News to me and re-checked APA's website which still lists SL 4 for men and SL 3 for women.
Obviously, new players do not have a skill level established, so a standard starting method has been devised for new players. Statistics show that 73% of male players are SL4s and higher while 73% of female players are SL3s and below. Gentlemen will play their first match as a SL4; ladies will play their first match as a SL3. A League Operator is authorized to assign skill levels and lowest attainables to new players who are known highly skilled players or to players who have previously established skill levels in another format. If a player has previously established a skill level in the APA 9-Ball format, then he will begin play in 8-Ball with his current 9-Ball skill level.
https://poolplayers.com/faq-handicaps-calculated/
Can you cite your source?
It was on a national league published flyer we got months ago, and it was just re-sent out by our LO. The recent reminder was sent to me was on Facebook, and I can't access that on my work PC, so I can't copy it here.
I remember getting the bulletin months ago, and it was referring to the rules changes for the year, around when the new rulebook was released. At that time, it also talked about this change, and that it was taking effect in December, rather than back when the rule book was released. If I can find it, I'll try and take a photo of it. We were just reminded locally, yesterday...