What are the pool amateur governing bodies up to these days?

The amateur bodies of pool are the biggest reason that our sport is still thriving in America. Nobody is suggesting they are perfect and yes, they are in it for the money, but they give structure to pool competition that keeps amateurs heavily involved in our sport, year after year.

The disconnect between the amateur ranks and the pro ranks goes back several decades, but to suggest that the amateur organizations must be held accountable for the state of pro pool in America or elsewhere is not reasonable. Any amateur organization that feels investment in the pro game serves its business model will do so, and others are not likely to invest.
 
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Sooner32 said:
I've never been in a league. I can't imagine joining one with rules like that. Don't see the point of playing 9 ball with those rules.
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Points rotation is a very old game. 61 points wins the rack.

Nine ball is too hard for the average league player, and there is very little incentive under the standard rules to make anything before the five ball. Giving points for each ball is the right thing to do for the target group of players.
 
I think the major reason amateur league pool in the US will not do much to raise the level of pro pool in the US is that the players can't even participate -- for the most part -- until they are 21. I believe the APA ended its junior events, not sure about the other leagues as far as junior development goes.

In my experience, amateur league players have little interest in watching the pros.
 
Bob Jewett said:
I think the major reason amateur league pool in the US will not do much to raise the level of pro pool in the US is that the players can't even participate -- for the most part -- until they are 21. I believe the APA ended its junior events, not sure about the other leagues as far as junior development goes.

In my experience, amateur league players have little interest in watching the pros.
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You are correct in that amateur league players don't want the pros a lot.

As far as juniors goes, the VNEA still has a junior program. In fact, their junior nationals is apparently the largest juniors event in the country, if not globally. But you are also true in that most of the venues for league pool is in places with 21 and up
 
Bob Jewett said:
Points rotation is a very old game. 61 points wins the rack.

Nine ball is too hard for the average league player, and there is very little incentive under the standard rules to make anything before the five ball. Giving points for each ball is the right thing to do for the target group of players.
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Well like I said. I can't imagine joining a league like that. If nine ball is too hard, then take up checkers.
 
Bob Jewett said:
The vast majority of people who play pool do not play well enough to run a rack of nine ball. Should they leave the game?
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I realize that's how my comment sounds but it's not what I meant. Checkers was a poor choice of words.

If I were in a league I would be exactly the type of player you are talking about. I can break and run 5 or 6 often but I rarely run a rack any longer. I would be happy running one rack per session at this point but I seem to find a way to mess it up even if the shots are fairly easy. I still don't want special rules made for my sucky play other than a spot if I am going to play someone for money.

If they are changing the rules of the game so far that you can win a game and not make the 9, then it really does not have a lot to do with 9 ball.

I do not believe I am the target audience for leagues. I am not searching for social interaction or a night out. If I feel the need to compete, I bet there are at least 50 guys on this site alone that would line up to take my money.
 
Sooner32 said:
I realize that's how my comment sounds but it's not what I meant. Checkers was a poor choice of words.

If I were in a league I would be exactly the type of player you are talking about. I can break and run 5 or 6 often but I rarely run a rack any longer. I would be happy running one rack per session at this point but I seem to find a way to mess it up even if the shots are fairly easy. I still don't want special rules made for my sucky play other than a spot if I am going to play someone for money.

If they are changing the rules of the game so far that you can win a game and not make the 9, then it really does not have a lot to do with 9 ball.

I do not believe I am the target audience for leagues. I am not searching for social interaction or a night out. If I feel the need to compete, I bet there are at least 50 guys on this site alone that would line up to take my money.
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And you may not be the target audience for leagues, and that's perfectly fine.

As far as the 9 ball goes, you still win the individual games by potting the 9. It's winner break so when you win the game, you break the next game. The overall match is points though. You could have a 65-45 match race where all the balls equal one point and the 9 ball is worth 2 points.

The person that was quoted or talked about in the original post was confused on what winning a game and winning the match means I feel.
 
Sooner32 said:
other than a spot if I am going to play someone for money
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Why do you need a spot to be competitive for money and they don't need a spot to be competitive in a league? That's all it is. It's handicapping based on points instead of games because games in 9-Ball is not a reliable reflection of the amount of "work" each player did. Only two for the nine seems low to some until they realize that it's not just two. It's two plus the break, meaning if you break and run 5 or 6 often it can be a 15-point swing in the match score when playing someone of equal ability - the 7 or 8 points you get plus the 7 or 8 your opponent didn't get. That's often overlooked by those who strategize strictly by point. When you play someone better or worse than you a single 9-Ball can make up the entire spot or double it, so who wins the games is still important.
 
APA Operator said:
Why do you need a spot to be competitive for money and they don't need a spot to be competitive in a league? That's all it is.
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I don't care for that spot. I do not care about the "amount of work" a player does. Who decided the purpose of the game of 9 ball was to make sure everyone was equally compensated for the amount of work they put in?

There is no point in trying to convince me of anything. I am sure the APA will do fine without my endorsement. I most certainly am not the audience for this or for any league. I only originally commented because someone said you could win a game of 9 ball on points even if you didn't make the 9, which I found strange. I will refrain from commenting on league threads from now on because I add nothing useful and there are plenty of people that do enjoy leagues.

Reasons for me to never join a league
1, as stated in this thread, not a fan of a points system
2, probably am in bed while everyone is playing
3, do not play on bar boxes
4, would leave the first time a hip hop song came on
 
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