Shanelle Loraine vs. Borana Andoni "Battle of the Billiard Beauties" @Sandcastle ,NJ

[ronscuba]

Not saying I agree or disagree. Obviously perverted comments are not appreciated by women, but I can see some women being surprised and giving pool a second thought.

I imagine non players, beginners and casual players would find their level of play respectable and impressive.

I view this event as a similar type of promotion and marketing as the Rackstarz. What do women think about this ?

 

[Nostroke]

No I don't drink. But now that I think about it... Yeah... Disregard the Corr comment. But she can play like a muthfuka! Shannell on the other hand is a B player at best.

B player? She is a D by NY measures. She doesnt know how, why or when. Almost no knowledge. If she was in a C/D tournament i would expect her to go 2 and out.

 

[Itsnotme]

I think the bottom line here is CW sucks and is messing everything up... Good for Shanelle for "trying" to play pool but she needs years and years more practice to be representing our game. It's embarrassing.

 

[blah blah]

Didn't you ever see A League of Their Own?

I think Shanelle and Borana themselves gave the event credibility with the determination and seriousness that they brought. They could have easily come out in bikinis or club girl clothes, flipping their hair and owning the stage, but instead they both dressed in a much more demure manner than expected, and they concentrated on making the ball and getting shape.

On my screen, that wasn't so much a miniskirt as a neck- to- ankle black unitard thing with a weird black retro- 80s belt. Given the whole hoopla, her outfit instead shouted, "don't pay attention to my body." And for her part, Shanelle seems to be the sort who wold wear heels and "look like a lady" even when she was just going to the grocery store- and I bet there was some sincere disappointment in the audience that her outfit for the match wasn't very revealing.

The players used the event for serious competition, seasoning, and getting their own names out there, while the promoters were trying to sell more tickets, products, and food. I think it was a success for both. While there were clearly some bad directions that this could have easily taken, the way this played out, I really don't think it was either offensive or a turn- off for women.

If you want die- hard, focused women's pool, as a major sport and with the highest skilled competition, someone would have to package a challenge match with some big bucks to get two major female pros in the ring- and the audience and attention span for that, right now, would be much, much smaller.

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

I think the bottom line here is CW sucks and is messing everything up... Good for Shanelle for "trying" to play pool but she needs years and years more practice to be representing our game. It's embarrassing.

Well, it's not like we weren't all aware of the speed these girls play. So I would suggest that anyone that went to watch or paid for the stream did so for reasons other than the quality of the pool. At least as for anyone one who posts regularly here, there should be no confusing these girls with Kelly, Karen, Cha or Jasmin.

As far as CW is concerned, the worst thing he did was bail on the SBE Straight Pool final to be at this side show. That is uncool to me, considering this is the guy that promotes the self-proclaimed World 14.1 Championship.

 

[ndakotan]

Not a upside to this thing

I'm not one to knock someone's game, so I'll just say that I would have walked out. I tried to watch the free replay stream, but couldn't get past the first rack. I can watch myself miss balls if that's what I want to see. I know there are good players out there, and I don't judge these women by the few racks I watched, but this isn't a spectator or sponsorship event. Maybe it was just pressure, maybe it was uncomfortable for them, but it wasn't fun to watch. Put LJJ and/or a few of the asian girls on this thing and lets see what happens.

 

[oldzilla]

Then why does she have to tie pool up with walking around in a miniskirt playing in an event called battle of the beauties? Not serious enough in my books.

Damn Dora, must not have much to do in Canada huh ?
You have been distressed with this event for a week now.
Nobody is forcing you to watch, are they ?

btw I am not a CW fan also, but he promotes and the last time I looked the girls tour isn't doing very well with the amout of event dwindling down as of late.

Anyway this thread getting lots of views so successful promotion continues hey ?

