NO Match for Harriman/Schmidt

[Str8 Shots]

Str8t Shots,

I suggested earlier in this thread that the jury should remain out until you respond.
In reading you latest post, there is one thing that is troubling to me. You state that
you do not want to go forward with the match at this time. If your sole motivation
for preventing this match from happening was truly to uphold the reputation of pool
and your players, then I feel you should have simply closed the door on this
match altogether. Otherwise, it definitely looks like a potential move to screw TAR,
who has done a lot for the players and viewers, and prevent your players from
engaging in the matches that you say they are free to participate in and which you
say you wish to see take place. It doesn’t add up.

Why have you left the door open for this match and left us with the suspicion that
you and Mark may do this match in the future? If that is your intention, then
your motivation for stopping this TAR matchup is clearly financial rather upholding
the reputation of pool as you say. Failing to come on here and answer this question
only leaves us to believe that you have no good answer. The thousands of hits on
this thread are certainly from many of the same people, but it is still a lot of people
who are going to certainly tell other people. Word of this fiasco will spread. I think
it is in your best interest to handle this situation gracefully.

I am responding to you because I think you have made a valid point. First we, Str8 Shots did NOT stop the TAR match. We are not aware of everything that transpired between the players and TAR. Only Justin can speak to that. However whatever has transpired between the players and TAR in the past is the reason for the TAR offer not being a viable option at this time.

We are aware that John has offered an apology to the Danny. If Danny and John were able to resolve the issues between them, and play one another without all of the controversy, we would consider it. That being said; we do not feel that will happen.

 

[dardusm]

I have the utmost respect for what TAR has done for the sport. I also a lot of respect for the vision of Str8 Shots. Both entities have put their money into the sport. I don't see a reason why the match couldn't be done. This would be a great opportunity for both TAR and Str8 Shots. I don't think it's a $$$ issue for Str8 Shots. Why not if it hasn't happened get both TAR and Str8 Shots together. TAR could produce the event, charge for the PPV, do what they do best. Str8 Shots can be a sponsor of the event by allowing their player to play. It would be good pub for the young company.

John is already under contract. Danny could sign a contract for the PPV with provisions of sportsmanship. That hopefully would quell any issues of the volatile situation which Str8 Shots is queasy about. I think it could be a win-win situation for both businesses and definite win for the fans. Just a thought.

 

[lorider]

I have the utmost respect for what TAR has done for the sport. I also a lot of respect for the vision of Str8 Shots. Both entities have put their money into the sport. I don't see a reason why the match couldn't be done. This would be a great opportunity for both TAR and Str8 Shots. I don't think it's a $$$ issue for Str8 Shots. Why not if it hasn't happened get both TAR and Str8 Shots together. TAR could produce the event, charge for the PPV, do what they do best. Str8 Shots can be a sponsor of the event by allowing their player to play. It would be good pub for the young company.

John is already under contract. Danny could sign a contract for the PPV with provisions of sportsmanship. That hopefully would quell any issues of the volatile situation which Str8 Shots is queasy about. I think it could be a win-win situation for both businesses and definite win for the fans. Just a thought.

do you honestly think think these guys could be respectful towards each other for an entire match contract or not ?

if they did manage to behave their selves that would eliminate the train wreck every one on here is clamoring to watch.

 

[beetle]

First we, Str8 Shots did NOT stop the TAR match.

From your first post:

That being said, we have asked John Schmidt NOT to do this match.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/straight+shooter (irony)

I wish you good luck with your program. It would be nice to have a mission statement on your website, a schedule of planned events, a list of what specific factors, behaviours, or traits you do not agree with, so that people will be better able to decide how to support your endeavors.

 

[Snapshot9]

No biggie

They, evidently, grate on each other when they play, and can not get past it, Danny can, John can't. John mistakes Danny's bravado for ignorance, which can be a mistake.
Danny is more of a money player, and John more of tournament type player. John feels like he has more of a upper ranking than Danny, and he doesn't have to play. Danny is a challenger, skilled enough, to provide John a serious threat to getting beat.

John comes up with excuses for not playing, when he just doesn't want to to begin with.

 

[Craig]

I dont know what Str8 shots is or what they do. I heard they were sponsoring some players by paying entry fees to events. If they have John under contract so be it. I think its weak sauce that another entity wants to come in and capitalize on a rivalry TAR made possible through the production of two previous events. There is a well documented history of TAR trying to get this third match to go so any other explanation is simply smoke and mirrors to cover up the fact they want to cut in on something TAR started.

