SE Wisconsin APA LOCAL BYLAWS (Revised 02/22/2018) Chris & John Rossing, League Operators 224-280-4736 Office Hours: Sunday 3:00pm-5:00pm and Monday-Thursday 10:00am-8:00pm. Closed Friday & Saturday. Email: sewisconsin@apaleagues.com Website: sewisconsin.apaleagues.com Facebook: SE Wisconsin APA Welcome to the American Poolplayers Association! This document explains the structure of the League at a local level and should be used in conjunction with your Official Team Manual (OTM) provided by the APA. These bylaws have been created for the smooth and efficient operation of the League and to help clarify common issues. Please read these bylaws carefully and keep them with your OTM for easy reference. All previous local bylaw documents are now null and void. This document is subject to change without notice. For the most current version, please refer to the website at sewisconsin.apaleagues.com. These Bylaws have been approved by the National Office. LEAGUE WEBSITE This website has the latest information on playoffs, tournaments, and any other SE Wisconsin APA events. All the programs and incentives offered by this League are explained in detail. Players and teams are recognized for their accomplishments and rewards. Please create a Member Services account and keep your personal information up to date. Through Member Services you will be able to view schedules, team rosters, standings and individual records. Like us on Facebook and keep up with pictures and happenings. Severe weather cancelations will be posted on Facebook. WEEKLY FEES Weekly team fees are typically $35 per night and $60 for Double Jeopardy ($30 for 8-Ball and $30 for 9-Ball) regardless of the number of matches played including forfeits, double plays and playoffs. Paying by check is the preferred method; please make it out to SE Wisconsin APA. The League Office is not responsible for cash differences in the envelopes. There will be a $25 charge for any returned checks plus loss of bonus points for that week and until the money is paid. APA memberships are due the first night a new player plays. If not paid by the second time that person plays, both matches will be re-entered as forfeits and the player will be dropped from the roster. Bonus points will not be given if renewing memberships are not paid by the fourth week of the session. Teams owing money are not eligible for the playoffs, awards, higher level tournaments, nor the Vegas Ticket Raffle. TEAMS OWING MONEY The first week a team is short on their weekly fees, the scoresheet will be highlighted showing the amount past due. The second week there will be a FINAL NOTICE written on the scoresheet. The third week, the players who owe the money will be marked ineligible to play. If it is not known who owes the money, the Team Captain will be marked ineligible to play. The fourth week, the entire team will be marked ineligible. Payment plans can be agreed upon with the League Office to keep the team playing without interruption. TEAM ENVELOPES In most cases the team envelopes will be delivered to the host location where the match is scheduled and should be left in the same place after play. Pick up and drop off arrangements will be made between the captain and the League Office when the bar hours are not compatible with routine drop offs and pick ups. Please check the envelope for announcements and share with all players.
