The "International-ness" of the IPt

[kaduku]

Since it is the international pool tour, I wonder if any refs or officials have had any misunderstandings concerning rules, play, etc. from the players who may not have very good english skills. I started to wonder this after watching part of the match of Django Bustamante and Marlon Manalo. Django asked the ref a question and the ref understood. However, with the many different players on the tour do they have any language barriers when conflicts arise?

 

[ironman]

A couple of years ago at one of our tournaments, Jui Lung Chen was playing Robert Newkirk. Chen got down to shoot a ball and moved another ball. Since we play cue ball fouls only, no harm was done, but Chen had a look of total confusion and Robert just sort of laughed as if to say, who hasn't been there. Chen then reached to grab the ball andmove it back and Robert started waving at him not to touch the ball and now CHen is really confused and moved it back a 2nd time. Everyone realizes that it is just a reflex move, but still it is a foul.
I( was the TD and saw the whole thing and could tell that since there was such comunication barrier that the young man was simply confused. Some got irritated with me, But I went the extra step and got his wife on the phone to explain to Chen.
My point is this can be a real problem when there is little or no comunication.
I'm glad it worked out the way it did for Chen, he is fine young man and I now consider him a friend....