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League Operator: Liz Ford
Address: PO Box 9
Waterbury, VT 05676
Phone: 802-777-9429
Fax: 802-244-4906
Email: lford@apaleagues.com
Website: gm.apaleagues.com
These Bylaws have been read and approved by the American Poolplayers Association, Inc.
The Local Bylaws are a secondary source of information created in accordance with and in addition to the Official Team Manual, designed specifically for the Green Mountain APA Pool League. Your Official Team Manual is your primary source of information and all rules in the Official Team Manual will be followed, except as noted below. Please read these bylaws carefully and keep them with your team manual.
All revisions and rules may be overridden at the League Operator’s discretion.
These Local Bylaws govern local league play and Local Team Championship play only. They have no bearing on rulings in regional or national APA events.
League Operator Office Hours
The League Operator Office hours are 2PM - 8PM, Monday – Friday. Our office telephone number is (802) 777-9429. If we are not in the office when you call, you may leave your name, phone number and a short message and your call will be returned within 48 hours. You may also send us an email message at lford@apaleagues.com.
Team Fees
Team fees are $40.00/week for all scheduled matches, regardless of the number of games played, including forfeits and the division playoffs. As the APA is not responsible for cash, we recommend all weekly dues be paid by check. Checks are to be made out to: Green Mountain APA. A $30 Fee will be charged for any returned check.
Scoresheets
At the start of each session, team captains will receive blank scoresheets and self-addressed, stamped envelopes for the entire session. Each week, each team will receive their match document (PDF) by email and print it out its own scoresheet. The scoresheet information will be emailed by 7PM the day before league play. Please print scoresheet information on official scoresheets only.
Scoresheets are returned by self-addressed, stamped envelope and must be post-marked the next business day after play. No exceptions will be granted.
Team Captain Responsibilities
People: Be responsible for the conduct of the team and team guests during league play. Refer to pg. 77-80 of the Official Team Manual for guidelines and penalties. Provide leadership and good sportsmanship with fair and honest competition. Encourage team members to stay until the end of the team match to cheer on their fellow teammates.
Payments: Collect the weekly team fee and any membership monies.
Communication: Read and distribute all league communications received regarding match and tournament scheduling. Respond promptly and courteously to League Operator communications regarding the team.
Player Information: Have members complete membership applications. The player (rather than the captain) should call the League Office to discuss his/her own skill level.
Team Packets (Scoresheets): Ensure scoresheets are filled out completely and correctly and sign them at the end of the league night. Print out scoresheets before league play, bring them to the match and mail them, along with the team fee, the next day.
Rules: Read and understand the Official Team Manual and the Local Bylaws.
Refer to pg. 9 of the Official Team Manual for additional information on Team Captains.
Removal: Captains may be removed at any time for failing to comply with captains' responsibilities. Teams will be asked to vote for a new captain from among the rest of their team.
Bonus Points
One bonus point will be awarded to each team that does its paperwork completely, neatly and accurately, is not past due on any fees and makes sure the return envelope is postmarked no later than the next business day after the match.
In order to receive bonus points for the week, the following must be completed in full:
- Team number
- Team member’s full name
- Team member’s assigned APA number (unless it’s the player’s first week in the league)
- Innings identified and totaled
- Safties marked and totaled
- Win/loss marked
- Number of games won/lost marked
- Check or money order for team fees included
Doubling up
Through week 10 of the session, teams that are short one or more players on league night may be allowed one “double-up” (i.e. one player is allowed to play twice per night.) Teams must play all available players first and allow the opposing team to pick which player plays twice. Teams must still obey the “23-Rule.” There will be only one “double-up” per team per night (i.e. if a team has only three players present, they may “double-up” in the fourth match but will have to forfeit the fifth match.)
Make-Up Match Procedure
Make-up matches must be scheduled and completed within two (2) weeks of the originally scheduled match date. Both captains of the rematch must notify the League Office. If teams cannot agree on a date and time, the League Office will set the date and time of the rematch.
Forfeit Procedure
Forfeits will not be allowed during the first four weeks of a session. If a team fails to show up for a match during the first four weeks, the League Office will attempt to schedule a make-up match. If no make-up match can be re-scheduled, BYE POINTS will be awarded. If after the first four weeks a team fails to show up for a match, the opposing team (provided five players are present) will receive 5 points. Forfeits during the last three weeks of any session will be worth 3 points. Teams that do not show up for 2 consecutive weeks may be considered dropped from the League and a new schedule will be issued. Teams that are dropped will be responsible for all remaining weekly fees for the session and will not be allowed back into the league until fees are paid. An individual from a dropped team may pay his or her share of the fees and return to the league.
Byes
A bye is a missing team caused by an uneven number of teams in a division. When a team has a bye:
- Teams will receive 3 points
- No weekly fees or scoresheets will be due
- No bonus points will be given
Sportsmanship Rating System
Refer to pg. 77-80 of the Official Team Manual for sportsmanship guidelines and penalties.
