en-us Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:44:45 -0500 info@chicagoapa.com 60 http://chicagoapa.com/ Chicago APA http://chicagoapa.com/ http://chicagoapa.com/common/forumimages/APALogoLrg.jpg 200 148 Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=481 Breaking News Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:00:09 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=481
Many of his friends gathered at Mark II on Sunday evening to remember and celebrate his life. I will post any further arrangements.

RIP Tim Horvath.

___________________________________________________

Playoff schedules on line: please check in your division schedule for the final pairings in each division. Click the button in the upper left side of the home page. This gives you a listing of ALL division schedules. Then expand your division by clicking the magnifying glass at the end it's row.

Tuesday schedules are all on line.

Wednesday and Thursday schedules will be posted by the end of the day on Tuesday.

This is the final week of playoffs for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday divisions. The Fall session for these divisions starts NEXT WEEK. September 14th - the 16th. Please contact me if you have a new team to put into the league. I'm going to continue the team incentive program this session...please contact me for details.

Monday teams did not play this week because of Labor day. They will finish their playoffs on the 13th, and start their session on the 20th.




Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=480 Breaking News Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:26:21 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=480 Week of 8-30-10

Playoffs: It is PLAYOFF week for every division except the 352…they started late.

You can check your final standings, and playoff pairings by clicking on the schedules button on this page. (Upper left side of the home page.)

Playoff schedules: Currently, schedules for 111, 112, 114, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 232, 331, and 332 are on line. (All 8-ball through Wednesday...) I will post and list the finalized schedules for 9-ball and Thursday divisions as I get through the paperwork. There are a few divisions that still have folders out/or make-ups to do. I will list these as I get the data in.

FALL SESSION: The next session starts the week of September 14th…Monday’s start will be pushed back one week because of Labor day. Please call and register your team from the summer if you have not done so already, and re-register your team if your spring team is ready to come back in the fall.

Thanks,

Brad Hall
League Operator
Chicago APA
Phone: 773-575-4157
www.chicagoapa.com
]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=476 Breaking News Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:22:36 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=476 IMPORTANT Info for Division 221…A’s Bar has been sold, and the new owners are not keeping the tables…the team will be changing their home location. Most importantly, the drop spot will move to Nikki’s. Remember that Nikki’s doesn’t open until 5 pm on weekdays.

Yearly memberships due this week: Make sure to pay any unpaid players on your roster this week. If you get your roster next week, and a player is missing…you probably didn’t pay the membership. If there is a problem paying the membership this week, call me to see what can be done.

Patch and Pin Award Program: Don't miss your chance to win a trip to Vegas...All patch and pin awards cost $1 each. That dollar goes into a pot that pays for Vegas trips. 10 players are going to Vegas this year because they won a patch or pin, wrote it down on their cash envelope, and paid their dollar. So if you want your award, and a chance to win a trip to Vegas, please remember to write the award in the space provided on your cash envelope, and PAY the extra dollar. There are a number of you who don’t write the award down, or don’t pay for it. You have to do BOTH to get the award and a spot in the drawing.

Rackless pin shortage: I am currently out of rackless PINS. They are on order, but have not arrived yet. If you have won a rackless PIN, it should be circled, with an IOU next to the circle. I will drop the pins in as soon as I get them.

Pick-up/Drop off procedure: Remember that the drop off policy has changed. The visiting team is still responsible for picking up BOTH sets of sheets for each match, but EACH team is responsible for dropping their own folder off at the end of the evening. If you give it to your opponent, and they don’t turn either folder in, you are still responsible for yours not making it. Bonus points are being lost for missing folders.

Pick-up/Drop off locations: The location where you pick up your folder is written on the front of your envelope. Make sure that it is the one you want. If it is not, please change it to whichever drop spot you prefer. (Drop spots in the city: BG’s, Joe E’s, Christina’s, Ten Cat, Cary’s, Mullen’s, and Morrison Road House. In the burbs: Nikki’s, Clifford’s, and Idol’s. In Forest Park, Kazzbar until they close. If you play in an in-house division, please leave the folders at that location. Lee’s, Idol’s, McCullough’s, and Quentin Corner Pocket.)

Sportsmanship: Also remember that this is supposed to be an evening of entertainment. Good sportsmanship is ESSENTIAL to both teams enjoying the evening, regardless of the outcome of the matches on the table. There will always be rules questions, procedure questions, handicap questions...etc. You don't have to back down on the issue, just address it in a civil manner. It helps to know the rules, but it is even more helpful if you have the rule book available.

Show me the rule: The number one rule in the Chicago APA is "show me the rule". If your opponent calls a rule that you don't believe is a rule, ask them to show you the rule...on paper. If you don't have a rule book, call me. If you can't get in touch with me, the rule doesn't exist. So....if you are going to call and exotic rule, be prepared to show your opponent the actual rule in the book. All teams got a copy of the new rule book at the beginning of the season. If you don't have yours, just write a note on your sheet this week and I'll send a new copy. Just don't leave it in the folder...

Division 223…Deez Nuts is moving. We don’t know where yet, but they are not playing at Pressure any longer.

A change in playoff schedules for this session: I had planned to hold the playoffs on a Saturday at the end of the session, take a week off, and then jump back into league play. Given the Vegas schedule, and the number of players traveling this year...115 in all...I am going to run the playoffs in their regular fashion...Two weeks of playoffs, and then move into the next session. There will be no Challenge of Champions for the summer session. ALL divisions will send two teams to the Citywides...the top point team, and the playoff champion. Please check the schedules on line in the next week for final dates...

