Jason, how dare you imply 14.1 is a "fringe" game. LOL
Actually, it's too bad it has become that way over the past years, what with fewer 14.1 tournaments of which to speak.
But that hasn't discouraged me from studying and practicing 14.1 over the years.
I have gleaned tons of valuable pool knowledge from doing so.
IMO, I rate a pool player's knowledge-base not on their ability to run racks in 9- or 10-ball ("normal games"), but on their 14.1 (and 8-ball) acumen.
Unfortunately, we have a whole generation of pool players that are missing out on some valuable stuff in 14.1 that can be transferred to the rotation games.
Knowledge is power, folks.
Good post!
Jason