I'm not really surprised though about the contract thing. I have always thought something like this would come to be eventually. I thought it would be with Bonus Ball but even as vocal as I have been about their missteps they never once pulled the contract card to prohibit one of their players from doing outside events.

Things like this happen every day in other sports. My mistake was trying to run TAR like someone who loves the game and wants to promote the players without controlling them. I have never claimed to be a good businessman and a good businessman would lock guys up. If this is the new landscape then TAR will adapt or get out just like any other business. Lots of others have tried to get into the "Challenge Match" game over the years from the IPT to InsidePool. So far we are still here so I like our chances.

I hold no ill will towards John as he is honoring a commitment he made and I respect that. Same goes for Danny if he decides to play. He has to pay his bills like everyone else and should take the money if he likes the deal. Str8 shots seems to think there is some big windfall to be had with this match. Maybe there is due to the history of the rivalry. The history that would not exist without the two previous productions.

I understand its just business. In the future I will treat it as such.

Thank you to everyone who has spoken up for TAR in this thread. I appreciate your support very much.

If a company is going to Dictate my every move and how I make money it would have to be life changing money not for a few $500-$1000 tournaments. These guys will be getting a Str8 Shot up the a$$.

 

[PINKLADY]

do you honestly think think these guys could be respectful towards each other for an entire match contract or not ?

if they did manage to behave their selves that would eliminate the train wreck every one on here is clamoring to watch.

i'm pretty sure that JUSTIN
standing SIX-FOOT-SIX +/+
could ensure that....

(i know that I will never piss him off)

 

[jimmyg]

Foolish....Very Foolish....

I understand that there is some confusion and controversy surrounding my previous post. You can call me names, question our business practices, or whatever else it is that you would like to do but at the end of the day it is not going to change our decision. At Str8 Shots we are committed to improving the image of billiards and darts through the promotion of sportsmanship, integrity, and professional behavior by all of our players. Everyone on Team Str8 Shots signed a contract to uphold these values and the image of professionalism. All of the players are aware that to violate the terms would be an immediate termination of their contracts.

On Thursday night of last week, after both players verbally agreed with Mark Cantrill to do the match, and after Mark left a voicemail message for Justin from TAR, he presented the opportunity before him to Str8 Shots management. At that time upper management did not have an understanding as to the depth of the controversy surrounding these two players. Upon doing some research we realized that the situation was highly volatile.

We spoke with both players and were informed the TAR match was not an option. Therefore from our perspective that offer was off the table. Based on the verbal agreement both players had made with Mark Cantrill, it was apparent that there were several factors that still needed to be addressed to make the match successful. Those factors included; time to prepare for the match, the formats for the match, the rules that would govern the match, and fair compensation for both of the players. After all of those things had been negotiated, both players would have to agree to do the match under the new guidelines.

Sometimes this process takes a lot of hand holding and negotiating between the promoter, host site, sponsors, and players. As Justin stated 19 months ago when trying to get this match scheduled, “I know that no matter what something is going to not be good enough. No matter how much work, ego stroking, hand holding or babysitting it's not going to be enough. One guy will say something to the other and piss them off and they will not want to play, one guy will want a rule the other doesn’t and they won’t want to play, one will want to sit in a chair the other wants. Some things just are not meant to be.”

Str8 Shots made the decision, based on all of the above information, not to move forward with promoting or sponsoring the match at this time. Since management decided to back out of the deal, made between the players and Mark Cantrill, we have made arrangements to compensate both players.

Justin, on behalf of TAR, offered to produce the match between these two players. We have the utmost respect for the work that Justin, on behalf of TAR, does for industry. It was not our intention to stop any player from doing the matches that are presented to them by any promoter. However, at the time of our decision on Friday, based on all the facts before us, no match could take place because TAR was off the table and we were not moving forward. Challenge matches typically generate revenue for the producers. Controversial matches, which are preferred by many viewers, generate an increased amount of revenue. We encourage promoters to provide the viewers with these in demand matches. We just opted not to do this match at this time.

We do not control or make decisions for any of our players. We present opportunities to our players to promote the growth and success of the billiard or dart industries in the best possible manner. Our players make the final decision as to whether or not they take an opportunity presented to them by any promoter. However, we feel it would hypocritical if we did not inform the player that the opportunity presented, knowingly puts them in a position to violate their contract.

