The WPBA Code of Conduct

[BrooklynJay]

i got through a friend of a friend the wpba code of conduct that was handed out at the players meeting at the last event, the us open.

Complaints
All questions or complaints must be directed privately, in writing, to the tournament director or to a WPBA board member. Any public criticism or complaints are not permitted and the person responsible will be fined ($100.00 up to $5000.00)

Code of Conduct
Players are under scrutiny at all times as a professional and, as such, must avoid behavior that would discredit their fellow professionals, the WPBA, or the sport of billiards.

All players will be responsible for following all rules and regulations as set forth by the WPBA by-laws, the policy handbook, and any other regulations mandated by the on-site tournament officials and hosts.

Members of the WPBA must not make or cause to be made any statements (whether verbal or in writing), or take or cause others to take action which may, in the opinion of the wpba board, bring that member, the wpba or its agents, or the sport of billiards into disrepute.

The wpba may take action against any player member convicted of a felony and restrict their participation in the wpba events.

Player members shall not address criticism of fellow players, tournament personnel, equipment, or facilities to fellow members, the press, or any others. All such complaints should be submitted in writing to the tournament director or to a wpba board member.

Tournament officials may penalize any player abusing rules or regulations of the tournament or code of conduct at their discretion, including calling fouls, awarding games to an opponent, or forfeiting the offending players match.

Code of conduct violations inside the arena- unsportsmanlike conduct, intentional sharking, abusive or profane language, public abuse of equipment-physical or verbal, drinking during a match, rudeness to officials/players/spectators/sponsors, etc.

1. Written warning (verbal inside the arena with a write-up to go in the file)
2. Fine (minimum $100) + possible penalty TBD by tournament official (fouls, loss of game, loss of match.)
3. Fine and suspension

the emphasis added is mine - i highlighted the parts where the wpba wanted to stop players from posting information or their thoughts on here or on other forums concerning "wpba matters" (i.e. the elbow-by situation)

nice huh? wpba...it's faaaaaaaan-tastic.

 

[Johnnyt]

First off thank you for this BrooklynJay.

The WPBA has been around how many years? Let's just say thirty year. That's at least 200 tournaments and they handed this out to the players when they did, WHY?

They need to get rid of this board and vote in a new one of players. The new players need to hire someone to advise them in legal matters and sports business dealings. Either this or someone please set up and start another Women's Tour...the players will run to you. Johnnyt

PS. Right after the Sarah E. and Jen Chen thing I said watch the gag order come out fast here. This tour is like watching Washington and it's many cover ups. Classicgate?

 

[SUPERSTAR]

Normally, i would say that the board members need to go get laid, but in the case of the WPBA, that doesn't necessarily apply to all.

 

[av84fun]

Normally, i would say that the board members need to go get laid, but in the case of the WPBA, that doesn't necessarily apply to all.

Oh it doesn't? Why? Are they all nuns do you think? Not that nuns haven't been known to get a litte here and there.

If your post was an attempt at humor...it was just an attempt IMHO.

Regards,
Jim

 

[9balllvr]

i suppose i am in the minority in that i see the attempt by the WPBA to do just what everyone has been griping about for some time, provide a professional based organization/appearance on the women's side of the sport. nothing they have said is anything less than what would be expected in any professional organization. for example, if you are a lawyer, your actions outside of the office are just as crucial as that inside the office...are they not? if you act like a fool in public, would you get business? i don't see the problem here. these women are professionals in their sport, they should act as such. just because there is an avenue to complain publicly doesn't mean you should. that is not to say that if someone witnesses the actions as a spectator, that it won't make the forums anyway. just my unsolicited two cents.

if you want the sport to be recognized in a higher light for potential sponsorship, etc. than it currently is, don't you think that the players should offer them something other than drunken bar brawlers or catty fights between emotionally charged women or men?

 

[av84fun]

i got through a friend of a friend the wpba code of conduct that was handed out at the players meeting at the last event, the us open.



the emphasis added is mine - i highlighted the parts where the wpba wanted to stop players from posting information or their thoughts on here or on other forums concerning "wpba matters" (i.e. the elbow-by situation)

nice huh? wpba...it's faaaaaaaan-tastic.

Have you ever read a Code of Conduct for any other sport? Or the canons of ethics that lawyers are obligated to abide by (however unsuccessfully)?

Many such codes speak to behavior in private life. And lawyers are bound not only to avoid impropriety..but the APPEARANCE of inpropriety.

Say what you want about the women's tour organization but at least they HAVE one.

Regards,
Jim

 

[sunnyday]

Wha-wha-whawt?!?

i got through a friend of a friend the wpba code of conduct that was handed out at the players meeting at the last event, the us open.

Members of the WPBA must not make or cause to be made any statements (whether verbal or in writing), or take or cause others to take action which may, in the opinion of the wpba board, bring that member, the wpba or its agents, or the sport of billiards into disrepute.

Oh, by God! I need an interpreter to explain this phrase to me... and I thought my English was pretty descent. Jennifer Chen will need a REAL GOOD Interpreter :shrug:

 

[9balllvr]

Oh, by God! I need an interpreter to explain this phrase to me... and I thought my English was pretty descent. Jennifer Chen will need a REAL GOOD Interpreter :shrug:

just tell her it is legal speak :thumbup: it is obvious that it was written up by someone in the legal profession (whether attorney or not).

