Denver Pool Players Association

                             Team Captain, Why Me!            

Let's face it, does anyone ever really want to be team captain?  Most of us just want to show up and shoot pool.  Let someone else be the captain.  We don't want the headaches, besides, anyone can do it.  It's no big deal.  It's just a bunch of paperwork.
So, what makes the job so important?  As League Operator I can tell you that almost invariably, whenever I see a winning team, a team that is having a good time, or a team that you really enjoy playing against, win or lose, that is a team that has a good captain.  These teams play year in and year out because they are having fun.  These teams often are comprised of the same members for session after session, for years at a time, and when they do need a new player or a sub they usually don't have a problem finding one because everyone knows they have a good team captain.  Their team has a reputation for good sportsmanship and fair play, being on time, and being a good group to
associate with.  Why?  Let's all say it together," They have a good team captain!"
As the captain goes, the team goes, or misery loves company.  Have you ever noticed that if the team captain is a big "whiner" that the basic make up of his team compliments his or her attitude.  If the team captain gets drunk and obnoxios that his team usually follows suit.  If the team habitually shows up late or just at the last minute that the captain is usually the last one to show up.  When the team captain is not familiar with the paperwork and / or does not know the rules of the game, much less the league rules, these teams do not stay
together very long.  In fact, sometimes your lucky if they last the session.
When we do have a good captain we usually take them for granted because a good captain makes it look like "it's no big deal".  They take care of all the paperwork and problems so we can just show up and shoot pool.  Ain't life sweet!
So, now that we all agree that a good team captain is crutial to the make - up of our team, how do we go about choosing someone for this highly critical position of the utmost importance?  I know, let's flip coins, odd man out, last man is the team captain.  Wait, did I say "man".  Let's get the woman on the team to do it, she won't mind.  They're used to taking care of us.  What about the new guy? Let's make him do it.  Let's lag for it.  Race to three for it.  Draw straws or cut cards for it.
Now, while I'm sure many of us saw these as viable solutions to the problem in the past, hopefully we now understand the inevitible failure of this logic.
Good team captains are leaders, and he or she leads by example.  They show up early and prepared for matches, and they expect the same from their teammates.  They know the rules of the game,and make sure their teammates learn them also.  They know the league rules and understand how to deal with such things as; conflicts with other teams, forfeits, and "no show players".  They take time to learn and understand the paperwork so as to avoid problems with scorekeeping, sanctioning players, qualifying for tournaments, doing make - up matches, rosters, and bringing in subs and new players.  Good team captains keep their teammates up-dated on schedule changes, as well as any important happenings around the league, like tournament  dates or meetings, and they demonstrate good sportsmanship and positive attitude.
As a team member there are also things that you can do to help.  Learn what it is your captain does.  Help with the scorekeeping and paperwork so that you understand it in case you need to fill in some time.  Take responsibility for yourself and your actions by paying your dues and fees, showing up on time, drinking responsibly, and being curtious to other players.  Read and learn the rules instead of relying on someone else to do so for you.
Who knows, if you do all these things and it turns out that you have good leadership qualities and your not afraid to take on responsibility, you may decide that you would like to be the captain for a session or two,
OR MAYBE NOT!!!    

                              David Howell - DPA League Operator