APA Lehigh Valley BYLAWS 04/06/2018

APA Lehigh Valley BYLAWS 04/06/2018 Office Address: PO Box 480, Warrington PA 18976 Phone: 267-888-4383 FAX 215-675-3812 Office Email:APAlehighvalley@Yahoo.com Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM YOU JOINED THE APA TO HAVE FUN We want all of our players to enjoy their night out playing Pool, if for any reason you are not happy with the Actions or Conduct of an opposing player, Team or Host location patrons the locations you are playing a match at, please do not hesitate to contact the League Office by Phone, Text or Email. APA will not tolerate Physical or Verbal Assaults, Name Calling, or Racial Slurs, Any statement or comment made that is determined by the APA/Local League management to have caused embarrassment, intimidation or emotional pain,or any discrimination based on Race, Creed, Color and Gender. are cause for suspension from playing in the APA. refer to the APA Official Team Manual under Conduct during League Play There are NO BALL IN HAND FOULS IN THE BYLAWS See Team Manual for ALL Ball in Hand Fouls. Minimum age requirement: Our Host Locations must adher to the Pa State Liquor Board regulations, all players MUST be 21 to play in APA Lehigh Valley. Any establishment governed by the PLCB Rules that allow 18-20 year olds on their teams or to play in their establishment are subject to fines from the PLCB. (Team Manual states 21, except where prohibited by law) Any matches played by an underage player will be nullified. Offending team receives no points for that match. WEEKLY TEAM DUES: $40.00 for Open 8-Ball and Open 9-Ball for all scheduled matches. Weekly Team Dues must be paid in full, regardless of forfeit or how many matches played, including all playoff matches. ANNUAL APA DUES: $25.00 per player, Non Refundable Don t Pay = Don t Play APA requires that a player pay their dues the first night they play an APA Match. Any player that does not pay the APA Annual Dues the first night they play will be given one week to make the APA Annual Dues Payment. If the player does not pay the APA Annual Dues, all points earned by that player are removed from the teams, total points as well as the teams bonus points, for the weeks a non paid player played a match. Week 3 of All Sessions: all non-paid players will be removed from all team rosters. Teams may pay and add the player back to team roster (pg 4) on week 4. If a player plays on two nights, the player MUST pay the first night in the week that they listed on a team or they will be removed from that team week 3. WEEK 4 ALL TEAM ROSTERS LOCK. NO CHANGES CAN BE MADE AFTER WEEK 4 (SEE SURVIVAL OF TEAM POLICY PG 4) WITHOUT LEAGUE OFFICE APPROVAL. There are various ways to pay the weekly dues, but the League Office prefers checks or Money Orders!!! Teams sending cash in their weekly envelope are responsible for the cash UNTIL it arrives in the League Office. The League prefers a check or money order. If you send in Cash and money is missing when the envelope is opened by the League Office Staff, the team sending the cash in the team envelope is liable for the money. The Team must pay the missing funds the following week. The League Office has final say in all disputes regarding of missing cash from the League s weekly envelopes. CHECKS: Make checks payable to APA A returned check fee of $25.00 will be assessed for each check returned for any reason. The League reserves the right to refuse to accept a check from anyone that has had a check returned to the League for any reason (non-sufficient funds, closed accounts, etc.) A returned Check written to pay for the team s weekly dues and/or APA Annual Memberships will be charged back to the team as a PAST DUE, including the $25.00 returned check fee, as well as against the player who wrote the check. The team will be given one week to pay the bad check and any fees before the team starts losing the weekly bonus points due to the past due. 1

BONUS POINTS** THE TEAM MUST EARN THEM: Unearned Bonus points are not awarded after they are lost They are earned on the week you play or they are not earned. 8-BALL = 2 Bonus Point 9-BALL = 15 Bonus Points Teams will receive bonus points if they do the following: Scoresheets are legible and filled out completely including all innings, scores, player names and player numbers. All past due amounts owed to the League are paid in full. Return Envelopes are POSTMARKED the day after the match was played $40.00 Weekly Dues are in the team envelope, paid with two $20.00, a check or money order. League prefers checks and money orders. Any additional monies are paid with the largest bills possible. BYE POINTS 8-BALL = 8 points for a scheduled Bye 9-BALL = 65 points for a scheduled Bye All schedules need an even number of teams to balance the schedule. There are no dues payable for BYE weeks. Awarding of Bye Points in the first 4 weeks of play: Bye Points are awarded after week 5 of any session, at which time all bye points for weeks 1 5 (reflected in week 6 stats) will be added to the teams that were scheduled to receive the byes. If a team is added or dropped from the schedule. The League Office