How exactly does the Billiard Congress Of America support the professional player?

[(((Satori)))]

When I talk to regular people about the image of pool they normally mention Jeanette Lee and associate her to the image of pool (the mention Allison as well). That's a huge step in the right direction, and just another example of how POWERFUL TV IS.......she's been on many different shows and leads everyone in that category. The women't tour has been on ESPN the most in the past years so many people think of it in terms of what they're exposed to.....this is the general public I'm talking about, not the regular pool fans.

Men's pocket billiards, on the other hand, has no image, it's the "vanilla flavor" of sports and games. We need to add some flavor to it asap. imho "The Black Widow" and Earl have been the exceptions the last few years....for different reasons of course.
The good news is we don't have the negative stigma attached to the men anymore, we've just been forgotten....which really is a positive thing if you think about it in those terms. 'The Game is the Teacher'

I appreciate what you are doing for pool and the fact that you listen to and consider the ideas for improvements from unknown people on here, even though you have accomplished all that you have, is a sign of intelligence IMO. Thanks for your efforts.

I agree that putting pool on TV will generate awareness but in order to grow, in order to reach the goals that I imagine, we need more. The casual sports can may tune in to the pool seen on TV every once in a while and some may pick up an awareness of who the players are but we really need more than that if we are going to grow. IMO what we need is to give the sports fan a product that they will be compelled to watch. We need to generate fans of the sport. I know this idea seems out of reach to a lot of people on this site but it is within reach IMO.

 

[CJ Wiley]

when gambling was thrown in {the equation} the numbers shot up to over 80%.....hmmm

I appreciate what you are doing for pool and the fact that you listen to and consider the ideas for improvements from unknown people on here, even though you have accomplished all that you have, is a sign of intelligence IMO. Thanks for your efforts.

I agree that putting pool on TV will generate awareness but in order to grow, in order to reach the goals that I imagine, we need more. The casual sports can may tune in to the pool seen on TV every once in a while and some may pick up an awareness of who the players are but we really need more than that if we are going to grow. IMO what we need is to give the sports fan a product that they will be compelled to watch. We need to generate fans of the sport. I know this idea seems out of reach to a lot of people on this site but it is within reach IMO.

From our "Think Tank" of 1000 people only 2% of them would watch pool no matter what the prize money or who was playing (Jeanette would be an exception).

On the other hand if they knew the players through stories that are entertaining those numbers shot up to over 70%......'The Game is the Teacher'

Then, when gambling was thrown in {the equation} the numbers shot up to over 80%.....hmmm Of course there's much more information they gave us that forms the "solution picture"......the good news is pocket billiards is as popular as any other sport or game, it just needs to be introduced properly - in the an order that consummates the general public's appetite.

 

[Snapshot9]

Opinion

I am just going to throw out some things:

In watching pros play Pool on TV, I thought that watching them play 8 ball (IPT) was more entertaining than watching 9 ball all the time.

The BCA, does not do enough for the pro players. They need to develop a system where if a pro player gets in the top 4, or maybe 8, of a sanctioned pro tournament, national tournament, or world tournament that they get rewarded in some way. Does that make sense? The better you are, the more you get rewarded. And pro players should be their own item in the BCA, not down as a subitem of a miscellaneous item.

This could be with increasing money for tournament entries, traveling and lodging money, or direct monetary reward amounts., Jerry was right that the pro players need to be more interactive with the general public. In every relationship, you have to have give and take, I give you this, you give me this.

Now, I am going to mention a pet peeve of mine, companies, organizations, and associations will make annual, 2 year, 5 year, and 10 year goals. They also make forecasts, but do they ever compare forecasts with actuals? They usually publish goals and forecasts, but do they actually publish goals accomplished, and what they did do throughout the year? What good does it do to have a forecast or goal, and not measure it? Instead many of them just make another forecast or another goal.

Even in Pool, players have to play better players to measure their own advancement in the sport.

 

[Paul Schofield]

I have read this entire thread.

