To all those who failed to enter the raffle – YOU REALLY MISSED IT!!! We initially planned an intimate little get together in the AZB room with the winner of the raffle to play against Jeanette Lee. JL then recruited her husband George Breedlove to play and we began advertising the “Scotch Doubles” idea.
On the Friday of the raffle, I spoke with Greg Sullivan and Mark Griffin (the organizers of the DCC) who were very supportive of the idea of getting our match on the television table if we could gain the approval of Pat Fleming and Rob Sykora. It only took about 2 hours to wheedle the approval from Pat and Rob, figure out the logistics, order the pizza, and get back to the AZB room at about 10:30.
Unfortunately, a message was waiting from Jeanette that George was NOT going to be able to play (the match and timing was ALWAYS contingent on the DCC tournament situation). I told Jeanette that we could just cancel the match and return the money to the participants. She told me, “no, I agreed to play, I’ll find you a replacement.” I suggested Jeff Beckley or Nesli O’Hare who are friends of hers and superior players. She said, “lets go to the tournament room, I’ll get Efren to play.”
We found Efren relaxing in his flip-flops, ready to go to bed (still in the running for the 9-ball and all-around titles early the next morning). Jeanette explained the true fanaticism of the AZB’ers, and must have used several threats or used up several favors, but Efren agreed to do it for the AZB fans (and also agreed to play some cheap sets of 8-ball with JL while waiting for the raffle). Jeanette did request that we give the bulk of the prize money to Efren, and I agreed. Efren did say that he would need to play as soon as possible (and this is why we drew the names before the stated 11:30 PM time – if someone not present had won the early drawing we WOULD HAVE WAITED UNTIL 11:30 for that person).
I went back to the AZB room, and explained the situation to the raffle contestants; and it seemed that all were willing to accept Jeanette Lee’s last minute substitute – these AZB’ers just have hearts of gold. Breakup bought 5 tickets, I bought 6, sodapopd bought 4. I couldn’t think of any way to rig the drawing in my favor, so it was with GREAT trepidation that goingproin07 drew the first winner (who would get to choose his celebrity partner). I was ECSTATIC that my name was chosen first, then mthornto second. I was considering selling my spot to help promote interest in the AZB room, but after advice from stevelomako (who said I would remember it the rest of my life, and then threatened me with physical injury if I sold it) I decided to keep the spot and play (Steve is bigger than me).
My sincerest apologies to those few people who lost the raffle and were not present for the drawing – but it was the only way we could make this happen. We wanted very much to cater to Efren’s wishes as much as possible (so maybe he will do it again next year).
When we arrived at the television table, we found a PACKED house watching Efren and Jeanette play 8-ball. I can’t speak for mthornto, but I was PETRIFIED at the thought of playing in front of all those people – I’ve only been playing 3 ½ years seriously, and my game is NOT something I want to show off on BCN. The waiting was tough.
There were a gang of AZB’ers who took spots in the first few rows, so at least there were some familiar faces. JL and ER finished their game, and the AZB Celebrity Scotch Doubles Match was on.
JL confirmed that all barking, sharking, and woofing were permitted, if not in fact encouraged. Efren and I discussed the situation; and decided that our opponents were so extremely feeble that we could easily spot them the breaks (don’t believe JL’s claims that she needed to practice her break for the next morning’s IPT qualifier).
The opponents broke, and ran all the way to the 8 ball in the first rack. JL missed position on the 8, leaving MT virtually no shot. After a prolonged period of indecision, the opponents asked Efren for advice; but no wizardry could get them out of their jam; and it was our first turn at the table.
As I walked to the table for my first shot it became apparent that some sneaky prankster had substituted basketballs for the pool balls; there seemed NO WAY that any of those balls could fit in those tiny pockets. Even though all of those balls were open, I felt certain I would miss anything I shot at. In addition, I immediately regretted allowing the sharking, because JL was in rare form (ably assisted by MT). Everytime I tried to shoot, there was someone yelling at me from behind me, beside me, or in front of the pocket. JL was dangling her hair in front of my face, or chalking her cue loudly in my ear, or placing the chalk across my face onto the rail on the other side of me. We have photographic evidence of the evil MT sprinkling chalk on the object ball just before I was shooting. I’m quite surprised I ever made a ball. Fortunately, Efren can play a little, and we easily ran out our 3 games in 3 innings (despite our opponents manipulation of the scoring beads while we weren’t looking).
Despite all of the underhanded, despicable, lowlife sharking by the opponents I will have to admit that it was the most memorable pool experience of my life. Jeanette and Efren went out of their way for very little reward – both needing to get up early the next day for important matches. I am very grateful for their participation, and I hope everyone enjoyed the show. We can do it again next year if there is interest.
P.S. - After the match, I challenged Efren to a race to 3 in 9-ball for $100. He said, “will you spot me?” I responded, “you’ll have to play me even if you want any action.” I daresay I’m the only player (and I use that term loosely) that Efren asked for weight the whole week. He easily dispatched me, but to his credit he did try to let me win a couple of games (obvious, but a very nice gesture given the lateness of the hour). I am a BIG fan of Efren and Jeanette – great examples of what the game can be at its best.
