APA Pool League of Maryland Team Information Packet

Transcription

1 APA Pool League of Maryland Team Information Packet Summer 2014 Please keep in your Team Envelope for reference apapool.com Like us on Facebook

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Start of Session 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 General Information New MVP/Top Gun Program...11 Playoff T-Shirts...12 League Fees (Finances) End of Session Playoff Information How to Obtain Playoff Information Playoff Dates & Times Playoff Eligibility / Picture I.D. Required Playoff Rules for 8-Ball & 9-Ball Ball and 9-Ball Scorekeeping New 8-Ball Scoresheet...19 Sample 9-Ball Scoresheet National Qualifier Eligibility Requirements/Pre-Registered Tournaments Eligibility Requirements Ball & 9-Ball Singles Information Ball and 9-Ball Top Gun Invitational Tournaments...25 APA Survival Rule

3 APA OFFICE STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: Toll Free: Fax: League Manager - Cindy Morrison (ext. 116) cindym@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 - Kathy Melcavage (ext. 122) kathym@apapool.com Sales/Marketing Manager - Chris Berwind (ext. 125) chrisb@apapool.com Administrative Assistant - Melissa Byrd (ext. 112) melissab@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 often for player stats, our member s forum, playoff and Tri-Cup Tournament information, our Calendar of Events, and other important news and updates. APA Pool League Office 8518 Fort Smallwood Road Pasadena, MD Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 4:30pm... (Lunch 12:00-12:30) CLOSED ON FRIDAYS. 2

4 Calendar of Local League Events Date Event Location April 27 - May 2 nd Amateur 8-Ball & 9-Ball Summer Leagues Begin in Baltimore City & Baltimore & Howard Co May 2 nd Spring Tier-1 & Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div ) May June July August September October Spring 9-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div ) Spring 8-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div. 1-24, 25-48) Spring 8-Ball & 9-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div ) APA Amateur 8-Ball & 9-Ball Summer Leagues Begin in Outlying Counties (Div ) Spring 9-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div ) Spring 8-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div. 1-24, 25-48) Spring 8-Ball & 9-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div ) Spring Session Tier-1 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 1) No Matches Played Memorial Day Holiday Observed Spring Session Tier-1 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 2) Spring Session Tier-2 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 1) Spring Session Tier-2 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 2) Season I APA 8-Ball & 9-Ball Singles window closes for the October NQ Season II APA 8-Ball & 9-Ball Singles window opens for the March NQ $140,000 National Qualifier 8-Ball, 9-Ball, & Masters Tournaments (Weekend # 1) $140,000 National Qualifier 8-Ball, 9-Ball, & Masters Tournaments (Weekend # 2) Independence Day Holiday Observed No Matches Played Deadline to register for Summer Session Mega Singles Tournaments 8-Ball Top Gun Invitational Tournament 12 Noon (Doors open and Registration begins at 11:00am) 9-Ball Top Gun Invitational Tournament 6:00pm (Registration begins at 5:00pm) Rep Meeting (6pm) & Rep Tournament (7pm) - Doors Open 5:30 (Pre-Registration Required) APA 8-Ball Mega Singles Tournament (12 Noon) Doors Open 11:00am (Pre-Registration Required) APA 9-Ball Mega Singles Tournament (6pm) (Pre-Registration Required) Deadline To Register 8-Ball, 9-Ball, and Masters Teams for the Fall Session Vegas Teams Bon Voyage Party (1PM) Invitation Only APA Amateur 8-Ball & 9-Ball Tier-1 & Tier-2 Summer Session Semi-Finals APA Amateur 8-Ball & 9-Ball Fall Leagues begin Baltimore City & Baltimore & Howard Co. Summer Tier-1 & Tier-2 Divisional Finals for Div (Vegas Make-up Matches will be Played Locally at 1pm on Saturday Sept. 6 th ) $100,000 APA Amateur 9-Ball National Team Championship APA Jack & Jill National Championship $500,000 APA Amateur 8-Ball National Team Championship APA Amateur 8-Ball & 9-Ball Fall Leagues Begin in the Outlying Counties (Div ) APA Masters National Championship Labor Day Holiday Observed No Matches Played Labor Day Holiday Observed No Matches Played Summer 9-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div ) Summer 8-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div. 1-24, 25-48) Vegas NTC Make-up Matches Tier-1 & Tier-2 Finals Div Summer 8-Ball & 9-Ball Tier-1 Divisional Finals (Div ) Summer 9-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div ) Summer 8-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div. 1-24, 25-48) Summer 8-Ball & 9-Ball Tier-2 Divisional Finals (Div ) U.S. Amateur National Qualifier Summer Session Tier-1 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 1) Summer Session Tier-1 Tri-Annuals (Weekend # 2) APA Regional 8-Ball Singles National Qualifier APA Regional 9-Ball Singles National Qualifier Summer Session Tier-2 Tri-Annuals (Weekend #1) Summer Session Tier-2 Tri-Annuals (Weekend #2) 3 Played Locally Played Locally Played Locally Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV Played Locally Las Vegas, NV Played Locally

