U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - rule - ear plugs.

JoeyA

JoeyA

Efren's Mini-Tourn BACKER
Silver Member
No ear plugs allowed. That's the rule at the U.S. Amateur Championship.

With the controversy that happens with competitors making remarks to goad their opponent into emotional outbursts, you would think that ear plugs would be allowed.

What are your thoughts AZ?

JoeyA
 
JoeyA said:
No ear plugs allowed. That's the rule at the U.S. Amateur Championship.

With the controversy that happens with competitors making remarks to goad their opponent into emotional outbursts, you would think that ear plugs would be allowed.

What are your thoughts AZ?

JoeyA
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i dont see what the problem with them is.....should be allowed
 
jamesroberts said:
i dont see what the problem with them is.....should be allowed
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I agree. I use my earplugs when I practice to tune out the music in the bar and it helps a lot to get in the zone. I don't understand why they wouldn't allow it if it helps the player and if every player has the same opportunities. Maybe is a communication thing?
 
I think iPods should be allowed. Why shouldn't I be allowed to use anything that doesn't enhance my performance, or deter from the other player's performance? I can go to the jukebox and buy my favourite song if I want. If two idiots are playing next to me and woofing or taunting each other, I have the right to tune it out, whether it's ear plugs or Tool's 46&2.
 
No......

JoeyA said:
No ear plugs allowed. That's the rule at the U.S. Amateur Championship.

With the controversy that happens with competitors making remarks to goad their opponent into emotional outbursts, you would think that ear plugs would be allowed.

What are your thoughts AZ?

JoeyA
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You should always be able to hear your opponent, period. Lets say your about to take a shot that your opponent would like to have a refree watch the shot.Your opponent asks you to hold up, you can't hear him because of ear plugs, mp3 player etc.....not good. Foul.


Ray

ps. How are you Joey?
 
Scenario

Bigtruck said:
You should always be able to hear your opponent, period. Lets say your about to take a shot that your opponent would like to have a refree watch the shot.Your opponent asks you to hold up, you can't hear him because of ear plugs, mp3 player etc.....not good. Foul.


Ray

ps. How are you Joey?
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One scenario......what if a player is deaf? How does he handle the close shot scenario? Should he not be allowed to play? Of course not. Just think what we would've missed if that was a rule. So I suppose things CAN be worked around.

Ray
 
Bigtruck said:
One scenario......what if a player is deaf? How does he handle the close shot scenario? Should he not be allowed to play? Of course not. Just think what we would've missed if that was a rule. So I suppose things CAN be worked around.
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Accomodations can be made for someone who cannot physically hear. That's a rare enough occurance.

But making those same accomodations for folks who CAN hear but stick in ear plugs... that's a whole different thing.

It's kinda like that situation a few years ago with that handicapped pro golfer who wanted to use a cart to get around - the PGA wouldn't allow it, as it would set a precedent for other pros, who walk just fine, to be able to point at that guy to justify using a cart themselves. In that guy's case, his handicap was a significant disadvantage for golfing - deafness isn't much of a disadvantage in pool at all - in fact, most folks would probably agree it can be a BENEFIT as far as reducing distractions :) Look at SVB, as an example.

With headphone earbuds, those things are designed to still allow outside noise to pass through - so someone with those in their ears can still hear their opponent speak up.
 
Bigtruck said:
You should always be able to hear your opponent, period. Lets say your about to take a shot that your opponent would like to have a refree watch the shot.Your opponent asks you to hold up, you can't hear him because of ear plugs, mp3 player etc.....not good. Foul.


Ray

ps. How are you Joey?
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You make a good point Ray. I had ear plugs custom made and fitted to my ears and I was still able to hear my opponent talk even though I already have some loss of hearing without the plugs. There is something about the ear plugs that I like. At least for me, they provide "reduced" "noise" and it pacifies me enough to the point where the "sharking comments" from my opponents or sweaters does not become a negative factor for my play.

I don't know about the IPOD and music though because I have worn them and it is more difficult to hear your opponent than if you wear ear plugs nly. If an opponent wanted to call a referee they could always give you a physical signal or approach the table. I just don't see the earplugs as being a problem. You have to wear them to truly appreciate what they do. They still allow sound in, just less sound and even with my poor hearing I can communicate with another person if they are talking directly to me. The doctors have told me I need hearing aids so I guess it will be OK to wear hearing aids and then I can just turn them off when I'm playing. :D

Everything is going well. Hope to see you at Buffalo's again in the futue. If you ever pass his way, you are always welcome, Ray. Dec. 8 is our next tournament.
JoeyA
 
