The WPBA Code of Conduct

[9balllvr]

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.

why not do what you would do in any other tournament, get a referee to oversee the match. in life you deal with bullies, how do you handle it? as far as the spectator comment, while playing, the spectator shouldn't even be a thought. is it a "perceived rudeness" to the spectator because i know when i play, the last thing i want to focus on is the person watching me (although sometimes we do) - if you really had an issue as a spectator and could not see past someone's moment of weakness during play, take the time to write the WPBA and notify them of the behavior. stop someone while walking through the halls and let them know to watch the player in the future.

put it into perspective - if you have a desk mate in an office setting that annoys you or does something that is rude, do you report it or just continue to do your job? most people that i know, realize it is part of the work force to have to deal with different personalities (good or nasty) and brush it off. you never know what someone is going through on any given day.

 

[sunnyday]

Sorry, very long but I don't know how else to get my point across...

why not do what you would do in any other tournament, get a referee to oversee the match. in life you deal with bullies, how do you handle it? as far as the spectator comment, while playing, the spectator shouldn't even be a thought. is it a "perceived rudeness" to the spectator because i know when i play, the last thing i want to focus on is the person watching me (although sometimes we do) - if you really had an issue as a spectator and could not see past someone's moment of weakness during play, take the time to write the WPBA and notify them of the behavior. stop someone while walking through the halls and let them know to watch the player in the future.

put it into perspective - if you have a desk mate in an office setting that annoys you or does something that is rude, do you report it or just continue to do your job? most people that i know, realize it is part of the work force to have to deal with different personalities (good or nasty) and brush it off. you never know what someone is going through on any given day.

9balllvr,

The WPBA Great Lakes Classic was the first time I attended the WPBA event-I was a spectator. I had never won a qualifier, so this was my first experience and since I am not a WPBA member, I will speak freely...But I like to clarify up front that I have utmost respect for the organization and am a huge fan! So, I was very excited about the opportunity and overall had a ball!

However, this is where the infamous "Ellerby - Elbow-gate" incident had occurred. I did not witness this event, and till this date, it is just an hearsay...

It's easier to say that Jennifer C. should had called a referee from the beginning of the match and have him sat there the whole time since her opponent had history of being rude and dishonest on the table... (this is also hearsay. I do not know for certain how Sarah E. is personally) But with each rounds with several matches going on at once, there are only "two" official referees (Mark Wilson and Steve Tipton) to oversee all the close hits, wracking the balls for few troublesome tables when requested, keeping the audience informed and what ever more... You get the idea! So you can't tie up one of the only two referee for one match...

There were also volunteers working the "shot clock". WPBA has a rule that any match who doesn't clear certain number of games (sorry I forgot the number) within an hour goes on the clock for both players. Even if it was a result of extensive safety play. However, this rule wasn't always consistent since they were at the mercy of having the volunteers available for the match...And overall they just kept the time since they are not qualified referees.

When I was questioning about the rudeness to the spectators on my previous reply, I wasn't worrying about the players having to fade the rude spectator. I was referring to the fact a certain WPBA member - ok, in this case, Sarah E. was being rude to the spectator!

Maybe this guy fidgeted to much or whatever he did, must had irritated her. She got up from her shooting stance and glared at him for few seconds and went back down to shoot.

Ok, I'm a player too and I know that there are some people whom just lack the audience sense and unintentionally sharks you, I KNOW! But any other pros who got sharked usually got up and some even with an apologetic smile, politely asks the audience "can you please not move?"

She didn't say anything but just glared... I think that was rather rude. Especially those tickets to the WPBA matches were NOT CHEAP! I don't want to spend a lot of money to be treated like a dirty mop water...I don't think the guy even knew what he did...

Another time, during a TV match...OK same person here... Believe it or not, I am not trying to pick on her but I did not witness anyone else to come off rude... so here goes.
During Sarah E's shot, Steve T. had to be very close to see if her shirt may commit a foul. Sarah had to stretch over the ball... However, the TV crew either didn't know why Steve was there or didn't care because one of the camera crew hissed at Steve to get out of the camera's view...

Well she missed the shot and got up and shot a nasty look at the camera crew who was just doing his job...

To stop someone and "warn" them to watch the player in the future... Most of people already KNEW about someone's rudeness and openly spoke about it. I just happen to witness it first hand...

