Just one week after my diatribe about what’s wrong with pool and how to fix it, I’m shocked by today’s CSI press release. They are adding an ADVANCED DIVISION. This will fall between the Open and Masters divisions. Grand Masters is still there at the top.
I haven’t fully digested the news and impact it may have, but something in my gut just screams that more divisions equals more sandbagging, difficulty placing players accurately in divisions, and less money paid out to the winners. The money just gets spread out and it may not entice players to come to the tournament and take a shot at the big prize. I’ll write more about this development very soon.
Here’s the entire press release from the BCAPL/CSI group:
CSI Expands BCA Pool League Player Rating Categories; Adds New Division
The past two years CueSports International (CSI) analyzed the growth of player’s skill levels at the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships and decided to create a new rating classification: the Advanced Division.
CSI has also reclassified all active Player Members to be included in the other singles divisions (based on their individual ability).
The Advanced Division was created to add a level of play that falls between the Open Division and the Master Division. The goal is to allow more players to participate and to further competitive opportunity.
The following new Advancement Criteria is effective June 1, 2010 and is retroactive to all players who have cashed in the singles divisions of the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships since 2005 and all recognized BCAPL state and regional rankings.
New Advancement Criteria Old Policy New Policy
Top 8 from Men’s Open Master Master
Top 4 from Women’s Open Singles Master Master
9th-48th from Men’s Open Singles Master Advanced
5th-12th from Women’s Open Singles Master Advanced
Top 8 from Men’s Player Member Singles Master Advanced
Top 2 from Women’s Player Member Singles Master Advanced
Top 6 from Men’s Senior Singles Master Advanced
Top 3 from Women’s Senior Singles Master Advanced
Team Masters:
All Team Masters will be placed on the Advanced player list. The Team Master category is based on an individual’s participation on a team’s finish at the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships.
State Masters:
Players who are currently listed in their state as a Master player (but who have not participated in the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships) may remain as a Master or be moved down to the Advanced Division based on known ability and state and regional tournament results from 2005 – 2010.
Player Members:
All new Player Members, beginning June 1, 2010 will be required to enter the Advanced or higher Singles Divisions, ranked based on known ability. New and established Player Members (who have not cashed) may request consideration to enter the Open Division, but will be assessed individually.
Players on the Advanced list may petition the BCAPL to be removed. The Advanced category is based on individual play. If we have a tournament history of that player in singles that indicates that they are not an Advanced level player, they may be removed from the list and put back into the Open division.
Petition Procedure:
All requested to be removed from the either the Advanced, Master, Grand Master or Team Master list must be in writing. Telephone requests will not be accepted. Either email or mail your requests to:
Bill Stock
Director of Referees
Rules Administrator
CueSports International
2041 Pabco Rd
Henderson, NV, 89011
By Press Release – 2010-06-23
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