The fundamental problem here has more to do with technology than anything else and it's touching a lot of sports/games, not just pool. Earplugs are not the issue. They want your ears to be naked. It's that simple. There is a lot of controversy involving headsets, iPods and such because competitors have been known to use them as cheat devices. Although earplugs are seemingly innocent, they simply want to see nothing inside a person's ear when they're playing.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
The fundamental problem here has more to do with technology than anything else and it's touching a lot of sports/games, not just pool. Earplugs are not the issue. They want your ears to be naked. It's that simple. There is a lot of controversy involving headsets, iPods and such because competitors have been known to use them as cheat devices. Although earplugs are seemingly innocent, they simply want to see nothing inside a person's ear when they're playing.
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People cheat through headphones? What pathetic lowlife would listen to help from another player to win a tournament? I hope I don't meet someone like that.

i'm kinda on the fence over the whole thing now that I think about it. I feel its gonna be one of those things that will never change but I have seen people totally demolish people while listening to their phones to help them zone in. I don't think its a bad thing but its personally not my crutch either so I'll play however they want me to play.
 
It's pool...not a debate! Ear plugs, nose plugs...plug any orifice you want. It's pool!
 
Inzombiac said:
People cheat through headphones? What pathetic lowlife would listen to help from another player to win a tournament? I hope I don't meet someone like that.

i'm kinda on the fence over the whole thing now that I think about it. I feel its gonna be one of those things that will never change but I have seen people totally demolish people while listening to their phones to help them zone in. I don't think its a bad thing but its personally not my crutch either so I'll play however they want me to play.
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On the contrary, I firmly believe you should have NOTHING in your ears or covering them (so much so that an electronic device could be hidden obv).


I have tried using an iPod during competition and found it to be of no value whatsoever. Also, I cannot think of another sport where its top competitors were allowed to use them or would want to.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
On the contrary, I firmly believe you should have NOTHING in your ears or covering them (so much so that an electronic device could be hidden obv).


I have tried using an iPod during competition and found it to be of no value whatsoever. Also, I cannot think of another sport where its top competitors were allowed to use them or would want to.
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Totally agreed, it might be a dispicable thing to do, but the benefits could be huge. It's obvious there are people that are far better at analyzing the lay of the table than they are shooters. Add that to an intricate knowledge of a shooters strengths and weaknesses and having someone giving you guidance on your highest percentage shots/runouts could be a HUGE boost. Even the pros get so lost in concentration that they don't always consider everything/zone out (I remember Jeanette Lee once not swapping her break cue for her playing cue - she did end up running out, but obviously this didn't help her chances).

Also someone said "obviously if you are deaf it can be accomodated" you forget though that deaf folks are used to living in a world where most people can hear. I assure you if there was a deaf competitor in a given tourament he'd probably be conditioned after not too long to *always* get a visible ok from any remotely close shot by looking over at his opponent first.
 
Bigtruck said:
You should always be able to hear your opponent, period. Lets say your about to take a shot that your opponent would like to have a refree watch the shot.Your opponent asks you to hold up, you can't hear him because of ear plugs, mp3 player etc.....not good. Foul.


Ray

ps. How are you Joey?
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Though I don't wear earplugs in competition, I often wear them when practicing to block out the bloody loud jukebox. I've yet to encounter a pair that totally block the noise or prevented me from hear a person trying to get my attention. You have to get some pretty high tech ear plugs to accomplish that.
I say they should be allowed.
 
Amazing. I'm against anything in the ears, short of a hearing aid. It's certainly not about being coached via some device, it's about consideration for your opponent:

"Hey, you're on 2. HEY! HEY! You're on two, man..."
...shoots and fouls
"Game."
"What? I didn't hear you warn me..."
 
Shawn Armstrong said:
I think ... I have the right to tune..out...Tool's 46&2.
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Punch yourself! That song rules!!

Seriously, you no likey? Does someone play it all the time where you go?

Look out, it might change into "46&2 and Shawn Armstrong are enemies"!!:D
 
Catahula said:
It's pool...not a debate! Ear plugs, nose plugs...plug any orifice you want. It's pool!
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"that disturbing little animal" is an Archirrhino otherwise known as a "snouter", one of the 183 species of Rhinogradentia. It also wears ear plugs whenever it damn well pleases.
 
seymore15074 said:
Amazing. I'm against anything in the ears, short of a hearing aid. It's certainly not about being coached via some device, it's about consideration for your opponent:

"Hey, you're on 2. HEY! HEY! You're on two, man..."
...shoots and fouls
"Game."
"What? I didn't hear you warn me..."
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Sense in any place I would wear ear plugs I wouldn't be able to hear over the juke box anyway, that's a moot point.
In a place like the US Amatuers I don't see it as a problem. I doubt there was music and if there were I'm sure it was under control. Some places though it is just absolutely ridiculous. I prefer to be able to not have them in, I love the sound of the balls clicking into each other and the balls dropping in the pocket, but if the music is blaring what are you supposed to do? The management controls the jukebox and often all they care about is please the young guys who they see as their income.
 
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