League Members Input Needed

1ab

1ab

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In all organizations that sponsor pool leagues, people come to realize that there are positive and negative aspects that affect their future participation. In an effort to better understand the needs of players in general, I would appreciate using the members of this forum, that either have been, or currently are in leagues, as a sounding board to gain perspective of what's important and to what degree.
Using the following list as a reference, assess or list what you find important as well what you would care less about.

1. Organization
2. Length of season
3. Venue (social atmosphere, type of tables, etc.)
4. Establishing teams
5. Weekly fees
6. Sanctioning fees
7. Strength of competition (stacked teams etc.)
8. Handicapping system
9. Rule set
10.Ease of score-keeping
11.Match structure
12.Match time (day of week, length of match)
13.Payouts
14.Trophies (individual awards)
15.Banquets
16.Opportunity to compete in state or national related tournament
 
1ab said:
1. Organization
2. Length of season
3. Venue (social atmosphere, type of tables, etc.)
4. Establishing teams
5. Weekly fees
6. Sanctioning fees
7. Strength of competition (stacked teams etc.)
8. Handicapping system
9. Rule set
10.Ease of score-keeping
11.Match structure
12.Match time (day of week, length of match)
13.Payouts
14.Trophies (individual awards)
15.Banquets
16.Opportunity to compete in state or national related tournament
Click to expand...

I've highlighted, in Red, what I find important.
 
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1ab said:
In all organizations that sponsor pool leagues, people come to realize that there are positive and negative aspects that affect their future participation. In an effort to better understand the needs of players in general, I would appreciate using the members of this forum, that either have been, or currently are in leagues, as a sounding board to gain perspective of what's important and to what degree.
Using the following list as a reference, assess or list what you find important as well what you would care less about.

1. Organization
2. Length of season
3. Venue (social atmosphere, type of tables, etc.)
4. Establishing teams
5. Weekly fees
6. Sanctioning fees
7. Strength of competition (stacked teams etc.)
8. Handicapping system
9. Rule set
10.Ease of score-keeping
11.Match structure
12.Match time (day of week, length of match)
13.Payouts
14.Trophies (individual awards)
15.Banquets
16.Opportunity to compete in state or national related tournament
Click to expand...

For me it would be numbers... 1, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 14. Having fun is the most important!
 
1. Organization
3. Venue (social atmosphere, type of tables, etc.)
7. Strength of competition (stacked teams etc.)
8. Handicapping system
10.Ease of score-keeping
11.Match structure
13.Payouts
16.Opportunity to compete in state or national related tournament


Those are important to me. As a side note, NAPA fills all of them nicely at present here in North Georgia.
 
Handicapping

1ab said:
In all organizations that sponsor pool leagues, people come to realize that there are positive and negative aspects that affect their future participation. In an effort to better understand the needs of players in general, I would appreciate using the members of this forum, that either have been, or currently are in leagues, as a sounding board to gain perspective of what's important and to what degree.
Using the following list as a reference, assess or list what you find important as well what you would care less about.

1. Organization
2. Length of season
3. Venue (social atmosphere, type of tables, etc.)
4. Establishing teams
5. Weekly fees
6. Sanctioning fees
7. Strength of competition (stacked teams etc.)
8. Handicapping system
9. Rule set
10.Ease of score-keeping
11.Match structure
12.Match time (day of week, length of match)
13.Payouts
14.Trophies (individual awards)
15.Banquets
16.Opportunity to compete in state or national related tournament
Click to expand...

Having organized leagues and played more than 70 seasons of league, the complaint I've heard far more than others is unfair and arbitrary scoring and handicapping systems.

Next most common complaints were cigarette smoke and lousy playing conditions.
 
Most everything you have listed is important, to one degree or another.

To me, the most important aspects are having fun, and the structure being as stable and fair as possible. The rest contribute to those two components in their own ways.
 
If it is just a league for competition, social gathering, drinking, and only cost a couple dollars a week then a Banquet would be nice with some trophys and good food. Only wins and loses count. No need to score on every shot.


