jhayes , 03/06/2023, 4:36:13 PM

American Poolplayers Association of Tampa Bay Local Bylaws

Good luck and good shooting!

Anthony & Stephanie Spano and Jeanette Lee “The Black Widow”
OFFICE: (813) 977 - 1499 Hours: 12-8pm, M-F
EMAIL: TampaBay@APALeagues.com

WEBSITE: https://TampaBay.APALeagues.com

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayAPA

FACEBOOK MEMBERS GROUP: Tampa Bay APA Members

We would like to welcome you & your team to the Tampa Bay APA of the American Poolplayers Association. This
document explains the structure of the League at a Local Level and should be used in conjunction with the Official
Team Manual on the APA Member Services App and poolplayers.com. These Local Bylaws have been created for
the smooth and efficient operation of the League. Non-compliance could cost your team bonus points, a playoff
spot, and a chance to advance to the Local or World Pool Championships. After all, the APA’s motto is: Have Fun.
Meet People. Play Pool. ®

Section 1: Local League Information

Website
Our website address is www.tampabay.apaleagues.com This website allows you to:
1) Get the latest up to date information on Playoffs, tournaments or any other Tampa Bay APA events
2) To claim your Member Services account, download the app on the Google or Apple IOS app store and
search for Pool League.
• Set up your Member Services Account to:
o View schedules, team rosters, standings and individual records for your division; and
o View your lifetime APA statistics, including win percentage, tournament history, On the Breaks,
Break and Runs, etc.
In addition, we also have a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayAPA and our Facebook Members
Group Tampa Bay APA Members where you can view and share pictures of tournaments, get updates about the
League and chat with fellow APA members. If you have not already done so, please join our online community by
signing up for a Member Services Account and following us on Facebook today.

Weekly Team Dues: All scheduled League match fees are considered Team Fees and are owed by each team.
Teams may choose how to divide the amount between their team members, but all Team Fees MUST be paid-in-
full within 24 hours of each completed scheduled match to avoid any penalties. This means that if any team
member plays, then doesn't pay, that team is still responsible for the total team fees due for that night of play.

1 | Page
Failure to pay total fees due may result in loss of bonus points and continued failure to pay could result in
suspension from our APA League.
Our current Team Fees for all the formats that we offer are as follows:
o Open 8-Ball & 9-Ball Teams: $50/Team Match
o Ladies 8-Ball Teams & Masters Teams: $30/Team Match
o Destination Divisions: $70/Team Match
o Doubles Teams: $20/Team Match

• A cost of living increase, for Open Team Fees, will take place every 5 years, although local League
Management reserves the right to increase fees when needed. The next team fee increase is scheduled
for the 2025-2026 League year starting with the Summer Session 2025.

• Each team is responsible for submitting the correct amount of fees owed for that scheduled period of play.
This includes any membership dues and “Past Due” amounts which may be noted on your team scoresheet.
The entire weekly team fee is due regardless of how many players played during the match. This includes
playoff weeks, partial forfeits, and full team forfeits. Bonus points may be awarded at the discretion of the
League’s Office. See additional information in the scoring section.

• Team fees, along with scoresheets, should be placed in an envelope given to captains at the Mandatory
Captain’s Start of Session meeting. Please submit cash or checks in an envelope. No loose change should be
submitted. Your money envelope should then be sealed with the contents totaled and noted in the
appropriate place. Please include your 5-digit Team Number and $ amount on the outside of the envelope.
Each team will be held fully responsible for all missing monies. Checks may be submitted to help avoid any
theft or discrepancies in the amount of fees which are submitted by that team. Do NOT ask your host location
for envelopes.
o Weekly Dues should be paid by cash, paid electronically, or a check or money order made out to “Tampa
Bay APA”. A $30 service charge will be added to all returned checks. After 2 returned checks, no other
checks will be accepted from that player until further notice.
o ELECTRONIC PAYMENT OPTION: We have created a simple and integrated way for players to pay for
their team’s weekly fees through the new Member Services site and mobile app. Electronic payments for
weekly fees are NOT available for the old Member Service website. Contact our office with any questions.
• PAST DUE: Missing and short weekly dues are shown on your scoresheet as Past Due amounts. They must be
paid the week they appear on your scoresheet. Excessive past due amounts ($100.00 or more) may result in
that team not receiving any play points, including bonus points, until paid in full. These teams have 2 weeks,
except for during playoff time, to pay the past due amount or be subject to suspension from the League.
o The League Office will not be responsible for fees that have not been paid by the Team Captain or other
members designated by the team.
o If a team owes any past due money to APA, it must be paid prior to the WILD CARD DRAW, or the team
WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE for the draw
o Any team owing the League money WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE to play in Playoffs or any Higher Level
Tournament
o Any dropped team, who doesn't pay any PAST DUE monies owed, either from a voluntary or forced
removal from our League, will be subject to complete suspension from our APA League. A player from a
suspended team may continue to play on other teams if they pay their share of what is owed in FULL.
Depending on the specific circumstances, League Management reserves the right to reverse this decision.

