Foreign Players-Why are they here?

[JAM]

How about a link? I don't know the thread you are talking about.

And the whole passive agressive thing towards me is really getting old. If I knew asking Keith to do a podcast four years ago would be held over my head till the end of time believe me I would give up all the glory and riches that have resulted from that storied event.

I am guessing you forget the offers of a paid trip to the Derby with free room, all three tournament entries and a free roll in a TAR match. Which was turned down because someone thought the Executive West was beneath them to stay at. Or the time I offered to pay you for a tshirt deal and you told me to find someone more deserving. You come on here and take thinly veiled shots at me and I am sick of it. You want to say something come right out and say it but you better be damn sure because I am tired of being nice and having rocks thrown at me so I just might throw some back.

Nobody is throwing rocks at you. I do feel, though, that you seem to be quoting my posts quite often.

I have quite a bit to say on the topic you bring up, but I sure as heck ain't going to do it here on the open forum.

As far as you being nice, well, you may be nice to some folks in the pool world. Good for you.

 

[watchez]

My opinions don't matter anymore anyway.

Did your opinions ever matter? This is a joke - but sorry was too easy.

Today, the BCA helps not only North American players, but they offer support to players from other countries now.

Again, my thoughts are that if the player is competing in a competition where countries are represented, it would seem logical for the player to be wearing the country's colors he is a citizen of instead of the country's colors from where he was born.

If the BCA (Billiard Congress of America) is supporting players outside fo the US, I would like to read their thinking behind this.

Also, pool players wearing the colors of the country they are a citizen in is no different than what has happened in the Olympics the past several years. There are plenty of athletes living in one country and representing another.

 

[JAM]

...Also, pool players wearing the colors of the country they are a citizen in is no different than what has happened in the Olympics the past several years. There are plenty of athletes living in one country and representing another.

When I was working with a global MMA tournament, it was a country-versus-country kind of thing. USA, believe it or not, had two teams, Team USA East and Team USA West. I did notice that the MMA fighters were announced representing countries they were not actually citizens of, but they were training in that country. It seems like pool is taking on this trend.

In pool, the BCA is supposed to be the representative entity for North American pool players to the WPA, the world governing pool association, at least the way I understand it.

I know you have been to the BCA Open before the BCA ceased having them. Half of the player field had players from foreign shores and the other half were American UPA-ranked players. I won't even get into the fairness of that ranking system in this thread.

My opinions, FWIW, are based on my experience with my partner attending two, three, and four pool tournaments a month. The only way I can describe them is the good, the bad, and the ugly. Someday I hope to enjoy the good memories, but I'm still stinging from the bad and the ugly.

The other day, I was pondering the thought of going on another AzBilliards hiatus. Though I have a good time sometimes interacting with pool people here, there are other times when I believe my participation on this forum has caused me to pull away from pool further than I already have. Oh, the irony of it all is kind of funny when you think about it.

Anyway, starting June 7th, I'm going to be going through some medical situations which require me to remain positive, so I may bid you-all farewell at that time...until we meet again, of course!

 

[justnum]

I see the foreign players and I try to imagine my parents who were once legal immigrants, now US citizens. They have skills and talents and get to use them to see what the rest of the world is like.

Sometimes they are extremely talented to the point competing against them is predictable.

In the end they are just people figuring out things and seeing things in the world.

Most times all of us are fighting the corruption and it helps to see how people from even more corrupt nations hide how they feel about corruption.

The most common answer is to say nothing and put up and deal with it until the truth gets out. Hope to make some friends that can help and push for changes that last.

If nothing else I always enjoy the accents of the foreign players and all the fascinating things they think about American life.

 

[cleary]

Nobody is throwing rocks at you. I do feel, though, that you seem to be quoting my posts quite often.

I have quite a bit to say on the topic you bring up, but I sure as heck ain't going to do it here on the open forum.

As far as you being nice, well, you may be nice to some folks in the pool world. Good for you.

Why you gotta be so mad all the time?

 

[JAM]

Why you gotta be so mad all the time?

