Why all this Complaining?

cardiac kid

cardiac kid

Super Senior Member
Silver Member
OK Folks,

I've been playing BCA, BCAPL and ACS for over fifteen years. Never have I ever read a thread about one of those leagues as I seem to about the APA almost daily. The rules package. The player handicap number. The team handicap number. The playoffs. The payouts. Virtually every facet of play. Why are so many people still enamoured with the APA? The only ones defending the APA seem to be league operators with an income (and investment) to protect. I'm mystified. As my fellow BCAPL players seem to have a good time without the stated problems, please enlighten me.

Lyn
 
It's mostly people that like the handicapping. A lot of people are also intimidated by the BCAPL because they think it's all AAA players. Then, of course, you have the people that play decent and consider themselves pool gods in the APA. Finally, where else can you find a toothless honey that talks and drinks like a retired sailor?
 
NewStroke said:
It's mostly people that like the handicapping. A lot of people are also intimidated by the BCAPL because they think it's all AAA players. Then, of course, you have the people that play decent and consider themselves pool gods in the APA. Finally, where else can you find a toothless honey that talks and drinks like a retired sailor?
Click to expand...

Martinez?



Toothless Woman Bank Robber Hits Martinez BankMARTINEZ (BCN)

Police are searching for a bank robber described as a toothless woman wearing a yellow construction vest and a hard hat, Martinez police said.
 
The most single thing that I like is it's a race to 5 or 5/4 in most cases for me. I prefer a race rather than the single game against each opponent in the BCA or Valley format.

We also play on 9 footers and I'm not aware of any BCA or Valley league shooting on regulation tables.

That's pretty much the only reason I put up with it other than just hanging out with people that I like. I take it for what it's worth and just accept it. But I agree with everyone else, it's a far from perfect system.

Unfortunately, my close sources for pool are APA, BCA, and Valley. I can travel 30-60 minutes to shoot in weekly tournaments, but I'm lazy and drive 5 minutes away to the local pool hall with 9 footers and APA leagues. I wished I lived smack-dab in a bustling hubbub of billiard activity like some of the joints on the east coast or in California.
 
Pros and cons for all leagues

All leagues have good and bad in them, you just have to do what you like best and accept the worst. But when the LO is cheating you, that is NOT ACCEPTABLE on any level, and nobody can blame it on the league as a whole.

Been to Vegas for APA, BCA, and Reno for ACS, and enjoyed every single trip - maybe the reno trip more, since the wife couldn't make it:p

My past 3 years back in New Orleans Post-Katrina - Went to Vegas with APA, but disliked my teammates so I went to BCA. Finished 2nd in city cup 2 years in a row for BCA, and the team just didn't want to play for fun afterwards or during the week, so it wasn't fun. Therefore I started an APA team in my area, and got my friends together to play. Took 3 sessions to get a regional bid, and I am having fun. Re-built the team for the Summer Session and we are low in handicap, but high in heart and determination, and having fun every time we play - Win or Lose.

Does the APA have issues? ALL leagues have issues - But for me, if it isn't fun, then it is a waste of time. Done the Vegas thing, and would like to do it again for the rest of my team that has not had the opportunity. BUT right now I am having fun with my teammates/friends and probably have a good shot at winning the division.
In the end - It is what it is.

But I can understand the complaints recently on AZB about poor LO management - pocket marker - new rules in playoffs - handicap issues - sore loser opponents. That crap can get to anybody, and it should, since a few bad apples are spoiling all the fun. And AZB is as good a place to vent as anywhere else.

Just wish some of the really sad posts I have seen on here are resolved, since they truly are not what I believe League play is about. And situations like those continue to give the sport a bad name - no matter what league it is.

JMHO

Michael
 
cardiac kid said:
OK Folks,

I've been playing BCA, BCAPL and ACS for over fifteen years. Never have I ever read a thread about one of those leagues as I seem to about the APA almost daily. The rules package. The player handicap number. The team handicap number. The playoffs. The payouts. Virtually every facet of play. Why are so many people still enamoured with the APA? The only ones defending the APA seem to be league operators with an income (and investment) to protect. I'm mystified. As my fellow BCAPL players seem to have a good time without the stated problems, please enlighten me.

Lyn
Click to expand...


I played in the APA for 3 straight seasons, fall, spring and summer. Our team was in the Masters div. so we didn't deal with all the handicapping stuff I hear about. My main gripe was that we took 1st place in all three seasons and won the city championship. We didn't even get as much money back as we paid in. Oh, we did get to stay at the Circus Circus for free, the league paid this and our entry to the National tourney.
In the BCA, all you have to do is play 8 weeks to get qualified for Vegas. Our local pays the team entry regardless of what place you come in during league. No arguing about BCA, we just show up, play, and plan our trip to Vegas next year.
In APA I don't think you can go to the Vegas tourney unless you qualify somehow. BCA all you do is get qualified by playing league, then you just pay for your trip to Vegas, much easier. Plus, there are Pro pool players all over during the BCA event.
 
