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BY-LAWS
SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN APA POOL LEAGUE
2/25/08 Rev 1
RELAX, ENJOY YOURSELF AND PLAY WITHIN THE “SPIRIT OF THE RULES” AS WELL AS THE WRITTEN RULE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COVER EVERY SITUATION 100% WITH RULES – COMMON SENSE MUST BE USED. TEAMS THAT TRY TO GAIN ADVANTAGE BY CREATING THEIR OWN INTERPRETATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO SPORTSMANSHIP VIOLATIONS.
“WIN AT THE TABLE, NOT FROM THE CHAIR.”
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND CONDUCT MUST PREVAIL AT ALL TIMES
Starting Time: Play should start at 7:00 p.m. local time (not bar time). Start time can vary between sessions and division, upon agreement between division teams. A grace period of 15 minutes will be given unless a team representative contacts the other team and makes different arrangements. Remember, we are here to play pool and have fun, not make things difficult.
Teams that do not show up for a match without notifying the opposing team or LO may be charged for a forfeit and must pay the weekly fee. IF your team has a problem and cannot play, CALL before it becomes a forfeit.
Inclement Weather: If a team or player feels that the weather conditions make it unsafe to travel to and play a scheduled match, they must notify the opposing team captain and the League Operator (LO) at least 60 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. The match must be made up within two (2) weeks of the scheduled date unless both captains and the (LO) agree to a different timetable. Teams and players must use their own discretion when deciding whether to travel during inclement weather. Forfeits will not be awarded due to inclement weather unless the matches are not completed within the stated time frame.
Coaching: The coach may place the cue ball in “Ball in Hand” situations (cue ball is always live and if allowed to touch another ball it will be considered a ball in hand foul). Only the coach and the shooter may approach the table during a time out. Only the coach may approach the shooter during a time out. A coach can go between tables as often as needed during the one (1) minute time out. Coaching by anyone other than the designated coach will be considered a sportsmanship violation and be treated as such (see sportsmanship penalties pg. 4).
Time Outs: One (1) minute is allowed for each time out. Keep in mind we are not using stop watches, so don’t abuse it. Score keepers should mark time outs in the appropriate area on the score sheet. It is up to the opposing team to notify a player when he will exceed the number of time outs. If the coach calls or suggests a time out, then it is one. A coach may refuse a time out. If the team doesn’t have a time out coming, then it’s a sportsmanship violation, not ball in hand. (See sportsmanship penalties pg. 4). Only a player or coach may call a time out.
Forfeits: After 3 forfeits, the forfeiting team will be required to pay the opposing team’s fees for the forfeited match. A team forfeiting more than 8 individual matches in one session may be removed from the schedule for the remainder of the session at the LO’s discretion.
Board of Governors (BOG): Appointed members will serve a two (2) year term. Elected members will serve a one (1) year term. A board member who is ruled to have broken any by-law may be removed at the LO’s discretion. Any member who has 2 (two) unexcused absences may be removed from the board at the LO’s discretion.
Membership Conduct at APA Social Functions in Public Places: Please remember we are representing not only the Southwestern Michigan APA Pool League but also the APA Pool Leagues in general. We are constantly being viewed and evaluated by the people that we come in contact with during league functions. We do not want to project an image that would be detrimental to the image of APA pool players. Although this leaves room for interpretation, common social decorum should exist and is expected to be followed. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, excessive use of foul language, lewd actions, any action resulting in the need of police intervention, or host location request for intervention by the LO or authorities. Team captains and Board of Governors members will be held to a higher standard.
Anyone who exhibits an unacceptable behavior (as deemed by the BOG or LO) during an APA social function will be reprimanded by one or more of the following penalties after appearing before the Board of Governors:
· A written warning of a set time period, to be agreed upon by the BOG and LO, stating that additional unacceptable actions will result in more severe penalties.
· Suspension from APA activities for a set time period, to be agreed upon by the BOG and LO.
· Possible removal from the Board of Governors or Team Captain position.
Protest and Disputes: All protests must be handled as stated in the official team manual (OTM). Every means should be used to resolve a dispute at the time it occurs, doing so without excessive time taken. Good sportsmanship and conduct must prevail at all times. The following procedure should be used:
· The two players (not the coaches) should discuss the occurrence and determine if it is a foul or not. It is their game; therefore it is their responsibility to try to resolve the dispute. Do not forget the toss of a coin or a re-rack is an option, if agreed, between both players.
· If the two players cannot come to an agreement, the two captains will then decide the issue. A ten (10) minute total limit is in effect. If a game is to be replayed, the player who had the break will break again.
