I think this is a great step forward. Makes you wonder if individual player concerns will route through this commission. I've heard rumors historically of specific players having personal challenges with WPA procedures, rulings, invitations, etc. and finding the WPA non-responsive to their inquiries. Would they be expected to work with their Atheletes' Commission representatives? Or is that body not meant to handle individual athlete issues and more just meant to represent the players as a whole?

I would encourage the Rules Committee to make use of the Athletes' Commission. At a minimum would be (1) "Hey, we're opening up a revision window. Do you have any suggestions?" and (2) "Here is a draft of our upcoming proposed rule changes for your review and comment." Given the rules only get updated like every 5-10 years, it would have been nice if this was in place before the most recent rules changes were made. I agree with the recent changes. Smart, qualified people making intelligent decisions in good faith. I just wonder if having this in place first would have been an opportunity to get the most bang-for-our-buck out of this current revision if the next opportunity will be a ways away.

4railer said:

Bob can you site the rule or have a link to that situation?

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There is nothing explicit. I think there may be something in the regulations about players accepting the equipment as suitable for play prior to the start. I suppose you could lodge a complaint at that time and get the officials to agree to pocket protectors. Otherwise, you have to throw yourself on the mercy of the person who has the authority to tell you "NO!" at the time of the problem.

Or, you could try a Cannefax.

I have sold Cues for $1000's that would have been $50 when new in the 1960s. Cues are not over all great investments unless you buy low and flip them. But as collectibles they can hold their value pretty well if bought used. Or taken from one area to another. I have seen my cues sell for half new price on the used cue market and I have seen them sell for twice new price on the used cue market. The best deals are normally on used Cues or on newer makers that show a lot of talent.

MattPoland said:

I’m thinking of what a rules committee for a governing body of an international sport should be. Basic tenets of transparency like acknowledging rules changes are being considered. Publishing who is on the committee. Ensuring there is adequate professional player representation on the committee (active and retired). Public comment periods on proposed changes.

I would ask this. Are those “purists” making any effort to understand the preferences of the players or are they firm in a belief that they alone know what’s best for the sport? Because if it’s the latter, there’s a problem inside the bureaucracy.

I’m not trying to assert what I believe is the gospel either. But in that regard, I’d point back to my first paragraph in this post.

You know who would be perfect for something like that if willing, Jayson Shaw. He advocates for what truly is best for the spot, not just short sighted things that would specifically benefit just himself. And he has a good grasp on the wisdom between purity and practicality.

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Kinda funny. The recent announcement of the WPA Athlete's Commission is decently aligned with the concepts of what I was advocating for here. I would alter my recommendation given this development. Instead of putting players directly on the rules committee, I would encourage the rules committee to make use of the Athletes' Commission. At a minimum would be (1) "Hey, we're opening up a revision window. Do you have any suggestions?" and (2) "Here is a draft of our upcoming proposed rule changes for your review and comment."

Given the rules only get updated like every 5-10 years, it would have been nice if this was in place before the most recent rules changes were made. I agree with the recent changes. Smart, qualified people making intelligent decisions in good faith. I just wonder if having this in place first would have been an opportunity to get the most bang-for-our-buck out of this current revision and the next opportunity will be a ways away.

Look kind of cheap and unfinished to me. Exposed shiny bolt heads sticking out on the legs is a very cheap and unthought out look to their construction methods. Also, while hard to tell by the picture, the side pockets appear to have screw heads sticking out holding the pockets down. Top rail plastic covering rolling over the edge looks cheap also. These are just my views though and could change if I were to see it in person. They are sponsoring WPBA extensively now though, and that is a good thing.
Wife and I were going to stop in and see some of the TMT as it's only about a 40 min drive from our summer place, but I don't know now as there is so much rain predicted, we are not sure when we will be going that way.

GoldCrown said:

Just got HEPA filter for the ShopVac

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An interesting little update.

I have a little 10" bandsaw that I use for small items and tighter radius cuts. It has a weird 2.1" OD dust collection port. I emailed Gus at Mullet yesterday and he said that one wasn't in their catalog of tools. He asked me for a model number and a pic with the precise size of the port and said he'd make me one.

This at 10:30 Sunday night.

Color me impressed!

Rack’em said:

It's hype. While everything is a bit subjective, I think pretty much any of the newer layered tips like Kamui and Zan feel and hit better than a milk-dud. If you're still looking for an old style tip, go with a Triangle, they are tried and true.

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For me hit is one thing, but holding chalk is the best thing.

BUG: I get a warning that I am on 2 consecutive fouls when I have 2 innings that end in a foul consecutively and not necessarily when I have 2 consecutive shots that were a foul.

Example I foul the first time, run 1 million balls and scratch and get a second consecutive foul "inning" and the app says when it is my next turn I am on 2 consecutive fouls.

The Old Jaybird said:

Are they worth the effort? Better off with just a standard Elkmaster? What say you??

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I posted on this once before.

I ended up with a poofy tip Elkmaster. So I took a shot glass and poured just enough coffee creamer in it to cover the
curvature of the tip and stood it up in the kitchen corner over night. Changed the tip. That tip ended up getting 4 dips
eventually and it plays great.

Bob Jewett suggested watered down Elmers glue. I haven't tried that yet.

If you search there are already many threads on this. Here are a few.

Post in thread 'Tip talk'
https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/tip-talk.568716/post-7994848

Thread 'Break Cue Tips'
https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/break-cue-tips.563529/

Thread 'Break cue tip.'
https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/break-cue-tip.556272/

Bump

Bump

David in FL said:

Every time I watch Tommy Kennedy, I wonder how he makes 3 balls in a row...

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Yeah, it is amazing. Somehow, he beat Johnny Archer like 11 to nothing though, to win the US Open 9 ball.