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BYLAWS FOR APA PHOENIX METRO
REVISED OCTOBER 2009
These Bylaws are written to supplement the Official APA Team Manual, for 2009 - 2010. These Bylaws are in effect during any APA event in Maricopa County, and are specific only to Maricopa County. APA play in any other area including but not limited to national events are not subject to our bylaws.
Make sure the league office has your current address and telephone number, and check the website often. Players are kept up-to-date on all league information through the website
SECTION 1 – LEAGUE NAME AND OPERATORS
APA PHOENIX METRO
DOUG AND GINA NOWLIN # 851
SECTION 2 – CONTACTING US
BY MAIL: APA - DOUG NOWLIN PO BOX 5760 GLENDALE AZ 85312
BY PHONE: (602) 920-9192 OR (602) 920-9193
BY EMAIL: apaphx@cox.net
BY WEB: phx.apaleagues.com
League office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mon. - Fri. Most questions can be answered by referring to the official team manual, these bylaws, or by asking a Division Representative. Please consult these sources before calling the league office. Division Representative’s phone numbers will be listed on the division’s stat sheet that they manage. These can be found on the website under local stats. Also check the website often for information about upcoming events and news happening around our league. The website is a huge information source for the players.
SECTION 3 – LEAGUE STRUCTURE
TEAM CAPTAIN The team captain is responsible for knowing the rules. He/she will read the APA Team Manual and these bylaws, and be sure to understand them. The league office will supply the team captains with a rule book if they do not have one. Captains are also responsible for the action of all team members and any guests the team member may bring to the match. They will attend all team meetings, or make sure another team member can attend if they can’t. Read all information included in weekly packets and make sure all team members are aware of that information. Know how to get a hold of all team members if needed. The team should know ahead of time where they will play the next match. Schedule changes will be posted on the web, but it is the team captain’s responsibility to make sure his team is informed of any changes in schedules and/or any event that will affect the team. Keep the league office updated with current information for all players on the roster. Make sure the scoresheet is completely filled out and legible, and both team captains have signed it. Collect weekly dues and memberships from team members and list all payments in the fees section of the scoresheet. (Both the captain and the team are responsible for the correct amount of fees in the weekly envelope). Insert monies and scoresheet in weekly envelope and deliver as described below.
In-house divisions will have their team packets delivered to the host location. When the evening's match is complete, the captains will place their scoresheets and fees in the team envelope provided and place the team envelope in the appointed drop box. At no time should the team envelope leave the premises of the host location without League Operator approval.
Traveling divisions The visiting team captain is responsible for picking up both their envelope and their opponent’s envelope and delivering both to the match location. The visiting team captain is also responsible for both envelopes being delivered to an appropriate drop box.
Divisions on the mailing system Weekly team scoresheets will be mailed to each team captain’s home address (or to another member of the team by request) and the team captain will be responsible in making sure the team has its scoresheet for each match. After collecting weekly dues and membership fees from team members, enclose the scoresheet and fees in the provided self-addressed stamped return envelope, write your return address in the upper left hand corner and initial the envelope. Mail the envelope to the League Office. Envelopes must be postmarked no later than the next mailing day after the league match took place in order to earn the team bonus point. 1 Penalty point will be assessed if the envelope is not received in the league office by the next night of play (1 week). If the scoresheet and payment is not received by the 2nd night of play (2 wks), your team may be dropped from the schedule, all points for the session will be lost, and your team may lose any eligibility for playoffs or LTC’s. If there is a problem mailing the return envelope, call the league office immediately.
The team captains are responsible for the packets and/or envelopes. If the team captain gives the packet or envelope to anyone else, he/she is still responsible.
