The APA "Fun Factor" 5-Star Sportsmanship Program
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 an entire team in the League that other players just don’t like competing against. Unsportsmanlike behavior, sexist or racist remarks, banging balls around to run up innings … all of these things and more can contribute to an unpleasant league experience.Usually these players or teams get away with their actions far too long before the league office is able to take appropriate action, simply because most of our league members don’t like to complain unless the problem becomes unbearable.
With this in mind, the same pool league that brings you fair competition with its Equalizer Handicap System® has now instituted the APA “Fun Factor” 5-Star Sportsmanship Program, specifically designed to increase the fun you have while playing in the APA.
The 5-Star Sportsmanship Program has two purposes: (1) Acknowledge the teams that are GREAT teams to play against, and (2) identify the teams that are – from week to week – not very pleasant to be around. Our goal is to identify and meet with the players from teams that cause problems, discuss ways in which they can improve their unsportsmanlike behavior, or in some instances, remove the player(s) from playing.
The APA’s “Fun Factor” System is now an integral part of all APA computer software and will give us important feedback as to where our sportsmanship problems may lie.
Your score sheets have been modified slightly to allow for your weekly input. Your input will help us track the top teams and acknowledge them, and also identify players or teams that may cause problems in the league. We would like each team to start using the 5-Star Sportsmanship Program rating system each and every week.
The 5-Star Sportsmanship Program works like this: Every week you rate the opposing team by writing a number from “1” to “5” on the score sheet in the section that reads: “Team #xxxxx receives a ___ - Star rating this match.” It’s easy to do and only takes a second.
Score the opposing team only after all matches are over and both Captains have signed the score sheet. If you elect to rate a team with either a 1- or 2-star rating, then you must supply a written explanation with the rating.
For now, our goal is to provide our players with at least a 4-Star experience. With time, we are confident that the APA “Fun Factor” system will allow all of our players to enjoy a 5-Star match every time they play.
How to Rate the
Opposing Team
Opposing Team
The following are suggested guidelines when utilizing the Five-Star Sportsmanship Program. Please use your own judgment when rating the opposing teams.
* * * * * 5-STAR RATING
“Top” rating. The team is helpful, one of the nicest in the league, and was a pleasure to play with.
* * * * 4-STAR RATING
“Target” rating. The team caused no problems and was a pleasure to play.
* * * 3-STAR RATING
“Average” rating. Only a few small problems occurred. Disagreements were handled in a sportsmanlike manner, and play continued without incident.
* * 2-STAR RATING
“Poor” rating. Opposing team members caused multiple problems, while the opposing team Captain did nothing to get his/her players under control. The opposing team's players made sarcastic or degrading remarks to your players, intentionally distracted your players while shooting, called a player a "sandbagger," tried to manipulate the handicap system, or were just rude and unfriendly. Write-up must accompany this rating!
* 1-STAR RATING
“Totally Unacceptable” rating. Opposing team members threatened or intimidated your players, or caused multiple major problems. Opposing team Captain did nothing to get his/her players under control. Write-up must accompany this rating!
* * * * * 5-STAR RATING
“Top” rating. The team is helpful, one of the nicest in the league, and was a pleasure to play with.
* * * * 4-STAR RATING
“Target” rating. The team caused no problems and was a pleasure to play.
* * * 3-STAR RATING
“Average” rating. Only a few small problems occurred. Disagreements were handled in a sportsmanlike manner, and play continued without incident.
* * 2-STAR RATING
“Poor” rating. Opposing team members caused multiple problems, while the opposing team Captain did nothing to get his/her players under control. The opposing team's players made sarcastic or degrading remarks to your players, intentionally distracted your players while shooting, called a player a "sandbagger," tried to manipulate the handicap system, or were just rude and unfriendly. Write-up must accompany this rating!
* 1-STAR RATING
“Totally Unacceptable” rating. Opposing team members threatened or intimidated your players, or caused multiple major problems. Opposing team Captain did nothing to get his/her players under control. Write-up must accompany this rating!