Sportsmanship is the #1
Priority
In most APA Leagues, and on most nights, things
go according to plan and the teams have a great time playing APA pool. We
realize however, that occasionally there may be a player or even a team in the
League that other players just don't like being around. Usually these players
or teams get away with their actions way too long before we are able to take
appropriate action. Members simply don’t like to complain unless the problem
turns major.
The Five-Star Sportsmanship program has been
designed to increase the fun you have playing in the APA.
How it Works
The APA “FUN FACTOR” System, a “Five-Star
Sportsmanship Program” has been designed to accomplish two things: (1) reward
teams that from week to week are “Great” teams to play against; and (2)
identify teams that from week to week are a pain in the butt to be around,
remove the players from those teams who cause the problems, and reorganize
those teams in question.
This “FUN FACTOR” system is now an integral part of
all APA computer software and will give us instantaneous feedback as to where
our sportsmanship problems lie. Your scoresheets have been modified slightly to
allow for your weekly input. With this input, we will (at the touch of a
button) be able to print out the top sportsmanship teams and acknowledge and
reward them. We will just as easily be able to identify those teams that cause
problems in the League.
The “FUN FACTOR” system works as follows: .....
Every week you will rate the opposing team. It’s simple,
you only need to write a number from 1 to 5 on the scoresheet (in the section
which reads "Team# xxxxx receives a _____-Star Rating this match").
This section must be filled out in order for your team to receive your bonus
point(s) for the week!
The Weekly ratings will go into each team’s
Sportsmanship Table and be accumulated throughout the session. You will score
the team “only” after all matches are over and “only” after both Captains have
signed the scoresheet. Don’t let the opposing team know that you are giving
them a bad rating, do so in private before turning in your team envelope. The
rating you give them will be 100% confidential. It’s that simple.
What happens to this data? Every session, we will
run reports that identify those teams that are GREAT to compete against, once
identified they will be acknowledged on the website and sent good sportsmanship
patches.
On the same note, we will be able to more rapidly
identify and eliminate the problem players. Every five to six weeks we will run
reports identifying those teams who have been rated poorly (those teams that
nobody wants to play against). All members on the team will be sent letters
notifying them that their team has been placed on probation and that subsequent
poor scores will result in suspension from the League. They will be given
instructions on how to fix the problem. They may only need to drop a player or
two; or if the problem is the Captain or Co-Captain, they may have to re-elect
a new team leader. Players identified as chronic problem players on the team
will be immediately suspended from the APA.
For now, our goal is to provide a Three to Four-Star
Experience. With time, we are confident that the APA “FUN FACTOR” system will
increase all your play in the APA to a Five-Star level.
How to Rate the Opposing Team:
- Five Star
Rating
This is our “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.
- Four Star
Rating
This is our “Target” rating. Team causes absolutely no problems and is a
pleasure to play. Your team (win or lose) had a
“Great” night out.
- Three Star
Rating
This is our “Average” rating. No major problems, night went well with only
a few “minor” problems. Maybe some minor rule disagreements. Maybe
someone’s attitude got slightly out of hand, but the opposing team Captain
got them in line, apologized for the infraction, and the night continued
without further incident. Your team (win or lose)
had a “Good” night out.
- Two Star Rating
This is a “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. Maybe the opposing team made smart or degrading remarks to your
players, or called you 'CHEATER's; maybe they tried to manipulate our
handicap system by simply banging balls around the table; or maybe they
were just rude and unfriendly. Your team (win or lose) “did not” have a
fun night out.
- One Star Rating
This is a “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!