BONUS POINTS Bonus points are earned when (1) the correct money is enclosed (including APA memberships) and all fees are paid up to date, and (2) the scoresheet is neat, complete, & signed by both Team Captains. The bonus points awarded will be two for 8-Ball and ten for 9-Ball. Half of the points will be based on the fees and the other half for accurate scoresheets. TEAM SKILL LEVEL LIMIT Any team violating The 23-Rule will receive zero points for the night. Please see pages 33-34 of the OTM for further clarification. BYE WEEKS The following points will be given for a bye. 8-Ball: 8 Bye Points + 2 Bonus Points, & 9-Ball: 60 Bye Points + 10 Bonus Points If the bye is filled within the first four weeks of the session, make-up matches will be required and should be completed as soon as possible. If the bye is filled after the fourth week of the session, the incoming team will be assigned the same number of points as the last place team in the division, minus bonus points. BYE WEEK PROMOTIONS APA frequently offers Fill the Bye Promotions in an attempt to round out divisions so there is no bye. These promotions may allow a team to play free or at a discounted rate for a specified number of weeks. The promotion is not guaranteed and may change at any time. To prevent abuse of this incentive, APA has the right to deny the incentive if deemed necessary. START TIME AND FORFEITS Start time is 4:00 for Double Jeopardy and 7:00 for all other nights. Play will begin on time even if only one player is present. If no players on a team are present at the location or ready to play at 15 minutes after the scheduled start time then an individual match forfeit is awarded to the non-offending team. If no players are present by 30 minutes after the scheduled start time then a full team forfeit will be awarded. A grace period may be given at the opposing team s discretion. Good sportsmanship is always encouraged. Once play has started, it must be continuous or forfeits will be awarded to the team with five players present and listed on the score sheet. FORFEITS IN 8-BALL DO NOT COUNT AS MATCHES PLAYED Full team forfeit = 10 points + 2 bonus points Individual forfeit = 2 points during regular season & 3 points during playoffs FORFEITS IN 9-BALL DO NOT COUNT AS MATCHES PLAYED Full team forfeit = 75 points + 10 bonus points Individual forfeit = 15 points during regular season & 20 points during playoffs CONCEDED MATCHES A conceded match is a match that was started (the first rack was broken) but was not played to completion. Neither player earned enough games or points to win the match. This is a deliberate forfeit and will be scored with a 3-0 in 8-ball and a 20-0 in 9-ball. This is not to be confused with a player giving his opponent the last three or less balls on the table. Players sometimes do this when it is a straight-in shot to win the match. If there was an emergency that prevented a player from finishing, that match is declared a non-match to be completed at a later date, or replayed with different players. Conceded matches do not count as matches played. Repeated offenses will result in sportsmanship violations. CONTINUOUS PLAY Each team has two minutes to put up their next player and that player should be ready and go to the table. Once a team has declared a player, they cannot change that player unless the 23 Rule will be violated. The match will not be put on hold to give a smoke break or get a drink from the bar. A player may not smoke during his turn at the table. COACHING/TIME-OUTS Do you want a time-out? or Do you want a bridge? These are examples of potential coaching and should be marked as a time-out. This could imply that one sees something the shooter does not see. Players should decide right away, within the first few seconds if they would like a coach. Please do not walk around the table for one or two minutes and then ask for a time-out. Please keep time-outs to a minute or less. 2
DOUBLE PLAY RULE To avoid forfeits, up to two players per team shall be allowed to play twice on the same night during the regular session. The team with five players (whose skill levels total 23 or less) came to play five matches. They get to decide to double play or forfeit the last individual match of the other team who does not have five players or cannot comply with the 23-Rule. The decision must be announced prior to the start of the fourth match. Teams do not join this league to get forfeits; they join because they want to play. The following rules shall apply. ~the Double Play matches shall be the final matches of the night ~the team must notify the opponent before the player selection of the prior match ~the team with five players present shall select who will Double Play, abiding by the 23-Rule ~all players who have already played or were present at some point in the evening must be available to play again or have a legitimate reason (at the discretion of the opposing team) for leaving early ~if a player shows up before the start of the match, he must play ~a player may not be sent home, nor made unavailable to use a Double Play ~a player will be allowed to play back-to-back matches HOST LOCATIONS SE Wisconsin