2 | Page
Online/Drop-Off Scoresheet Delivery: The League Office provides an envelope each week to return your
scoresheet and weekly dues. (Please let the Office know if you need additional envelopes). The Team Captain is
responsible, not the host location owner, for collecting all fees and delivering the envelope into the drop box within
one day of the match. If choosing to use Postal Mail to deliver your envelope, you MUST contact our League Office
prior to mailing AND text or email us a pdf of the scoresheet. Your envelope must be POSTMARKED the next business
day to get your bonus points. If opting to send cash through the mail and it gets lost, your team will be responsible
for repaying the amount due. The League Office is not responsible for cash lost in the mail nor the drop box. Teams
may also scan and email in their score sheets to tampabay@apaleagues.com (weekly dues are to be paid
electronically if you are emailing in your scoresheets). If the score sheets and team fees are not in the drop box or
electronically submitted by 7:00 p.m. the day following your scheduled match, your team will not receive any bonus
points for that week.

A list of drop box locations is provided below:

Brewlands - Carrollwood - 4802 Gunn Hwy #108, Tampa, FL 33624
Baluka Billiards & Lounge - 2072 Badlands Dr, Brandon, FL 33511
Stix Oldsmar - 13918 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33635
Pit Stop Pub – 7553 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33615
Long Bar Pub & Grill – 4701 Normandy Dr, Tampa, FL 33615
*If you choose to drop off your Match envelopes at a different other than how you normally submit your
envelopes, please notify us by email at tampabay@apaleagues.com or text us at (813)977-1499.
Printing 9-Ball Scoresheets: 9-Ball score sheets are to be printed double sided. If unable to print double sided,
please staple them together. IF YOU DON’T PRINT BOTH SIDES, all missing information from the side that you did
not print MUST be handwritten on the front of the scoresheet. This includes team members (both teams), your team
name, team number, what session we are in, what week/year we are in, what division you are in and what team you
are playing against on the other side of the scoresheet and the money amount that was submitted and the captain's
signature.
Bonus Points: Bonus points are given as a reward and incentive to help us maintain a fair scoring and handicap
system but may also be awarded for early team registration and for attending League activities or meetings. To
ensure your team is awarded your bonus points, Team Captains and Co-Captains should review score sheets and
fees submitted before turning in your packet for the night. Your team will receive bonus points if all of the following
occur:
● Correct players and player numbers for each match is listed
● Innings and defensive shots are filled in and totaled for every game
● The winner and loser of every game is marked with the number of racks won
● Final match score is filled in
● Scoresheet is signed by both teams
● All fees are up to date
● No abusive comments are written

The bonus points awarded will be as follows:

● 8-Ball (Open, Doubles & Masters): 2 Possible Bonus Points
o 1 point will be awarded for the entire weekly fee being included in the payment envelope and the
team being current on all fees owed.
o 1 point will be awarded for accurate and complete scoresheets.
● 9-Ball (Open & Doubles): 12 Possible Bonus Points
o 6 points will be awarded for the entire weekly fee being included in the payment envelope and the
team being current on all fees owed.
o 6 points will be awarded for accurate and complete scoresheets.

3 | Page
Remember these are bonus points that are awarded at the sole discretion of the Local League Office. Additional
bonus points may be awarded throughout the session. Please pay close attention to the messages at the bottom of
your scoresheet as there are sometimes hidden bonus points listed.

Bonus Points for Bye Weeks

Whenever a division has an odd number of teams one team each week will not have a match. In this instance, the
team with the bye shall be given the following points for the week (including the bonus points a team would have
received if all the paperwork was correct):
● 8-Ball (Open Teams & Doubles): 8 Bye Points + 2 Bonus Points
● 9-Ball (Open Teams & Doubles): 60 Bye Points + 12 Bonus Points
● Ladies 8-Ball: 5 Bye Points + 2 Bonus Points
● Masters: 15 Bye Points + 2 Bonus Points

LOSS OF BONUS POINTS: League Management reserves the right to remove, or deny, any bonus points due to
any sportsmanship issues, cheating, sharking, fighting, or any other action that may reflect poorly on the League.
Any team that does not submit their correct team fees will not receive their bonus points and will continue not to
receive them until the PAST DUE amount is paid in full. If an overpayment is submitted, teams will receive their
bonus points and a credit will be issued for that team.