 

[lalackyums]

I'm sorry but I don't believe that watching a circus like this encourages girls to play pool. What encouraged me to play pool was watching women who could actually play and seeing something that I could strive for. I have a lot of respect for anyone who puts him or herself out there on a live stream to play and to be criticized by hundreds of anonymous viewers. I personally would be terrified to play on a live stream. At the same time, I don't think that advertising a pool match based on looks does anything positive or constructive for pool or for women in general. What about the women who play well, but who will never get the opportunity to play in an event like this because they aren’t considered “beauties”? As a woman, I find it all a bit discouraging. I know that it's a man's world, especially the world of pool, and that things won't soon change but a challenge match should be based on skill and not physical appearance. I think this concept would be demeaning in the context of any other sport. I will watch and support any pool event, but this one was a bit difficult to take.

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

Borana's miniskirt was hardly noticeable as she lad leggin's on, but she was wearing flats iirc. Shanelle's dress was hideous looking, big and baggy (though it was a bit on the cleavage-y side).

I'm not saying that this match isn't/wasn't about garnering viewers for the sex appeal....

I don't think it really matters how skimpy their outfits are. If they can't play, then people will lose interest very quickly.

Given a choice, I'd rather watch Allison or Karen or Jasmin and other good players play, rather than the two players in DP's latest exploitative venture.

 

[Jesters]

I can't believe they did that to themselves. They were really set up to look bad imo they really are not very good at all. I think I saw somewhere on some DP promo that SL was on tv as a special guest and they introduced her as "A World Class Player" I would not let people intro me like that if I knew it wasn't true. Also CW may want to stop telling people he is her coach, it does not say alot for his skills in that area. jmo

 

[blah blah]

i remember...

When Jeannette Lee first came out on the cover of some pool magazine, wearing all black leather and seductively straddling a big motorcycle, my home poolroom was absolutely scandalized. Who was this new chick?!?

Old men were talking about how she couldn't play that well, but she was certainly hot. They complained that this bad girl sexy marketing, on a woman with lesser skills, was a severe detriment to pool. They said pool needed classy Ewa Mataya and the clean, good girl look of Loree Jon Jones- but not this sexy stuff.

I remember this scandal distinctly because I was young, new to pool, and I took other people's opinions very much to heart then.

 

[stljohnny]

I don't think it really matters how skimpy their outfits are. If they can't play, then people will lose interest very quickly.

Given a choice, I'd rather watch Allison or Karen or Jasmin and other good players play, rather than the two players in DP's latest exploitative venture.

I agree, I'd much rather see quality pool any day of the week. Although eye candy always helps, but I admit, I couldn't finish watching this match because it was like watching one of my matches - and I've seen plenty of those. :/

My point about their clothes was more to dorabelle who apparently found those outfits "outrageous".

 

[dorabelle]

I agree, I'd much rather see quality pool any day of the week. Although eye candy always helps, but I admit, I couldn't finish watching this match because it was like watching one of my matches - and I've seen plenty of those. :/

My point about their clothes was more to dorabelle who apparently found those outfits "outrageous".

Outrageous to play oh so serious pool in.
Shanelle if your reading this, you might make more balls if you take off your heels.
I think CW thinks pool players are stupid.

 

[Jgar]

Before bashing these players for their lousy play (and i agree it is hard to watch) it was being played after these players were playing all day at the SBE, then drive over a hour away with little rest and play challenge matches and then time to play under the lights again, then back to the SBE. keep a open mind when saying how bad these players are for the game and how much it's set the game back, it is at least getting people interested and if people think they can beat these pro's, then by all means try to get to their level. IMO great job ladies, thanks for attempting to do something nice for the billiard community and make pool a more popular game.

 

[justadub]

Outrageous to play oh so serious pool in.
Shanelle if your reading this, you might make more balls if you take off your heels.
I think CW thinks pool players are stupid.

Dorabelle, I ask this in all sincerity, as I am just a dumb man.....

Ladies always seem to want to do themselves up when they go out, if only to the grocery store. Large amounts of time and preperation go into "getting ready", even just to go to work. (At a job that isn't related to appearance.). Yes, I'm referring to my wife, and i've had this discussion with other dumb males like myself, so I know this isn't an isolated case at my house. This phenomenon has baffled me for some time. I believe they just feel better about themselves when they "dress up".

