PDA

View Full Version : Take Action? Problem with League Member



audiopro
02-17-2004, 09:17 AM
Man this had me on fire. Something pretty un-sportsman like happened last night and I want some opinions of people who were not involved as for what action I should take. I am considering writing a letter to the local APA operator and the pool hall manager. Both of which I am good friends with, so taking to formal of an action (Sending Certified Letter) seems a bit much.

Anyway let me preface the story by saying our league play starts at 7:30. At 7:00 we make the tables available to league players for practice. Each set of teams playing for a night will have a game table, and a practice table.

That said I get to the pool hall at about 6:00, talk to Mike, one of the bartenders, about a buddy's bachelor party we're planning. Finishing that conversation Mike gives me the balls to table 14. Back I go to play. I play a couple racks then a buddy shows up and asks to play, to which I of course welcome. We play a few games. Meanwhile the team shows up whose practice table this WILL become. They start practicing on their game table since it is only about 6:20. The lady who captains that team starts mumbling to her teammates how we need to get off that table, and that is there table and blah blah. So, I lose game 3 with my buddy, and head down to start racking. One of her team members had come over earlier to play. My buddy walked away and told me to go ahead and play. Welcoming this to I finish racking and greet my new opponent. He breaks, makes nothing. I shoot a few shots and miss. He takes his turn and misses. Now it gets fun, as I come off the wall I was leaning on to get down for my shot, this lady hussles right in front of me and starts to shoot.

Yikes, about a dozen thoughts ran through my head. Would have liked to smack her upside the head, but of course that's not the right thing to do. So, I quickly grabbed the cue ball, and my sticks and walked back to the bar and explained to Mike what happened. Obviously a bit stunned he told me to just keep the ball until 7:00. Which I did. At 7:00 I brought the ball back up and told her they would probably be able to play a little better with one of these (Meaning the cue).

Now then, this lady has been around a while, and is typically known for very poor behaviour. She is one of these people who as mentioned in another thread, makes the game not fun for many people.

Normally I can brush things off quite easily, it's a pool hall. I understand that. And I understand that it can sometimes bring the wrong element. But this lady is a regular. Who plays on a league. I know that writing a letter may or may not have much effect at all. But I do think it is a step in action being taken to correct this type of thing. Problems with kids who come in on a Friday night is one thing. People who have a small spat over something meanigful even. But for such blatent disrespect... I feel compelled to do something. But am I overreacting? Thats what I want your opinions on, as I have seen there are much more mature people on this board than myself. Who may have experience dealing with this kinda thing.

Ok, I apologize for this being so long, and I am not spell check, so excuse any mis-spellings or poor grammar.

Thanks Guys...

wobster
02-17-2004, 09:43 AM
I have only had this happen once with a kid on friday night. I told him I was shooting and if he wanted to shoot, put quarters on the table. He just looked at me stunned, and left.
That was very disrespectful on her part, but other than telling her to sit her butt down, there isn't a whole lot you or the league ops can do, unless the violations are serious enough to throw her out of the league.

skor
02-17-2004, 10:15 AM
I have to say that I'm amazed with all the posting here about bad behavior in apa league.
I played in an apa league for two years ('97-'98) in NYC, and I never encounterd such problems. league night was always fun and when we were the guest team, we were always got the table to practice before the league started. we usualy came early and stayed later as well and we all used to shoot together.
one of the best things I got from the apa league nights was meeting nice people who liked the game.

audiopro
02-17-2004, 10:24 AM
Well the good news is the good far outweighs the bad ones.. We have about 100 or so players on out Monday night league. We have 16 tables. Usually no problems.. Just every now and then I guess...

The even better news is, although last night started badly.. Ended up having a great night. I lost my APA game, played a lady who just joined so she starts out a 3, but she is easily a 6. She had to win 2 to my 4. But, afterwards played with some friends, and ran circles. Had some drinks, caught up with some people who I have not been able to hang out with much the past few weeks. So all in all I left in a very happy mood that has carried right on over in to today... I love this game! :D

Tanar
02-17-2004, 10:36 AM
I think your taking the cueball so they couldn't play was a good move. Beyond that, I wouldn't bother about it. There are people out there like that and if you take it all personally, you are gonna have a lot of conflicts on your hands. Next time I would say something along the lines of, "excuse me, but I was playing a game there. If you would like to play, you are welcome to play the winner." You're being polite yet assertive and most people will respect that. If she tells you to piss off, then you have something to work off with the league. Otherwise, blow it off and know you did the right thing.

Normally before our league starts everybody is on whichever table and we just play in with each other. Most of us like it as we then get more practice time with different players.

That's my personal opinion.

parrothead
02-17-2004, 01:08 PM
I say shoot her. :twisted:

Just kidding of course. There is probably nothing you can do about it, people like that don't seem to change ever. In our league the tables are reserved at 6:00pm for league, which starts at 7:00. Seldom does anyone come in and play on the labled tables even though up until 6:00 they could do so if they wanted. It is a pain when you want to get in a little practice, but hey you have to put up with it.

audiopro
02-17-2004, 02:22 PM
lol... Goes right along with breaking the sandbaggers legs!

But darn't... I just don't think we'll get away with it...

It truly amazes me though how miserable some people can be. And you know what.. Now that I think of it, I think her showing her ass like she did suits me just fine. Everyone who was around could not believe it. Their jaw just dropped.. I am sure she noticed that everyone, even her teammates, we're dissapointed in her act.