However, now according to the "new" WPBA Code of Conduct which (you joked about ) being written by someone who was very familiar with the Legal Talk... forbids WPBA member talking about anything negative and put everything in WRITING to the board.

My question was if only written form of complaint will be acknowledged, then must you wait until the match is over to file the complaint or do you stop the match and write a complaint?

I personally don't put up with people trying to bully me... I usually confront them face to face.

S.

 

[9balllvr]

Sunny,
As you noted I did make a crack about the legal speak, but I do not think the rules themselves are a joke in the least. As far as your question about when you should file a complaint, I suppose that would depend on the conduct at the time. Are you supposed to deal with someone nudging you or pushing you down during a match, NO. Are you to expect that some people are catty and obviously not the nicest of people, sure, why not? such is life not to mention many will use it to their advantage - it is a form of mental sharking. I think common sense would play a hand in how you would approach any given situation such as this. Generally, rules are provided as a basic code of conduct and then situations that are out of line are addressed accordingly. Do you think the WPBA wants its players to come off as asses in the arena, I doubt not. That is the whole intention (as I read it) that they have instituted these rules.

As far as someone (in this case Sarah Ellerby) glaring at someone, who cares really. This is a professional player attempting to maintain focus in a professional event - would you not be pissed yourself if someone in the audience was being rude (whether they knew it or not). I have been known to throw a glare here and there as well when playing. Since this is your example, quite frankly we have NO IDEA what Sarah was thinking at that moment NOR do we know if her gaze was directed at someone in particular versus looking to see where the noise was coming from. If Tiger Woods is in mid-swing and someone makes noise, don't you think he would turn and glare at them as well. Look, I don't know Sarah other than seeing her at regional events when she first started. She has never been a big smiley person to begin with from what I witnessed, but for all I know she is quite pleasant. I have many a friend that aren't peppy and jovial, but they are great people, they just don't come off that way initially because they don't smile all the time. Just a little food for thought.

9balllvr

 

[sunnyday]

Sunny,
As you noted I did make a crack about the legal speak, but I do not think the rules themselves are a joke in the least. As far as your question about when you should file a complaint, I suppose that would depend on the conduct at the time. Are you supposed to deal with someone nudging you or pushing you down during a match, NO. Are you to expect that some people are catty and obviously not the nicest of people, sure, why not? such is life not to mention many will use it to their advantage - it is a form of mental sharking. I think common sense would play a hand in how you would approach any given situation such as this. Generally, rules are provided as a basic code of conduct and then situations that are out of line are addressed accordingly. Do you think the WPBA wants its players to come off as asses in the arena, I doubt not. That is the whole intention (as I read it) that they have instituted these rules.

As far as someone (in this case Sarah Ellerby) glaring at someone, who cares really. This is a professional player attempting to maintain focus in a professional event - would you not be pissed yourself if someone in the audience was being rude (whether they knew it or not). I have been known to throw a glare here and there as well when playing. Since this is your example, quite frankly we have NO IDEA what Sarah was thinking at that moment NOR do we know if her gaze was directed at someone in particular versus looking to see where the noise was coming from. If Tiger Woods is in mid-swing and someone makes noise, don't you think he would turn and glare at them as well. Look, I don't know Sarah other than seeing her at regional events when she first started. She has never been a big smiley person to begin with from what I witnessed, but for all I know she is quite pleasant. I have many a friend that aren't peppy and jovial, but they are great people, they just don't come off that way initially because they don't smile all the time. Just a little food for thought.

9balllvr

You are right, some of the nicest and sweetest people can be less peppy. Even for myself, depending on when and where you meet me for the first time, I could be "Sunny Day" or "Clowdy Night":grin-square:

I am sure Sarah E's closest friends who know her on the personal level will vouch for how wonderful individual she is. I truly believe she probably has amazing qualities... She carries very impressive line of sponsors and is internationally involved in several projects. I don't know what it takes to pull off something of that caliber, but guessing a great personality could be a good start

I just think as a "Professional", she could had put on a little pleasant front to the fans...

Just my two cents...

S.

Edited for spelling

 

[Melissa Herndon]

However, now according to the "new" WPBA Code of Conduct which (you joked about ) being written by someone who was very familiar with the Legal Talk... forbids WPBA member talking about anything negative and put everything in WRITING to the board.