I like and respect the Billiard Congress of America. I have been a member in at least one catogory for almost 40 years. The BCA is us. It is where we meet. It also is a reflection of pool's condition and status. If you think the BCA should be doing more and doing things differently, join and get involved. Spearhead the changes you would like to see. It is very hard. Be prepared to loby and having to convince others.

This is our non-profit. It should be the place where the entire industry comes togeather and contibutes time, effort, and funds to further our game.

An old addage seems appropriate: Ask not...........

 

[AtLarge]

... Just a couple of weeks ago the finals of the Steinway Open in Queens, NY took place, a match that was streamed. The stream, understandably, had advertisements from companies offering financial support. The players were Hall of Famer Earl Strickland and rising star Jayson Shaw. Oddly enough, Jayson Shaw saw it fit to play the match wearing earphones. Why this was allowed at all in a "called shot" event is anyone's guess, so some of the blame must go to the organizers, but earphones tune out the audience, too, and they look ridiculous, not to mention unprofessional, on the stream. ...

Here's some more information on Jason's wearing headphones in that semi-final match with Strickland: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=4325582&postcount=17

 

[(((Satori)))]

From our "Think Tank" of 1000 people only 2% of them would watch pool no matter what the prize money or who was playing (Jeanette would be an exception).

On the other hand if they knew the players through stories that are entertaining those numbers shot up to over 70%......'The Game is the Teacher'

Then, when gambling was thrown in {the equation} the numbers shot up to over 80%.....hmmm Of course there's much more information they gave us that forms the "solution picture"......the good news is pocket billiards is as popular as any other sport or game, it just needs to be introduced properly - in the an order that consummates the general public's appetite.

That doesn't surprise me.

We have talked before about how compelling the players are to watch once their stories are told and the audience becomes emotionally attached. This angle is great and it obviously works. It is a required ingredient to a successful production IMO but it alone is not enough to get the full effect IMO.

While it is important for the players to be compelling it is even more important for the game to be compelling. You said when gambling was introduced the interest went up. I can see that. I asked earlier a question of why people watch sports. The essential factor is clear when we look at what a game is. A game broken down to the core ingredients are defined as 1) anything that involves one or more people 2) a goal to accomplish & 3) an obstacle of obstacles preventing the goal. The obstical could be a direct opponent like a defensive linebacker in football a physical object like a bunker in golf, or a mental obstical like the pressure associated with making a shot when big bucks are on the line.

The more people can recognize the goals and the obsticals in a sport the more compelling the sport is to watch. When someone watches supercross it is easy for them to understand the goal is to perform a certain number of laps before all of the others and the obsticals are easy to identify, it is easy for the viewer to picture how impressive it is for the riders to make the huge triple jumps or travel through the whoops etc and it is therefore somewhat compelling to watch even if you don't ride. When someone watches boxing it is easy to figure out the goals and obsticals and how challenging it is for the athletes and therefor it is somewhat compelling g for people to watch. And so on and so on with other sports.

Lets look at pool though. Even with the brief explanation of how to play rotation games most people (not pool players) can't follow the goals of the players on their own. They can't even tell which ball is next or what ball they need to shoot without the help of the commentator, much less when someone gets too straight in or creates too much angle. And what about the obsticals? I wouldnt be surprised if they wonder if there are any obsticals. The game looks easy and what's compelling about that? Even the mental pressure is unrecognizable in most productions, only the hardcore players can recognize it and are impressed with big packages.

People can say what they want about how hard bonusball was to learn but to the casual fan the concept was easy, purple, orange, and black. The goal was recognizable. The game was clearly more of a struggle too. The players didn't just get up and run racks with no emotion. There was interaction, strategy discussed, shot clocks, obvious pressure situations.

Ok, for those who say no more bonusball talk, let's look at the Mosconi cup. The pressure is brought out and easier to see making the game more compelling. Or what about eightball, isn't that game easier for the casual sports can to recognize the goals. If only the game presented more obsticals, it's too easy, as is nineball, or tenball IMO, but we can find ways to make them compelling if we try. How can we add in more pressure? How can we educate the fans so that they understand the goals and obsticals? A more animated crowd that reacts to certain situations perhaps?

