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# NCBA Announces Major Preseason Changes as Easton Reveals Final Playing Season
The NCBA announced major preseason changes, including a temporary table-contact rule and a trial of pre-scheduled matchmaking to reduce player tensions. President Easton also revealed that this is expected to be his final season playing carpet ball, as he works to leave the league in a strong position.
# NCBA Announces Major Preseason Changes as Easton Reveals Final Playing Season
**By John Jacob Jr. | NCBA News**
The NCBA is preparing for major changes as the preseason continues.
During a press conference Tuesday, NCBA President **Easton** announced that the league will temporarily introduce a new table-contact rule, begin testing a scheduled matchmaking system, and continue its ongoing investigation into unusual bounce-outs during Ari's matches.
Easton also made a major personal announcement: **this is expected to be his final season playing carpet ball.**
## Temporary Table-Contact Rule Begins Tomorrow
Beginning tomorrow, NCBA players will temporarily be prohibited from touching the carpet ball table unless they are making a throw.
The rule applies to **every NCBA player**.
Easton emphasized that introducing the rule does **not** mean the ongoing investigation into Ari has reached a conclusion.
The investigation remains active, and no determination of wrongdoing has been made.
Because the table-contact restriction is new, players will initially be given some leniency.
*"Since it is a new rule, we will give them a second chance,"* Easton said. *"But if they keep doing it, then suspension points will be given."*
The NCBA will continue evaluating the rule during the preseason.
## King of the Hill Format Being Reconsidered
The table rule isn't the only experiment coming to the NCBA.
Easton announced that the league will begin moving away from its traditional **King of the Hill match format** during the preseason.
Under the previous system, the way matches were selected sometimes created disagreements between players over who should get to play first.
The NCBA hopes a more organized system can reduce those tensions.
Instead, players will indicate when they are interested in playing, and the league will use the rankings to help identify possible matchups.
Those games will then be discussed with the players involved.
If both competitors agree to play each other, the match will likely be added to the schedule.
The system therefore remains voluntary while giving the NCBA more structure over how matches are organized.
The change is currently a **preseason test** and has not yet been confirmed as the permanent regular-season format.
## Investigation Remains Separate From Competition
Easton also addressed concerns about his position in the ongoing investigation.
Ari currently leads the preseason rankings with **500 points**, while Easton sits second at 411 and Connor third at 406.
That means several people involved in NCBA leadership are also Ari's direct competitors.
Easton stressed that the investigation is not being conducted for competitive reasons.
*"I'm not trying to get too involved,"* Easton said. *"I would like to make it clear that the investigation is not for me or Connor's competitive interests."*
Ari remains the official #1-ranked player while the investigation continues.
The NCBA has not announced any finding that Ari violated league rules.
## Easton Expects This to Be His Final Playing Season
The biggest announcement of the press conference may have had nothing to do with rules or scheduling.
Easton revealed that this is expected to be **his final season playing carpet ball**.
As both NCBA President and defending NCBA Champion, Easton has been closely connected to the league since its beginning.
Now, part of his focus is ensuring that the NCBA has a strong season and a structure capable of continuing beyond his time as a player.
*"The NCBA is trying to make a good carpet ball season since this will be my last, at least playing carpet ball,"* Easton said.
That gives the upcoming season another major storyline.
Easton enters the preseason as the defending champion and currently sits #2 in the rankings. But while he attempts to defend his title on the table, he is also helping shape what the NCBA will look like after he eventually steps away from competition.
The new NCBA website, expanded statistics, clearer league rules and experiments with scheduled matchmaking are all part of a league that has grown considerably from its beginnings.
Whether every preseason experiment becomes permanent remains to be seen.
For now, the NCBA is trying them.
The investigation continues.
A new table rule begins tomorrow.
A new way of scheduling matches is on the way.
And for the league's President and defending champion, one final playing season lies ahead.
**John Jacob Jr.**
*NCBA News*
**By John Jacob Jr. | NCBA News**
The NCBA is preparing for major changes as the preseason continues.
During a press conference Tuesday, NCBA President **Easton** announced that the league will temporarily introduce a new table-contact rule, begin testing a scheduled matchmaking system, and continue its ongoing investigation into unusual bounce-outs during Ari's matches.
Easton also made a major personal announcement: **this is expected to be his final season playing carpet ball.**
## Temporary Table-Contact Rule Begins Tomorrow
Beginning tomorrow, NCBA players will temporarily be prohibited from touching the carpet ball table unless they are making a throw.
The rule applies to **every NCBA player**.
Easton emphasized that introducing the rule does **not** mean the ongoing investigation into Ari has reached a conclusion.
The investigation remains active, and no determination of wrongdoing has been made.
Because the table-contact restriction is new, players will initially be given some leniency.
*"Since it is a new rule, we will give them a second chance,"* Easton said. *"But if they keep doing it, then suspension points will be given."*
The NCBA will continue evaluating the rule during the preseason.
## King of the Hill Format Being Reconsidered
The table rule isn't the only experiment coming to the NCBA.
Easton announced that the league will begin moving away from its traditional **King of the Hill match format** during the preseason.
Under the previous system, the way matches were selected sometimes created disagreements between players over who should get to play first.
The NCBA hopes a more organized system can reduce those tensions.
Instead, players will indicate when they are interested in playing, and the league will use the rankings to help identify possible matchups.
Those games will then be discussed with the players involved.
If both competitors agree to play each other, the match will likely be added to the schedule.
The system therefore remains voluntary while giving the NCBA more structure over how matches are organized.
The change is currently a **preseason test** and has not yet been confirmed as the permanent regular-season format.
## Investigation Remains Separate From Competition
Easton also addressed concerns about his position in the ongoing investigation.
Ari currently leads the preseason rankings with **500 points**, while Easton sits second at 411 and Connor third at 406.
That means several people involved in NCBA leadership are also Ari's direct competitors.
Easton stressed that the investigation is not being conducted for competitive reasons.
*"I'm not trying to get too involved,"* Easton said. *"I would like to make it clear that the investigation is not for me or Connor's competitive interests."*
Ari remains the official #1-ranked player while the investigation continues.
The NCBA has not announced any finding that Ari violated league rules.
## Easton Expects This to Be His Final Playing Season
The biggest announcement of the press conference may have had nothing to do with rules or scheduling.
Easton revealed that this is expected to be **his final season playing carpet ball**.
As both NCBA President and defending NCBA Champion, Easton has been closely connected to the league since its beginning.
Now, part of his focus is ensuring that the NCBA has a strong season and a structure capable of continuing beyond his time as a player.
*"The NCBA is trying to make a good carpet ball season since this will be my last, at least playing carpet ball,"* Easton said.
That gives the upcoming season another major storyline.
Easton enters the preseason as the defending champion and currently sits #2 in the rankings. But while he attempts to defend his title on the table, he is also helping shape what the NCBA will look like after he eventually steps away from competition.
The new NCBA website, expanded statistics, clearer league rules and experiments with scheduled matchmaking are all part of a league that has grown considerably from its beginnings.
Whether every preseason experiment becomes permanent remains to be seen.
For now, the NCBA is trying them.
The investigation continues.
A new table rule begins tomorrow.
A new way of scheduling matches is on the way.
And for the league's President and defending champion, one final playing season lies ahead.
**John Jacob Jr.**
*NCBA News*