If ladies are so self conscious about their appearance, why the heck wouldn't these two ladies want to look good when they were being streamed anywhere in the world? It seems perfectly understandable to me. Then again, I've been married for some time now....

So could you enlighten me, Dorabelle? After all, I'm just a dumb man, I couldn't be expected to understand...

Really. I'm joking as I type it, but I don't get it.

 

[stljohnny]

Outrageous to play oh so serious pool in.
Shanelle if your reading this, you might make more balls if you take off your heels.
I think CW thinks pool players are stupid.

Do you think Jeanette Lee dresses outrageously as well? I've seen her in heels plenty of times.

Lots of women can wear heels and be just as stable as other women in flats.

 

[dorabelle]

Dorabelle, I ask this in all sincerity, as I am just a dumb man.....

Ladies always seem to want to do themselves up when they go out, if only to the grocery store. Large amounts of time and preperation go into "getting ready", even just to go to work. (At a job that isn't related to appearance.). Yes, I'm referring to my wife, and i've had this discussion with other dumb males like myself, so I know this isn't an isolated case at my house. This phenomenon has baffled me for some time. I believe they just feel better about themselves when they "dress up".

If ladies are so self conscious about their appearance, why the heck wouldn't these two ladies want to look good when they were being streamed anywhere in the world? It seems perfectly understandable to me. Then again, I've been married for some time now....

So could you enlighten me, Dorabelle? After all, I'm just a dumb man, I couldn't be expected to understand...

Really. I'm joking as I type it, but I don't get it.

Its not about looking good or self esteem. Its about playing a precision sport in heels and being taken seriously. Your height is changed, your hips are out, your weight distribution is different, there is no consistency in it. How do you play serious pool in a tight miniskirt? All of these things affect your stance and lining up. Look, go throw on a pair of heels and enter your next local tourny. See how good it is for your game. Alls I'm saying is this isn't about serious pool and I don't see how it helps.
I don't know why you call yourself a dumb man. Aren't you a liberal tho? Sorry if I'm wrong and you aren't and I accidentally called you one. JK

 

[dorabelle]

Do you think Jeanette Lee dresses outrageously as well? I've seen her in heels plenty of times.

Lots of women can wear heels and be just as stable as other women in flats.

How is Jeanette Lees record compared to pros (male or female) that dont play in heels? Its a precision sport, its not just stability. Your change the dynamics of your whole lower body.
Go put on a pair and see.

 

[stljohnny]

How is Jeanette Lees record compared to pros (male or female) that dont play in heels? Its a precision sport, its not just stability. Your change the dynamics of your whole lower body.
Go put on a pair and see.

Are you saying that JL isn't a world beater because she plays in heels? I... wow.

If you think that women who play in heels don't also *practice* in heels, you are being quite silly. There are hundreds of posts here from both sexes about the affect of different shoes. I can tell a difference my biker boots and my dress shoes when playing - so I choose to only wear one style of shoes when I practice, play or compete. And I will bet money that any woman who cares one bit about her appearance and also plays in heels has gone through the same process of finding the best blend of function and fashion.

As for playing in a "tight miniskit" - again, one of the FIRST things pool players learn is what works for them. That includes clothing. Like the men in the 14.1 tournaments that require vests, do you think *for a second* they don't practice wearing a long-sleeve dress shirt and a vest? Hell yes they do.

The bottom line is it has nothing to do what you wear - and everything to do with how comfortable you are in what you wear. If someone isn't used to playing in heels, or a dress, or a vest or wearing glasses vs contacts then OF COURSE it's going to throw off their game - and you've been around long enough to know all of this.

 

[dorabelle]

Are you saying that JL isn't a world beater because she plays in heels? I... wow.

If you think that women who play in heels don't also *practice* in heels, you are being quite silly. There are hundreds of posts here from both sexes about the affect of different shoes. I can tell a difference my biker boots and my dress shoes when playing - so I choose to only wear one style of shoes when I practice, play or compete. And I will bet money that any woman who cares one bit about her appearance and also plays in heels has gone through the same process of finding the best blend of function and fashion.

Your right. I see the light now. Thanks for taking the time to change my mind. Im sure Shanelle practicing in heels is not an issue.