On the Friday of the raffle, I spoke with Greg Sullivan and Mark Griffin (the organizers of the DCC) who were very supportive of the idea of getting our match on the television table if we could gain the approval of Pat Fleming and Rob Sykora. It only took about 2 hours to wheedle the approval from Pat and Rob, figure out the logistics, order the pizza, and get back to the AZB room at about 10:30.
Unfortunately, a message was waiting from Jeanette that George was NOT going to be able to play (the match and timing was ALWAYS contingent on the DCC tournament situation). I told Jeanette that we could just cancel the match and return the money to the participants. She told me, “no, I agreed to play, I’ll find you a replacement.” I suggested Jeff Beckley or Nesli O’Hare who are friends of hers and superior players. She said, “lets go to the tournament room, I’ll get Efren to play.”
We found Efren relaxing in his flip-flops, ready to go to bed (still in the running for the 9-ball and all-around titles early the next morning). Jeanette explained the true fanaticism of the AZB’ers, and must have used several threats or used up several favors, but Efren agreed to do it for the AZB fans (and also agreed to play some cheap sets of 8-ball with JL while waiting for the raffle). Jeanette did request that we give the bulk of the prize money to Efren, and I agreed. Efren did say that he would need to play as soon as possible (and this is why we drew the names before the stated 11:30 PM time – if someone not present had won the early drawing we WOULD HAVE WAITED UNTIL 11:30 for that person).
I went back to the AZB room, and explained the situation to the raffle contestants; and it seemed that all were willing to accept Jeanette Lee’s last minute substitute – these AZB’ers just have hearts of gold. Breakup bought 5 tickets, I bought 6, sodapopd bought 4. I couldn’t think of any way to rig the drawing in my favor, so it was with GREAT trepidation that goingproin07 drew the first winner (who would get to choose his celebrity partner). I was ECSTATIC that my name was chosen first, then mthornto second. I was considering selling my spot to help promote interest in the AZB room, but after advice from stevelomako (who said I would remember it the rest of my life, and then threatened me with physical injury if I sold it) I decided to keep the spot and play (Steve is bigger than me).
My sincerest apologies to those few people who lost the raffle and were not present for the drawing – but it was the only way we could make this happen. We wanted very much to cater to Efren’s wishes as much as possible (so maybe he will do it again next year).
When we arrived at the television table, we found a PACKED house watching Efren and Jeanette play 8-ball. I can’t speak for mthornto, but I was PETRIFIED at the thought of playing in front of all those people – I’ve only been playing 3 ½ years seriously, and my game is NOT something I want to show off on BCN. The waiting was tough.
There were a gang of AZB’ers who took spots in the first few rows, so at least there were some familiar faces. JL and ER finished their game, and the AZB Celebrity Scotch Doubles Match was on.
JL confirmed that all barking, sharking, and woofing were permitted, if not in fact encouraged. Efren and I discussed the situation; and decided that our opponents were so extremely feeble that we could easily spot them the breaks (don’t believe JL’s claims that she needed to practice her break for the next morning’s IPT qualifier).
The opponents broke, and ran all the way to the 8 ball in the first rack. JL missed position on the 8, leaving MT virtually no shot. After a prolonged period of indecision, the opponents asked Efren for advice; but no wizardry could get them out of their jam; and it was our first turn at the table.
As I walked to the table for my first shot it became apparent that some sneaky prankster had substituted basketballs for the pool balls; there seemed NO WAY that any of those balls could fit in those tiny pockets. Even though all of those balls were open, I felt certain I would miss anything I shot at. In addition, I immediately regretted allowing the sharking, because JL was in rare form (ably assisted by MT). Everytime I tried to shoot, there was someone yelling at me from behind me, beside me, or in front of the pocket. JL was dangling her hair in front of my face, or chalking her cue loudly in my ear, or placing the chalk across my face onto the rail on the other side of me. We have photographic evidence of the evil MT sprinkling chalk on the object ball just before I was shooting. I’m quite surprised I ever made a ball. Fortunately, Efren can play a little, and we easily ran out our 3 games in 3 innings (despite our opponents manipulation of the scoring beads while we weren’t looking).
Despite all of the underhanded, despicable, lowlife sharking by the opponents I will have to admit that it was the most memorable pool experience of my life. Jeanette and Efren went out of their way for very little reward – both needing to get up early the next day for important matches. I am very grateful for their participation, and I hope everyone enjoyed the show. We can do it again next year if there is interest.
P.S. - After the match, I challenged Efren to a race to 3 in 9-ball for $100. He said, “will you spot me?” I responded, “you’ll have to play me even if you want any action.” I daresay I’m the only player (and I use that term loosely) that Efren asked for weight the whole week. He easily dispatched me, but to his credit he did try to let me win a couple of games (obvious, but a very nice gesture given the lateness of the hour). I am a BIG fan of Efren and Jeanette – great examples of what the game can be at its best.