Now if it is a money league like TAP, APA, or NAPA payouts will be more important 'cause it cost more to play every week. :smile:
 
Last edited:
1ab said:
In all organizations that sponsor pool leagues, people come to realize that there are positive and negative aspects that affect their future participation. In an effort to better understand the needs of players in general, I would appreciate using the members of this forum, that either have been, or currently are in leagues, as a sounding board to gain perspective of what's important and to what degree.
Using the following list as a reference, assess or list what you find important as well what you would care less about.

1. Organization
2. Length of season
3. Venue (social atmosphere, type of tables, etc.)
4. Establishing teams
5. Weekly fees
6. Sanctioning fees
7. Strength of competition (stacked teams etc.)
8. Handicapping system
9. Rule set
10.Ease of score-keeping
11.Match structure
12.Match time (day of week, length of match)
13.Payouts
14.Trophies (individual awards)
15.Banquets
16.Opportunity to compete in state or national related tournament
Click to expand...

Without getting too long winded I would say a nice environment with good equipment is very important. Solid set of rules that do not change willy nilly. Rules are set by the BCA and followed to the letter in my case.

Match structure is 5 person teams, 5 frames where you play each player on the opposing team and a 6th frame for total score. Average time is about 2 hours starting at 8PM. Most folks have to work the next day to ending around 10 is not too bad. There are 3 man teams on another night and play is the same in that start at 8 end around 10.

As for the money end of it, we currently pay $12 per week with $2 going to the operator for stats/green fees, and $10 goes into a pool that is payed out to the teams at year end. In our league, everyone, even last place, gets something.

Usally the operator puts on a small snack type deal with chips and dips at the end of the year where we have a mini tournament if you wish to participate.

I would estimate that 20 percent of the teams are interested in going to state and nationals, but me personally, would not play in a league unless this were possible. Since we get a cash pay out in the league, it's your resposibility to pay your own way if you want to go to state/nationals.

I will say in closing that we have a great league with a great operator. It makes you look forward to every Wednesday night. Overall the players show each other a great deal of respect with very little drama. We are there to compete an have a good time. Our operator doesn't put up with much drama, and that suits me just fine.
 
This thread will be quite helpful to me as I have been tasked with being president of a league this fall. I've had no experience with leagues other than playing and being captain for a couple of sessions, which at least gave me some insight. Our league has become lackluster for many and I hope to use the information from these replies to create interest and develop growth. I appreciate all your responses and suggestions and will carefully review each one.
 
I don't have a specific order, as all are important, but I would have to say this....
To many times I go to a place and the tables are filthy! Get all over your hands, cue ball reacts way to much, tables not even close to level. I went to a local spot for league, noticed the tables were completely filthy. Asked the bar maid if they had a table brush. She said "what's that"? I am not kidding. She didn't know. Someone found one and I started cleaning the table. Left a giant cloud of dust in the place.

Maybe make the team captains responsible for the cleanliness of their "home" tables. Nothing makes me not want to come back any more then that!
 
buckshotshoey said:
I don't have a specific order, as all are important, but I would have to say this....
To many times I go to a place and the tables are filthy! Get all over your hands, cue ball reacts way to much, tables not even close to level. I went to a local spot for league, noticed the tables were completely filthy. Asked the bar maid if they had a table brush. She said "what's that"? I am not kidding. She didn't know. Someone found one and I started cleaning the table. Left a giant cloud of dust in the place.

Maybe make the team captains responsible for the cleanliness of their "home" tables. Nothing makes me not want to come back any more then that!
Click to expand...

I agree 100% with this, we seem to have them same problem here with dirty tables. Not only should someone take charge and brush/vacuum tables but also teach players that you do not need to "clean out" the cube of chalk by banging it upside down on the rail leaving blue spots all over or that you dont need so much chalk on your entire hand that you leave huge white hand prints wherever you put your hand on the table. I often wonder if these offenders have tables of their own and if they do do they treat them the same way?:angry:
 
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