APA Pool League of Maryland Team Information Packet

Transcription

1 APA Pool League of Maryland Team Information Packet Summer Session 2016 Scan the QR Code to Join our Facebook Group Page! Fb.com/groups/APAMaryland Scorekeeping Changes!!! See page 22 for details.

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Start of Session Important Information Office Contacts... 2 Calendar of Events... 3 Fill a Bye Promotion/Late Registration Policy... 4 Membership Dues and Fees... 5 How to Take Care of a Problem During the Regular Session... 6 New Session Checklist Late Paperwork Penalties... 9 APA Bonus Point System/Non-Paid Players/Wildcard Eligibility League Fees (Finances) The APA Handicap System/Good Sportsmanship APA Survival Rule Playoff Information How to Obtain Playoff Information Playoff Dates & Times Playoff Plaques & Playoff T-Shirts Playoff Eligibility/Picture I.D Playoff Rules for 8-Ball & 9-Ball New Names For The APA Championship Events Ball and 9-Ball Scorekeeping Scorekeeping Changes Effective Summer Sample 8-Ball Scoresheet Sample 9-Ball Scoresheet National Qualifier (Local Team Championship) Eligibility Requirements Pre-Registered Tournaments 8-Ball & 9-Ball Singles Information Top Gun Tournaments Other Important League Information Local APA Skill Level Review Policy APA Rewards Program (Earn $$$ Cash $$$) Fall Session Referral/New Team Registration Form New Team Rewards (Tell Your Friends) APA Master s Divisions (Have You Got Game?)... 34

3 APA OFFICE STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION APA Pool League Office 8518 Fort Smallwood Road Pasadena, MD Phone: Toll Free: Fax: Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 4:30pm... (Lunch 12:00-12:30) CLOSED ON FRIDAYS Operations Manager Kathy Melcavage (ext. 116) kathym@apapool.com Division Manager Melia Simmons (ext. 111) melias@apapool.com Division Manager Kathy Frey (ext. 113) kathyf@apapool.com Division Manager Kim Torbeck (ext. 117) kimt@apapool.com Tournament Manager Paula Belange (ext. 122) paulab@apapool.com Sales & Marketing Manager Melissa Byrd (ext. 112) melissab@apapool.com League Operators Terry & Valerie Justice (ext. 110) terryj@apapool.com APA SERVICE HOTLINE - Voice Mail Extension 119 Need to leave a message after hours? Call our APA Voice Mail Hotline 24 hours a day - 7 days a week! Visit our website for Player Stats on Member Services, Playoff and Tri-Cup Tournament Information, our Local APA Calendar, Tournament Registration, Weekly Play Information, copies of the Official Team Manual & Local Bylaws, and other important news and updates. Visit our APA Facebook Business Page - Visit our Facebook Group Page - 2

4 Calendar of Local League Events Date Event Location April May APA 8-Ball & 9-Ball Summer Leagues begin in Baltimore City & Baltimore & Howard Counties Spring Tier-1 & Tier-2 Divisional Finals for Divisions , & Ball Doubles Championship (Showdown Series) 9-Ball Shootout (APA Poolplayer Championships) 9-Ball Doubles Championship & 8-Ball Singles Wheelchair Championship (Showdown Series) 8-Ball Classic (APA Poolplayer Championships) Spring 9-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div ) Spring 8-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div. 1-24, 25-48) Played Locally Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV May June July August 5 August September October Spring 9-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div ) APA Master s Divisions and Summer 8-Ball & 9-Ball Leagues begin in the Outlying Counties Spring 9-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div ) Spring 8-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div. 1-24, 25-48) Spring 9-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div ) Spring Session Tier-1 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 1) Spring Session Tier-1 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 2) No Matches Played Memorial Day Holiday Observed Spring Session Tier-2 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 1) Spring Session Tier-2 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 2) U.S. Amateur Entry Window Closes $140,000 Local Team Championship (WPC Qualifier) 8-Ball, 9-Ball, & Masters (Weekend # 1) Deadline To Register For The 8-Ball Top Gun Tournament $140,000 Local Team Championship (WPC Qualifier) 8-Ball, 9-Ball, & Masters (Weekend # 2) Deadline To Register For The 9-Ball Top Gun Tournament Independence Day Holiday Observed No Matches Played Deadline To Register For The Division Rep Tournament 8-Ball Top Gun Invitational Tournament 12 Noon (Doors open and Registration begins at 11:00am) Deadline To Register For Summer Session 8-Ball & 9-Ball Mega Singles Tournaments 9-Ball Top Gun Invitational Tournament 12 Noon (Doors open and Registration begins at 11:00am) Rep Meeting (6pm) & Rep Tournament (7pm) - Doors Open 5pm (Pre-Registration Required) Deadline To Register 8-Ball, 9-Ball, and Masters Teams for the Fall Session APA 9-Ball Mega Singles Tournament (12 Noon) - Doors Open 11:00am (Pre-Registration Required) APA 8-Ball Mega Singles Tournament (6pm) - (Pre-Registration Required) APA Amateur 8-Ball & 9-Ball Tier-1 & Tier-2 Summer Session Semi-Finals Vegas Teams Bon Voyage Party (1pm) Invitation Only APA Amateur 8-Ball & 9-Ball Fall Leagues Begin in Baltimore City & Baltimore & Howard Co. Summer Tier-1 & Tier-2 Divisional Finals for Div & $100,000 APA 9-Ball World Championship APA Mini-Mania Events APA Jack & Jill Championship APA Amateur 8-Ball & 9-Ball Fall Leagues Begin in the Outlying Counties (Div ) APA Masters Leagues Begin in All Areas (Div ) $500,000 APA 8-Ball World Championship APA Masters Championship Summer 9-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div ) Summer 8-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div. 1-24, 25-48) Vegas WPC Make-up Matches Tier-1 & Tier-2 Finals Div & Played Locally at 1pm Summer 9-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div ) Labor Day Holiday Observed No Matches Played Summer 9-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div ) Summer 8-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div. 1-24, 25-48) Summer 9-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div ) Summer Session Tier-1 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 1) Summer Session Tier-1 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 2) U.S. Amateur National Qualifier (Location: The Revolution Darts & Billiards) APA Singles Regionals: 8-Ball on Saturday; 9-Ball on Sunday (Doors Open at 11am) Summer Session Tier-2 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 1) Summer Session Tier-2 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 2) Played Locally Played Locally Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV Played Locally Fairfax, Virginia 3

5 FILL A BYE PROMOTION ONLY VALID BETWEEN WEEK # 2 AND WEEK # 4 Like $100 Cash... Help us fill the ABye@ in your division! If after week # 2, you notice that your schedule shows a BYE, call the League Office to find out if a team is still needed to even out the number of teams in your division. If so, you could be eligible to earn cash as follows: Split your team to fill the Bye and both Captains will each receive $50 cash! Both teams must maintain at least a minimum of 3 players from the original roster. OR Talk a friend into putting in a team that fills the Bye, and you will receive $100 cash! (Provided no team drops within the first 6 weeks of the session) Hurry! First Come, First Served! To be eligible for APA Cash Awards, you must call Kathy Melcavage our Operations Manager, Ext. 116 and personally register the team. Your week # 5 roster will determine your eligibility for the ASplit A Team@ or AFill The Bye@ Promotions. APA Cash Awards will be issued on week # 8 on the session. LATE REGISTRATION POLICY New teams who are added to the schedule after the session has already started will continue to receive late entry points and bonus points... in 8-Ball, 6 points plus bonus for each prior week of play... in 9-Ball, 40 points plus bonus for each prior week of play. To encourage current teams to re-register on-time for the next session, and to stop teams from intentionally waiting and coming in after the session has started and jumping ahead of some of the teams in the standings, the following policy is now in effect: Re-Registering teams, who wait and come in after the new session has already started, will receive late entry points (as above) but no bonus point(s). Please re-register on-time! Teams that drop and then rebuild (with 4 or more different players) and rejoin after the session has started, will not be penalized. 4

