Weariness causing an increase of indifference.

Maniac

Maniac

2manyQ's
Silver Member
I guess I was just not born with a competitive spirit.

I have been playing leagues for three nights a week for a couple of years now. Before that it was two nights a week and a tournament once or twice a month. In the two "bar" leagues (I'll not mention the affiliation ;)) I play in, I have gotten so frustrated and tired of the poor etiquette/bad sportsmanship, I just can't fade it anymore. I'm quitting league play totally after these sessions are over. I'm suffering from burnout to say the least. My brain is so fried that I'm even quitting the one league that I love so much and have NEVER had one single issue with. I blame this on the two "bar" leagues dragging me down so far it has crept into my other league. Sad.

I am not a very competitive person to say the least. I play pool for the fun of the game itself, to meet people/make new friends, and for the most part just get out of the house (I'm retired and home alone all day). Of the three league teams I play on, all three are going to be in the playoffs this session. I captain two of them and co-captain the other one. Do you know what's weird? I don't care one way or another about winning the playoffs, or going to the City Championships. Heck, I don't care if I EVER go to Vegas. It's never been about the winning for me. One of my teams is going to have a few players missing for next weeks playoffs and I don't care if we even show up for it. I'm just ready for it to be over.

What the heck is wrong with me???

I've heard people say to try gambling, that it would make you play your best pool. Tried it. Threw a few twenties to a guy in a couple of hours of playing. Didn't make me play any different. Didn't give me a will to win or a reason to bear down any harder. Just made my wallet lighter. The guy I was playing said we could adjust the game but I said naw, let's just leave it the way it is. Didn't matter to me that I was losing, I was having fun just playing (not a good combination for a gambler, eh?). I always knew that I had an indifference to winning. Just don't care. The day I gambled confirmed it.

Do any of you have this problem?

I know I am suffering from burnout, but this indifference to winning/losing has always been in me. It isn't something that has just now reared its ugly head. It's not bothersome to me. I just feel sometimes that I'm not as good a teammate as I should be because I don't feel the need to say "I'm sorry" when I come back to where my teammates are sitting after losing a match. I play hard and I play to try to win. I do feel good when I win and I do feel crappy when I lose, so I guess there are SOME feelings inside.

Anyway, sorry for rambling. Sometimes it's better to just get things out, not keep them pent up. I'm tired, need a break. I need to regroup/refresh/rethink things. Maybe I'll get the feeling back and go back to leagues someday. Right now, I just don't see that happening.

Y'all keep fighting the fight!!! I'm gonna go bust a few balls.

Maniac
 
Maybe you just need to take some time off. I think that as we get older we sometimes lose the necessity of proving something with the game, to ourselves if to no one else. I'm trying to get a date set with AZer Ted Kaufman to play some Straight Pool but we haven't been able to get it done. I guess that on my part I'm not sure about my ability to play a long session or game. I played with an old friend recently, about two hours of Ten ball and it whipped me pretty bad. I was told by someone else at the place where we played that he has the same back problem I do and I just need to get back into it slowly.
I've taken time off occasionally over the years, went to the pool room but just watched and hung out for a few days 'til I got the urge again.
Not an uncommon problem, I would guess.
 
I see a lot of people who are at the upper side of the typical league player speed getting burned out at league play.

If you like it, quit for a session or two to see if you miss it. Instead of staying in those smokey bars all night listening to the drunks hi-five their teamates when they luck in a ball, you can start going to the pool rooms during the day and taking advantage of cheap day rates and meet up with some of your own kind. :wink:

Who knows after hanging out with those geezers during the day for a session or two, you may want to get back around someone who isn't complaining about their physical ailments. :D
 
I bet that's the answer.

A few weeks or a couple of months away from it, and I bet you'll recharge your batteries a bit and be willing to give it a go again.

I like to skip a week or two if I can every so often, just to make me realize how much I love the game. And to not let the crap bother me as much.

Hey, summers a great time to take a break. It is supposed to be fun. If it ain't enough fun for ya, a break is in order.
 
