I am writing this thread because another thread got me to thinking about this topic. It is probably all about money. I want to know though.
Why can't all the amateur pool leagues get together and agree upon a standard set of rules and regulations about how pool will be played. It may sound simple at first but it is not at all. I know there are several different variations of pool such as 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball, 14.1, Rotation, one pocket. They should all be included. That is not what I am saying. What I am asking about is things like standards in what equipment will be used. The equipment should be standard no matter where you go. wooden table beds should not be allowed. Honestly I don't think that cracked slate beds should be either. There are some people that would say if it was properly repaired you cant tell the difference but waxing a seam is not the same as waxing a break or crack. There should be standards on which cloth can or should be used as well and it should be the same cloth they use if they go to any tournament.
Standards of game play like clear definitions of what calling a shot really is. Is it just calling the ball number and the pocket or is it calling all rail and ball contact along the way specifically? What happens if a player sinks the eight ball on a break in a game of eight ball or the 9 on a break in nine ball? When does the game of eight ball or nine ball end when the eight ball or nine drops if so what if the cue ball scratches after the object ball dropped? How does the league look at safety play as opposed to defensive play as they are actually quite different things. It is my opinion that every shot I make is offensive because to play defensively would indicate I am already behind. I like to play every shot to be able to make my target ball but if not leave my opponent with a hard shot if any. I think there should be standards on pocket size, table size measured by playing area, Maximum cue size, Possibly cue type limitations as well. Will jump cues or shots be allowed? There should be a standard of size and weight of the balls being used as well. That may pose a different problem with some of the current tables that require an oversize cue ball.
There really needs to be standards among the amateur leagues. I understand that many people will say that the bar owners will not put out the money for the better equipment and they may be correct. There may be other answers to that out there that they are not seeing such as leasing a table. lets leave the money out of it for now if we can get a standard set of rules we can work out the cost later.
I have noticed there are many leagues that promote team play but very few that promote individual competition. The handicap max used in some leagues seems to make the less skilled player the most valuable if that team has at least one high ranking player. I like the idea that the handicap system will allow everyone to play on an even field ideally. However creating a cap on how many skill points a team can have seems to make people not want to get better as they may get less play time if they get to high a rank or be forced off a team only to have to create a team of their own or have more less skilled players on their team. In my local area there are three different leagues available. I live in a small city with a lot of bars near me. I have been looking at many different leagues even ones that are not in my area. I still have not been able to find a league that is set up to have city, county, state, regional, and national championships as a single player not as a team. I have seen close in some areas. Team play is good but it tends to hinder the single player from improving beyond amateur level. You can go as a team to Vegas and win every game you play yet if your team members lose you all lose. They will not take the individuals and create new teams to find out who would make up the best team even. Although maybe if they did they could have a great practice team for the Mosconi cup team. With standardized equipment the difference between table size would not be a big obstacle as the angles would be the same it would only be a slight difference in ball speed.
Why can't all the amateur pool leagues get together and agree upon a standard set of rules and regulations about how pool will be played. It may sound simple at first but it is not at all. I know there are several different variations of pool such as 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball, 14.1, Rotation, one pocket. They should all be included. That is not what I am saying. What I am asking about is things like standards in what equipment will be used. The equipment should be standard no matter where you go. wooden table beds should not be allowed. Honestly I don't think that cracked slate beds should be either. There are some people that would say if it was properly repaired you cant tell the difference but waxing a seam is not the same as waxing a break or crack. There should be standards on which cloth can or should be used as well and it should be the same cloth they use if they go to any tournament.
Standards of game play like clear definitions of what calling a shot really is. Is it just calling the ball number and the pocket or is it calling all rail and ball contact along the way specifically? What happens if a player sinks the eight ball on a break in a game of eight ball or the 9 on a break in nine ball? When does the game of eight ball or nine ball end when the eight ball or nine drops if so what if the cue ball scratches after the object ball dropped? How does the league look at safety play as opposed to defensive play as they are actually quite different things. It is my opinion that every shot I make is offensive because to play defensively would indicate I am already behind. I like to play every shot to be able to make my target ball but if not leave my opponent with a hard shot if any. I think there should be standards on pocket size, table size measured by playing area, Maximum cue size, Possibly cue type limitations as well. Will jump cues or shots be allowed? There should be a standard of size and weight of the balls being used as well. That may pose a different problem with some of the current tables that require an oversize cue ball.
There really needs to be standards among the amateur leagues. I understand that many people will say that the bar owners will not put out the money for the better equipment and they may be correct. There may be other answers to that out there that they are not seeing such as leasing a table. lets leave the money out of it for now if we can get a standard set of rules we can work out the cost later.
I have noticed there are many leagues that promote team play but very few that promote individual competition. The handicap max used in some leagues seems to make the less skilled player the most valuable if that team has at least one high ranking player. I like the idea that the handicap system will allow everyone to play on an even field ideally. However creating a cap on how many skill points a team can have seems to make people not want to get better as they may get less play time if they get to high a rank or be forced off a team only to have to create a team of their own or have more less skilled players on their team. In my local area there are three different leagues available. I live in a small city with a lot of bars near me. I have been looking at many different leagues even ones that are not in my area. I still have not been able to find a league that is set up to have city, county, state, regional, and national championships as a single player not as a team. I have seen close in some areas. Team play is good but it tends to hinder the single player from improving beyond amateur level. You can go as a team to Vegas and win every game you play yet if your team members lose you all lose. They will not take the individuals and create new teams to find out who would make up the best team even. Although maybe if they did they could have a great practice team for the Mosconi cup team. With standardized equipment the difference between table size would not be a big obstacle as the angles would be the same it would only be a slight difference in ball speed.