I believe the answers are there we just have to find them. Mosconi cup is a step in the right direction. Bonusball was a step in the right direction IMO. I believe that with guys like you seeking to get there you will succeed. It's just another game,the goal is to put pool on the map & one of the obsticals is generating fans. We will win!

 

[(((Satori)))]

One more point I believe that Im not sure was relayed in the last post is; I believe it is perfectly fine for the pros to make a game look easy as long as the viewer, or fans if you will, sees the task as hard.

It is the athletes who face the "tough" obsticals with confidence and seemingly effortlessly execution who become larger than life in the fans eyes, but right now when a casual sports fan watches pool on TV he does not see a pro pool player to be anything special.

Go to YouTube and watch SVB vs. Orcullo 2013 9-ball bar table championships, but watch it through the eyes of someone new to the sport. Does the game seem compelling to you?

How do we educate the fans so that they recognize the goals, feel the pressure, understand the tough shots or tough outs? This is what we need to answer IMO

 

[purpdrag]

From our "Think Tank" of 1000 people only 2% of them would watch pool no matter what the prize money or who was playing (Jeanette would be an exception).

On the other hand if they knew the players through stories that are entertaining those numbers shot up to over 70%......'The Game is the Teacher'

Then, when gambling was thrown in {the equation} the numbers shot up to over 80%.....hmmm Of course there's much more information they gave us that forms the "solution picture"......the good news is pocket billiards is as popular as any other sport or game, it just needs to be introduced properly - in the an order that consummates the general public's appetite.

I totally agree and it's been said here before by me and others. One thing the World Series of Poker got right that helped it become so hugely popular was the little player interviews and stories so we could get to know the players and feel a connection. Players to root for/against make it a much more compelling watch.

They also had huge prize money and the feeling among the masses that any decent player could do it with a little bit of luck (the Chris Moneymaker effect). We won't have that in pool but the player back stories and production value/commentating was the ket success factor and we (pool) could do that. Most people love to root for the underdog who's had a hard road and is fighting his or her way to the top. And pool is full of underdogs who've had a hard road, and full of interesting characters that could be marketed. They just need to be willing to play along with the interviews and the story building and they could be made into celebrities. Get people interested and watching and the money will go up from there.

 

[purpdrag]

One more point I believe that Im not sure was relayed in the last post is; I believe it is perfectly fine for the pros to make a game look easy as long as the viewer, or fans if you will, sees the task as hard.

It is the athletes who face the "tough" obsticals with confidence and seemingly effortlessly execution who become larger than life in the fans eyes, but right now when a casual sports fan watches pool on TV he does not see a pro pool player to be anything special.

Go to YouTube and watch SVB vs. Orcullo 2013 9-ball bar table championships, but watch it through the eyes of someone new to the sport. Does the game seem compelling to you?

How do we educate the fans so that they recognize the goals, feel the pressure, understand the tough shots or tough outs? This is what we need to answer IMO

This is where good commentating is key. A "tip from the pros" segment would also be a benefit here. I don't want to slam our current pool commentators because there are a few decent ones out there but on the whole ... sorry I'm going to slam them. Current pool commentating mostly ranges from terrible to mediocre. To be fair, most of these people are not professional commentators and most are getting paid little to nothing for their time, so I appreciate their contribution, but this is where a huge improvement could relatively easily be made.

 

[336Robin]

Who are they?

I have read this entire thread.

I like and respect the Billiard Congress of America. I have been a member in at least one catogory for almost 40 years. The BCA is us. It is where we meet. It also is a reflection of pool's condition and status. If you think the BCA should be doing more and doing things differently, join and get involved. Spearhead the changes you would like to see. It is very hard. Be prepared to loby and having to convince others.

This is our non-profit. It should be the place where the entire industry comes togeather and contibutes time, effort, and funds to further our game.