 

[av84fun]

Excellent post. Sadly, too many people would rather see the male pro side continue to deteriorate into small purse regional events with top name players smacking the TD in the forehead for making some ruling.

That really happened in JAX and ALL THIRTY spectators in the room saw it!

(-:

Trust me, there were TWICE as many people standing outside the pro event area smoking and tossing down the brewskis than were watching Thorsten run 167!

But yep....lets knock the most long-lived pro tour organization of the modern era. Maybe we can get the WPBA to disintegrate too so that 30 more people can watch the best female players in the world for 10 bucks in joints all over America.

(-:

Jim

i suppose i am in the minority in that i see the attempt by the WPBA to do just what everyone has been griping about for some time, provide a professional based organization/appearance on the women's side of the sport. nothing they have said is anything less than what would be expected in any professional organization. for example, if you are a lawyer, your actions outside of the office are just as crucial as that inside the office...are they not? if you act like a fool in public, would you get business? i don't see the problem here. these women are professionals in their sport, they should act as such. just because there is an avenue to complain publicly doesn't mean you should. that is not to say that if someone witnesses the actions as a spectator, that it won't make the forums anyway. just my unsolicited two cents.

if you want the sport to be recognized in a higher light for potential sponsorship, etc. than it currently is, don't you think that the players should offer them something other than drunken bar brawlers or catty fights between emotionally charged women or men?

 

[sunnyday]

On a serious note...

"Code of conduct violations inside the arena- unsportsmanlike conduct, intentional sharking, abusive or profane language, public abuse of equipment-physical or verbal, drinking during a match, rudeness to officials/players/spectators/sponsors, etc."


If a player commits an unsportmanlike conduct during a match, lets say - Rudeness to Spectators - who calls the violations? Can a spectator who received the rudeness make a complaint?

And if one player acts like a BULLY to another, one must endure the abuse until the match is done and file a written complaint to the Board? Or should they stop in the middle of the shot and look for pen and paper to file a written complaint?

S.

 

[Johnnyt]

Excellent post. Sadly, too many people would rather see the male pro side continue to deteriorate into small purse regional events with top name players smacking the TD in the forehead for making some ruling.

That really happened in JAX and ALL THIRTY spectators in the room saw it!

(-:

Trust me, there were TWICE as many people standing outside the pro event area smoking and tossing down the brewskis than were watching Thorsten run 167!

But yep....lets knock the most long-lived pro tour organization of the modern era. Maybe we can get the WPBA to disintegrate too so that 30 more people can watch the best female players in the world for 10 bucks in joints all over America.

(-:

Jim

Watching long runs in 14.1 is like watching cement dry. Guys running 100, 200, or more takes a lot of talent, but it's nothing new. In most cases there is not one eixiting shot in the whole run. It's just not a game to watch for most that have a heart rate over 50 bpm.

Yes the WPBA WAS the best because it is the only real tour. Because it's the only pro tour for women is the only reason the players put up with the way it's run. Let someone or some group start another tour and see how fast they stampede to it. Then you will see how happy most of them are now. That day is not far off. Johnnyt

 

[av84fun]

Watching long runs in 14.1 is like watching cement dry. Guys running 100, 200, or more takes a lot of talent, but it's nothing new. In most cases there is not one eixiting shot in the whole run. It's just not a game to watch for most that have a heart rate over 50 bpm.

Yes the WPBA WAS the best because it is the only real tour. Because it's the only pro tour for women is the only reason the players put up with the way it's run. Let someone or some group start another tour and see how fast they stampede to it. Then you will see how happy most of them are now. That day is not far off. Johnnyt

In the same room at the same time there were 10 ball matches going on between such players as SVB, Charlie Williams, Tony Crosby, Mika Immonen, Dennis Orcollo, Stevie Moore, Santos and others...all shooting their hearts out for about 5th place WPBA money.

You obviously have it in for the board but correct me if I am wrong. Isn't the board elected by the players?

Is it really true that there is soon to be a mutiny when the board has recently made it a LOT more likely that the lower ranked players will finish higher these days?

Seems to me that 5 players should be mad and 59 fantastically happy.

We'll see.

Regards,
Jim

 

[Johnnyt]

In the same room at the same time there were 10 ball matches going on between such players as SVB, Charlie Williams, Tony Crosby, Mika Immonen, Dennis Orcollo, Stevie Moore, Santos and others...all shooting their hearts out for about 5th place WPBA money.

You obviously have it in for the board but correct me if I am wrong. Isn't the board elected by the players?

Is it really true that there is soon to be a mutiny when the board has recently made it a LOT more likely that the lower ranked players will finish higher these days?

Seems to me that 5 players should be mad and 59 fantastically happy.

We'll see.

Regards,
Jim

There hasn't been large numbers of fans at pool tournaments in years. Those days are gone. Too many other things to do for most people. Yes on TV they get more in the seats because some people will pay to have their face on TV....Hi Mom.

