APA Question...

justadub said:
Well, yes, it is quite fashionable to beat on the APA. And who knows, perhaps it is deserved in many places. I can only speak from my experience.

The biggest, or most popular, or most successful entities will always get bashed, and it will be fashionable to do so, to be cool. That is why you hear all the negatives about APA here. It wouldn't be "cool" to support the APA publicly, "cuz everyone hates it". At least all the "cool' people, the "good players", do. Just like the Yankees, the Cowboys, Wal-Mart or Obama. Pack mentality. Doesn't make it true. Doesn't mean it isn't, either. But I have seen plenty of posters here on various threads that have had good-to-great experiences with APA, so I know it isn't just me.

As far as ACS or BCA, I have no experience with them, so I cannot compare/contrast. They are smaller, and less prolific, so there will be less railing against them, by nature. But I think you would be naive to think that there isn't someone unhappy with something those leagues do, too. It's the nature of the beast. Any time you get a group of people together for any length of time, you will get difference of opinions, which will foster unhappiness, which will foster proclamations of how awful things are in that group of people.

Have fun doing what you're doing, and if there isn't enough fun in it to overcome what you don't like, move on. In this or any other venture you undertake.

Derailing the thread, are we? :embarrassed2: Use a distinct object for your marker, and leave the cue holder in your pocket. It's just easier. Make everything as easy as you can in life, its... well, easier.
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Justadub

If you ever get a chance to play Real Pool instead of Corporate sponsored Slop pool, you will understand why APA is bad mouthed so much. But then those without good motor skills like eye hand coordination need a game to play also.

You may have the last word, I am done.
 
Alright guys, the APA is not meant to appeal to the good / great pool players.

It's setup to appeal to the masses, the bangers and the average to a-little-above-average players!

That's why there are rules that "good" pool players don't like.... and that's why it's so easy for AZ'er to bash it.

That said, there can be.... and IS a place for "good" players in the APA if you're willing to deal with slop and a little B.S... and it's a great way to meet people (more women in APA, I would guess).

It's successful because there are a heck of a lot more bangers out there than good players.

Take it for what it is and what it's meant to be. Choose to play it .. or not to play it.... but don't sweat it either way. Live a happy life.
 
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Hey Zach,
The only time I played APA was in a Masters League. Usually we just agreed to call our pockets. If a team insisted on "marking" the pocket, we just used one of the many patches the APA hands out. It seems like we got patches for everything, 8 on the snap, 9 on the snap, 8 ball break n run, 9 ball break n run, and a grand slam for all in a season. It's really no biggie, I can mark it or call it.
I could never play in the handicap league, we like to have a few beers during league and there is no way I could keep score of all the innings. LOL ......Also, the APA is not very clear on many of their rules. I think it is designed mostly for the beginner to intermediate pool players.
My team and I really enjoyed the Masters Division and our trip to Vegas last year was fun. Anyhoo, next time you cruise through Tucson give me a jingle and we can hit some at my place again.:)
 
Neil said:
You have been here quite a while. But, I am curious. Which side of the fence were you on?
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I was wondering the same thing. You know, after thinking about it, I would only have a slight problem with someone marking the pocket with the type of chalker the OP posted a picture of. And that would be with the people (and I've seen more than just a few) that set those types of pocket chalkers ON THE TABLE RAIL after each time they use it. I guess it could get a "little blurred" as to if one was marking a pocket or simply setting it down after using it. I have never understood why someone would want something swinging around their chalk if they weren't going to put the thing into their pocket in the first place. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.

Maniac
 
This rule is goofy but necessary for the quality and itegrity of the avg player. Like JDB said, if it's obvious then I don't care. If I know the person, then I ask if we can just call the 8. If we agree, then everything is good to go.
 
Ballbanger, sorry to annoy you. I have no need for a last word.

I do, apparently, have a need for better hand-eye coordiantion. :p

I am laughing typing this, don't get mad because I have the audicity to chuckle at myself, and your post, at the same time. I am guilty as charged about being new, a beginner, a banger, a "league player". I am all of those things and more, but I sure ain't new to life, and groups, and organizations.

There I go again. OK, I'll stop. Ballbanger is right. I condede. :)
 
I won't jump on the bash APA bandwagon cuz I think they do a pretty good job at what they're trying to do... get amateurs into pool and sign up lots of people and make an enjoyable league night for everyone. Anything else (money, competition, etc) is just gravy.