5 FILL A BYE PROMOTION ONLY VALID BETWEEN WEEK # 2 AND WEEK # 4 Like $100 Cash... Help us fill the Bye 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 or APA Rewards Points as follows: Split your team to fill the Bye and both Captains will each receive $50 cash (or 150 APA Rewards Points)! 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 Rewards, or cash awards, you must call Cindy Morrison our League Manager, ext. 116 and personally register the team. Your week # 5 roster will determine your eligibility for the Split A Team or Fill The Bye Promotions. APA Rewards Points and/or cash awards will be issued to your account between week #7 and week #10. 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 2014 MEMBERSHIP FEES ARE DUE THE NIGHT YOU SHOOT! 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 solve the problem by talking with the other Team Captain off to the side (away from all teammates). If it s a rules problem, resolve it with your Local Bylaws or APA Official Team Manual (be sure to take them 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 you can not resolve the problem with your Bylaws or the APA Official Team Manual or if the opposing Captain is non-cooperative, simply call for an OFFICIAL... RULES or SPORTSMANSHIP timeout (the same as calling for an OFFICIAL COACHING timeout. STEP 3 - Call one of your Division Reps... (check the schedule to see where they are playing) and ask them to assist you. If it s a RULES question, they will try and help you find it in their copy of the Local Bylaws or APA Official Team Manual. They are not authorized to quote rules or policy, simply help you find the page where the answer to your question can be found. It is still your responsibility to have your Rules Books 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. Refer to your division schedule for the phone numbers of the locations where your Division Reps are shooting. STEP 4 - If the problem was a RULES problem and your Division Rep could not help with solving the problem, suspend that specific match and file an OFFICIAL PROTEST (include your $25 Protest Fee) and immediately start up the next match. If the problem was a SPORTSMANSHIP problem which could not be resolved, 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 $25 Protest Fees in their team envelope (which must be received on time). 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 TO SHAKE EACH OTHER S HAND AND INTRODUCE 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. 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 division number to reach your specific Division Manager. For other skill level and sportsmanship complaints, write a 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. 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-rides 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 the member is playing a specific game format (8-Ball or 9-Ball) for the first time, but has an established skill level (10 or more lifetime matches played in another game format), they must start the new game format at their previously established skill level. If they are not an established player they must start as a new player. 9. If the member had at least six (6) prior matches played lifetime 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 lifetime 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 co-captain. 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 office may also elect to remove the Team Captain at that time). Your team envelope may be picked up at your designated "PICK-UP" location (shown in the upper right hand corner on your team envelope) anytime 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 from our website. 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 can not 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 can not 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 (AND NO 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 week (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 forfeits DO NOT count)... or forfeits 3 or more matches the last week of play... or 3. Your team earns 4 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 NEW TOP GUN PROGRAM REPLACES OLD MVP PROGRAM! Our New TOP GUN program will recognize the TOP performers in each of three skill level brackets, the same as did our old MVP Program. The difference is that recognition will now be based upon an individual s overall PERFORMANCE AVERAGE (PA) or Winning PERCENTAGE of POINTS AVAILABLE. If a player averages 2 out of 3 possible points each week, their PA ( Performance Average) would be.666 (or 2/3 of Points Available); if a player shoots 10 times during the session and scores 15 points (of the 30 points available), they would have a PA of.500; if they score 3/4 of the Points Available, that would be 75% or.750, etc. Each session, we will be recognizing over 400 Top Gun performers. The w inners from each Division (in each of 3 skill level brackets) will receive a Top Gun patch and certificate. The top 64 TOP GUN PERFORMERS (league- wide) will be invited to an APA TOP GUN INVITATIONAL every session (see p. 25). We award 3 categories per Division and with over 140 Divisions in our league, it would be impossible to invite all 400 winners to the Top Gun Championship. You may win Top Gun in your Division, but not one of the top 64 in the entire league. NEW MVP PROGRAM! One of the reasons we changed the name of our old MVP programs was that we ve changed our view on how we look at what an MVP player is. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) is not necessarily the player on the team that has the best record. The MVP might be the player who shows up each and every week; the player that keeps score for the team, the player that coaches the team to victory, etc. We feel that it differs from team to team, so we decided to let each team choose their own MVP player. Towards the end of each session, we will be sending out an MVP patch to each team to present to the player that they feel deserves it. If you cannot choose a player, or prefer not to choose a player, give it to a different teammember each session. 11

