Are you really that dense that you can not figure out that the BCA's 75 point system for 5 man teams, 60 for 4 man teams in 8 ball, and the VNEA with a 13 point handicap system are far more accurate than the APA's 8 point handicaps for 8 ball, 9 for 9 ball as to a player's true speed. More finite handicap systems means less sandbagging and more accurate true speed. The APA is just a fun league for mostly beginners. If you reach 8 for 8 ball, 9 for 9 ball, and stay with it for over a year, you are not wanting true competition overall. The BCA is mostly a serious type league with the best players, the VNEA is a tweener league, and the APA is the last likely league for a serious player. Not familiar with TAP, so I can not comment on it, but I have played in all three of the others.
When you become a serious player, you will find that you develop an intolerance of bangers (or beginners), and there simple mistakes grow to be irritating after awhile (unless you are in it just to feed your EGO). I also enjoy helping beginners, but not in league. I give lessons occasionally, or tips now and then, and that is how I prefer to help them.