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MNGopher
USA
54 Posts |
 Posted - 02/01/2007 : 10:35:59 AM
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At risk of getting my captain in trouble again...
My SL2 has 4 balls remaining to 1 ball for her opponent SL3. It's hill/hill. A great defensive shot by my player leaves her opponent completely blocked in & her remaining object balls are in very good position to run the table should her opponent foul.
After a timeout & advice from his captain, her opponent then intentionally fouls (he hit her ball directly with no attempt to hit his sole remaining object ball at the far end of the table) & in doing so knocks 2 of her balls out of position. The intent was obvious...
Is it just bad sportsmanship? Part of the game? Is it something that my captain should report?
Oh ya, this time I took out the book & looked but couldn't find anything regarding "intentional fouls" or "sportsmanship".
In the end, my teammate won the match 
p.s. I understand my captain was taken to task after my 45 degree post. For the record - Jim wasn't there that night & as much as I love to blame him for everything that goes wrong on our team - he's innocent on that screw up. 
"I want large bread" Nigel Tufnel |
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rhaydt
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2007 : 10:52:31 AM
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| This is a common strategy. Take notes. |
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bikercowboy
105 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2007 : 10:52:55 AM
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| Definitely part of the game, in my mind. Although you will run into comments, espicially <sp> when playing some players out of other league systems. But getting back to question at hand, the rule book describes all the fouls, but does not make a special case for intentional. Intent makes it a defensive shot just like picking the 8 ball and handing it to your opponent to avoid a scratch |
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Torsten
USA
401 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2007 : 11:03:47 AM
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There is nothing "bad sportsmanship" about that. You do, however, have to mark that as a defensive shot since there was no attempt made by the player to legally pot a ball. I also recommend you take note of the strategy used, as it can come in great handy when a standard defensive shot (trying to hook your opponent) is either impossible or far-fetched.
"The downside of being better than everyone is that people tend to assume you're pretentious." |
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MNGopher
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2007 : 11:17:59 AM
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Thanks everyone for the input. It was noted as a defensive shot. It actually makes sense that it is a smart strategic move.
"Notes" taken
The only stupid question is one not asked - or my next post!
"I want large bread" Nigel Tufnel |
Edited by - MNGopher on 02/01/2007 11:35:39 AM |
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Taz
USA
555 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2007 : 2:46:56 PM
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MNGopher,
Actually, your captain attended our top shooter tournament and was asked what rule he was thinking of (okay, so I probably said something like "what the heck were you thinking?") in order to clarify any misconception that he might've had. He was asked because your post said “…& my capt calls it…”. The league office was simply investigating to make sure we didn’t have a “rogue” captain out there making up fouls (hard to believe, I know, but it’s happened before) or a captain who was confused between the APA Rules & Local Bylaws and those that govern other leagues. It often occurs that a player believes something is a foul because someone else called it on them, and they were under the assumption that it was.
As to this matter, there was nothing unsportsmanlike in this situation, just a well thought out strategic move. Remember, in the APA, the definition of a defensive shot is not a safety or hiding the cue ball, but rather “no intent to pocket a ball”. A safety is always a defensive shot; however, a defensive shot is not always a safety. Some people will squawk at this type of move, but it is lack of knowledge and understanding of defense and strategy – nothing more.
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Edited by - Taz on 02/01/2007 2:48:29 PM |
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Torsten
USA
401 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2007 : 4:27:30 PM
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I just thought I would throw this in there. Don't feel silly for asking the questions. I actually employed this exact strategy in one of my matches at the end of last season and as a direct result I won the match (one of the very few ) I had an exchange with one of my players that went something like this.
Him: Why would you intentionally hit his ball
Me: I had not shot at the 8 so I wanted to make his runout more difficult.
Him: But wouldn't you rather take a looney shot with a great chance of scratching and little chance of success?
Me: No. Why would I take a big chance when chance of success is minimal.
Him: Because chicks like those shots
Me: You're a moron.
Him: My mom says the same thing.
I took some creative liberties there, but you get the point.
"The downside of being better than everyone is that people tend to assume you're pretentious." |
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MNGopher
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2007 : 12:39:14 PM
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Good one - thanks Torsten.
I wish I could say I've never taken the "impress the chicks shot" over the right play, but alas I cannot. My New Year's resolution has been to save that impulse for non-league nights. So far, so good.
Wait 'til next week I ask about the "push rule" I keep hearing about from know-it-all 6's & 7's. shhh don't tell anyone. 
Overall, I've learned a few important points from my first couple of questions:
1.) Get to know my rule book a little (or a lot) better.
2.) Have my capt call Taz when in doubt...
3.) Teams take you much more seriously after a successful season
Taz - the ribbing Jim gave me was all in good fun...we all rank pretty high on the give each other s&*t scale. I promised him that I wouldn't get him in trouble again. Heck, he'll sit me down for a week if I do!
"I want large bread" Nigel Tufnel |
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Intentional Fouls