· In the case that the team captains cannot reach an agreement, a written protest will be filed, with a $25.00 fee to be attached from both teams. The protest must be filed within one (1) day of the event in question. The LO must notify the defending team in writing. The defending team will pay $25.00 at the time the protest goes before the BOG if it has not already done so. In the event only one team submits the protest with their $25.00, or that only one team shows
up before the BOG, that team will automatically win the protest, providing the other team was notified in writing of the protest by the LO. The team winning the protest will have their $25.00 returned.
Fees: League fees are $35.00 per week per team. A team forfeiting one or more matches to the opposing team is still responsible for the full $35.00 weekly fee. If full fees are not enclosed, the team could be subject to the loss of one (1) bonus point. No fees are due for scheduled byes. During session play-offs the full weekly fee of $35.00 will be due from each team, regardless of whether 3, 4, or 5 matches were played. Any team owing fees in the last two (2) weeks of the session will not be eligible for playoffs or City Championships. Any team member who submits an insufficient funds check will expose his team to loss of “money” bonus point until the check amount and a $25.00 service charge has been paid.
Captains: Team captains are encouraged to pay all fees by check or money order to avoid accounting discrepancies and possible loss or theft during the transmittal of packets. All fees paid in cash are subject to count upon receipt in the league office. The league office will not be responsible for any cash discrepancies. A fine may be issued for any late fees. If paying by check, make check payable to Southwest Michigan APA Pool League (SWM-APA). There will also be a $25.00 service charge for any returned check. As a reward for any team that pays their league fees in full and in advance for the entire session, they will not be charged fees for the division play-offs, in the event they qualify.
· Captains will be removed as Captain after the loss of the 2nd extra point without a good reason as deemed by the LO.
· All players must fill out an application and pay for their membership before they play or the team will forfeit the match. Any fees not paid on time will be deducted from the team’s weekly fees and will be subject to loss of bonus points for incorrect money.
· Captains must have a working phone number on file with the league office or they will be removed. Please make sure the LO is notified of any changes.
Membership Fees: A player must be a current member of the APA in order to participate in any APA event (pg. 12 of OTM). This means fees ($20.00) must be paid before he can play or be scored.
Table Talk: There will be no talking about specific game situations when your opponent is shooting. Specific game situation examples would be which ball to shoot or when to play “safe”. Players may still talk about generalities such as “shooting too hard” or “think before you shoot”. Comments like “he’ll miss this shot” or he’ll scratch” etc. by either the player or team members will be considered “sharking” and will result in a sportsmanship penalty.
Gambling: Gambling is not allowed during league play. Asking an opponent to bet on a game will be considered a form of “sharking” and will be handled as a sportsmanship penalty. Any infraction of this rule should be reported to the team captain at the time of the violation and noted on the bottom of the score sheet.
Sportsmanship Penalties: This is a team sport and all penalties will be assessed against the team. Team: control your players.
1st Offense – Warning
2nd Offense – Loss of one team point
3rd Offense – Suspension
Cheating: Anyone caught cheating, which may include but not be limited to, coaching players to miss shots or lose games, conspiring to cheat the system by running up innings, using coded physical or visual cues to coach, intentionally missing the 8-ball to raise your opponents rating, or in any other way intentionally misleading the system, may be removed from the league for one (1) year or more as determined by the LO.
Breaking Down your Stick: A player is not allowed to break down his stick until after the match is completely over, if he does, it is loss of game. EXCEPTION; he may change shaft/stick (one for breaking and one for shooting) as long as it is done immediately after breaking. IF he fails to change shaft/stick immediately after breaking, then he must shoot with the same shaft/stick for the remainder of the game. If the game continues after a player has violated the above rule, then he is forgiven and the game continues as played. A player may break down his break stick if he does it promptly after breaking for the last time.
Player Selection: Once the team who put up the first player of the match has been informed of the player who will oppose their put-up player, no changes can be made unless it will bring the “23” rule into effect.
Racking: If the 8 ball is not in the center of the rack and the balls are broken it is too late to re-rack. The game continues to be played as started.
MVP Points: Players on a team that has uneven byes will be given points toward the MVP Award. The number of points will be determined by taking the person’s win percentage for the session, dividing it into their opponent’s average points.
Example: A person has won 8 out of 10 matches and has 40 points. Their win percentage is 80%. Their opponent’s average points is 5 (40 divided by 8). They would get 4 points given to their total on the MVP list (80% of 5 = 4).
In case of a tie in points, the person with the highest win percentage will be the winner.
MVP Points by Forfeiting Matches: Both teams must list players on the score sheet in the appropriate places. The team that forfeits must list its highest rated skill level player who would not put the team over the 23 rule. Those MVP points will be given to the player who is present but did not play. If both players are not listed, no MVP points will be given for the match. This rule becomes effective with the Summer 2008 session.