may require make up matches to be played if the Schedule is altered in the 1 st four weeks that remove the Bye from the schedule. (See Official Team Manual) TEAMS THAT DROP OUT OF THE LEAGUE AFTER THE SESSION STARTS: ONCE THE SCHEDULE IS MADE UP, THE SESSION IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE BEGUN. Any team that drops out of the League after the League has issued a schedule will be responsible for the remainder of dues for the entire session plus two weeks of playoffs. Each player will be assessed an equal share of the amount the team owes and this amount must be paid before that player plays for any other APA Team. TEAM CAPTAINS Are listed as first player on the team s roster; the 2 nd player = Team s Co Captain Both the Team Captain and Co-Captain MUST have a working Phone number, valid address and email address If they do not have an email address, supply the league with an email address of another member of the team. To make the change of Team Captains/Co Captain, mark it on scoresheet and send it to our office. If there is a dispute as to who should be the Team Captain/Co-Captain, we will require a written request signed by a majority of the players on a team TEAM CAPTAINS AND CO-CAPTAINS are responsible for: Representing the team in all matters dealing with the League Office / BOG. Informing their teammates of any schedule changes. Posting the session s schedule in the team s Host Location. The conduct of the team members and including guests with the team during any APA match. The APA Lehigh Valley uses a mail system. Teams download their own scoresheets from the Members Online Services (poolplayers.com) Each team is supplied with addressed stamped envelopes to return the scoresheets and weekly fees to the League Office envelopes should be mailed and postmarked the day after the scheduled match The League Office has the right to remove a player listed as a Team Captain or Co-Captain if the League Office determines that the player cannot handle the responsibility of being Team Captain/Co- Captain. PLAYER S INELIGIBLE TO PLAY: $ = Player that owes the League money and may not play any matches unless the player has cleared the monetary obligation to the League. If a player insists on playing a match, play the match and the League Office will resolve the dispute. (Player may have paid and score sheet was printed before he paid). Player suspended from the League is ineligible to assist the team in any manner, coaching picking players or playing any matches, including APA Tournaments or Events If a suspended player plays a match, it will be considered a forfeit. If you are playing against a team with a $ or X next to the player s name, inform the other team. If a player plays in a 2

match and the League has not been contacted (the issue been resolved), the match will be considered a forfeit to the other team and offending team may also lose their bonus point for the match. Changing the Cue Ball and/or Object balls for a match Home Teams may replace the cue ball or the Object ball for a match, but only if the balls being replaced are ON THE TABLE prior to the visiting team s practice period. The replaced balls are considered the GAME BALLS must remain on the pool table to be used by all players for all matches Getting Started on League Night LENGTH OF MATCHES: 8-Ball matches should not take over 4 ½ hours to play, 9-Ball 3 ½. To keep the matches moving along, have the players ready to play the next match; put up the players in a timely manner and start on time. The LATE NIGHTS will be few and far between. (See forfeits below). PRACTICE TIME before the match: Teams players are responsible for paying for their own practice racks. Home team practices from 1 hour prior to schedule start time to ½ hour from scheduled start time of the match. Visiting teams practice the ½ hour prior to the scheduled start of the match. Teams that arrive late forfeit the unused practice time. All practice STOPS at the scheduled start time and the match BEGINS. TABLE TIME FOR MATCH PLAY, INCLUDING PLAYOFFS AND GAME TABLE USED HOME TEAMS are responsible for the cost of the pool tables for all Match Play scheduled at their home location. BOME and VISITING Teams pay for their own Practice time on the Game. The League has no requirements for a Host Location to provide free use of their pool table. In locations with multiple pool tables, the Visiting MUST be notified which Pool Table will be used for the Match Table before they begin practice. MATCH SHOULD BEGIN AT THE SCHEDULED START TIME START TIME OF MATCHES: Two team representatives flip a coin to determine who puts up first player 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the match. Two teams choose their players and have their players at the match table ready to play at scheduled start time. If one player from each team is present, the match MUST begin at the scheduled start time, play must be continuous from that point forward. If there is no paperwork, start the match using plain paper until someone arrives with the paperwork. If no player from opposing team is at match site at scheduled time, the match will begin