For the record, stupid rule nitpicking can happen in any league where you mix serious and experienced players with bangers and alcohol and money. In our VNEA league finals in canada, a player marked a pocket with an 'official' coaster. As he was down on his shot, it fell off. The other team claimed he shot at an unmarked pocket. A ref agreed. It was a loss.

That's just how it is and you can't point a finger at the APA when it happens.
 
Ball Banger said:
Justadub

If you ever get a chance to play Real Pool instead of Corporate sponsored Slop pool, you will understand why APA is bad mouthed so much. But then those without good motor skills like eye hand coordination need a game to play also.

You may have the last word, I am done.
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You want "real pool"? Play bar pool. Call every damn thing and then see what happens when you pull some kind of attitude like you just did. I'm guessing you're also the jerk that whines about the rules *after* entering a tournament.

I know plenty of strong players that play APA. Maybe you're just too damn good, like some of the others I know. I'm guessing you snap off a 5-pack every time you step to the table, because you're that good.

Or... I think you've lost your share of APA matches and decided to whine about it.

You know what cracks me up? When those APA-bashers are handing me their money.. hell, better still is when they won't even put up.
 
Banks said:
You want "real pool"? Play bar pool. Call every damn thing and then see what happens when you pull some kind of attitude like you just did. I'm guessing you're also the jerk that whines about the rules *after* entering a tournament.

I know plenty of strong players that play APA. Maybe you're just too damn good, like some of the others I know. I'm guessing you snap off a 5-pack every time you step to the table, because you're that good.

Or... I think you've lost your share of APA matches and decided to whine about it.

You know what cracks me up? When those APA-bashers are handing me their money.. hell, better still is when they won't even put up.
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Banks

I am old enough to be your Grandfather and have played pool for over 55 years, mostly Bar Rules. My biggest gripe with APA is they won't except that I no longer play at the level I once did. They call me a player of Known skill and therefore give me a 7 handicap without me even playing APA.
 
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Ball Banger said:
Banks

I am old enough to be your Grandfather and have played pool for over 55 years, mostly Bar Rules. My biggest gripe with APA is they won't except that I no longer play at the level I once did. They call me a player of Known skill and therefore give me a 7 handicap without me even playing APA.
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Once again, this seems a local, League Operator issue, not an APA issue. I somehow doubt that orders were issued from APA HQ to make you an SL7. Perhaps they were, and that you are indeed a player of national "Known Skill". :wink:

In my opinion, most of the issues that seem to come up as complaints against APA are at the LO level, not the organization level. I'm sure that there will be many instances to prove that statement wrong, as well, but most of the nit-picky things are certainly individual case-by-case problems. Doesn't make them any less annoying; I don't mean to dismiss them. I just like to point out to folks that anytime there are rules and regulations, in groups of people, there will always be some conflict or difference of opinion.

Life's too short. There's too much pool to play, and too much beer to drink. Have a good day, folks.
 
JustaDub


OK I apologize, APA Is Great. But I am old and grew up in the 1940's and 50's before Dr Spock and Political Correctness. We had to try out for Little League Baseball and those that didn't make the team had to play dolls with the girls that summer. We also called each other "Dago", "Hunky", "Chink" "Nip" "gook" or "Wap" Etc and no one got upset. I forget that today the men have to give the Girly boys a handicap on every game requiring athletic ability.
 
Ball Banger said:
JustaDub


OK I apologize, APA Is Great. But I am old and grew up in the 1940's and 50's before Dr Spock and Political Correctness. We had to try out for Little League Baseball and those that didn't make the team had to play dolls with the girls that summer. We also called each other "Dago", "Hunky", "Chink" "Nip" "gook" or "Wap" Etc and no one got upset. I forget that today the men have to give the Girly boys a handicap on every game requiring athletic ability.
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Once again, I'm NOT saying everything APA does is great, or unworthy of questioning. I've had my own issues with how our local operator has done things lately. Any group of people in any endeavor will have situations arise where people will not agree, and that is simply the way of things. It doesn't matter how old you are, it happened in the 40's, it happened in the 30's, and all the way back in time. Groups of people will disagree. Political correctness has nothing to do with it. (I'm not a fan of political correctness. I am a fan of treating people decently. There is a line there, and it wavers back and forth.)