APA does not require a Host Location to provide quarters or courtesy drinks to players. However, if the Host Location agrees to provide the home team with a roll of quarters, the roll should be split equally among the five players. Teams are encouraged to enjoy the food and beverages available at the host locations. Do not bring any food or beverages into the Host Locations unless you have their permission to do so. SPLITTING MATCHES ON TWO TABLES Playing on two tables is always allowed from the start, as long as both teams agree. If both teams do not agree, play continues on one table The teams should always have extra scoresheets for when matches are split on two tables. The scoresheets from both teams must have the matches played in the same order or bonus points for the scoresheets will be lost on both teams. AGE REQUIREMENTS & BANNED PLAYERS The minimum age to participate in SE Wisconsin APA is 21 years old. The League Office may make exceptions to this rule on a case by case basis. However, this is subject to any applicable Federal, State or Local laws as well as the policy of each Host Location. The Team Captain should inform the Host Location of the underage player either before the night of play, or immediately upon arriving for a match to ensure there are no issues. APA cannot and will not require any Host Location to allow an underage player in their establishment. If a Host Location has banned a player from entering their establishment, the team must play without that player. The League has no right to insist a Host Location allow a person entry for a League match. REFUSAL TO DO BUSINESS At any time, at the sole discretion of the League Office SE Wisconsin APA can refuse to do business with any individual. These individuals might not be suspended from the APA but will not be welcome to play in this League. This will typically apply to people who are disruptive to the League and constantly complain about handicaps or otherwise deride the League. ADDING/DROPPING PLAYERS World Qualified teams may not make changes to their roster after the fourth week of the session. This is a National Rule and cannot be changed. DIVISION REPRESENTATIVES Division Representatives (Division Reps) are appointed by the League Office. A Division Rep has played in the League for a considerable amount of time, knows the rules, is a person of integrity and should be well respected by the general membership. The Division Reps will represent the League Operators in the field. They are also spokespersons for their division and ensure that all relevant concerns, questions, complaints, and suggestions are addressed and brought to the attention of the League Operators. The Division Rep should be the first point of contact for the team captains. The phone numbers are listed on the scoresheet 3
CONDUCT DURING LEAGUE PLAY First and foremost, everyone is playing in the League to have fun. It is expected that all teams treat each other with mutual respect during a match. There is a fine line between cheering for your player and against your opponent. As a general guideline, cheer for your player s accomplishments and not the opponent s misfortunes. Each Team Captain or acting Team Captain is responsible for the conduct of their players and any spectators with their team. All conflicts between teams shall be filtered through the Team Captains or acting Team Captains. The Division Rep may be called upon to mediate. However, the League Operators are the only ones allowed to make official rulings. Refer to the APA Official Team Manual for further clarification on Conduct during League Play. Penalties could include sportsmanship violations, loss of bonus points, and forfeiture of matches, verbal and/or written warnings, probation, suspension and refusal to do business. Once the situation has been resolved, it is over. No further discussion should be necessary. SEVERE WEATHER, RESCHEDULING MATCHES & HOLIDAYS The Team Captain may decide to cancel a match due to weather conditions or team situations such as funerals or other APA events. The Team Captain should notify the opposing Team Captain and the League Office 24 hours in advance, or as soon as possible. Missed matches must be played as soon as possible. Since teams are competing for awards across the entire League, such as The Big Cheese and MVP Awards, it is only fair that every division has the same number of weeks per session. For this reason, League play might be scheduled on official Federal Holidays and other days such as Super Bowl Sunday. The teams may agree to reschedule. It is strongly suggested that these matches be played prior to those days, if possible. Mother s Day rescheduled matches must be played prior to that date. No matches may be rescheduled in the last two weeks of the regular session. LAGGING, REPLACING MOVED BALLS & SHOOTING FROZEN BALLS The cue ball shall not be used for lagging. Both players should place their ball on the table, shake hands, get in shooting position, count to three (silently or out loud) and shoot. There will not be a re-lag because one player took too long. Repeat offenses of taking too long, will result in a sportsmanship