Phoenix T.A.P. provides an e-Newsletter that highlights upcoming news and events, addresses player questions and clarifies T.A.P. rules as situations arise during league night.  This type of information is helpful because certain situations only happen occasionally.  In this section, you will find highlights from all of the past newsletter.

Scoresheets:
Remember - ALL areas of the score sheets need to be filled out completely and legibly to ensure accuracy.  Please take a moment at the end of the night to check that the proper team # is listed on the top of the score sheet (if the number isn't there, we can't determine which teams score sheet it is).  Also, please don't forget last names, ID #'s, H/C, and "Race to."

Table Assignments for In-House Divisions
Table assignments are based on the team match-ups on the Team Schedule. Tables have been designated based on the match-ups prior to the start of the league. When you arrive to play, please ask for one of your designated tables so switching does not need to occur later. To make it easier to determine, tape or write your schedule on the back of the packet so any player on your team can pick up the balls for the correct table when they arrive.  If you are on the wrong table, it is your responsibility to move and let that team have it.  There shouldn?t be any arguing if you've taken the correct table.

In an open table situation, a player calls a pocket, makes the ball and scratches. That player now has that category of balls
This rule is dictated by T.A.P. and it cannot be modified.  This guideline has merit because the player called the pocket and completed the shot (a skill shot). The fact they scratched has nothing to do with making the ball they called -- it's just poor cue ball control. The advantage to their opponent is that they now have ball-in-hand.  When this happens, it's to the opponents benefit to have the opportunity to do some damage of their own and possibly run out. Wouldn't you rather have ball-in-hand, then your opponent not scratching and still shooting?  Also, this rule is different than what players are accustomed to. It's new. Human nature dictates resistance to change.

Team Captain's - Weekly Newsletters:
If there are players on your team who do not have e-mail, please print them a copy of our newsletters. If you are unable to do so and would like a hard copy for those players, please indicate on the back of your score sheet. We want to be sure that everyone has the opportunity to read them. 

"Forfeits" - How To Document On The Scoresheet:
When recording a "forfeit" on the score sheet?DO NOT write your players name and I.D. number!  Write the words "Open Stats" for the winning team and mark the "W" for the win.  Write the word "Forfeit" for the losing team, and mark the "L" for the loss.  The reason a specific player does not get credit with the win is because they did not actually play the match. 

Adding & Dropping Players:
Please remember to list all added or dropped players to the back of the score sheet.  If they are not listed, they will not be added to the roster and their statistics for that week will go into "Open Stats." If you are adding a player to your team, who is an existing T.A.P. member, DO NOT list that player as "New" on the score sheet.  List that player as "EXIST" if you don?t know their T.A.P. identification number.  "New" means the player has never played in the T.A.P. league before.  They may be new to your team, but they are not new to the league.  If you list them as "New" they will be given a second I.D. number, which will create problems with their statistics.

Weekly Packet Pick-up (Travel Divisions)
Each week, our goal is to deliver the weekly packets as soon as we receive updated rosters from T.A.P. Corporate.  In most cases, we are able to deliver the packets the day before you play.  However, there are times when the corporate office may be running behind with the data.  If you plan to pick your packet up the day before you play, please give Robert a call at (602) 613-7975 to make sure they have been delivered.  We don't want you to be inconvenienced.

Scoresheet Review:

TEAM NUMBER
At the top of the score sheet, it states "Team #."  This is where your team number goes (dah).  For example, A-1, B-2, C-3, etc.  USE YOUR DESIGNATED TEAM NUMBER. Please do not use the 4-digit team number indicated on the roster.  This number is only for corporate use.  Indicate both teams playing by using the letter of your division, where it states "Letter" and number of your team, where it states "Number."

HANDICAP RACE GRID
Please be sure you are following the race grid!  Several teams have mistakenly written down the wrong "Race To" information.  We cannot score it properly without the proper information.

PLAYER I.D. NUMBERS
Some players have not been credited proper information on their stats, because somebody wrote down the wrong I.D. number for that player.  Please be sure to double-check your players I.D. numbers. 

WINS AND LOSSES
We've recently had a number of teams not credited for the proper win/loss record for the week.  The reason for this 100% of the time is because the "W" and "L" were marked backwards.  If you win, you get the "W" if you lose, you get the "L."  Make sure the "Game Won" box for one player equals the "Game Loss" box of the other player.  If they don't, the player's stats will be incorrect.

The T.A.P. Pool league offers many singles tournament events designed for every player, no matter what their handicap.  These tournaments are a great opportunity for all players to have a great time, meet other players in the league, gain experience, improve skills, and have an opportunity to win money and/or prizes.  If you or you team are not familiar with how these tournaments work, here is a brief explanation:

1) The T.A.P. singles tournaments are played just like your league night using the handicap system.  All rules are the same.