"VEGAS TEAMS": Any full teams going to Vegas this session should play their final week's match ahead of time. Please contact your opponent for week 10, and set up a time that is convenient for both of you.



Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=474 Breaking News Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:56:38 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=474 Almost 120 players going to Vegas: This year we have 6 teams advancing to the National Team Championships in 8-ball and 9-ball combined. We are also sending 6 teams by luck of the draw along with 15-20 individual players…most of whom have won their trips through the patch and pin drawing. In all, there should be almost 120 Chicago APA players in Las Vegas over the term of the NTC.

Second tier team winners: 6 years ago, I started sending two “second tier” teams to Vegas each year. Second tier teams play in the league, but aren’t as competitive as some of the rest of you. (or are just having a bad session…) They pay their money each week like everyone else, but seem to come up a little short in the standings. Their reward for playing and paying through the end of each session is a shot at Vegas in this drawing. Both winning teams get a round trip ticket for each player on the roster, along with half a room of lodging.

Top tier winners: Starting with the Spring session of last year, I took the division level cash payouts and created a fund to send one division winning team to Vegas from each session....as well as one non-winning team from the Citywide tournament. Each winning team gets a round trip ticket for each player on the roster, along with half a room of lodging.

This weekend I spent a lot of time cutting and folding for the drawing. I'm sorry for the delay, but the cutting and folding took longer than usual...a record number of patches and pins were won this year. I finally finished the cutting and folding around 2:30 Sunday morning...and then did the drawing...and the winners are...

Congratulations to the “second tier” winning teams:

1. The Rack Pack spring session, from Excueses
2. Muppet Masters summer session, currently from Morrison Road House

Congratulations to this year’s “top tier” drawing winners:

1. Summer Session -- Straight Shooters - Div 224
2. Fall Session -- Nice Rack – Div 331
3. Spring Session -- The Levee – Div 226
4. Citywide -- Lawrels - Div 426

Individual winners: We had almost 5,000 patches and pins won this past year. With a few dollars added from the players fund, this will allow 10 players to go to Vegas this year. Each player wins a round trip ticket to Vegas, and half a room lodging. To qualify for this drawing, a player has to meet the following criteria:

1. Play on a summer roster, or be on a team that regularly returns in the fall.
2. Write their name legibly on the cash envelope, indicating what patch or pin they should receive.
3. End the Spring session on a team without a past due balance.
4. Finally, they can win only one trip to Vegas per year…Anyone on a team already advancing to Vegas will be ineligible for the drawing.

There were two “unlucky” players who won’t be too unhappy…Steve Franz and Ken Dickshes both were drawn as individual winners in the patch and pin drawing. “Unfortunately”, they are already going to Vegas because their teams have won trips. With that said, here are the names that were drawn this year. Everyone except Ken Dickshes and Steve Franz have won a round trip ticket, and half a room of lodging.

1. Dave Lindeguard
2. Jamie Gonzalez
3. Tom O’Brien
4. Charly Sinkovits
5. Marco Aviles
6. Ken Dickshes
7. Bill Ruman
8. Freddy Artuz Sr.
9. Ernie Rubio
10. Chaz Howard
11. Mike Schatz
12. Steve Franz


Newly Wed Game: Starting last year, I opened a spot for any couple of APA players who wanted to get married in Las Vegas at the Riviera during the National Team Championships. The first couple to take advantage of this trip was Rob and Laura Varada. This year no one applied for this trip, but Heinz Saegebrecht did celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary…so lacking a couple who wants to get married, I’m making a substitution…and a rule for the future. I will hold two tickets and one room open for one couple per year to go to Vegas and get married…unless there is another couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. 50th will always trump inaugural.

MVP: Starting this year, I am sending three MVP’s to Las Vegas. There will be an MVP tournament at the end of each session, and I will send one MVP from each. Nelson Rodriguez won the first tournament at Lee St. Billiards, and Marty Mc Nichols won the second at Idols. The third MVP will be determined on June 17th…the date of the last MVP tournament.

Congratulations to all of the above patch, pin, and team winners. I will be calling to confirm names and availability for all winners. I will make the rooming assignments, but feel free to call me if you see a friend on the list you would like to bunk with. I will add specific flight times and dates to this post shortly.


Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=473 Breaking News Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:29:27 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=473 Citywide winners...Summer session delayed.

The 2009-2010 season is done, and we have our winners. Congratulations to our Vegas bound Citywide teams…

The eight ball teams are:

Section 8 Captain Gary Leyson Host location - South Port
Wah…Wah…Wah - Captain Doung Thai - Host location - Jersey’s Sports Bar
Chicago Slim - Captain Jeannine Cornelius - Host location - Seven Ten
Good n Plenty - -Captain George Angelos - Host location - Idol’s Sports Bar
Tree Out of 5 - Captain Dustin Johnson - Host location - Ham Tree

We also have one nine-ball team going to vegas:

Hard Pack - Captain Thomas Fang - Host location – Cary’s Lounge

The tournament was the biggest we have ever held….70 teams participated when all was said and done.

This was also the first time we have ever held the tourney at two separate locations. Overall, it was a great success…though there were some logistical problems that will be fixed the next time we run a twin location tourney.