New Teams: You are required to help a new team and new players with scorekeeping and rules questions if asked.
THIS IS GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP! Teams that refuse to help a new team or players learn the rules, proper
scorekeeping or try to take advantage of this situation in any way will be dealt with by the League Office. Team will
not be considered “new” after week 8 but helping the other team when they ask promotes harmony within the
league. Making new teams and players feel comfortable and welcome is vital to the well-being of the league! Your
Division Rep should also be available to assist.
• New teams will be given one point less (which includes bonus points) than the lowest ranked team in the
division. If a team from the previous session joins after week 4 of the session, they will be given one point less
than the lowest ranked team in the division MINUS the bonus points.

Schedule Changes and Dropped Teams: If a team drops after the 4th week of play, that team will be responsible
for paying all the team fees for the rest of the League year. However, if any remaining members want to fill that
team with new players, they can still do so without penalty through week 10.

Incentives: From time to time, we will run incentives and promotions for new teams, new captains, or new Host
Locations. These could be free play opportunities, APA apparel, or a variety of other forms. All incentives will be
posted online as well as in the team envelopes.
New Players: New players must fill out an APA application and pay their $30 membership fee the first night
or sign up online at members.poolplayers.com and provide their membership number on the scoresheet
before they play. To add a player to your roster, simply write the word “ADD” and the player’s name (next to the
other names) on your copy of the weekly scoresheet. Any team that allows a player to play without a current
APA membership will receive zero bonus points for the evening, and the players annual dues will be
deducted from the weekly fee and put the team $30 past due since it was their responsibility to collect from the
player before allowing them to play.
• For an added player to participate in a League match, the opposing Team Captain must be notified that a new
player is being added before the first team match begins. Please make sure to have your new players join
Member Services and “Like” our FB Page and our Tampa Bay APA Members only Group
• New players may be added to a roster up to week 8. Any time after these periods, new additions must be
approved by the League Office, prior to playing. No new players may be added 2 weeks prior to the end of the
regular session play.
4 | Page
 ○ THE ABOVE RULE DOES NOT APPLY IN SPRING SESSION TO QUALIFIED TEAMS. Refer to Official Team
Manual page 76 for more info regarding WPQ (formerly known as LTC) Qualified Teams.
○ You should inform the new player that all players will need four matches played with your team
to compete in Playoffs or Tri-Annuals and 10 matches played on any team in that format in the
last two years by the end of the Spring Session to play in World Qualifiers.
• All new players, male and female will start as a 3. Captains, if you know that your new player is a higher skill
level than a 3, you should start them at the skill level you believe them to be. The League Office also has the
authority to change a player's starting handicap. Team Captains may not start their new players lower than a 3,
only higher.
• Spring Rosters Are World Qualifier Rosters: Refer to Official Team Manual page 76 for more info regarding
WPQ (formerly known as LTC) Qualified Teams.
• Previous APA Players: All players that played APA more than one year ago from the time they are restarting are
required to pay their annual dues and fill out a member application with their updated contact info.

Section 2: Local League Play

Regular Schedule: Details of individual team schedules are located on your League’s website as well as on our
free APA Pool League app. Please print your score sheets on the morning of play in case any new teams have been
added to the schedule or other changes to the schedule which can easily be found on your new member services
account or on your app. Match schedules for each division will be posted and updated on our website but may
change during a session due to teams coming in or dropping out. Teams are expected to check our website weekly
for any changes that may affect them.
HOLIDAYS: There are 7 national holidays that we do NOT schedule matches on. These holidays, in alphabetical
order, are Christmas Eve (floating day), Christmas Day (floating day), Easter (Sun), Fourth of July (floating day),
Labor Day (Mon), Memorial Day (Mon), New Year’s Eve (floating day), and Thanksgiving (Thu). Teams scheduled
to play the day before or after one of the above holidays, may contact their scheduled opponent and notify League
Management to play their match early or reschedule, if necessary. Otherwise, we have league play on all other
days as a regularly scheduled match. We strongly suggest you play your match before your regular match date
rather than afterwards.
Rescheduling Matches: Tampa Bay APA allows the rescheduling of matches to help teams avoid forfeiting when
they don’t have enough players to compete although, all team matches should always be played on the original
scheduled date if possible. On occasion, a match may need to be rescheduled due to inclement weather, conflicts
with other pre-qualified League obligations, or other reasons. You are required to reschedule a match if your
match conflicts with your opponent’s other pre-qualified League obligations and the opponent requests
rescheduling. If you plan to reschedule a match, due to inclement weather, or for other reasons, you must notify
the Local League Office.
• Any team matches may be played prior to the original match date to keep from having to reschedule. The
following are rescheduling guidelines which apply to all rescheduled matches: If both teams can field at least
4 players, then the match should NOT be rescheduled. All Team Captains must notify their Division Rep
if/when rescheduling a match. If a Division Rep isn't available, then Team Captains must notify the League
Office. If both teams have a couple of players that can make it, then have them show up and play their matches
then reschedule the rest. The more played at the scheduled time means less that must be made up later. It’s
always BOTH teams’ responsibility, and not League Management’s, to keep track of when their rescheduled
matches must be completed. Rescheduled matches can be played one match at a time or scheduled to play all
of them in one night. In some cases, teams want to play matches early so score sheets can be printed ahead of
time. If scoresheets are needed ahead of time, please contact the league office to have the scoresheets
released.