DIVISION REPS The League Operators will select the Division Representatives. The Division Representatives will be responsible for delivering messages from the league operators to the players and/or the host locations, and vice versa. Division Representatives will be assisting the league operators with answering rule questions from the players and keeping league operators abreast on problems that might interfere with the smooth operation of the division. They will help the league operators with the distribution of weekly team packets and other materials and assist with running tournaments, LTC’s, and single qualifier boards.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS The Board of Governors exists to help the league operators with decisions concerning the day to day operation on the league. Things that will be discussed at meetings will include player disputes, rulings, protests, sportsmanship warnings and any other problems between players. The Board of Governors can consist of players, division representatives, and the League Operators. Board of Governors members must be APA PHX METRO members in good standing with the league. The Board will consists of representatives from all divisions participating in Maricopa Co. BOG members may represent more than one division. The Board of Governors will hold meetings at least once per session, and may be called on in emergency situations. All official decisions will be made by a vote of the BOG. Matters that are brought up at a Board meeting that require immediate action will be voted on by the League Operators and all board members present. Final decisions can be overridden by the league operators if deemed in the best interest of the league by the league operators.
HANDICAP ADVISORY COMMITTEE APA PHOENIX METRO uses a Handicap Advisory Committee to evaluate player’s skill levels and to ensure a player is playing to their true ability. Any APA member may ask for another player to be reviewed. The request must be in writing and submitted to the league operators, who will forward it on to the HAC for evaluation.
SECTION 4 – FEES AND BONUS/PENALTY POINTS
FEES The current yearly APA membership fee is $25.00. The weekly team fee will be $35.00 per team, even if all 5 games are not played. The team captain and the team members are responsible for the total fees no matter how many team members play on a given night. There ARE NO FEES for a bye week. If the total fees are not paid on the night of play, the team will be marked with a past due and not receive their bonus point for that week of play. If the past due is not paid by the next week of play, the team will be assessed 1 penalty point. If the past due is not paid by the following week of play (2 weeks), your team may be dropped from the schedule. If your team is dropped, all points for the session will be lost, and your team will lose its eligibility for playoffs or LTC’s. Payment may be made with cash or check/money order made out to APA PHX METRO. Checks, money orders or paper money are required in order to facilitate easy handling and processing of team packets. Coins will not be accepted for fee payments, and will be returned with a past due. Bonus points and penalty points will not be added or adjusted after they have been lost or assessed.
RETURNED CHECK POLICY A $25.00 fee will apply on all returned checks, and any bonus points earned after the check was written will be revoked. The team will be required to make up the past due amount with cash, money order or a check from an account with sufficient funds. If a second check is issued and returned for insufficient funds, an additional $25.00 fee will be assessed and no more checks will be accepted from that team. Penalty points and other actions will be assessed as described in section 4 under FEES. The League Office will not accept personal checks from members who have had their checks returned for insufficient funds after the second time. Teams may not recover any bonus points lost due to returned checks.
BONUS POINTS One (1) bonus point for 8-ball and ten (10) bonus points for 9-ball will be awarded to each team that turns in completed and legible scoresheets with their total weekly dues, and is not past due on any fees. See “FEES” above for ways to lose bonus points. From time to time the league operators will offer bonus points for various reasons. When this occurs, every team in a division that points are offered will have equal opportunity to earn the same points.
PENALTY POINTS One penalty point will be assessed for 8 ball and ten for 9 ball anytime a second warning for the same offense is given. Penalty points will be subtracted from the team’s overall points. League operators are the only persons that can issue penalty points. Write the warning somewhere on the scoresheet with a description of what happened. The league operators will review the incident and determine an outcome. Warnings can be given for but not limited to the following: sharking, slow play and long time outs that are in excess of the limits set forth in the APA manual, coaching violations, inappropriate scorekeeping, and abusive language to any player, including someone on your team. If the offense is continually committed after the second warning, suspensions can occur.
SECTION 5 – GENERAL RULES
AGE APA Phoenix Metro does allow players under the age of 18 to play in divisions who’s host locations allow minors in their establishment. Any player under the age of 18 is not allowed to play in playoffs, LTCs, or any tournament that a cash payout is received by the players.
