Now I know.
APA Rant
- Thread starter Zphix
- Start date
Now I know.
You gotta move out of the sticks son
But, if you really want to play good talent, it would be worth your time to come up here a couple of times a month to play. More masters, advanced players, good open players and shortstop players than you can shake a stick at.
I'll make my way up for sure! What days or times are most active?
Banks
Banned
I resemble that remark.
If you're a 5, you aren't remembering enough games that get stretched out. It's also easy to say how weak those 7s and 9s are, until you get there. Even then, you'll quickly realize your place in the pecking order or those players. Look at it this way.. if you think those 7s are weak, how do you honestly expect to be heard or looked at as a 4/5, using those same standards?
First I have to ask which part of Chicago this was in? I believe they have multiple LO's in the city and was the TD the League Operator or one of the division managers or some other type of " area brass"? I know there is at least one LO that plays more by standard rules than APA rules and at times that has really hurt those teams and players in the national events. I do know that the Chicago area as a whole has some incredibly strong players, APA and otherwise so in spite of your experience don't be to quick to disparage and try to remember that local rules, at the local level, supersede other APA written rules except at the national or regional level. As was posted earlier, you would have been correct to stand your ground as this not being a foul.
I believe the rule book says that if no referee was present the call would rely on the shooter's judgment, so don't be talked out of what you know is right. At the national team event one of the first things I always remind our players of is not to be intimidated or bullied by someone shouting accusing you that you've committed a foul, be honest and fair, but be strong and stand your ground and when the referee questions you about it don't be wishy-washy, make your decision, be strong and stick to it, ie - "No, I did not hit the wrong ball before mine". Statements like, "I don't think..." or "Maybe..." leave a door open for the referee to decide against you. Even if the entire other team is yelling and their wives and husbands and friends they brought along, you be strong, ultimately with no referee present it is your decision.
I believe the rule book says that if no referee was present the call would rely on the shooter's judgment, so don't be talked out of what you know is right. At the national team event one of the first things I always remind our players of is not to be intimidated or bullied by someone shouting accusing you that you've committed a foul, be honest and fair, but be strong and stand your ground and when the referee questions you about it don't be wishy-washy, make your decision, be strong and stick to it, ie - "No, I did not hit the wrong ball before mine". Statements like, "I don't think..." or "Maybe..." leave a door open for the referee to decide against you. Even if the entire other team is yelling and their wives and husbands and friends they brought along, you be strong, ultimately with no referee present it is your decision.
The learning curve gets much steeper, every "level" (in general terms, not league terms) you improve it will get more difficult to move to the next. This is completely understandable.
You may be the exception, and truly go from beginner to expert in a few short years. It has happened, just not very often. Don't get hung up on how fast you're advancing (or the perceptions of your skill) or it will drive you crazy.
Have some fun, good luck
No such thing
I have a theory. In this APA league, the 7s and 9s that I see playing are only mid-Bs at best. I'm ranked higher than that in the Fargo system, and my APA rating is only 2 weeks in so I haven't moved up much.
In other words, I'm already at there level on every playing field except paper. I've played these guys already in equal races; played an APA 9 in 9-ball and beat him 10-4 for $30.
Not saying you're wrong, and I'm not trying to assume that I know more than I do but comparing these "maxed out" players with the As,AAs, and masters that I came to watch and play with in Wisconsin, these APA players are weak.
Here's an example, playing 8-ball, I saw a 7 get ball in hand. He walks around the table and looks at his shots. He's got two frozen balls (frozen, and not lined up to a pocket), and no other balls in the area below the 8 (by the spot) to break them up. Taking ball in hang, the first ball he shoots at is sitting in the jaws of the pocket up table... Tell me that's the best way to play the run out?
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Depends on your definition of the word sh*tty I guess. My point was sort of it is just a #, nothing to care about.
Exactly!
Now then, I really am a $hitty 5
I have seen some 5s that shoot as strong as 7s in our league if not better fwiw...once again # means nothing.
2 weeks is nothing which means your handicap is not established. I believe it takes a minimum of 4 weeks and even then until you hit 10 and even 20 matches it can bounce easily. It sounds like you will be a 6 or a 7 by the time you get established, gl op.
Huh?
That.
Didn't anyone on your team say anything. The minute he touched the ball, I grab it and take ball in hand. .........another shitty 7.
That.
Didn't anyone on your team say anything. The minute he touched the ball, I grab it and take ball in hand. .........another shitty 7.
I agree with this completely. But, I think the advantages I have are that I play all the time, and super hungry to learn, and am very dedicated to improving. All of my hobbies are focused around problem solving and critical thinking and I think that my cognitive abilities make pool a little easier.
I know Brumback put up a post about being too smart to play good pool but I think it's an advantage depending on the type of "smarts" you have.
Nope. Only 3 guys from team show up weekly... and well, they tend to enjoy drinking more than score keeping. Earlier in the post somebody said I'm probably surrounded by guys who like to hang out and play pool as a hobby and that's true of my team.
I feel like I'm the only one who is still hungry to learn and get better.
Hungry
Stay hungry and don't sandbag. Shane, your team didn't share your enthusiasm. Stay after and find the 7s willing to share. I stick around for my lower ranked players and tell them to set up the shots they think they should have executed. They are all getting better.