5 | Page
• Teams must ALWAYS use the players’ skill level which they are on the day their match is played, regardless
of what is printed on the scoresheet. In traveling divisions, the team that is requesting a reschedule should
play their make-up match at the opposing team's Host Location, if so requested.
• If requested to do so, Team Captains must reschedule matches if the team has other pre-qualified League
obligations such as a World Tournament.
• Rescheduled matches must be played within two weeks of the originally scheduled match date unless
permitted otherwise by the League Office.
• Teams must pay for all matches by scheduled match date
• No Rescheduling during the last 2 weeks of a session although you may choose to play your match
before the originally scheduled date.
• The League Office has the right to make an exception to this rule and put in temporary rules/policies
based on unforeseen circumstances. (i.e., COVID) Any temporary policies will be communicated on the
league’s website.
Please use the following procedure:
1) Contact the Team Captain of the team you are scheduled to play in the match and notify them of your intent
to reschedule.
2) Work with your opponent’s Team Captain to select a date and time to play the rescheduled match.
Rescheduled matches must be played within two weeks of the original scheduled match date. No make-up
matches will be allowed in the last two weeks of the session, unless the Local League Office grants an
exception, which will only occur as a result of special circumstances.
3) Full team fees are always due from both teams regardless of the outcome of a rescheduled match. Contact
our office with any questions.

Inclement Weather: The Local League Office will use school closings and state warnings to determine whether
matches will be cancelled and rescheduled due to inclement weather. If you feel that weather conditions may
result in League play being cancelled or postponed, check our Local League Website for the most up-to-date
information. Contact the Local League Office if you have additional questions or concerns, but only after you have
checked the website. Most important, please be safe and do not risk injury if you feel the travel conditions are
unsafe.

Schedules Byes: Divisions that have an odd number of teams will have a Bye team inserted to make an even
schedule. League Management will always try to eliminate any Bye team in a division by adding new teams. Teams
scheduled with a BYE are not charged Team Fees since they are not considered scheduled matches.

Section 3: Sportsmanship and Conduct

It is expected for all teams to treat each other with mutual respect during a match. Sportsmanship is a big part of
playing in the APA. This is not a money league, and any sharking, hustling or anything of that nature will not be
tolerated. We are all here to have fun and a good time. Please don’t spoil it for others!

Comments on Scoresheets: All concerns should be written on the scoresheet in a courteous and professional
manner. This will guarantee that your concern is considered, documented and addressed. Abusive language directed
at the league, or the League Operator will not be tolerated on the scoresheets. Abusive comments or complaints are
considered unsportsmanlike and will be treated appropriately. Sportsmanship complaints, handicap complaints,
and official protests must be submitted in writing, the night of play or within twenty-four (24) hours of play.
Complaints should be submitted on the appropriate form by email or on your scoresheet. No fee shall be required
to issue a complaint or to file an official protest. Sportsmanship complaints or comments should be taken up
between both CAPTAINS, not team members, to resolve. If it cannot be resolved, then it should be resolved with
Division Rep listed at the top of our scoresheet and on our website. Otherwise, your Division Rep will contact the
League Office by email or write in a written complaint. All issues should be resolved immediately while all parties
are present. Making comments, complaints, taunting, particularly about someone’s skill level, is not
6 | Page
appropriate to discuss on league night and is considered poor sportsmanship to accuse a team of sandbagging
or question their integrity. If your captain has tried to address these types of handicap complaints to the other
captain or division rep, please make sure to write down any complaints in writing by email or you can download
the forms on our website under “Printable Docs”. These complaints would be addressed by the league office. For
Handicap Complaints or Evaluations, please provide the Members name, their member number, what their current
skill level is, what you believe it should be and what your reasoning is that gives your League Operator reason to
look deeper than their scores or stats. This information should be something beyond any computer stats since we
already have that information. We would want some type of observation analysis based on more than just their
scores since the system already considers their scores.

