Thank you!!!!
About the "no earplugs" rule at the US Open 10Ball event
- Thread starter SUPERSTAR
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Thank you!!!!
Just wanted to point out that "deaf and dumb" is not a phrase that the deaf community like used. It comes across as condescending and degrading.
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Wow, giving someone a headnod to say something while he takes a whole God awful 1.3 seconds to take a Ipod earbud out is such a monumental horrific experience for you that you will refuse to play again? I'm sorry and no offense here but that is just simply ridiculous.
On a side note, I think we have all established here that plain ear plugs to drown out background noise requires no "waving" as we can still hear you. Just saying.
I don't play tournaments so its my opinion may not matter to most. I don't mind people wearing ear plugs at all. If you are not going to allow ear plugs for ear protection for those players that want it, there should be a rule to turn off all loud music during tournament time. Often I can't stand the music being played at the APA league meets. Some of the music lyrics is out right disrespectful, but as a player I can't tell them to turn the music off, so if I can tune it out through ear plugs why not?
My apologies.
I did mean 'dumb' in the classic sense of someone who does not speak.
What term is applicable for this?
I'm not being a wise guy,although i admit i used it in an earlier post in this manner.
Yes, I am a big jerk, ask anyone....
Unfortunately, it's not just a nod.....somebody across the room is calling their name, or maybe I need them to watch a shot, or maybe it's their turn and they aren't watching, or maybe the waitress is trying to figure out who had the cheeseburger.....the examples go on and on.....if you are in a match, social or otherwise, there is a certain amount of respect that should be given...
I'm also the same jerk that will politely remind people of manners, such as:
Talking loudly on a cell phone in the booth next to me at a restaurant - I kindly ask them to take the call outside of gtfo the phone.
Texting on their Iphone during a movie - I kindly, and loudly, ask them to stop texting.
I could go on, but I'm old school and probably out of style anyway
I took it in the classic sense, but many people don't. "Deaf" would have done the job sufficiently. Perhaps "totally deaf" or "profoundly deaf" to explain further the degree of deafness. To get this back on track, I'm in favor of players having the freedom of wearing ear plugs or not.
I happen to think that this NO WAY to earplugs argument, should a person have to wave down their opponent to talk to them, is pretty weak.
If you were playing an international player who didn't speak 3 words of English, most likely, you would have to not only wave them down (assuming that they know that you are talking to them because they don't understand what you are saying), but you are going to have to walk over, and talk to the interpreter so that they can translate, NOT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T HEAR YOU, but because they have no clue what you are saying.
Should it be a major issue with a ref or TD involved, you are going to be involved in a back and forth speaking to the interpreter, them translating to the player, the reply and translation, the ref speaking and having it translated, you speaking to the ref, etc etc.
So in the grand scheme of things, waving or making a gesture to assure that they are guaranteed to have someones attention is quite minuscule on the scale of pool tragedies.
I'm sure there were international players in this field who didn't have a mastery of the English language, and they were using interpreters as a result.
Did that cause any pool players heads to spontaneously explode because it was so over the top that they couldn't deal?
Probably, but does that mean they are right? No.
Talk about a bunch of lazy people.
If i didn't know any better, i'd say the lazy ones who don't want to move, are the crybabies who aren't there to compete, but are the ones who are there to complain.
If you were playing an international player who didn't speak 3 words of English, most likely, you would have to not only wave them down (assuming that they know that you are talking to them because they don't understand what you are saying), but you are going to have to walk over, and talk to the interpreter so that they can translate, NOT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T HEAR YOU, but because they have no clue what you are saying.
Should it be a major issue with a ref or TD involved, you are going to be involved in a back and forth speaking to the interpreter, them translating to the player, the reply and translation, the ref speaking and having it translated, you speaking to the ref, etc etc.
So in the grand scheme of things, waving or making a gesture to assure that they are guaranteed to have someones attention is quite minuscule on the scale of pool tragedies.