Stay hungry and don't sandbag. Shane, your team didn't share your enthusiasm. Stay after and find the 7s willing to share. I stick around for my lower ranked players and tell them to set up the shots they think they should have executed. They are all getting better.
AGHHH. For the record, I am not saying any of you guys are wrong. I've definitely had the unfortunate habit of assuming I knew more than I did and refuting the words of more experienced players. But, I'm basing my assessment on facts:
-Fargo Rating System vs. APA Rating System
-Pattern Play/Position that I picked up from AAs and Masters with Established Fargo ratings vs. Pattern Play/Position that I see these 7s and 9s taking. There patterns tend to be more like the ones I see low/mid Bs playing.
-Established AAs and Masters assessment of my game and ability vs. APA "maxed out" players assessment of my game and ability.
The worlds are completely different and I left a fabulous one to come back to a mostly ignorant one.
I guess my point is that, I'm probably not a "real" APA 7 but I'm closer to that rating than the guys who are there right now because they are not "real" APA 7s either.
-Fargo Rating System vs. APA Rating System
-Pattern Play/Position that I picked up from AAs and Masters with Established Fargo ratings vs. Pattern Play/Position that I see these 7s and 9s taking. There patterns tend to be more like the ones I see low/mid Bs playing.
-Established AAs and Masters assessment of my game and ability vs. APA "maxed out" players assessment of my game and ability.
The worlds are completely different and I left a fabulous one to come back to a mostly ignorant one.
I guess my point is that, I'm probably not a "real" APA 7 but I'm closer to that rating than the guys who are there right now because they are not "real" APA 7s either.
^^^^ I love it.
Who cares about a #? If someone says a players is not a good 6 or 7 who really cares? I let my play do the talking for me. APA is meant to be a cheap social/competitive league with a cheap chance to go to Vegas. I say cheap because it is not free even though people may say you can win a "free trip" to Vegas. That is not true. You win some money toward your trip and an entry. The amount of money you win depends on several variables.
Comparing Fargo to APA is not really fair to either league as they are not the same or meant to be the same. A Fargo rating does not transfer to an APA rating as they have different rating systems.
At the end of the day just go out and compete and not care about a #. When I was playing league sometimes I would not play because our "strongest" team didn't necessarily match up to who the other team was throwing. Add that to being a 7 is about a 1/3 of the amount you can play (23) and a 7 can be meh at sometimes. The plus side is having a 7 who can beat anyone that another team throws up + hopefully that person being able to coach well which I am fortunate to be blessed with a good ability there.
ElCorazonFrio
Banned
Good attitude.
The seasons I played APA, I was just getting back into pool after a few years off. I had much more knowledge about the game than anyone in the league...the first time I stumbled on the league, I played pick-up games and had six teams asking me to join. I joined only so I could give some pointers to the people who wanted to learn. My captain didn't even get too mad at me for helping my opponents with strategy.
What you're hating there isn't the APA. That is a very unfortunate conclusion that many reach in error, as you have here. What you hate is the incorrect implementation of the APA rules. The APA couldn't be more clear about the idea that if no one is specifically asked to watch a shot (a ref, another player, etc.), then disputes will go to the shooter. In other words, the burden of proof is not on you. If you say it was a good hit, he says it was a bad hit, and no one was *asked to watch the hit*, then what the shooter says goes. Very simple.
Also, the other thing you might be hating is humanity. People are stupid, ignorant, inconsiderate, dishonest, and generally despicable in basically any group you want to pick. This guy being an ass really isn't a quality of the APA. Even if everyone in the league is an ass, the league itself is only to blame in so much as it doesn't take corrective actions to eliminate the assholes. I think the APA system and structure is pretty good actually. The place where they really come up short is in *educating* their huge player base in etiquette, and how pool is supposed to be played. I have found that most APA players (and most humans in general) tend to be conformists. They will do things the way everyone says they should be done, for the most part. The APA has a great opportunity to change the culture. If everyone that is a good person, likes pool, and wants to be a respectful sportsman decides "this sucks", and leaves at any inconvenience to them, it really doesn't *help* the group as a whole. If you think you have something to add to a pool community, the ADD IT!!! Don't run away. Help change the culture. That is very important to me. I think so much is wrong with all leagues, pool rooms, etc. But I try my best to make the issues know, offer solutions, and generally just stick it out and bear it, because I DO think I can make a difference, and I'm not afraid to try.
This was a bad call against you by a misinformed player and TD. The solution on your end is to privately discuss the matter with the TD. Show him the rule in the book where it says the tie goes to the shooter unless someone was asked to watch. Ask why he didn't uphold that rule. If his answer is not satisfactory, contact St. Louis. Point out the error. They can't fix what they don't know is broken.
Best wishes on this!
KMRUNOUT
This shouldn't irk you. Your eyes should light up every time you hear someone say this to you. Standard reply - "Well there is a really easy way to find out. Race to 5 for $50 says i'm better. Or are you just barking?"
I'm a bad 7 and I don't say that tongue in cheek. In APA, i'm a big fish in a really small pond. I like the APA because it gets me out of the house once a week and I drink beer with friends. Don't think playing in the APA is going to make you a better player. It is supposed to be social and fun - not serious pool.