Sportsmanship Award Recipient
Tim Lass
by: Gary Donahoe

Division D (West Side Tuesday In-House) had to move from SixShooters to River City Pockets while the lease was under negotiations.  The space was very cramped at most of the tables.  There were many times that cues, team members and chairs had to be moved to be able to make unobstructed shots.  The situation was not good, but, for the most part, everyone had been patient and cooperative. 

On May 6, 2008, I (Gary Donahoe) played Tim Lass.  He is a "3" handicap and I am a "4" - a 2/3 race.  Tim won the first game.  During the second game, we were both down to the 8-ball.  Tim missed and then I had a shot.  It wasn't an easy shot, but one that I was confident I could make.  Unfortunately, the cue ball was in a position that my stance and cue were obstructed by a table, cue case and other players' cues.  We were able to move some of the things, but my stroke was still obstructed by a table that could not easily be moved.  I proceeded to play the shot by altering my stance and grip.  The result was that I completely missed the 8-ball.  Tim had every right to take a ball-in-hand and could have won the game and match simply by pocketing an easy shot on the 8-ball.  Rather than doing that, he conceded that it was likely that I could have made the shot if not for the obstructions and, therefore, gave me the win.  He did not have to do that, but he said it just didn't seem fair to win in that fashion.  This was a great display of sportsmanship by a player who is always a gentlemen.

Congratulations Tim - It's players like you who make all TAP players have an enjoyable experience playing the game they love!

COMMENDATION FOR LEO BERRIOS
Sportsmanship Award Recipient
January, 2007

Leo Berrios displayed a true act of honesty and sportsmanship that makes him deserving of this award.  Leo plays in two barbox divisions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays nights.  His stats came back for Tuesday and he had moved up to a handicap 7.  When the Wednesday stats came back, he was listed as a handicap 6.  Rather than trying to play as a six for one more week, he e-mailed the TAP office to find out if that was a mistake and if he should play as a 7.  We checked with the corporate office and due to a computer glitch, the handicap on the Wednesday division did not flip over to a 7 when it should have.  The result was that Leo played as a 7 both nights.  Leo's main concern was that he played at the correct handicap with no other concern other than being fair.  For that, we are proud to give him the TAP sportsmanship award.

Mario Herrera Receives Sportsmanship Award By His Peers!

Congratulations to Mario Herrera, who plays on Thursday's at Dukes in Scottsdale, for being nominated and receiving a sportsmanship trophy for his honesty and courtesy while playing another team in his division. 

During play, Mario called a "ball-in-hand foul" on himself after realizing he hit a ball that was frozen.  The other team didn't even notice, but Mario said, "I don't want to win by taking a foul" and handed the ball to his opponent.  The other team appreciated Mario's high level of integrity and wanted to make sure that he got the recognition he deserved.

Congratulations Mario!  It's players like you who make it a pleasure to play in the TAP organization.