The player-friendly venue was a great draw ... for the BCA Pool League, which shifted its National 9-Ball Championships to Louisville, Kentucky after a two-year stint in Las Vegas. The 9-Ball Championships were staged in conjunction with the U.S. Open One Pocket & Bank Tournaments at the Executive West Hotel ( home to the Derby City Classic) in the first week of September.

In all, over 300 players competed for more than $55,000 in prize money (with over $28,000 added) in the comfortable venue, which was staged with 52 Diamond Smart Tables. The BCAPL nationals offered plenty of opportunities and challenges for players of all abilities, including great One Pocket and Banks play on 9’ Diamond Smart Tables, the best in amateur competition on 7’ Diamonds, and Derby City style action on 9’ Smart Tables in the side rooms. [ full results ]

The WCBS and WPA ... have endorsed PoolComps.com as the Home of the Official Online Pool World Championships. As the online partner for the World Confederation of Billiard Sports and the World Pool Billiard Association, the new website plans to educate players of all ages on how to improve their game, increase the profile of Pool on a global scale, and help Pool make it to the Olympics. [ download a banner ]

Major weekly tournaments began this month, with prize money expected to increase as the membership grows. Free membership includes one-on-one play, practice tables, mini-tournaments and chat. Premium members can participate in all tournaments and will receive free entry into the $10,000 weekly tournaments.

The International Pool Tour ... will lead off in the very opening hour of broadcasting by the newly named VERSUS channel (formerly OLN) on Monday, September 25. According to Comcast officials and the published web schedule, the popular national sports network will premiere with the IPT's face-off between BCA Hall of Famers Mike “The Mouth” Sigel and Loree Jon Jones at 6:00 pm, with a repeat at 11:00 pm eastern.

The Sigel vs. Jones challenge is considered one of the most historic and entertaining, marking the first time that a male champion played a female champion in a major pool event. It took place in Las Vegas last year and was (at the time) the richest event in pool history, with $150,000 awarded to the winner and $75,000 to the runner-up. [ more | IPT release ]

Imperial International and J-S Sales ... have announced plans to merge the two companies into "Imperial-JS", with J-S Sales closing their New York location and moving into Imperial's Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey location. In the coming months, customers nationwide will be able to take advantage of the three Imperial-JS shipping locations in New Jersey, Illinois and California.

Mike DiMotta, President of Imperial International, commented, "The merger of Imperial and JS brings more than 110 years of combined knowledge of service and supply to the billiard industry into one organization." Janet Shimel, former president of J-S Sales, will remain with Imperial-JS as a consultant and good will ambassador. [ press release ]

John Rousseau ... is a man with a mission. This long-time billiard enthusiast is leading the charge to have the TSA re-consider the current ban on hand-carrying cues aboard US airliners. President of the Portsider Group in Phoenix, Arizona, Rousseau is pictured at left with Jeanette Lee during a black-tie corporate gala last year. [ larger view ]

Mr. Rousseau has shared the text of his letter to TSA among industry officials, and urges others to get on the bandwagon by sharing their own views with the TSA. His letter reads (in part):

"While you are reviewing the carry-on rules for cigarette lighters, please consider changing the prohibition of the 40,000,000 Americans who play the game of Billiards from bringing a 19 ounce pool cue as a carry-on item. While professionals have expensive and "comfortable" cues (that damage or loss would impact their ability to compete and earn a living), many amateurs like myself bring my cue whenever I travel to gain experience on different tables. By requiring cues to be checked as luggage puts these cues at risk as they might be damaged, occupies 1 of the 2 of bags that can be checked without incurring additional airline fees, and provides no additional security."

From the TSA website, "the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) takes all input very seriously and will respond promptly and appropriately to all complaints or comments." If you'd like to add your support to Mr. Rousseau's sentiments by submitting your own opinions, you can reach the TSA Contact Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 or by email to: TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.