Akron/Canton APA Local Bylaws May 1, 2013 Scott Nelson (330)-322-5176 e-mail [email protected] Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9AM – 6PM

We welcome you to the APA! In order for us to enhance your enjoyment and the service of the League, we must enforce local bylaws, which are designed to allow a smooth operation of the League. Read these bylaws carefully and keep them with your team manual. These by-laws have been read and approved by the American Poolplayers Association. These local bylaws are a secondary source of information created in accordance with and in addition to the APA Official Team Manual.

 Team Fees- Team fees are $35.00 per week for all scheduled 8 person team matches, regardless of the number of games played, including forfeits Ladies team fees are $27.00 per match.. During the session ending playoffs, team fees are $15.00. There will be a $29.00 charge for any returned checks, plus the loss of the bonus point. Any team that falls two weeks behind in paying their fees or membership dues will be sent a warning notice. If the team does not become current upon receipt of the notice, it will be dropped from the League for non-payment.

 Fees- All membership fees are due the first night the player plays, or by the fourth week, whichever comes first. After the fourth week, all unpaid players will be dropped from the team roster. If the player happens to play after the fourth week without paying, their point will be forfeited along with their entire teams wins for the night.

 Bonus Points-In 8-ball you will be awarded two bonus points per week for the correct completion of your scoresheet and the complete collection of your weekly dues. In 9-ball you will be awarded ten bonus points.

 Forfeits-In an effort to promote fairness, forfeit points awarded will change in the following manner. During the first ¾ of a session, forfeit points will be awarded as they have in the past. You will receive three (8) match points and one (2) bonus point if all of your fees are current. Matches with 3-4 players will be scored as normal with only the un-played games being forfeited, 2 points per forfeit in regular session and 3 points per forfeit in play-offs for 8-Ball Divisions. In 9-Ball divisions, forfeits during the regular session are 15 points and during playoffs, they are 20 points. As always, it is in your best interest to play your matches and win on the table. During the last ¼ of the session, you will receive your average match score as calculated from the first ¾ of the session, should the other team forfeit. For example, the team you are scheduled to play does not show up in week 13 of a 16-week session. At the end of week 12, your team had a total of 80 points including bonus points. If you divide, 104 by 12 you get 8.66. We would round that to nine (9) and award your team 9 match points assuming all fees are current. Any number ending in . 49 or lower is rounded down, and conversely, any number ending in .50 or higher is rounded up. No additional bonus point will be awarded because the previous bonus points are included in the calculation. No forfeit points will be awarded if your team has any past due fees. These rules apply only to “no show” matches. These new rules are intended to promote more fairness only when that is not possible. There will be no forfeits in the first two weeks of a session. These matches must be made up by the fourth week of the session.

 Byes- Teams will receive 8 points for a bye week in 8-ball. There will be 60 points awarded for a bye in 9- ball. No bonus point is available for a bye week because no scoresheet or weekly fees are due.

 Rescheduled Matches- Rescheduled matches must be played within two weeks of their originally scheduled date. Rescheduled matches are subject to the regular weekly fees and the bonus point will be awarded for the correct completion of the scoresheet and the complete collection of dues for that match. The League office must be notified of any rescheduled matches, prior to their play, for them to be scored.

 Sportsmanship – All players on all teams are expected to act in a manner reflecting good sportsmanship. Team sportsmanship violations will result in penalties ranging from reprimands and point forfeiture to disqualification from league participation. Individual sportsmanship violation penalties include, but are not limited to, reprimands and temporary or permanent suspension. Violations and penalties will be reviewed and recommended by a panel of the current division representatives. The league operators have the final determination of degree of violation and penalty.

 Team Envelope Drop off Points- Scoresheets and dues must be dropped off at your designated drop off point by 12:00 p.m. the day following play of the match. No bonus point will be awarded if the paper work is late.

 Time Outs- If the player or any member of the player’s team suggests a time out, it must be taken. Neither the player nor his coach may decline a timeout after it has been suggested. Should the player or coach decline the time out, it is forfeited for that game. Time outs are limited to one minute. There is no foul for exceeding the one minute rule; however, consistently ignoring this guideline may lead to a Sportsmanship Violation. Time outs may be called by any player on the shooter’s team and, due to a national APA rules change, the coach does not have to remain the same for the entire match. The player may be coached by different individuals in each of his games, but only one team member may coach the player at a time. Should the team member who called the time out wish to consult with other team members, as always, they must do this away from the player and then, after a decision is reached, present the advice to the player individually. Only the player and his coach may approach the table to study the shot. The coach may place the cue ball if the time out involves a “ball in hand” situation. The player DOES NOT have to be the last one to touch the cue ball. Ball in hand foul rules apply to whoever is placing the cue ball.