when the first player arrives to the match location. If no one shows up after 15 minutes from scheduled start time, the late team loses the first match by forfeit. If no one from the opposing team is present after 30 minutes from the scheduled start time, all matches are forfeited. League Office suggests that the two teams put up the players for the next match prior to the end of the match that is playing, so the match play keeps moving along, allowing both teams to get home at a decent time. PLAY MUST BE CONTINUOUS. Once the first match has begun, there is NO GRACE period between matches waiting for other players to show up. At the conclusion of a match, the team putting up first has two minutes to name their next player, that player MUST be in the building at the time they are named to play. The team matching the put up player has two minutes to name their player. Players should get started right away. NO GRACE PERIOD BETWEEN MATCHES Have your players ready to play. If your player is not present, you forfeit the match. If there is more than one match remaining, your team forfeits all remaining matches, provided the other team has enough eligible players present that are able to meet the 23-Rule at the time the forfeits are called. The present players names and handicaps must be listed on the scoresheet. The forfeited matches do not count as matches played; the players are listed to ensure that the team receiving the forfeits had eligible players present to receive the forfeits and could remain at 23 or less total handicaps. DECLARING PLAYERS: Once the two teams have named their players for the match, the teams may not change the players. The only exception would be if a declared player will cause the team to break 23. The offending team may stop the match (before the rack is struck) and declare a new player. If the offending player was the second player declared, only the offending player is changed. If offending team put up 1 st player both players may be changed. PLAYERS MOVING FROM 8-BALL TO 9-BALL OR 9-BALL TO 8-BALL: will begin playing at last known handicap in the other format (New Players to the League or players that have not played at least 10 matches in either 3

format, are treated as new players in the new format.) will be adjusted by the APA equalizer program. We suggest Player or Team Captain call League Office to verify matches played and handicap to use. player can look online to verify their matches in each format. If unsure, play the player at the higher of a new starting player and the player s present handicap in the other format. To receive forfeit points, the team taking the forfeit must have eligible players present at that time for each match being forfeited. List the players present so the match can be verified. If the team only has 4 players present, the team may only take the forfeit points up to the 4 th match. Neither team receives the point(s) for the 5 th match. List your eligible player (present at match) name and player number; write forfeit as the opposing team s players taking a forfeit for an individual match or entire night s matches. The League will not award full forfeit points during the first two (2) weeks of the session (due to schedule changes), or the last two weeks of the session. (Points = to Bye Points awarded for forfeit points during the first two weeks and last two weeks of a session.) ADDING A PLAYER(S) TO YOUR TEAM Draw a line through the players you wish to drop from the roster and write drop next to the player s name. Write in the player s name you are adding to the team roster, putting the required info on the back of scoresheet if an APA application is not available. YOU MUST provide the League with the player s name, address, DOB, phone number AND IF THEY PLAYED BEFORE IN APA (list WHERE they played: State, County, etc.) the first night they play or when you request to add the player to the team. Use the back of the score sheet if needed but we prefer an APA application filled out and returned to the League Office. If the player is unsure (example: was a 3 or maybe 4) play the player at the higher handicap. Failure to inform the League with all this information may result in the team losing all bonus points and points won each week the players play below their last known handicap. If the Office determines that the info was intentionally withheld, the player and Team Captain may be penalized. The Player must play at the last known handicap. ADDING A PLAYER THAT PLAYS IN A DIFFERENT FORMAT (8-Ball to 9-Ball or 9-Ball to 8-Ball): see players changing formats above. If you are unable to verify the number of matches played with the League Office, the player plays at the other format handicap. SURVIVAL OF A TEAM POLICY <> after week 4 If a team s roster drops to 6 or below, the team may request to replace players up to a total of 7 players on the roster. (Ex: Roster drops to 6 players, League Office will consider adding one (1) player to the roster, roster drops to 5 players, 2 players will be considered.) PLAYERS BEING ADDED Must be ranked at or below the players being removed from the roster or be new to the APA Survival