It's a whole new generation of shooters

[JAM]

“I’ve done some cool stuff in the last 22 years, but I don’t think anything comes close to this. They are eating this up things like ice cream."

“I grew up in Southington,” Sal Conti said. “I feel there are good people that take their time for the youth in town. I benefited from that. I just want to give back. I want to give back to people.

“At least half of these kids have never played on any team before. After talking to some of their parents, most describe their children as spectrum kids with autism or Asperger’s. You don’t really notice it.”

Conti added that a handful of his players are home-schooled.

“I like using my sport to accomplish big things,” he added. “I want to get the word out that this type of program exists. They are getting the same benefit than other team sports. It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. They are starting to realize that. The only person holding you back is you.”

Sal Conti owns Shooters Billards in Southington and has played among the best players in his years on the felt. But the Southington resident has found as nearly as much satisfation coaching APA Junior Academy over the last 12 weeks and bringing a team mentality to billiards.

Conti and his long-time friend, Bruce Barthelette, started the Academy, a collection of 20 players that features a one-hour lesson each week followed by league play. At the end of the season, one of Conti’s students will be sent, all expenses paid, to the APA Junior Nationals.

This is a real feel-good read: It's a whole new generation of shooters.

 

[Ken_4fun]

Why isnt this on the news instead the crap we hear every day?

Thanks for posting JAM.

Ken

 

[measureman]

The little girl in the bottom right photo looks like a player.

 

[CptBurbagio]

The little girl in the bottom right photo looks like a player.

I had the same reaction to her. She oughta be a good one.

 

[nine o nine]

Shooters in Southington is my home room now that I've moved to CT. Sal IS a good guy. He not only looks out for the kids but the seniors, like me, as well. Mitch

 

[straightdraw65]

Why isnt this on the news instead the crap we hear every day?Thanks for posting JAM.Ken

You're right. :thumbup:

 

[Ken_4fun]

The little girl in the bottom right photo looks like a player.

I thought that too.....

I could see her saying, "You wanna play some cheap sets?"

Ken

 

[Coop1701]

That is great news Jam. I love stuff like this. They are doing something similar at my local pool hall. Anything to keep the kids interested. Some are really good too. They have had a pizza party for them. Working on deals now to get them all new pool cues.

Fun getting the kids interested.

 

[Superiorduper]

Awesome story and awesome photos. Thanks for sharing

 

[measureman]

I thought that too.....

I could see her saying, "You wanna play some cheap sets?"

Ken

Yes.
"Play some 9 ball for 4 Barbie's a set?"
Ok Post.

 

[franko]

Smart

Smart and good hearted Pool needs more people like Sal.

 

[LC3]

It's great to see this. Hopefully they develop a lifetime passion for the game.

 

[Scott Lee]

I stopped in to Shooters for a few minutes 10 days ago, on my way to the SBE. I was looking to see if Jerry was there...he wasn't. I was there about 4pm...Jerry must leave earlier than that.

Sal Conti...while I didn't get to meet you, I love what you're doing for junior players, and read all about the "junior academy" while I was in your room! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Shooters in Southington is my home room now that I've moved to CT. Sal IS a good guy. He not only looks out for the kids but the seniors, like me, as well. Mitch

 

[12310bch]

The program is great. there is going to be a multitude of technicians out there that will run rack after rack. But I hope the history , the stories, the tall tales , the old ambience of the rooms with wooden floors, the smell of cigar smoke, the sounds of players yelling , "rack," to get the rackboys attention, the quick excitement if a couple sharks lined up for a game. and on and on.
You can learn to pocket balls expertly but that doesn't mean that you've learned ,"The Game." That has to be passed on somehow.

 

[Ak Guy]

Good stuff !

The young players, lessons for them and league and great pics are good stuff.

But, knowing there are 4 more whipper snappers out there that will soon be capable of whupping me on a table makes me smile!

 

[MitchAlsup]

Why isnt this on the news instead the crap we hear every day?

Because no blood was involved.

Sad but TRUE.

 

[jay helfert]

The program is great. there is going to be a multitude of technicians out there that will run rack after rack. But I hope the history , the stories, the tall tales , the old ambience of the rooms with wooden floors, the smell of cigar smoke, the sounds of players yelling , "rack," to get the rackboys attention, the quick excitement if a couple sharks lined up for a game. and on and on.
You can learn to pocket balls expertly but that doesn't mean that you've learned ,"The Game." That has to be passed on somehow.

Nice post, I wholeheartedly agree. I feel so fortunate to have basked in that ambiance for a long time. Every room I went into had a different vibe to it. I may have had the most fun in the black poolrooms from New York to L.A. They gave a lot of respect to a white boy who would walk in by himself and get up and play someone, anyone! I never asked for a spot, just took my licks and kept on ticking. I played a few brothers to a standstill and got called "The King of the Ghetto" when I beat Larry (Moto) Evans at Banks in L.A. It was always fun in those places, everyone laughing and joking with each other. I miss that.

Thank God for the Sal Conti's of the pool world! :thumbup2:

 

[WillyCornbread]

Great room

Great room, great tournaments and great people there . Friendliest room around with fierce competition in their monthly Blufelt tournaments...

Plus sometimes Jeremy Sossei brings cookies

b

 

[Low500]

The program is great. there is going to be a multitude of technicians out there that will run rack after rack. But I hope the history , the stories, the tall tales , the old ambience of the rooms with wooden floors, the smell of cigar smoke, the sounds of players yelling , "rack," to get the rackboys attention, the quick excitement if a couple sharks lined up for a game. and on and on.
You can learn to pocket balls expertly but that doesn't mean that you've learned ,"The Game." That has to be passed on somehow.

I don't think the younger generation cares one bit about the seedy aspects of pool history. It certainly won't help the way these youngsters play the game.
Maybe it is time to let go of all that "smell of cigar smoke", "sharks lined up for a game", "wooden floors", "hustling", and all the rest. And good riddance.
Maybe, finally, this wonderful game can eventually recover from the years and years of all that poor reputation and low life existence.

 

[12310bch]

Maybe your right. Like boxing before there was a cage,or tennis before there was a tennis association and everybody was considered an amateur, or golf before it lost it's personalities, or Basketball with Jerry and Happy, or stock car racing before it lost any resemblance to your family car. I could go on and on but it brings tears to my eyes( sniff, sniff) to lose those early beginnings to my fading memories. I be but a two-bit hustler. Will be till the day I die. You millennials will never know what I'm talking about. So bite me.