Because the tourney took longer than anticipated it ate into planning time for the summer session. The upshot is that the summer session will not start this week.

The first week of play will be June 21st through the 28th. It will run through the week of August 23rd - 26th.

I will post schedules 25 hours before the day of play for whatever day you are playing.


Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=470 Breaking News Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:57:30 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=470 There is no league play this week.
Citywide tournament this weekend. (June 11, 12, and 13th)
Summer session starts next week. (June 14-21)

Citywide Tournament: The Citywide tournament is being played this weekend. If you are a qualified team, and have not reserved your slot yet, please call the office immediately. The choice or start date (Friday at 7:30 pm or Saturday at 10:00 am) and tournament location (Idol's Sports Bar at 1601 N Rand Rd. in Palatine, or Fox and Hounds at 910 W. Dundee Rd. in Arlington Hts. --- They are within 1 mile of each other.) is still open, but will be given on a first come first served basis.

Summer session: The summer session starts next week, and plays through the August 27th. It is typically more laid back, shorter, AND more important for teams wanting to win trips to Vegas.

It is a great time to "try" the APA if you are not already a member, or to try a new division, format, or team if you already play in the league. Please call or email the office if you are interested in "expanding" your APA experience.

$100 incentive for new teams: There is still time to register a team for this session. I will continue to offer a cash incentive for players who build new teams. ($75-$100 depending on team makeup and host location.) Call me for more details. Phone: 773-575-4157 Email: brad@chicagoapa.com

Schedules on line: Because I always have teams coming in, or changing locations at the last minute, I don't post schedules until the day before play. (If I posted them earlier, they would be guaranteed to change frequently in the week before session starts...so the early schedules would just confuse the issue.) Schedules for the summer session will be on line at 6:00 the day before play. Eg: Monday schedules on line by 6:00 Sunday, Tuesday schedules on line by Monday at 6:00.

Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=467 Breaking News Fri, 21 May 2010 20:38:30 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=467
Check your division schedule for playoff pairings. If you don't see your team in the pairings, or the Top Point Winner position, you didn't make the cut. If you think you should have, but didn't, please call me to verify points.

Divisions will be listed and updated as soon as I get the info to do so.

Right now, All divisions up to and including 426 are set. The team and individual stats are up to date in all of these divisions.

I will add divisions to the above list as I get them.

Chicago APA Playoff Procedures

Congratulations on making the playoffs. Most rules are the same as your regular nights of play, but there are a few that are different, and come up with some regularity. There are also some “regular” rules that come into play more often in playoffs. Here is a list of some of these rules.

1.NEW FOLDER DROP OFF RULE. The winning team is responsible for returning the folders tonight. It does not matter who is home and who is away. The WINNING team MUST return the folders. (You have a much larger stake in getting them back to the drop spot, so I assume that you will be more responsible about getting them turned in. This is for the PLAYOFFS ONLY.)

AGAIN…the WINNING TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RETURNING THE FOLDERS THIS WEEK. Mon-Tues are due WEDNESDAY afternoon by 3. Wed-Thurs are due by Friday before 7:00 pm.

2.First to 3 wins. The first team to win 3 individual matches wins the night. There is no need to play past the third win for either team.

3.Only pay for what you play. You do pay for the matches in playoffs, but only for the ones you play. 3 matches = $18. 4 matches = $24. All 5 matches = $30. A forfeit counted as one of your three wins counts as a match played.

4. Four matches for eligibility: All players need 4 matches played with their team this session to be eligible for playoffs with this team. (10 matches with another team and two with this one does NOT meet the requirement.)

5.Ineligible players can sit with their team, and discuss strategy, but can NOT coach.

6.All male 2s become 3s for the playoffs. This starts at the first level of post season play, and continues through the Citywide tournament in June. They also count as a 3 for handicap purposes.

7.Stay under 23: Even if you only play 3 or 4 matches, you still have to show that you could have stayed under the 23 point rule if you had played all 5 matches. (You have to have players on your roster that would have allowed you to play 23 if you had played all 5 matches. Eg: If you play 20 points of handicap in 4 matches, you must have a 3 left on your roster, even if they are not actually on site that night. Going over the limit, even with non-played players is a loss of match. Please be careful, and call if you have questions about this one…before you get into a bad situation.)

8.NEW TABLE RULE: Playoffs can be played on any size table. Short walls and other impediments are no longer a reason to move a playoff match. The home team won on this table, they should be allowed to play on it for playoffs.

9.NEW COACHING RULE: Twos and threes only get one coach.

IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL 773-575-4157.
I WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM NOON ONWARD EACH PLAYOFF NIGHT.
If I don’t answer immediately, please send a text.
Don’t leave voice mail.
Winners should text the final results when the match is over.


Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=464 Breaking News Sun, 16 May 2010 14:12:55 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=464 The Monday session is over: The playoffs have started, and they are posted on line. ANYONE can view the schedules. Click the schedules rollover button on the left side of the home page, and go to your division.

For Mondays divisions: This would be week 18...but go by the date to be sure. The Top point team is also listed for each division. The top point team moves directly to the Challenge of Champions (June 5th and 6th. Please read the information about this tourney, and contact me with your preference of start date. I will try to give everyone their preferred start date.)

