Secondly, we are concerned about the well being of our family - our players - our Host Locations. Based on current information and updates from the National Office, IF we have to suspend play, we will. However, we will not make this decision lightly because we acknowledge that league play is almost everyone's "get away" from the stress of everyday life. We also do not want to take unnecessary steps that might endanger the survival of our Host Location's businesses. Where would you have to play if they were to close down?
Fortunately, the virus is currently NOT as large a threat in our area and state. So, at this time all APA of North Alabama league play matches and tournaments will take place as scheduled. The packets will be available to you at your Pickup Locations for you to play. Keep in mind that we are not a full contact sport which can cause this type of virus to spread. Even so, COMMON SENSE and CAUTION is always needed. Take the steps as outlined in the flier to avoid getting infected: wash your hands before and after a match, do not attend league play if you are sick, have been out of the country in the last two weeks, or are in the high risk categories, and do NOT shake hands after a match (maybe we should just bow to each other!).
The APA National Office has had a live stream with the entire League Operator Network everyday since last Thursday and will continue to do so as more information becomes available. This is a FLUID situation and changes are possible each day. We will keep you posted on any and all information regarding the World Poolplayer Championships.
Gypsy joined the Rocket City Pool League (the original name of the APA of North Alabama) 24 years ago. The computerized records do not show what team or host location she played on THEN but starting in 2001 (when the computerized records DO start) she played out of the Sports Page on an 8 Ball Team named P.S.S.S.,in 2007 she joined On Cue (also 8 Ball only) out of Steve's Cue & Grill which she remained on until her passing (now THAT is TEAM LOYALTY!), in 2011 she added a 9 Ball Team, The Wolf Pack, that played out of Chips & Salsa and then later out of Steve's Cue & Grill, she also played on a Ladies team, Hot Beaches, for one year long session in 2012. Starting in 2018, she began playing 8 Ball only again with, yes, On Cue. Out of 72 sessions in her 24 years of play, Gypsy only took 1 session off when her WHOLE On Cue team did in Fall 2010.Gypsy attended 12 World Qualifiers (Cities) throughout her time with the APA of North Alabama. She achieved that of a skill level 4 as her highest skill level in BOTH formats. A couple of things that I can, PERSONALLY, say about Gypsy is this: FIRST, regardless of how SHE was feeling, she kept on going AND with a smile on her face. I remember having a conversation with her a long while back and I might not be quoting EXACTLY but it boils down to this - you can wake up in the morning and DECIDE what attitude to have because THAT is CHANGEABLE but you can't take back or change what IMPRESSION someone has on you because of the PERSONALITY you inflicted on them. Okay, I am pretty sure that I am using the wrong word on the 2nd part, but you get my drift. I thought that was pretty wise advise. SECOND, SHE encouraged the rest of her team to participate in the "other" stuff we (the league) offered - Captain/Co-Captain Appreciation Event - That is the FREE thank you present to our Captains and Co Captains and is NOT a doubles tournament but is singles, Top Guns (that was MVP's ORIGINAL name), you name it. All because she recognized that her team was qualifying a lot of their players in these extras and should take advantage in the programs. Smart Lady! Friends who wish to send condolence cards to her son can do so through us (via their team packets) and we will make sure he get them. Please pray and give condolences to her On Cue Family: Doug Pennington, Keith Losset, Wally Olszewski, Andrew James, Drew Edmonson, Chris Skinner, and Sharanna Bridges. Also, please do not forget the WHOLE Steve's Cue & Grill Family and Division 020 and us. Thank you.Billy Berry passed away Tuesday, May 29th, 2019 in the morning at his home. Billy had been battling cancer and remained in good spirits throughout the end. He was touched by the league wide turnout of his pool family and friends to assist in him for his medical needs. Greg Thomas had spoken to him the day before and reported that Billy sounded good. Our prayers go out to Billy's wife and nephew, Chad and the rest of Billy's friends and family. Service arrangements are at the end of this memorial. Billy started playing league in 2008 out of Shooters on 9 on the Break, which turned into Double Jeopardy the following session with the sister name of 8 on the Break. In 2011, the team moved to Chips & Salsa and Billy added 2 teams that played out of Bumpers, Freight Train and Cloud 9's. In 2012, he started playing out of Diamonds when Freight Train changed host locations. In 2016, he played for Billy's Sports Bar on 9 Ball Mafia. In 2017, he played for Steve's Cue & Grill when Freight Train changed to the Once A Month format. Also starting in Spring 2017, Billy started playing on weekly, standard teams only at Chips & Salsa. So, in a way, Billy Berry...PLAYED PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE! Billy was also a Team Captain in 2013 and 2014. He also attended "The Big Show" also known as The World Pool Championship, THREE times, ALL in the 8 Ball format, TWICE with "8 on The Break" and once with Gambler's Anonymous in the years of 2010, 2013, and 2015. He shot in EIGHTEEN World Qualifiers (aka Cities, aka Road to Vegas). His computerized lifetime match total was 988 played but with the extra events such as MVP, Team Captain/Co Captain that he participated in, we are sure that he reached that 1000 matches played.The last time I saw Billy was at his Fundraiser. I was so impressed by the amount of players who attended. And I was LATE, I was told there were many more at the beginning. I hugged him and felt like I couldn't do it too tightly or I might break him. We BOTH teared up. I had to lean in close to hear what he was saying but he could not believe everyone was there "for me??". We talked about extended family and the community we are. Jamie Lack came up and just reaffirmed our whole conversation. It was a beautiful moment that I will carry with me always. Rest in Peace, Billy.Billy's visitation will be Friday, November 1 from 6pm-8pm with his Funeral to be held Saturday, November 2 at 1pm at the Hazel Green Funeral Home. Karen Luck passed away Sunday, October 26, 2019 at Huntsville Hospital. Karen had Lupus and had been struggling the last couple of weeks with fluid retention. She had been in the hospital twice in the last nine days and was waiting to go to Birmingham for liver tests. Saturday she was admitted again because she was having trouble breathing and her platelets were extremely low. The medication given to her to assist her breathing, also effected her kidneys, so she had to be taken off that and the fluid retention has escalated too high for anything to be done for her. Karen first started playing APA in 2008 but then stopped until she formed her own team in 2013 out of Steve's Cue & Grill. From 2013 she played without stop. She played Tuesday 8 Ball and Thursday 9 Ball. In 2014, she switched to Double Jeopardy out of Chips & Salsa. In 2015, she added a Steve's Ladies Team to her play as well as went back to single format out of Steve's Cue & Grill where she remained until her passing. Karen played in SIX World Qualifiers in which she was the Team Captain for two of those Teams. Karen achieved a skill level 4 in both formats. She also was very strategic in put ups. During one World Qualifier, I remember asking her why she played a line up a certain way and I was impressed by her reasoning. Rest in Peace, Karen.