An old addage seems appropriate: Ask not...........

Paul,

I agree 100% with you post but....Who are they? I almost had a chance to play a BCA league years ago but it vanished when the room had trouble. So Ive had zero experience or exposure to them, their ideals, what they do etc.

I think its tragic that they sold the pool leagues. It was the one way they could have been able to stay in touch with the players and get more members.

So when you say we should join. I cant say you're wrong but what are they going to offer me? and for how much?

What would it matter as far as my voice here on this forum that would make a case for change any louder if they charged me for a membership?

Do they still take player members? I don't know but I doubt much listening above their reading these posts will take place. Inquiring minds really want to know.

 

[CJ Wiley]

ALL sports and games are boring without the character building and "Show Sizzle"

This is where good commentating is key. A "tip from the pros" segment would also be a benefit here. I don't want to slam our current pool commentators because there are a few decent ones out there but on the whole ... sorry I'm going to slam them. Current pool commentating mostly ranges from terrible to mediocre. To be fair, most of these people are not professional commentators and most are getting paid little to nothing for their time, so I appreciate their contribution, but this is where a huge improvement could relatively easily be made.

Yes, working for "free" and "cheap" and all this is not a good excuse for lacking in this department......I totally agree that this is a place for vast improvement.

The most important element [from our research] is creating an emotional attachment to the players and this will not be done by people that work for free, or cheap.

This area will be done by people that charge a LOT of money for their time, effort and expertise. The good news is IT WILL BE VITALLY ESSENTIAL TO THE OVERALL SUCCESS OF POCKET BILLIARDS......and without the character building the game will continue to fizzle and someday die.....if that were possible.

What we don't "Real Eyes" these days is ALL sports and games are boring without the character building and "Show Sizzle" elements in place. We've just grown accustomed to this in current first tier sports and it's become "normal"......however, it's from billions and billions of marketing dollars through the years.....this is how it was all built and pocket billiards is still at "Ground 0" in this aspect of it's development. 'The Game is the Teacher'

 

[Mr. Bond]

So when you say we should join. I cant say you're wrong but what are they going to offer me? and for how much?

What would it matter as far as my voice here on this forum that would make a case for change any louder if they charged me for a membership?

Do they still take player members? I don't know but I doubt much listening above their reading these posts will take place. Inquiring minds really want to know.

Not to put words in his mouth, but what Paul is getting at is more than just paying dues and being a member. (Although that's a good start)

It has more to do with getting involved with the purpose of generating positive changes instead of someone simply sitting back and complaining about the status quo.

And this, to me, is where the impromptu player's association has gone awry. Rather than working WITH the BCA (and taking the advice that was indeed offered to them) they chose to break out on their own. But to what end? What advantage do they have by working on the problems of pro pool by themselves? ie reinventing the wheel. None that I can see. And in fact they may very well have compounded the problems.

Perhaps its not clear (enough) to these pros that the BCA is perfectly willing to work with them and represent their interests. All they really need to do is get together and discuss it. Personally I believe that a little level headed communication could go a long long way.

 

[CJ Wiley]

That doesn't surprise me.

We have talked before about how compelling the players are to watch once their stories are told and the audience becomes emotionally attached. This angle is great and it obviously works. It is a required ingredient to a successful production IMO but it alone is not enough to get the full effect IMO.

While it is important for the players to be compelling it is even more important for the game to be compelling. You said when gambling was introduced the interest went up. I can see that. I asked earlier a question of why people watch sports. The essential factor is clear when we look at what a game is. A game broken down to the core ingredients are defined as 1) anything that involves one or more people 2) a goal to accomplish & 3) an obstacle of obstacles preventing the goal. The obstical could be a direct opponent like a defensive linebacker in football a physical object like a bunker in golf, or a mental obstical like the pressure associated with making a shot when big bucks are on the line.

