As the title implies....
If you could start a brand new, local, grassroots, handicapped pool league.....what disciplines, formats, rule-set, ratings/handicap systems, etc. would you implement to maximize success/participation?
I realize that this is a pretty broad topic, but let's entertain the idea. This league would include players from absolute beginner/novice all the way to low-level shortstop.
There would be multiple league satellite locations that range from 3-4 tables per room, to a max of 12 tables. Table sizes would be rooms with a few barboxes, a couple of rooms with 9-footers.....but, with the overall slight majority being standard and over-size 8-footers.
The goal would be 16 players on a weeknight. About 32 players on a weekend. Shooting for 64 players on very special season-openers and season-ending tourneys. Keep in mind that one would like to draw 16 local regulars on any normal weeknight. The higher number reflects getting your regulars in the door, plus traveling league players from other satellite locations for the weekend thing. They might be coming from an hour away....or maybe 4 hours away. So, there needs to be some enticement there.
If possible, answer it in bullet-point as the below, with explanation if need be, so it's easier to compare opinions.
If possible, please add your BCA/APA/NAPA/TAP/etc. rating, so we might cross-reference how a player's skill rating reflects their opinion on what they look for.
1.) What discipline? If possible, put these disciplines in order of what you think would SUCCEED in terms of participation. Please remember that there are a smattering of table sizes throughout the league. The choices would be 8B, 9B, 10B, 1P, Short Rack Banks, 14.1 Straight Pool. Imagine that you could have more than 1 discipline for variety, but please put them in order.
2.) Singles or team format? If teams, how many players per team?
3.) Based upon the discipline, what rule-set would you choose? As in, DCC rules? BCAPL? TAP? APA? NAPA? Custom?
4.) Player rating system? Unless it was a "special" limited-entry tournament, all players could play in all events with handicaps to level the playing field. In those "special" limited tournaments, lower level players could always "play up" in a higher level tourney, but stronger players could not participate in lower level tourneys.
5.) Handicap race lengths for weeknight tournaments vs. weekend tournaments?
6.) What yearly membership fee sounds fair to buy your league card?
7.) What entry fee sounds fair for a weeknight tourney?
8.) What entry fee sounds fair for money-added weekend tourneys (such as small $100-200 added events)?
9.) Any ideas for a formula that helps determine a "Player of the Year" for each (if applicable) skill division?
10.) Ideas for "extras" on league night, such as a break pot....break and run pot....etc. Any other ideas for fun skill competitions/small prize events? Or difficult, but possible, competitions that breed a pot that builds and builds for a big pay-out?
What am I forgetting? Thanks for any and all participation.
If you could start a brand new, local, grassroots, handicapped pool league.....what disciplines, formats, rule-set, ratings/handicap systems, etc. would you implement to maximize success/participation?
I realize that this is a pretty broad topic, but let's entertain the idea. This league would include players from absolute beginner/novice all the way to low-level shortstop.
There would be multiple league satellite locations that range from 3-4 tables per room, to a max of 12 tables. Table sizes would be rooms with a few barboxes, a couple of rooms with 9-footers.....but, with the overall slight majority being standard and over-size 8-footers.
The goal would be 16 players on a weeknight. About 32 players on a weekend. Shooting for 64 players on very special season-openers and season-ending tourneys. Keep in mind that one would like to draw 16 local regulars on any normal weeknight. The higher number reflects getting your regulars in the door, plus traveling league players from other satellite locations for the weekend thing. They might be coming from an hour away....or maybe 4 hours away. So, there needs to be some enticement there.
If possible, answer it in bullet-point as the below, with explanation if need be, so it's easier to compare opinions.
If possible, please add your BCA/APA/NAPA/TAP/etc. rating, so we might cross-reference how a player's skill rating reflects their opinion on what they look for.
1.) What discipline? If possible, put these disciplines in order of what you think would SUCCEED in terms of participation. Please remember that there are a smattering of table sizes throughout the league. The choices would be 8B, 9B, 10B, 1P, Short Rack Banks, 14.1 Straight Pool. Imagine that you could have more than 1 discipline for variety, but please put them in order.
2.) Singles or team format? If teams, how many players per team?
3.) Based upon the discipline, what rule-set would you choose? As in, DCC rules? BCAPL? TAP? APA? NAPA? Custom?
4.) Player rating system? Unless it was a "special" limited-entry tournament, all players could play in all events with handicaps to level the playing field. In those "special" limited tournaments, lower level players could always "play up" in a higher level tourney, but stronger players could not participate in lower level tourneys.
5.) Handicap race lengths for weeknight tournaments vs. weekend tournaments?
6.) What yearly membership fee sounds fair to buy your league card?
7.) What entry fee sounds fair for a weeknight tourney?
8.) What entry fee sounds fair for money-added weekend tourneys (such as small $100-200 added events)?
9.) Any ideas for a formula that helps determine a "Player of the Year" for each (if applicable) skill division?
10.) Ideas for "extras" on league night, such as a break pot....break and run pot....etc. Any other ideas for fun skill competitions/small prize events? Or difficult, but possible, competitions that breed a pot that builds and builds for a big pay-out?
What am I forgetting? Thanks for any and all participation.