BYES In the case of a bye, every attempt will be made to fill the empty slot as soon as possible. Any teams coming in to fill a bye will be given points that will equal 1 less than the current last place team in that division. Teams added after the 10th week will not be eligible for playoffs or any LTC’s for that session. Teams dropping out after the 7th week of the session must pay the fees they would incur if they played for the remainder of the session before they would be able to rejoin the league. In the event that the division has an even number of teams before the drop, the opponent of a team that drops will receive a forfeit for the 1st week after the drop. All weeks after that 1st week will be rescheduled with a bye. Bye points are worth 3 Points in 8 Ball and 60 points in 9 Ball.
FORFEITS Team forfeits count as 3 points in 8 Ball and 60 points in 9 Ball. (beginning with spring session 2010)
ADDING & DROPPING PLAYERS Teams may add players to their roster up until the 10th week of the session. After the 10th week, the league operators must approve any changes in the roster. Once a player is dropped from a roster, that player may not be added back to the same team’s roster within the same session without League Operator’s approval. Any added new player must pay the annual membership dues before their 4th night of play in order to be kept on the roster. Teams that are qualified to participate in the City Championships may not make any changes to their spring session roster after the 4th week of the spring session. Rosters are frozen as per the team manual.
CHANGING TEAMS Occasionally it is necessary to allow players to change teams for team building purposes. On the rare occasion this happens, players can only change teams with the league operator’s approval.
PLAYERS SHOOTING TWICE During the first 7 weeks of session play, teams with 6 or less players on their roster will be allowed to have a player on that team shoot twice. After the 7th week, teams may be allowed to have a player on that team shoot twice if the opposing team captain agrees. The player to shoot twice will be chosen by the opposing team's captain. The player chosen must keep the team within the twenty-three (23) rule. If a team does not have a player available within the twenty-three (23) rule, then that team will forfeit the match. If the chosen player becomes unavailable, then that team will forfeit the match. Once the player to play twice has been selected, that player must play the last match, even if another player on that team shows up. If both teams have less than 5 players show up, both teams can play one player twice if both captains agree. In this case, the team captains or acting captains will choose their own players to play. During playoffs and LTC’s, no one is allowed to play twice.
HANDICAPS APA PHX METRO does not allow male 1’s in 9 ball and male 2’s in 8 ball. Due to heavy competition from several other leagues in our area, skill levels for new players from those leagues will be at the league operator’s discretion and based on common knowledge of competitors handicap systems. If the player has an established APA skill level, that skill level will be used.
JOINING A NEW FORMAT A player that is playing in one format and joins a new format will start the new format at their current skill level (exception: a male playing 9 ball as a skill level 2 would be a skill level 3 in 8 ball). If a player starts 8 ball and/or 9 ball for the first time, males will start as a skill level 4. Females start as a skill level 3 in 8 ball and a skill level 2 in 9 ball.
MAKE UP MATCHES Any team that is scheduled to play in an APA sponsored event that conflicts with a regular weekly match will be given the opportunity to make up the weekly match. In the event a host location closes, weather, or some other circumstance makes it impossible to play a regularly scheduled match, both team captains will work together to find a place and time to play. The league operator or the division rep can assist in the setup of make up matches. Make up matches must be completed within four weeks of the originally scheduled match date, and no later than the last week of the session. In the event that a make up match is scheduled, both team captains must notify the league operators of the time and location at which the match is to take place. Current rosters with current skill levels will be issued for score keeping. Fees must be paid regardless of whether the match is made up or not.
MARKING SCORESHEETS Scoresheets should be marked clearly and legibly. Fill in all areas of the scoresheet. If an 8 ball is made early, mark it as such. If a player scratches on the 8 ball, mark that. Use the following abbreviations for clarification: (8-Ball on break is 8B), (break and run is BR), (early 8 is E8), and (scratch on the 8 is S8). Mark all defenses. If the player is not trying to make the ball, it’s a defense. Any team adding innings to its scoresheet, urging a player to lose a match or not play to their ability, or purposely not marking defenses will receive a warning. At the end of a match, your scoresheet does not have to match your opponents. If you believe your opponents are manipulating the scoresheet, make a note in the message center of your scoresheet explaining specific details of the incident. CALL YOUR DEFENSIVE SHOTS…. IT’S A RULE.