The more people can recognize the goals and the obsticals in a sport the more compelling the sport is to watch. When someone watches supercross it is easy for them to understand the goal is to perform a certain number of laps before all of the others and the obsticals are easy to identify, it is easy for the viewer to picture how impressive it is for the riders to make the huge triple jumps or travel through the whoops etc and it is therefore somewhat compelling to watch even if you don't ride. When someone watches boxing it is easy to figure out the goals and obsticals and how challenging it is for the athletes and therefor it is somewhat compelling g for people to watch. And so on and so on with other sports.

Lets look at pool though. Even with the brief explanation of how to play rotation games most people (not pool players) can't follow the goals of the players on their own. They can't even tell which ball is next or what ball they need to shoot without the help of the commentator, much less when someone gets too straight in or creates too much angle. And what about the obsticals? I wouldnt be surprised if they wonder if there are any obsticals. The game looks easy and what's compelling about that? Even the mental pressure is unrecognizable in most productions, only the hardcore players can recognize it and are impressed with big packages.

People can say what they want about how hard bonusball was to learn but to the casual fan the concept was easy, purple, orange, and black. The goal was recognizable. The game was clearly more of a struggle too. The players didn't just get up and run racks with no emotion. There was interaction, strategy discussed, shot clocks, obvious pressure situations.

Ok, for those who say no more bonusball talk, let's look at the Mosconi cup. The pressure is brought out and easier to see making the game more compelling. Or what about eightball, isn't that game easier for the casual sports can to recognize the goals. If only the game presented more obsticals, it's too easy, as is nineball, or tenball IMO, but we can find ways to make them compelling if we try. How can we add in more pressure? How can we educate the fans so that they understand the goals and obsticals? A more animated crowd that reacts to certain situations perhaps?

I believe the answers are there we just have to find them. Mosconi cup is a step in the right direction. Bonusball was a step in the right direction IMO. I believe that with guys like you seeking to get there you will succeed. It's just another game,the goal is to put pool on the map & one of the obsticals is generating fans. We will win!

Yes, it isn't enough to create the whole marketing strategy, just a component. We've developed something that will work, it's just a matter of time before we implement it.....there is an order of events that must transpire to consummate this process....asap.

'The Game is the Teacher'

 

[ENGLISH!]

Not to put words in his mouth, but what Paul is getting at is more than just paying dues and being a member. (Although that's a good start)

It has more to do with getting involved with the purpose of generating positive changes instead of someone simply sitting back and complaining about the status quo.

And this, to me, is where the impromptu player's association has gone awry. Rather than working WITH the BCA (and taking the advice that was indeed offered to them) they chose to break out on their own. But to what end? What advantage do they have by working on the problems of pro pool by themselves? ie reinventing the wheel. None that I can see. And in fact they may very well have compounded the problems.

Perhaps its not clear (enough) to these pros that the BCA is perfectly willing to work with them and represent their interests. All they really need to do is get together and discuss it. Personally I believe that a little level headed communication could go a long long way.

Mr. Bond,

No offense intended, but you seem to be a loyal member of the BCA.

The BCA is a trade organization. For it to also to be the 'governing body', was in my eyes a conflict of interest, especially where the players are concerned. It is much more in Aramiths interest to have a wider tolerance for cue balls than it is for the players. It would be in the best interest of the players, pro & amateur to have 'one' cue ball. But if the BCA were to impose tight tolerances on cue balls, Aramith would make less net profit, as certain balls would have be discarded or recycled.

That is just one example where what is 'best' for the players is not what is 'best' for the business 'trade'. (except for the 'sponsor' money that the 'trade' partners throw in) Is that selling out?

What did the BCA really do, for the players? My guess is that many of 'the players' did not see enough, if anything, really being done for them.

I think some of them have finally 'real eyesed' that they need to do it on their own & to stop hoping that 'someone' is going to make it all good for them.

The players made the PGA. The USGA did not make the PGA.

America has been, & for now still is, a democratic capitalistic society & not a socialist society.

The players need to make their own way & stop looking for & hoping for someone else to 'give' them a living.

I wish them all the best into making themselves a viable commodity that THEY can sell for their own reward & not just be an ingredient in what someone else sells & gets the reward from the pros talent & performance.

