior detrimental to the integrity of SCRABBLE when attending a club or tournament. SCRABBLE participants should also strive to present a positive image during events even when they are away from the tournament area, in such places as restaurants or hotels.
Players and directors are also responsible for ensuring reminded that their friends, spouses, relatives, and other associates who attend events with them do should not negatively disrupt the event or impede officials from doing their jobs at SCRABBLE events.
A SCRABBLE event should be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Behavior that is deemed harmful to this objective will not be tolerated. Players are obligated encouraged to inform club and tournament directors about any incidents which are detrimental to the positive atmosphere at a SCRABBLE event. In order to create a pleasant atmosphere at SCRABBLE events, the following guidelines have been established.
Directors shall issue penalties when any of the following transgressions occur:
==== a. Abuse of Equipment ====
Players shall not violently, dangerously, or with anger throw, slam, break, damage or destroy any game equipment or tournament equipment. This includes (but is not restricted to) tiles, tile bags, racks, boards, clocks, chairs, tables, receptacles, documents, or computer equipment. This also includes personal items such as clipboards, pens, items of clothing, and other personal possessions.
==== b. Verbal Abuse ====
Players shall not make obscene gestures of any kind while playing a game or while in the accepted boundaries of the tournament area. A visible obscenity is defined as the making of a sign by a player with hands or other means that is commonly known to have an obscene meaning.
==== e. Leaving the Playing Area in Anger during a Game without Legitimate Cause ====
Players With the exception of restroom breaks or other legitimate reasons, players shall not leave the playing room in a fit of anger or disappointment before their game is completed. This type of behavior is both disrespectful and unnerving to the opponent.
==== f. Deliberate Noncooperation with Tournament Officials ====
=== Penalties for Classification 1 Code Violations ===
Tournament directors are When a tournament director ascertains that a player has committed a Classification 1 Code Violation, he/she is empowered to discipline players who violate the code of behavior with Classification 1 transgressions said player in the following manner:
* 1st offense: official warning
Directors are empowered to remove and disqualify any player from a club or tournament who behaves in the aforementioned manner. NASPA has the right to suspend and/or revoke the membership of any player deemed guilty of such a transgression.
=== Classification 3 Code Violations ===
==== a. Misbehavior Away from the Tournament Site ====
While attending a SCRABBLE event, it is important for players to realize that their actions, even while away from the tournament site, can positively or negatively reflect on the SCRABBLE community as a whole. Players who misbehave in hotels, at restaurants, or in other public places bring disrepute to the SCRABBLE community. Therefore, players who engage in negative behavior that reflects badly on the SCRABBLE community are subject to sanctions from NASPA. Such sanctions can include disqualification from the events they are presently attending and/or suspension from future events.
=== Classification 4 Code Violations ===
==== a. Cheating ====
Tournament directors are obligated to report all code violations to NASPA as soon as the event ends or sooner. NASPA will keep a record of all transgressions. An accumulation of transgressions will result in a warning that subsequent transgressions will result in longer suspensions and/or other disciplinary action.
=== Right To Appeal ===
A player who is penalized with one or more code violations has the right to file an appeal to NASPA. A written intention of his/her appeal must be submitted to NASPA within 30 days of the alleged incident. Upon receipt NASPA will investigate the circumstances of the code violation, and may, if deemed necessary, conduct a formal hearing. The accused player may submit any evidence and present witnesses at the hearing to assist in his/her defense.