of a team does not apply to teams trying to readjust their handicaps, league office makes final decision USING TWO TABLES DUE TO SLOW PLAY: If the third match is still being played 2 hours after scheduled start time and the location has a 2 nd pool table, the 4 th match must be started on the 2 nd pool table while the 3 rd match is playing. The 5 th match will begin play on the first available table A team that refuses to play on the 2 nd pool table or makes the 2 nd table unavailable (asking the location management not to allow the teams to use the 2 nd table) may be penalized, losing bonus points and/or match points. COACHING Coaches must be on the team roster (eligible players), teams/players may not receive advice from someone not on the team roster, directly or indirectly. The first person to approach the Table and assist the player is considered to be the coach for that player. You may change the coach for each legal timeout called. If someone stops the player, calls a timeout, or asks if the player wants to talk about it, the timeout has been called and must be used and marked as a timeout. If the player asks for a timeout, the Team/coach may refuse and no timeout is marked against that player. COACHING TIME LIMIT = 1 minute including any group consensus Player rated 3 and below may receive two (2) coach timeouts per rack for the entire match. Players rated 4 and above may receive one (1) coach timeout per rack for the entire match. This applies to session and playoff matches. Keep the timeouts to 1 minute or less. When a timeout has reached 45 seconds, the other team should state this aloud to the team taking the timeout. Finish your timeout and keep the game moving along. Coaches should be telling the player how to make a shot, not holding a training session on the pool table during the match. AFTER ONE MINUTE THE COACH IS OVER. The coach MUST walk away from the table. Repeated complaints about long timeouts will be considered unsportsmanlike and the team will be penalized with loss of points. New Players to the League playing receive 2 coaches in their first match 4

Mark Timeouts on scoresheets to prevent any arguments over number of times each player is coached. Taking more than the allotted timeouts/coaching s is NOT A FOUL. It is a sportsmanship violation, notify the League Office marking it on your scoresheet (Place a t in the game block (top of block for top player, bottom of game block for the bottom player.) AVERAGE SHOT = 20 seconds DIFFICULT SHOT = 20 to 45 seconds KEEP THE MATCH MOVING ALONG HOST LOCATION CLOSED, POOL TABLE IS BROKEN/UNPLAYABLE, HEATING / COOLING SYSTEM BROKEN, ROOF LEAKS. The Home team must choose a nearby neutral location to play the match at after obtaining the permission to use the neutral location or take the match to visiting team location if it is available. BALL LEAVES THE PLAYING SURFACE AND RETURNS TO THE PLAYING SURFACE The Ball may hit the Pool Table light, ride the rail and return to the playing surface, it is still in play. If the ball hits anything that is not a part of the pool table, (a cue, a body part, chalk, coaster) the ball (object or Cue Ball) is considered to have left the pool table. BALLS MOVED AND KNOCKED INTO A POCKET, if a ball is pocketed without being struck by the cue ball or a ball put into play during the course of a legal shot, (ex. Hit with the person s hand, elbow, cue stick or by another ball moved by the cue stick, hand etc.) the ball will be spotted to the same spot it was before the shot. A Ball in Hand Foul occurs only if any balls moved by hand or cue stick in error, are struck at any time by the cue ball in the course of a shot. JUMP AND MASSE SHOTS The APA does not allow the use of jump cues or breaking down a Cue Stick to attempt a jump shot. Using any stick shorter than 48 is not allowed, EXCEPT in the case of a wall, post or other obstruction. JUMP and MASSE SHOTS may be attempted (provided the location allows them), using the players regular cue, YOU MAY HAVE THE BUTT OF THE CUE OVER YOUR SHOULDER- however, you must grip the butt end of the cue in an overhand manner; you may not dart or spear the cue ball. Violating this policy is considered unsportsmanlike and results in a loss of turn, even if you pocket a ball spearing the shot, unless a foul was committed in the course of the shot. Intentionally Shooting a jump shot low and scooping under the Cue ball IS A FOUL Cue ball contacted the Cuestick. Miscuing when shooting low or draw on a shot IS NOT A FOUL see fouls section E NO RESCHEDULING OF MATCHES IN THE LAST TWO (2) WEEKS OF ANY SESSION WITHOUT LEAGUE OFFICE APPROVAL RESCHEDULING due to INCLEMENT WEATHER In the event of Floods, Blizzards, Severe Storms and other situations where an emergency is declared or a travel advisory is issued, teams must reschedule matches if one team requests a reschedule. Acts of nature may hinder the teams travel. Let common sense prevail, schedule rematches if necessary to avoid placing your teammates in danger on the roads in inclement weather. No forfeits will be called due to inclement weather. RESCHEDULING OF MATCHES 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MATCH