In entertainment & sports there are managers that are good for the talent & just earn there cut & there are managers that are bad for the talent & have basically raped them.

I think the BCA has leaned more to the later where the talent has been concerned.

Naturally all of the above are just my opinions & take on things & could be totally wrong.

Regards & Best Wishes,
Rick

 

[Paul Schofield]

The BCA is a trade organization. Rick

You are exactly right! The BCA is a trade organization. Professional Pocket Billiards is a trade. It is no different than table manufacturing, cue making, or running a national pool league. Professional players would have to organize and become a businees and join the other trade sectors in the pocket billiard industry. The BCA cannot and should not use it's own funds to establish and run the players business for them.

Quite the opposite of what the title of this thread suggests, a professional players association/business should participate, contibute, and do their part to further the cause for our sport under the auspices of the Billiard Congress of America..

 

[Mr. Bond]

You are exactly right! The BCA is a trade organization. Professional Pocket Billiards is a trade. It is no different than table manufacturing, cue making, or running a national pool league. Professional players would have to organize and become a businees and join the other trade sectors in the pocket billiard industry. The BCA cannot and should not use it's own funds to establish and run the players business for them.

Quite the opposite of what the title of this thread suggests, a professional players association/business should participate, contibute, and do their part to further the cause for our sport under the auspices of the Billiard Congress of America..

Couldnt have said it better myself.

And Rick, with all due respect, I'm not nor have I ever been a member of the BCA.
I have, however, taken the time to speak with board members, chairmen, and presidents about these very issues, and I encourage others to do the same. They are not quite as evil and careless as the general public might have you believe.

As for the 'conflict of interest', keep in mind that 'professional pool', 'commercial pool' and 'home pool' are different markets with different needs and different price points. This is why there are so many different balls, tables, cloths and construction standards to chose from.

 

[336Robin]

Peta?

Not to put words in his mouth, but what Paul is getting at is more than just paying dues and being a member. (Although that's a good start)

It has more to do with getting involved with the purpose of generating positive changes instead of someone simply sitting back and complaining about the status quo.

And this, to me, is where the impromptu player's association has gone awry. Rather than working WITH the BCA (and taking the advice that was indeed offered to them) they chose to break out on their own. But to what end? What advantage do they have by working on the problems of pro pool by themselves? ie reinventing the wheel. None that I can see. And in fact they may very well have compounded the problems.

Perhaps its not clear (enough) to these pros that the BCA is perfectly willing to work with them and represent their interests. All they really need to do is get together and discuss it. Personally I believe that a little level headed communication could go a long long way.

Mr. Bond,
The impromptu players organization.....Yes I agree. I think the focus was securing payouts through escrow. Money is a part of the game but that is sort of hard to come by and Promoters are put in the position that they need seats and admission to make it work that may or may not be there.

Since we need acronyms in this business PETA sounds like a nice one. Players for the Ethical Treatment of Amateurs...or Pool ...or the Game...the Sport and do that. I think I would like to see them think about what they could do other than just show up to play for money and actually stimulate the game at the Amateur level. I haven't seen a Pro Player in my area in a number of years. If someone showed up to show the fans they mean something to them, they would leave with sponsor money. People love pool but Pool doesn't seem to love People and that's just messed up in my opinion.

 

[336Robin]

Creating New Players

Couldnt have said it better myself.

And Rick, with all due respect, I'm not nor have I ever been a member of the BCA.
I have, however, taken the time to speak with board members, chairmen, and presidents about these very issues, and I encourage others to do the same. They are not quite as evil and careless as the general public might have you believe.

As for the 'conflict of interest', keep in mind that 'professional pool', 'commercial pool' and 'home pool' are different markets with different needs and different price points. This is why there are so many different balls, tables, cloths and construction standards to chose from.

Mr. Bond,
I will agree with you in bold but the fact remains they have become a trade organization and as a trade organization I think one of the biggest concerns they should have is the Creation of New Players.

