BCAPL is awesome because.....

[bad_hit]

First let me repeat that leagues are free to use match play instead of round robin, but unless you are a deciding voice in your league, that doesn't help you.

Have you heard of the USAPL? Like the BCAPL, the USAPL is run by CSI. The USAPL uses FargoRate to rank its players, and it uses the same game rules as the BCAPL. However, the USAPL's matches are structured similarly to the APA, so that lower level players get a more fair shake, and 9-ball matches are not a one-game match.

The USAPL has a national championship that plays concurrently with the BCAPL Nationals.

I have given serious thought to starting a USAPL league (my wife might kill me though) and seeing how it goes. It would be great to see some leagues start up on the west coast.

I've heard of the USAPL but I don't think there's any leagues in my area. Looks like the closest one is about 5 hours south.

 

[Celophanewrap]

The only money they want from players in their sanctioned leagues is a $15 annual membership fee.

The BCAPL (CSI) 8-ball rules are almost identical to those used by professionals. The way it should be. Call ball and pocket. Open after the break. No need for pocket markers.

The BCAPL recommends using these rules in league play but league operators are free to adopt any rule set they choose.

In fact, league operators can sanction their leagues with the BCAPL but still maintain complete local control. There is no required format, fee structure, rules, etc. The league operators are free to structure their leagues to suit the players and simply sanction with the BCAPL to take advantage of the many benefits.

CSI's rule book is the most comprehensive set of pool rules in the world, with hundreds of applied rulings for special circumstances.

BCAPL has adopted the FargoRate player rating system, which, like golf handicaps, will allow any two players to compete with a fair handicap.

The BCAPL Nationals in Las vegas are a group of awesome 8 & 9 ball events, every bit as good as the APA Nationals, and they are open to every BCAPL member, not just those who qualified through league playoffs.

BCAPL members are also eligible for all BCAPL state and regional events.

The use of handicaps in league play is totally at the discretion of the league operator.

The BCAPL has real-time online brackets for their National tournaments and all other sponsored tournaments.

The BCAPL offers free use of their web-based league management software, and all league stats are automatically updated and can be easily embedded in a league website.

The BCAPL offers financial and logistical support for state, regional, and local events.

HA! Maybe, just maybe that's true and all, but do you get cool patches like we do? and do you have cool definitions of Break Cue, and Playing Cue and cool discussions about them? Huh?
.. and do you have a Skippy, or a Lorider, or a justadub? I think not

more money though, eh.......?

 

[sbpoolleague]

HA! Maybe, just maybe that's true and all, but do you get cool patches like we do? and do you have cool definitions of Break Cue, and Playing Cue and cool discussions about them? Huh?
.. and do you have a Skippy, or a Lorider, or a justadub? I think not

more money though, eh.......?

Aaaahh patches. Yes, the BCAPL does give its members patches, but only one patch per year when you pay your yearly dues. The patch changes from year to year, and I must say the quality of the patch has gone down as of late. The BCAPL used to give all members a pin and a rules handbook yearly, but both of those have been discontinued. You never escape cost cutting.

One thing the BCAPL does each season is to offer leagues a free set of achievement pins (most break n runs, most 3-0's, etc) with the ability to purchase extra sets. The pins are small, I would almost prefer patches.

Speaking of the APA patches, I have yet to hear from an APA player that didn't think the patches were silly and a waste of money.

 

[bad_hit]

The BCAPL league I play in gives a medal to the session MVP with all their stats on the back (I have one). Thought that was really cool and better than getting a patch for every feat. That's in additional to all the regular trophies.

 

[sbpoolleague]

One thing I forgot to mention is that the staff at the BCAPL (CSI) main office are wonderful. Everyone, right up to the owner Mark Griffin, are very accessible.

I'd like to hear from APA LOs as to their front office support.

 

[Celophanewrap]

Aaaahh patches. Yes, the BCAPL does give its members patches, but only one patch per year when you pay your yearly dues. The patch changes from year to year, and I must say the quality of the patch has gone down as of late. The BCAPL used to give all members a pin and a rules handbook yearly, but both of those have been discontinued. You never escape cost cutting.

One thing the BCAPL does each season is to offer leagues a free set of achievement pins (most break n runs, most 3-0's, etc) with the ability to purchase extra sets. The pins are small, I would almost prefer patches.

Speaking of the APA patches, I have yet to hear from an APA player that didn't think the patches were silly and a waste of money.

We get cool pins too!

 

[bad_hit]

I used to be an APA LO. Front office support is very good, but a little inflexible. It's the APA way or the highway, and the APA way seems to have plateau'd at 250,000 members. CSI seems much more progressive and in tune with what the pool world needs, except maybe for the dress code, but that's for another thread. If I had to buy stock in either one, I'd short APA and get in for the long haul with CSI. Hope they keep up the effort and keep expanding.

btw I've shared these comments in a very constructive way with with the APA and got zero response, sorta proves my point.