First off, I would like to say how proud I am of my teammates for shooting as well as we did throughout the year, especially this weekend in our LTC's.
This year, we only had 18 teams participating in the 8-Ball LTC's. I wish we would have had a larger turn out during the course of the summer, fall, and spring sessions to better fill out the 32-team "single-modified elimination" bracket that the APA uses, but our area simply couldn't keep an interest for whatever reasons.
As day 3 progresses, we manage to work our way in to the semi-finals coming back from the loser's side after a disappointing first round loss in day 1. Our quarterfinal match pitted us against another team from our area who year in and year out have a very successful team. They sport a line up of mid range handicaps who are typically very strong for their handicaps, but by no means are they under ranked. We somehow were able to earn a decision after the fourth match, leading 7-3. The matches were much closer than the box score indicates. Nearly every rack coming down to the last couple of balls.
We were extremely pleased with our hard earned victory, but the round started off rather unpleasantly. At the next table over, a SL4 had just been hemmed up pretty tightly by a SL5. The SL4 had the cue ball resting on the foot spot while being nearly completely surrounded within half an inch by both her and her opponent's balls, almost forming 3/4 of a circle. The SL4 had no timeouts left and was struggling to decide which ball to shoot. After she finally makes up her mind, nearing the 1 minute mark on the clock, she gets down on her shot hastily in frustration and her opponent calls for an observer. The SL5 made two quick attempts to notify the shooter's scorekeeper that he wished for someone to watch the hit bc of how close the balls were, but his efforts went blatantly ignored. The SL5, who is sitting in his designated chair behind the table of play, calls to the shooter as she is down on her shot "Wait!" That is when all Hell breaks loose. The scorekeeper,who is also team captain, of the shooter throws his chair back from the area where he was keeping score and starts screaming "it's godd*mmed sharking to talk to my player while she is down on her m*ther f*cking shot!" By the time he finished his statement, he was already in the opponent's face. Mind you, this is an area where cussing and swearing during regular league play isn't tolerated. It is a strict policy, but there for good reason. The tournament falls silent. All of the matches had come to a halt in curiosity of what the ramifications would be for such an incident, especially considering who made the outburst. This man is loud to begin with and roughly 6'5", so it is an instant scene, plus he has a short temper and has had multiple "formal warnings".
The League Manager approaches... Everyone just knew a sportsmanship violation was about to be issued. And one was. To the SL5 who called for an official, who's last words were literally "wait!" This sent shock throughout the venue. And what was more astounding was that the insubordinate scorekeeper didn't have a word said to him, not even a "come get me to handle the issue next time".
The League Manager realizes that the room is hushed, with all eyes focused on the drama at hand. He makes a low key announcement for the tournament to continue on without hesitation. Still amazed, no one was very quick to get back to the table and resume play. Feeling a sense of urgency and importance, the League Manager decides that he should address the entire tournament.
He announces a handful of key points. First, to call for an observer, Team A should let the scorekeeper for Team B know of their wishes, and that that player's scorekeeper or captain will inform the shooter that an official is needed. Fair enough in my book. Second, sportsmanship. Cussing, swearing, being loud, disruptive, sharking, lying, etc. anything of the sort would not be tolerated. In my opinion, great, it makes for a smooth and non-confrontational event. We're right on track for a quick summary of the guidelines. Third, he reminds the crowd about the greens fees due after each match. Each team is to pay $ 0.50 per rack. Nothing I can argue with, I think every place should charge greens for their tables to be used. Fourth, general protocol. Declaring players, reminding players not to try to grab a smoke between racks, and to try to limit visits to the restroom while in a match. Awesome, a nice friendly reminder. Back to business as usual.
The quarterfinal round comes to a close without any other major interruptions and we progress to the semi's.
Winning that last round almost felt as if we had won the entire tournament itself! We just beat a team that matches up very well with us. every rack had to be clawed and earned. What a sense of accomplishment!
The team we met in the semi's was from a neighboring division, so we hadn't played them before, but they lived in our area so most of us were familiar with each other. Their team was comprised of two SL5's and the remainder roster was filled with SL3's. We knew the majority of our players would end up having to give up a little weight, so we had to focus on a few key match ups.