The pairings work the same way that the regular schedule does...the first team listed is the HOME team. The visitors pick up the paperwork, and the WINNING team is responsible for returning them after the match. (YES, the winning team takes BOTH sets of sheets and returns them. If the sheets don't make it in on time, I may advance the loser instead, so be sure to turn in your sheets on time.) Winning teams should also text the outcomes to my phone at 773-575-4157. It will speed up the pairings process for next week. Thanks.

The tie breaking process is listed in your team manual. (The team manual is also available on the website in the printable documents section.)

For the rest of the league: This is the last week of play. Please text your match outcomes to me at 773-575-4157...use team numbers to help eliminate confusion. (EG: Team 11501 beat Team 11509 3-2.) If one player from each match texts me, it will help get the playoff pairings set for next week sooner. You will see the pairings listed in the regular schedules in week 19. Top point teams will be listed as well.

More to follow...



Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=458 Breaking News Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:14:15 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=458 RIP JAMES MAROTSKE: On a sad note, I’m reporting the death of James Marotske. My sympathies go out to his family and friends. He was a great guy, and an avid pool player…He played in the league for years, and captained a number of teams before health issues took their toll. There will be a service held for him at Lutheran Memorial church, located at 2500 W. Wilson in Chicago on May 3rd at 6pm. There will be snacks and refreshments held afterword. Please call Jim’s nephew Billy Hethcoat at 773 317 1081 with any questions.


League business:

First, AVAILABILITY: I am at convention this week through Thursday night. I will try to return phone calls, but may not have service. Please send text messages if the call doesn't get answered. They will come through when the connection is good enough. I am also able to answer text messages in meetings, so text is best.

Second, NEW SYSTEM WORKS: The new drop off system seems to have worked. There are still a couple of folders missing or late, but those teams are losing points now, and I don't think they will continue to come in late. Just an FYI…If you get your sheets in a Temporary folder, you lost your bonus points from the previous week’s play. Call me if you feel the folders were in on time.

Third, POINTS, FINANCES, FORFEITS: As the session comes to an end, please clear up any past due balances on your scoresheets. If you feel the balance is incorrect, please contact me in some way. The best alternatives are email, and/or a note in your envelopes this week or next.

If balances are not paid in full, qualified teams will lose their qualifications…that means no Citywide tournament.

Teams that are not qualified yet, but are in the playoff hunt this session will lose their standing in the playoffs…they will be skipped when I put the playoff pairings together.

Teams that are not in either of the above situations will not be entered into the Vegas drawings. (Each year, two teams don’t that don’t make the playoffs are chosen to go to Vegas simply for playing in the league and following the rules. They don’t participate in the NTC tournament, but they are in Vegas during the tournament, and can participate in Minis that run 22 hours a day.)

Teams that have unexcused FULL TEAM forfeits during the last 2 weeks of play will also be eliminated from all of the above.

Fourth, VERIFY TEAM POINTS: Make sure that you have all your points. Because of the missing envelope issue this session, there have been more zeros than normal in the standings. MOST of these have been filled in during the following week. I am going through the records, and verifying things from my end, but I want to make sure that there are no questions. Points have to be up to date by the last week of the session. That also means that all make-ups must be finished and in the books when the last week’s sheets are printed.

Fifth, TEAM DRINKS: They are OPTIONAL. They are given at the discretion of the bar where you are playing. Most bars give them, but they are NOT obligated to do so. When they give them, most will give you one drink of what you are drinking for each player who is playing that night. Some will give you a drink for each player on the roster. This decision probably rests on the bar tab your TEAM is putting up. Again, the number of drinks is OPTIONAL. Try to order what you are drinking. It is unfair to drink water, soda, or draft beer all night long, and then expect top shelf shots for your team drinks. You don’t have to drink alcohol, or even drink at all, but please don’t expect more back from the bar than you are putting into it. Final note…it is also good form to tip the bartender who gives you your drinks…if they have done a good job of serving you all night long. This is their job…full or part time, they deserve to be recognized if they are doing a good job.

Finally, SUMMER SESSION: We are starting a new 9-ball division in Palatine at Idol’s…They will kick off May 18th, and play an extended summer session. Please contact the league office via email, or register a team on line to save a place in the new division. You can also contact me if you just want to play, and don’t have a team.

The rest of the summer session starts the third week of June. As usual, it will be a short session. There will be fewer teams competing, and winners go directly to the CITYWIDES. Teams will be allowed to play one player twice to cut down on forfeits and makeups and generally to make the summer session easier to play.

There are stickers on the front of your envelopes and checkboxes on your scoresheets for each team that has not registered already. For those of you who have not, please check the yes or no option both places so I can plan the next session schedules.

That's all for now....


Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?whichpage=-1&TOPIC_ID=456&REPLY_ID=596 Breaking News Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:10:04 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=456 Quote:
Great idea to have each team drop off their own sheets.
What is the penalty going to be for 9 ball divisions?]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=455 Breaking News Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:19:50 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=455 Congratulations are the order of the day…

First, I’d like to congratulate Heinz and Hilde Saegebrecht. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 29th. Heinz has been in the APA for 16 years, and made it out to play with his team Bad to the Bone on Tuesday the 30th.

Congratulations also to Joe Gonzalez and Kim Schwarder. They had a bouncing baby girl named Emily Roberta Gonzalez on March 16th.

Finally, congratulations to the current crop of qualified teams. If you are qualified, you should have a QS (Qualified in the Summer) or a QF (Qualified in the Fall) at the end of your team name. If you do not have either, PLEASE CONTACT ME TO VERIFY YOUR STANDING AS A QUALIFIED TEAM.

