History Of The APA

The American Poolplayers Association was founded in 1979 by professional poolplayers Terry Bell and Larry Hubbart. The two men realized the popularity of the sport and knew that, unlike other sports, there was no existing recreational league system. Back then the league was called the National Pool League. The name was changed to American Poolplayers Association (APA) in 1981.

Over the years, the APA Pool League has gone by many names, including The American Pool League, Busch Pool League, and Bud Light Pool League. 
 
Players are ranked from SL-1 to SL-9. This wider range allows for greater accuracy when determining a player's ability, and creates a more competitive environment where all players have an equal chance of winning.

Every week 100 points are up for grabs (20 points per match). The players in each match compete to earn as many of those 20 points as possible. Even in a loss, a player may earns points for their team. The more balls a player makes, the more of the 20 points they earn. This keeps the match competitive.

Teams try to win as many weekly points as possible. At the end of the session, those teams with the most points advance to our Two Tier Playoffs.
 
 
 
The APA Nationally
 
Today the APA has grown to over 250,000 members. The league boasts more members than all other "national" leagues combined. APA Pool Leagues are administered locally by a network of Franchise Operators. These League Operators conduct weekly leagues in both 8-Ball and 9-Ball team formats. The APA currently has franchise opportunities available in other states for those who wish to be their own boss, and promote the sport of pool.

APA leagues play across the United States and in Canada. Teams compete weekly in 8-Ball and 9-Ball leagues with all teams having the opportunity to advance to the APA's World Pool Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada.

At the national level, the APA guarantees more than $1 Million in national tournament prize money. This consists of the APA World Pool Championship, the $200,000 APA 8-Ball Classic, the $100,000 APA 9-Ball Shootout, and finally the MiniMania Tournaments, that paid out over $200,000 during the 2006 National Team Championships.

The APA also conducts the U.S. Amateur Championship, the world's most prestigious amateur tournament. It is the only tournament conducted by the APA that is open to members and non-members alike.
 
 
 
The APA in Maryland
 
There are two APA franchises in Maryland. The Southern Maryland franchise (which includes Washington D.C. and northern Virginia and is owned and operated by Dave & Vicki Beatty & Sarah Vrooman) is the # 3 Amateur Pool League in the country with over 900 teams and over 7,000 active members. Our local franchise (serving the counties of Baltimore, Howard, Cecil, Harford, Carroll, Washington, & Frederick, along with the Maryland Eastern Shore and the West Virginia counties of Berkeley and Jefferson) is the #1 Amateur Pool League in the country with over 1,300 teams and over 7,000 active members. We offer both amateur 8-Ball & 9-Ball Leagues using the APA's Equalizer Handicap System where everyone has an equal chance to win.

Teams consist of 5-8 players with a low weekly fee of $50 per team or $10/player plus a $30 annual membership fee ($31.80 in West Virginia). These teams compete in local divisions where the APA Hosting Taverns are grouped geographically to minimize traveling distance. The year is divided into 3 sessions, with each session running between 13 and 17 weeks. Teams may play any day, Sunday through Friday in most areas, so it's easy to fit the APA into your schedule.

Our Maryland franchise APA offers a $600,000 Local Prize Fund. This includes Tri-Annual Tournaments held at the conclusion of every session and our annual APA World Qualifier. Winning teams compete for the right to represent our area in Las Vegas at the APA World Pool Championships. We also award player achievement patches and trophies to our members.