by D. Henry Wortham
Special thanks to Mark Casleton Jr. for taking the time to type this up and submit it to The Game Fowl Connection
1. When matching cocks or stags in the mains or hacks, all birds that weigh even or within two ounces of each other automatically match. Cocks and stags weighing 6-5 and over are considered shakes and matched at catch weights.
2. In tournaments and derbies the referee or referees shall be selected by the pit management. They or he is accepted as satisfactory by all entrants upon signature of Contract or payment of entry fee. After entrants have accepted referees and have signified acceptance by payment of entry fee or signature of contract, any decision of the referees will govern. No entry will be accepted who does not agree to abide with the provisions of this and all other rulings.
3. Unless event rulings specifyotherwise, and length heel that is round from socket to point is fair.
4. Feathers. Cocks shall be shown in full feather which is defined as follows: tail, wing, saddle, and feathers around the vent may be trimmed. The referee will not band any cock that does not meet the provision of this paragraph. Shaving and trimming head and hackle feathers is not permissible. In extreme emergency, if a cock is a fraction over the specified weight when presented at the scales, under the body feathers may be trimmed in such manner as in the referee�s opinion, fighting ability of the cock is not impaired.
5. In tournaments and derbies, entries, upon arriving on the club grounds, are under the jurisdiction of the pit management.
6. All cocks in derbies or tournaments are to be banded by the referee or his representative before any matching procedure is started. No one but the referee or his designated representative should have access to the band numbers used on the respective entrants.
1. Upon the pitters entrance to the pit, the referee will weigh his cock, check band numbers, carefully examine heels and see that the cock complies in every way with these rules. Pitters will also be allowed to check weights and heels to protect his own interest.
2. Billing. After cocks are declared eligible the referee will compel the pitters to bill cocks a few times, order the to get ready and then pit at his command. If in the process of billing, a cock is disabled in any way, it is classed as negligence on the part of the pitter and the cock must be shown. Billing is considered a part of the fight.
3. Pitting from 8 foot scores. The score lines will be drawn eight feet apart and cocks must be pitted directly on these lines at all times-the cocks are to be put down squarely on there feet in the center of their respective score, directly facing each other, not sideways, and released immediately at the command pit. Pitting in front or behind the score line, walking or running the cock up to the line is not permissible.
4. Pitting one the center score (as called for under Count and Time provisions) is performed with one hand, at all times. At the order get ready by referee the pitters immediately take one hand off and away from cocks --they will not be allowed to touch the cock in any manner except with the hand holding cock after the order �get ready.� Pitters are to be in the standard position when delivering the cock, no kneeling, to permit immediate retirement sex feet from the birds.
5. Pitters position. At all times the pitter and cock will be in full view of the audience and referee. At the order get ready both pitters must come to their score lines, facing each other. After pitting, either at the 8-foot or center score, the pitter will retire six feet from his cock and then will at all times stay at least six feet from either cock until the referee orders handle.
6. Handle. After cocks are pitted and fighting the referee will only order handle when it is apparent that one or both cocks are hung. It is entirely up to the referee as to when to order handle--when this order is given the cocks must be handled immediately whether the cocks prove to be hung or not.
7. Rest. the period of rest between pittings, after handling is 20 seconds. At the end of this period the referee will call get ready followed by the command pit which is to be issued no longer five seconds after the get ready call.
8. Giving of count. A cock is entitled to the Count when he fights last, or when the other cock runs away. Count is given only when called for by the pitter of the cock entitled to same. Pitter calling for the Count when titled to it, must call for it within fiver seconds, otherwise he loses right to the count and Time is given if both cocks are not fighting. The referee decides whether the count is asked for in five second period. It is the pitter�s responsibility to call for the count at all times when entitled to it but it cannot be forced upon him when not desired. In case of a runaway, Count can be called for at any time.
9. The Count--The Count is three Tens, and one Twenty (established by long custom and order of these rules, with rest of twenty seconds between each pitting. Counting shall always be done by the referee, and not by the pitter, with the object of having each Ten cover then seconds and the Twenty Count, twenty seconds. After the three tens are counted, the referee again counts Twenty and awards the battle to the cock having the Count. For the 20-count the cocks are pitted on the center score. cock having the Count hang, the referee will call Handle, then get ready and the pit. When once the cocks get to the center score, either in Time or Count, they remain there until completion of the fight. If cocks are handled for any reason, except in case of time, they will be repitted on same score as at beginning of the pitting.
If handled, the Count shall continue from where it was left off when handled. If hung again, they shall be handled and repitted in the same manner. The full three counts of Ten or one count of Time must be completed before cocks are pitted on center score. However, if they have previously been pitted on the center dcore, they shall be so pitted at the end of each count of Ten.