6 MEMBERSHIP FEES ARE DUE THE FIRST NIGHT A PLAYER SHOOTS! Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Remember, have all new APA members and all returning non-paid APA members, pay their $25 Annual Membership before you allow them to shoot for your team. Also have all unpaid players (even returning unpaid previous APA Members) fill out one of the enclosed applications and return it in tonight s envelope. Record (in the lower left -hand corner of the scoresheet) the names of all players who pay their membership fees tonight, along with the amounts being paid. Any team that allows two or more players to play without a current paid APA membership will receive zero points for the week or weeks involved (including bonus points). If a team allows a single player to shoot without submitting their membership fee, they will lose the points won in that individual match, plus their bonus points. Their opponents only receive credit for the points they actually earned. Collect the fees before allowing the players to shoot! Step 4: Enclose Check or Money Order Only! Make Payable to the APA Pool League. Do not send cash. Repeat, do not send cash. Loss of cash is your responsibility! Drop boxes are used only to prevent loss of bonus points for late drops! 5

7 PROBLEMS DURING THE REGULAR SESSION? STEP 1 Try to resolve the problem by talking with the other Team Captain (off to the side away from all teammates). If it s a rules question, resolve it with your Local Bylaws or APA Official Team Manual (be sure to take them with you to every match). You may wish to compromise or even concede the point... but above all, don t argue or be rude to each other. If it s a sportsmanship problem, get the other Captain off to the side and ask them to please have their player correct the situation. STEP 2 If the situation cannot be resolved, call one of your Division Reps and ask them to assist you. If it s a rules question, your Rep will try and help you find it in their copy of the Local Bylaws or Official Team Manual. They are not authorized to quote rules or policy, simply help you locate the page where the answer to your question can be found. It is still your responsibility to have your Official Team Manual and your Local Bylaws with you (not rely on your Rep to have their copies with them). If it is a sportsmanship problem, they can get on the phone with the other Captain and try to help get the situation under control. STEP 3 If it s simply a rules question that cannot be resolved, suspend that specific match, notify the other team that you are filing a protest, and immediately start up your next match. If it s a sportsmanship problem, suspend that specific match and if necessary all remaining matches and notify the other team that you are filing an official protest. Both teams must mark OFFICIAL PROTEST on their scoresheets and submit their write-ups, along with a $25 Protest Fee that night. CAPTAINS WHO ARE NON-COOPERATIVE OR WHO CAUSE SPORTSMANSHIP PROBLEMS WILL BE REMOVED AS APA TEAM CAPTAINS INDEFINITELY! COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER! IT MIGHT BE NICE IF YOU SHOOK EACH OTHER S HAND AND INTRODUCED YOURSELVES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT... OR AT LEAST AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH PLAYER MATCH. REMEMBER, THE MAIN REASON YOU RE THERE IS TO HAVE FUN, MEET PEOPLE, AND PLAY POOL! 6

8 NEW SESSION CHECKLIST Section I 1. Whenever you contact the league office, make sure that you know your division/team number and the membership numbers of the players that you are inquiring about. This will allow the office to give you the most efficient service possible. On matters involving the skill levels of your players or matters involving rosters, scoresheets, finances, patches, rule books and other team materials, your contact will be your Office Division Manager. Their name and telephone extension should be listed on the bottom of your scoresheets and can also be found in the front of this book. You may also use our automated menu system, which allows you to simply enter your 3-digit division number to reach your specific Division Manager. For other skill level and sportsmanship complaints, write a detailed note and place it in your payment envelope... or submit your complaint online or via Check the spelling of the names of your team members. A slight difference in spelling could allow your member s scores to be assigned to an incorrect membership number, or to another member s scoring record. Call your Division Manager with any concerns. 3. Check the membership numbers of your team members. If they play on more than one team, their membership number should be the same for all teams, so please remind them to verify that. Again, call your Division Manager if you feel something s wrong. 4. Gather the addresses, telephone numbers & addresses of your team members. When Team Roster Worksheets or Player Verification Forms are received, verify that all information is correct. If any information changes during the session, please call your Division Manager at the office so our records can be updated. 5. Make sure that you understand the Divisional Playoff eligibility requirements for each and every member of your team, particularly the number of matches that they must play for your team during the current session, as well as the National Qualifier eligibility requirements for your team as a whole. You may have matches forfeited to your team late in the session, preventing some of your team members from becoming eligible for the playoffs therefore, have your members get their matches in as soon as possible. If you have questions, or need to verify eligibility requirements, please call your Division Manager. 6. Our Local Bylaws over-ride the APA Official Team Manual for all local play. You can download a copy of our Local Bylaws at You should carry a copy to all of your matches. This will eliminate any possible disputes over rules or league policies related to your match play. Please do not store the manuals or rule books in your weekly team envelope. You can also contact your Division Reps if you need help resolving a problem. They are not permitted to quote rules or policy, but can help you find answers to your questions in the Local Bylaws or the APA Official Team Manual. 7

9 NEW SESSION CHECKLIST Section II 7. If you have members on your team who have played in the APA, anywhere, or at any time in the past, make sure that their membership numbers and name spellings are correct. If they have played on an APA team in another APA league area, let us know. This is extremely important since match points could be forfeited as the result of having played that member at a lower skill level than allowed. Obviously, this could also affect your division standings and your playoff opportunities. 8. If an APA member is new to 9-Ball, but is established in 8-Ball, meaning they have played 10 or more lifetime 8-Ball matches, they will start 9-Ball at their existing 8-Ball level. If they have less than ten 8-Ball matches played or have never played in the APA in either format, they would start 9-Ball as a NEW player. The same applies to a member joining an 8-Ball team. 9. If an APA member has at least six (6) prior lifetime matches played in a specific game format, they only need to play four (4) times in that format with your team (during the session) to gain eligibility for Playoffs and Tri-Annuals. If they had less than six (6) prior matches played in that specific game format, they must play at least six (6) times for your team during the session. 10. If you have new APA members on your team (members who have never played in the APA), make sure membership applications are completed and membership fees sent in the night they first shoot; and that their names are spelled correctly. Please note that they must play at least six (6) matches for your team (during the session) to gain eligibility for the Playoffs and Tri-Annuals. 11. As captain, you are responsible for who plays on the team, when they play, how they handle themselves, and any problems that may occur during their matches; along with collecting and sending in league fees; and picking up and turning in paperwork. Remind all of your players that your team will be playing according to our Local Bylaws and the APA Official Team Manual... and that any problems that they may encounter during their matches will be handled by either you or your cocaptain. This prevents your players from getting into trouble by trying to take care of things on their own. Carry a copy of your Local Bylaws and APA Team Manual to each of your matches. No member is expected to memorize all of the rules, however your Local Bylaws and the APA Official Team Manual should be used as a reference during your matches to help settle rules questions. Feel free to contact your Division Reps for help during your matches. Remember, Local Bylaws over-ride the APA Official Team Manual for local play. 12. Monitor your paperwork each week to ensure that points, fees, names, membership numbers, matches played and skill levels are correct. Find out the name and telephone extension of your League Office Division Manager, and call them if you have any questions, or use our automated menu system which allows you to simply enter your division number to reach your specific Division Manager. 8

10 LATE PAPERWORK COSTS YOUR TEAM BONUS POINTS! Don t rely on anyone else to drop off your paperwork. This includes your own team members, the opposing team, or your tavern owner. If they forget and fail to drop off your team envelope prior to the required day and time or are unaware that they are supposed to place it inside the drop box, it will not reach the league office for processing, and your team will not be awarded the bonus point(s) offered for on-time paperwork! Each week (following league play) it is the responsibility of the Team Captain to assure that all the team s paperwork has been completed (scoresheet, membership applications, etc. filled out); and that the team s payment envelope has been placed in the larger team envelope (with a check or money order enclosed); and that the team envelope is placed inside the drop-box located at one of the designated "DROP-OFF" locations shown on your team envelope. If you turn in your envelope late, a temporary envelope will be issued to your team the following week and will be available at your pick-up location. Being late with your paperwork, three (3) or more times during the session will cause your team to become ineligible for the wildcard drawing (the league offi ce may also elect to remove the Team Captain at that time). Your team envelope may be picked up at your designated "PICK-UP" location any time after the day and time listed on your envelope. If you cannot find your team envelope at your designated pick-up location, please use or make a copy of your opponent s scoresheet or print your scoresheet by simply logging onto apapool.com and clicking on the Member Services tab. When the matches are over, clearly mark your scoresheet (and your check or money order) with your division and team number and place both your scoresheet and your check or money order in your opponent s payment envelope, or put them in a separate envelope and place that envelope inside the drop box within the drop-off time period. Do not use CASH! The league office cannot be responsible for the loss of your cash. The captain of a team who fails to turn in paperwork and fees two (2) weeks in a row will be flagged and will be removed as captain. 9