Mad? I don't think I'm mad. A better phrase might be busted emotionally and disgusted with forum games.

As much play as you're giving me in recent times, I'm beginning to think you like me. We'll have to stop meeting like this.

 

[justadub]

If the BCA (Billiard Congress of America) is supporting players outside fo the US, I would like to read their thinking behind this.

What JAM is referring to (and not wanting to get all caught up in again, understandable) is how the BCA apparently sponsored Thostenn (sp?, too lazy to look it up) in some international tournament. And if I recall, Mika too, at some point.

It was rehashed by JAM and a few others

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=225515

(interestingly I can't find the other thread that dealth with this)

Don't take my little explanation as gospel, just my vague recollection of the thread(s) that I referenced.

 

[JoeyA]

Da Fsih!

'Bout time you showed up in a thread that seems to be a wee bit uncomfortable for some -- not all -- who aren't part of someone else's group of friends.

Anyway, on another note, JoeyA, was that guy who sponsored the recent Ultimate 10 Ball Championship from Norway? I'm still trying to understand more about the movers and shakers in the current pool world. It is nice to have new blood.

No, Badi is from Aruba as I recall. Haven't met the fellow but have heard nothing but good things about him. It looks like he is going to be around for a while.

Hang in there Jennie. You're one of the best things this forum has going for itself. Some people are afraid to say that but I don't mind calling a jewel by it's name.

I'm just sick and tired of those Norwegians coming to America and beating up on the Americans. That's the only reason I mention that FISH GUY. I heard he was coming to the U.S. OPen One Pocket Championship and as if that's not good enough for him, he's staying for the U.S. Open 10 Ball Championship as well. Every year (well practically) he leaves his little tiny island called Stavanger, Norway but it could easily be called Starve-enger because the guy can't get enough of our American way of life, including our wine, women and pool. Oh well, enough about that guy, he's only able to steal a few hundred here and a few hundred there and with the shrinking of the American dollar, he will barely cover expenses so I guess it will be a wash for him.

JoeyA

 

[cleary]

Mad? I don't think I'm mad. A better phrase might be busted emotionally and disgusted with forum games.

As much play as you're giving me in recent times, I'm beginning to think you like me. We'll have to stop meeting like this.

I'm married JAM, sorry. Just don't think you should take thing so serious. How could you possibly be "busted emotionally"? Thats just silly. Take a deep breath and remember none of this really matters.

 

[JAM]

I'm married JAM, sorry. Just don't think you should take thing so serious. How could you possibly be "busted emotionally"? Thats just silly. Take a deep breath and remember none of this really matters.

I appreciate your thoughts, Cleary, but unless you've walked in my shoes, you have no way of knowing what I feel. My pool journey has been a long one, beginning before you were even born.

I will follow your advice and take a deep breath, but FWIW, pool is the very lifeblood of my partner, and for that reason alone, it does matter a lot to me.

 

[JAM]

No, Badi is from Aruba as I recall. Haven't met the fellow but have heard nothing but good things about him. It looks like he is going to be around for a while.

Hang in there Jennie. You're one of the best things this forum has going for itself. Some people are afraid to say that but I don't mind calling a jewel by it's name.

I'm just sick and tired of those Norwegians coming to America and beating up on the Americans. That's the only reason I mention that FISH GUY. I heard he was coming to the U.S. OPen One Pocket Championship and as if that's not good enough for him, he's staying for the U.S. Open 10 Ball Championship as well. Every year (well practically) he leaves his little tiny island called Stavanger, Norway but it could easily be called Starve-enger because the guy can't get enough of our American way of life, including our wine, women and pool. Oh well, enough about that guy, he's only able to steal a few hundred here and a few hundred there and with the shrinking of the American dollar, he will barely cover expenses so I guess it will be a wash for him.

JoeyA

You are too funny. The Roy versus JoeyA will be a great match. I would send a greenie your way, but I have to spread it around again before I can do so.

Thanks for the very kind words, JoeyA!