Physical Contact (Altercations): Physical contact is the hostile physical contact between two players.
IMMEDIATE ACTION - If hostile physical contact occurs, THE MATCH IS OVER! Team Captains and League
Management will take the appropriate actions to rectify the matter. See the official Team Manual for full
disclosure of immediate actions.
Scenarios and Actions:
A. To any person who starts a fight or brawl- 1 year suspension to permanent termination of
League and APA membership
B. To a person who gets into a fight or a brawl defending himself- a minimum one-month
suspension if first offense, and much longer if otherwise
C. To someone who consistently uses foul or intimidating language- three-month suspension, and
longer for a second offense
D. To someone who uses lesser degrees of verbal abuse- probation, and suspension as deemed
appropriate.
Banned Players: If a Host Location has banned a player from entering their establishment, the team must play
without them when playing at that location. The League does not have the right to require a Host Location to
permit access to a banned person for a League match.

Suspended Players: Tampa Bay APA will honor all suspensions for all APA areas. Any individual or team suspended
from League play will immediately lose certain other membership privileges, including eligibility for APA
tournaments, until and unless the suspension is lifted. If they qualified for any tournament, locally or nationally,
qualification is forfeited. Once a player is suspended, that player will not have the privilege to coach their team, keep
score or put-up players, until their suspension has been lifted. Breaking this rule may result in a much lengthier
suspension and would cost their team the entire match if the suspension rules are broken.

Ghost Rule: If a team does not have enough players present to comply with the Team Skill Level Limit rule on a
designated League night, their opponent may allow them to use the “Ghost” rule. The “Ghost” rule allows the team
that is short a player to play a player twice in the same match. The following criteria must be followed when using
the “ghost” rule:
• Only 1 ghost per night will be allowed. Ghosting will NOT be allowed during the last 2 weeks of regular
scheduled play, in Playoffs or during any Higher Level Tournament play regardless of consent by the opposing
team.
• Teams must notify their opponent of the need to use/or potential need to use a “ghost” prior to the START of
the 2nd individual match. If a team fails to do so, a ghost will not be allowed. If a team has a 5th player show up
prior to the start of the 5th match, the player is not only entitled to play but must play before a “ghost” is
utilized.
• The player that plays the 5th match when a “ghost” is used is chosen by the team’s opponent. The player that is
chosen to play the “ghost” should be notified by the opponent at the CONCLUSION of the 2nd match (thus,
other players can leave if not chosen). The player chosen to play the “ghost” match must still allow the team to
comply with the 23-Rule (or “4-19 Rule” if it applies to the team in question). The “ghost” player selection may

7 | Page
 be any handicap level, but the choice may not force the 23-Rule to be broken. If the opposing team fails to
choose the “ghost” player prior to the conclusion 2nd match, the opposing team will lose their right to choose,
and the choice will be given to the team playing the “ghost.” This default choice can be decided as late as the
beginning of the 5th match.
• Full team fees are still due if the “ghost” rule is used in a team match.
• Teams are allowed to use one “ghost” per league night but must be played in the last matches and abide by all
“ghost” rules. Once a “ghost” has played, the remaining matches must be forfeited.
• If a ghost is used in a match other than the last individual played match of the night, the “ghost” match and all
subsequent matches will be forfeited by both teams. A player may not be sent home and/or made unavailable
so that a team may request a “ghost” from their opponent. Attempts to take advantage of the “ghost” rule
should be reported to the Division Representative and also to APA OFFICE by means of an official protest form
(available on our website under “Printable Docs”).
• Both teams may utilize the “ghost” rule on the same night if necessary. In this situation, teams will stay in
rotation regarding player selection.
• A team that has enough players present to stay within the Team Skill Level Limit rule is not allowed to use the
“ghost” rule. They must play a player that has not yet played in the match and if they cannot field a team with
the 5 or more players present and abide by the Team Skill Level Limit rule, the result will be forfeit(s) at the
point the Team Skill Level Limit rule is broken.
• A team cannot utilize the ghost rule in order to circumvent the Team Skill Level Limit rule. In other words, if
a roster shows 6, 6, 5, 5, 5, 4, 4, 3 for example, then a team cannot play 6, 6, 5, 3 and use the SL 3 in a ghost.
There must be another SL 3 on the roster in order to do this. In this case, the team would exceed the Team
Skill Level Limit.
• A player may not be sent home and/or be made unavailable so that a team may request a “ghost” from their
opponent. Please keep in mind this is a rule to help occasionally and should only be used when absolutely
necessary. Attempts to take advantage of the “ghost” rule should be reported to the Division Representative
and to the league office by means of an official protest form. In order to use a player for ghost, the player MUST
be a paid member of the APA and be printed by the League Office on the scoresheet.
• The League Office has the right to make an exception to this rule and put in temporary rules/policies
based on unforeseen circumstances. (i.e., COVID) Any temporary policies will be communicated on the
league’s website.
Forfeits: A team may begin to play with one player present. Once the first match is over, the team putting up next
has two (2) minutes to name a player, and then the opposing team has two (2) minutes to name a player.
If the team does not have a player available, that entire match will be forfeited. Should your opposing
team forfeit the entire team match, both teams must still submit a scoresheet and team weekly fees.
• If any team forfeits 8 or more TEAM matches during regular session play, they will not be eligible for the wild
card draw. If a team finds it necessary to forfeit an individual match, the forfeit(s) must be the last match.
• Preventing Forfeits: To help prevent forfeits and for matches to be awarded on the table rather than by forfeit,
the Ghost Rule (or Ghost rule) should be applied. This rule allows one player to play twice in one night. If a team
does forfeit, regular game fees apply and are due by both teams on the night of the forfeit.
• Forfeit Points:
○ 8Ball – 2 points per match (3 points in playoffs & tournaments)
○ 9Ball – 15 points per match (20 points in playoffs & tournaments)
○ Ladies – 2 points per match (3 points in playoffs & tournaments)
○ Masters – 5 points per match (7 points in playoffs & tournaments)
○ Doubles – 4 points per match in 8ball/30 points per match in 9Ball

