"The Big Ban"

gulyassy

Custom Cues Since 1986
Silver Member
The BCA League banned my new ferrule/tip at the national level with absolutely no reason or proof what so ever. This is a great example of what kind of sport we are all apart of. They allowed the material for years with out any problems until the G10 tip came about from no where, no studies with claims of how it was better than the material I made famous. Here is a good question, how come the manufacturer of the material has not spoken. Does this not put a few questions in your mind. They have all the data on the material and do not offer any kind of information to clear up this big mystery of what cracks cue balls. I think there is more to this than just a BCA ban.
 
I think there is more to this than just a BCA ban.

You are right, this is huge. I am not allowed to sell my phenolic hats at any BCA or APA function unless I line the top of it with alternating red and blue solar powered LED lights.

Back to the drawing board for me.
 
You are right, this is huge. I am not allowed to sell my phenolic hats at any BCA or APA function unless I line the top of it with alternating red and blue solar powered LED lights.

Back to the drawing board for me.

Dan, you will get through this.....I have some ideas for a new case for you....made out of recycled phenolic....you will love it....you can even add the LED's if you like....

Guys and gals, it's a tip....it does not merit 1000 posts.....just bump the same one and continue your rant.....the search function is your friend....
 
You are right, this is huge. I am not allowed to sell my phenolic hats at any BCA or APA function unless I line the top of it with alternating red and blue solar powered LED lights.

Back to the drawing board for me.

They will always be sold. I was was "banned" by John Lewis of the BCA before I ever sold the first one but it didn't stop me because it was the most amazing thing I ever saw, and I knew it would be big. I believe it will be even bigger.
 
Could it be that they didn't want to stray that far from the origins of the game, especially in the higher levels of competition?
Maybe that's not their main reason, but I've always asked that, like with jump cues. I think they're great on the artistic side, but I think it unlevels the balance inherent to the game between offense and defense. I know college baseball has every kind of technology in those bats, but you don't see that in the majors. Wooden bats....just wooden bats despite all the techno-wizard alloy, or composite material.

G.G.
 
The BCA League banned my new ferrule/tip at the national level with absolutely no reason or proof what so ever. This is a great example of what kind of sport we are all apart of. They allowed the material for years with out any problems until the G10 tip came about from no where, no studies with claims of how it was better than the material I made famous. Here is a good question, how come the manufacturer of the material has not spoken. Does this not put a few questions in your mind. They have all the data on the material and do not offer any kind of information to clear up this big mystery of what cracks cue balls. I think there is more to this than just a BCA ban.

Just for the record, were you or were you not advising the BCA during all this? From what I heard you were in fact trying you influence them with your so called expertly in an attempt to eliminate competition. In the end you got banned as well and now you are pi$$ed. Ironic isn't it. I hope you are not going to deny this?
 
Could it be that they didn't want to stray that far from the origins of the game, especially in the higher levels of competition?
Maybe that's not their main reason, but I've always asked that, like with jump cues. I think they're great on the artistic side, but I think it unlevels the balance inherent to the game between offense and defense. I know college baseball has every kind of technology in those bats, but you don't see that in the majors. Wooden bats....just wooden bats despite all the techno-wizard alloy, or composite material.

G.G.

I agree 100%. But until we get an organization that will make rules that are fair and constant in our sport for every level of pool lets not let one person make a major decision that affects a majority when they have not a clue what they are talking about.
 
Just for the record, were you or were you not advising the BCA during all this? From what I heard you were in fact trying you influence them with your so called expertly in an attempt to eliminate competition. In the end you got banned as well and now you are pi$$ed. Ironic isn't it. I hope you are not going to deny this?

Actually since my new material is not the same as my competition, how can they ban it if it is indeed new and different. This is a good point and it would only make a for short argument in my favor.
 
Actually since my new material is not the same as my competition, how can they ban it if it is indeed new and different. This is a good point and it would only make a for short argument in my favor.
You didn't answer my question.
 
totally reasonable

The BCA League banned my new ferrule/tip at the national level with absolutely no reason or proof what so ever. This is a great example of what kind of sport we are all apart of. They allowed the material for years with out any problems until the G10 tip came about from no where, no studies with claims of how it was better than the material I made famous. Here is a good question, how come the manufacturer of the material has not spoken. Does this not put a few questions in your mind. They have all the data on the material and do not offer any kind of information to clear up this big mystery of what cracks cue balls. I think there is more to this than just a BCA ban.



Mike,

I think they were totally reasonable to outlaw something that there is only one source for. Back when I raced cars tires that weren't widely available were often outlawed. Since you and your licensees are the only place to get this ferule/tip in the entire world it makes perfect sense to make it illegal. Equipment with limited availability shouldn't affect competition. I don't know that it is better but if it is indeed better and not widely available then it should be illegal.

Hu
 
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Mike,

I think they were totally reasonable to outlaw something that there is only one source for. Back when I raced cars tires that weren't widely available were often outlawed. Since you and your licensees are the only place to get this ferule/tip in the entire world it makes perfect sense to make it illegal. Equipment with limited availability shouldn't affect competition. I don't know that it is better but if it is indeed better and not widely available then it should be illegal.

Hu
It will be widely available as soon as the smoke clears.
 
I think if its a good product, ban or not your still going to sell it. There are a million players out there, if you built an automatic ball pocketing stick and they banned it, do you think joe blow wouldn't buy it? He would buy two one for him and his wife. I definitely think there is a market with or without the ban.

G.G.
 