I'm sure there were international players in this field who didn't have a mastery of the English language, and they were using interpreters as a result.
Did that cause any pool players heads to spontaneously explode because it was so over the top that they couldn't deal?
Probably, but does that mean they are right? No.
Talk about a bunch of lazy people.
If i didn't know any better, i'd say the lazy ones who don't want to move, are the crybabies who aren't there to compete, but are the ones who are there to complain.
This thread has nothing to do with Shane Van Boening. There is no need to bring him into this discussion. The bottom line is that it isn't about Shane or anyone else with hearing impairements.
Here's a couple of points to consider:
1. There isn't supposed to be much discussion going on when a match is underway.
2. In fact, the amount of speech that takes place in a match is extremely limited and that's the way it should be.
3. All communication to your opponent must be acknowledged or you have to assume it wasn't heard.
4. I can use simple sign language AND DO, to make sure that my opponent understands my call. I don't rely on speech alone because they can say they didn't hear you. But if you point to an object ball and slap your hand against the rail, it is hard for them to no know what you are talking about. If you point to the cue ball close to an object ball and touch your fists together signaling that the two balls are frozen, I don't think you have to be much clearer than that, although I also use speech to communciate my message.
5. I fully understand the denial of electronic device usage in a tournament and that includes music, white noise and anything else that is electronic in nature.
6. Ear plugs do not eliminate the ability to hear. In my case, I believe that it actually helps me hear better by eliminating the buzz noise that is commonly heard by the hearing impaired. Yeah, I guess hearing aids would be a help and I will find out soon enough.
7. If I get a set of hearing aids, I will still champion the use of ear plugs because there is NO VALID ARGUMENT for the denial of their use.
8. Additional arguments will not ensue because ear plugs are used. In fact, just the opposite will occur. Your opponent will make sure that you hear him/her and that you acknowledge their message. With today's current rules, many people assume that they are heard and arguments ensue because the player "SAYS" they "didn't hear" their opponent call the ball frozen and other such baloney.
9. Ear plugs are not a fashion statement and are barely visible, although mine or red for right ear and blue for left ear. I like my patriot colors.
Hope we hear from some of the official rule makers. HAVE ANY CHIMED IN YET?
BTW, the U.S. Amateur Tournament disallows the use of electronic devices AND ear plugs.
You may read about a thread I started a while back by clicking here.
I received a nice note back from Nicole Dunn cof THe U.S. Amateur Tournament concerning this thread but as you can see, nothing has changed:
"Hi Joey~
Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that we have been reading the thread on ear plug usage. We go over the rules yearly so if anything changes with that we will definitely make sure to note it in the rules.
Thanks and have a great day!
Nicole"
We need a REVOLUTION!
JoeyA
Here's a couple of points to consider:
1. There isn't supposed to be much discussion going on when a match is underway.
2. In fact, the amount of speech that takes place in a match is extremely limited and that's the way it should be.
3. All communication to your opponent must be acknowledged or you have to assume it wasn't heard.
4. I can use simple sign language AND DO, to make sure that my opponent understands my call. I don't rely on speech alone because they can say they didn't hear you. But if you point to an object ball and slap your hand against the rail, it is hard for them to no know what you are talking about. If you point to the cue ball close to an object ball and touch your fists together signaling that the two balls are frozen, I don't think you have to be much clearer than that, although I also use speech to communciate my message.
5. I fully understand the denial of electronic device usage in a tournament and that includes music, white noise and anything else that is electronic in nature.
6. Ear plugs do not eliminate the ability to hear. In my case, I believe that it actually helps me hear better by eliminating the buzz noise that is commonly heard by the hearing impaired. Yeah, I guess hearing aids would be a help and I will find out soon enough.
7. If I get a set of hearing aids, I will still champion the use of ear plugs because there is NO VALID ARGUMENT for the denial of their use.
