Question. There's one team in my local 8 ball league that uses the Black TV ball set.

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muku

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There's one team in my 18 team, local, 8 ball league that uses the Aramith Black TV ball set. I have a mental, or optical illusion, accuracy problem with them as my team only plays them twice a season. I especially am especially miffed with the polka dot cue ball. I googled APA rules for equipment and did not see any prohibition of these alien, to me, looking balls.

Pre match I asked to use my balls as an away team (Aramith premium). They said no. They get to pick the set because they are home team.

Before I send a brief email to our league manager I was wondering if they within APA rules allowed to use these balls?
Can I request during my breaks to change to my newish set of regular looking balls?
Can I at least ask to use my simple Aramith Cue ball instead of that dalmatian spotted one?
 
Both teams have to agree to using the ball set, if it's their own set not from the pool hall. I am 95% sure being the home team means didly squat past who gets to call the coin flip and maybe choice of tables.

There may be an issue with APA rules since their strict overall rules apply to their national events and tournaments, as well as regional tournaments, and the individual league operators have a bit of leeway with local rules. I would absolutely argue against having only one side selecting what equipment both players are going to use, unless the equipment is in bad condition, then if there is a disagreement about what should be used you use a levelheaded mediator to decide.

This is from their tournament guidelines:

"21. EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS: Laser devices, mechanical cues and training/practice aids may not be used in Tournament play. Some specialty cues may be allowed on a limited basis. Special equipment, such as bridges and cue extenders, are legal. Players are expected to use equipment consistent with its intended purpose. In addition, players must use the rack, cue ball and object balls provided at each table. Additional equipment guidelines applicable during APA Tournament play are set forth below:"
 
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At least you have nice ones in your league. When I played in bars you would think they played bocce in the parking lot with the set we used.

I don't hate the measle cue ball but I could see sighting problems with the stripes being black. Hard to see edges of those balls depending on where the stripe is.

I doubt the APA has any specific rules about equipment as both teams are using whatever crap most bars give you. Your situation differs as it could be argued that this team might have an advantage but that is a stretch.

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My league does have a few rich blood players. I myself bought a 190$ Amarith Premium for our team to stay away from the dented lifeless stock table balls. My teammates were so happy.

I side with the original replier. If someone is playing with their esoteric marked set, not normally in rotation on that home table, there has to be both team agreement to use them, not dictated. Especially if someone has a normal looking set.

If your son belonged to a little league and were mandated to hit purple and black baseballs because of the home team that would not be fair.
Hitting spheres is hard enough. Let's not automatically allow these TV balls to be used.

I wish our APA would analyze the unfairness. Gather findings and enact the permissible ball types and rules therin.
 
If in fact they are not able to force you to use their balls, you could possibly compromise by offering to play with their object balls and your cue ball. Or their ball set for half the rounds and yours for the rest. Otherwise you'll probably have to insist on the house balls. I'd be happy either way, since the balls are high quality and likely much cleaner than the house balls.
I don't care for the black set, but they sure beat crappy bar balls. The measle ball is a bonus, I prefer them over anything else.
 
muku said:
There's one team in my 18 team, local, 8 ball league that uses the Aramith Black TV ball set. I have a mental, or optical illusion, accuracy problem with them as my team only plays them twice a season. I especially am especially miffed with the polka dot cue ball. I googled APA rules for equipment and did not see any prohibition of these alien, to me, looking balls.

Pre match I asked to use my balls as an away team (Aramith premium). They said no. They get to pick the set because they are home team.

Before I send a brief email to our league manager I was wondering if they within APA rules allowed to use these balls?
Can I request during my breaks to change to my newish set of regular looking balls?
Can I at least ask to use my simple Aramith Cue ball instead of that dalmatian spotted one?
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Just common sense would dictate that unless both teams agree to use the different balls, the house balls provided by the host pool room should be used.

I see this very similar as two players in a tournament deciding on whether to flip or lag for the opening break. If they agree to flip, that’s fine, but if one player insists on lagging, they must lag.
 
BigBoof said:
At least you have nice ones in your league. When I played in bars you would think they played bocce in the parking lot with the set we used.

I don't hate the measle cue ball but I could see sighting problems with the stripes being black. Hard to see edges of those balls depending on where the stripe is.