Did the players elect Linda Chen?

I have it in for anyone or group that takes advantage of people. I hate a monopoly.

I will say nothing more about any other tour that might or might not get started. Johnnyt

 

[BrooklynJay]

Have you ever read a Code of Conduct for any other sport? Or the canons of ethics that lawyers are obligated to abide by (however unsuccessfully)?

Many such codes speak to behavior in private life. And lawyers are bound not only to avoid impropriety..but the APPEARANCE of inpropriety.

Say what you want about the women's tour organization but at least they HAVE one.

Regards,
Jim

most other sports provide enough money for the players to live on which is why they can dictate their behavior. the wpba does not. in actuality, with the way they have tournies set up running about a week for each event, you have to finish close to 16th or so just to break even. and there's rules here too which actually hurt players. for example - you must stay at the chosen hotel, usually the casino's hotel hosting the event, even if you might be able to find a cheaper place to stay down the street.

as an organization please inform me on how the wpba supports it's members and provides for them i.e. what does being part of this organization do for you as player where they can dictate your outside behavior? do they provide insurance for the players? help them get paid appearances? sponsorships? hell, the wpba can't even update their website in a timely manner. i gotta come here to find out who won matches and who won the events.

 

[BrooklynJay]

by the way, did anyone else besides me think it was strange how they addressed leaking "wpba secrets" three or five times but something like, say, elbowing and sharking other players they just addressed once?

nice to know where their priorities are huh?

 

[JimS]

Professional organizations as well as organized professionals, require professional behavior. Professional thinking would be nice to go along with it all, but professional behavior is required... REQUIRED.

Just play pool and keep your mouth shut.

 

[sjm]

i suppose i am in the minority in that i see the attempt by the WPBA to do just what everyone has been griping about for some time, provide a professional based organization/appearance on the women's side of the sport. nothing they have said is anything less than what would be expected in any professional organization. for example, if you are a lawyer, your actions outside of the office are just as crucial as that inside the office...are they not? if you act like a fool in public, would you get business? i don't see the problem here. these women are professionals in their sport, they should act as such. just because there is an avenue to complain publicly doesn't mean you should. that is not to say that if someone witnesses the actions as a spectator, that it won't make the forums anyway. just my unsolicited two cents.

if you want the sport to be recognized in a higher light for potential sponsorship, etc. than it currently is, don't you think that the players should offer them something other than drunken bar brawlers or catty fights between emotionally charged women or men?

Great post that shows you see the big picture. There are reasons the WPBA is the only American pro pool tour that has stood the test of time, and one of the biggest of them is administrative and operational superiority.

 

[Scott Lee]

tap, tap, tap! You're not in the minority. I think everybody here wishes the men could get their act together like the women have. However, it is the same today, as it was 30 years ago. No solid single organization...unlike the women. A group who would rather hustle and gamble than compete (of course, that's a 'catch-22', because they can't make $$$ in tournaments either). Sadly, the "screw the other guy...what's in it for ME?" attitude is just as pervasive today as it was then. There are some men pros who have the right attitude (SVB comes to mind immediately), but they are in the minority! Is this an American problem? Not exclusively, but definitely there are a lot of 'prima donna' pro players here. JMHO

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

i suppose i am in the minority in that i see the attempt by the WPBA to do just what everyone has been griping about for some time, provide a professional based organization/appearance on the women's side of the sport. nothing they have said is anything less than what would be expected in any professional organization. for example, if you are a lawyer, your actions outside of the office are just as crucial as that inside the office...are they not? if you act like a fool in public, would you get business? i don't see the problem here. these women are professionals in their sport, they should act as such. just because there is an avenue to complain publicly doesn't mean you should. that is not to say that if someone witnesses the actions as a spectator, that it won't make the forums anyway. just my unsolicited two cents.

if you want the sport to be recognized in a higher light for potential sponsorship, etc. than it currently is, don't you think that the players should offer them something other than drunken bar brawlers or catty fights between emotionally charged women or men?

 

[jay helfert]

As long as there is even handed enforcement of the rules, then it's all good. But when favoritism and partiality rears it's ugly head, that's when things begin to get very uncomfortable. I think this may be the case in the Ellerby situation that has brought these very strict rules into question.

I do KNOW that many women on the WPBT are unhappy with the interpretation and enforcement of their rules at this time. They just can't say anything publicly, for obvious reasons.

 

[9balllvr]

As long as there is even handed enforcement of the rules, then it's all good. But when favoritism and partiality rears it's ugly head, that's when things begin to get very uncomfortable. I think this may be the case in the Ellerby situation that has brought these very strict rules into question.

I do KNOW that many women on the WPBT are unhappy with the interpretation and enforcement of their rules at this time. They just can't say anything publicly, for obvious reasons.

change is always difficult for people and with the cattiness that has been taking place, something needs to be put into play. unless something has changed, there is a player meeting just prior to the events - that is the place to share these types of issues - not everyone has the courage to speak up on an issue in person (face to face) - the written notice to the board is a great outlet for that type of issue, but hiding behind a computer screen makes it much easier to address it in general for some. just seems like they are trying to stop the pettiness in one swoop.