11 APA BONUS POINT SYSTEM YOUR TEAM WILL RECEIVE "2" BONUS POINTS IN 8-BALL AND 10" BONUS POINTS IN 9-BALL EACH WEEK IF You turn in your team envelope at your drop-off location on time (immediately following league play or no later than 4:00pm the following day or as specified on the team envelope)... and 2. Your scoresheet is filled out completely, including scoring your opponent s sportsmanship for the night, and the information written is legible... and 3. You have enclosed a completely filled-out membership application (and membership fees) for each new player added to your team roster and who played in a match that night... and 4. You have collected and enclosed your team's "full" weekly fees (Remember, FULL weekly team fees are due each week, regardless to the number of matches played or forfeited). No weekly fees are due for "scheduled" byes. Please use a check or money order made payable to the: APA Pool League. The League office cannot be responsible for loss of cash! There will be a $20 service fee for all returned checks. PLAYING NON-PAID PLAYERS YOUR TEAM WILL RECEIVE "0" POINTS FOR THE NIGHT (INCLUDING BONUS POINTS) IF YOU ALLOW NON-PAID PLAYERS TO SHOOT! The "N" preceding a player's skill level on your team roster indicates that the player is "not paid. If you allow multiple players (2 or more) to shoot without submitting their fees, your team will receive "0" points for the night (no exceptions). It is the Team Captain s responsibility, not the tavern owner s, to collect all fees and assure that the team envelope is turned in on time. Please be sure to fill-out the "Fees Section" in the bottom left corner of your SCORESHEET. Our office will no longer automatically apply weekly team fees towards unpaid memberships. You should have all new members complete a membership application and pay their $25 prior to shooting. If you forget and allow a single (1) non -paid player to shoot and their application and membership fee is not received in your team envelope... your team will lose all bonus points for the night, along with any points won in that individual match. The other team gets credit only for the points they actually earned. WILDCARD ELIGIBILITY YOUR TEAM WILL LOSE "WILDCARD ELIGIBILITY" IF, DURING THE SESSION Your team envelope is turned in late "3" or more times... or 2. Your team forfeits "6" or more total matches (Week # 1-4 forfeits DO NOT count)... or forfeits 3 or more matches the last week of play... or 3. Your team earns 2 points or less in 8-ball or 30 points or less in 9-ball on the last week of the session... or 4. Your team is deemed ineligible due to sportsmanship or handicapping violations. 10

12 LEAGUE FEES Section I Weekly Fees Are Not Increasing For The APA League Year! To dispel rumors that may be floating around the league local weekly fees are still currently $40/team ($8/player). In 2015 however, weekly fees did increase to $45/team in many other APA franchises (including the Greater Washington Area). I would like to announce that our local weekly fees will remain at $40/team throughout the League Year (through Spring 2017). Starting with the Summer 2017 Session, our local weekly fees will increase to $45/team to keep up with the cost of living (less than a 2 1/2 % average annual increase since the last time fees were raised). This increase will allow us to not only continue providing free annual memberships to all of our Fall Session APA Team Captains and Division Reps, but to increase our Travel Assistance Fund (starting with the 2018 World Pool Championship). To receive your weekly bonus points and to ensure your finances are applied accurately... Complete the fees section of the score sheet (bottom left corner) Rate your opponent with a fun factor rating Pay all non-paid members the first night they shoot Captains, get in the habit of collecting the individual fees from your players prior to the start of each of their matches. Remember, this is a weekly fee, not a per player match fee. If you or your opponents forfeit any or all of the matches, both teams are still responsible for paying the full $40.00 weekly fee. Captains, you may wish to collect a few dollars from each of your players at the beginning of the session to hold in reserve to cover possible forfeits. If your team has a scheduled bye, weekly fees do not apply. Teams are allowed to pay for part or all of the session in advance, if they wish. Please Make Your Checks or Money Orders To: APA Pool League The APA cannot be responsible for lost or stolen cash! It is the Captain s responsibility to collect and send in the proper fees each week. The following describes different situations that might occur, and APA policy: Over-payment of fees will result in a team credit. The amount over-paid will be shown as a credit on your following week s scoresheet. Credits may be used for weekly fees, memberships, patches, etc. Under-payment or non-payment of fees will result in the team being past due. Past Due amounts will also be shown on your next week s scoresheet. The team will automatically lose its bonus point(s) for that week and all subsequent weeks, until all fees are paid and up to date. The Team Captain, not the establishment owner, is responsible for unpaid fees. If your Team Captain becomes dishonest or unreliable, remove them as Captain immediately. Once a Team Captain becomes unreliable and has to be removed by the league office, they may also be prohibited from being either a Captain or Co- Captain for up to two years. Captains who fall more than two (2) weeks in arrears will be flagged and removed as Captain. 11

13 LEAGUE FEES Section II FINANCES FROM LAST SESSION Divisional Finals from last session aren t normally played and entered into our system until after the new session is well underway. If your team has any past due fees or credits from the prior session, they will show up on your New Session s scoresheet and are due that night. You must pay any past dues that show up on your scoresheet THAT WEEK to avoid Loss of Points. Remember, these may be past dues from the prior session or the playoffs and should have been paid at that time! Bounced checks will be assessed a $20.00 fee, in order to cover administrative overhead. Your team will not lose the bonus point(s) for the week that the check was originally sent in, however the returned check fee and all outstanding team fees must be paid the week the past due shows up on your score sheet in order to avoid losing that week s bonus point(s). Checks may not be used to cover other bounced checks... money orders only! If your team should fold, the fees that would have been normally paid during the remainder of the session will still have to be paid, along with the revenue that was lost from the teams which you would have been scheduled to play. The Team Captain will be held responsible for these fees. Other team members may also be held responsible (based upon the circumstances involved). The league office has a Survival Rule policy in place that can help keep your team together for the remainder of the session, thus avoiding any penalties. If the team which you are scheduled to play fails to show up you must still pay your weekly fees. If they are dropped from the division schedule the following week your weekly fees from the previous week will be credited to your team account. APA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEES $25.00 per member ($26.50 in West Virginia...includes 6% sales tax). Annual membership fees are due the night a player first plays in the APA and are renewable every January thereafter... on the first night they actually shoot. If you pay your membership fee after August 15 th, the following year s renewal is pro-rated (until March 1) to only $15.00 ($15.90 in West Virginia). All other Annual Memberships (renewals) are $25.00 ($26.50 in WV). Please do not play unpaid members, unless you are paying their membership fee that evening. Any team that allows two or more players to play without a current paid APA membership will receive zero points for the week or weeks involved (including bonus points). If a team allows a single player to shoot without submitting their membership fee, they will lose the points won in that individual match, plus their bonus points. Their opponents only receive credit for the points they actually earned. Unpaid members can be identified by the letter N next to their skill level on the roster and scoresheet. Any and all non-paid members will be removed from the team roster after you turn in your week seven (7) scoresheets. 12