13 PLAYOFF & HIGH POINT FINISHER T-SHIRTS REPLACE TROPHIES AS DIVISIONAL AWARDS DIFFERENT COLOR EACH SESSION DIFFERENT DESIGN EACH YEAR SIZES AVAILABLE (SMALL 5X) Front of T-Shirts Back of T-Shirts 8-Ball Masters 9-Ball 12

14 LEAGUE FEES Section I Weekly fees are $40 a week / $8 per person. 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 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 can not 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. You may use the credits 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 will be suspended from being either a Captain or Co-Captain for a minimum of two years. Teams two (2) or more weeks in arrears at the end of regular session play, will not be eligible for the Divisional Playoffs. Any Captain who falls more than two (2) weeks in arrears will be flagged and will be removed as Captain. 13

15 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 are past dues from the prior session that should have been paid weeks before! 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. Spring Session Annual Memberships (Renewals) are prorated (until March 1) for players who paid their membership in the Fall Session. If you are a brand new APA member and the first time you join and pay your membership fee is during the Fall session, 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. 14

16 HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOU MADE THE END-OF-SESSION PLAYOFFS Step 1... From the chart below, determine the day and time when the desired playoff information will be available from the League Office. Step 2... Call the League Office at 410/ (1/800/ ) and follow the instructions given by our automated Voice Mail System. Be sure you enter the correct Division #, when prompted to do so). Step 3... If you make it into the Playoffs, simply pick-up your team envelope at your designated pick-up location the same as usual (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 (6 PM) Friday, August 1 st for info on the Semi-Finals; anytime after (6 PM) Friday, August 8 th for info on the Finals. Wednesday... Call the office anytime after (6 PM) Monday, August 4 th for info on the Semi-Finals; anytime after (6 PM) Monday, August 11 th for info on the Finals. Thursday, Friday or Saturday... Call the office anytime after (6 PM) Tuesday, August 5 th for info on the Semi-Finals; anytime after (6 PM) Tuesday, August 12 th for info on the Finals. Wildcard teams play in the Semi-Finals (August 3 rd 8 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 Played Locally August 3 rd 8 th 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, you advance to the Tier-1 Semi-Finals (3rd vs 4th). If your team finishes in either 5th, 6th, or 7th Place...or draws the wildcard slot, your team will play in the Tier-2 Semi-Finals (5th vs W.C.... 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 Wildcard slot, your team will play in the Tier-2 Semi- Finals (4th vs W.C.... 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 (no Semi-Finals required). 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 W.C.... 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 (no Semi-Finals required). If your team finishes in 3rd Place your team will advance directly to the Tier-2 Finals (no Semi-Finals required). If your team finishes in either 4th Place...or draws the Wildcard slot, your team plays in the Tier-2 Semi-Finals. (5) Team Division... If your team finishes in either 1st or 2nd Place you will advance directly to the Tier-1 Finals (no Semi-Finals required). If your team finishes in 3rd or draws the Wildcard, you will advance directly to the Tier-2 Finals (no Semi-Finals required). (4) Team Division... If your team finishes in 1st Place you will advance directly to the Tier-1 Finals. If your team finishes in 2 nd Place or draws the Wildcard slot, you team plays in the Tier-1 Semi-Finals. Divisional Finals Division Tier-1 Finals will be played at The on... Sat. Sept. 6th (1PM); Tier-2 Finals will be played at The on.. Sat. Sept.13th (1PM). Division Tier-1 Finals will be played at The on...sat. Sept. 6th (7PM); Tier-2 Finals will be played at The on.. Sat. Sept.13th (7PM). Div Masters Finals will be played locally... Thursday, August 14th Div Tier-1 Finals will be played at The on... Friday, Sept. 5th (8pm) Tier-2 Finals will be played at The on... Friday, Sept. 12th (8pm) Div Tier-1 Finals will be played at The on... Sun. Sept. 7th (12 noon) Tier-2 Finals will be played at The on. Sun. Sept. 14th (12 noon) Div Both Tier-1 & Tier-2 Finals for the Outlying Counties will be played locally... the week of August 10th - August 15th (same night/time as regular play). 16