violation. The lag is not part of the rotation in the doubles or Jack & Jill alternate shot format. If a ball is accidentally moved while a player is shooting, the opponent must place the ball back to its original position. If a ball is accidentally moved before the shot, it must be replaced before the shot is taken. If it is moved after or during the shot, the ball must be replaced as close as possible to its original position after all balls have stopped movement. Only the two players and the two Team Captains may be involved in this discussion. Good sportsmanship is always encouraged. If the cue ball or the object ball is frozen to the rail or another ball, or there is a close hit situation, either player should call someone to watch the shot. If no one is asked to watch the shot, the call will generally go to the shooter. Once someone is called to watch the shot, his/her decision is final, even if the players or teams dispute the call. A simultaneous hit, is a good hit. As stated in the OTM, push shots will not be called in this League. However, you can lessen your chances of being accused of a push shot or a double hit in these close hit situations by hitting the cue ball at a 30-degree angle. A double hit will result in a ballin-hand foul. SKILL LEVEL CONCERNS It is not acceptable to verbalize criticism of another player s skill level during League play or to the League Operators. The League Operators will not discuss someone s handicap with anyone but that person. If there is concern that a player may be over or under ranked, the Team Captain or anyone on the team may fill out the Request for Handicap Review form (otherwise known as The Green Slip ) found in the weekly envelope. Please do not write remarks regarding skill levels on the scoresheet. Fill out the form completely and place it in the sealed team envelope at the end of the night. The League Operators will do an evaluation on that player, but will not discuss the issue with anyone but that player. Please remember, everyone can have a good or bad night of shooting. New players may fluctuate and may not achieve their correct skill level in a timely manner. Accurate scorekeeping is essential in minimizing the manipulation of the Equalizer Handicap System. Constant requests from, or constant complaints about specific players could result in a sportsmanship violation. SCOREKEEPING Proper scorekeeping is expected by all teams. Everyone on the team should know how to keep score and should take turns keeping score. Matches played should be in the same order on both sheets. The innings and defensive shots do not have to match, but the scores do. The captain should complete the Fees Section in the bottom left of the scoresheet writing down who has paid and what amount. 4
MALE & CONVERTING SKILL LEVELS In higher levels tournaments, including the World Qualifier male players shall participate at a minimum skill level of 3 in 8-Ball and 2 in 9-Ball. However, during the regular session and Playoffs, males may play as 2s in 8-Ball and 1s in 9-Ball after ten matches played in that format. A player must be established (meaning there are ten matches recorded) in a format for that skill level to be converted to a different format. For example, if a male player is ranked a 2 in 9-Ball but has only played three matches, he must start 8-Ball as a skill level 4. However, if that player has ten or more matches on record, he is able to start 8- Ball as a skill level 3. In this example, the player would remain at a minimum skill level of 3 for the first ten matches in 8-Ball. DOUBLE JEOPARDY SPECIFIC The Team Captain of the home team shall toss one coin to determine who puts up the first player on both tables. Teams should be strategic in the way players are chosen for matches. A player may only play one match at a time. A match will not be put on hold so a player may give a time-out on the other table. It is important to follow time guidelines such as two minutes to put up a player and one minute time-outs. All players should be ready to play and step up to the table as soon as called. PATCHES Free Patches are limited to one per player, per type, per team, per session. Patches will be awarded the week after earned and will be in the team envelope. Please clearly mark in the message center of the scoresheet who earned what patch. Patches available for weekly play are: 8-on-the-Break, 9-on-the-Snap, 8 & 9 Break and Run, Rackless, Beat the League Operator, 20-0 Shut Out, and Team/Clean Sweep to the five people who played on that night (no forfeits or Double Plays). After the first earned patch is received, players will automatically be entered into the Vegas Ticket Raffle for each additional patch of the same kind. Players may still buy the additional earned patches for $1.00 each. Please mark in the message center and enclose the $1.00 on the night it was earned. VEGAS TICKET RAFFLE Each year during the World Qualifier (WQ) there will be a drawing to send one player to Las Vegas during the APA World Pool Championships in August or the following April/May. The Vegas Ticket will include round trip airfare from Milwaukee for one person and three nights lodging at