WPBA crowd at it again

mantis99

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was watching the WPBA masters event that I DVR'd from ESPN. It seemed like the crowd had stopped clapping after EVERY shot in more recent tournaments, but the clapping returned for this event. I can only assume the crowd is instructed to do this, but it is terribly annoying. I certainly think that acknowledging a good shot with clapping is appropriate, but they clap after even the most mundane shots and position plays. It makes the crowd seem less knowledgeable about what it takes to play the game. I imagine I am not the only one annoyed by this as I have seen threads about this on here before. I would love to see the producers of these events stop this ridiculous practice.
 
Yes, the crowd is instructed to do it and yes, it is stupid.

I'm all for the crowd getting into the game, but even my mother knows how stupid clapping for simple shots is.

It doesn't improve from the viewing experience at the venue or on TV. It detracts from the program.
 
I didn't watch the Shane/ Earl match, but clapping for simple shots is stupid whether it's men or women playing.
 
I seemed to notice a lot of applause between shots during the Earl/SVB match. Didn't keep track of whether it was every shot, but it sure seemed like it was quite often. Does that bother you as much as the ladies televised matches? (Asked sincerely, not as a poke.)

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The post itself pertained to the ladies matches. I think that applauding after simple shots diminishes the value of applauding after truely good shots. It also makes the crowd look less knowledgeable about the game. If they only clapped at truely good shots, or position plays, viewers that don't know a lot about pool would better be able to tell when something truely special has just happened.
 
Believe me I was at the WPBA Masters Event and Steve Tipton instructed us to clap after ever shot , by the time the first semi final got done my hands hurt like hell . It was a nice event since it was close by for me . One thing I did noticed was they spliced the footage of the crowd , I seen my self a few time and every time they would show the spot where I was at I was in a different place each time . Other than that god for sakin clappin it was great .

I got to meet Kelly Fisher , Monica Webb , Ga Young Kim , Dawn Hopkins , and Jasmin . So it was cool :thumbup:
 
Funny. Many times when we lament why pool isn't as popular as we'd like, TV is often mentioned as a reason, either cause or effect. And very often comparrisons with golf are made (likely because of the individual player aspect, and the tournament style of play). Also, when professionalism is discussed, golf is again thrown into the conversation.

Pro Golf is quite popular, both on TV and in person, as the galleries are rather large.

They applaud after the most basic of "gimmie" putts. And every other shot, as well.

I guess I consider it respect, both for the players and their abilities, and in general, like how we applaud any sort of public performance, be they sporting or otherwise.

Like I said, funny.

This is a good post. However, I think that the gallery applauds after a simple putt in response to the entire hole that was just played. They won't really applaud after a short bogey putt, but they will after a short or long birdie putt (or a par put on a tough hole for that matter). That would be kind of similar to the crowd applauding after making a straight in 9 ball to end a run out.

I think it is more disrespectful to applaud a professional for correctly performing a very simple part of their profession, as if the had done something that was not very easy to them. Save the applause for time that it is really deserved.
 
Believe me I was at the WPBA Masters Event and Steve Tipton instructed us to clap after ever shot , by the time the first semi final got done my hands hurt like hell . It was a nice event since it was close by for me . One thing I did noticed was they spliced the footage of the crowd , I seen my self a few time and every time they would show the spot where I was at I was in a different place each time . Other than that god for sakin clappin it was great .

I got to meet Kelly Fisher , Monica Webb , Ga Young Kim , Dawn Hopkins , and Jasmin . So it was cool :thumbup:

That's awesome that yo uahd such a great experience. Why does Tipton think the clapping is necessary. Hasn't anyone brought these concerns up to him. He obviously does a lot for pool, but I think this one should change. Their must be a lot of people that dislike it as the thread about it come up on here fairly frequently.
 
That's awesome that yo uahd such a great experience. Why does Tipton think the clapping is necessary. Hasn't anyone brought these concerns up to him. He obviously does a lot for pool, but I think this one should change. Their must be a lot of people that dislike it as the thread about it come up on here fairly frequently.

I got to Meet Steve has well and he's a pretty down to earth guy , In my opinion he's probably thinkin the clapping will make pool on espn more appealing . Just a thought .
 
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I have been to more than 30 live WPBA events, maybe 50 and at none of those did anyone instruct the crowd to clap after every shot. Yes-they ask you to "show enthusiasm" and Steve will generally point out that a "great safe" is something to clap for. Thats as far as it ever went but the crowd still clapped after every shot.
 
Gee I Wonder

I got to Meet Steve has well and he's a pretty down to earth guy , In my opinion he's probably thinkin the clapping will make pool on espn more appealing . Just a thought .

Does MR. Tipton think that showing showing little colored pool balls at the bottom of the screen also make the matches ( or I should say partial matches ) more appealing . You know what I'm talking about they show which player made which balls during each game by putting the little colored pool balls that each player made by thier names. Since it only matters who makes the 9 ball to determin the winner why on earth would you do this if you were concerned with people unfimiliar with the game , trying to understand what is going on. Why confuse things for new viewers or new players of the game by doing this when it means nothing? That was almost as good idea as the pocket cam, how down to earth is he? I won't even watch ESPN any more!!!
 
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I have been to many WPBA events, both as a spectator and as a reporter. I clap on good shots and not on others. I don't need anyone to tell me when to clap. Hello!
 
I have been to many WPBA events, both as a spectator and as a reporter. I clap on good shots and not on others. I don't need anyone to tell me when to clap. Hello!

You must spread some reputation around before giving it to jay helfert again.
 
I have been to every WPBA event in Viejas, CA but I only went to the ESPN filmed finals once because of the theatrics. In the early matches, the bring in a bus load of retired seniors who don't know what they are watching....for free to fill the gallery. A nice jesture and necessary.

The first time I went to the Mosconi Cup in Vegas several years ago, I could only stand one session because of the cheerleaders, and moving the spectators down in front of the cameras.
 
My credentials
 

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I have been to more than 30 live WPBA events, maybe 50 and at none of those did anyone instruct the crowd to clap after every shot. Yes-they ask you to "show enthusiasm" and Steve will generally point out that a "great safe" is something to clap for. Thats as far as it ever went but the crowd still clapped after every shot.

This is quite correct...I have never heard anyone instruct the audience to clap after every shot. It just happens somehow. I think one or two people start it...and everyone just joins in. LOL.

Maybe crowds do it nowadays because they see other audiences do it when they watch the WPBA on ESPN...and they think it is the appropriate thing to do.

Melissa
 
Does MR. Tipton think that showing showing little colored pool balls at the bottom of the screen also make the matches ( or I should say partial matches ) more appealing . You know what I'm talking about they show which player made which balls during each game by putting the little colored pool balls that each player made by thier names. Since it only matters who makes the 9 ball to determin the winner why on earth would you do this if you were concerned with people unfimiliar with the game , trying to understand what is going on. Why confuse things for new viewers or new players of the game by doing this when it means nothing? That was almost as good idea as the pocket cam, how down to earth is he? I won't even watch ESPN any more!!!

Steve Tipton is a tournament director. He has no input on what gets shown on TV. And he certainly doesn't have anything to do with the graphics.

Melissa
 
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