Code of conduct is not new. It's been the same since I started playing in 2000. I can't vouch for before that....but I would bet that it's been the same for longer than that.

Sunny, I know you were referring to someone else calling it new....but I couldn't find that post. So I am just correcting that notion. This exact same Code of Conduct has been around for years.

Melissa

 

["T"]

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

Sarah E. has got to be laughing her a$$ off at this.

 

[sunnyday]

Thanks for the clarification

Code of conduct is not new. It's been the same since I started playing in 2000. I can't vouch for before that....but I would bet that it's been the same for longer than that.

Sunny, I know you were referring to someone else calling it new....but I couldn't find that post. So I am just correcting that notion. This exact same Code of Conduct has been around for years.

Melissa

Melissa,

Thanks for clarifying that. Yeah, many people here, including myself thought it was newly written.

A solid standardization is good and is vital to maintain orders in any organization, I do not contest that. I was just picking on the fact it was a little confusing, especially to members who are not fluent in English. Or maybe just to me... lol.

S.

 

[Johnnyt]

Melissa,

Thanks for clarifying that. Yeah, many people here, including myself thought it was newly written.

A solid standardization is good and is vital to maintain orders in any organization, I do not contest that. I was just picking on the fact it was a little confusing, especially to members who are not fluent in English. Or maybe just to me... lol.

S.

This is why we have 20-30 pages of lawyers in every local Yellow Pages. To decode the crap they write. Of course it doen't hurt that 95% of our lawmakers are lawyers either.
It's like the script the doctor gives you to take to the pharmacy...that YOU can't read. It's a note from your doctor to the the pharmacy saying, "I just got my $200 from him, now you get yours". Johnnyt

 

["T"]

Code of conduct is not new. It's been the same since I started playing in 2000. I can't vouch for before that....but I would bet that it's been the same for longer than that.

Sunny, I know you were referring to someone else calling it new....but I couldn't find that post. So I am just correcting that notion. This exact same Code of Conduct has been around for years.

Melissa

I didn't see your post before my earlier one and thanks for clarifying that this is not new.

I still don't see how this secrecy thing is healthy. I'm sure you would agree with everyone that we hope these kind of incidents never happen again, but these guidelines the way they are written, can inadvertently punish the victim more than offender.

Jennifer Chen's reaction to these incidents was complete and involuntary shock. Everyone who posted critically of Sarah E. just after the incident, including myself, was shocked as well! The reaction to these incidents by Jennifer, and others, was not a deliberate planned out smear campaign, it was complete horror and disgust.

You can't expect anyone to be silent when someone sticks them with a needle.

 

[ridewiththewind]

I find it intensely interesting that the Code of Conduct is quite specific as to what will constitute a violation of disclosure of WPBA 'secrets', including how the discipline is to be handled...but quite unspecific as to what constitutes poor behavior...and any resultant discipline.

Anytime an organization goes to such lengths as to muzzle their members, and to protect their 'secrecy', I believe it makes them more suspect...and infinitely more corruption-prone.

Sorry...but a duck is a duck is a duck.

Lisa

 

[PETARD]

Finally

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

WE FINALLY AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Williebetmore]

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.

sjm,
Let me agree with you; with one caveat:

Such regulations are only valuable and appropriate if both the board and players adhere to them faithfully.

If the board is to ignore episodes of probable cheating (code of conduct violations); take no steps to discourage cheating; and if the players are going to play dishonorably because they can get away with it; then much of the code is valueless in the eyes of the fans.

In addition, a board that decides to not report the results of well known inquiries will always be viewed as attempting to avoid the issue by those fans that are aware of the issue. "Not reporting" and "not caring" are fairly close in many people's view.

 

[Pjadedd]

I think the WPBA needs a code of conduct like they have. As posted by others, many organizations have clauses that prohibit members of that organization from publicly making derogatory remarks about the rules, other members, etc. There's something for presenting uniformed support, even if internal problems do exist.

Unlike other "regular" organizations, the WPBA is in the public eye because they are viewed on television. It can be very detrimental to the organization on the whole if you have different members spreading different pieces of information. I'm not implying that this currently happens, but it is a possibility with the internet, message boards, etc. When people reveal information over a place such as this one, we will never truly know if what is being said is the truth or that person's version of the truth. It makes it easier to flatly say that things should not be spoken about. It would appear to be too difficult to take it on a case by case basis.


PJ