Challenge of Champions session ending tournament for the spring session will be held on June 4th and 5th.

8-ball Citywides (the 2009-2010 season ending tournament) will be held on June 11th, 12th, and 13th.

9-ball Citywides will be held on the June 6th and 13th, two consecutive Sundays.

The slots for Vegas are now verified…We have 5 teams going to the National Team Championships in 8-ball, and one team going in 9-ball. I hoped we could get enough new teams to earn an extra slot in the 8-ball division, but we missed our mark by a few. That means Citywides will actually be 4 rounds of play to win a slot to Vegas as they were last year. Four rounds of play means at least 2 days, and 3 if you choose to start round one on Friday. (More on the flex start later.) We will play the finals on Sunday June 13th along with the finals for 9-ball. The venue for both the session ending Challenge tournament, and the season ending Citywide tournament will be split at both Idols sports bar in Palatine, and Fox and Hounds in Arlington Hts. They are only about a mile from each other, and any multiple team issues should be minimal. This setup gives us a total of 19 tables, good parking, and food on site at both locations.

I’m including a cliffs notes version of how to keep your qualification in each qualified team envelope this week, but I’m posting it here as well. Hopefully it will clear up any questions BEFORE teams get to the play site for Citywides.

Here are some things you should be aware of before you get to the tournament. Section 9 in the Team Manual has all of this information, but here are some important excerpts. Please read them completely. If there are questions, please call.

1. Your team needs to continue playing in the league for each session following your qualification.

2. You must keep 4 players from your original winning roster on a current roster each session that you play after qualification. They don’t have to be the same 4 players in the fall and spring sessions, but you have to have at least 4 from the original roster each session.

3. Qualified rosters are locked after the 4th week. You can’t add or drop players after that time. I’ve asked St. Louis for exceptions in cases where players have died. They wouldn’t allow exceptions in either of those cases, so if you can’t beat dead as a reason to add a player, don’t even ask.

4. Your spring roster is your official CITYWIDE roster. The players who are on your roster week 4 of the spring session are the ones who will play with you in the Citywide. Your original roster is NOT the roster you will play with at the Citywides unless they have stayed on the team.

5. Male 2s in 8-ball will play as 3s, and male 1s in 9-ball will play as 2s.

6. All players must have 4 plays with their current team this session, AND a lifetime total of 10 or more matches played in the format (8-ball or 9-ball) they are competing in.

7. So you are prepared…handicaps from the Spring session may go up when you get to the Citywides. This can happen for two reasons. First, your players will all play at the highest session ending handicap that they have earned since you qualified. Second, I will evaluate handicaps going into the tourney. If a team constantly fails to mark safeties compared to their opponents, I will move handicaps higher. If a player has a remarkable winning percentage and they are playing players at or above their own handicap, I will move these handicaps up also. You also need to be aware of what your players are playing at in other areas. If they play at a higher handicap in another area, please contact me before the tourney. If they certify themselves at a level lower than what they have in another area, it puts the whole team at risk of disqualification. I can allow a player to play at a lower level, but I have to know about it. AVOID A TEAM DQ…TELL ME ABOUT HIGHER HANDICAPS BEFORE YOU PLAY.

8. You must remain in the top half of your division. If you finish the session in the bottom half of your division, you can lose your qualification. I have some wiggle room in the fall session, but in the Spring, there is little or no room for me to advance a team that doesn’t finish in the top half of their division. (There are only two really good reasons a qualified team is not able to stay in the top half of their division. First, you are truly trying, but just aren’t good enough to win. If you can’t beat your own division, it is just a waste of your time to play at citywide. Second, you are in the bottom half of your division because you are losing intentionally. I don’t want teams that are losing intentionally to play in the tourney either.) If you believe that there is a chance you will end up in the bottom half of your division this session, please contact me as soon as possible. You may still be able to get to the tournament, but you won’t like the road you will have to travel.

9. Finally, you have to have a zero balance on your team finances. If you have a balance due, you cannot advance to the Citywide tournament. If you have a balance you agree with, please pay it ASAP. If you have a balance that you believe is inaccurate, please contact me to clear it up.

Qualified team Captains: I need each “qualified team” captain to sign and return one of these sheets. (If you don't have one in your envelope, please contact me. Citywides will be held on June 11th, 12th, and 13th. The first round will be split between Friday PM, and Saturday AM. Also give me your preference of a Friday night (June 11th) or Saturday morning (June 12th) start for your first round match. Finals will be held on June 13th regardless of first round start.



Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=454 Breaking News Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:29:17 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=454 March 29, 2010 weekly update…lots o’ stuff, but worth the read.

LATE OR MISSING SHEETS: There are continuing problems with missing or late folders. Please help me do a better job for you. TURN IN YOUR SHEETS ON TIME. My goal going forward will be to get Monday and Tuesday sheets done and delivered by Saturday when I do a second pickup run for the Wednesday and Thursday folders. (This is for the original CAPA area. Tuesday and Wednesday in NCC are picked up on Fridays…) I can’t do this if folders are missing, or being turned in late. So please help me make this a better league for you. Turn in your folders on time, and I’ll get them out earlier.