If the opposing team and League Office are given 24-hour notice, the match will be rescheduled. The match must be played within 2 weeks of the scheduled match. BOTH Team Captains must call the League Office leaving a message that they are rescheduling their match, stating when and where they will play the rematch. If the two teams cannot agree on a date and time, the League Office will set the date and time of the rematch. Teams must us the player s CURRENT handicaps at the time they play the rematch. Write MAKEUP on scoresheets when you send them in to avoid loss of Bonus Points for Late Paperwork. Requesting to reschedule a match with Less than 24 hours notice; the other team may refuse to reschedule the match. If the two teams cannot agree to reschedule the match, the match will be played as scheduled. (Unless the request is due to weather and a state of emergency/travel Advisory has been declared in that area). Use common sense Failure to play a make-up match within 2 weeks after the scheduled night both teams lose their bonus points and may lose all points. Weekly Fees are still due. Neither team will receive points unless there are other circumstances that prevented the match from being played, the League Office must be notified prior to deadline to review and render a decision based upon all information received. Last Week of Play Teams may play match early, but may not reschedule match after last scheduled night of play No makeup matches will be accepted during the last week of play in any session, neither team will earn any points Teams may not move a match during a session/playoffs due to player(s) on teams being flagged from Host location. Teams that attempt to circumvent this league policy by calling the opposing team captain requesting to move the match to a different Host Location for any other reason than the location is closed, No power, No 5

Heat or AC, and the match is played at another Host Location BOTH TEAMS MAY RECEIVE ZERO POINTS for that match. CLOSE SHOTS If a shot looks like it may be close or cause a foul, the Shooters must agree on one person to watch the hit, The person that watches the shot decision is final. IF NO ONE WAS ASKED TO WATCH THE SHOT (or both shooters/teams agreed someone was watching the shot) and it is a close hit, the Call Goes to the shooter IF CUE BALL is within Chalk width of the OBJECT BALL it is a close hit. You MUST have someone watch the Hit to call this foul. Shooting straight through the CUE Ball into the object ball causes the cue Ball to rebound back into the cue Stick, then back into the object ball, causing a double hit. This is a FOUL. Cue Ball should not follow the object ball forward. The shooter can avoid the double hit by shooting at an angle causing the cue ball to run a tangent line of 30 degrees or more from the object ball direction of travel. The person asked to watch the hit should also be listening to the shot. If there is an echo of the hit (click-click) it is a DOUBLE HIT of the cue ball with the Cue Stick. ALL DISPUTED CALLS DO NOT GO TO THE SHOOTER, Flip a coin, Call goes to shooter only refers to Close Hits not watched by a neutral party. HOW TO SETTLE OTHER DISPUTES, (EI: nothing hit a rail after legal contact of object ball by cue ball, are settled by the flip of a coin. If both parties agree not to flip a coin, Players may RERACK THE GAME, 8 Ball cross off the game including innings, same player breaks again, 9-Ball, all remaining balls are counted as dead balls and the same person that broke the rack in question breaks again. If no one is asked to watch the Close Hit and it is disputed, the call goes to the shooter. MARKING THE POCKET ON THE 8-BALL SHOT.MARK THE POCKET, You may use anything you wish to mark the pocket (Chalk, Lighter, Money Clip, Coins, Credit Card) we prefer that you do not mark the pocket with Cash. YOU DO NOT NEED TO TAP OR TOUCH A MARKER THAT IS ALREADY AT A POCKET YOU ARE SHOOTING FOR. If the players are NOT following the APA RULE of marking the pocket, and the LEAGUE OFFICE is asked for a ruling, the player who did not mark his/her pocket will lose the rack. GET USED TO MARKING YOUR POCKET. PLACING THE CUE BALL IN BALL IN HAND SITUATIONS AND ADJUSTING THE CUE BALL POSITION You may place the cue ball on the table and then make any adjustments with your hand or your cue stick (including the ferrule or edge of the tip) or any other reasonable piece of equipment (EX: bridge). No foul can occur while adjusting the cue ball unless you push the cue ball forward with the tip of the stick in a forward motion while addressing the cue ball or cause the cue ball to come in contact with another ball or the hand, (including wrist or forearm of the arm holding the cue ball comes in contact with another ball while placing the cue in position. COACHES PLACING CUE BALL The Coach may place or position the cue ball only DURING A TIMEOUT when the player has been awarded Ball In Hand It is the Player s choice. The Player may place the Cue ball or have the coach place it for them. If the coach is placing or positioning the cue ball and fouls, it is considered a foul by