I say just ignore the rankings etc and play. It's only for fun. If you want APA to be serious you are in the wrong league period. I say just ignore the BS and play. If you are that good it won't matter what the race is anyway.
 
Right on Neil.


Neil said:
Ever think of just playing one on one with some friends for competition? You can play for three or four hours and actually get to play for three or four hours instead of being out for four or five hours and only getting to play one short race. If they have pool tables, league isn't the only thing around.
Click to expand...
 
I don't know that the Circus Circus rooms are a prize. Seem to remember them going for like 29 a night or something really low during peak...


tucson9ball said:
I played in the APA for 3 straight seasons, fall, spring and summer. Our team was in the Masters div. so we didn't deal with all the handicapping stuff I hear about. My main gripe was that we took 1st place in all three seasons and won the city championship. We didn't even get as much money back as we paid in. Oh, we did get to stay at the Circus Circus for free, the league paid this and our entry to the National tourney.
In the BCA, all you have to do is play 8 weeks to get qualified for Vegas. Our local pays the team entry regardless of what place you come in during league. No arguing about BCA, we just show up, play, and plan our trip to Vegas next year.
In APA I don't think you can go to the Vegas tourney unless you qualify somehow. BCA all you do is get qualified by playing league, then you just pay for your trip to Vegas, much easier. Plus, there are Pro pool players all over during the BCA event.
Click to expand...
 
GoTulane said:
All leagues have good and bad in them, you just have to do what you like best and accept the worst. But when the LO is cheating you, that is NOT ACCEPTABLE on any level, and nobody can blame it on the league as a whole.

Been to Vegas for APA, BCA, and Reno for ACS, and enjoyed every single trip - maybe the reno trip more, since the wife couldn't make it:p

My past 3 years back in New Orleans Post-Katrina - Went to Vegas with APA, but disliked my teammates so I went to BCA. Finished 2nd in city cup 2 years in a row for BCA, and the team just didn't want to play for fun afterwards or during the week, so it wasn't fun. Therefore I started an APA team in my area, and got my friends together to play. Took 3 sessions to get a regional bid, and I am having fun. Re-built the team for the Summer Session and we are low in handicap, but high in heart and determination, and having fun every time we play - Win or Lose.

Does the APA have issues? ALL leagues have issues - But for me, if it isn't fun, then it is a waste of time. Done the Vegas thing, and would like to do it again for the rest of my team that has not had the opportunity. BUT right now I am having fun with my teammates/friends and probably have a good shot at winning the division.
In the end - It is what it is.

But I can understand the complaints recently on AZB about poor LO management - pocket marker - new rules in playoffs - handicap issues - sore loser opponents. That crap can get to anybody, and it should, since a few bad apples are spoiling all the fun. And AZB is as good a place to vent as anywhere else.

Just wish some of the really sad posts I have seen on here are resolved, since they truly are not what I believe League play is about. And situations like those continue to give the sport a bad name - no matter what league it is.

JMHO

Michael
Click to expand...

Tap, tap, tap.

Perfectly said.
 
Lyn...First thing, the majority of complainers about the APA are a very small, but vocal minority here on AzB. APA is 3-4 times the size of the BCAPL (currently), so naturally there will be more people playing and talking (and b1tching) about it. There is nothing "wrong" with the APA...it is what it is...a place for social players to spend a night out, and play a little pool. What drew me to become an LO was 1) a national tournament that paid LAST PLACE prize money (admittedly not much, but you CAN say you 'finished in the money'!), and a legitimate chance for any team to get there; 2) a handicap system, that, when administered properly (through proper scorekeeping) offers a possibility of lower skilled players winning over higher skilled players (not all the time, but it happens); 3) a team building concept that, when done correctly, doesn't allow the "best 5 guys in town" to dominate everybody else in the local league (which happens in BCA and Valley leagues all the time); 4) allows the use of strategy in matching up opponents; and 5) coaching is allowed, allowing players to improve quickly. No other leagues offer all these things, but still, the APA is not for everybody. There are very likely at least 100x more APA players that enjoy playing in the league, than those that complain about it (current APA membership is over 250,000 vs perhaps 1% of people who "hate it"). As has been said already, all leagues have issues. Personally, if I were to play in a league (I don't because I travel too much), it would be, like you, the BCAPL...because I like what they offer. BTW, I enjoyed finally meeting you in Vegas last month! :D

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

cardiac kid said:
OK Folks,

I've been playing BCA, BCAPL and ACS for over fifteen years. Never have I ever read a thread about one of those leagues as I seem to about the APA almost daily. The rules package. The player handicap number. The team handicap number. The playoffs. The payouts. Virtually every facet of play. Why are so many people still enamoured with the APA? The only ones defending the APA seem to be league operators with an income (and investment) to protect. I'm mystified. As my fellow BCAPL players seem to have a good time without the stated problems, please enlighten me.

Lyn
Click to expand...
 
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