Leagues - A Love/Hate Story

Last week I was laid low with the flu and didn't participate in any pool activities.

In the days before I got a table at my house my two nights out a week playing in leagues was my only table time other than big local, regional or national tournaments.

If I got sick and didn't go to league, well I didn't get to hit balls.  Period.

But are leagues a good way to practice pool and are they even a good measuring stick for how well you are playing or how far along your game has come?

And here is where hundreds of opinions collide and furniture gets thrown.

I am of the opinion that leagues are a throwaway in regards to practice or measuring progress.

For me leagues are a nice way to pass the evening playing pool with friends.

When I join a team I pretty much insist that everyone is a nice, fun and laid back person.  The last thing I need on a night out is a bunch of idiotic drama.

So, truth be told, I don't treat leagues all that seriously.

In BCA league you play one game against five opponents.  Pressure packed and very difficult to do.

Especially difficult for me because I am not good in one game situations unless I have played a number of games before and have a "feel" for the match.

In APA, TAP and NAPA you play sets against a single opponent, but the sets are handicapped unless you are playing an equal skill level.

I still think these are a better way to practice pool and get prepared to play elsewhere, but all the best players in this area play BCA Masters and I want to play the best.

I could easily play league seven nights a week and I know people who do.

I just don't treat them seriously enough to pay league dues that many times just to hang out and cut up.

Love hanging out with friends and goofing around, but I hate it that we have to keep score and pronounce winners and losers if I'm not going to be 100% serious.

But I continue to play in them and I am trying to get better about bearing down all the time while playing.

Not as easy as it sounds.