EQUIPMENT Matches can only be played with a legal cue that is designed for the game of pool. Players must use the end of the cue that is tipped. Cue sticks can be changed out in the event that your normal cue becomes unusable due to loss of tip, broken shaft, etc. In the event an unmovable obstacle prevents a player from being able to make a shot, the player will be allowed to use a shorter cue if available, or break down his/her regular playing cue for that shot only. The player must shoot the shot with a normal stroke and cannot attempt a jump shot. The balls provided with the pool table at the location of play will be used for league play, unless both team captains agree to use a different set of balls. (This includes the cue ball)
JUMP SHOTS The APA rules allow jump shots if performed properly, but no jump cues are allowed. The player may use only their regular shooting cue. This is described in the Official APA team manual in “Definitions” as: The cue used for the majority of shots in your match. Break cues cannot be used unless it is used to play your match. To properly perform a jump shot, you must strike the top half of the cue ball with the butt of the cue elevated. Any jump shot attempted by hitting the bottom half of the cue ball, or by "scooping," the cue ball will be considered a ball-in-hand foul. Some host locations do not allow jump shots. Respect and obey all house rules.
TIMEOUTS AND COACHING Calling or attempting to call a timeout when one is not available is considered a sportsmanship violation and a warning should be given. Repeated attempts may result in penalty points assessed by the League Operators. Receiving advice from the sideline when the shooter is contemplating his/her shot will be considered a timeout. If a timeout is not available and advice from the sideline is given while the shooter is contemplating his/her shot or in the process of shooting the shot, it will be a ball in hand foul. Receiving advice from a fellow player who is not a coach is a ball in hand foul. Some examples would be: “Hit it hard”, “use follow”, “think about your shot”, etc… Any comment spoken to the shooter that may alter their game plan during a shot is a time out if he/she has one; otherwise it’s a ball in hand foul (See page 50 rule (f) in the team manual). FOR CLARIFICATION PURPOSES – While calling or attempting to call a time out you would not actually be giving advice, therefore this would be a sportsmanship violation and warning. On the other hand, actually saying out loud to your player something that would cause him to change his thought process and thereby change the game (such as the examples given above), would be a ball in hand foul.
PICKING UP THE CUE BALL All balls must completely stop rolling before picking up the cue ball in a ball in hand situation. If the player giving up ball in hand touches the cue ball before it stops rolling, it will be a sportsmanship warning. If the player receiving ball in hand touches the cue ball before it stops rolling, it is ball in hand back to the outgoing player. If the cue ball or any ball is touched before it stops rolling in a game winning situation, it is loss of game. An example would be: if the shooter is on the 8 ball and misses the shot, and the cue ball is obviously rolling toward a pocket and the shooter picks it up before it gets there, this would be loss of game.
MARKING THE POCKET Standard table chalk, weapons (including pocket knives), and paper or coin money can not be used to mark your pocket. Any other item, including a chalk holder attached to a piece of chalk would be ok. Play money and coins that have no monetary value anywhere in North America would also be ok.
PLAYING ON 2 TABLES When a match is started, that match is being played on 1 table. If a second table is available, it can be used as long as both teams agree. Continuous play is on the table that was used first. The second table is used only to help speed up the match. Teams are only required to use the second table 2 hrs after the official start time (as per the Official Team Manual, page 24, section 10. Splitting matches). Time guidelines for matches are listed on page 3 of the Official Team Manual, and should be followed. On average, most shots will take about 20 seconds and particularly difficult shots should not take more than 45 seconds. Coaches or time outs should not take more than 1 minute. Repeated slow play can result in warnings and penalty points. An opposing team captain should quietly time a player if they believe they are consistently taking too long. If the player continues to go over the shot limits prescribed in the manual, the captain timing the player can note on the scoresheet specifically how long it took between shots, and how often the player went over the time limit. That player will be reviewed by the league operators and warnings can be assessed. Playing in this league should be fun for everyone. Take enough time to play a good game, but don’t keep your opponents or your own team later than necessary.