Handicap review time: I've heard a lot of questions about players handicaps. Here is your chance to mainline that info to me. It is past midway in your spring session this week, and you have played most of the teams in your division by now…even if you are new to the division. I’m sending handicap review sheets out with your envelopes this week. (Division 114 and 232 will get them next week.) Please review these sheets with your team, and put what you believe to be accurate handicaps next to the player’s names. I use these sheets to flag potential problems in the league. The flags are part of a safeguard system that comes into play at tournament time. The only way that your team can take advantage of this insurance is to sign and date the handicap review sheets…even if you believe that the whole division is correctly handicapped.

MVP Winners: The first two of three MVP tourneys have been played. The final tourney will be held in early July. Any MVP from any session this year will be invited to this season ending tournament. The winning player from each tournament will win a trip to Vegas. The first two winners are Nelson Rodriguez and Marty McNichols. Please watch the calendar for the exact date.

Tournament locations finalized. I’ve finally gotten the go ahead for both of our tournament locations this session. Both our Challenge of Champions and Citywide tournaments will be held at BOTH Fox and Hounds in Arlington Hts, and Idols Sports Bar in Palatine. (addresses will be listed in the calendar entries for these tourneys.) These locations are just a mile or so apart on Dundee road, so players can move from one location to the other if they have teams at both. If you start in one location, your team will finish the tournament in that location. The combination of these two bars gives us a total of 19 tables.

Challenge of Champions tourney for the division winners from the spring session will be held on June 4th and 5th. Teams will play 3 rounds to a Citywide qualification. The first round will be split between Friday PM, and Saturday AM. Teams will get their choice of start date until the table limit is reached on either day. (First come, first served. As you win, please call me with your choice.)

8-ball Citywide tourney. The 8-ball Citywide will be a 2-3 day event, depending on when you play your first round. (First come, first served…please sign and return your Qualified sheet with a choice for your start day.) It will be held on June 11th, 12th, and 13th. As with the Challenge, the first round will be split between Friday PM, and Saturday AM. While we did grow teams this year, we did not grow enough teams to qualify for the 6th slot going to Vegas. That means that teams will need to win 4 rounds of pool to win a spot in Vegas this year just as they did last year. The final round will be held on June 13th.

9-ball Citywide tourney. The 9-ball Citywide will be a 2 day event. It will be held on Sunday June 6th, and Sunday June 13th. This year, there are potentially 20 teams who will play in the 9-ball citywide. At this point, it looks like it will be the same 4 rounds of play to get to Vegas, but that will be determined by the final team/bye makeup. Expect to play three rounds of pool on June 6th.

Qualified teams (division winners from the summer session, or Challenge of Champions winners from the Fall session.) should look for guideline sheets in their envelopes next week. You should also have a QS (qualified in the summer) or a QF (Qualified in the Fall) at the end of your team name. If believe you are a qualified team and don’t have a QS or QF, please contact me. The guideline sheet answers some FAQs for qualified teams, and should keep the surprise factor to a minimum when the tourney actually rolls around.

Next week, there will be a guidelines sheet that will be sent to you in your envelopes, but you can read all the rules and regs in the team manual…section 9.

Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?whichpage=-1&TOPIC_ID=450&REPLY_ID=595 Breaking News Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:24:47 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=450 Quote:
David,

You are absolutely right about the notice. I did what I could this time. The tourney kept being pushed back because of weekend events, or lack of notice. I finally bit the bullet, posted both dates a week before the first tourney, and tried to call as many MVPs as I could in between running the weekly scoresheets.

BTW...There actually was a notice on the scoresheets week 9 about the second tourney.

Having said that, there will be more notice for future tourneys. I'm trying to get a whole year's schedule set for next year. We will see how that works.

There is also a text messaging system that will be coming on line in the next few weeks that should give me the ability to target text whole groups of players more easily than I can from my phone...or email currently.

Finally, please check the calendar in the first week or two of July. That is when the final MVP tourney will be held for the 2009-2010 season. ANY MVP from ANY session...except the two winners...will be invited to this tournament.

Look forward to seeing you at the next tourney in July.

Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=446 Breaking News Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:02:12 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=446
They are predicting 3 inches to a foot of snow across most of this territory. In case the predictions are right, I'm making match play optional tonight, but please contact your opponents so they don't make the trip for nothing...if possible. If you don't have your opponents number, please call the office after 4 today.

Makeups will be scheduled for all matches that are not played.

It is not awful out there right now, but I know it will be bad at rush hour, and street parking will be at a premium...so it is a judgment call for you.

If call later tonight, please be patient. Please give me some time to answer the other calls coming in. I will get to missed calls as soon as possible. I don't listen to voice mail at all on a night like tonight. I use my missed calls list to get back to you...don't waste your time leaving a voice mail. Finally, calling repeatedly in a short period of time doesn't help...it will probably push you to the back of the line, so call once and wait. I will get back to you ASAP.

Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=439 Breaking News Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:57:14 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=439
Memberships are normally $25. You will see some $15 memberships. Those are for players who just paid their 2009 membership in the fall session last year. Because these players only got one session of play for a full membership fee last year, they take $10 off the full year membership for 2010 if it is paid by the end of March. Please pay these memberships first. If you wait, they turn into $25 memberships.

If you pay a partial membership, I have no way of showing a partial payment. ALL regular current membership show as $25 until fully paid. All pro-rated memberships will show as $15 until fully paid. What I do with some partial payments is to pay the full amount to St. Louis, and put the team past due for the balance.

