Sportsmanship is our #1 Priority

In most APA Leagues, and on most nights, things go according to plan and the teams have a great time playing APA pool. We realize however, that occasionally there may be a player or even a team in the League that other players just don't like being around. Usually these players or teams get away with their actions way too long before we are able to take appropriate action. Members simply don’t like to complain unless the problem turns major.

With this in mind, the same Pool League that brings you fair competition with it’s EQUALIZER Handicap System, has now put into place a Five-Star Sportsmanship program designed to increase the fun you have playing in the APA.


How it Works:

The APA “FUN FACTOR” System, a “Five-Star Sportsmanship Program” has been designed to accomplish two things: (1) reward teams that from week to week are “Great” teams to play against; and (2) identify teams that from week to week are a pain in the butt to be around, remove the players from those teams who cause the problems, and reorganize those teams in question.

This “FUN FACTOR” system is now an integral part of all APA computer software and will give us instantaneous feedback as to where our sportsmanship problems lie. Your scoresheets have been modified slightly to allow for your weekly input. With this input, we will (at the touch of a button) be able to print out the top sportsmanship teams and acknowledge and reward them. We will just as easily be able to identify those teams that cause problems in the League.

The “FUN FACTOR” system works as follows: ..... Every week you will rate the opposing team. It’s simple, you only need to write a number from 1 to 5 on the scoresheet (in the section which reads "Team# xxxxx receives a _____-Star Rating this match"). This section must be filled out in order for your team to receive your bonus point(s) for the week!

The Weekly ratings will go into each team’s Sportsmanship Table and be accumulated throughout the session. You will score the team “only” after all matches are over and “only” after both Captains have signed the scoresheet. Don’t let the opposing team know that you are giving them a bad rating, do so in private before turning in your team envelope. The rating you give them will be 100% confidential. It’s that simple.

What happens to this data? Every session, we will run reports that identify those teams that are GREAT to compete against. Once identified they will be acknowledged on our website and sent Good Sportsmanship Certificates and patches.

On the same note, we will be able to more rapidly identify and eliminate the problem players. Every five to six weeks we will run reports identifying those teams who have been rated poorly (those teams that nobody wants to play against). All members on the team will be sent letters notifying them that their team has been placed on probation and that subsequent poor scores will result in suspension from the League. They will be given instructions on how to fix the problem. They may only need to drop a player or two; or if the problem is the Captain or Co-Captain, they may have to re-elect a new team leader. Players identified as chronic problem players on the team will be immediately suspended from the APA.

For now, our goal is to provide a Three to Four-Star Experience. With time, we are confident that the APA “FUN FACTOR” system will increase all your play in the APA to a Five-Star level.
 
 
 
How to Rate the Opposing Team:
 
  • Five Star Rating
    This is our “Top” rating. Team is one of the nicest in the League. Not only do they cause no problems and are a pleasure to play, but they go beyond the call of duty to show Good Sportsmanship and make your night out feel special. Your team (win or lose) had a “Super” night out.
  • Four Star Rating
    This is our “Target” rating. Team causes absolutely no problems and is a pleasure to play. Your team (win or lose) had a “Great” night out.
  • Three Star Rating
    This is our “Average” rating. No major problems, night went well with only a few “minor” problems. Maybe some minor rule disagreements. Maybe someone’s attitude got slightly out of hand, but the opposing team Captain got them in line, apologized for the infraction, and the night continued without further incident. Your team (win or lose) had a “Good” night out.
  • Two Star Rating
    This is a “Poor” rating. Opposing team members in no way threatened or intimidated your players, however they did cause multiple problems while the opposing team Captain did nothing to get his/her players under control..... enough so that your evening wasn’t fun. Maybe the opposing team made smart or degrading remarks to your players, or called you sandbaggers; maybe they tried to manipulate our handicap system by simply banging balls around the table; or maybe they were just rude and unfriendly. Your team (win or lose) “did not” have a fun night out. Write-Up must accompany this rating!
  • One Star Rating
    This is a “Totally Unacceptable” rating. Opposing team members may have threatened or intimidated your players .... or may have caused multiple “major” problems. Opposing Team Captain did nothing to get his/her players under control. Your team (win or lose) had a terrible night out. A write up must accompany this rating!
 

* NOTE: The above are suggested guidelines, and only guidelines.
Please feel free to use your own judgment when rating the opposing teams.