the player. Only the coach or player may place the cue ball in position IF YOU CALL A FOUL OR VIOLATION OF LEAGUE POLICY Be prepared to show the rule or violation in the Official Team Manual or the Bylaws You can download PDF versions to your phone PROTESTING A MATCH due to a players action, Verbal or Physical abuse Stop the match and send in a $20.00 Protest Fee The League will get both teams together to resolve the problem We will not accept protests over a player s handicap, Play the match if the protest concerns a players handicap If you wish to protest a match, DO NOT SIGN THE SCORESHEET. Signing the score sheet means you agree to the outcome of the match and will automatically cancel the protest. Send in your written protest, include what action you are requesting the League Office take, along with $20.00 Protest Fee to the League Office. Print the names of as many players and witnesses to the problem on the back of your scoresheet or on a separate piece of paper, with phone numbers.. The opposing team or player that you are protesting against will be given the opportunity to defend themselves against the protest and will also send in $20.00, if your team does not respond to the protest, the protesting team wins the dispute and your team will be past due $20.00 NO PROTEST WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT A PROTEST FEE BEING SUBMITTED. 6

The League Office may rule on the protest or have the BOG (Board of Governors) or BOG executive committee rule on the protest. If the protest is brought before the BOG all parties involved will be informed of the date, time, and place of the meeting. All parties will be urged to bring any witnesses to the BOG meeting. The $20.00 deposit will be refunded to the team or person that wins the protest. The teams or person losing the protest will forfeit the $20.00. REFEREE S: The League does not provide Referee s for our matches. If you feel that there will be a problem playing another team, call the League Office, we will advise you of your options at that time ASKING OPPONENT FOR ID Ask either before the match starts or after the match is over, to avoid any perception of Sharking the player. If your opponent cannot produce proper photo ID, play the match, note on the scoresheet, take a picture of the player without ID, call the office and leave us a message. A League Representative will meet with both players to determine the identity of the player in question If player cannot show legal ID, Any team substituting a person to play in place of another player, will lose all points earned by all players on that night of play and the Team Captain, players present during the match in question or entire team may be assessed additional penalties. RULE OF 23 COMBINED HANIDICAPS OF 5 PLAYERS THAT PLAY A MATCH CANNOT EXCEED 23 POINTS TEAMS MAY NOT AGREE TO BREAK 23.. ANY TEAM THAT BREAKS 23 MAY LOSE ALL POINTS WON FOR THE NIGHT Team may play 4 matches and forfeit the last match but must be able to show a player on their roster that was not at match Could have played and the team handicap totals would not exceed 23 APA software alerts us when a team breaks 23. If the League determines a team had no malice or intent to break 23 and it is the first time the team broke 23, League Management may adjust penalty to a forfeit of any match that caused the team to exceed 23. The 5 players listed on the scoresheet for a match may not exceed 23 combined handicaps. Teams must show on paper that they remained at 23 points or less. (teams may forfeit the 5 th match and LIST a player that was not at the match whose handicap combined with the 4 players does not exceed 23. Exceeding the Rule of 23 results in the following penalties: In 8-Ball The offending team loses all points for that match. The opposing team receives all points that they won up to the match that caused the team to break the 23-Rule, plus one forfeit point for each match that was forfeited due to the 23 violation. In 9-Ball The offending team loses all points won for the entire night, the opposing team receives all points that they won up to the match that caused the team to break the 23-Rule, plus 15 points for match and any matches after. A violation of the 23-RULE has occurred when the match that the players causing the team to exceed 23 begins. The rack must be struck for the match to be considered as started. The violation of 23-Rule may be called any time after the rack has been struck (officially starting the game). If the violation occurred in the 4 th match, team taking forfeit must have eligible player at match site ready to play that is listed on scoresheet to be awarded a forfeit. No team may break the rule of 23 during a playoff or World Qualifier Tournament RECYCLING PLAYERS TEAMS MAY RECYCLE PLAYERS WITH OTHER TEAMS APPROVAL. If the other team says NO, the answer is NO. No arguments. If a team agrees to allow another team to recycle, All players on both teams are eligible to be used as a recycled player. EACH TEAM SHOULD PICK THEIR PLAYERS OWN AS IF THE TEAMS WERE NOT RECYCLING This is fair to both teams, neither team is at a disadvantage and the match is decided ON THE TABLE Opposing team picking the other team s player is just UNFAIR and will not be tolerated. PLAYOFFS/TRICUPS BYES AND FORFEITS DO NOT COUNT AS MATCHES PLAYED All players must play the minimum number of matches to be eligible to play in playoffs each session New Players are required to play a minimum of 6 matches during the Summer and Fall Sessions. League may reduce this requirement based on number of weeks in the session schedule. 7