2) The T.A.P. singles tournament for the trophy division players has two separate boards, two separate winners, one for handicap ratings of 2, 3, & 4.  One for the 5, 6, & 7's.  The 2's, 3's and 4's will never play the 5's, 6's and 7's. This increases the chances for all players to win within your own handicap bracket.  EVERYONE IS GOOD ENOUGH TO PLAY!

3) The T.A.P. singles tournaments are run modified single elimination format, which means it is double elimination for the first two rounds.  Once you reach the 3rd round on the winner's side, it becomes single elimination.

We encourage all players to participate, please check the calendar of events for tournament information.  Again, these tournaments are a great experience for all levels of players in the league?and a whole lot of fun!   We look forward to seeing ALL of you at future tournaments.

Rules Clarifications:

Scratch on an open table:
After the break in an open table situation, the shooting player calls a specific ball in a specific pocket. They make the ball but scratch the cue ball. That player now has that category of balls, but gives up ball in hand to their opponent. It is no longer an open table.

8 on the break & L.O.T.
If a player makes the (8) on the break, they are credited with (1) MOB and the win. In this case there are (7) stripes and (7) solids left on the table. Each player receives (7) balls in their LOT box. They are split evenly. If a player were to make the (8) and the (14). for example, they would be credited with (2) MOB and (6) LOT. Their opponent would receive (7) LOT's. The winning player is always credited with the lowest count of balls left on the table.

Marking the table
There is nothing in the rulebook that states the shooter cannot mark the table before shooting. The coach, in a time out situation, definitely CANNOT mark the table. The question is: should the shooter be able to?  I would like to hear your thoughts on this one. Please e-mail me your vote. (YES, marking is fine) (NO, marking not allowed).

Calling the pocket
The shooter calls the corner pocket, but is really shooting for the side. (verbal mistake). Do they win or lose the game? There are several scenarios for this one. Let's try and use good judgment and sportsmanship to determine the calls. Remember, the game belongs to the players on the table. This is a risk of not marking your pocket and the two shooters made that decision before the match started. Clarify with your opponent if you are not sure.

-If it is totally obvious which pocket they were shooting for they win.
-If they pointed to the side and called the corner they win.
-Calling these two a loss would be out of line and a cheap way to win a game.

If the ball could go in either of two pockets then it would be a loss. The shooter could have changed their mind at the last minute and forgot to change their call.

If the shooter pointed their cue in a position that wasn't clear and both players are in disagreement, then the non-shooting player has the option of a re-rack. It is the shooting players responsibility to be clear on the pocket they intend to make the 8 ball.

There may be more situations not covered here, but I can't think of them. The point is, if a shooter earned the game, give it to them. If it is questionable, then don't; but be honest with your judgment. Do the right thing if this happens to your team.

A LETTER FROM THE LEAGUE DIRECTOR
I'd like to talk again about the 45-second shot clock, and 1-minute time outs.  The 45-second shot clock is a benchmark for the amount of time a player has to execute his shot.  Some shots, on average, take less than 45 seconds and some take more.  The idea here is, that on average, the time should not exceed 45 seconds.  In other words, if a player takes 20 seconds on one shot and a minute on another, they are not in violation of the shot clock rule.  On numerous occasions, I have personally timed players who were reported as taking too much time to shoot.  After timing several shots, I approached the player who questioned it and asked them how much time the player had taken.  In almost every case, the perception of time was greater than the actual time.  The point is, 45 seconds is a long time and can often be perceived as being over a minute.  If you believe a player is exceeding the shot clock, time them yourself to determine if your perception is accurate.  If a player is repeatedly exceeding 45 seconds, than you should approach the team's captain with a friendly warning.  Or, you can page me and I will issue the warning for you.  Once the warning has been issued, if the player does not speed it up, than they subject themselves to a ball-in-hand foul.  This doesn't mean that once the warning has been issued that one shot taking longer than 45 seconds warrants a ball-in-hand foul.  What it does means is, the average of all of their subsequent shots should be 45 seconds or less.  Use good judgment, don't be nit-picky, and above all else, be fair and show good sportsmanship

A LETTER FROM THE LEAGUE DIRECTOR
A brief note on "commitment" and  "courtesy."   If you signed up to play on a team, then you have made a commitment to be on time each week and complete the 14-week session.  We all have unexpected situations in our lives that sometimes prevent us from meeting our commitments.  If you can't make it one night, or are going to be late, or even need to quit the team, you should show enough courtesy and respect for your teammates to call them and let them know in advance of the next week's play.   Every week I get at least one phone call from some team who has a player that is a no-show.  This is about courtesy - it only requires a simple phone call.  Please take the time to make that phone call to your team captain.  Don't leave your team "hanging out to dry."

