DieselPete
Active member
It is billed as the “Greatest Match in Pool History” and will be viewed on YouTube for decades to come.
Strong opinion: Dress Codes Needed
- Thread starter DieselPete
- Start date
It is billed as the “Greatest Match in Pool History” and will be viewed on YouTube for decades to come.
No,
Nobody give a frick what you look like playing on your own equipment.
If you walk into a pool hall one after noon, you are free to wear whatever you like.
If you walk into league play some night, you are free to wear whatever you like.
But when you have the chance to be seen on TV {by whatever means the signal is delivered} that you (YOU) represent pool and you need to LOOK the part.
You look like a ghetto looser, so does pool.
You look worthy of respect, so does pool.
You look magnificent, so does pool.
I completely agree. You will never see me whine about professional pool. If you notice, I am actually the one who doesn't even consider it a "sport".
Pool is not a "sport", and pool players are not "athletes".
*I'll clarify by saying that some pool players are athletes, but it's not because they play pool.
YES. This is my position in a nutshell. I never understood why folks on AZB worry themselves with pool pros making money or not (unless they themselves are aspiring to be a pro)
The world needs more Coach Boone's
I thought it was the best action match I've ever seen. But I also hear that most people don't have the patience for a race to 120. And it's not quite the nail biter after you already know the result. It's one of those special things that are more impactful seeing it live. And I think realistically the audience for it is really just your most ardent pool enthusiasts. And that audience understands what an action match is. I think it's a different beast than the US Open. And for what it is, I'd be more judgmental of the commentary than the attire. I think Dennis was dressed for the exact part he was playing in that little drama. His appearance was a part of the story. It made him a character. This is Rocky in a street fight (not that that was a particularly good movie).
Struggling with that first sentence. Not entirely sure what you mean. I quote you and respond, you quote me and respond... I'm not singling you out for any direct reason. Frankly most of the naysayers aren't really backing their argument very well. Although I don't happen to argee with you I can respect your opinion with greater ease.
Not that you could have possibly known, but that tournament I spoke of is exactly the level to which I think a dress code needs to be introduced. It happened well before the concept of streaming was even heard of, and there was no televison crews. Just a TD that felt that an Open tournament filled with pros should have a level of dignity. Regardless of that, there's massive difference between expecting the leaders of the sport, whether it be TD's or professional player, to employ a dress code then "everybody". The vast majority of counterpoints have been using the "why should everybody". This is taking it to an extreme, which you have done several times. I just pointed it cleanly because you seemed to be under the impression that it wasn't the case.
I won't pretend to know enough about the various streaming outfits to rank RackemTV against the rest. I'll take your word for it. If your image of a road gambler with "street cred" happens to line up with my opinion of what I would consider a man who refuses to act his age, then cool. All that said, it has been repeated several times that critiquing pros based on backyard streams would be unfair. To go further though, this match wasn't some impromptu happening, and was billed as possibly one of the greatest matches of all time. If that's the case then why in god's name would they use a backwoods streaming outfit to sell the event...?
Pretty sure I pointed this out earier today. Not sure if you missed the post wherein I said the same regarding Dennis and his willingness to look the part of a pro, when the mood hits him.
Just so we're so the same page. Although you quoted text from my post. The actual question was originally posted by MattPoland.
I agree with your point of view completely.
Make that one of two
Well, my thought is this... If the likelyhood of earning a decent wage by dedicating your life to becoming a pro pool player was greater, then maybe more would attempt to do so.
I know several extremely strong players that simply gave up because they knew pool was going to be too much of a grind to support a good life style. Can be done...?.., of course. Can it be done by more than the top 10%...?..., maybe?
Only because we're actively making it a part of the story. If his intent was to accomplish what he has done, then good on him.
I’m in the mindset that judging that someone should dress their age is preceded by the assumption that there’s a universal standard of how people should look. I think it comes down to a difference between those that value tradition and those that value novelty. I think the only reason Dennis gets to dress the way he does is because of the pool player lifestyle. He doesn’t have a boss and an office and certain funnel of expectations many of us get shoved down. I embrace the choices of self expression he gets to make in that setting.
Either way. I do think there is probably more common ground in this discussion that not. And I do see that you’ve been emphasizing that. I’ve likely been a bit more combative in my responses due to the fact I am taking the more defiant stance. At this point I’m recognizing there’s no need for that on my end.
And for continuity my take on that was reacting to this earlier response from Justadub.
Strong opinion: Dress Codes Needed
Feel free to flame me. Tournaments and challenge matches that are being streamed need dress codes. The players, or the men anyway, are too often incapable of dressing in a way that elevates the sport above the level of bar league riff raff. Baseball hats, hats on backward, garbage t-shirts...
forums.azbilliards.com
Well if your company has a dress code. Comply or risk being pink slipped.
Well please don’t say we need Pool in Olympics.
You're right.... Good on Dennis for being able to do what he does. I have zero doubt he ground extremely hard to be where he is at now. If for him all that effort means he gets to wear a goofy hat, then who am I to judge right...?....lol.
For me it's not about Dennis. It's about the game and the respect I wish it would receive beyond those who play.
We both have opinons and neither of us is 'wrong'.
Professional sales people that work remote have a fair amount of latitude on what they wear as they do not report to an office.
I see that. I think there’s the tournament and Matchroom world of pool where all the best (Shane, Jayson, Joshua, Fedor, etc.) compete for top prizes, sponsor money and Matchroom love. Then there’s the action world of pool where a lower tier of players (Chohan, Lunda, Hall, Frost) compete for big scores of backer money. This conversation could just as easily been about Chohan’s GameTight t-shirts. I think it’s interesting with Orcollo because he lives in both worlds. He’s tournament caliber for sure but I’d say at heart he’s an action player.
Yeah, I just wanted to pause and show your opinion more respect than I have been.
Could be. Cameras are small.