All of the sets I've seen (including the two I own) had markings or small errors. It does not feel like Hyatt put any real quality control on these balls.
And if I'm right about why the newspaper ordered them then why would they. They were going to be dumped in a ink barrel and then thrown away.
Ultimately I don't think it worked out the way they wanted it too and they got stuck with a pallet of sub-standard phenolic balls which sat in a storage room until sold off as a lot and then sold to ball collectors like ourselves.
So we could sit around and ponder their existence and create farfetched and exotic conspiracy theories for them...
Did you know a box of these balls were found on the grassy knoll.
But if you watch professional pool, the best players can still run out regularly. I'd say smaller pockets doesn't make much difference to the best players, but those a level below them struggle more.
Bigger pockets means you're more likely to slop a ball in somewhere by accident if you hit it hard and miss (not that pros are hitting with excessive power, but definitely happens with weak amateurs).
I sort of get your logic that if you miss with smaller pockets your a tiny bit less likely to leave your opponent a shot. Everyone is complaining pool is more defensive due to the smaller pockets, but if you had a significantly higher chance of leaving it safe when missing, wouldn't smaller pockets encourage people to be more attacking by your logic as they'll probably get lucky and not leave anything?
A good cuemaker can do a lot with balance points locations through different materials, wood densities, and what pins used throughout. They make them how they feel a cue should behave, or may do custom orders to the customer's expectations, including balance point.
Or it can just be made and whatever it is it is. Some makers don't use weight bolts, some do.
Light wood can be cored with heavier wood, heavy wood can be cored with lighter wood.