The 5-Star Sportsmanship Program designed to reward teams that are consistently great sports and to identify teams that deliver an unpleasant experience. Weekly team scoresheets have a section to enter the five-star rating of your opponent. Please review the Five-Star Rating guidelines below, and call the League Office if you have questions.
Rating
Suggested Guidelines
5
“Top” rating - Team is one of the nicest in the League. Not only do they cause no problems and are a pleasure to play, but they go beyond the call of duty to show Good Sportsmanship and make your night out feel special. Your team (win or lose) had a “Super” night out.
4
“Target” rating - Team causes absolutely no problems and is a pleasure to play. Your team (win or lose) had a “Great” night out.
3
“Average” rating - No major problems, night went well with only a few “minor” problems, maybe minor rule disagreements or someone’s attitude got slightly out of hand, but opposing team Captain got them in line, apologized for the infraction, and night continued without further incident. Your team (win or lose) had a “Good” night out.
2
“Poor” rating - Opposing team members in no way threatened or intimidated your players, however they did cause multiple problems while the opposing team Captain did nothing to get his/her players under control..... enough so that your evening wasn’t fun. Ex: opposing team made degrading remarks to your players, tried to manipulate handicap by simply banging balls around table, or were just rude and unfriendly. Your team (win or lose) “did not” have a fun night out.
1
“Totally Unacceptable” rating - Opposing team members may have threatened or intimidated your players .... or may have caused multiple “major” problems. Opposing Team Captain did nothing to get his/her players under control. Your team (win or lose) had a terrible night out. Write-Up must accompany this rating!
NOTE: for Ratings 1 and 5, please provide a written explanation on the back of your scoresheet, otherwise the rating will not be considered and will default to 3.
Inclement Weather Procedure
Severe weather conditions or travelers advisory warnings are reason enough for rescheduling team matches. Visiting teams should call the Home teams to inform them of any delay to avoid forfeits. Team Captains should contact each other to reschedule the matches. Please notify the League Office of the scheduled make-up match. Let common sense prevail, schedule rematches if necessary to avoid placing your teammates in danger on the roads in inclement weather.
Playoffs
Teams finishing in first through third place in their division (based on total points for the session) will advance to the playoffs. One wildcard team (a team selected at radom from the remaining teams) will also advance. First place will play the wildcard and second place will play third place. The advancing teams will play each other to determine a division winner. This division winner will advance to the Local Team Championships (LTC) held in the early summer. Individual players on a team need to have completed 6 matches during the session (not including forfeits and byes) to be eligible to compete in the playoffs. A team finishing second to an already qualified team will earn eligibilty for the LTC.
Eligible Teams
Teams who win their division and/or become eligible for the LTC must maintain the following:
- Good standing in the league
- The team must play in the Green Mountain APA for the rest of the league year (including summer session in which the LTC will be played)
- The team must finish in the top 50% of their division or face heavy scrutiny of their handicaps and eligibility by the League Operator
- Players on the winning team, who wish to play in the LTC, must remain current with 6 matches per session (forfeits and byes do not count)
- New players added to team must play 10 matches in their first session
- Players added in the spring session must have a minimum of 20 matches and have the permission of the League Operator
- Spring roster will be used as the roster for the LTC
LTC (Local Team Championship)
The Local Team Championship determines which team or teams advance to the National Team Champsionship in Las Vegas (number of team slots based on the total teams in the Green Mountain APA.) The tournament will be held early in the next year’s summer session and will be a true double elimination format.
Player Fund
The players fund is a percentage of the weekly dues and is paid back 100% to the players. The fund covers the following:
- Trophies, patches, end of session prizes and local tournaments
- Travel assistance for the teams that qualify for the National Team Championships
- Awards and incentives
Travel Assistance Policy
Travel assistance is to award the team(s) advancing from the Local Team Championship (LTC) to the APA National Team Championship (NTC) Event held each August in Las Vegas, Nevada. The travel assistance fund is not prize money and should not be considered prize money.
Travel assistance is to offset some or all of the expenses of the team in traveling to and participating in the NTC. The travel assistance fund is to be spit equitably among the team members going to Vegas. Proof of travel arrangements to the NTC is required.
If a team wins the LTC and does not intend to go to the NTC, the team is not eligible to receive the travel assistance fund, with the travel assistance fund awarded to the second place finishing team. Likewise, if one or more players on the winning LTC team will not be going to the NTC, the non-attending players are not eligible for a share of the travel assistance fund.
Age Requirements
APA members under the age of 21, but over the age of 18, may participate in the League, however, if a Host Location restricts patrons to 21 and older the team will have to participate without the underage member. We cannot force a Host Location to allow under aged players in their location. Make up matches will not be allowed because an underage player is not allowed into a Host Location. You must utilize the remaining members of your roster (21+) to compete in the match. The National Team Champion is open to players ages 18 and over.
Final Notes
Read the APA Team Manual and know what the rules mean. If you are unclear, ask for an explanation. Do not tell someone else that are wrong if you are not 100% sure yourself. Take your APA Team Manual and these Bylaws with you to matches so you can refer to them if necessary.
Good Luck!
Liz Ford – Owner/Operator
Green Mountain APA
P.O. Box 9