apa rules question

[Da Poet]

thanks da poet! finally a definitive answer

No problemo, lol.

The new local APA forum is just getting started and it's pretty handy for this kind of stuff.

http://chicagoapa.com/forum/default.asp

Only APA members are allowed to register and you have to submit your player number when you set up your account so this should be a pretty helpful little forum for APA stuff. There are other APA regions that are also using the same new web page format. Not sure if you have to be a local player to register if any should be interested.

 

[iba7467]

Da Poet says he asked his "local" LO about this. Our "local" LO says this is allowed this year. I have submitted the question directly via the national APA website, I will respond with the answer.

I think jump cues should be allowed as a natural progression of the game. Consider changes in construction materials throughout the year. Better balls, better rails, definitely better cloth. The same thing has happened in other sports as well... leather basketballs, more variety/construction materials of golf clubs, boxing gloves.

It is my viewpoint that the evolution of the game is just that and will require some changes from what the "APA founders" established.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Agree 100%

What I don't get is that this same question comes up year after year after year and it still never gets directly addressed in the team manual. Here's the latest I could find for 2007/8:

33. EQUIPMENT
In general, any piece of equipment designed specifically for pocket billiards,
with the exception of jump cues and laser devices, is acceptable in APA
League play. Special equipment, such as bridges and cue extenders, are legal.
Jump shots are legal, when executed properly (see JUMP SHOTS described
in Definitions), but such shots must be attempted using your regular game
cue. Those cues especially designed for jump shots MAY NOT be used in
competition. Players are not allowed to break their cues down to attempt
jump shots.
*Any piece of equipment not covered by this rule and in question will be ruled
upon by APA. Cues with moveable parts will generally NOT be allowed.

Exactly the same as before.

Did I miss something? I mean really, how difficult is it to simply say on a national level that switching cues for a jump shot is illegal and be done with it?

Again, maybe I missed something. But until someone can point me to an official APA link, or document that says switching cues for jumping is okay, I remain respectfully skeptical.

There is nothing skeptical about the rule here. Your "regular game cue" is the one you're using for all those shots you take. You know that s/l 3 that is trying to do a jumpshot on his 14th inning of the game? Yeah, he's got to use the same cue he used in the previous 13 innings.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Da Poet says he asked his "local" LO about this. Our "local" LO says this is allowed this year. I have submitted the question directly via the national APA website, I will respond with the answer.

I think jump cues should be allowed as a natural progression of the game. Consider changes in construction materials throughout the year. Better balls, better rails, definitely better cloth. The same thing has happened in other sports as well... leather basketballs, more variety/construction materials of golf clubs, boxing gloves.

It is my viewpoint that the evolution of the game is just that and will require some changes from what the "APA founders" established.

They can't even teach the majority of their players what a double-hit is. You really think jump cues are a good idea? The majority of APA members are beginner to intermediate players. A jump cue is giving a huge advantage to advanced players since you rarely see anyone ranked s/l 5 or lower who could effectively safe a good 7 with a jump cue.

 

[iba7467]

They can't even teach the majority of their players what a double-hit is. You really think jump cues are a good idea? The majority of APA members are beginner to intermediate players. A jump cue is giving a huge advantage to advanced players since you rarely see anyone ranked s/l 5 or lower who could effectively safe a good 7 with a jump cue.

Fully agreed, but allowing for the full gamut of learning allows player's to improve. I know this is not the purpose of the APA, but it does. I have been a team captain for 4 years now. In that time I have seen my players' ranks elevate an average of 80%.

This issue actually came up last night in a match. My player was hooked on the 8 ball, an intentional safe by a 7 (the highest you can be in APA). He then took his break cue (after discussion of this rule) jumped the ball and made the 8 perfectly.