CONCEEDING THE GAME A player breaking down his/her cue stick is considered a concession by the opponent. Concession of the game includes, but is not limited to, breaking down the cue stick, approaching the table in preparation to rack the next game, or any other act that would assume the game is over.
FILING A COMPLAINT Complaints and appeals will be made in writing to the league office. To insure that complaints and appeals are legitimate, a $25 deposit must be sent to the league office with your complaint. All matters will be brought up and ruled on at an emergency Board of governors meeting. If the ruling is in your favor, the deposit will be returned to you. If the ruling is against you, the deposit will be added to the player’s fund.
SECTION 6 – AWARDS
PATCHES All patches per session are free as long as league operators do not feel it is becoming obsessive. Patches that are not earned must be purchased. Contact league office for prices and availability. Patches will be given out on the following week after the patch was earned.
TROPHIES AND OTHER AWARDS Trophies and $50.00 cash are awarded to Top Gun winners in skill levels 2-3, 4-5, and 6-7 (1-3, 4-5, and 6-9 for 9 ball). In the case of divisions of 6 or more 5 person teams, trophies are awarded to 1st and 2nd place division playoff winners. Cash (depending on division team counts) is awarded to session-ending playoff winning teams that are in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. First place finishing teams in the City Championships are awarded entry into the APA National Team Championship, lodging for the team during the event and cash for travel assistance. In divisions with less than 6 teams, no trophy or cash will be awarded. However, the 5 person team finishing the session in 1st place will receive a slot at Tri-cups. Each month APA PHX METRO will award a player in good standing in the league a “Player of the Month” award. This award will be in appreciation of the player’s positive attitude towards other players and the spirit of the game of pool. APA PHX METRO will also award a player in good standing in the league a sportsmanship award. This will be offered only in rare occasions when a player exhibits uncommon sportsmanship in a match situation.
SELECTING THE TOPGUN Adding up the skill levels of the players one has defeated will determine Top Gun points. In each division, there will be a Top Gun for 3 different skill level tiers (2-3, 4-5 and 6-7 in 8-Ball and 1-3, 4-5 and 6-9 in 9-Ball). Ties will be broken by determining which player has the highest winning percentage. If there is still a tie, each player will earn the Top Gun award. If a player moves up in skill level placing them in a higher tier, that player must play at least 4 matches at that skill level to be considered in that tier. If that player goes back to his previous skill level or tier after playing 4 matches, they will be considered to be their current level for purposes of determining the Top Gun. If a player moves down in skill placing them in a lower tier, that player must play at least 6 matches at that skill level to be considered in that tier. If that player goes back to his previous skill level or tier after playing 6 matches, they will be considered to be in the higher skill level for purposes of determining the Top Gun. In the case of skill level movement occurring more than 2 times in a session, the players skill level will be determined by the highest number of plays between the two skill levels. If there are an equal number of plays between the two skill levels, the player will be considered to be the higher skill level and tier.
PLAYOFFS The session-ending playoffs will begin the week following the last week of regular session play. Any team that has a past due amount at the end of the regular session will not be eligible for playoffs and will forfeit their slot to the next highest rated team. Players must have at least 4 plays with their team to participate in playoffs. The 1st place team will play the wild card team and the 2nd place team will play the 3rd place team the first week of playoffs. The two winning teams will play each other for 1st and 2nd place, and the 2 loosing teams will play for 3rd place the second week of playoffs. There will be no playoffs for divisions with less than 6 teams. The League operators or their designated representative will conduct the wild card draw in the presence of at least one member of each team that has not won a spot. Once the draw has been completed, the playoff schedule will be posted on the web site. Those who do not have Internet access may call the league office after the draw is conducted to find out their team's playoff status
TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURES In the event that teams are tied in the standings at the end of a session, the tie-breaking procedures outlined in the Team Manual on pages 37 & 38 will be used.