Guess what? It's 2010, and kids still have to try out for Little League, and guess what? There are those who won't make it. (I'm a Little League coach, and we have tryouts in about a month or so. I know how it is, first hand.) As for all the pleasant names you called each other, guess what? Kids still do that, it's just that they use different names. Many of those names aren't nice, and yes, the PC crowd will make a fuss over it. Back in your day, I'm sure that many folks weren't happy with the names you mentioned, but they wouldn't make a stink about it because they didn't want to make a fuss.

As for handicapping events.... well, that's really your issue with APA, isn't it? At the highest levels of any competition, handicaps are not used, and you quite well know that. You will only find handicaps used in localized league situations, to encourage more people to play. APA is a National organization of local leagues. Pool is not the only activity that uses handicaps, and you realize this, as well. Golf and bowling come to mind immediately. I'm sure there are many other examples. And if you don't like the fact that local leagues will use a handicap system to encourage more people to play, then you are undoubtably a superior player, and don't have any business playing with beginners in the first place.

Tell me this, Ballbanger? Are you also one who laments that pool hasn't gotten bigger, or that pool doesn't have a real pro circuit? Or that it isn't on TV like poker and bowling? Or that more players can't make a living playing pool, no matter how good they are? Or that pool halls keep closing all over the country? Where exactly are all the "new" pool players going to come from? Should we be relegated to banging away by ourselves, with no competition or incentive to continue playing, and paying money to support what local pool halls are available? Should we NOT purchase pool equipment to support the manufacturers of the gear that you use?

OK, I've gone on far too long. I have to go practice my hand-eye coordination skills, since they are obviously lacking. BTW, I just got back from APA League night, where I beat another player of my own handicap. No games given either way. And we had fun. He'll probably beat me next time, who knows. But there will be a next time for both of us, because we had fun. And then I had fun watching the two SL7's play each other, as well. Hmmmmm, no games given either way on that one, either. Damned handicapping! Must be the APA's fault.

Good night folks. Have fun.
 
TWOFORPOOL said:
I have used that type of pocket chalker at APA Nationals. It is absolutley legal!
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MY WIFE USED HERS THE ENTIRE TOURNAMENTS (TEAM AND DOUBLES), WITH NO ISSUES. A JUDGE SAW HER USE IT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE WE WERE IN THE SCOTCH DOUBLES TOURNEY.

FUNNY THING IS, IT'S NOT LEGAL IN OUR LOCAL AREA.

Marcus
 
Ball Banger said:
JustaDub


OK I apologize, APA Is Great. But I am old and grew up in the 1940's and 50's before Dr Spock and Political Correctness. We had to try out for Little League Baseball and those that didn't make the team had to play dolls with the girls that summer. We also called each other "Dago", "Hunky", "Chink" "Nip" "gook" or "Wap" Etc and no one got upset. I forget that today the men have to give the Girly boys a handicap on every game requiring athletic ability.
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Have you noticed on all the TV awards shows, that when they open the envelope, they now say "and the award goes to...."

They don't say "and the winner is...." any longer because that would imply that all the other nominees are losers and they would all lose self esteem and feel sad.

Speaking of TV, it did occur to me while watching the Winter olympics that when I lose at pool, at least I don't have to lay on the ice in severe pain. I'm glad for that.
 
Ball Banger said:
JustaDub


OK I apologize, APA Is Great. But I am old and grew up in the 1940's and 50's before Dr Spock and Political Correctness. We had to try out for Little League Baseball and those that didn't make the team had to play dolls with the girls that summer. We also called each other "Dago", "Hunky", "Chink" "Nip" "gook" or "Wap" Etc and no one got upset. I forget that today the men have to give the Girly boys a handicap on every game requiring athletic ability.
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Yeah, people have gotten a bit too easily offended. On the grandfather part, may be old enough age-wise, but my grandmother is still over 100. ;) Even in gambling matches where the skill is unbalanced, the races will still be tweeked. I know that you can petition for skill level changes due to medical reasons, etc, but I do know that the league is still not perfect and that stupid things do happen from time to time. I just get tired of people saying that it is not "real" pool. For just about every game there is some kind of way that play can happen in a way that was not intended. That's one reason I do kind of like bar pool sometimes.
 
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