Failing to Complete a Session: If a team prematurely drops from the League after the session has begun, each
member of that team may be held accountable (in-part or in-full) for any lost revenue due to their disbandment.

8 | Page
Those members will not be eligible to continue playing in the League on any other team that they are on until the
past due is paid.

Jeopardy: After week seven (7), if a team declares "Jeopardy" (due to a drop in team members forcing them to add
players to their roster) they may not be eligible for the Playoffs or Higher-Level Tournaments if they must add 4 or
more players.

Splitting Teams: When a qualified team splits 50/50 - with 4 players going to one team, 4 to another - BOTH teams
will remain qualified. In all other situations, the qualified spot goes to the team that has the majority of original
members-minimum of four (4) - to stay eligible for Higher Level Tournaments.

Scorekeeping Clinics: We will periodically hold Scorekeeping Clinics for those members in our League needing
assistance. Please encourage any players on your team that does not know how to keep score to attend these clinics.
Bonus points may be available for attending this clinic.

DIVISION REPS: All Division Reps will be chosen by League Management to aid in the growth and coordination of
all our division(s). League Management reserves the right to, or not to, appoint Division Reps. If a Division Rep is
appointed, he/she will be the first point of contact for all Team Captains and players in their division(s). The Division
Rep's name and contact number will be on the front of each team's score sheet. Specific patches, benefits,
responsibilities, and incentives will be given to our Division Reps. League Management reserves the right to remove
a Division Rep from their position at any time. Loss of position will include loss of the benefits and incentives that
go along with the position.

TEAM CAPTAINS/CO-CAPTAINS: Team Captains are listed as the first name on their team's roster. They are
considered leaders in our APA community and our main link between our APA office and the other players. Team
Co-Captains are listed as the second name on their team's roster. Being the Team Captains' second in command,
they help with the team and fill in for the Team Captains when they are not there. Team Captains/Co-Captains
receive special recognition, awards, and incentives such as Team Captain/Co-Captain Patches, special Tournaments,
and extra discounts from our local merchants’ sponsor program.
Our Team Captains and Co-Captains are responsible for:
• Maintaining a current email address for communication with their Division Rep and League Office.
• Attending all Team Captain Meetings deemed necessary by the local League Management.
• Their team's image and behavior during League play.
• Sharing any League messages printed on their score sheets or inserted in their packets with their team.
• Making sure their players know how to keep score properly and where they are playing each week.
• Turning in accurate score sheets and the correct monies due for each night of play.

Section 4: Local League Playoffs and Tournaments

Playoffs and Tri-Annuals: So, you're the best in your division, but how do you match up against other teams from
the Tampa Bay Area? Teams compete in 12-17 week sessions to see who finishes in the top of their division. At
the end of each session, our top teams in each division then compete in their Division Playoffs. These Playoffs are
played in a Single-Elimination format and the winners advance to Tri-Annuals for that session.

• During the last two weeks of a session’s regular weekly play, a team cannot forfeit more than three individual
matches. Teams who do not adhere to this rule will forfeit their eligibility in the Playoffs.
• For a team member to participate in the end of session Playoffs or Tri-Annuals, the player must have played at
least four (4) matches with that team during the regular session.
• There will be one week of Playoffs, and the winner(s) will advance to the session’s Tri-Annual.