That is a ton of league play. I play one league from September through May and that is more than enough. I usually take a break on leagues after Vegas (it's a BCA Vegas league) and am ready to play by September again. It's not just the league itself but the commitment required in league play.
 
Maniac:

I hear ya -- I've had periods like this myself, and some friends (including a couple pros) that've gone through periods like this.

But the fact that you pretty much "always" have felt this way, to me, hints at a couple things or brings up a couple questions:

1. What age were you introduced to pool? At a young age, or did you catch the bug later in life? I ask, because those that were introduced to the sport at a young age (like me) usually tend to have a life-long devotion to bettering him/herself, being competitive, and never giving up or having a blasé outlook. However, later in life, the focus may be not so much in bettering him/herself as the primary mover/motivator, but instead the social/competitive aspects. E.g. "how far am I down the road to being the best possible player I can be?" (started-from-an-early-age version) versus "how do I play compared to my friends Joe and Jane Doe?" (later in life version).

2. *How* were you introduced to pool? Was it a gradual start -- i.e. practiced on your own or with friends for quite some time, before your own "motivation clock" told you to make the next step, on your own accord? Or, at the first indication that you had some skills (as observed by others), were you whisked away into leagues -- i.e. peer pressure to join so-and-so's team?

These things have a lot to do with how you perceive competitive situations in pool. I'd found that those that started later in life, and also were somewhat forcibly whisked away into league situations tended to have less of an internal fire (drive) to vanquish competition. I don't mean that as a sweeping stereotype, of course, but it's an observation that I found more and more interesting as I myself get older.

For those latter types, forcing yourself into gambling isn't going to change your outlook. Like you said, it's only going to make your wallet lighter, your pool outlook unchanged, and your "coming-home-to-the-spouse-attitude-as-you-enter-through-the-front-door" angrier (or worse, even more blasé than before). It won't improve things. For these folks, methinks the issue is they've "never had the childhoold in pool that others have." Sort of like the young child prodigies that, at the first hint/promise of talent, they are whisked off to special and very intense educational institutions to "further" their talent, but after all's said and done (many years), they missed out on a HUGE chunk of their childhood and don't have that "fire" anymore. They still enjoy what they do, but it doesn't have the same "spark" that it did when they first discovered it.

Personally, I think too much league play can be detrimental. It can burn you out. And, those in the "later in life" boat described above can be even more adversely affected by it. I think the solution might be to try and find a practice partner that enjoys the same games you do, and just play to have fun. Nix some of that competitive stuff out of your life and just rediscover the joys of playing this wonderful sport -- for *fun*.

I'm not sure if the "later in life" thing applies to you, Maniac, but I throw it out there anyway. I hope it might help someone.

-Sean
 
I took a break from league play for a year then came back all "pumped" to be back in it. The first 4 weeks I was shooting well. The 2nd 4weeks i started to shoot worse. Then by the final 4-6 weeks I didnt care. League play is draining. You shoot well but your teammates dont = Frustration. You shoot bad and let your team down = you feel like the biggest POS.

Last night was the the finals and we needed 5 rounds to lock up 3rd place. I was the weakest link last night and probalbly cost the team a solid finish. I felt so bad that I woke up this am still "stewing" about it.

So now we have a 4 week break cause of the BCAPL in Vegas. Time to refocus and recharge.
 
i took off the last 3 apa sessions. started a new team back then, and after a couple of sessions as captain, i just couldn't get into it anymore. team members not showing up or arriving too late, the rule book jerks, the nasty attitudes finally got to me. it was no fun anymore, so i figured i'll take a session off. that was 3 sessions back, and i'm not planning on going back real soon.

i have a table at home, get together with a couple of guys here, have some drinks, smoke some cigars, tell some lies, and we have a good time.
 
Try playing 14.1, in practice at least you're playing against yourself and your personal best.

IT will help your play in all other games.

Pool like life is a journey.

I've been through the same thing.