SPRING SESSION ONLY New players are required to play a minimum of 10 matches. (All Players MUST have 10 actual matches played in the Format they are advancing in by the end of Spring Session Playoffs to be eligible to play Tri-Cups, to play in Local World Championship Qualifier and the APA World Championship Veteran APA players (Veteran= 10 or more matches played) must play at least 4 matches with the team During each Session to play in the Tri-Cups for that session or to play in the SESSION to play in SESSION playoffs and World Pool Championships ALL PLAYERS MUST MAVE MIN OF 10 MATCHES PLAYED IN THE SAME FORMAT TO PLAY IN World Qualifier No team may advance into their Division playoffs if they have a monetary obligation to the League. Any player with a monetary obligation to the League will be marked ineligible in playoff / tournaments unless the amount due is paid in full. League Office must be contacted prior to the player playing to confirm that payment was received. Players marked ineligible to play in the playoffs may not coach players, choose or advise the team who to choose to play or when to play the player. These ineligible player s handicaps may NOT be used toward compliance of 23- Rule. (See pgs. 36-37 Official Team Manual) Any player that does not fulfill the posted minimum matches played will not be listed on the roster for any Higher Level Tournament (Las Vegas Qualifier or World Pool Championship) MANDATORY PLAYOFF MEETINGS ARE HELD AT THE END OF EACH SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PULLING THE WILD CARD TEAM. Anyone may represent your team, but someone represent your team Playoff Brackets are handed out at the End Of Session meeting Any team or player owing a past due balance to the League Office will not advance to any portion of the playoffs unless the amount is paid in full prior to or at playoff meeting. Number of teams per division that advance Direct to Tri-Cups and go into End of Session Playoffs 15-16 Teams = 4 teams advance to Tri-Cup, top 2 teams direct to Tri-Cup 3-7 place + wild card playoff for 3 rd and 4 th Qualification 13-14 Teams = 4 teams advance to Tri-Cup, top 2 teams direct to Tri-Cup 3-6 place + wild card playoff for 3 rd and 4 th Qualification 11-12 Teams = 3 teams advance to Tri-Cup top 2 teams directly to Tri-Cup 3-4-5 place + a wild card playoff for 3 rd Qualification 9-10 Teams = 3 teams advance to Tri-Cup top 2 teams directly to Tri-Cup 3-4 place plus a wild card playoff for 3 rd Qualification 7-8 Team s = 2 teams advance to Tri-Cups, top team directly to Tri-Cup, 2-3 place + wild card playoff for 2 nd Qualification 6 or Less TEAM DIVISION = 1 Team advances to the Tri-Cup teams in a division. Top 3 teams plus a Wild Card Team TRI-CUP TOURNAMENTS ARE HELD AFTER EACH SESSION Dates and Locations are posted each session. Tri-Cup Tournaments are Double Elimination Format. $25.00 greens fee per team for TRI-CUP, Teams are guaranteed Min of $50.00 when they lose their final match Total Prize Fund and amounts paid out in the TRI-CUP Tournament Bracket is determined at the end of each session based on the number of teams playing that session in each format ONLY the players listed on the roster in the session the team earned the slot in the TRI-CUP Tournament are eligible to play in the Tri-Cup tournament. Players removed from the session roster may still play in the Session Tri-Cup the players that were on the team roster in the session the team qualified may rejoin the team to play in the Tri-Cup tournament provided they are paid APA MEMBERS, have no past dues owed to the League, are in good standing (not under a suspension). Example: Fall Session Tri-Cup = Fall Session Roster No changes to roster allowed for Tri-Cups. Suspended Players Players may be suspended by the Local League Operator, the National APA Office or by another League Operator at any time. Suspended players may not play in any APA Matches, Events or Tournaments nor attend any APA Matches, events or tournaments until the issue causing suspension is resolved. What may cause a player to be suspended? Below are some examples Asking someone to Take it Outside Making threats of physical violence toward any Player, Host Location Staff is considered as an Assault. If the League Office determines that the issue started at an APA Match, event or Tournament, the assault will be considered as being at an APA match, Event or Tournament Making Physical Contact of any kind with anyone related to the APA Pool League at an APA Match, Tournament or Event (Bumping, Pushing, Slapping, Throwing anything at the other person) Making Verbal Threats toward another person, using racial slurs, comments considered offensive or name calling in any manner that is related to or at an APA Match, Event or Tournament. Throwing anything during a match or event (ex: breaking your cue stick, throwing your cue stick, ) Causing discord within the APA Leagues, Disruption of the APA League in any manner. Failure to forward all funds collected for the APA to local office in a timely manner 8

