Yes, I just got a dose of it yesterday. A little hard to swallow when you realize you have erred, but it happens to all of us from time to time. Especially someone like me who is quick to offer his opinion on everything and anything pool.
Yes, I have been around a while and done many things with our sport, but I am not too old to learn, and still do make mistakes from time to time. The hard part is to swallow your pride and admit them.
This "humble pie" was first served to me this week when I discovered that I didn't know everything about racking the balls. And yes, there may be a better way. I know that I can put a tight rack up there using a good triangle, but that may not be the answer for all referees. And it may not be the best way to run a large tournament like the World Ten Ball. This was my first taste of pie this week.
I have also been quick to offer criticism to the WPA when I feel that they are off track somewhere. Most recently my citicism included remarks about their list of past "World Champions". I was offended that they did not include the old time champions before the WPA came into existence.
I also have wondered out loud about what I considered to be exorbitant sanction fees, and their version of the rules. I have since come to learn that they are not the ones who created these rules. In fact, many of the contributors have come from our shores. I may not agree with all their rules, but I do agree that a standardized set of world rules is a good thing. Maybe the fact that I have never been privy to this discussion of the rules bothered me more than a little as well. When I see people who are relatively new to the game deciding what is best for our sport, it can also rub me the wrong way.
As far as sanction fees go, I now have learned that the costs of maintaining the WPA and paying the necessary expenses involved in its maintenance can be prohibitive. No one is making money here. At this point in time, I would only ask to see the "mission statement" of the WPA and what they hope to achieve. I do believe that having a world wide sanctioning body is good for our sport. The recognition of major events and what constitutes a World Championship is a fundamental underpining for any sport. Who makes this determination and how it is made must also be transparent.
And finally I wish to apologize publicly to Yen Makebenta and Ian Anderson for statements I made in regard to the choosing of commentators for the WTBC. Due to my past criticisms (see above) of the WPA, they felt it was not in their best interest to have me in the booth for this event. I was not too happy when I learned about this decision, and said so publicly online. And I did so in a derogatory manner. If Ian were a member of this forum, I would have been banned and rightly so. In this equation I was the "small" man. In hindsight I realize they have the right to choose anyone they want for their shows. Just as I do if it is my production. Any problem I have with this decision belonged in private, not in public.
That's it, I've had my taste of humble pie this week. Hopefully, I'll remember what it tasted like in the future.
Yes, I have been around a while and done many things with our sport, but I am not too old to learn, and still do make mistakes from time to time. The hard part is to swallow your pride and admit them.
This "humble pie" was first served to me this week when I discovered that I didn't know everything about racking the balls. And yes, there may be a better way. I know that I can put a tight rack up there using a good triangle, but that may not be the answer for all referees. And it may not be the best way to run a large tournament like the World Ten Ball. This was my first taste of pie this week.
I have also been quick to offer criticism to the WPA when I feel that they are off track somewhere. Most recently my citicism included remarks about their list of past "World Champions". I was offended that they did not include the old time champions before the WPA came into existence.
I also have wondered out loud about what I considered to be exorbitant sanction fees, and their version of the rules. I have since come to learn that they are not the ones who created these rules. In fact, many of the contributors have come from our shores. I may not agree with all their rules, but I do agree that a standardized set of world rules is a good thing. Maybe the fact that I have never been privy to this discussion of the rules bothered me more than a little as well. When I see people who are relatively new to the game deciding what is best for our sport, it can also rub me the wrong way.
As far as sanction fees go, I now have learned that the costs of maintaining the WPA and paying the necessary expenses involved in its maintenance can be prohibitive. No one is making money here. At this point in time, I would only ask to see the "mission statement" of the WPA and what they hope to achieve. I do believe that having a world wide sanctioning body is good for our sport. The recognition of major events and what constitutes a World Championship is a fundamental underpining for any sport. Who makes this determination and how it is made must also be transparent.
And finally I wish to apologize publicly to Yen Makebenta and Ian Anderson for statements I made in regard to the choosing of commentators for the WTBC. Due to my past criticisms (see above) of the WPA, they felt it was not in their best interest to have me in the booth for this event. I was not too happy when I learned about this decision, and said so publicly online. And I did so in a derogatory manner. If Ian were a member of this forum, I would have been banned and rightly so. In this equation I was the "small" man. In hindsight I realize they have the right to choose anyone they want for their shows. Just as I do if it is my production. Any problem I have with this decision belonged in private, not in public.
That's it, I've had my taste of humble pie this week. Hopefully, I'll remember what it tasted like in the future.
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