 

[Blackjack]

I appreciate your thoughts, Cleary, but unless you've walked in my shoes, you have no way of knowing what I feel. My pool journey has been a long one, beginning before you were even born.

... and you still look mahhh-va-lous!!!

:dance::dance::dance:

 

[cleary]

but unless you've walked in my shoes, you have no way of knowing what I feel.

Foot pain?

FWIW, pool is the very lifeblood of my partner, and for that reason alone, it does matter a lot to me.

But this isn't pool... its an online forum open to anyone and everyone. You don't need a real name or a face, just the ability to somewhat use a keyboard and basic internet skills. Like you, I don't know your real name or what you look like. And I don't care (unless you are smokin' hot). If someone walked into a poolroom and talked like nearly everyone on here they wouldn't last long. It's just not worth it to get upset over anything on here.

 

[JoeyA]

Foot pain?



But this isn't pool... its an online forum open to anyone and everyone. You don't need a real name or a face, just the ability to somewhat use a keyboard and basic internet skills. Like you, I don't know your real name or what you look like. And I don't care (unless you are smokin' hot). If someone walked into a poolroom and talked like nearly everyone on here they wouldn't last long. It's just not worth it to get upset over anything on here.

Jennie,
Big Tony (Cleary) has some sage advice for all of us, despite his young years.

JoeyA

 

[sarahrousey]

Oh yeah, I forgot to say that the BCA doesn't exactly "sponsor" players monetarily, they just provide a spot in the tournament. There is no money given to the players for travel or any other expense. That is why the Pro Player Fund was established to help players out since the stipend from the BCA went away a few years ago. I'm not sure what players from other countries receive from their native association.

Sarah

 

[fanthom]

They are here because it goes beyond what pool offers. For those players who have traveled the world to both play pool and/or live in another place, I'm sure that they would've given it a second thought to give up the U.S. I have traveled the world and seen many countries and cities and you can be rest assured that nothing beats our beloved AMERICA. For here is where the sum total of what the world's best has to offer. I live in the SF Bay Area and with every chance I get I thank the Good Lord for blessing and putting me in this place - great weather year-round, diversity, the world's cuisine is here and it is the new capital of Rock-and-Roll (earthquakes). It is rather expensive though but we all know you get what you pay for.

 

[watchez]

Oh yeah, I forgot to say that the BCA doesn't exactly "sponsor" players monetarily, they just provide a spot in the tournament. There is no money given to the players for travel or any other expense. That is why the Pro Player Fund was established to help players out since the stipend from the BCA went away a few years ago. I'm not sure what players from other countries receive from their native association.

Sarah

I have heard that the BCAPL teams that come over each year from England - Portugal - Spain are basically paid players. Their country and/or sponsors pay for their trip and even provide 'training' for them prior to coming here.

 

[cardiac kid]

I have heard that the BCAPL teams that come over each year from England - Portugal - Spain are basically paid players. Their country and/or sponsors pay for their trip and even provide 'training' for them prior to coming here.

Watchez,

We're back to the same old wrong sanctioning body thing. BCA is the pool indusrtry mouth. The league and players are members of the BCAPL. The more I see this, the more I understand why Mark Griffin started the CSI brand. Hopefully he will shift the league away from the BCAPL moniker soon.

Lyn

 

[inside_english]

The gambling aspect of pool is bigger in the US than anywhere else. That has to be at least part of it anyways.

Bigger than the Phillippines?
I always heard/read that they gamble against each other constantly and that is partly why their games are so sharp.

 

[inside_english]

I also worked in a plant. Union, good money, hard work. Weekends, 12 hour days. 34 years. Retired now and don't even get along with people who work! LOL. Let's go fishing or hit some balls. I think some people nowadays think the world owes them a living. Nobody deserves a job or a nice house or fancy cars. Get to work. Work all your life. Do that and you deserve something. If that's not your cup of tea then get in line and Mr. Obama will take care of you.

Never ceases to amaze me how some posters find a way to work some anti-Obama statement in every thread.