18 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 they had 6" or more 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 for 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 are 100% sure the player is who they say they are! 17

19 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 can not be resolved, call our PLAYOFF HOTLINE immediately at ). *** 8-BALL SPECIFICS - (NEW 3-POINT SCORING SYSTEM) 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 will be using three Division Reps. The Rep listed to the "left" will referee or provides coverage for the Tier-1 Semi-Finals. The Rep listed to the right will cover the Higher Finisher 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 lower place teams in the Tier-2 Semi-Finals. In our smaller 6-8 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 will cover the High Finisher and the Wildcard team; the Rep listed to the right will cover the lower place teams. In the Divisional Finals (Division ), the Rep to the left will cover the Tier-1 Finals, while the Rep to the right will cover the Tier-2 Finals. In Divisions with three Reps, the third Rep (the Rep listed below the other two on the scoresheet) will cover for the other two Reps when needed. If your team is scheduled to play a team on which a Division Rep is shooting, that Division Rep can not 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. Please make sure your Division Rep/Playoff Officiator signs your playoff survey form. This will help us weed out Reps who are not doing their jobs! HOTLINE #

20 3-POINT SCORING - SAMPLE SCORESHEET EXAMPLE # 1 Beth Hargett won Match 4 with a SHUTOUT (See Games Won column to the right) and received A 3-0 SPLIT. EXAMPLE # 2 Michael Wiles won Match 2 and received 2 points. His opponent (by taking it to the HILL) received 1 point... and... limited Michael to only 2 points. EXAMPLE # 3 Tina Aldridge won Match 1 and received 2 points. Her opponent did not make it to the HILL and received no points, but limited Tina to only 2 points by avoiding a SHUTOUT! 19

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22 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 2015 APA NATIONAL QUALIFIER Section I (For Teams who Qualify in the Summer 2014, Fall 2014, or Spring 2015 Tri-Annuals) If your team wins a National Qualifier 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 National Qualifier begin (8:00pm) Friday, June 19, 2015 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 National 8-Ball Championship held August 16-22, 2015 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first rounds of the $55,000 APA 9-Ball National Qualifier begin (1:00pm) Saturday, June 20, 2015 at The. There will be 36 teams competing in a modified double-elimination tournament with 11 teams advancing to the APA $100,000 National 9-Ball Championship held August 13-17, 2015 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. For a team to retain its team eligibility to compete in the above National Qualifiers and have the opportunity to advance to the APA Nationals, the team (once qualified) must play all subsequent sessions leading up to the June National Qualifier. 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 National Qualifier. 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 Board 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 Board 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 National Qualifier and have the opportunity to advance to the APA Nationals, all eligible team members must be listed on the qualified team s 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 National Qualifier. 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 can not advance with their team to the National Qualifier (they also lose eligibility to receive additional awards and prizes). Subsequent Summer Session scores do not count towards the 10 required scores. 21