SECTION 7 – APA LOCAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS (LTC’S)
TRI-CUPS The Tri-cups are held at the end of each session and are considered the preliminary rounds of the LTC. Each session's Tri-cup tournament qualifies teams to participate in the final rounds of the LTC (City Championships). The summer, fall, and spring session 8-ball tri-cup tournament will qualify 24 teams to participate in the final rounds of the LTC. If a team wins the division standings or playoffs after already qualifying for the city championship in an earlier session of the current league year, the team will be exempt from participating in the Tri-cup tournament. The next highest ranked team in the division will be awarded the slot. Members must have a minimum of 4 matches with the team during the session and must have been on the roster at the end of the session in order to be eligible to play in that session's Tri-cup tournament. In addition, participants must have a minimum of 10 matches in the appropriate format since joining the APA. The Tri-cup is a single modified elimination event. The League Operators will conduct a blind draw in the presence of at least one member of the BOG to determine match-ups. Except where noted in these Bylaws, the rules for the Tri-cup tournaments will be the same as all higher-level tournament rules as described in the Official Team Manual.
CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS The City Championship takes place once a year after the Spring Session is complete and is considered the final rounds of the LTC. The winners of the 8-ball Tri-cup tournaments will be entered into the City Championship provided they retain their eligible status as defined in the Team Manual. Players must have 4 plays with their team to be eligible for the LTC’s. Players must have 10 total plays in APA by the end of the spring session (20 total plays if the team is qualified).The City Championship qualifies teams to participate in the APA National Team Championship (NTC) (see the Team Manual for more information regarding the NTC). The league area is granted a certain number of entries for the National Team Championship based on the number of teams the league area has participating in each format. One tournament board per National Team entry will be run at the City Championship. The League Operators will conduct a blind draw in the presence of at least two members of the BOG to determine board placements and match-ups. A player may participate with any team with which he/she is eligible (see the Team Manual for eligibility requirements). If a player is eligible on two teams that meet during the tournament, the player may elect not to play for either team during that match and advance with the team that wins, or he/she may choose to play with one of the two teams, but if that team loses, the player will not be allowed to advance with the team that wins that match. If a team that qualifies for the NTC cannot attend the NTC, then the team that finishes directly behind it in the City Championship will be invited to participate in its place.
SECTION 8 – PROPER CONDUCT
Any member not representing the best interest of the APA will be subject to penalties or suspensions. Cursing and/or abusive language to anyone, including your own teammates will not be tolerated. You will get only one warning. Respect other players when they are shooting. Distracting your opponent by standing in front of a pocket during a shot, walking up to the table while your opponent is down on his shot, talking out loud to your opponent or any other behavior that could distract your opponent is considered sharking. Sharking is a form of CHEATING. Win matches with fair play and sportsmanship, and loose matches with humility and grace. You cannot win every time, but you can have fun every time.
Please respect each location’s equipment. Be friendly to the staff and servers in each host location. Answer questions that a curious onlooker might ask about the league. They may join and become one of your team members, and possibly your friend. When it’s your turn to shoot, go to the table immediately so your opponent doesn’t mistakenly think you are being coached. Sitting team players should stay away from the table during the players turn.
READ THE APA TEAM MANUAL SO YOU WILL KNOW THE RULES. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF A RULE, ASK YOUR DIVISION REPRESENTATIVE. TAKE YOUR MANUAL AND THESE BYLAWS WITH YOU TO MATCHES SO YOU CAN REFER TO THEM IF NECESSARY. DIVISION REPS AND BOARD MEMBERS ARE AVAILABLE DURING WEEKLY LEAGUE PLAY AND THE LEAGUE OFFICE IS OPEN LATE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COVER ALL RULES UNDER ALL SITUATIONS. COMMON SENSE WILL BE USED IN SITUATIONS THAT ARE NOT CLEARLY COVERED AND THE LEAGUE OPERATORS WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY IN THOSE SITUATIONS.
AMENDMENTS AND DELETIONS TO THESE BYLAWS CAN BE ADDED OR CHANGED AT THE LEAGUE OPERATORS DISCRETION.