My team won the toss and elected odds. We posted a SL3 out blind as a feeler and drew another SL3. We won the first match hill-hill (2-1). They posted out a SL3 to which we responded with another SL3. We anticipated this match to be a coin flip, but a bonus if we won it. We ended up losing hill-hill to an 8-ball that shot out running the foot rail into the corner after being rattled in the jaws of the other corner pocket. The team score now sits tied at 3-3 going in to the third match. In the third, we decided to post a SL5 to see if we could draw out one of their 5's, and if we do, we're favored to win that heads up bout. The bait worked. They fired back with one of their 5's. No one on my team knew this player personally, but we knew of him. When they declared him for their post, we couldn't locate his name on the scoresheet. Everyone knew this player to go by the name of "T-Bone," however, that didn't match any of the players' names on the roster. Red flags. I tell their score keeper to hold on a minute, that I needed to speak with one of the directors regarding said player.
About 4 minutes later I returned with our League Operator to address the issue. They had already lagged, started the match, broke strong and wide, and T-Bone had ran out. By the time we got to the scoresheets, they were already into the 2nd rack. I thought to myself "no biggie", the guy has a solid break and if the table is open I would expect him to get out. As I am walking back to our area with the LO, i briefly run down the situation and ask if I am allowed to check players's names during a match. Being such a small area, this had never presented itself during tournament play before bc there aren't many strangers. The LO informs me that I can ask to have anyone posted for a match supply a valid state or gov't issued ID and APA Membership Card at any time. He glances over the scoresheets and in a matter-of-fact tone says that he doesn't recognize that particular player's name. I said "Ok, thank you," and he walks away. By now they are halfway through the 2nd rack. As not to interrupt, I wait until the end of that rack to ask our opponent to furnish his ID and APA card just so I can verify his identity. He obliges and goes to his cue case. Roughly 6 minutes pass and he is still rifling through his bag. I ask one of my players to go get the LO again so I can have him adjust the clock for time spent looking for his ID's. The League Manager comes to our table and asks me whats going on. I tell him that I had only known of the player under his alias rather than the name printed on the sheet, so I just wanted to double check. All fine and dandy. I ask if he can amend the starting times on our scoresheets to reflect the stoppage while waiting to check an ID. His reply was "Nah, I wouldn't worry about it. A couple of minutes isn't going to make a difference." A little hesitant, I accept his verdict. The LO tells us to continue on with the match and solve it afterwards so not to interrupt the others. Sounds reasonable. Glad he's taking the time to work this out, given his typical effort towards anything.
My player falls apart. He began to second guess every shot, started choosing incorrect patterns, and just couldn't seem to get it back together. He lost 1-4 (0-2). He had plenty of opportunities but couldn't capitalize. T-Bone made the shots when it counted. No worries, we've been here plenty of times before. We still have two matches left to go with the score now at (3-5).
I ask T-Bone to find his cards so we can move on.
Searching...
Waiting....
The player in question has since left the pool room and went out to his car to search for his ID. 19 minutes have elapsed during the course of this trek. I decide to seek out an official to address the clock being run down and the possibility that this player doesn't have the credentials required to participate in the event. Now the LO and LM are waiting at my table for T-Bone to come back in. Our two teams began to think he may have left. About 5 more minutes pass before he finally returns.
What's this? Empty handed? It cannot be.
As he is walking from the front of the pool hall to the rear, where the tournament is being held, I start reflecting back to the Captain's Meetings, Players' Meetings, and the LTC's Meetings, citing the words of our operator that "a player is ineligible to compete if he does not have his ID and APA card." The rest of the tournament has slowed to get a peak at what is causing the hold up of our match and see what is going on. Word had spread that something was amiss with his paperwork.
T-Bone approaches me, reaches in his pocket, and pulls out a card. It has a name listed. It also had a headshot of himself on it. Along with a company name. And that's it....
He handed me an old, wrinkled up business card!
I am at a loss for words. I knew it was a joke.
Boy, had I been fooled. He honestly expected to pass that off as a valid ID! I asked him if he had a state or gov't issued photo ID. His response, *lip smack* "awh nah man i aint got one of those." I'm shocked. I said ok, what about the APA card you got in the mail? He replied *lip smack* "awh nah man I keep dat at my girl's place."
No valid ID. No APA Card.
According to APA, that makes him an ineligible player. I inform the LO that the opposing team had posted and played an ineligible player. He says he will handle it and to go ahead and continue the rest of the match.