Please pay all memberships as soon as possible…if you have problems paying the charge on time, please call me.

If you have never filled out a membership application, please take the time to do so this week or next. If you have changed your personal information, or have a star next to your name…please fill out a membership application. When it is filled out, please drop it in the cash envelope. If you leave it in the bottom of your weekly envelope, it may stay there for many weeks.

Schedules on the website are available to all players regardless of your “standing” with the apa. It is the second button on the left side of the home page. If you want to see more of your personal stats, as well as divisional stats, please register with the website. If there is a “problem” with your registration, please fill out an application, because some of your information is wrong…OR you can email your address, phone, date of birth, and the email address you would used for personal use…Many of you check in from work…probably not a good idea to send pool info to your work email…

Can different players coach a shooter during a match? Yes, anyone on the roster can coach at any legal coaching opportunity regardless of who has coached previously.

Can I change my stick during a game? Yes, you can change your stick as often as you would like. (On every shot is the mood strikes you….) The only time you can’t change your stick is to attempt a jump shot. You have to use your regular game cue to shoot a jump shot. The regular game cue is defined as the cue you shoot the majority of your shots with. To be safe, DON’T change your cue stick if you are going to attempt a jump shot.

Brad Hall
League Operator
Chicago APA
Phone: 773-575-4157
www.chicagoapa.com


Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=437 Breaking News Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:53:46 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=437 Some FAQs…

Why do some players owe $15, and others owe $25? Players who just joined in the Fall session of 2009 have a pro-rated membership fee of $15 that is good for the first 4 weeks. You HAVE to pay these memberships by the 4th week or they will revert to the normal $25 yearly memberships that all other players owe this session.

If I play on more than one team per week, do I owe $25 for each? NO. You only need to pay your dues on one team. This also applies if you play in another league area…DuPage, Lake, Central Chicago, etc. If you pay in any of these areas, please note it next to your name on the scoresheet.

Why do we still show a balance if we paid our balance last session? The payment doesn’t always go through from one session to another. Only input scores move forward once a new session is set up…so if you have paid it last session, and it is still showing, just write a note near the past due that it was paid last session, and I’ll check the records, and update your sheet.

I paid my dues on Thursday. Why are they still showing unpaid on my Monday team? Because all of the paperwork is not finished at the same time. Frequently I have not even looked at your Thursday scoresheets or money envelopes when I’m printing your Monday sheets. So I don’t know you have paid dues on that team. (This also applies to questions about handicap…Your Thursday match does not affect your Monday handicap…but your Monday match will be part of your record when I run the sheets on Thursday…)

How can I get my patch or pin I won last session/in playoffs/at tournament? Just mark it on your current cash envelope, and mark LS in the date won slot. I will put it in the envelope next week.

IMPORTANT Schedules Have Changed…I don’t print schedules for the first 4 weeks because they change. I have tried to contact all teams affected by the changes, but please check your schedule this week to be sure.


Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=436 Breaking News Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:28:18 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=436
Schedules for play will be available the day before play at 6pm. I wait til then to post them because I'm still changing them until that point. (I don't want to post a schedule on Monday for Thursday, and have it completely changed by the time you go to play.)

To add to the fun of start up this session, I drowned my phone in a glass of Mountain Dew. It is semi-functional. I get calls sometimes, but not always.

Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=426 Breaking News Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:57:37 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=426 This is the final week of playoffs for 8-ball divisions.

Challenge Tournament: The winners this week will join the Top points winners from their divisions at the Challenge of Champions. As much as I'd like to skip these tournaments, there would be 120-130 teams in the Citywide if we did. We do advance all division winning teams from the summer session, and hold Challenge/Tri-cup tourneys at the end of each fall and spring session.

Location: The CoC this weekend will be held in Darien IL at Q-billiards. The address is 8109 S. Cass ave. (Take 294 south to 55 south. Exit at Cass Ave North. Q will be on your right in a shopping center set back from, but very visible from the street.

Split start time for first round: There will be three rounds of pool to win a spot in the Citywide tourney. Teams will start the first round on Friday night at 7:30 pm, or Saturday morning at 10:00 am. (Spots on either day are being given away on a first come, first served basis...please get your choice in as soon as possible.) All first round winners will start the second round after two on Saturday as tables become available. Top Point teams will get the first choice of starting on Friday evening at 7:30 or Saturday morning at 10:00 am. Playoff teams will choose as they win their divisions.

Saturday: Doors will open at 9:00 am on Saturday, but please arrive at least a half hour before the start time for your first round to register. There will be a captains meeting fifteen minutes before the start of play.

Reserve your start time: If you are a top points winner, please make sure you call/text/email me to choose which day you want to start the first round. As playoff teams win their divisions, I'll ask you to do the same thing. The sooner you contact me with your request, the better chance you have of getting the start time you want.

OVER 21: Q-billiards is a 21 and over pool hall. NO ONE under 21 is allowed. If your team has an under aged player on the roster, or can't play this weekend for any other reason, please contact me before the tournament. I can fix the situation before we start, not afterwords.

SPRING SESSION STARTS THE WEEK OF JANUARY 18th-21st: The spring session starts next week. Please make sure you are registered. The schedules for each division will be posted the day before play at 6:00pm. If you are registered, expect to play. If you have a special schedule requirements (scheduled events, other leagues, vacations, etc.) please contact me ASAP. I will work around any other established league schedule...dart, ping pong, or pool...but I have to have the schedule.