8. Additional arguments will not ensue because ear plugs are used. In fact, just the opposite will occur. Your opponent will make sure that you hear him/her and that you acknowledge their message. With today's current rules, many people assume that they are heard and arguments ensue because the player "SAYS" they "didn't hear" their opponent call the ball frozen and other such baloney.
9. Ear plugs are not a fashion statement and are barely visible, although mine or red for right ear and blue for left ear. I like my patriot colors.
Hope we hear from some of the official rule makers. HAVE ANY CHIMED IN YET?
BTW, the U.S. Amateur Tournament disallows the use of electronic devices AND ear plugs.
You may read about a thread I started a while back by clicking here.
I received a nice note back from Nicole Dunn cof THe U.S. Amateur Tournament concerning this thread but as you can see, nothing has changed:
"Hi Joey~
Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that we have been reading the thread on ear plug usage. We go over the rules yearly so if anything changes with that we will definitely make sure to note it in the rules.
Thanks and have a great day!
Nicole"
We need a REVOLUTION!
JoeyA
Oh yeah, one more thing.....
Using ear plugs gives an advantage to one person over another.
That's baloney! It might put people like me on an even playing field with those who have excellent hearing. It's the background noise that makes it hard for me to hear. I hear perfectly one on one but with background noise in the loop, conversations can sound like "white noise". or "jshhhhhhhhh".
Anyone can afford to own a pair of ear plugs. They're cheap, REAL CHEAP and available at MANY STORES nationwide.
I bet that we don't hear the arguments from the decision makers. I'M GUESSING THAT they will continue to set rules in place that they THINK are in the best interest of most of the players BUT AREN'T.
JoeyA
Using ear plugs gives an advantage to one person over another.
That's baloney! It might put people like me on an even playing field with those who have excellent hearing. It's the background noise that makes it hard for me to hear. I hear perfectly one on one but with background noise in the loop, conversations can sound like "white noise". or "jshhhhhhhhh".
Anyone can afford to own a pair of ear plugs. They're cheap, REAL CHEAP and available at MANY STORES nationwide.
I bet that we don't hear the arguments from the decision makers. I'M GUESSING THAT they will continue to set rules in place that they THINK are in the best interest of most of the players BUT AREN'T.
JoeyA
I would agree.
Odds are, this topic will be avoided, simply because they don't have a legitimate leg to stand on when you take all things into perspective.
Says it all right there.
Did anyone see one time ...just once.... Lo Li Wen say anything to Lee Van Corteza in the finals of the 10 ball? SVB say anything to Lee Van in the semi?
There should be no Jibber Jabber going on during a match. There should be noone calling me over to call a shot for them while I am in a match. There should be no hamburger ordered and ate while I am in a match. (eating while playing a match ...now that is rude) There should be noone calling my name across the room while I am in a match. (reason I would wear the damn things in the first place) There should be no reason why I am not watching the table and my opponent while I am in a match.
There simply isn't a valid arguement that anyone can give to justify the "wear earplugs and I am not playing" or "no earplugs allowed" mentality.
True story
I am no world champion.... I am a B+ player on a good day.... Nevertheless sound is no problem for me. I think it is from 4 years of working in a paper mill back in college where life is loud and shooting pool at home with my kids running around me. The very first bar tournament I won had very loud music and a stoned woman who flopped on the table next to where we were playing the final and started fingering herself. My opponent looked at me and said "I can't concentrate" I won easily. If I play bad its because I am playing bad no amount of environmental problems are going to hurt me.
I am no world champion.... I am a B+ player on a good day.... Nevertheless sound is no problem for me. I think it is from 4 years of working in a paper mill back in college where life is loud and shooting pool at home with my kids running around me. The very first bar tournament I won had very loud music and a stoned woman who flopped on the table next to where we were playing the final and started fingering herself. My opponent looked at me and said "I can't concentrate" I won easily. If I play bad its because I am playing bad no amount of environmental problems are going to hurt me.
I see nothing wrong with players wearing ear plugs to drown out the sound but if the OP is talking about earphones like an iPod or something GTFOH. How tacky and low class for someone to sport an mp3 player during a major event. I can't stand people doing it in the pool room let alone a major event.