This year, we only had 18 teams participating in the 8-Ball LTC's. I wish we would have had a larger turn out during the course of the summer, fall, and spring sessions to better fill out the 32-team "single-modified elimination" bracket that the APA uses, but our area simply couldn't keep an interest for whatever reasons.
As day 3 progresses, we manage to work our way in to the semi-finals coming back from the loser's side after a disappointing first round loss in day 1. Our quarterfinal match pitted us against another team from our area who year in and year out have a very successful team. They sport a line up of mid range handicaps who are typically very strong for their handicaps, but by no means are they under ranked. We somehow were able to earn a decision after the fourth match, leading 7-3. The matches were much closer than the box score indicates. Nearly every rack coming down to the last couple of balls.
We were extremely pleased with our hard earned victory, but the round started off rather unpleasantly. At the next table over, a SL4 had just been hemmed up pretty tightly by a SL5. The SL4 had the cue ball resting on the foot spot while being nearly completely surrounded within half an inch by both her and her opponent's balls, almost forming 3/4 of a circle. The SL4 had no timeouts left and was struggling to decide which ball to shoot. After she finally makes up her mind, nearing the 1 minute mark on the clock, she gets down on her shot hastily in frustration and her opponent calls for an observer. The SL5 made two quick attempts to notify the shooter's scorekeeper that he wished for someone to watch the hit bc of how close the balls were, but his efforts went blatantly ignored. The SL5, who is sitting in his designated chair behind the table of play, calls to the shooter as she is down on her shot "Wait!" That is when all Hell breaks loose. The scorekeeper,who is also team captain, of the shooter throws his chair back from the area where he was keeping score and starts screaming "it's godd*mmed sharking to talk to my player while she is down on her m*ther f*cking shot!" By the time he finished his statement, he was already in the opponent's face. Mind you, this is an area where cussing and swearing during regular league play isn't tolerated. It is a strict policy, but there for good reason. The tournament falls silent. All of the matches had come to a halt in curiosity of what the ramifications would be for such an incident, especially considering who made the outburst. This man is loud to begin with and roughly 6'5", so it is an instant scene, plus he has a short temper and has had multiple "formal warnings".
The League Manager approaches... Everyone just knew a sportsmanship violation was about to be issued. And one was. To the SL5 who called for an official, who's last words were literally "wait!" This sent shock throughout the venue. And what was more astounding was that the insubordinate scorekeeper didn't have a word said to him, not even a "come get me to handle the issue next time".
The League Manager realizes that the room is hushed, with all eyes focused on the drama at hand. He makes a low key announcement for the tournament to continue on without hesitation. Still amazed, no one was very quick to get back to the table and resume play. Feeling a sense of urgency and importance, the League Manager decides that he should address the entire tournament.
He announces a handful of key points. First, to call for an observer, Team A should let the scorekeeper for Team B know of their wishes, and that that player's scorekeeper or captain will inform the shooter that an official is needed. Fair enough in my book. Second, sportsmanship. Cussing, swearing, being loud, disruptive, sharking, lying, etc. anything of the sort would not be tolerated. In my opinion, great, it makes for a smooth and non-confrontational event. We're right on track for a quick summary of the guidelines. Third, he reminds the crowd about the greens fees due after each match. Each team is to pay $ 0.50 per rack. Nothing I can argue with, I think every place should charge greens for their tables to be used. Fourth, general protocol. Declaring players, reminding players not to try to grab a smoke between racks, and to try to limit visits to the restroom while in a match. Awesome, a nice friendly reminder. Back to business as usual.
The quarterfinal round comes to a close without any other major interruptions and we progress to the semi's.
Winning that last round almost felt as if we had won the entire tournament itself! We just beat a team that matches up very well with us. every rack had to be clawed and earned. What a sense of accomplishment!
The team we met in the semi's was from a neighboring division, so we hadn't played them before, but they lived in our area so most of us were familiar with each other. Their team was comprised of two SL5's and the remainder roster was filled with SL3's. We knew the majority of our players would end up having to give up a little weight, so we had to focus on a few key match ups.