9 | Page
• Wild Card: The Playoff Wild Card team is picked at random from teams that do not place in the Playoffs by
ranking during the regular session.
• Setup for session Playoffs may vary session to session and is at APA discretion. Teams may sometimes
gain automatic eligibility to Tri-Annuals and/or LTC Tournaments based on session qualification
guidelines.
• When a team earns a spot in the session Playoffs, they are required to participate in the Playoffs. If the team
chooses not to participate, the team is still responsible for paying the applicable team fees for session Playoffs.
• When a team earns a spot in the session Playoffs, they are required to participate in the Playoffs. There are
some situations that will allow a team to forfeit their playoff spot (teams that are already qualified for WPQ).
If the team drawn for the Wild Card cannot participate, another Wild Card will be drawn. All other playoff
matches will stand as the playoff structure listed above.
• Our Session Tri-Annuals are usually held within the first full month of the following session. The winning
teams of these Session Tri-Annuals will win CASH awards and advance to our annual APA World Qualifiers,
which are typically held in June.

Playoff Structure for Standard Format 8-Ball and 9-Ball Teams

Number of Teams in Division Playoff Structure
4-5 teams Playoffs:
1st Place vs Wild Card
1 Team advances to Tri-Annual
Winner advances to Tri-Annual
6-9 teams Playoffs:
3 Teams advance to Tri-Annuals 2nd Place vs Wild Card
1st Place team from the session will 3rd Place vs 4th Place
automatically advance to the Tri-Annual Winners advance to Tri-Annual
10-16 teams Playoffs:
2nd Place vs Wild Card
4 Teams will advance to Tri-Annuals
3rd Place vs 6th Place
1st Place team from the session will
4th Place vs 5th Place
automatically advance to the Tri-Annual
Winners advance to Tri-Annual

Playoff Structure for Divisions without Tri-Annuals (Masters, Ladies & Doubles)

Number of Teams in Division Playoff Structure

4-5 teams Playoffs:
1st Place vs Wild Card
1 Team advances to
Winner advances to
WPQ/LTC/Showdown Series
WPQ/LTC/Showdown Series
6-9 teams Playoffs:
2 Teams will advance 2nd Place vs Wild Card
1st Place team from the session will Winner advances to
automatically advance to the WPQ/LTC/Showdown Series
WPQ/LTC/Showdown Series
10-16 teams Playoffs:
2nd Place vs Wild Card
3 Teams will advance
3rd Place vs 4th Place
1st Place team from the session will
Winners advance to
automatically advance to the
WPQ/LTC/Showdown Series
WPQ/LTC/Showdown Series

10 | Page
Higher Level Tournament Skill Level: All players must enter Higher Level Tournaments at their highest
session ending skill level. Ex: If you play two (2) times a week and your team qualifies for the World Qualifier
Tournament, and you are a five (5) that night, but a six (6) on another night, then you must play as a six (6) in the
City Tournament. This rule is the same for 8-Ball and 9-Ball; however, 8-Ball and 9-Ball handicaps do not affect
each other. Session-Ending Skill level is NOT the SL that you were during your last week of play. It is the Skill
level you are calculated as after all weeks including the last week have been entered and reviewed.

World Qualifier Tournament: The World Qualifier, previously known as the Local Team Championships
(LTC), is an annual tournament that takes place at the end of the League year for 8-Ball and 9-Ball. The winner of
the World Qualifier receives Travel Assistance to Las Vegas and the opportunity to represent Tampa Bay APA in
the World Pool Championships. Teams that have gained eligibility via winning the session Tri-Annuals or
automatic eligibility will compete in this tournament for the chance to advance to the World Pool Championships in
Las Vegas.
• If a team qualifies for the World Qualifier Tournament from the Summer Session Tri-Annual, the team must
play in the upcoming Fall, Spring, & Summer Sessions or forfeit their eligibility. If a team qualifies for the World
Qualifier Tournament from the Fall Session Tri-Annual, the team must play in the upcoming Spring & Summer
Sessions or forfeit their eligibility. If a team qualifies for the World Qualifier Tournament from the Spring
Session Tri-Annual or an automatic bid from the Spring Session, the team must play in the upcoming Summer
Sessions or forfeit their eligibility.
• Best of the rest: Teams that lost in the finals of any session Tri-cups during the league year leading up to the
World Qualifier that have not already captured a spot in the World Qualifier will be eligible for the Best of the
Rest that will take place after the spring session concluded. One winner will be added to the World Qualifier in
8-Ball & 9-Ball. Teams must meet the same match requirement and active status criteria as other qualified
teams. Best of the Rest roster and World Qualifier roster will be the Spring roster.

