I would say that you are very fortunate to be in an area where there are non-handicapped leagues & tournaments. There are not, and have not ever been, AFAIK, any non-handicapped leagues in my area, and even non handicapped tournaments are a rarity. I know that there are some good handicapping systems out there, but it seems that they are all vulnerable to some form of abuse, and watching that abuse occur is a major turnoff for many players. I know several players who wear their sandbagging exploits like a badge of honor, as if the contest is just about who is better at gaming the system. And even in leagues/tournaments where handicap abuse it at a minimum, there is still the factor of the politics and constant griping that seem to be a standard feature of every handicapped event.
As far as the stigma is concerned, I would submit that it is due to that, admittedly small, percentage of players who either a) are gaming the system by sandbagging, or using other underhanded tactics, or b) are not really pool enthusiasts who love the game, but instead just use the pool league as an outlet for drinking/socialization. There is a similar stigma associated with players who only play for money, which is again due to a small percentage of those players who are either always looking to rob someone, or who engage in underhanded gambling tactics like hustling or dumping.
In my personal experience, the best players are the ones who engage in all forms of competitive play, and can find their gear whether they are gambling, playing in a tournament, or participating in a team setting such as a league. Players who want to achieve a higher level of play should, I think, seek out all forms of competition available to them.
Aaron
