So, it's always easy to beat up the BCA for everything...after all they are the 800lb gorilla. The fact is, they get the majority of their funding from the BCA trade show. So, when the economy is doing well and there's extra money from a good expo, they can support such initiatives as hosting pro events. When times are bad, like we're going through now, they have to tighten their belt, just like anyone else. However, they do support play.
Few facts about their recent support of the game...They own, manage and fund the Professional Billiard Instructors Association. This includes the cost to staff the program and to create and manage
www.playbetterbilliards.com and an adword campaign to get those interested in a professional lesson to select a PBIA instructor from the playbetterbilliards website.
They are hosting the 2014 Billiard Education Foundation 9-Ball Championships on the floor of their expo this year in Louisville. From what I hear, they're covering all the costs of hosting the event besides the catering for the main celebration - which is being paid for by attendees purchasing tickets. Maybe ask Samm Diep or Shari Stauch how supportive of the event they've been???
They continue to manage the process for player selection for world championship events. It's a tedious effort since all the events are held in countries with major language, travel and other barriers, but they continue to try and attract the best US players to play in those events. (Isn't it a good thing they didn't turn that over to the ABP or the Charlie Williams tour???)
They helped fund the four players sent to the World Games last year. They also host the annual BCA Hall of Fame event. They work with the Billiard Media Association to host the event at a great location. I haven't attended the event, but from what I hear, it's a class event that honors past players in a really cool way. They did the event last year in Las Vegas before the Mosconi Cup began.
They produced a rules app and are donating all proceeds to player travel - part of how they paid for players to attend the World Games.
So, I'm sure they could always do more, but not bad for a few staff members and a board of directors trying to promote the game. As times get better, let's see if they do more to support the game like their efforts this year to keep the juniors event alive.
But, back to the original intent of the post, congrats to Ron Blatt. I haven't met him, but I've been in his old location in New York. Unbelievable. Well deserved.