Let me make an observation here. When these threads about bar boxes come up, invariably there is a large group of people that get incensed, feeling their skills & abilities at this game are being questioned because they play on boxes & feel they are being stigmatized because of it.
The better portion of these people lament that a box is all they have access to & many like myself that have constant access to large tracks have expressed our sympathies. Inevitably the threads turn to reasons being given, halls with large tracks closing everywhere because of lack of interest in this sport lead to lack of business & making financially unviable for these large halls to stay open that have big tracks. That because of that its terrible that anyone should condemn the Fisher Price table set because these players & boxes are keeping the game alive.
You're always one of the first to state your indignation at what you are feel are aspersions cast about boxes & those that play on them. Then there's obligatory re-telling of the tale of how you've placed Diamond boxes in the bar you frequent, how this has helped pool by people in your bar being drawn to pool by these beautiful boxes that replaced the raggedy tables that were there previously & bringing new people to the game. Even in this thread you purport how the box can "keep pool alive until it can be something more".
I truly do feel for those that don't have a choice to play on a large track due to lack of access in their locales. Like many here in these threads I lament every hall that closes taking big tracks away from enthusiasts, leaving them no choice but a box, it is a sad thing, the current state of pool.
Having said all that I'll ask you this, What's your excuse? As stated many don't have access to anything else, others are watching the few options they had go away as halls close leaving boxes as the only option. Then there's others like you. You live in Portland right? You have a number of options there, a few halls with big tables, some like Sam's that have been around since the 60's, the type of place so many lament closing due to lack of support. Do you support those halls, make the effort to encourage others in your area to support them? I don't think so, instead of feeling fortunate to have the options so many in these threads that have no option would love to have but don't. No, you promote boxes, entreat people to play on them, frequent the bar you put them in & take business & support away from these other large table halls, perhaps helping in their demise. In your post I quoted you deride these halls & tables & speak of how you prefer your bar & your box. In your MANY posts about your little bar you purport how you're "keeping it alive". When you have options to support these halls and don't, instead preferring your bar and your box I consider you and those like you to be part of the problem, you're what many here decry, the social bar banger, the reason large halls are closing, you could support the game & these halls & the big table game but choose the box, not because you don't have any choice, but because the toy track is your favorite choice. Everyone is free to choose what they like but please spare us the indignation. Last I passed through you could get a drink at Sam's or Uptown so it's not that, it's that they don't have the toy tracks you seemingly prefer.
Still got a niner in the basement though.