Of course you're right. The lack of standardization is the problem, but if standardization is the endgame what are they doing to achieve it other than putting out another rule set? Truthfully the lack of enforcement of standardization in rules ultimately comes from their lack of legitimacy as a rule making body. Rule making/governing bodies in other sports don't double as trade organizations. They actually stick to their original mission of protecting and growing the game. This is will remain the case until something else takes up that mantle.
I think it would be fine if they did both ( trade and "play" ) if they could do both effectively, because at least at one point they did do both effectively. But, as Rob mentioned, several unfortunate elements all came together at once, rendering them more or less helpless when it comes to certain functions.
As an example, the professional pool activities and support have all but ceased, not because they wanted it to, but because they had no choice. No money, no support for pro pool. And to make matters worse, the pro players have all but abandoned the BCA as well, because they also had no choice but to fend for themselves, so to speak.
But that situation, which is completely reversible, believe it or not, was actually made worse, with the players attempting, via Charlie Williams' half-baked idea of creating their "own" player association and creating a new pseudo- points system. It has done nothing but drive the players further into the ditch and fragment the existing system.
And, to add insult to injury, the BCA (Ivan Lee specifically) was consulted when this new players association was formed, and (probably against his better judgement) Ivan graciously gave them a ton of good advice about how to properly execute their plan, which they expeditiously and thoroughly ignored, obviously to their own detriment, and where did it get them?
Here. Which is nowhere.
I guess the male pros needed to learn their lesson the hard way. But at the end of the day, also as Rob and Ivan have both stated, they (BCA) are perfectly willing to work with them if they chose to do so. And at this point I don't see why they don't. Are there hurdles? Hell yes. But both parties have everything to gain and nothing much left to lose.
Working with the BCA or not, the men should take a few lessons from the WPBA and start over, with their own source of income, instead of waiting for the world to feed them, or standing on the corner with a lemonade stand, or marching around with protest signs wondering why "nobody loves them" anymore.
Then of course you have the rogues; who "don't need no stinking badges" and would rather sit in their own feces than stand up and do something about their own future..
Blame the BCA? It sure seems to be popular, but are they really the cause, or the victim? Blame the players? It sure seems to be popular, but are they the cause or the victim?
Ask the BCA what they are doing in the pool world and at least they have an answer, albeit a short one. Ask the players what they are doing in the pool world and what will their answer be?
It's growing on me Pete "The Oracle" Sounds way fancy too. 
