Two things regarding Timeout Protocol:

1. Calling your shot after declaring a timeout signifies the end of the timeout.
It's simple and it does two things. It indicates the called shot at the same time it signals the end of the timeout. As soon as the player who called the timeout declares his/her shot this will indicate to the opposing player, team, and referee that the timeout is *over*. Any guidance from teammates *after* this declaration will result in a ball in hand foul.
If this is implemented let's act like grown ups and let the refs warn everyone after the declaration no-more help. At least for a while until everyone gets used to the rule.
2. During timeouts the cue ball is no longer nuclear fissile material.
I have no idea how this rule came into being but I cannot for the life of me see how any advantage is gained if one of your team members touches the cue ball during a timeout. Someone please educate me. So a better player on your team takes the ball and positions it on the table. So what? What's the difference if he put his finger on the same spot and you placed the ball there yourself? Or if he tells you "no a little to the left, a little more, ok that's it!" This touching the cueball time-bomb rule seems petty and a shitty way to get a ball in hand. What if this happened in the final game of a championship match? That would suck big time. I also would apply the same logic to grabbing the players cue. In the end the player has to shoot the shot and no one else.
Getting rid of the current rule would simplify timeouts and quite frankly get rid of some silly arguments about touching a cue ball when it's not even in play.
. . . argument activated!
Paparazzi

It seems to me that the discussion at the captain's meeting and the troubles that this touching the cue ball rule has created would be reasons to do away with the rule. During a time out anyone could touch the ball, including placing it. This would be the simplist of solutions.

Bernard,
Let's take a walk around the league tonight and take a count of how many referees are actually clocking each time out. For the refs that are actually actively ref'ing (paying attention). I can't remember the last time I saw one. For the most part most of us give a lot of leeway of how long teams can talk amongst each other. Currently without a clear understanding by all players of *WHEN* a timeout officially and technically ends there will still be a lot of confusion and arguments about teammate help.

I have witnessed countless times when the player will get down on the shot and get up again and down again and up again. Showing his/her uncertainty about the shot and leading to teammates coming over again for more help. Before calling a shot. When down they can always say they were just looking or practice aiming. This can be argued either way. So by saying "The calling of the shot ends the timeout" gets rid of all ambiguity.
Calling the shot would be the equivalent of saying "Timeout Over" or "Time In". This kills two birds with one stone.

Paparazzi

How about just saying thecue balls are no longer nuclear fissle material.Judging from his eagerness at themeeting it wasrather apparentthat lennard would like others to touch his Cue ball. the fact remains that most people,(like Brandon and my self)do not like touching other peoplesballs in the middle of the match.
Aiming the ball foranother player is sportsmanship issue not a real table foul, in my view something like that is the Referees responsibility (or opposing Captains) to say, don't do that again or I'll call a foul...

yellow card, red card type of thing.

I spoke with Alan before the season, and my impression is that we were going to try to move towards a deliniation of Table fouls, and Technical fouls, where one would not warrent a Ball in Hand, but a initial warning then ball in hand. to move towards a fun league, and not be so uptight. I think thisdiscussion isaimed in that direction. I'm not sure if that still holds true, but whatever my2cents