Situation: We just added a *new player to our team, all new players start as a skill level 3 (**SL0) but the other team is saying they know the player to be much better than a SL3. I can still start them as a SL3 because that is what new players are suppose to start, correct?

No, the APA does have a basic starting SL which is SL3. However if a player is better both the OTM and SDAPA bylaws highlight you should start them higher to avoid potential penalities. Review the bylaws for more details.

SDAPA Bylaws specifically address this topic and strong encourages teams to adhere to what is stated in the bylaws (page 3-4): https://apa-by-laws.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/921_bylaws_2023.pdf 

MVP: Players that go up more than one (1) skill level based on their starting session skill level and ending session skill level will be ineligible to win the MVP.

OTM page 21-22 (under "New Players"): https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf 

*skill level movement applies to continuing or returning players as well.  

**new players will show as a SL0 until they play their first match unless a team requests to start them higher. Once posted up against another player the race will align to that of a SL3.

NOTE: requests to raise a player should be in before that night/division is normally posted due to software limitations around updating SLs realtime. In the event the League Office is not able to update a SL higher before league starts you can use another player's name/SL in the app. When doing so you MUST leave a note in scorekeeper or email/text the league with the match # and names that need to be switched out before 10am the next day.

You can submit a "Rule of the Week" to the league office:

• Email to sandiego@apaleagues.com.
• Email Subject Line must read “SDAPA Rule of the Week”
• Clearly state the rule/situation and if you know where the answer is found please provide those details.