Coming out of it now and in a happy place.
 
a couple of guesses

When you enjoy playing tournaments I have to believe that you have a pretty competitive personality. I suspect your real problem is that you have made league play an obligation. It has became work instead of fun. I'd take a breather then consider if you want to play in the one league you truly enjoy.

Many people simply aren't competitive from day one, something often overlooked by those that are. When we see hundreds of recreational players we tend to think that we can fill tournaments with them. The truth is that only a small percentage of people truly enjoy competition. At a rough guess maybe 15-25% of people. Even those of us that enjoy competition can get burnt out. I can't remember not competing for more than very short periods in my life but I have competed at many different things. I have also been guilty of taking fun pursuits and turning them into competitive activities. When I do that I often forget that I started doing something to have fun. I enjoy competing but it isn't recreation.

With all of the league play, how often do you just hit balls for fun? Not drills or trying to improve just the simple joy of running balls off the table?

Hu
 
What were you thinking? 3 nights of pool leagues a week? You deserve to feel the way you do for that reason alone...that's one of the 3 'Ds': Don't Do Dat! :):grin::grin-square:.

Seriously, it's too much when you really don't care about the winning & losing but your teams do, 3 times a week? (did I already say that?) You obviously enjoy playing pool and competing to test your ability, you should still do something if not leagues. So I would suggest quit the 2 you don't like and, only if you enjoy the company of the teammates in the the one you do like, and would like to have a reason to see them at least once a week, do that one for sure.

You're just burnt out from playing on 3 separate league teams every week - 3 sets/nights of different personalities, playing w/and against people who take it way too seriously or may not be compatible with your view of pool. Oh. My. God. Stop it! Stop it now!

OK, this is my way of saying to sweat it, just do what you enjoy and cut out the excess. Pool is too great a game to have to put yourself in situations that you don't have to to enjoy yourself.

Good luck - did I mention that playing on 3 different teams/week is too much? ;)

Peace,

dave
 
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Maniac,

Talk about deja vu. Some folks around here are noticing my lack of attendence at pool events. Keep telling them I'm tired of the whole thing. Fifty four years of pushing. No ego left to boost.

Playing Monday night with friends in an APA league. Wednesday night I play in a BCAPL league early then leave and play another night of APA. Like the idea of not having to be there the entire night unless the team needs me. Sometimes it's tough to watch. Sometimes tougher to coach. Sometimes get angry when I hear them call themselves pool players. Then remember they are pool players. Perhaps not as accomplished but still players. No longer practice ten or twelve hours a week. Most fun is actually playing a once a month BCAPL Friday night Jack and Jill Scotch Doubles. Who knew pool could be this much fun? Waitress, another Labatts Blue pint and an order of hot wings please :wink:!!!

Lyn
 
Hu hit on something. The "obligation" factor.

You're the captain of two teams, and co-captain of another. That is definetely an "obligation", and it must get to be like work rather often.

Take that break, and the next time you decide to play league (if you decide to), come back and play for someone else. Someone you know you'll get along with, and will do a good job as the captain.

My best friend was in a similar situation. Had always been the captain, was burnt on league, still loves to play. (Probably a bit more competitive than you, but the parallel still applies.) Likely close to the same demographic, as well. He (and I) switched teams after last session, to play for a young man who we know. He's all gung ho about running things, and my buddy and I get to sit back and help. But we don't have to run anything. (OK, so I have to when the captain can't be there. I can't help myself, sheesh.)

My buddy loves to help coach the newer players. And he doesn't have to get all caught up in the crap that captains have to deal with. I bet this would apply to you, too. (After a break.)

Captaining three teams? No wonder you're burnt. :yeah:

It's supposed to be fun.
 
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I feel like quitting sometimes too. Last session we finished 9 ball in 1st qualifying us for cities but 3 players quit so we then had no team. I started a new team this session and we took high points for 9 ball again and Monday were suppose to play 8 ball playoffs but the captain and his wife were sick so he forfeited. I was sick as well and had 102.5 fever but going to play. I think having fun is great but taking it serious is too. Take a break if you need too
 
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larrynj1 said:
i have a table at home, get together with a couple of guys here, have some drinks, smoke some cigars, tell some lies, and we have a good time.
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I wish I lived close to you. This is want I would like to do!