Note to the team captains:  It is also your responsibility that everyone on your team has your phone numbers and knows how to get hold of you.  It is also important that all team players have exchanged phone numbers.  Here's my suggestion-everyone has a business card in their wallet that they no longer need-use the back of it and write down the team members phone numbers so you will always have them with you.

COACHING RULE REVIEW
All players receive 2 one-minute time-outs per game.  The only persons who can call a time out are the shooting player, or the designated coach.  Handicap (2) level players additionally receive unlimited coaching assistance within the 45-second shot clock. 
There can only be one designated coach per player per match.  You cannot change coaches during the match unless receiving approval from your opponent.

During a time out, the only people allowed at the table are the player and the coach and another player from the team that may want to give advise on that particular shot to the coach.  This is the only time a third person can be at the table.  Members from the team are NOT allowed to walk up to the table unless a time out has been called.  Walking up to the table to look at it during a non-time out situation is disruptive to the two players at the table - and ILLEGAL. Remember, the match belongs to the two players, not the spectators.

You cannot have a conversation with your player while they are at the table.  You can, however, talk to the player when it is not their turn.  As soon as the cue ball comes to rest that player's shot is officially over, and officially the next players shot.  There are only TWO things that any player on the team can communicate to the shooting player during their shot at the table.  They are:

§         Mark your pocket

§         Ball-in-hand foul

Time outs are a privilege and should not be abused. If anyone on the team violates any of the above rules, they subject their team to a ball-in-hand foul penalty.  This is also a game of skill and part of the skill of the game is that you only have one minute to talk over strategy with your coach and then you are forced to make a shot - whether you're finished talking about the shot or not.  This is one of the reasons time outs are only 1 minute each.  The other reason is that it is not fair for your opponent to wait an unreasonable amount of time waiting for you to shoot.

Let me clarify a few things; however, so we don't have any unnecessary arguments.
 - If you think a player has marked the table, politely tell them it is not allowed.
 - Marking the table "IS NOT" a ball in hand foul.

A LETTER FROM THE LEAGUE DIRECTOR
I've had several (too many) comments in the past few weeks about two issues; 1) barking from the gallery, and 2) approaching the table while players are shooting.  These need to be addressed immediately because it appears these two incidents happen too often and players are getting irritated. It?s a sportsmanship issue.

First of all, the issue of BARKING, "Watch the hit!" or "Call a time Out" etc., by someone on a team, other than the two players, during a match.  All of us have to remember "it's the PLAYERS responsibility to have a hit watched -not  the other people around them!

If you think a hit should be watched, communicate to the coach, and the coach can communicate to HIS/HER player, and HIS/HER player can, then, communicate it to the opponent. Those are the options. It is the player's responsibility to pay attention to his or her own match. If it is not done this way, it is distracting to the players and considered a form of sharking "CHEATING" and is not acceptable in the T.A.P. organization.  You also run the risk of giving the other player a ball-in-hand foul by talking to your player.  Let the players win or lose on their own, based on their abilities, not interference from the gallery. If this occurs the opposing Captain should issue one warning. If it happens again, a ball in hand foul can be called. Keep in mind that we have just introduced over 20 new teams to the league. All of them are adjusting to our rules and may forget some from time to time. This isn't about looking for ball I hand fouls but rather, training everyone to play the game correctly and follow sportsmanship etiquette. Use good judgment when confronted with this situation. It's not worth starting an argument over. If you need me to intervene and deliver the warning or explain the rule to the opposing team, just call me. The objective is to keep the fun in the game.

In addition, the player has the responsibility to say to his opponent BEFORE HE IS DOWN SHOOTING HIS SHOT,  "if you plan to shoot that particular ball, I want someone to watch the hit." You know in advance where a potentially close hit will be. If your opponent is looking at that option, let them know you want the hit watched if they chose that shot. That's good sportsmanship. That alone puts additional pressure on the shooter.

There are only two things that anyone on the team can say to their teammate while they are shooting.  They are: 1)  Mark your pocket, and, 2) Ball-in-hand foul

If the team wants to compliment either shooter by saying "nice shot" or something similar, that's fine; however ANY OTHER COMMENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED!

The second issue; approaching (walking behind, around, or anywhere close to) a player's table to see where a ball is lying is unacceptable!  Again, this is very distracting to both players at the table and can be a form of sharking.  Stay seated and let the players and coach manage the match.

Because there will always be a winner and a loser in every match; first and foremost, we need to uphold the values of good sportsmanship which means knowing the rules of the game, and interacting in a positive way, with other people who love the game as much as we do.