Mr. Stock,
It seems a shame that these players get so good that the BCA has no choice but to abandon them. Why not a Semi-Pro division or some other event that would allow these "Regional Monster" to perticipate in the BCA. What is there for Jeff Beckly, Shawn Wilkie, Brian Deska, & etc.
This issue of players improving in the system to the point where the current system and organization have NOTHING for them exists and is real. These players used to be able to enter the pro event previously and with the move to invitational, there is no where for them to "GO" but back home!
Nice to know that if you get "TOO GOOD" you can forget about playing league!!!
I agree with the decision, just think you should be able to create a substitute division or tournament for this group of people that fall "IN-BETWEEN" pro and amateur.
Regional leagues could be PARTNERS with you and send 4 players each from GSBT, APT, MEZZ, ABCA=Joe Tucker league & etc. They pay airfare and hotel for 4 players and put some of the prize money into a prize fund. You collect a slight administrative fee and these players get to participate. The Regional owners are just like your league operators. Nothing preventing the league operators to EXPAND into the regional leagues??? Or the regional owners partnering to have a MEGA tournament once a year. Especially, since piggy backing events keeps cost down.
Just some food for thought!!!
Sincerely,
KD
Mike Wilson
They can all play in the BCAPL I believe. It's just they can't sneak into the OPEN division. Only those that fly under the radar can do that. :thumbup: or is it

There are several other divisions. The problem is that most pool players are looking to make a score and once they have to play in the Masters Division (or higher) they are no longer stealing playing on a bar table.
Not too many people play just for the title. In a sense, I think this is where the APA gets it right with the U.S. Amateur Championship. You don't really play for anything but they seem to fill up the tournament each year.
Maybe C.S.I. should think about trying to get the winners of those upper divisions some face time. Give them a big trophy and plaster their faces all over the internet. Appeal to their vanity a bit more. I don't know -- do something different. You can increase the prize fund but if a pool player isn't stealing they aren't going to play. But hey - if you give them a fancy trophy and some recognition maybe they will.
I could be wrong.