Bob Paulson in his younger days was commonly asked to be a fourth player for 1 and 9 games joining the likes of Jim Marino, Billy Incardona and Bernie Schwartz.  It is not that Bob was a very accomplished pool player, but that he was the best mannered I have ever met.  At the time I would come to know him his competitive days were behind him and he could be found kibitzing games from the rail.

On this one occasion a match concluded with the victor conducting him self in an arrogant manner in front of his recently defeated opponent.  It was at this moment that Bob raised the question of why this conduct was necessary?  The player had just played a suburb match and the memory of good play was now tainted with this less than attractive image.  When you play well it does not need to be flaunted.  This lack of sportsmanship was an example of how the image of our game can be quickly tarnished.

I would like to take an excerpt from The Players League bylaws Section 1.1 on Conduct ñ ìPlayers shall conduct themselves in a manner that represents the best interest of the pocket billiard community, fellow participants of The Players' League, and promotes the pocket billiard sport.  The Players' League strives to be associated with the etiquette that is customary with serious competitive play.î

                How we conduct ourselves sends a message to others.  Whether we realize it or not, as players we are all representatives to ourselves and to the sport of pocket billiards.  Instead of breaking your stick in frustration, tap your cue gently on the ground to compliment a fine shot by your opponent.  Instead of placing yourself in your opponentís line of site, move out of the way.  Instead of being frustrated by losing a match or a game, shake your opponents hand and know that you have done your best and will play better next time. 

We control the future of our gameís destiny by setting a positive example for others to follow.  You and the game are on display each time you play.  That casual spectator, which may be watching could be a potential sponsor for an event, it could be a parent of a child which wants to grow up and be like you or it could be someone which can make a difference in your life.  How do you wish to be remembered?  If we can keep this perspective, it will be easier to understand how important we all are to the success of our game.

If you need an example you need not look any farther than the WPBA (Womenís Professional Billiards Association) and the success that they have had.  Their tour has steadily grown in quality of events and numbers of participants.  The ladies dress well, play well and exhibit proper sportsmanship for a televised audience.  In short they have made themselves a very marketable product. 

Pocket billiards have continued to be one of our areaís most popular sports.  More people pick up a cue stick today then ever before.  West Penn Billiards, as an example, has sold more pool tables than its previous year for the past five years.  This high level of activity provides an environment, which has the opportunity to gain a great deal of notoriety for the game.  Do your part to make our game as good as it can be!

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