the host hotel. The hotel may be upgraded at the winner s expense. The winner must be a player in good standing, active on a Spring roster, current with all fees, and have at least six matches played in the Spring Session and four in the upcoming Summer Session, and remain as such for the duration of the trip. At the WQ, three tickets will be drawn. The first ticket will win the trip. The second and third tickets will receive prizes such as tickets to a Cubs vs Brewers game, Summerfest in Milwaukee, a new cue, or a gift card. The prizes will be announced before the drawing. This is a travel award, not a cash prize. The objective is to get more and more players to experience the Championship events in Las Vegas. If the winner is already going to Las Vegas for the APA World Pool Championship events and will be receiving travel assistance, the player has the following options. - The trip may be postponed until the next year during APA events in Las Vegas in April or August. -If the winner advances in April for Singles or Doubles, the Vegas Ticket would pay any remaining balance for airfare and three hotel nights. The player will receive reimbursement in cash or a Visa gift card upon arrival in Las Vegas. - The winner may extend his/her stay in Las Vegas by at least three nights beyond what the travel assistance fund is paying. In this case he/she would receive cash or a Visa gift card (upon arriving in Vegas) in the amount of the airfare and three hotel nights. This would help to offset the costs of the lengthened stay. - The winner could use the airfare and three nights hotel to bring another qualified player as a travel buddy, whether it is a spouse or a good friend. The qualified player must be in good standing, active on a Spring roster, current with all fees, and have at least six matches played in the Spring Session and four in the upcoming Summer Session, and not receiving any other travel assistance. Both players must travel and stay together. If the first place winner does not want the trip or cannot take the trip, the trip passes onto the second place winner. The second place winner would then have the above options. By giving up the trip, first place winner will not receive another prize. If the second place winner does not want the trip or cannot take the trip, it passes onto the third place winner who will then have the above options. If all three winners pass on the trip, then another drawing will be held as soon as possible in front of witnesses. Again, three tickets will be drawn but no additional prizes will be awarded. 5
EARNING VEGAS TICKET RAFFLES Each earned patch may be exchanged for one entry. Division Championship and WQ trophies earned after Fall 2013 may be exchanged for twenty entries. Each qualified player on the Division Championship team will receive five entries. Five entries will be given to The Big Cheese and MVP recipients at the end of each session. Also, five entries will be given to all participants of Singles and Doubles Boards, Jack & Jill, and Masters Tournaments. Other ways to gain entry tickets may be announced throughout the League year. SESSION PLAYOFFS All players must have played at least six times with the team in the current session (only four times during the Summer Session) to participate in the Playoffs and receive the awards. A player must have ten matches recorded to play in the WQ. This is a National Rule and cannot be changed. Coaching rules during the Playoffs are the same as during regular session play. Full team fees are to be paid regardless of the number of matches played. All qualified teams must maintain eligibility requirements as stated in the OTM. Divisions with seven teams or less: Trophies will be awarded to the First Place team, and one team will advance to the World Qualifier every session via Playoffs. Teams already qualified from previous sessions of the current League Year will not participate in the Playoffs. The team with the highest points will play a Wild Card, and the next two highest ranked teams will play each other. The winners of the first round will play each other in the second round. The winners of the second round will become a qualified team and advance to the WQ. If THE BIG CHEESE is awarded in this division, then two teams will become eligible in that session. In this case, THE BIG CHEESE will receive the awards, trophies and become WQ eligible. The Playoffs will determine the second team advancing to the WQ. Divisions with eight teams or more: Two teams will advance to the WQ every session. The team finishing with the highest points will receive trophies and advance to the WQ. If that team is already qualified, they will still receive the trophies, and the next highest ranked team will become eligible for the WQ. Teams already qualified from previous sessions of the current League Year will not participate in the Playoffs. The second place team will play the Wild Card, and the third and fourth teams will play each other. If the second place team is already qualified, third place will play the Wild Card, and fourth and fifth place will play each other. This progression continues until all four teams in the