MULLY
MULLY
Personally, none of it bothers me. You can wear earplugs, earphones, iPods...whatever. Unless they shoot the ball for you, I don't care.
The only issue I have ever seen that I would take exception to was one time when a person was wearing headphones attached to a cell phone, and they were receiving instructions on what to shoot.
If I am playing the way I should, and am in focus, I won't hear anything, anyways.
I do wish that there was a rule about bad music and too loud jukeboxes sometimes, though.
True story...many of you have played in the Vegas tournaments out of The Green Room in Dundalk, MD. The music is ALWAYS way too loud, and usually rap, etc.
Last time we went to a playoff to go to Vegas, we put $50 in the jukebox right off the bat and played all country and easy listening stuff. Lots of folks (especially the younger ones) went nuts...we went to Vegas.
Joe
The only issue I have ever seen that I would take exception to was one time when a person was wearing headphones attached to a cell phone, and they were receiving instructions on what to shoot.
If I am playing the way I should, and am in focus, I won't hear anything, anyways.
I do wish that there was a rule about bad music and too loud jukeboxes sometimes, though.
True story...many of you have played in the Vegas tournaments out of The Green Room in Dundalk, MD. The music is ALWAYS way too loud, and usually rap, etc.
Last time we went to a playoff to go to Vegas, we put $50 in the jukebox right off the bat and played all country and easy listening stuff. Lots of folks (especially the younger ones) went nuts...we went to Vegas.
Joe
Why is it when someone misses something certain people have to be total dicks and get snotty? Is it so hard to just point out the miss and leave it at that. So rude.
MULLY
Frankly, I don't get the argument about having to yell and wave at a player because he's wearing earplugs, especially the yellow foam ones. They don't really eliminate noise as much as dampen it to prevent ear damage from high decibels.
I use ear plugs as well as more expensive over the ear protection for various things like shooting, the drag races, etc. I've yet to find anything that prevents me from hearing someone who is trying to talk (not yell) to me from only several feet away. Certainly not to the extent that they can't even get my attention so I can remove one if I have to in order to listen.
If there is such a set in existence please post a link to where I can get a pair. :grin-square:
I use ear plugs as well as more expensive over the ear protection for various things like shooting, the drag races, etc. I've yet to find anything that prevents me from hearing someone who is trying to talk (not yell) to me from only several feet away. Certainly not to the extent that they can't even get my attention so I can remove one if I have to in order to listen.
If there is such a set in existence please post a link to where I can get a pair. :grin-square:
You know, the long and the short of it is this. Every single person in here, since the first day we picked up a cue, has played in noisy pool halls the majority of the time. Jukeboxes, weekend warriors screaming like they won world championships when they sh!t balls in, waiters and waitresses, people walking in front of your shot, people accidentally knocking into you etc... There isn't one person here that has experienced any of this things a billion times over. All of a sudden during a tournament you expect it to be quiet like a funeral procession. I don't get it. If all of your experiences in a noisy pool hall hasn't gotten you past all that then nothing will.
MULLY
MULLY
On this point, even in a pro tournament guys are playing next to each other, just as though in a pool room. And except for trying to avoid interfering with a player at the adjacent table while he is down on a shot, they pay very little attention to each other. And even this doesn't happen often since there is usually sufficient room between tables at a pro event. A guy at one table doesn't come to a sudden stop because he may walk in the background on the line of a player shooting at the next table.
Generally speaking though, all the players tend to be quieter than those in a pool hall. But the crowd will applaud when the ten ball goes on any table, not concerning themselves with the possibility that someone on another table in the room may be down on a shot. And they do usually have music playing (at a fairly low level to be sure) at the pro events I've been to.
I don't have a need to where earplugs but I suppose it wouldn't irritate me if my opponent did. As I said in my previous post, I know full well if I need to communicate with him he will be able to hear me.