14 For the Love of the Game... Win or Lose Always Be a Good Sportsman! Don t Let your Team Become a DQ Statistic! One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it. Knute Rockne The APA Handicap System In any sport that uses a handicap system, there are always people who try to manipulate the system in order to gain an unfair advantage over their opponent. Commonly referred to as sandbagging, this unethical practice of deliberately playing below your ability to keep your skill level down is better described as cheating. Because, plain and simple, that s what it is. APA League s handicap and scoring system, The Equalizer, contains a number of anti-sandbagging measures, but it all starts with proper scorekeeping. The importance of proper scorekeeping, which includes identifying and correctly marking defensive shots, cannot be stressed enough. In fact, not marking defensive shots properly is the number one reason teams get disqualified during Local and National Team Championships. When a team that has advanced into a prize money bracket at an APA National Championship event is disqualified, one of the penalties is the forfeiture of their prize money. Forfeited prize money is then distributed to the teams that were eliminated earlier in the competition by the disqualified team. In addition, all teams eliminated by the disqualified team are reviewed and considered for an invitation to compete in the following year s National Championship tournament. It s important to remember that in order for sandbagging to take place, both players and teams must fail to follow the rules. The shooter must deliberately cheat, and the opponent must fail to properly mark the scoresheet. If scores are properly marked initially, there d be no successful sandbagging, and disqualification wouldn t be an issue. Keep in mind, marking defensive shots does not affect the honest player. Be wary of players who argue against marking defensive shots! So what exactly is a defensive shot? The APA s Official Team Manual states, A defensive shot is a shot where the shooter deliberately misses so as to pass his turn at the table on to his opponent. It is a shot where there is no intent on the part of the shooter to pocket a ball of his category. Intent is the key word. Think of it this way anytime you re not playing offense, you re playing defense. If you re trying to pocket your object ball, you re playing offense. Any other shot is a defensive shot and should be marked as such on the scoresheet. Yes, it s really that simple. And every year teams lose thousands of dollars because they re disqualified over something that simple. To help educate teams and players, APA put together a series of videos on understanding defensive shots and proper scorekeeping. These videos can be found at youtube.com/apaleagues and are a must-see for every APA member! It just might save your team from being disqualified. No one likes to have to disqualify a team at the Local or National Team Championships. However, it s important for each team to have a fair chance of winning, and sometimes disqualifying a team is necessary to protect the integrity of the event. REMEMBER: Proper Scorekeeping = Accurate Handicapping = Fair Play Good Sportsmanship What does it mean to be a good sportsman? Merriam-Webster defines sportsman as, a person who shows sportsmanship. Fair enough, but what does it mean to show sportsmanship? Another glance at Merriam- Webster and we see that sportsmanship is defined as, conduct (as fairness, respect for one s opponent and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport. Now we re getting somewhere fairness, respect for one s opponent and graciousness in winning or losing. How many times have you played a team that exemplified those characteristics? And, how many times have you played a team that didn t? Which team would you rather play? And more importantly, which team are you on? Good manners are essential for all competitive sports; sportsmanship is very important to the honor of APA Leagues. Congratulating your opponent when he makes a good shot and celebrating with your opponent when he wins adds character to the game. Keep proper score, shake hands, give high fives, smile and talk friendly to your opponent and the opposing teams. All of these subtle acts encourage sportsmanship and you ll have more fun as you play each week. Have Fun. Meet People. Play Pool. that s what APA is all about. The League was founded on the premise of offering amateur poolplayers the opportunity to get together with friends, family and co-workers each week for a fun, friendly and relaxing time playing pool. When opponents show good sportsmanship, everybody has a good time win or lose!

15 APA SURVIVAL RULE PLAYER S NOT SHOWING UP? - NEED HELP? Even after the first four weeks, if players on your team become unreliable, you may still be able to get help by invoking the "Survival Rule"! 1. The Survival Rule can only be used during regular session play, not for playoffs, or other Higher Level Tournament play. Items (2) through (8) listed below must be complied with. 2. You must notify the opposing team prior to the start of the 1 st match that you are invoking the Survival Rule and as to which players you are dropping and adding. 3. Your team roster must be down to six (6) or less reliable players. Unreliable players still listed on your team roster and scoresheet must be removed. Draw a line through the player(s) name on your scoresheet that you want removed and write the word drop beside their name(s). You may then add enough players to bring your team up to a maximum of seven (7) total members... no more! Mark Survival Rule on your score sheet. 4. None of the player(s) that you choose to add may have a skill level greater than SL-4 in the specific format for which they are being added, and they must have at least ten (10) actually played matches in either APA 8-Ball or APA 9-Ball. Note that an APA member who has ten 9-Ball scores (who is new to 8-Ball) may still be added to an 8-Ball team (at their 9-Ball skill level). The same applies to a player who is new to 9-Ball but has at least (10) actually played 8-Ball scores being added to a 9-Ball team for survival. It is permissible to add a brand new female player to your team for survival. You must have League Operator approval (in advance) to add any new male player(s) to your team or to add any player(s) whose skill level is greater than a SL The survival rule cannot be invoked by any team which is currently in 1 st thru 4 th place in a seven (7) to sixteen (16) team division or 1 st thru 3 rd place in a five (5) or six (6) team division. You may have to wait until your team drops down in the standings. 6. If the survival rule is to be invoked by a team which cannot comply with the 23 Point Rule (using the team s latest roster) all above rules apply...and the player(s) added must have at least (20) scores and must be approved by the League Operator (in advance). 7. All added players must still play the required number of matches, in order to be eligible for the playoffs and other Higher Level Tournament play. Membership dues must also be paid that night (if non-paid). Teams may be limited to the number of times that they are allowed to invoke the Survival Rule during a given session. 8. During the SPRING session, National Rules prohibit any team who qualified in either the Summer or Fall Tri-Annuals from making any roster changes after week # 4. This means that if those specific teams elect to invoke the Survival Rule during the SPRING session, they will forfeit their rights to advance to the National Qualifier. 14

16 HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOU MADE THE END OF SESSION PLAYOFFS Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 From the chart below, determine the day and time when the desired playoff information will be available from the League Office. Call the League Office at ( ) and follow the instructions given by our automated Voice Mail System. Be sure you enter the correct three-digit Division #, when prompted to do so. If you make it into the Playoffs, simply pick-up your team envelope at your regular designated pick-up location. Team Envelopes for the Baltimore area teams playing their Finals at the Green Room will be waiting for them at the Green Room tournament site. IF YOU PLAY ON: Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday Call the office anytime after (6PM) Friday, July 29 th for info on the Semi-Finals anytime after (6PM) Friday, Aug. 5 th for info on the Finals. Wednesday... Call the office anytime after (6PM) Monday, Aug. 1 st for info on the Semi Finals anytime after (6PM) Monday, Aug. 8 th for info on the Finals. Thursday, Friday Call the office anytime after (6PM) Tuesday, Aug. 2 nd for info on the Semi-Finals anytime after (6PM) Tuesday, Aug. 9 th for info on the Finals. Wildcard teams play in the Semi-Finals (July 31 st - August 5 th ) WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE TIER-1 AND TIER-2 SEMI FINALS PLAYED? Both Tier-1 and Tier-2 Semi-Finals will be played on the same night of play. Home field advantage goes to the team(s) that is higher in point standings (provided tables are available at their hosting location); otherwise, matches are to be played at the opponent s hosting location. If tables are unavailable at the opponent s hosting location, the match will be scheduled at one of the other taverns within the division; normally a tavern (with an available table) whose team finished higher in point standings. 15

