At least with this post here we have an APA LO (at least that what my perception is) that ADMITS that cheating/sandbagging exists as opposed to those who claim it has NEVER happened in the APA league they operated. The whole problem with handicapped leagues (and not just APA) where the players themselves have a skill rating is that there is absolutely NO WAY of enforcing the rules without some "collateral damage" occuring, as in somebody being in the wrong place at the wrong time and getting caught up in the "sting", so to speak. 1.) Sandbaggers (the really good ones) know how to "tank" a shot and make it look like a natural miss. They find a place in the game to do this without jeopardizing the outcome and they will do this however many times they can get away with it. Sometimes (I've seen this happen firsthand) it can cost them a game/match. Many times they get away with it. Only the saltiest of scorekeepers will recognize what is taking place and mark defensive shots as this unfolds. The less knowledgable scorekeepers will just mark up another inning thus letting the sandbagger succeed in keeping his/her skill level down. 2.) The persons responsible for enforcing the rules have a tough time at the tournaments because this is when the sandbagger starts to "shine". He/she brings attention to themselves when they start shooting 1 or 2 skill levels better than what they are rated. Then before you know it, anyone who is having a good day (and we ALL do this at some time or another) is under scrutiny. So which player does the LO (or "enforcer") punish? How in the world does he know which one is honest and which one is sandbagging?
I've come to the conclusion that ANY league that handicaps each individual player is going to have it's share of problems. There is really no fair way to enforce the rules and punish the cheaters. You enforce too weakly, and cheaters will "fall through the cracks". You enforce too strongly and some honest players will become "collateral damage". It is just too hard to enforce the rules to a "T". Too hard. For this reason I will never like the APA or similarly handicapped leagues.
FWIW, I always look for several things when I see a lower skill level player shooting better than they are rated. 1.) Fundamentals (proper grip, stance, smooth and fluid stroke), 2.) Knowledge (2 and 3 rail positioning of the cue ball, carom shots, combination shots, bank shots, using English, not needing timeouts on tough shots, etc.), 3.) Overall reaction to a great shot made or a run-out. I've seen a SL5 put up a 2-pack (on me, and I was spotting HIM a game) and his body english/reaction told me "that it was no big deal, I do it all the time". Most of the lower skill leveled players that are rated correctly will display some sort of emotion when a tough shot or good runout is accomplished. 4.) As goofy as this may sound, sometimes you can just tell a person knows more about pool than their skill level would reflect just by watching them move around the table (Their pre-shot routine, the way they chalk their cue, the way they carry their cue from shot-to-shot, the way they "walk up" to their shot, the way they visualize their shot going in, etc.
That being said, if a LO could, through notes written on the back of scoresheets by complaing Captains (which needs to be done WAY more often than occurs), and through showing up at host locations frequently to watch those in "question" shoot, I think the sandbagging problem could be curbed SOMEWHAT, but NEVER completely.
I must say that I feel NewStroke's pain, as I do anyone who has played in a handicapped pool league riff with cheaters and/or a crappy LO. All we really want to do is go out, socialize, down a few cold ones, have some friendly competition, with EVERYONE abiding by the RULES!!!
Only it ain't gonna happen :sorry:.
Oh yeah, and it ain't crying and whining, it's just venting. The frustration of witnessing so much cheating gets to a person after a while (and yes, I AM going to remove myself from the situation).
Maniac
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