It is evident to all that play the game that Pool is in a downward spiral of varying degrees depending on where you are.

I would think this should be the primary concern of a Trade Organization. So contact with players is essential. Selling the Pool Leagues, farming out the Instructor Program etc puts distance between them and the players. In my opinion they were mistakes. Im sure that at the time it seemed the right thing to do but in business sometimes you have to do something in order to maintain CONTROL if for nothing else.

Hiring someone to come in an do something always leads you to a situation where they might be looking to take your job.

So you have to be careful with that and that is precisely what has happened here. They might have saved themselves some money for the trouble they were going through but they lost the control.

I myself would love to hear from Pro Players and the BCA but at my level in my Pool Room that part of Pool is non-existent. So I would assume that neither exists were it not for the Internet or television where coverage is also lacking.

In my humble opinion its time for them to reach out to us and get in touch with us somehow or find a way to Create New Players. I don't see how they have anything to offer me except nice conversation about how they protect the interests of Industry Members.

I would say that if they were really Protecting they would be Creating.

Just my Humble Opinion. If we keep sticking the finger in the light socket and it keeps getting shocked...well maybe we need to try something else for pleasure.

 

[Mr. Bond]

Mr. Bond,
I will agree with you in bold but the fact remains they have become a trade organization and as a trade organization I think one of the biggest concerns they should have is the Creation of New Players.
...
Hiring someone to come in an do something always leads you to a situation where they might be looking to take your job.
....

I agree about the creation of new players. It's very important, not to the average joe, but to the industry as a whole. Sometimes its shocking how little the big (industry) players do to promote the future of their own interests. Being a scrooge is no way to build a following.

Admittedly the BCA has, as of late, become obsessed with 'all things expo', but thats not to say that they havent, or dont, at least try to concern themselves with promoting the game and creating new players. They have, in the fairly recent past, helped the BEF considerably and they did create 'Generation Pool' with the future in mind.

Is it enough? No. Is it better than nil? Yes, by far.

Do you know how much money it takes to make a million dollars?
3 million.

As for the 'subcontracting' issue, its a mixed blessing.
It can, in some cases, be somewhat harmful but not always.

Sometimes it is more effective and efficient to hire outside experts that are already equipped and trained to do a specific task than to spend the time and money to train and equip the people in your own company to do the same tasks. It just has to be done very carefully to prevent a brand disconnect or lack of continuity in services. But whether it has helped the BCA overall or not, IMO, is yet to be seen.

I certainly hope there is a method to the madness but I like many fear that there is not.

 

[ENGLISH!]

Couldnt have said it better myself.

And Rick, with all due respect, I'm not nor have I ever been a member of the BCA.
I have, however, taken the time to speak with board members, chairmen, and presidents about these very issues, and I encourage others to do the same. They are not quite as evil and careless as the general public might have you believe.

As for the 'conflict of interest', keep in mind that 'professional pool', 'commercial pool' and 'home pool' are different markets with different needs and different price points. This is why there are so many different balls, tables, cloths and construction standards to chose from.

Mr. Bond,

I probably should have put 'loyal member of the BCA' in quotes as I did not mean it literally.

When speaking to board members, chairmen, & presidents of the BCA, do you truly expect to get an unbiased picture?

No one said that they are evil or careless people, but their motives & intentions certainly have seemed to be questionable at times.

There is a wide array of price points for golf clubs & balls too, but, they are in the legal limits & tolerances or they are illegal. Illegal golf clubs & balls do exists. But I do not think you will find any PGA Pro playing an illegal club or ball.

I'm sorry but I definitely see a conflict of interest from protecting the game & helping manufacturers make more money. At times there can be a mutual benefit. But at other times there will be a conflict of interest.

IMHO the BCA has made quite a few decisions that were not in the best interest of the game.

IMO they should relinquish the governing roll to a totally separate entity & just be a trade lobbyist. To be both only invites 'corruption'.

All of the above are just my opinions.

Regards & Best Wishes,
Rick