The Association for P.O.O.L. (TAP)

The Association for P.O.O.L. (nicknamed the TAP pool league by our division) was established in  the Fairfax, Va. area in 1994 with approximately 35 players. It is now in over thirty-five states as well as Canada and  has become the third largest and  fastest growing pool league in the country. TAP holds its annual "Rally in the Valley" tournament every March in Valley Forge, Pa. at Allen Hopkin's Super Billiard Expo. TAP shares the same convention center with the ladies and men's pro events so you can mingle right with the pros you see on TV.. All TAP players can and are encouraged to participate in this event. (team and singles events are held plus tons on minis that go on all night) TAP moves their national locations every two years so you get to see different parts of the country. This is unlike the other national leagues. For more info on TAP you can go to www.tapleague.com No other national league offers you all this fun,action and excitement!!

Laurel Highlands TAP Pool League

  This division encompasses three counties.in Pa.,  Somerset, Cambria, Westmoreland and the Frostburg, Md area.  We were the first TAP division in Pa. when we started with only six teams and 46 players in April of 1997. We now  have 80-100 teams and we are still growing. TAP members come from all walks and professions in life. From the medical and banking fields to small business owners, white and blue collar jobs and practically everything in between. From male, female, beliefs and all races.  Everyone is brought together by one thing...their love of the game of pool and the competition that goes with our great sport.

Our teams have won well over $250,000 in tournament play in Baltimore, Cleveland,Valley Forge, TAP's nationals  and at our own local  Titleholders. We are home to the Pa. State TAP Team Championships and the Morgan Cup. These pool events are the largest and most anticipated team tournaments in western Pa. Players schedule their calendars and even vacation time around these events.

Some of the towns the area covers includes Johnstown, Greensburg, Somerset, Mt. Pleasant,Windber,Central City, Ebensburg ,Greensburg, Latrobe, Avonmore,Twin Rocks,Berlin, Irwin and Frostburg, Maryland just to name a few. The website (www.poolpa.com)  was the first TAP site designed  for league players to have easy access to their weekly handicaps, news, TAP tavern events and we just recently installed a message board for the players to post their own views. It now is the most visited  league site  in Western Pa. We were also the first and only TAP division in the country with on line Titleholder tournament brackets so players can have up to the minute coverage of all the action at the Titleholders. No other pool league in Western Pa. does this for their players. None! Please  drop us a line to let us know any improvements you would like to see. We are for the player and we will listen to what you have to say.

The TAP League Format

TAP  plays two sixteen week sessions (January to May and September to January...$7 a week) and a doubled up eight week summer session (June thru July....$10 a week) for a total of forty weeks.  Teams or players can sit out a session at their own discretion.  Teams include from five to eight players with five of them playing a singles 8 ball match to their own handicaps, which are updated weekly and established  by the corporate computer at TAP.  Handicaps range from 2 through 7 with the 2 being the lowest skill level and the 7 being the highest.Total team handicaps can not exceed 25 points for a given night. This format ensures a balanced league without loaded teams and  promotes fair competition.  Playoffs are held after each session with teams (approximately 6 of every 8) qualify to play in the next "Titleholder" tournament.  We than hold our local Titleholder where these teams will compete for a purse that average $18,000. These events are held in a hotel and not in some fire hall or local club like other leagues do. We also offer MVP prizes after each session as well as a MVP award for the top lady player. There are also mini tournaments for men and women.  There are break speed contests, scotch double tournaments and mixed scotch doubles.along with a cue lathe for tip repair, vendors and  assorted billiard supplies for sale at all Titleholders.

Did I mention TAP nationals?

LH TAP sends approximately 1 in 17 teams to TAP's nationals each year where they will compete against TAP teams from the United States and Canada. Past nationals were held in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Louisville, Myrtle Beach and for 2008 and 2009, Orlando, Florida! Entry fee into this event is paid as well as three rooms a night for four nights and a travel fund to off set your travel expenses.

 

  And the cost for all this is only $20 per year and $7 per player. If you don't play, you don't pay!  (While the "other" league has raised their price, LH TAP has not) The only obligation we ask of the tavern owner is to have the tables open for league play. Most taverns put out complimentary food  for the players, but that is up to each establishment and is not mandatory.Taverns pay no entry fees !! 

For more info e-mail me (Sam Rullo) at tappool@aol.com or call 814-525-0687.

If you have a love for the game and are not a member of LH TAP....What are you waiting for?

TAP into your game!! TAP into the fun!! Tap into TAP now !!

"After all the rest....Why not the best?"

ALL ABOUT TAP POOL AND THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS TAP POOL LEAGUE