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 spoiling the fun for everyone, remove from those teams the players that 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 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. At the end of each APA year, the League Operators will select one 8-ball and one 9-ball Team Captain to receive the Golden Cue Award for Excellent Sportsmanship. Winners will receive a fabulous trophy presented to them along with $40 for a night of free league play for their team and sportsmanship patches for each member of their Spring Session team! Nominations for this award will be accepted and considered. If you choose to submit a nomination, please provide a short paragraph explaining why you are nominating that Team Captain. Only Captains who are in good standing with the league and whose teams have earned sportsmanship scores among the highest scores for their division will be considered.
On the same note, we will be able to more rapidly identify the problem players and teams. Every session we will run reports identifying those teams that have been rated poorly (those teams that nobody wants to play against). The team will be contacted and given advice on how to fix the problem.
We will continue to handle specific sportsmanship violations using the guidelines set forth in the APA Team Manual.
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:
The following are suggested guidelines. Please feel free to use your own judgment when rating the opposing teams.
Five-Star RatingThis is an Excellent rating. The opposing 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 excellent sportsmanship and make your night out feel special. Your team (win or lose) had an excellent night out.
Four-Star RatingThis is a Very Good rating. The opposing team caused absolutely no problems and was a pleasure to play. Your team (win or lose) had a very good night out.
Three-Star RatingThis is an Average rating. Your team encountered no major problems. The night went well with only a few minor problems. Maybe the teams had 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.