~~~~~~~~~NEW ACTION IS SET INTO PLAY~~~~~~~~~~

”SIDE POT”

            The Arkansas Pool Players Association, (APPA), consists of a diverse group of pool players varying in skill level and reason for participating.  Some pool players participate to be able to compete with other good pool players, some like the sport for being economical as far as hobbies go, some play for the camaraderie, some play for the trophies, some for the prize money and some for some of or all of the above.  Over the years a few pool players have voiced their opinion about increasing the prize money for the tournaments (more payback) mainly by increasing entry fees.  However, raising the entry fees is not a good option because the APPA recognizes the need for an economical league for all of its members.  Believe it or not it’s not about the money for the majority or practically all of the APPA members.  If it were they wouldn’t be playing in the APPA.

           In an effort to generate a little more prize money we are going to implement as an option the “SIDE POT”.  Again this is optional, optional for each tournament whether or not the “SIDE POT” is offered and optional for each player whether or not they want to participate.  You could view this as increasing the entry fee for only those who want to play for more prize money.

           At each tournament the players would be offered a “SIDE POT”.  The “SIDE POT” would cost $10.⁰⁰ to enter with $9.⁰⁰ going to the prize fund and $1.⁰⁰ going towards the “Match of the Year”.  The highest finisher in the tournament who is participating in the “SIDE POT” would win the prize fund.  If there was a tie, like say 5^th and 6^th, then the prize fund would be split between the two.  Let’s have some fun!

“Match of the Year” 

I can remember Willie Mossconi playing Minnesota Fats in the Wide World of Sports on ABC or how about Efren Reyes playing Earl Strickland?  It’s fun to watch a good competitive match.  We want to create some of that same aura in the APPA.  So we are going to promote the “Match of the Year”.

During the season members of APPA would be encouraged to nominate two APPA players to play in the “Match of the Year” at the end of the year.  The objective is to have a very classy match including dress-up (pro attire), referee, possible internet feed, and advertising the match for six weeks or so in advance of the match to generate excitement.  The players in the match would be playing for not only the victory but for money generated from the $1.⁰⁰ per entry held back from each “SIDE POT” of every tournament over the entire APPA season and any other sponsors we might be lucky to get to contribute.

Requirements of the nominations and nominated players would be as follows:

1    Sportsmanship is a plus, (remember we want a class act for the    match)

2        Must have participated in at least one “SIDE POT”

3        Must include in the nomination the type of game, length of race, handicap if any (subject to APPA board approval and change if necessary) and the players must agree to the aforementioned as well as to the appropriate attire

4        Must be an APPA member with at least 8 tournaments

5        Must have the name and phone number of the person making the nomination included with the nomination 

The selection process would be as follows:  The APPA Board of Directors would review all nominations for “Match of the Year” and select 2 or 3 possible matches for APPA members to vote on.  This selection would be completed by mid-January then one month for APPA members to vote, tally the votes and make final selection for “Match of the Year” taking us to the middle of February.  The runner-up in the selection process would play the “Match of the Year” in the event the first selection had to cancel.  Tentative scheduling of the “Match of the Year” would be the Friday night before the Harold Schmitt Invitational Tournament.  Let “the match” begin!  It’s on!

So get your thinking caps on and think about who you would like to see play in

"The Match"  

APPA Players!

August 7^th  is the date for our annual $500 added handicapped 8 Ball Kickoff tournament to mark the beginning of the 2010/2011 season.  Beezer's Fine Billiards is the place and 11 am is the deadline for signup.  We have been getting a whole lot of positive feedback and it looks like we are going to have a huge opening tournament. Be sure to be on time and be ready for the action.  It’s going be another very good year for pool in Arkansas!

We have been fortunate to recruit some new board members and this is no doubt, he best group we have ever had.  We have all been working feverishly to get everything in line before the season.  I am happy to announce that Brian Callicott of El Dorado, Daniel Teague from Benton and John James from Mt. Home have agreed to come on board this year.  Three very welcome additions!  Staying on board from last year is Bob Reed as your president, Steve Farley as VP, Billy West will be your statistician and treasurer.  Lisa Marr has agreed to be webmaster again and secretary.  Your other hard working and very dedicated board members are Bob Schmidt, Ken Uttley, Kenny Ridgeway, Larry Dudley and Lynn Smith. 

Along with your new board members have come some new and exciting ideas as well.  Be sure to make the opener where the first of several will be announced.  It is all never-been-tried-before stuff and I am certain you will like it. 

As I mentioned earlier, all of your board members are working hard trying to make the APPA better and more exciting than ever, but don’t ever forget that it is you, the players, that make it all happen   And as far as I am concerned, your continued participation and support for this organization has brought it to be the premier amateur pool playing league anywhere!

The new calendar has been posted on our website so please help us get the word out to everyone and feel free to print out copies of the flyer if you like.

See you at the opener and as always… Keep On Keepin’ On,

Bob Reed, APPA President

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