My team won the toss and elected odds. We posted a SL3 out blind as a feeler and drew another SL3. We won the first match hill-hill (2-1). They posted out a SL3 to which we responded with another SL3. We anticipated this match to be a coin flip, but a bonus if we won it. We ended up losing hill-hill to an 8-ball that shot out running the foot rail into the corner after being rattled in the jaws of the other corner pocket. The team score now sits tied at 3-3 going in to the third match. In the third, we decided to post a SL5 to see if we could draw out one of their 5's, and if we do, we're favored to win that heads up bout. The bait worked. They fired back with one of their 5's. No one on my team knew this player personally, but we knew of him. When they declared him for their post, we couldn't locate his name on the scoresheet. Everyone knew this player to go by the name of "T-Bone," however, that didn't match any of the players' names on the roster. Red flags. I tell their score keeper to hold on a minute, that I needed to speak with one of the directors regarding said player.
About 4 minutes later I returned with our League Operator to address the issue. They had already lagged, started the match, broke strong and wide, and T-Bone had ran out. By the time we got to the scoresheets, they were already into the 2nd rack. I thought to myself "no biggie", the guy has a solid break and if the table is open I would expect him to get out. As I am walking back to our area with the LO, i briefly run down the situation and ask if I am allowed to check players's names during a match. Being such a small area, this had never presented itself during tournament play before bc there aren't many strangers. The LO informs me that I can ask to have anyone posted for a match supply a valid state or gov't issued ID and APA Membership Card at any time. He glances over the scoresheets and in a matter-of-fact tone says that he doesn't recognize that particular player's name. I said "Ok, thank you," and he walks away. By now they are halfway through the 2nd rack. As not to interrupt, I wait until the end of that rack to ask our opponent to furnish his ID and APA card just so I can verify his identity. He obliges and goes to his cue case. Roughly 6 minutes pass and he is still rifling through his bag. I ask one of my players to go get the LO again so I can have him adjust the clock for time spent looking for his ID's. The League Manager comes to our table and asks me whats going on. I tell him that I had only known of the player under his alias rather than the name printed on the sheet, so I just wanted to double check. All fine and dandy. I ask if he can amend the starting times on our scoresheets to reflect the stoppage while waiting to check an ID. His reply was "Nah, I wouldn't worry about it. A couple of minutes isn't going to make a difference." A little hesitant, I accept his verdict. The LO tells us to continue on with the match and solve it afterwards so not to interrupt the others. Sounds reasonable. Glad he's taking the time to work this out, given his typical effort towards anything.
My player falls apart. He began to second guess every shot, started choosing incorrect patterns, and just couldn't seem to get it back together. He lost 1-4 (0-2). He had plenty of opportunities but couldn't capitalize. T-Bone made the shots when it counted. No worries, we've been here plenty of times before. We still have two matches left to go with the score now at (3-5).
I ask T-Bone to find his cards so we can move on.
Searching...
Waiting....
The player in question has since left the pool room and went out to his car to search for his ID. 19 minutes have elapsed during the course of this trek. I decide to seek out an official to address the clock being run down and the possibility that this player doesn't have the credentials required to participate in the event. Now the LO and LM are waiting at my table for T-Bone to come back in. Our two teams began to think he may have left. About 5 more minutes pass before he finally returns.
What's this? Empty handed? It cannot be.
As he is walking from the front of the pool hall to the rear, where the tournament is being held, I start reflecting back to the Captain's Meetings, Players' Meetings, and the LTC's Meetings, citing the words of our operator that "a player is ineligible to compete if he does not have his ID and APA card." The rest of the tournament has slowed to get a peak at what is causing the hold up of our match and see what is going on. Word had spread that something was amiss with his paperwork.
T-Bone approaches me, reaches in his pocket, and pulls out a card. It has a name listed. It also had a headshot of himself on it. Along with a company name. And that's it....
He handed me an old, wrinkled up business card!
I am at a loss for words. I knew it was a joke.
Boy, had I been fooled. He honestly expected to pass that off as a valid ID! I asked him if he had a state or gov't issued photo ID. His response, *lip smack* "awh nah man i aint got one of those." I'm shocked. I said ok, what about the APA card you got in the mail? He replied *lip smack* "awh nah man I keep dat at my girl's place."
No valid ID. No APA Card.
According to APA, that makes him an ineligible player. I inform the LO that the opposing team had posted and played an ineligible player. He says he will handle it and to go ahead and continue the rest of the match.