I doubt the APA has any specific rules about equipment as both teams are using whatever crap most bars give you. Your situation differs as it could be argued that this team might have an advantage but that is a stretch.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk
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Yes, depending on the lighting, I could see thin cut shots on balls close to the rails being very difficult. I do like the black 9 on televised matches because it stands out from the 1 and the cue ball, but the black 10 can be confused with the 8. The purple 5 could cause you to call the wrong ball, too.
 
muku said:
There's one team in my 18 team, local, 8 ball league that uses the Aramith Black TV ball set. I have a mental, or optical illusion, accuracy problem with them as my team only plays them twice a season. I especially am especially miffed with the polka dot cue ball. I googled APA rules for equipment and did not see any prohibition of these alien, to me, looking balls.

Pre match I asked to use my balls as an away team (Aramith premium). They said no. They get to pick the set because they are home team.

Before I send a brief email to our league manager I was wondering if they within APA rules allowed to use these balls?
Can I request during my breaks to change to my newish set of regular looking balls?
Can I at least ask to use my simple Aramith Cue ball instead of that dalmatian spotted one?
Click to expand...
This is whats wrong with apa. They can use whatever balls they like as long as they are regulation size which these Are. Just play pool and stop being a nit.
 
tomatoshooter said:
Yes, depending on the lighting, I could see thin cut shots on balls close to the rails being very difficult. I do like the black 9 on televised matches because it stands out from the 1 and the cue ball, but the black 10 can be confused with the 8. The purple 5 could cause you to call the wrong ball, too.
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same, i don't mind it in 9-ball. it was probably made for 9-ball only, as using it for 8-ball is a total farce, even with good lighting
 
skogstokig said:
same, i don't mind it in 9-ball. it was probably made for 9-ball only, as using it for 8-ball is a total farce, even with good lighting
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I’m not a fan of the balls personally but as long as I’m shooting with a red circle cue ball and the balls are regulation I don’t care what color they are. I’d be glad I’m playing with a Good set of balls and not whatever beat up crap is on a bar table. Lol
 
trob said:
I’m not a fan of the balls personally but as long as I’m shooting with a red circle cue ball and the balls are regulation I don’t care what color they are. I’d be glad I’m playing with a Good set of balls and not whatever beat up crap is on a bar table. Lol
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I think the main point here is if the other team can dictate what equipment is going to be used if both players don't agree. The specific equipment is secondary to the issue.
 
Are they the home team and provide the balls?

IMO, you will need to define "provided at each table."

By all means contact your LO. Just know you are not the first to encounter this issue.
 
To clarify. I played last Tuesday night's, 8 ball league....which was the last night of the winter season. The team used the TV balls. With the horrible to me spotted cue ball. To top it off I had black stripes all 3 of my games. I was disoriented enough to affect my game. Especially putting spank on the spotted cue ball.

I expressed to them the minute I got there that I am not used to playing with these. They said home team gets to choose the balls.
I brought my newish set of the same quality balls - Aramith Premium.

If the home team gets to choose these $420 a set balls then they need to be available to the public or the opposing team. I like to practice at whatever bar my next match is at for at least 2 days prior.

I am disappointed APA hasn't addressed the use of a different looking ball. Without a rule one could make an even stranger looking cue ball.
 
Are those balls in the table 24/7? Or they just get them out for league? If they are just out for league I would definitely complain to the league operator. This is an unfair advantage. Depending on how much this means to you, you could also write to the League Office.
 
The balls are not out. They are brought in only for the home matches or their personal time.

Second of three rounds I got my allotted break. I tried to pocket a solid once I made a ball on my break.
I missed. I was again saddled with the black striped balls.
I even would hazard a guess that some of the opposing 5 member team players know to get solids?

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I like shooting with a measle ball. It helps me to see what if any english I'm putting on the cue ball. I don't find many opponents who agree to playing with it though. So its just a practice ball for the most part.

If the league won't do anything about the ball set issue then you should just change the narrative. They are all 8 balls. lol
 
Right in the rules... Must use the equipment provided by the room.

Deviations from that rule are only allowed if both opponents agree. I've tried several times to use templates but it's always denied by the other side. Those that don't know think there's some type of wool being pulled over their eyes. Generally the masters players have a better desire to play the game in the best circumstances.

I personally wouldn't use the gaff sets of black balls. CB sure, but not the balls. Wrong colour scheme.

I'm proud to be nit
 
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