Maniac
 
ShootingArts said:
With all of the league play, how often do you just hit balls for fun? Not drills or trying to improve just the simple joy of running balls off the table?

Hu
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Hu, I have a table here at home and "just hit balls" 2-3 hours EVERY DAY I'm at home.

Maniac
 
Maniac said:
Hu, I have a table here at home and "just hit balls" 2-3 hours EVERY DAY I'm at home.

Maniac
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Wow. This might be part of the problem too. 2-3 hours every day by yourself it a lot of mindless playing if you ask me. Heck, even if you don't ask me, it's still a lot of mindless pool playing. This is the sort of thing that kills my competitive spirit. When you are banging the balls around that much it isn't possible to REALLY care about missing shots or missing position. I bet this carries over to your competitive play.

You may need to take a break from the leagues and tighten up your practice time a bit.

If you really want to take a long break, PM me and I will send you my address. Then you can ship me all of your cues for safe keeping until you feel like playing again.

Hang in there.
 
sfleinen said:
I'm not sure if the "later in life" thing applies to you, Maniac, but I throw it out there anyway. I hope it might help someone.

-Sean
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Sean,

As quickly as I can I will type you a short history of my pool life.

I played my first game of pool at the age of 14. Later in that year (1967) we got a cheapo pool table for the garage. I quickly became the best "shotmaker" in the neighborhood. Growing up and getting well into my 50's I'd play pool maybe 3-5 times a year in various poolhalls. I was a "banger" so-to-speak. Good shotmaker but had no clue about cueball positioning. Then at the age of about 52, my wife started playing Keno once a month with a bunch of ladies from the church, so the husbands decided we'd meet at the poolhall and shoot pool for a few hours. Well, the more frequent playing (once a month is frequent :confused:) caused my game to go up a notch or two. I was watching a lot of pool on ESPN and learning from watching the pros how to position the cueball. I got WAY to good for the other guys I was playing. That's when I decided I'd seek better competition. I had a friend I bowled with that played in an APA league and asked him to get me on a team, and the rest is history.

So, at the ripe old age of 53 (2006), I started taking pool seriously, watching all I could on TV, reading books, taking lessons from RandyG, DVD's, picking the minds of the better league players, etc. I went from a SL3 in APA 8-ball to a SL6 (and probably came close to SL7 status until I lost the desire to fade the BS and went into a funk). I've gotten to where I can run 2-4 racks of 8 or 9-ball in a practice session of an hour or two, not counting multiple times running the table after a miss or dry break. So, I have gotten better gradually over the 5 years I've been at it. Physical limitations (including bad eyesight, bad/surgically repaired right and left shoulders, chronic lower back spasms, and degenerated discs in my neck) have hampered my improvement. I don't think I am going to improve much on what my game is at right now. But.....I don't care. It is just a tremendous amount of fun to play the game.

I don't know if this brief synopsis is telling you anything, but there it is anyway.

If I had a person or two to come over to the house and play for a few hours two or three times a week, day or night, I'd be as tickled as a mouse with a feather up its a**. Just too burnt-out to go to leagues anymore!!!

Maniac
 
BasementDweller said:
Wow. This might be part of the problem too. 2-3 hours every day by yourself it a lot of mindless playing if you ask me.

If you really want to take a long break, PM me and I will send you my address. Then you can ship me all of your cues for safe keeping until you feel like playing again.
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I am planning on getting the boat out of the garage a LOT more this summer. Less pool, more fishing. Staying up late on league nights and getting up very early to go fishing do not make a good combination. I think I'll spend a lot more time at the gun range too. I've got a buttload of ammo that needs to be shot up.

As far as the cues, I've got an old Cuetec I might send your way if you'll pay the shipping ;):o:D:D:D!!!

Maniac
 
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