Rule of the Week - New Players Skill Levels

September 9, 2024 4:37 PM

by San Diego APA

Rule of the Week - New Players Skill Levels

September 9, 2024 4:37 PM

by San Diego APA


Situation: My new player who started as a skill level 3 but after 1 match is now a skill level 5. Is this correct?

Yes, it is not unusual for a new player's skill level to fluctuate during the first few weeks. A player’s skill level is not considered established until they have 10 actual match scores in that format on their record. Penalties may be assessed at the discretion of Local League Management for starting a player of known ability as a new player.

To add based on Bylaw and MVP rules we strongly encourage teams to start players who are better higher than the starting SL3. This is to be fair and avoid potential penalties for both the player and/or team.

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 21-22 “New Players”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf

Addition information
MVP: https://sandiego.apaleagues.com/CustomPage.aspx?q=3049 
Bylaws (under "Adding Players"): https://apa-by-laws.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/921_bylaws_2024.pdf 

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.


CaliMex will be at the Team Captain Tournament
4/2/26 - 5:14 pm
🌮 Fuel Up with CaliMex Cocina this Saturday! Join us at The Break Room this Saturday, April 4th, for some incredible food to power you through the Team Captain Qualifier. Whether you’re competing or just there for the atmosphere, CaliMex Cocina will be serving up fresh favorites from 10 AM to 5 PM. On the Menu: Breakfast Burrito ($14): Egg, bell pepper, onion, cheese, and potato. Taco S
Lagging - Rule of the Week
3/30/26 - 5:00 pm
Situation: Both players don't lag at the approx same time, is this a re-lag? No, only the following conditions will result in a re-lag: If the lagged balls make contact with each other, both players fail to strike the foot rail during the lag, or a ball stops in the jaw of a pocket, re-lag. Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 44 section 1 “Lagging”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual
Eligibility: Playoffs, Tri-Annuals and World Qualifiers
3/25/26 - 7:00 am
Match Requirements for Eligibility Related to Playoffs, Tri-Annuals, and World Qualifiers 4 Matches on that team by the end of the regular session (associated with the Tri-Annuals being run) → Eligible for Playoffs for that team. 6 Matches Lifetime in that format by the end of the session (associated with the Tri-Annuals being run; playoff matches in that session count toward the 6) → Eli