MVP Jackets: A player cannot win 2 jackets within a year’s time nor can he win a jacket in two (2) different divisions of the same format. He may win one jacket from each format (8 ball, 9 ball, etc). Trophies will be given for divisions with less than 6 teams.
Marking the Pocket: A player may use anything to mark the pocket except chalk, guns, obscene materials, or money.
Eligibility: A player must shoot at least four (4) times each session to remain original and eligible. See pages 26-28, 82-85 in OTM.
· HARDSHIP: After review, a team with five (5) or fewer players may be allowed, with LO approval, to add a player(s). The added player’s skill level may not exceed the skill level of the player being replaced; in addition, a player who is simply being added (not replacing a player) may not exceed a S/L 5 and must have 20 scores in the last 2 years.
IMPORTANT: Once the fourth week of the Spring Session has passed, the rosters of all eligible teams are FROZEN. No one may be dropped or added without sacrificing eligibility at which point they must re-qualify.
Extra Points: Your team will receive two (2) extra points each week; one point if your score sheet is turned in on time and completely filled out, and the other point for having the correct fees enclosed. If a team plays a non-paid member they will not get the money bonus point for that week. A team will lose one (1) point for each week it carries an amount due on is score sheet. The first four weeks of play are a grace period. Any team owing fees in the last two (2) weeks of the session will not be eligible for playoffs or City Championships. In 9-ball the points will be set at five (5) for each category.
Shot Clock: You have one (1) minute to take a shot. Time starts once you have control of the table (all balls have stopped rolling) and the opponent moves away from the table. First offense is a warning, second offense is a sportsmanship violation. Note: average time to shoot is 20 seconds. At National Tournaments 45 seconds are allowed. Please use good judgment.
BYES: 8-Ball 9-Ball
Scheduled BYES………………………………. 3 points…….60 points
Scheduled uneven BYES……………………….5 points…….70 points
Scheduled match that turns into a BYE………...5 points…….70 points
Sched. match that turns into an uneven BYE…..5 points……..70 points
No Smoking: If there is “no smoking” at the pool table it is the bar’s responsibility to enforce it.
Start-up Points: Teams entering the league after the first week of play will get three (3) start-up points for 8-ball and 45 points for 9-ball. If there was a bye in the schedule, they would play a make-up match with the team that got the bye. Start-up points do not count as a bye. Start-up points are given only for the first two weeks unless approved by LO. Efforts will be made to reschedule all byes in the first four weeks caused by teams adding and dropping.
In fairness to teams already playing, a team entering late cannot start out with more points than the last place team in the division (counting their actual wins only).
End of Session: Teams that don’t show up the last weeks of the session will be fined $20.00 per person in addition to monies owed for the remaining matches per OTM pg. 23. Violators playing on
other teams must pay their fines before they are allowed to play for the other teams. Monies owed by the team will be divided by the number of players on the team, regardless of times the player has played for that team. This amount must be paid to league office before the player in question can play for any other team or compete in any APA event. When you join a team, give it your best effort to keep it together!
City Tournament Eligibility: If a team plays just Spring Session and wins the City Tournament they will get only one-half (1/2) of their trip to Las Vegas paid.
Session Play-Offs: Revision of general rule #31 in the OTM. Division play-offs will be as follows:
After each session, the teams with the most points are the division champions, are qualified for the City Tournament, and receive 1st place awards. Teams with 2nd most points will receive 2nd place awards. The second place team plays wildcard, third plays fourth. Winners of these playoff matches play for qualification to City Tournament. In play-offs, teams with the highest points in regular session will be home team hosts. Teams that are already qualified for City Tournament do not play in session play-offs.
Teams that are 4th round qualified for City Tournament must finish in the upper 60% of their division to remain eligible for 4th round. If you finish below 60%, then you can plead your case to the Board of Governors or you will drop to 1st round eligible.
“23” Rule: A team cannot exceed the 23 rule. The APA system has a program that will flag a match that is over 23 when it is scored. The team that exceeds the 23 rule will lose all 5 points for that match even if both score sheets are signed.
Cell Phones: While shooting a match you cannot use a cell phone. However, you may “mark the pocket” with one.
18 year olds: If a host location has a policy concerning a time frame for 18 year olds to be in their establishment all teams must abide by host rules. It is the team captain’s responsibility to ensure his team members obey the host location rules; this responsibility is not to be taken lightly. Any 18 year old caught drinking alcohol or staying beyond noted times will be removed from the APA and not allowed back in until his 21st birthday
Junior League: Maximum skill level for the Junior League is set at 23. A limit of two adult players is allowed per team. No team may play more than one adult player during weekly play. Adult players are limited to a skill level of 6. In division playoffs and Junior League Championship, only one adult may play, and that will be the last match, if needed. This is a league for Juniors.
League Operator
John Easton
269-695-0809