17 Divisional Semi-Finals Both Tier-1 and Tier-2 Semi-Finals are Played Locally July 31 st August 5 th Your specific Divisional Playoff Format is determined by the number of teams that are listed on your Division Schedule going in to the last two weeks of the session. If your team plays in a: (13-16) Team Division If your team finishes in 1st place, you will advance directly to the Tier-1 Tri-Annual Championship. If your team finishes in 2nd place, you will advance directly to the Tier-1 Finals. If you finish in 3rd or 4th place, your team will advance to the Tier-1 Semi-Finals (3rd vs. 4th). If your team finishes in 5th, 6th, or 7th place, or draws the Wildcard slot, your team will play in the Tier-2 Semi-Finals (5th vs. Wildcard and 6th vs. 7th). (9-12) Team Division If your team finishes in 1st place, you will advance directly to the Tier-1 Finals. If you finish in 2nd or 3rd, you will advance to the Tier-1 Semi-Finals (2nd vs 3rd). If your team finishes in either 4th, 5th, or 6th place, or draws the wild card slot, your team will play in the Tier-2 Semi-Finals (4th vs. Wildcard and 5th vs. 6th). (7-8) Team Division If your team finishes in either 1st or 2nd place, your team will advance directly to the Tier-1 Finals. If your team finishes in either 3rd, 4th, or 5th place... or draws the Wildcard slot, your team plays in the Tier-2 Semi-Finals (3rd vs. Wildcard and 4th vs 5th). (6) Team Division If your team finishes in either 1st or 2nd place, your team will advance directly to the Tier- 1 Finals. If your team finishes in 3rd place your team will advance directly to the Tier-2 Finals. If your team finishes in either 4th place or draws the Wildcard slot, your team plays in the Tier-2 Semi-Finals (4th vs. Wildcard). (5) Team Division Tier-1 Format Only! 1st vs. Wildcard and 2nd vs. 3rd place in the Semi-Finals. Winners advance directly to the Finals. (4) Team Division Tier-1 Format Only! If your team finishes in 1st place you will advance directly to the Finals (No Semi-Finals Required). If your team finishes in either 2nd place or draws the Wildcard, your team plays in the Semi-Finals (2nd vs. Wildcard). Divisional Finals Divisions Tier-1 Finals will be played at The on Saturday, August 27 th at 1pm Tier-2 Finals will be played at The on Saturday, September 10 th at 1pm Divisions Tier-1 Finals will be played at The on Saturday, August 27 th at 7pm Tier-2 Finals will be played at The on Saturday, September 10 th at 7pm Divisions Tier-1 Finals will be played at The on Friday, August 26 th at 8pm Tier-2 Finals will be played at The on Friday, September 9 th at 8pm Divisions Tier-1 Finals will be played at The on Sunday, August 28 th at 12pm Tier-2 Finals will be played at The on Sunday, September 11 th at 12pm Divisions & Divisions Masters, Mixed Format and the Outlying Counties Divisions will be played locally August 7-12 th (same night/time as regular session play). NTC makeups will be played locally on Saturday, August 27 th at 1pm. 16

18 YOUR TEAM HAS A CHOICE! PLAQUES OR T-SHIRTS DIVISION 000 Your Name Here SPRING 2016 TIER-1 DIVISIONAL CHAMPION If your team wins the Divisional Championship, your team will have an option of either APA Plaques or APA T-Shirts! Please Note: We cannot mix and match between the two; the team must choose either all Plaques or all T-Shirts. We will send out forms during the playoffs, allowing the winning teams to lock in their choice at that time. 17

19 PLAYOFF & HIGH POINT FINISHER T-SHIRTS DIFFERENT COLOR EACH SESSION... DIFFERENT DESIGN EACH YEAR! (Sizes Available: Small 5X) Front of T-Shirts Back of T-Shirts 18

20 End of Session Playoff Eligibility Criteria Please make sure that the players on your team play at least the minimum number of matches with your team, in order to be eligible for the playoffs. If a player had at least 6" lifetime matches played in the same game format prior to the start of this session, they only need to play 4 matches with your team to be eligible. If they had less than 6 matches played in the same game format prior to the start of this session, they must play 6 matches with your team. Please keep in mind that matches played during the session on other teams or in another game format cannot be used to satisfy the eligibility requirements for your team members. Players must meet the above requirements. During the last few weeks of the session your team may have matches forfeited to it from the other teams (which may prevent some of your players from shooting the required number of times required to gain eligibility to play in the post session playoffs). Do not wait to get your players qualified! It is extremely important that you have all of your team members shoot the minimum number of matches required as early in the session as possible! Any team members who have been removed from your team s roster, or have been marked Not Eligible for failing to play the minimum number of matches with your team, or who are listed as Suspended... are not eligible to play, coach, advise the coach, or keep score... and their skill level cannot be used for 23 Point Rule purposes. Players who owe money may still play in a player match, however if the entire amount due is not included with that night s paperwork... their match will be considered forfeited. Picture I.D. Required All APA members are now required to present a current state certified positive picture I.D. in the form of a state I.D. from their state of residence, a passport, or a Military I.D. prior to competing in any APA Playoff or Higher Level Tournament event. This includes the Divisional Semi-Finals, Finals, and all Tri-Annuals, the National Qualifier, and all Mega and Regional Singles events. Both players are to show each other their picture I.D.s prior to flipping or lagging for the break. Even though this requirement is not mandatory during regular session play, keep in mind that the opposing team still has the right to request I.D. prior to the start of any APA player match. If you have a legal problem that does not allow you to obtain a Driver's License, this rule still applies. You may still obtain a picture I.D. (age majority card) from the MVA. If you do not have a proper I.D., check with your state officials on how to obtain a state issued picture I.D. PRIOR to the event. Also note that if traveling to the Nationals, all airlines also require a positive picture I.D. for air travel. *** If you do not have a proper picture I.D., you will not be allowed to play! *** *** Please note that APA Division Reps and Tournament Directors may vouch for a player (who has lost or simply forgotten their I.D.) but only when they feel confident the player is who they say they are! *** 19

21 Playoff Rules The responsibility of your Division Rep is to call bad-hit/good-hit shots (when needed) and assist with rules questions (by helping you find answers to your questions in the APA National and Local Team Manuals)... not to "QUOTE" or interpret rules. If after checking your APA Manuals, you still need a rule CLARIFIED or if you run into sportsmanship problems that cannot be resolved, call our PLAYOFF HOTLINE immediately at BALL SPECIFICS Do not race to your skill level! Use the chart on the scoresheet! The team that scores the most points... or the first team to reach "8" points wins. Once a team can no longer win, the team match is considered over! In the case of a tie (at the end of the five matches), the team who won three of the five matches is the winner. All male 2's are to play as and count as 3's in the playoffs and in HLT events. 9-BALL SPECIFICS The first team to reach "51" points wins. Once a team can no longer win, the match is considered over! In the case of a tie (50/50), the team who won three of the five matches wins. The "Two Senior Skill Level Player Rule" and the "23-Rule" still apply! Senior Skilled players defined as SL-6 or higher. All male 1's are to play as and count as 2's in the playoffs and in HLT events. PLAYOFF INFORMATION FOR BOTH 8-BALL & 9-BALL Only "1" time-out for all players, regardless of skill level. Players that are playing in the match must sit or stand in a neutral area away from their team. Check the top of your scoresheet to see which Rep is scheduled to referee your match. In our larger 9-16 team divisions, we usually have three Division Reps. The Rep listed on the scoresheet to the "left" is the Senior Rep and will referee or provide coverage for the Tier-1 Semi-Finals. The Rep listed to their Aright@ will provide coverage for the match between the Higher Finisher team and the Wildcard team in the Tier-2 Semi-Finals; while the third Rep (listed under the other two on the scoresheet) will provide coverage for the match between the lower place teams in the Tier-2 Semi-Finals. In our 7-8 team Divisions there will be no Tier-1 Semi-Finals, requiring only two Division Reps to cover the Tier-2 Semi-Finals. The rep to the left (Senior Rep) will provide coverage for the match between 3 rd Place and the Wildcard team; the Rep listed to the right will provide coverage for the match between the 4 th and 5 th place teams. In our 4-6 team Divisions the Division Rep listed to the left (Senior Rep) will coordinate the coverage of the Semi-Finals. In the Divisional Finals in the Outlying Counties (Division ), the Rep to the left (Senior Rep) will provide coverage for the Tier-1 Finals, while the Rep to their right will provide coverage for the Tier-2 Finals. In our larger divisions with three Reps, the Rep to the left (Senior Rep) will coordinate coverage. The Rep to their right will provide coverage for the Tier-1 Finals; the Rep listed below the other two (on the scoresheet) will provide coverage for the Tier-2 Finals. The Senior Rep will provide coverage for the other two Reps, as needed. If your team is scheduled to play a team on which a Division Rep is shooting, that Division Rep cannot act in any "official" capacity. If no Official is available, the two Team Captains may jointly chose someone to help call close hit shots (split-hits go to the shooter - the referee's call is final). If you need any phone numbers, please call the league office. PLAYOFF HOTLINE #