 Trophies-The First place team and the Second place team will receive trophies at the end of the session. Cash prizes will be awarded through Third place. Cash prizes are determined by the number of teams participating and may vary. All participating teams will receive “point money.” This will be $2.00 (two dollars) per winning match wins. For instance, if your team finishes the session with 50 match wins, you will receive $100.00 regardless of your finishing position. This will apply to regular session matches only and is not paid on session ending playoff or higher-level tournament wins. All awards are contingent on your team being current with all league fees.

 Qualifying for Tri-Cups--8-Ball Teams:

Divisions with 12 or more teams: The team with the most points at the end of the regular session will qualify for the Tri-Cup. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and two wildcards will compete in two Divisional Playoffs (2nd vs. Wildcard and 4th vs. 6th: 3rd vs. Wildcard and 5th vs. 7th). The two Playoff winners will also qualify for that session’s Tri-Cup. Therefore, the “Division Champions” and the “Playoff Champions” will advance to Tri-Cup.

Divisions with 6 to 11 teams: The team with the most points at the end of the regular session will qualify for the Tri-Cup. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place teams, plus a wildcard team, will compete in Divisional Playoffs (2nd vs. Wildcard and 3rd vs. 4th). The winner of the Playoffs will also qualify for the Tri-Cup. Therefore, the “Division Champions” and the “Playoff Champions” will both advance to the Tri-Cup.

Divisions with 5 or less teams: Only the Playoff winner will advance to the Tri-Cup (1st vs. Wildcard and 2nd vs. 4th).

 Qualifying for Tri-Cups—9-Ball Teams: Tri-Cups will be held for 9-Ball once we reach an appropriate number of teams to support such an event. Our target is approximately 36 teams.

 Qualifying for Local Team Championship (LTC)—8-Ball Teams: Qualifying for the LTC (Vegas Tournament) is determined by finishing order in each of the Summer, Fall, and Spring Session Tri-Cups. Additional money will be awarded to each team earning an LTC berth. Additional berths to the LTC to round out a field of 16 teams will be awarded based on the following:

1. Team must have qualified for at least one Tri-Cup. 2. Team must have competed in all 3 sessions. 3. Berths awarded by highest winning percentage for the year.

 Qualifying for Local Team Championship (LTC)—9-Ball Teams:

Divisions with 12 or more teams: The team with the most points at the end of the regular session will qualify for the LTC. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and two wildcards will compete in two Divisional Playoffs (2nd vs. Wildcard and 4th vs. 6th: 3rd vs. Wildcard and 5th vs. 7th). The two Playoff winners will also qualify for the LTC. Therefore, the “Division Champions” and the “Playoff Champions” will advance to Tri-Cup.

Divisions with 6 to 11 teams: The team with the most points at the end of the regular session will qualify for the LTC. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place teams, plus a wildcard team, will compete in Divisional Playoffs (2nd vs. Wildcard and 3rd vs. 4th). The winner of the Playoffs will also qualify for the LTC. Therefore, the “Division Champions” and the “Playoff Champions” will both advance to the LTC.

Divisions with 5 or less teams: Only the Playoff winner will advance to the LTC (1st vs. Wildcard and 2nd vs. 4th).

 Tournament Eligibility…All players must be on an active roster to participate in any APA tournament.

 Travel Assistance- Teams earning slots for APA National Championships through Local Team Championships will have airfare and rooms paid for by The Akron/Canton APA for the times of the tournaments.

 Age Requirment…Players must be at least 18 years of age to participate as per page 23, section 2, of The APA Official Team Manual.

 Inclement Weather- (Snow, Freezing rain, etc.) Here in Northeast Ohio we occasionally experience inclement weather. Matches may be rescheduled due to inclement weather. Call the opposing team captain and make arrangements to reschedule. The League office must be notified of any rescheduled matches.

 Remember…We are playing pool for fun. Treat your opponents like you would like to be treated and, most importantly, enjoy yourself!