As far as I am concerned anything other than a leather tip shouldnt be allowed in any competition. Pro or amateur. Doesnt matter. Truth of the matter is jumping is and should be considered a skill. If you cant jump with a leather tip tip, then guess what, kick. I taught a girl that is ranked a 2 to jump in 10 minutes with the phenolic. Yes it amkes things eay, but put a metal bat in the hands of a MLB player and homeruns will come real easy too. Bottom line, these do nothing but bring the game down and make it where lesser player can compete a little better with better ones. Just my .02.
 
As far as I am concerned anything other than a leather tip shouldnt be allowed in any competition. Pro or amateur. Doesnt matter. Truth of the matter is jumping is and should be considered a skill. If you cant jump with a leather tip tip, then guess what, kick. I taught a girl that is ranked a 2 to jump in 10 minutes with the phenolic. Yes it amkes things eay, but put a metal bat in the hands of a MLB player and homeruns will come real easy too. Bottom line, these do nothing but bring the game down and make it where lesser player can compete a little better with better ones. Just my .02.

Yeah, and maybe then more people would take up the game and perhaps grow our sport. I guess only the blessed are allowed to play - keeps the winnings (prize money) nice and tight ;)
 
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Huh?

Frankly, at a minimum, I think that a leather tip should be a requirement. It used to be a careful decision for a player to "jump" or "kick" at a ball. Currently, any idiot with a plastic tip will look at a shot for 2 seconds and pull out their plastic tip. The ultimate question is "Do people want it to become a "product-centric" game?" where anyone can buy the latest novelty rather than improve their game. If this is the case, I intend to start using my laser-sighted, GPS positioned cue in the next tournament. Call me crazy, but I prefer a game where "skills" differentiate players rather than a "gizmo".

Mike, no offense intended, but it would seem that this post amounts to more of an advertisement of your product rather than a criticism of the BCA decision. Also, I'm at a loss for what "proof" you are seeking from the BCA.
 
Yeah, and maybe then more people would take up the game and perhaps grow our sport. I guess only the blessed are allowed to play - keeps the winnings (prize money) nice and tight ;)
I am all for the improvement of the game. But, if you cant jump with a leather tip, then kick. Period. It is a bigger advantage to a lesser player than a better player. If you want to use one, go ahead. I really dont care. But in a tournament, I say definitely not. Jump cues are fine. They have been around for a while. But jumping really took off(no pun intended) with the non leather tip. Now, anyone can do it after 5 minutes of trying one out. Anyway, bottom line, I am glad they got banned. Made the tourny a better one.
 
I am all for the improvement of the game. But, if you cant jump with a leather tip, then kick. Period. It is a bigger advantage to a lesser player than a better player. If you want to use one, go ahead. I really dont care. But in a tournament, I say definitely not. Jump cues are fine. They have been around for a while. But jumping really took off(no pun intended) with the non leather tip. Now, anyone can do it after 5 minutes of trying one out. Anyway, bottom line, I am glad they got banned. Made the tourny a better one.

Nothing has changed regarding jump cues. The ban is just break cues.
 
Frankly, at a minimum, I think that a leather tip should be a requirement. It used to be a careful decision for a player to "jump" or "kick" at a ball. Currently, any idiot with a plastic tip will look at a shot for 2 seconds and pull out their plastic tip. The ultimate question is "Do people want it to become a "product-centric" game?" where anyone can buy the latest novelty rather than improve their game. If this is the case, I intend to start using my laser-sighted, GPS positioned cue in the next tournament. Call me crazy, but I prefer a game where "skills" differentiate players rather than a "gizmo".

Mike, no offense intended, but it would seem that this post amounts to more of an advertisement of your product rather than a criticism of the BCA decision. Also, I'm at a loss for what "proof" you are seeking from the BCA.

What I remember the BCA league said that the pool ball manufacturer stated that the phenolic tips were causing the cracks in the balls. I want proof that my material can damage a cue ball. No one has ever done a test on the different materials used in breaking and jumping on the different cue balls. I had the material tested by the "Polymer Lab", and this is the findings. G10 is 98 hardness on the Sore D scale that goes to 100. The red circle cue ball is 94 and my material is 92. I have had break jump cues on my table since I have invented the first ferrule/tip and there are no cracks on my equipment. I only use my material because I know it cannot damage balls.
 
I am all for the improvement of the game. But, if you cant jump with a leather tip, then kick. Period. It is a bigger advantage to a lesser player than a better player. If you want to use one, go ahead. I really dont care. But in a tournament, I say definitely not. Jump cues are fine. They have been around for a while. But jumping really took off(no pun intended) with the non leather tip. Now, anyone can do it after 5 minutes of trying one out. Anyway, bottom line, I am glad they got banned. Made the tourny a better one.

If the lesser player can jump it doent mean they are going to pot the ball. Everyone makes it sound like there is no skill involved in jumping with a phenolic tip. You still need good fundamentals, good stroke and good hand speed. If your worried about them jumping than play a better safe. I am curious on what the pros think about it. I know Strickland is against it. Mind you only a few people can jump full cue with a leather tip well. Earl Strickland and Corey Dueul are the only guys I have seen do it.
 
Nothing has changed regarding jump cues. The ban is just break cues.

This is a very strong point to the politics in this matter. Does any one think that hitting a cue ball at less mph over and over is going to stop the damaging process if it is the material that is causing the problems. Does this make sense to anyone? So the ruling by the BCA league was that it is ok to hit the balls a little softer with the material even though it causes damage to the cue balls. They are saying that we will not let you break with this same material because it will damage the cue ball. What the heck is this all about.
 
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