23 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 2015 APA NATIONAL QUALIFIER 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 originality and eligibility and can no longer advance with their team to the National Qualifier or the APA Nationals 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 eligibility and originality and are again eligible to shoot with the team in all levels of Higher Level Tournament play, including the Nationals, if the team should advance that far. The only players eligible to advance with a Qualified team to the National Qualifier are those players listed on the Qualified team s Spring 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 replacement player eligibility, have been approved by the League Operator, and have shot at least four times with the team during the Spring session. Any player dropped from the team s original qualifying roster and not readded 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 new or non-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 non-established when the team qualified, that new (or nonestablished/non-approved) player will not be eligible, nor can they ever gain eligibility, to play with the team in the National Qualifier or the Nationals or share in any prizes or awards (unless your team again qualifies 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 National Qualifier roster (think twice before carrying non-eligible players on your Spring roster and limiting your National Qualifier roster to less than a full field of eight players). Your team may elect to replace a dropped player(s) with a veteran/ established 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 League Operator (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 best 4", etc. Replacement players will be carefully reviewed and if they are borderline players or have limited scores in their record (10 minimum), they will be authorized only after their skill level is adjusted to a proper level. 22

24 Win a Trip To Vegas for only $20 or only APA Rewards Points $500,000 APA NATIONAL SINGLES PROGRAM HOW DO I MAKE IT TO LAS VEGAS? Step 1... Step 2... WHO CAN REGISTER? HOW TO REGISTER? WHEN AND WHERE? Enter and win a local Singles Tournament in your specific skill level category (and format) and advance to the Green Room (March 2015) to play in the APA Fall 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 Riviera Hotel 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 National Singles 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. Look for registration forms in your team envelope around the middle of the session. Return the registration form to the league office, along with your $20 registration fee or register online at and use rewards points (if available). Do so before the registration deadline. th 8-Ball will be played at The on Saturday, July 26 at Noon... doors open at 11:00am... check-in at 11:00am to 11:45am with matches beginning at noon and th 9-Ball will be played on Saturday, July 26 at 6:00pm... check-in at 5:00pm-5:45pm with matches beginning at 6pm. (Seeded by skill level - if possible) SKILL LEVEL CHANGES MAINTAIN ELIGIBILITY 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 apapool.com Registration Deadline - Monday, July 7 th 23

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26 IT S FREE! IT S FREE!

27 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. st 2. You must notify the opposing team prior to the start of the 1 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 five (5) 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 six (6) 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-4. st th 5. The survival rule cannot be invoked by any team which is currently in 1 thru 4 place in st rd a seven(7) to sixteen(16) team division or 1 thru 3 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. 26

28 NEW LOOK APAPOOL.COM EAISER NAVIGATION BETWEEN LOCAL SITE AND MEMBER SERVICES (STATS) AND POOLPLAYERS.COM (NATIONAL SITE) OTHER IMPORTANT ONLINE INFORMATION Go to for this and much more! While online, please update your mailing and addresses! New Membership Cards Hard Plastic Annual Renewal Stickers Register for Tournaments Online Register your team Online! Division Champion and High Point Finishers now receive APA Championship T-Shirts! Local APA Patch Program see which patches are FREE? APA Member Discounts Like us on Facebook drawings for two $25 dollar gift cards each week! Important info is now ed to Captains/Team Members update your address online Online Member Services link on get your stats, print your scoresheets, view your team standings, and much more! Top Gun Invitational Tournaments every session Team Captain Appreciation Tournament every year Co-Captain Appreciation Tournament every year MVP and Top Gun patches every session Local website apapool.com New Look linked with Online Member Services and the National Site poolplayers.com and our local e-store Official Protest Forms Sportsmanship Complaint Forms online! 5-Star Sportsmanship Program Defensive Shot Videos Teaching Videos Captains Guide for Play At The New Green Room (Playoffs, Tri-Cups, NQ) Picture I.D. Required for All HLT Play Referee Guidelines and How to Request Referee Assistance Skill Levels are Updated each week and following BOG Evaluations, HLT Play, etc. Early Bird Registration Drawings $1,000 winner each session Late Registration Entry Points