Why are IPods/MP3 players banned?

[TimKrazyMon]

I was just curious why this was done. I can appreciate why phones wouldn't be allowed, but to my knowledge you can't use an IPod to talk to someone. All you can have is recorded material on them. I guess you could have recorded coaching but if someone was using it for that purpose it would be pretty obvious.

Just asking because the house music last year wasn't exactly my cup of tea.

 

[UWPoolGod1]

I was just curious why this was done. I can appreciate why phones wouldn't be allowed, but to my knowledge you can't use an IPod to talk to someone. All you can have is recorded material on them. I guess you could have recorded coaching but if someone was using it for that purpose it would be pretty obvious.

Just asking because the house music last year wasn't exactly my cup of tea.

It's also so your opponent can get your attention by voice to get a ref called over to watch a close hit without having to tackle you when your shooting away from him. If your music is too loud you could shoot before he gets your attention and then an arguement would ensue, which would probably go to the shooter since the ref wasn't called.

Also, included in getting the MP3 wearers attention would be calling safe/pocketing ball...and calling the 8ball if his eyes are wandering around the room instead of focused on the table.

 

[tucson9ball]

It's also so your opponent can get your attention by voice to get a ref called over to watch a close hit without having to tackle you when your shooting away from him. If your music is too loud you could shoot before he gets your attention and then an arguement would ensue, which would probably go to the shooter since the ref wasn't called.

Also, included in getting the MP3 wearers attention would be calling safe/pocketing ball...and calling the 8ball if his eyes are wandering around the room instead of focused on the table.

tap..tap...
Someimes it's necessary to get your opponents attention. I agree with this rule.:thumbup:

 

[tatcat2000]

Official BCAPL response

It's also so your opponent can get your attention by voice to get a ref called over to watch a close hit without having to tackle you when your shooting away from him. If your music is too loud you could shoot before he gets your attention and then an arguement would ensue, which would probably go to the shooter since the ref wasn't called.

Also, included in getting the MP3 wearers attention would be calling safe/pocketing ball...and calling the 8ball if his eyes are wandering around the room instead of focused on the table.

Exactly.

Communications problems between players are, as far as referees are concerned, the root of more evil than anything else. The rule was developed by the BCAPL to remove communications barriers, as well as some of the other reasons observed here.


Buddy Eick
BCAPL National Head Referee
BCAPL Director of Referee Training
Technical Editor, BCAPL Rule Book
bcapl_referee@cox.net

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