Thoughts on the BCA

[Positively Ralf]

Just kind of curious about the census on the BCA is. I've only really just started reading about them and so far I know that it's a lot of pool equipment manufacturers that are on the board.

I'm assuming that they just govern the rules so far from what I've read. DO they run any leagues or major events?

 

[inycepoo]

They also run leagues in competition with the APA. Rules are the professional rules so a step above the APA rules and the players in BCA tend to be more serious and of higher caliber. Self-selection, I suppose.

 

[336Robin]

Trade Organization

The BCA is a Pool Trade Organization members include some of the top manufacturers and Pool League CEO's. They were in the Pool League business but sold that to Mark Griffin. The biggest fund raising they do is the BCA tradeshow I believe there might be a few other events and I think they collect dues from their members. Their job isn't to represent pool to the general public although one would think it should be, nor is it to have a Professional Tour. In that respect we are basically without representation. That's probably due to the fact that Pool Players as a demographic purchasing force doesn't pack much punch. Pool is made up of a lot of Mom and Pop businesses and few large leaders such as cloth and table manufacturers. Those people would likely have spots on the BCA.

 

[FranCrimi]

Just kind of curious about the census on the BCA is. I've only really just started reading about them and so far I know that it's a lot of pool equipment manufacturers that are on the board.

I'm assuming that they just govern the rules so far from what I've read. DO they run any leagues or major events?

The BCA is mainly a trade organization. Their involvement in the playing side of the game has always been with some reluctance. However, since the United States does not receive government money for pool as with so many other countries, the BCA has often helped the player organizations in the past by doing things such as paying the dues in the world federations so that U.S. players can compete in sanctioned international events, which I believe they still do. They were supportive of the Women's Pro Tour (WPBA) for many years, which was the largest women's pro tour in the world at the time. There is a history of friction between the BCA and the men's pro organizations in the past.

They also used to run the largest added money pro tournament in the U.S. for many years. There have been periods of upheavals where certain board members convinced them to move away from the playing side of things. As a result, they sold their league, which was their highest annual earner, or at least close to it. Between that sale and the increase in industry internet sales, their trade show income was greatly diminished --- thus today they are just a shadow of their old selves.

I believe they still produce a rule book, however, again, with rules easily accessible online, sales probably diminished greatly, which is probably why it's not produced annually any more.

 

[Bob Jewett]

The BCA is also the recognized governing body for pool in North America and determine who will be sent to world championships as the North American entrant. The BCA belongs to the WPA, which is the world governing body for pool.

 

[Cornerman]

They also run leagues in competition with the APA. Rules are the professional rules so a step above the APA rules and the players in BCA tend to be more serious and of higher caliber. Self-selection, I suppose.

No, not true. They used to, but the BCAPool Leagues were sold to Mark Griffin years ago.

 

[FranCrimi]

The BCA is also the recognized governing body for pool in North America and determine who will be sent to world championships as the North American entrant. The BCA belongs to the WPA, which is the world governing body for pool.

If we do the math, the BCA has paid over $250,000 in dues to the WPA over the years on behalf of the players. During those years, men's players organizations have come and gone, and it is doubtful that they would have been able to consistently cover the dues to maintain membership in the world federation system.

 

[336Robin]

Details with Value that many do not know.

If we do the math, the BCA has paid over $250,000 in dues to the WPA over the years on behalf of the players. During those years, men's players organizations have come and gone, and it is doubtful that they would have been able to consistently cover the dues to maintain membership in the world federation system.

The BCA is also the recognized governing body for pool in North America and determine who will be sent to world championships as the North American entrant. The BCA belongs to the WPA, which is the world governing body for pool.

The BCA is a Pool Trade Organization members include some of the top manufacturers and Pool League CEO's. They were in the Pool League business but sold that to Mark Griffin. The biggest fund raising they do is the BCA tradeshow I believe there might be a few other events and I think they collect dues from their members. Their job isn't to represent pool to the general public although one would think it should be, nor is it to have a Professional Tour. In that respect we are basically without representation. That's probably due to the fact that Pool Players as a demographic purchasing force doesn't pack much punch. Pool is made up of a lot of Mom and Pop businesses and few large leaders such as cloth and table manufacturers. Those people would likely have spots on the BCA.

Many people don't know these important things. In this way someone is paying out money that helps pro players otherwise when they go abroad they might not be eligible to compete.

 

[Positively Ralf]

Thanks for the replies. After further reading and the insights from the answers in this thread, I guess it's safe to say that pool in america pretty much depends on the leagues and the few promotions around who hold events. But props to the BCA for basically establishing the rules for the game and all they have done in the past.