Playoffs are not yet qualified. There will be two rounds of Playoffs with the winners of the first round playing each other in the second round. The team winning the second round will become a qualified team and advance to the WQ. Divisions with thirteen teams or more: Three teams will advance to the WQ every session. The team finishing with the highest points will receive trophies and advance to the WQ. If that team is already qualified, they will still receive the trophies and the next highest team will become eligible for the WQ. If that team is already qualified, the next highest team will advance and so on. Teams already qualified from previous sessions of the current League Year will not participate in the Playoffs. The second and third place teams will play Wild Cards. The fifth place team will play the sixth place team. The fourth place team will play the seventh place team. The remaining teams will be entered into the weighted Wild Card Draws. There will be two rounds of Playoffs and the final winners will become WQ qualified. WILDCARD DRAWING The Wild Card is a team drawn at random from all of the remaining teams in the division that did not make the Playoffs through the ranks. When drawing for the Wild Card to participate in Playoffs, the drawing will be weighted according to the final standings of the teams that did not earn an automatic bid into the Playoffs. The number of entries into the Wild Card draw will be dependent on the number of teams in the division, as well as a team's final standing in the division. The last place team will receive 1 entry into the Wildcard Draw, the 2nd to last place team will receive 2 entries, the 3rd to last place team will receive 3 entries and so on. Thus, a team finishing 4th in a 6 team division will receive 3 entries into the Wildcard Draw, while a team finishing 4th in an 8 team division will receive 5 entries. 6
HOME ADVANTAGE Playoffs will usually take place at the home location of the higher ranked team. In cases where the home bar belongs to two teams playing in two different Playoffs, the lower ranked team will decide to play either at the opponent s home location or at a neutral location. The location for Double Jeopardy Playoffs will be decided between the League Office and the Team Captains. AWARDS Trophies will be given to each qualified player on the Division Championship Team who wins the title by earning the highest points in their division at the end of the session. Awards will also be given to each qualified player on the team that wins the Playoffs. A qualified player must have played the minimum number of matches with the team for the current session. This would be at least four matches in the Summer Session and six matches during Fall and Spring. The winning team s Host Location will also receive a trophy. Trophies will be given to each qualified player on the teams that win the WORLD QUALIFIER and advance to the APA World Pool Championships in Las Vegas. THE BIG CHEESE and MVP Awards will be presented after the final week of regular play each session. MVP AWARDS At the end of each session, awards will be given to the male and female players who have earned the highest percentage of points available across the entire League, not just their divisions. Go to sewisconsin.apaleagues.com for complete information on this and other programs. THE BIG CHEESE AWARD At the end of the Fall and Spring Sessions, THE BIG CHEESE AWARD will be given to the team with the highest points in each format across the entire League. THE BIG CHEESE recipients will receive a certificate, a patch, two coupons for free play and five Vegas Ticket Entries. In addition to these awards, THE BIG CHEESE will advance to the WQ. If the team is already qualified, the team will still receive the awards, and the next highest ranked team will advance. If that team is also qualified, the eligibility will continue down the rankings until a team advances. In the event of a tie, the team that was in the lead the previous week will win the award. If there is still a tie, the award will be based on the standings of the week before that, and so on until a winner is declared. All players must have the minimum matches played per session to be eligible for the awards. 500, 750 & 1,000 MATCHES PLAYED Players will be recognized and rewarded for playing their 500 th, 750 th and 1,000 th match in SE Wisconsin APA. Awards will typically consist of a certificate, a patch and three free matches of League pool. TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FOR THE APA WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS Winners of the World Qualifier will receive travel assistance for airfare and lodging to attend the APA World Pool Championships in Las Vegas in August. The total amount available in the Players Fund will be divided among all those players participating in this event. Players who do not travel to Las Vegas are not entitled to any portion of the travel assistance fund. All players going to the APA World Pool Championships must remain active in the Summer Session to receive travel assistance and be eligible to participate in the event. GOOD LUCK & GOOD SHOOTING! 7