South Coast APA Message Board

South Coast APA Message Board

All Forums

South Coast APA

General Discussion

What does the APA mean to you ?

Note: You must be registered in order to post a reply.
To register, click here. Registration is FREE!

Screensize:

UserName:

Password:

Message:

* HTML is OFF
* Forum Code is OFF

Smilies

[quote][i]Originally posted by Rick[/i]
[br]Let me preface this post by saying that the South Coast APA owners , Phil and Taz do a fantastic job , and give great "Bang for your Buck". The website , MVP awards and message board are excellant , and although I only played one season in CA a year and a half ago I still read the message board and keep up with the progress of my old team . However this high standard is not echoed everywhere ,which is why I'm posting this message .
I have been out of the country for a while and on my return have wanted to join my old team in an East Coast state . The franchise is poorly ran , and the players are full of complaints about the owner . I've never been afraid to challange authority and so got in touch with the APA to get advice on how to improve the situation , I was told there was nothing that could be done . There is obviously a lot more to this story but suffice it to say that I was not doing anything that would damage the APA's reputation, just the opposite I wanted the franchise to improve .
The person I spoke with then called the owner , who has now banned me from playing !Talking with many players in this franchise they are not surprised at the owners actions as he has banned and raised skill levels of players who upset him or challenge his authority . I spoke with the APA again , the same woman returned my call , and quite rudely supported the owner . I have also been advised by another owner that the APA will support the franchise owner 99% of the time .
In my opinion I believe that the APA as a governing body should protect the players and the reputation of the game , but it appears that , certainly in this case , the owner has carte blanche to do as he wants ,regardless of the players rights . Add to this that any complaint that is made to the APA could end up with the individual being banned it gives the players no recourse .So what do you think of the APA ? Is it a governing body to help us enjoy the game , or simply a business out to make a buck ?Should franchise owners be better governed ? This one has got away with his behaviour for years through intimidation , something the APA could have rectified easily .
I value and look forward to your comments .
Thanks

[/quote]

Check here to include your profile signature.
Check here to subscribe to this topic.

T O P I C R E V I E W
Rick	Posted - 10/21/2007 : 1:53:04 PM Let me preface this post by saying that the South Coast APA owners , Phil and Taz do a fantastic job , and give great "Bang for your Buck". The website , MVP awards and message board are excellant , and although I only played one season in CA a year and a half ago I still read the message board and keep up with the progress of my old team . However this high standard is not echoed everywhere ,which is why I'm posting this message . I have been out of the country for a while and on my return have wanted to join my old team in an East Coast state . The franchise is poorly ran , and the players are full of complaints about the owner . I've never been afraid to challange authority and so got in touch with the APA to get advice on how to improve the situation , I was told there was nothing that could be done . There is obviously a lot more to this story but suffice it to say that I was not doing anything that would damage the APA's reputation, just the opposite I wanted the franchise to improve . The person I spoke with then called the owner , who has now banned me from playing !Talking with many players in this franchise they are not surprised at the owners actions as he has banned and raised skill levels of players who upset him or challenge his authority . I spoke with the APA again , the same woman returned my call , and quite rudely supported the owner . I have also been advised by another owner that the APA will support the franchise owner 99% of the time . In my opinion I believe that the APA as a governing body should protect the players and the reputation of the game , but it appears that , certainly in this case , the owner has carte blanche to do as he wants ,regardless of the players rights . Add to this that any complaint that is made to the APA could end up with the individual being banned it gives the players no recourse .So what do you think of the APA ? Is it a governing body to help us enjoy the game , or simply a business out to make a buck ?Should franchise owners be better governed ? This one has got away with his behaviour for years through intimidation , something the APA could have rectified easily . I value and look forward to your comments . Thanks
8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Torsten	Posted - 10/25/2007 : 09:59:43 AM Well, my teams don't get out to Ojai too frequently so we'll just have to catch up to you at regionals. take care. "When I die, I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my grandpa -- not screaming like the passengers in his car"
Rick	Posted - 10/24/2007 : 4:35:44 PM Torsten I'm already hooked up , I think , my old team is in Ojai , 15-22 crew and I'm playing for them again in January , and yes , I'm looking forward to it . Thanks Rick
Torsten	Posted - 10/24/2007 : 2:48:59 PM Rick, I think you have the answer you want. We have a great league out here, and Taz and Phil do a great job. So get the eff out here and join up with us!!! It won't be hard for you to find a team. Not only do we have an abundance of teams, but also tons of recreational tournaments that the apa members flock to. We have a great community out here in southcoast. "When I die, I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my grandpa -- not screaming like the passengers in his car"
Rick	Posted - 10/22/2007 : 1:39:02 PM Thanks Tom Well said on many points and the kind of reply I was looking for , unfortunately in this particular league he has a captive audience and so players will put up with his nonsence just to be able to play . After all that's what we all want to do , play the game .
trhxke	Posted - 10/22/2007 : 1:04:14 PM I feel for you Rick and I can tell you are pretty frustrated at that situation. Just my 2 cents worth here. The APA is a business and they are set up to make money. The League Operators are a very diverse group obviously and we are lucky to have Phil & Taz. Their reputation of high integrity is known thru out the area here and I believe thru out the APA as well. Their job is NOT an easy one and not everyone is capable of maintaining the kind of rep Phil and Taz have. You do have to remember 1 thing though regarding the organization and that is "It is NOT a democracy!" There will be misunderstandings and the League Operator needs to have total authority over many issues that will not get resolved in a way that pleases everyone. There in lies the rift.... Once again it takes special people to accept the great responsibility which accompanies such powerful authority. I am reasonably sure the APA has policy to deal with a League Operator that goes to far out side the system but they too have to be very careful to avoid a total mutiny because of the very nature of the beast known as a pool player. I don't envy anyone of these people's task of keeping things together. Some League Operators will abuse their authority and it is up to members such as yourself to just NOT play in that league, file your complaint as you have done then move on and let the chip fall where they may. As the saying goes "What goes around, comes around."! and "Every dog has his day!" The very business of the APA is to recruit and retain members and a League Operator like you have described will probably not last very long or if he does he will get his just due in other ways than loss of membership. Hope when you get back to California you'll find a good clean run operation and be able to just enjoy shoooting pool. Tom Hardinger www.BigRigToys.com Your Internet Source for pool cues, cases, table accessories, darts and various collectibles. www.myspace.com/bigrigtom
D-RACK	Posted - 10/22/2007 : 12:25:22 PM Much respected ...... I believe its a business some are run better then others.... C ya
Rick	Posted - 10/22/2007 : 11:42:32 AM Thanks for your reply D I will be ( hopefully ) returning to play in CA soon and am looking forward to be part of a such a well organised franchise . Just to be clear for all I am simply looking for an idea of what players believe the APA is , a business , governing body or both . I'm not looking for advice on how to deal with my situation as I cannot , nor want to involve others in my problem . Thanks Rick
D-RACK	Posted - 10/22/2007 : 10:18:28 AM Rick- Bummer ...... I really don't know all the details of your situation so i cant say what i think is correct... But once a again you have reminded me of what a professional League I belong to, and how thankfull i am to have been apart of it!!! I think going on 10 years now!! So i hope that your situation improves!! P.S. Thanks Phil & Taz for being who you guys are and doing what you guys do, to allow thousands of members to be apart of something greater then itself! D_RACK

South Coast APA Message Board