REFUSAL TO DO BUSINESS WITH A PLAYER At any time, at the sole discretion of the League Operator, APA LEHIGH VALLEY can refuse to do business with any individual regardless of whether the individual s APA membership is in good standing. Most often, players who are unwelcome in the League will be those who are disruptive to the League, repeatedly complain about handicaps or who otherwise deride the League in public, whether it be a league night or not. WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIED TEAMS: PLAYOFFS Qualified Teams are eligible to play in Playoffs BUT NOT Tri-Cups. Qualified teams may play in the playoffs BUT do not earn a 2 nd spot in the Tri-Cup or World Qualifier Tournament. If a qualified team wins a playoff bracket, they receive cash equal to cash awarded to a team winning the final brackets of the Double Elimination Bracket in the Tri-Cup Qualified Teams in 1 st or 2 nd place in Regular Session play are awarded cash payouts equal to the top cash prize awarded at the Tri-Cup. That qualified in Summer or Fall TRI-CUP must remain active in the same format in all sessions including the spring session must maintain 4 original members on the team at all times. If your team drops below 4 original members your qualification is lost. National Rule, the APA Software automatically disqualifies your team MUST stay in the top 50% of their Division to maintain qualification. A qualified team that cannot maintain a ranking in the top 50% of their division may lose their qualification pending review by the League Management and/or BOG. Teams losing their Qualification will be given the opportunity to appeal to the BOG/ League Operator. Vacated Qualified Slots are filled by League Office at the Spring Tri-Cup. Cannot alter their team roster in any manner after the fourth week of play in Spring Session (adding/dropping players) in any way after). APA Software automatically disqualifies your team WORLD QUALIFIER SPRING SESSION ROSTER IS USED AT THE WORLD QUALIFIER Players must be on the team roster of a qualified team in the Spring Session, Be in good Standings to remain eligible for the World Qualifier (Not under suspension or owing money to any APA League Area) TO PLAY IN ANY APA TOURNAMENTS (Singles Boards Mini Mania, Billiard Bashes, Scotch Doubles Qualifiers etc.). Teams that qualified in the Tri-Cup Tournaments (Summer, Fall or Spring) are invited to the World Qualifier World Qualifier is a one-day Single Elimination event. Following APA Policies, the League Operator has the right to remove any team s World Qualifier qualification that does not maintain 50% in the rankings of their Division or a team has not followed all APA rules and policies during weekly League play, Playoffs and Tournament play. This includes scorekeeping, padding innings or losing matches intentionally. TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FUNDS FOR TRIP TO WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS The League will make all travel arrangements for the teams winning a slot in the APA World Pool Championship, held in Las Vegas, NV in August each year, INCLUDING Airfare and Hotel, All players on a team roster are eligible to attend the World Pool Championship in Las Vegas Teams will receive one Hotel Room for every two players on the team that attend the Championship Event. EX: 6 players attend The APA World Pool Championships, = 3 hotel rooms, 7-8 players attend the Championship, = 4 rooms. Teams may opt to put up to 4 people in a room in Las Vegas to accommodate guests The League Office will provide each Player on the team roster that attends (earns the slot) the APA World Pool Championship Airfare, based on the Group Rate purchased by the League Office. Each Player on the team s roster is eligible to attend the APA World Pool Championship and will be provided an airfare and a room (based on double Occupancy) Players requesting individual rooms will be required to pay upfront for the additional Room. If only one player wants a single room by themselves, they must pay the entire room price by themselves. Two players want own room, they split the cost Odd Gender on the team. There are 7 males and 1 female on the team roster. The team would have to work out who stayed with whom or team will pay for an additional room.. If a Guest is invited by someone on the team, the guest would pay the full price for the extra room and the odd female would be placed in a room by themselves 9

These Funds are for Travel Assistance, if any player declines to attend the APA Championships, they are not entitled to any other compensation. Any Player that asks for the Airline ticket and Hotel room, but does not attend the Championships will be required to reimburse the Players Fund and will be suspended until the amount repaid in full. 10