22 APA Renames Championship Events APA members traveling to Las Vegas in August are in for a global affair literally! Beginning in 2016, APA members can look forward to qualifying for the APA World Pool Championships! Formerly known as the APA National Team Championships, the event has been rebranded to better reflect its global field of competition. What began as a national event consisting of teams from just the United States in 1981, quickly expanded to a North American showdown when Canada joined the mix in the late 1980 s. Then in 2009, Japan officially entered the picture, sending their first team to compete in Vegas. With APA expanding into China earlier this year, and more global expansion expected, rebranding simply made sense. The World Pool Championships will consist of both an 8-Ball and 9-Ball Division. The World Pool Championships aren t the only APA championships getting a makeover. The APA National Singles Championships, typically held in Vegas in late April/early May, will be rebranded as the APA Poolplayer Championships. That event will encompass both the 8-Ball Classic and 9- Ball Shootout which offer individual competition instead of team competition. Both the World Pool Championships and the Poolplayer Championships will feature Showdown Series events that include the Masters, Ladies 8-Ball and Jack & Jill Championships in August and the 8-Ball and 9-Ball Doubles and Wheelchair Championships in late April/early May. APA World Pool Championships (formerly APA National Team Championships) 8-Ball World Championship 9-Ball World Championship APA Poolplayer Championships (formerly APA National Singles Championships) 8-Ball Classic 9-Ball Shootout Showdown Series (formerly Preregistered Events) Events held in conjunction with the Poolplayer Championships in late April/early May: 8-Ball Doubles Championship 9-Ball Doubles Championship 8-Ball Singles Wheelchair Championship Events held in conjunction with the World Pool Championships: Masters Championship Ladies 8-Ball Championship Jack & Jill Championship In addition, we have also renamed our National Qualifier to Local Team Championship. 21

23 Scorekeeping Change Effective Summer 2016 In order to comply with National Scorekeeping Policies, and to promote uniformity, starting with the Summer 2016 Session we will be following the scorekeeping structure that is listed in the APA Official Team Manual. The only change from our current system is as follows: Once the two teams flip a coin to choose which team puts their player up first... that team number is to be written in the proper place on the score sheet. No names are to be written on the scoresheet until the players flip a coin to see who breaks. The person who breaks is to be written on the top line of a player match, their opponent on the second line. This method will make it easier to determine when to mark the completion of an inning. The player on the second line will now always be the second shooter. 22

24 8-Ball Scorekeeping Fill in the actual match start time and end time (at right*). Shows that this is the second week of play and the session is 13 weeks. Shows the date this match is scheduled to play. This scoresheet is for Division 043 Team Team # Wins Last Week Total Points 1 And Handicap/Roster for Team Name For Week Number 2/13 on 6/1/2014 at 7:30 pm 7:35 Division Southern 043 Division Rep(s): (Cell xxx-xxxx) 11: Home Team Visiting Team Team Name Team Name S/L MP PCode Name S/L MP PCode Name 5 1 xxxxx Name Shows 5 1 xxxxx Name 5 1 xxxxx Name 4 1 xxxxx Name 4 1 xxxxx Name Membership 4 1 xxxxx Name 2 1 xxxxx Name Amount Due 2 1 xxxxx Name N 6 1 xxxxx Name $ xxxxx Name 3 0 xxxxx Name 3 0 xxxxx Name 2 0 xxxxx Name 2 0 xxxxx Name 5 0 xxxxx Name 5 0 xxxxx Name $$ Shows Player has not paid membership Name Name Name Name Name Name Name Name Name Forfeit NEW PLAYER xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx $ $ 0 $ Division Standings Through Last Week E This shows that Team 6 did not have a 5th player and they forfeited the fifth match to Team 1. Both teams will pay full weekly League fees. Team #3 Shooters at Slicks Billiards Reminder: Roster changes must be made during the first four weeks of the session, unless you get prior approval from the League Office. T Match Points Earned can be determined by using the chart in the upper right of the scoresheet T T x All new members to the APA must fill out an application and pay their $25 membership before they play No DS No DS This scoresheet is for Team and they will play Team Shooters at Slicks Billiards next week. If you have questions, the Team Captain will need to contact the Division Rep. This player s Membership Number. This player s Matches Played for this session. This player owes money to the League Office. Player made an Early 8 (E-8, 8OT, 8WP). Mark Scratch on 8 (8S). An inning is not over, therefore, not marked until the player who lost the initial lag misses or otherwise completes his/her turn. A defensive shot must be marked for a player on any shot where there is no INTENT to legally pocket a ball of his category. At the end of the match, total and circle the number of defensive shots for each player. If there are no defensive shots by a player write No DS in the block. A T is marked in the game box when the player takes a time out. In the first game, the player listed first in this match had a time out. In the second game of the match, both players had a time out. Update the overall Team score in the Running Total box. Indicates table size.

25 9-Ball Scorekeeping Scorekeeping & Defensive Shots Videos Available on YouTube! If you need a little refresher on 8-Ball or 9-Ball scorekeeping, or if you re new to the APA, visit our YouTube Channel at youtube.com/apaleagues to check out the instructional videos. You ll also find a segment on Marking Defensive Shots one of the keys to proper scorekeeping. Using the line of numbers, keep track of the balls (points) as the shooter is making them. Skill level points each skill level needs 9-on-the-break Break-and-Runs should be marked in this column Keep track of any balls not credited to either player. You should account for these balls to avoid confusion DEAD BALLS 8} 5 6 Balls 1 through 8 count as one point each. 7 } The 9-ball counts as two points. 4 9 In the 6th game player one had 37 points. In the 7th game we see that he broke the rack and made the 9-on-the-break, which gave him 39 points and the match. Player one is a SL5 and his highest possible points are 38. In the total points block you will record 38. A defensive shot must be marked for a player on any shot where there is no INTENT to legally pocket a ball of his category. At the end of the match, total and circle the number of defensive shots for each player. If there are no defensive shots in a match write No DS in the block. THE SKILL LEVEL OF THE PLAYER WHO LOST IS USED TO DETERMINE THE MATCH POINTS WON. Update the overall Team score in the Running Total box. The sample scoresheet above shows that player two, who is a SL3 lost the match. To award the match points earned, we need to look for his skill level on the Score of Match chart. The area circled above shows that if a SL3 lost and his score for the match was 21, the match points are You will record 7 points for player two and 13 points for player one. Loser s S/L less than 3 less than 4 less than 5 less than 6 less than 7 less than 9 less than 11 less than 14 less than 18 SCORE OF MATCH &5 5& & &6 8 10& & &12 15& &10 13& &16 20& &13 17&18 23&

26 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 2017 APA LOCAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Section I (For Teams Who Qualify in the Summer 2016, Fall 2016, or Spring 2017 Tri-Annuals) If your team wins a Local Team Championship slot (at one of the above Tri-Annual Championships), this information applies to you! Congratulations and please read this info very, very, carefully. The first rounds of the $80,000 APA 8-Ball Local Team Championship begin (8:00pm) Friday, June 16, 2017 at The (tables available for practice at 7:00pm). There will be 72 teams competing in a modified double-elimination tournament with 16 of the teams advancing to the APA $500,000 APA World Pool Championships held in August 2017 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first rounds of the $55,000 APA 9-Ball Local Team Championship begin (1:00pm) Saturday, June 18, 2017 at The. There will be 36 teams competing in a modified double-elimination tournament with 11 teams advancing to the APA $100,000 APA World Pool Championships held in August 2017 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. For a team to retain its team eligibility to compete in the above Local Team Championships and have the opportunity to advance to the APA World Pool Championships, the team (once qualified) must play all subsequent sessions leading up to the June Local Team Championship. If qualified in 8-Ball, the team must remain in an APA 8-Ball league and if qualified in 9-Ball, the team must remain in an APA 9-Ball league. This eligibility requirement helps guarantee currentness and accuracy of skill level ratings. Teams who play in the Spring Session are already current and do not need to continue play in the Summer session. For a qualified team to retain its team eligibility, the team must maintain at least four (4) original team members on their roster during all subsequent sessions leading up to the June Local Team Championship. The team must also remain competitive during subsequent sessions, especially the Spring Session. All non-competitive teams will be subject to a strict review by the APA Executive Review Committee and may face handicap re-evaluations or team disqualifications. Individual players must also remain personally competitive during the Spring Session. Non-competitive individual team members (felt to be dumping) will be reviewed by the APA Executive Review Committee and may face handicap re-evaluation or suspension. For an eligible team member to retain their individual player eligibility and be able to advance with their team to the Local Team Championship and have the opportunity to advance to the APA World Pool Championships, all eligible team members must be listed on the qualified team Spring roster and shoot at least 4 times during regular Spring session play... and they must have at least 10 actually shot league match scores in their record prior to finishing the Spring Session program and entering the Local Team Championship. If a player who was eligible to shoot on a team in the Spring Tri-Annuals, did not shoot enough times (in that specific format) during the end-of-session playoffs and the Spring Tri-Annuals... to accumulate at least 10 total scores in their record (before exiting the Spring Tri-Annuals), they lose eligibility and cannot advance with their team to the Local Team Championship (they also lose eligibility to receive additional awards and prizes). Subsequent Summer Session scores do not count towards the 10 required scores. 25