SPRING SESSION STARTS THE WEEK OF JANUARY 18th-21st

Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=424 Breaking News Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:03:37 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=424 Welcome to winter wonderland in Chicago. LOTS of snow out there today. It will probably make things UGLY, but not impassible. Parking may be an difficult if not impossible. For those reasons, I'm making tonight's playoffs optional...tonight. If BOTH teams decide to play another night, that's fine. If one is set to play, both teams have to make the effort.

If you are going to play a makeup, set the time and date...and send the information to me by email, or text message. I don't want any confusion about the second date. The match HAS to be done by WEDNESDAY of next week, preferably sooner, so I can get the results and set up the finals matches.

If there is no contact between captains/players on the two teams playing today, the match is still ON. It should be played today. Forfeits can be taken, but I want forfeit times to be VERY lenient. Make sure to call me if you are going to call an individual forfeit, or a full team forfeit.

In some cases, I'm sending the folders out without updating the weekly info from your last week of play.


Welcome to the playoffs. Check your division schedule to verify your standing. If your team number comes up in the schedule for this week, you are playing. If not, your missed the cut. Team pairings are listed home-away as usual. Visiting teams pick up the paperwork. WINNING TEAMS RETURN THE SHEETS. Please return the sheets ASAP.

Here is a short list of playoff procedures that you will see on the back of your scoresheets...

Congratulations on making the playoffs. Most rules are the same as your regular nights of play, but there are a few that are different, and come up with some regularity. There are also some “regular” rules that come into play more often in playoffs. Here is a list of some of these rules.
1. NEW RULE. The winning team is responsible for returning the folders tonight. It does not matter who is home and who is away. The WINNING team MUST return the folders. (You have a much larger stake in getting them back to the drop spot, so I assume that you will be more responsible about getting them turned in.)
AGAIN…the WINNING TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RETURNING THE FOLDERS THIS WEEK. Mon-Tues are due WEDNESDAY afternoon by 3. Wed-Thurs are due by Friday before 7:00 pm.
2. The first team to win 3 individual matches wins the night. There is no need to play past the third win for either team.
3. Pay for what you play. You do pay for the matches in playoffs, but only for the ones you play. 3 matches = $18. 4 matches = $24. All 5 matches = $30. A forfeit counted as one of your three wins counts as a match played.
4. All players need 4 matches played with their team this session to be eligible for playoffs with this team. (10 matches with another team and two with this one does NOT meet the requirement.)
5. Ineligible players can sit with their team, and discuss strategy, but can NOT coach.
6. All male 2s become 3s for the playoffs. This starts at the first level of post season play, and continues through the Citywide tournament in June.
7. Even if you only play 3 or 4 matches, you still have to show that you could have stayed under the 23 point rule if you had played all 5 matches. (You have to have players on your roster that would have allowed you to play 23 if you had played all 5 matches. Eg: If you play 20 points of handicap in 4 matches, you must have a 3 left on your roster, even if they are not actually on site that night. Going over the limit, even with non-played players is a loss of match. Please be careful, and call if you have questions about this one.)
8. NEW RULE: Playoffs can be played on any size table. Short walls and other impediments are no longer a reason to move a playoff match. The home team won on this table, they should be allowed to play on it for playoffs.
9. NEW RULE: Twos and threes only get one coach.

IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL. 773-575-4157

I WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM NOON ONWARD EACH PLAYOFF NIGHT.

If I don’t answer immediately, please send a text. Don’t leave voice mail.

Spring session starts January 18th thru the 21st. If you want to get a team in for the session, please send the roster by email, or use the team registration section of this website if you are logged in.


Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]> Brad Hall http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=421 Breaking News Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:27:30 -0500 http://chicagoapa.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=421 Happy new year to all.

There is no play during the week between Christmas and New Years Eve.

Playoffs start the first week in January.

Playoff pairings: For anyone looking for playoff pairings, please check your division schedule. (Second button on the left side of the home page...EVERYIONE can see division schedules here.) The STATS for the last week of play have NOT been input yet. I'm working with the raw win/loss numbers to determine pairings.

Divisions 214, 226, 227, 232, 428, and 451 are NOT finished as of today...Most of these are unfinished because of missing folders. I am trying to track them down now...or at least get the scores needed to determine winners. The Saturday and Sunday 9-ball divisions are still playing regular session matches.

Challenge of Champions Tournament: All division winning 8-ball teams (top point winners and playoff winners) need to play in the Tri-cup/Challenge of Champions tournament on January 15th and 16th. The first round is split between Friday evening (7:30 pm start time) and Saturday morning (10:00 am start time). There are only 24 slots on each day, and I'm taking reservations on a first come, first served basis. It is your choice whether you play the split schedule (one round on Friday, two on Saturday) or the single day schdeule (three rounds of pool Saturday) as long as there are slots available. Top ponits teams get first chance to make reservations...because they already know that they are playing...playoff teams still need to win their spots in the tournament.

Spring session: The spring session starts the week of January 18th. Please get any new team registrations in to the office as soon as possible. You can use the team registration form on this website, or you can email me directly at brad@chicagoapa.com.

Enjoy your New Years celebration, but remember to be safe out there. Watch out for the other guy.

Thanks,

Brad Hall
Chicago APA
773-575-4157]]>