I feel that this statement has cleared up any misunderstanding regarding my post Friday night. I will not be addressing the issue of this match any further unless the parties involved wish to discuss it. They can reach me by phone as it is my opinion that this forum is not the appropriate venue to conduct business.

Kimberly Griffiths
(877) 921-9511 ext. 121
Kimberly@str8-shots.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zAX5StHD6A

 

[dardusm]

do you honestly think think these guys could be respectful towards each other for an entire match contract or not ?

if they did manage to behave their selves that would eliminate the train wreck every one on here is clamoring to watch.

Probably not, but I would like to see the match played. That's one of the reasons why Str8 Shots is hesitant for the match is the train wreck.

 

[kvinbrwr]

Kimberly has decided John can't conduct himself as a gentleman and won't allow him the opportunity to try.

Right or wrong, Kimberly obviously has a low opinion of John and his ability to act as he promised.

Yet, Kimberly employs John.

Kevin

 

[lorider]

Kimberly has decided John can't conduct himself as a gentleman and won't allow him the opportunity to try.

Right or wrong, Kimberly obviously has a low opinion of John and his ability to act as he promised.

Yet, Kimberly employs John.

Kevin

you good at putting words in some bodies mouth aren't you ?

 

[kvinbrwr]

you good at putting words in some bodies mouth aren't you ?

What words have I put in whose mouth?

Thanks

Kevin

 

[JAM]

you good at putting words in some bodies mouth aren't you ?

I have to agree. It seems like those who are disappointed in the match not moving forward seem to be taking the words written by Str8 Shots and rewording what she says to then mean something completely different.

She came on here to address the issue, even under fire with some brutal insults hurled at her, which are still continuing.

Here's an entity trying to do something good for pool, but since it doesn't fit in the image that some forum members enjoy, then she's deemed a bad guy in the eyes of some forum members.

She's paying John and Danny both for loss of income. I don't know anybody else who's ever done this.

And to criticize her website, what, are you kidding me? Take a look at a lot of pool websites and see if there's a frigging mission statement.

I don't know. It's late in the day for me, but it seems like folks are nitpicking this woman because they want to show their loyalty to TAR. This is sickening.

 

[peteypooldude]

you good at putting words in some bodies mouth aren't you ?

Sounded right to me
That's what the lady said. I guess he could have just quoted her but it meant the same thing. I think she used the word "pissed" describing the situation

 

[jay helfert]

I understand that there is some confusion and controversy surrounding my previous post. You can call me names, question our business practices, or whatever else it is that you would like to do but at the end of the day it is not going to change our decision. At Str8 Shots we are committed to improving the image of billiards and darts through the promotion of sportsmanship, integrity, and professional behavior by all of our players. Everyone on Team Str8 Shots signed a contract to uphold these values and the image of professionalism. All of the players are aware that to violate the terms would be an immediate termination of their contracts.

On Thursday night of last week, after both players verbally agreed with Mark Cantrill to do the match, and after Mark left a voicemail message for Justin from TAR, he presented the opportunity before him to Str8 Shots management. At that time upper management did not have an understanding as to the depth of the controversy surrounding these two players. Upon doing some research we realized that the situation was highly volatile.

We spoke with both players and were informed the TAR match was not an option. Therefore from our perspective that offer was off the table. Based on the verbal agreement both players had made with Mark Cantrill, it was apparent that there were several factors that still needed to be addressed to make the match successful. Those factors included; time to prepare for the match, the formats for the match, the rules that would govern the match, and fair compensation for both of the players. After all of those things had been negotiated, both players would have to agree to do the match under the new guidelines.

Sometimes this process takes a lot of hand holding and negotiating between the promoter, host site, sponsors, and players. As Justin stated 19 months ago when trying to get this match scheduled, “I know that no matter what something is going to not be good enough. No matter how much work, ego stroking, hand holding or babysitting it's not going to be enough. One guy will say something to the other and piss them off and they will not want to play, one guy will want a rule the other doesn’t and they won’t want to play, one will want to sit in a chair the other wants. Some things just are not meant to be.”

Str8 Shots made the decision, based on all of the above information, not to move forward with promoting or sponsoring the match at this time. Since management decided to back out of the deal, made between the players and Mark Cantrill, we have made arrangements to compensate both players.

