New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-22
Amateur Billiards Association
May Adopt New Set of
Regulations.
RADICAL CHANGES MADE
Sanction for Tournaments In
Public Rooms Abolished by
Committee-The ANA
teur Defined.

National Association or Amateur iilid'u
Players This is the most amazing OF
number OF radical changes which the
committee appointed nearly a year ago
TO revise the constitution. bylaws and the
rules governing the tournaments ana
playing will submit for action at the
meeting OF the association which viii he
held tomorrow night at the Lederkranz
II is the opinion Of the committee and
many of those with whom it has consult
ed that deliberate safety is beneath the
dignity OF the true amateur. One of the
committee defined safety, notwthstand-
ing it's value heretofore as piece of de
fensve tactics, as sharp practice and IN
worthy of a place in the equipment OF
those who contend for amateur CHAM
pionships.
Under the new rule which is submitted
deliberate safety is a foul. In the word
ing Of this most radical departure from
the time honored tenets Of billiards.
Safety play shall be any stroke made IN
such a way that the referee becomes sat
isfed that It was made not with intent 10
effect a valid count, but 10 deliberately
leave the balls in such position as 10
make IL more difficult for the incoming
striker TO count.
! Choosing a shot which. If missed seeiils
, Ukely 10 leave the balls safer than an
other shot shall not be construed as lie
gal safety play. provided bona hde Ell
fort In the opinion of the referee, snail
have been made to effect count the
striker to have the benefit of the DOUBT.
This Is not the only innovation how
ever. for the % form Of sanction is done
away with. There is also broader ueh-
milton as to what constitutes an amateur
and from beginning to end the old rules
have been revised and shorn of amoigu-
ous meetings. The entire work has CON
summed six months Of labor on the part OF
tho committee which included w. w.
Harris, chairman; r.. b. hur'z' Ii - ~
Miller and ]. p. Allen.
The former ambiguous definition as 70
rhot constituted an amateur has been
carefully amended, so that It more strlctiy
shuts out real professionals from al coii-
tests while removing the ban from inc
simon pure amateurs, who, under the oiu
definition. might technically have oeen
classed as professionals. The new anna
teur clause reads:
No person shall be considered an ANA.
teur billiardist nor eligible 10 play III tne
contests held under the 1u rlsdlc', ,,,ore o
this association who has received moiieS
consideration either directly, lndlrecllI VI
colorably by reason of his SIKH III pay
ing billiard games .od
This definition shall not De lntsiPI 1t
10 exclude from the amateur ranks writ
ers on billiard topics or persons whose
connection with the game is that oL
manufacturer Of billiard requisites.
Financial interests only IN m p consti-
tute per Sc professionalism. but such III.
terests shall be considered az competent
evidence bearing on mans amateur
standing. -. -
exclude from the competitions under the
Jurisdiction of this association room Keep
ers or room employees. 80,
PLAYING with professionals in exhibit
tions or practice appearances without
real or colorado financial gain shall not
establish professionalism.
Playing 10 decide who shah pay LOT
the use of the table shall not constitute
professionalism; nor shall playing lot
stakes in private games, such stakes as
are not colorably an appreciate addition
10 ones income.
The government of the association under
the proposed constitution centres the en-
tire powers IN the hands of the executive
committee. This committee of five VIII
deal with all OF the details surrounding the
players such as the eligibility to tourna-
ments, election of members. the establish
/ ing OF records and other matters. The
various tournaments. however so far as
management is concerned, will be directed
by subcommittee appointed by the ex-
ecutive committee. One of the chief
parts Of the work OF the executive COM
mittee will be it's acting as court Of
Judgment in reinstating to the amateur
III u-hn
the boundaries, but who wish TO conduct
themselves as amateurs.
There has been so much talk in the
past as TO the payment OF expense and
the value of prizes that these matters
have been carefully taken cognizance Of
and made part of the organic law Of the
association. AS TO the expenses Of the
players the new section reads:
In the interest of pure amateurism this
association declares:
(a) That this association deprecates
the acceptance by players Of any ex-
penses other than those speclhcally au-
thorizcd. as follows:
fb) Necessary transportation costs and
an allowance Of 81 day, or both. may
he paid by any club or association other
than the club holding the tournament
(c) In no case shall acceptance OF
privileges offered by the club holding a
championship be permitted on a players
account to any other than the player
himself.
(d) The above authorization as to ex-
penses shall apply to national or inter
national championships only
Viola ton of the above sections shall be
construed as contrary to the interests OF
the association and actionable In Que
form by the executive committee.
No payments I'm whole or part of any
PLAYERS expenses shall be considered au-
thorized until approval has been issued
in writing by the executive committee or
this association, to whom a full state
ment concerning said betrayal Of ex-
pense shall be made.
The value OF the championship prize
lists is also definitely provided for:
The value of the prize list for national
championship tournaments in Classes A.
y and G.. irrespective of the trophies Of
fered by the National Association of
Amateur Billiard Players. shall not ex-
coed $500. $3.50 and 500, respectively,
for the tournament of each class. The
list of FIVE prizes for each tournament
is to include first. second. third, high
run and high single average prize.
The value of the prize list for the ma
tional pocket billiard championship shall
not exceed $500, irrespective OF the tro-
phy offered by the National Association
OF Amateur Billiard Players. The value
of the national cushion carrom and three
cushion carrom tournaments must not
exceed $3.50 irrespective OF the trophy
offered by the National Association or
Amateur Billiard Players.
The duties Of the referee have been
clao~1u dodpoI n tho new rlllgg and