10. Breaking count. When a cock being counted out fights, or cock having the Count runs, the referee will call, count broken, and when given again, it starts over again with the first Ten. A cock breaking the count by fighting is entitled to the Count himself, if opposing cock is not fighting. If a cock having the Count dies, the opposing cock wins, if not a runaway--but if a runaway (because it is impossible to determine the gameness of the dead cock) and a runaway can not win, neither entry will receive credit for this fight on scorecard, although it is a theoretical draw. If a cock having the count runs, opposing cock is entitled to the Count, if not a runaway--but if a runaway (both running) Time is given. If both cocks are running neither has the count and each entry loses a full fight. If both cocks are dead or dying and distinctly unable to break count, the fight is a draw and each entrant is awarded one-half fight. A runner can not win under any circumstances. Dead cocks are entitled to draw only as stated. The referee is to continue all counts or times before rendering a final decision.
11. Time. When both cocks stop fighting, or run, and neither has the count, within five seconds, the referee shall automatically give Time of 20 seconds, three times. In taking Time, referee shall call out Time Is Going On, and the end of 20 seconds call Handle. When pitted again, cocks are pitted beck to beck on the center score, and so on until three 20 seconds have been given from the start of the first Time, and fight will then be declared a draw. To be fully understood whenever Time is given, each Time will be 20 seconds with 20 rest between pittings. If neither fights, unless both are running, the battle is a draw. When both cocks are running each entrant loses a full fight.
12. Dead cocks. A dead cock is one that in the opinion of the referee is actually dead and not dying; he loses to a live cock if the latter is not a runaway. The referee is to continue to the end of all counts or time before rendering a decision or making an examination of the birds. If both cocks are dead the fight is a draw, each entry credited with half fight.
13. Testing and Gameness. The question of gameness or of a cock being a runner shall be left to the discretion of the referee at all times and not to the pitters. At no time will a fresh cock be brought in the pit to test the gameness of another cock unless the opposing is physically unable, in referee�s opinion, to show fight.
14. Leaving the pit. When a cock leaves the pit during a fight under any circumstances, he will automatically lose any count or counts he may have. The referee will immediately order a handle, and give Time. The cock remaining in the pit receives the count only by fighting when next order pitted by the referee. However, if in the opinion of the referee, the cock leaving the pit is running the cock remaining (if not a runner or dead himself) will automatically receive the count, if desired. If the cock that has left the pit is not present at the end of 20-seconds rest period for the order of pit, the cock remaining in the pit automatically receives the count (if not dead or running). In such instances referee will continue through all counts and rest periods, before making the final decision. If a cock is brought back at any time he is to be pitted at the commencement of next pitting. If he is not brought back be the commencement of the 20-count he is declared the loser if cock in pit is not dead or running.
15. Fighting. Fighting is striking, chasing, pecking, or pecking at the other cock in the opinion of the referee. When cocks are motionless and one or both are holding or apparently holding and neither pitters claim or is entitled to the count, the referee shall give Time.
1. Under these rules the referee is the sole judge and jury and is fully empowered to inflict penalties for any violations of the Rules. In addition to those already mentioned the penalties at the discretion of the referee may be, forfeiture of count, awarding of count to the opposing cock, disbarment of pitter, or disqualification of entry from either further participation in the event. If an entry is disqualified, management is to make every effort in cooperation with entrants who have met or do not meet the offender, to produce the needed cocks at the proper weights to complete the meet. The offending entry can win nothing. If it is impossible to find cocks that will meet the weights in a tournament, the remaining entries will receive 1/2 fight when matched with the ejected entry, all previous fights to stand as recorded. In the case of a derby the referee, if cocks are not available to complete the match list, will be forced to temporarily halt the meet and rematch the remaining entries.
The use of individual water cups is prohibited and the pit will furnish fresh water for the use of both pitters. No pitters if desired for more than one entry provided however that an entry may change pitters if desired between fights. In case of injury this rule may be relaxed. No cock can be withdrawn and the fight given up in a tournament or a derby battle as all other entries are interested. In all match fights cocks must be fought to a finish and with he referee alone having the right to decide the result of a contest. Contestants cannot agree to draw. The time allowed to heel after a fight has been called will be announced to all entrants before the start of the event. This provision will be strictly enforced by the referee and appropriate penalties inflicted. Pitting in a manner other than prescribed by the rules, such as shoving, holding, jerking back, pasting any object over cock�s eye, ducking cock�s head under opposing cock, holding a cock�s head down(putting him to sleep), holding a cock over opponent.
2. The referee is specifically bound to the following procedure if violations occur during pittings where count is in progress. (a)If the pitter of the cock having count, for any reason commits a foul, a handle is ordered and he automatically loses count or counts he may have. (b) If the pitter of the cock being counted out for any reason commits a foul, a handle is ordered and another count is awarded against him.
3. The pit is not to be violated in any manner during the course of a fight. This means directly that no one but the two pitters and the referee are to be within the pit enclosure after cocks are once billed and no other person may enter except in the case of injury when a substitute pitter may take over the duties of the injured handler. Following pairs of cocks are not to be brought into the pit for weighing until the fighting pair have left for the drag pit or completed their battle. Neither shall handlers of following cocks sit on or near the pitside where the actions of their birds can in any way distract the fighting pair.
4. Any action of either handler that may prevent a cock from winning or fighting may be called foul and penalized by the referee.