Justin, on behalf of TAR, offered to produce the match between these two players. We have the utmost respect for the work that Justin, on behalf of TAR, does for industry. It was not our intention to stop any player from doing the matches that are presented to them by any promoter. However, at the time of our decision on Friday, based on all the facts before us, no match could take place because TAR was off the table and we were not moving forward. Challenge matches typically generate revenue for the producers. Controversial matches, which are preferred by many viewers, generate an increased amount of revenue. We encourage promoters to provide the viewers with these in demand matches. We just opted not to do this match at this time.

We do not control or make decisions for any of our players. We present opportunities to our players to promote the growth and success of the billiard or dart industries in the best possible manner. Our players make the final decision as to whether or not they take an opportunity presented to them by any promoter. However, we feel it would hypocritical if we did not inform the player that the opportunity presented, knowingly puts them in a position to violate their contract.

I feel that this statement has cleared up any misunderstanding regarding my post Friday night. I will not be addressing the issue of this match any further unless the parties involved wish to discuss it. They can reach me by phone as it is my opinion that this forum is not the appropriate venue to conduct business.

Kimberly Griffiths
(877) 921-9511 ext. 121
Kimberly@str8-shots.com

Kimberly, are you an attorney? Eight paragraphs of pure lawyer-ese double-speak! Far from clearing things up, you only served to muddy the waters that much more. After reading all this I have no idea where you or str8-shots stand regarding this potential match. All this stuff about Mark and TAR makes no sense at all! Maybe Justin will chime in and interpret for us. For a company with a name like str8-shots you have a real problem with str8 English!

 

[brandoncook26]

I didn't really see any additional information in str8shots new post. It seems that as long as John is under contract this match won't happen. Oh well, would have been some great pool, but not the end of the world as there are many other great possible match ups. More importantly, many other players who don't have the same restrictions on their decisions. I will be happy to support those ppv's.

All I can really say is I hope John is being well compensated by this company, enough so that he is comfortable with them making his decisions. It's really up to him to decide what is best for his life. Right now what's best is apparently the money he's getting from Kim.

As for me, I will keep supporting TAR and the matches they can put together.

 

[PINKLADY]

let's do a 180 -

this, played VERY WELL, for John & Danny! neither has to match-up. and both are getting paid for doing nothing.

well done!

 

[Nick B]

Kimberly, are you an attorney? Eight paragraphs of pure lawyer-ese double-speak! Far from clearing things up, you only served to muddy the waters that much more. After reading all this I have no idea where you or str8-shots stand regarding this potential match. All this stuff about Mark and TAR makes no sense at all! Maybe Justin will chime in and interpret for us. For a company with a name like str8-shots you have a real problem with str8 English!

Kimberly,
Further to what Jay said I find it ironic that Jayson Shaw is part of their team and was able to do the last TAR match but JS for some reason can't participate. To be clear TAR is not a gambling event but a challenge match. I don't see how Jayson's participation was a negative for str8 and the same should apply to JS /DH match.

Bad Blood is the catalyst that turns good matches into great. It's always been that way regardless of type of sporting contest. If JS was part of my stable I would simply:

1. Have a small chat about his required conduct
2. Slap a big patch on his chest
3. Promote the match to your clients
4. Watch and cheer your horse onto possible victory

Assuming JS conducts himself like pro then your only going to be on the positive side.

I have a simply question. In what way was Jayson's participation a negative to your business?

 

[JAM]

Kimberly,
Further to what Jay said I find it ironic that Jayson Shaw is part of their team and was able to do the last TAR match but JS for some reason can't participate. To be clear TAR is not a gambling event but a challenge match. I don't see how Jayson's participation was a negative for str8 and the same should apply to JS /DH match.

Bad Blood is the catalyst that turns good matches into great. It's always been that way regardless of type of sporting contest. If JS was part of my stable i would simply:

1. Have a small chat about his required conduct
2. Slap a big patch on his chest
3. Promote the match to your clients
4. Watch and cheer your horse onto possible victory

Assuming JS conducts himself like pro then your only going to be on the positive side.

I have a simply question. In what way was Jayson's participation a negative to your business?

Jayson Shaw was not a Str8Shot-sponsored player at the time he played for TAR.

 

[Nick B]

Jayson Shaw was not a Str8Shot-sponsored player at the time he played for TAR.

Jam,
Thx for the clarity. The question still stands how was that negative for Str8 that Jayson participated like a gentleman. If JS acts in a comperable method same thing should apply.

Nick