27 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 2017 APA LOCAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Section II If a team that qualifies in the Summer Tri-Annuals elects to drop an eligible player from their Fall roster, that player loses their individual player Aoriginality@ and Aeligibility@ and can no longer advance with their team to the Local Team Championship or the APA World Pool Championships unless they are re-added to the team by week # 4 of the Spring session and shoot at least 4 times with the team during the Spring session. If re-added to the roster (before week # 4 of the Spring session); and if they shoot at least 4 times with the team during the Spring session, and if they have at least 10 actually shot league scores in their record by the end of the Spring session... the player regains both their Aeligibility@ and Aoriginality@ and are again eligible to shoot with the team in all levels of Higher Level Tournament play, including the Local Team Championship, if the team should advance that far. The only players eligible to advance with a Qualified team to the Local Team Championship are those players listed on the Qualified team=s ASpring@ roster (as of week # 4 of the Spring session) who are deemed eligible by the following criteria: (1) they were listed as eligible players on the team=s roster when the team qualified in the Tri-Annuals; they have at least 10 scores in their record by the end of the Spring Tri-Annual Championships; and they have shot with the team at least four times during the Spring session; or (2) they are replacements players who meet all Areplacement@ player eligibility, have been approved by the League Operator/League Manager, and have shot at least four times with the team during the Spring session. Any player dropped from your qualifying roster and not re-added to the Spring roster (by week #4) has lost their eligibility to advance with the team and share in any awards or prize monies. If a team elects to replace a dropped player(s) with a Anew@ or Anon-established@ (less than 10 scores in their record) or non-approved player on their Spring roster, or if a team elects to keep a player on the roster who was Anon-established@ when the team qualified, that Anew@ (or non-established/non-approved) player will not be eligible, nor can they ever gain eligibility, to play with the team in the Local Team Championship or the APA World Pool Championship or share in any prizes or awards (unless your team again Aqualifies@ in the Spring Tri-Annual). The player they replaced is also non-eligible to compete or share in any prizes or awards. New, non-eligible players are automatically removed from your Local Team Championship roster (think twice before carrying non-eligible players on your Spring roster and limiting your Local Team Championship roster to less than a full field of eight players). Your team may elect to replace a dropped player(s) with a veteran/aestablished@ APA member approved by the League Operator. Replacement player(s) must meet the following criteria: (1) they must have had at least 10 scores in their record (preferably 20 scores) as of the date your team qualified in the Tri-Annual Championship; (2) they must have shot in our local APA league area, and in the same format within the past months; (3) they must be approved by the APA League Operator/League Manager (your request must be submitted to the league office prior to week #4 of the Spring Session); and (4) they must have shot with the team at least four times during the regular Spring session. Don=t try to find the Abest 4", etc. Replacement players will be carefully reviewed and if they are Aborderline@ players or have Alimited@ scores in their record (10 minimum), they will be authorized only after their skill level is adjusted to a proper level. 26

28 Win a Trip to Vegas for only $20 HOW DO I MAKE IT TO LAS VEGAS? $500,000 APA NATIONAL SINGLES PROGRAM Step 1... Step 2... WHO CAN REGISTER? HOW TO REGISTER? WHEN AND WHERE? SL CHANGES? ELIGIBILITY? Enter and win a local Singles Tournament in your specific skill level category (and format) and advance to the Green Room (March 2017) to play in the APA Spring Singles Regional (dates & location subject to change). Win at the Regional Singles Tournament in your specific skill level category (and format) and receive travel assistance and hotel accommodations at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. You will compete with other players in your specific skill level category (and format) for lots of cash, and one of eight National titles offered in the $500,000 APA Poolplayers Championship. APA players who are on an active 8-Ball team, and have at least ten (10) lifetime 8-Ball matches in their record (at the time that they register) may register for the 8-Ball Mega Singles Tournament... APA players who are on an active 9-Ball team (with 10 lifetime 9-Ball scores in their record) may register for the 9-Ball Mega Singles Tournament. All 10 scores must have occurred over the past two years. You must pre-register and pre-pay online using PAY PAL. Look for fliers in your team envelope around the middle of the session notifying you of open registration dates. Please visit to register online. If you have a problem registering online, please give our Tournament Manager, Paula Belange, a call on Ext Ball will be played at The on Saturday, July 30 th at 12 Noon... doors open at 11:00am... check-in at 11:00am to 11:45am with matches beginning at noon and 8-Ball will be played on Saturday, July 30 th at 6:00pm... check-in at 5:00pm-5:45pm with matches beginning at 6pm. (Seeded by skill level if possible) You will play in the event at the skill level you possess at the time we receive your registration, or at the time we process paperwork for the event; whichever is higher! If an increase in skill level places you in another bracket, you will not be disqualified; you will simply be assigned to play in the proper skill level bracket in which you belong (if possible). Once qualified, to maintain eligibility you must remain on an active team within the same format (each session) until completion of the National Championship. Register Online at Registration Deadline Monday July 11 th,

29 More Ways to get to Win a Trip to Vegas* and a portion of over 500,000 ** $ for just $ 20 *** 3 Easy Steps Local Qualifier Regional Qualifier National Championships Just $20*** Entry Fee NO Additional Entry Fee NO Additional Entry Fee Las Vegas! A Champion in Each Tier! NEW $ 15,000 Each Tier Blue Tier Skill Levels 2 & 3 Yellow Tier Skill Level 4 Red Tier Skill Level 5 Orange Tier Skill Level 6 Purple Tier Skill Level 7 $ 10,000 Each Tier Green Tier Skill Levels 1-3 White Tier Skill Levels 4 & 5 Black Tier Skill Levels 6-9 Contact your Local League Operator today about qualifying for the National Singles Championships or log onto poolplayers.com *Paid lodging based on single occupancy and travel assistance. **Over $500,000 Cash and Prizes. ***Entry fee may vary by area. 9/12

30 Top Gun Invitational Tournaments Every session, we award our TOP GUN patch to the best in each category, in every Division. One winner in each of three 8-Ball categories... SL 2-3, 4-5, and 6-7 and one winner in each of three 9-Ball categories... SL 1-3, 4-5, those with the highest PERFORMANCE AVERAGE PA (highest winning percentage of available points). All winners, in all categories, in both 8-Ball and 9-Ball, are invited to our Top Gun Invitational Tournaments. Invitations, along with Top Gun Patches will be mailed out around week # 4 of the Summer Session to the Spring 2016 winners and the list of all invitees will be posted on our website. Invitees who wish to participate must register for the 8-Ball Tournament by June 20th, and the 9-Ball Tournament by June 27th! Register through your invitation or online at Any Questions? Call Paula Belange at Ext. 122 The Top 8 winners of each of the Top Gun Invitational Tournaments will receive Plaques and advance to the Singles Regionals. 8-Ball Top Gun Invitational Tournament When: Saturday, July 9th, 2016 at 12 Noon (Registration Deadline: June 20th) Where: The - Doors open at 11:00am; Registration 11:00-11:30am with a player meeting at 11:45am. Play starts immediately after. Eligibility Requirements: APA players who are on an active 8-Ball team, and have at least ten (10) lifetime 8-Ball matches in their record (at the time that they register) may register for the Top Gun Invitational. 9-Ball Top Gun Invitational Tournament When: Saturday, July 16th, 2016 at 12 Noon (Registration Deadline: June 27th) Where: The - Doors open at 11:00am; Registration 11:00-11:30am with a player meeting at 11:45am. Play starts immediately after. Eligibility Requirements: APA players who are on an active 9-Ball team, and have at least ten (10) lifetime 9-Ball matches in their record (at the time that they register) may register for the Top Gun Invitational. 29