Travel Assistance for the World Pool Championships: The Travel Assistance Fund will be used to pay travel
expenses actually incurred by the members of those teams advancing to the APA World Pool
Championships. If a team chooses not to go to this event, the slot and the Travel Assistance will be given to
the last team eliminated by the non-attending team on their World Qualifier board.
• Each 8-Ball and 9-Ball team slot winning the Tampa Bay APA Championships to qualify for the World Pool
Championships in Las Vegas will receive Travel Assistance.
• In addition, each winning team will receive an Individual Trophy for each player.
• Note: Ladies Division, Masters, and Doubles payouts may vary due to earned slots to Championships on a
yearly basis and team count.
• Should a team elect not to go to the World Pool Championships; the team will forfeit all awards and monies
for Travel Assistance.
• If the team has already received the money for Travel Assistance, the team will be required to repay the
entire amount to the APA travel fund. Failure to do so will result in suspension of membership for each
member of the team until the Travel Assistance money has been repaid.
• If qualified players qualify for additional events, he/she will only receive additional Travel Assistance when
necessary for additional expenses. For example, if their airfare was already covered and they did not fly back
home, they would not need additional money for airfare. They may only require additional lodging.
• In the event a qualified team decides not to participate in the World Pool Championships, the team that
finished second in that City Tournament will advance to the World Pool Championships.

Tournament Registration:
ALL TOURNAMENTS will be listed on our calendar via our website, our App and/or Facebook. Players and teams
are encouraged to PRE-REGISTER through our website TAMPABAY.APALEAGUES.COM. This feature helps give us

11 | Page
an estimate number of players attending so we are prepared with supplies and helps us inform the host location
on the expected number of attendees that day.
• On the left, click on “Tournament Registration” and select the tournament you are registering for.

Section 5: Patches, Trophies and End of Session Awards

Patches: There are no limits on the number of patches you can earn in a session. If you wish to receive a patch for
an accomplishment, make sure it is marked in the message section on your scoresheet. Patches will only be issued
if requested in the message section. Patches are available for the following accomplishments:
• 8-on-the-Break: You make the 8-ball on the break.
• 8-Break-and-Run: You make at least one ball on the break and then run the rack.
• 9-on-the-Snap: You make the 9-ball on the break.
• 9-Break-and-Run: You make at least one ball on the break and then run the rack for ten points.
• 1st APA Win: You win your first ever APA match.
• Rackless: Your opponent didn’t break during your match.
• Clean Sweep Patch: For both 8-Ball and 9-Ball matches, if a team wins all 5 matches in one night (forfeited
matches do not count), each person who played that night will receive a Sweep Patch.
• Skunked: You win 20-0 in 9-Ball.
• Mini Slam: 8-on-the-Break and 8-Break-and-Run or 9-on-the-Snap and 9-
Break-and-Run on the same League night.
• Grand Slam: Earning an 8-Ball Mini Slam and a 9-Ball Mini Slam within the same session.
• Sportsmanship: You may nominate a player for a good sportsmanship patch. Write the nomination on your
scoresheet and the Local League Office will determine if the patch will be awarded.

Division Champions: Each session (Summer, Fall, and Spring) there is a Division Champion. The Division Champion
is the team that has the highest team points at the end of session prior to playoffs. Each member of the first place
team will receive an award. In addition, each team will also receive a team plaque that can be put on display at their
Host Location to show off their accomplishment!

Captain’s Choice Award: Each session Captains can select a member of the team that they deem to be an integral
part of the team, whether by their play, attendance, sportsmanship or team spirit. Captains must submit their
selections before the last 2 weeks of the session or by date specified by the League Office. Nominations can be
requested by writing on the scoresheet or by email to Tampabay@apaleagues.com. After such time, the award(s)
will be ordered, and captains forfeit their opportunity to receive one for their team member.
MVP Award: We will have an Invite Only FREE MVP tournament after each session. Invitees are players who end
the session in 1st or 2nd place in their division and tier. 1st Place MVPs will also receive an MVP patch at the
tournament. The players who were the top MVP in their respective tier for the ENTIRE LEAGUE will receive a
plaque celebrating their accomplishment.

The League Office reserves the right to change the way we award teams or players for such awards. I.e.,
instead of giving patches or medals, we may choose to hold a tournament specific to those winners.

12 | Page
 Tampa Bay APA By-Law Sheet
Team Captains, Here's a bonus point!

Have each of your team members SIGN (DON'T PRINT) to verify that they have read the local
by-laws. This can also be found at tampabay.apaleagues.com under “Printable Docs”

Team Name:__________________________ Team # _ _ _ _ _

Circle Format: Date ___ /___ /20__
8-Ball 9-Ball Ladies Masters Doubles
Captain: ____________________Member #_____________

Co-Captain: _________________Member #_____________

Player #3___________________ Member #_____________

Player #4 ___________________Member #_____________

Player #5___________________ Member #_____________

Player #6 ___________________Member #_____________

Player #7 ___________________Member #_____________

Player #8 ___________________Member #_____________

Be sure to include this completed form in your team envelope along with
your completed score sheet and all applicable weekly and/or membership
13 | Page
fees to earn the extra bonus point. You have until week 8 to return this for
the extra point. Additional point will be added to your week 8 scores.

14 | Page