About using the cue stick as a measuring device, Rodney Morris was penalized with a foul when he was competing in the WPC. I can't remember the year. I want to say it was 2002, but it might have been 2003.
He used his cue stick to aim for an upcoming shot, and the referee gave his opponent ball in hand. I tried to search for the article on AzBilliards Main Page, but I can't find it. I do remember reading all about it. Charlie Williams stated that the rules were not clear, or words to that effect.
I think it's a good idea to lay the cue stick on the table when racking balls. Sometimes the breaker will hit them with such force and so fast, that you may not have time to get out of the way of flying balls. Not a good thing. Those flying balls can hurt! :yikes:
JAM