31 SKILL LEVEL REVIEW POLICY & PROCEDURE Go online to login, and fill out the Skill Level Evaluation Form OR Submit a letter or in detail describing why you feel the player is Over/Under Rated The Executive Review Committee (ERC) meets weekly to review player evaluation requests. When reviewing Player Evaluation Requests we look at the following: All notes in the player record Current and past performances, along with Playoff, HLT, and Singles Statistics Lifetime Win Percentages Team Standings Whether the player is on a team that is known to attempt to hold skill levels down An response is sent back to the requestor listing the disposition that was made and the stats to support our decision. A copy of the is also sent to the Division Reps in each Division in which the player shoots. If the player being reviewed is either raised or lowered, they will also receive an notification. 30

32 APA CASH INCENTIVE PROGRAM EARN $$$ CASH $$$ FOR SIGNING-UP *NEW* TEAMS TO THE APA! 3 REWARD LEVELS Silver Level - Gold Level - Platinum Level - $100 per team $150 per team $200 per team Silver Level - $100 for recruiting a *NEW* Team. The wait staff at all of our current and perspective hosting locations, along with all of our active APA members will be given Silver Level status and will receive $100 for personally referring 1 *NEW* team to the APA! Gold Level - $150 for recruiting a *NEW* Team. If you refer a 2 nd team to the APA (within 12 months of your first referral) you will advance to the Gold Level and receive $150 for your second referral. Platinum Level - $200 for recruiting a *NEW* Team. If you refer a 3 rd team (within 12 months of your second referral) you advance to the Platinum Level and will receive $200 for your 3 rd and all future referrals... as long as you continue to refer at least one team every 12 months, otherwise you will drop back to the Silver Level. To Be Eligible To Receive Cash For Signing-Up *NEW* Teams To The APA You Must Personally Sign-Up The Team and The Team Must Meet The Following Criteria: To be considered a *NEW* Team the team must consist of a combination of at least five new players who have never played in the APA in any format and/or prior APA players who have not played in the APA within 12 months in any format. Replacing players to a team that was Active the previous session does not qualify the team as a *NEW* Team. Eligibility is based on the team s week # 5 roster. Referral checks will be sent out on/around week # 8 of the session, along with team rewards. You should also 1. Personally turn-in the Registration Form to the Office (to assure you get credit for your efforts) 2. Spend an hour or so teaching the *NEW* team the rules; teach them about the pick-up and drop-off system; remind them when the new session starts; and if possible, meet them on the first week of play and help them get started explain the info in the New Team Packet, etc. To Guarantee That You Receive Credit For Recruiting/Referring A New Team To The APA: 1. Fill out the Recruiting/Referral Section COMPLETELY! 2. It is strongly suggested that YOU personally fill out the Team Registration Form for the NEW Team and turn it in yourself to the League Office. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GUARANTEE YOU GET CREDIT AND RECEIVE THE REFERRAL CASH! If you elect to simply give the form to a perspective Team Captain, at least fill out the Referral Section first and ask them to RETURN IT TO YOU! To receive credit for recruiting a team into the APA, your name MUST be on the form when it is received in the office! Do not call in (or have the Captain of the New Team call in) after the team shows up in the schedule and tell us that you were the person that talked them into joining. If you want credit for your efforts, your name MUST be on the Registration Form! If the team registers Online, tell them that they MUST list you as the person who REFERRED the team to the league for you to receive the Referral Cash! 31

33 APA Team Registration Form 2016 Fall Session Promo Code - RFFA16 Host Location: Tavern Phone #: Address: # Pool Tables: City, State, Zip: Circle Night of Play: S M TU W TH F Circle Format: 8-BALL or 9-BALL If your team qualifies, you and your Co-Captain could be eligible for an APA Jacket, a new Cue and Case, and more! CAPTAIN: APA Mem # Phone: Birthdate: Ever Played in the APA? If Yes, When? CO-CAPTAIN: Mem # Phone: Birthdate: Ever Played in the APA? If Yes, When? PLAYER 3: Mem # Phone: Birthdate: Ever Played in the APA? If Yes, When? PLAYER 4: Mem # Phone: Birthdate: Ever Played in the APA? If Yes, When? PLAYER 5: Mem # Phone: Birthdate: Ever Played in the APA? If Yes, When? PLAYER 6: Mem # Phone: Birthdate: Ever Played in the APA? If Yes, When? PLAYER 7: Mem # Phone: Birthdate: Ever Played in the APA? If Yes, When? PLAYER 8: Mem # Phone: Birthdate: Ever Played in the APA? If Yes, When? MAIL TO: APA POOL LEAGUE OF MARYLAND, 8518 FORT SMALLWOOD RD, PASADENA, MD or scan and this form to our Marketing Manager, Melissa Byrd... melissab@apapool.com ( Ext. 112) 5-8 Players per team (male/female)... Amateurs Only... Annual Membership $25/player Weekly League Fees - $8/player ($40/team)... not due until the first night of play You will be contacted a few days before the start of the session and advised where you play and where (locally) to pick-up your team envelope. DEADLINE TO REGISTER TEAMS IS MONDAY, JULY 25th Local 8-Ball & 9-Ball Leagues begin - Baltimore City & Baltimore & Howard Counties Sunday, August 7th Outlying Counties 8-Ball and 9-Ball Leagues begin the week of August 14th If you are the active APA member who signed-up this team to play in the APA, print your name and player # below: I APA Player # (must be an active APA member) have signed-up this team to play in the APA. I understand that if this team meets the eligibility requirements listed below, the Captain and the Co-Captain of this team will both receive an APA Jacket and a Nick Varner Signature Cue and case... and that I will receive $100 cash for referring this team. I understand that if I refer a 2nd eligible team within the next 12 months I will receive $150 for that team and that if I refer a 3rd eligible team within 12 months of my 2nd referral, I will receive $200 for that team. I also understand that I cannot receive BOTH Referral Cash and the Captain/Co-Captain Rewards Packet. Eligibility Requirements - For the Captain and Co-Captain to be eligible for the above Rewards and for the person who referred the team to be eligible for $100 in cash, the team s roster (as of week # 5 of the new session) must consist of a combination of at least FIVE new players or former APA members who have not played in the APA for at least 12 months. Adding/Dropping players to a team that played the previous session, or changing to a different night, format, or tavern does not meet the qualifying criteria. The team must also have all memberships fees and weekly dues up to date. Items will be shipped on week # 8 of the new session. Referral Cash will also be paid at that time! Thanks for playing in the APA!

34 NEW* TEAM REWARDS We re offering the following incentives to your friends for Registering a New* Team in the APA: (Provided they meet the NEW* Team Qualifying Criteria!) The Team Captain will receive a New Nick Varner Cue and Case (or $50 in Cash) or plus an APA Team Captain Jacket and a $25 Gift Card to Macy s, Sears, Home Depot, or Best Buy! The Co-Captain (for assisting the Captain in getting the team together) will also receive a New Nick Varner Cue and Case (or $50 in Cash) or plus an APA Jacket! *To be considered a NEW Team the team must consist of a combination of at least five new players who have never played in the APA in any format and/or prior APA players who have not played in the APA within 12 months in any format. Replacing players to a team that was Active the previous session does not qualify the team as a *NEW* Team. Eligibility is based on the team s week # 5 roster. Referral checks will be sent out on/around week # 8 of the session, along with team rewards. 33

35 You ve got the Game- Are you up for the Challenge? The League No handicaps. Maximum four players per roster. Three team members participate in each match. The Game Race to 7. U.S. Amateur rules and format. Eight games of 9-Ball & five games of 8-Ball. Points earned for games won; teams can earn a maximum of 21 points per night. Lag winner has choice of game format or break; the entire set of that format must be completed before playing the other format. For more information contact: Melissa Byrd Marketing & Sales Manager Ext.112 melissab@apapool.com

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