Rules F.A.Q.

 
Below is a list of common rule questions that arise during the course of a season. For a complete listing of ALL rules, please refer to the Official Rule Booklet.
  


THE GHOST RULE

 
APA ghost ruleDEFINITION
If a team is short a player on a designated league night, their opponents may allow them to use the “Ghost” rule. The “Ghost” rule allows the team that is short a player to play a player twice in the same match.


CRITERIA
The following criteria must be followed when using the “ghost” rule:

a. OPPONENTS HAVE THE OPTION OF ALLOWING A GHOST OR FORCING A FORFEIT
Teams that have their full roster
DO NOT HAVE TO ALLOW their opponents to ghost. But under certain circumstances, it may be advantageous to allow them (for example - your team needs a sweep to generate enough points to improve your standings more than you would get from receiving one forfeit).
 
b. NOTIFICATION PRIOR TO START OF 1ST MATCH
Teams must notify their opponents of the need to use/or potential need to use a “ghost” as soon as possible, preferably before play starts or during 1st match. Ghost matches can take place as any point during the night if it is approved and deemed nessecary by the opponent team.

d. 23 RULE MUST BE RESPECTED
The player chosen to play the “ghost” match must still allow the team to comply with the 23-Rule (or “4-19 Rule” if it applies to the team in question). The “ghost” player selection may be any handicap level but the choice may not force the 23-Rule to be broken.
 
e. FULL TEAM FEES ARE STILL DUE
Full team fees are still due if the “ghost” rule is used in a team match.
 
f. GHOSTING LIMIT
Teams are limited to 2 ghosts per night of play
 
g. RESPECT THE INTENT
The ghost rule is not meant for teams to get an edge and take advantage of the system. And so, a player may not be sent home and/or made unavailable so that a team may request a “ghost” from their opponent. Attempts to take advantage of the “ghost” rule should be reported to your Division Representative who will pass it on to the league office.

A team that has enough players present is not allowed to use the “ghost” rule not even to stay within the 23-Rule. They have to play a player that has not yet played in the match and if they cannot field a team with the 5 or more players present and abide by the 23-Rule or the 4-19 Rule, the result with be forfeit(s) at the point the 23-Rule is broken.
 
h. ONLY DURING REGULAR SEASON
“Ghosts” will NOT be allowed during playoffs or during any Higher Level Tournament play.
 
I. BOTH TEAMS MAY GHOST
Both teams may utilize the “ghost” rule on the same night if necessary. In this situation, teams will stay in rotation regarding player selection.

WHERE GHOSTING IS ALLOWED

League

Ruling


Bayonne

Final 4 weeks not allowed

Jersey City

Final 4 weeks not allowed

 Hoboken

 Final Week not allowed

Harrison/Kearny

League Area not active currently
 
 

 

LATE SEASON SUBSTITUTIONS - AFTER WEEK 10


Roster edits are allowed up until Week 10, and all players are still required to get 5 matches for playoffs/tricup.
 
Any edits after week 10 must be purely due to team integrity issues, due to death, players moving, or other events that are causing a team to need to ghost multiple times every week. 
 
 

CLOSE HITS

 
close hitsPotential bad hit situations are usually fairly obvious. Disputes over these situations can almost always be avoided by having a third party, agreed upon by both shooters, watch the shot. The sitting team should protect itself by stopping the game prior to the shot. The shooter is required to stop if their opponent wants the shot watched. Once an agreed upon third party is asked to watch the shot, their call will stand and cannot be disputed.
 
In general, the shooter has the advantage in close hit situations. If the outside party cannot determine which ball was struck first, such as a simultaneous hit, the call goes to the shooter. Teams involved in repeatedly calling bad hits without third party verification may be subject to a sportsmanship violation and possibly a loss of points at the discretion of Local League Management.

NOTE: If a third party is not asked to watch the hit, and the hit is disputed, the call will tend to favor the shooter.


  

ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHING THE CUE BALL

 

It is a foul if the shooter accidentally touches the cue ball, before executing the shot UNLESS its:

● touched by a shirt or hair & the ball c.b. doesn’t move
● already a ball in hand already and the c.b. doesn’t touch another ball



  

8 BALL BREAK CLARIFICATIONS

 

To clear up confusion about 8 ball breaks:

If only one category (stripe vs solid) is pocketed on the break, and there is not a scratch, the breaker is now that category.

  If both categories are pocketed, and no scratch, then the table is still open. 
 

 

PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS

 
4 TEAM DIVISIONS
First place team in the division will play the wildcard winner for a Tri-Cup spot.

5-7 TEAM DIVISIONS
First place team in the division will earn an automatic Tri-Cup spot; Second place team in the division will play the wild card winner for a Tri-Cup spot.
8-10 TEAM DIVISIONS
First place team in the division will earn an automatic Tri-Cup spot; Second place in the division will play the wild card winner; and Third place in the division will play the Fourth-place team.


11-13 TEAM DIVISIONS
First place team in the division will earn an automatic Tri-Cup spot; Second place in the division will play the wild card winner; Third place in the division will play the sixth-place team; fourth place will play fifth place.
 
14-16 TEAM DIVISIONS
 First place team in division will earn an automatic Tricup spot; Second place in the division will play wild card; third place will play eighth place; fourth place will play seventh place; fifth place will play sixth place.
 
MATCHES NEEDED TO PARTICIPATE IN TRI OR GOLD CUPS
To participate in Tri or Gold Cups, a player must have 10 lifetime matches played AND a minimum of 5 matches on the team that qualified.
 
  

 

PLAYOFF TIE BREAKERS

 
1. Match points earned between the 2 teams. If there are multiple teams tied, then the sum of all points earned versus all other teams during the season.
2.  In the event of a tie for first place, the league will try to qualify both teams to tricup if possible and discuss the matter with the division reps of the division.
 
 
 

Didn't find what you're looking for here?
Then please refer to the
Official Rule Booklet