Professional pickle ball on tv!😳

[trob]

I saw this and stopped for a moment to watch. First I was stunned there is already a pro league. I tried watching it and it’s pretty terrible . Second the fact that nbc was showing it. lastly if it’s not bad enough that there is a professional pickle ball league already. That a national network is showing said league. the worst thing is when they went to a commercial one of the pro’s had a commercial with some car web site that had nothing to do with pickle ball!
Look I’m happy where pool has gone in the last few years with matchroom etc. definitely positive movement But the thing I’ve always said you need for pool to really start making f you money is getting deep pocket sponsors who have nothing to do with pool but want to be connected to it and it’s players. Pickle ball already has it but pool is still a nope. Until you get that we are going to be exactly as we are. Snooker seems to be the only game that made that jump years a go and hopefully Barry Hearn can do the same thing for American style pool.

 

[Pocket Change]

The Pickle Ball demographic IMO has a wider marketing base than pool (no research here on my part). That almost always leads corps to put their ad $'s where they will reap the best ROI. Also, I was really taken aback with the PB 'Pro' broadcast.

I now live in 'senior' community (45+/no dependents) and the club house pool table sees little action compared to the Pickle Ball players. We are mostly Baby-Boomers and some Gen-Xers, not a great control group.

 

[KissedOut]

I'm not surprised that it looked terrible to you because you don't know the game. What do you think a pickleballer would think the first time he saw 2 pros play a game of one pocket? They would think it was boring and terrible because they don't know the game. The fact is that both games are extremely tactical and you need to learn about the game a little to see and appreciate the tactics in both cases. And the fact that they can attract non-pickleball sponsors is hugely positive. In the US, Pickleball is exploding in popularity, and is no longer regarded a primarily appealing to seniors, while pool is stagnant to declining. No company that is smart enough to have deep pockets is going to empty them on behalf of pool.

 

[tomatoshooter]

I saw this and stopped for a moment to watch. First I was stunned there is already a pro league. I tried watching it and it’s pretty terrible . Second the fact that nbc was showing it. lastly if it’s not bad enough that there is a professional pickle ball league already. That a national network is showing said league. the worst thing is when they went to a commercial one of the pro’s had a commercial with some car web site that had nothing to do with pickle ball!
Look I’m happy where pool has gone in the last few years with matchroom etc. definitely positive movement But the thing I’ve always said you need for pool to really start making f you money is getting deep pocket sponsors who have nothing to do with pool but want to be connected to it and it’s players. Pickle ball already has it but pool is still a nope. Until you get that we are going to be exactly as we are. Snooker seems to be the only game that made that jump years a go and hopefully Barry Hearn can do the same thing for American style pool.

I guess the sponsors think if someone believes pickleball is a sport, they will believe anything is worth buying.

Seriously though, most people with reasonable hand eye coordination can pick up a pickleball paddle and knock a ball back and forth and have a little fun. Not to say that the top pickleballers aren't skilled, but that entry level skill isn't that hard to obtain in pickleball, which makes it a good social game. You can get a pickleball set for less than $100 for your next barbecue, and people will play. I think pool is an entirely different class of game and the two shouldn't be compared. I don't think many of the lessons learned from pickleball becoming successful are transferrable to pool. I think bowling and poker are the closest analogues to pool, although neither is particularly hot right now. We might also look to chess. For some reason, there is a lot of money in chess. I'm not that familiar, but I think people paying into online chess platforms is a large source.

Here's a ridiculous idea: A buck an hour from every table rental and a quarter from every coin op game goes into a pool prize fund. Instead of the dead money being in the tournaments, it's everywhere.

 

[Podunker]

I kind of get the pickleball thing. It's a good mixer for young corporate types. It's also a good game for us older people. Low impact, some feel good cardio. Played a lot of racquetball in the 80's/early 90's and have thought about trying it (pball) myself at some point. The game on espn that grinds my ass more is cornhole. Come on. One of the best can't shoot unless he's holding his big gulp nascar cup in hand. Saw a heavy-set girl throw 14 consecutive bean bags into the hole the one time I tuned in. Straight from the family reunion to the pro tour. Hard to believe that "sport" is more accepted than pro pool. I guess having the big sausage company as a sponsor speaks for itself.
p.s. Those long races suck. It's takes 3 days before a hint of excitement shows itself. The Mosconi cup is great because of the short races and the cost of a single mistake.

 

[ribdoner]

I guess the sponsors think if someone believes pickleball is a sport, they will believe anything is worth buying.

Seriously though, most people with reasonable hand eye coordination can pick up a pickleball paddle and knock a ball back and forth and have a little fun. Not to say that the top pickleballers aren't skilled, but that entry level skill isn't that hard to obtain in pickleball, which makes it a good social game. You can get a pickleball set for less than $100 for your next barbecue, and people will play. I think pool is an entirely different class of game and the two shouldn't be compared. I don't think many of the lessons learned from pickleball becoming successful are transferrable to pool. I think bowling and poker are the closest analogues to pool, although neither is particularly hot right now. We might also look to chess. For some reason, there is a lot of money in chess. I'm not that familiar, but I think people paying into online chess platforms is a large source.

Here's a ridiculous idea: A buck an hour from every table rental and a quarter from every coin op game goes into a pool prize fund. Instead of the dead money being in the tournaments, it's everywhere.

in terms of funding pool i think your concept has merit, however, the numbers may or may not make sense

needless to say it 's in EVERYONE'S best interests who make a cracker from this game we love/hate to give this concept consideration

 

[tomatoshooter]

p.s. Those long races suck. It's takes 3 days before a hint of excitement shows itself. The Mosconi cup is great because of the short races and the cost of a single mistake.

I think in the context of first to win 11 matches, the short races are great. For an individual match, it's too short, unless they were to do sets, first to win two or three races to 5. I agree about the long races, races should be no longer than 13, unless it's in some sort of tiebreaker format.

 

[bbb]

this is related to pool?

 

[King T]

I guess the sponsors think if someone believes pickleball is a sport, they will believe anything is worth buying.

Seriously though, most people with reasonable hand eye coordination can pick up a pickleball paddle and knock a ball back and forth and have a little fun. Not to say that the top pickleballers aren't skilled, but that entry level skill isn't that hard to obtain in pickleball, which makes it a good social game. You can get a pickleball set for less than $100 for your next barbecue, and people will play. I think pool is an entirely different class of game and the two shouldn't be compared. I don't think many of the lessons learned from pickleball becoming successful are transferrable to pool. I think bowling and poker are the closest analogues to pool, although neither is particularly hot right now. We might also look to chess. For some reason, there is a lot of money in chess. I'm not that familiar, but I think people paying into online chess platforms is a large source.

Here's a ridiculous idea: A buck an hour from every table rental and a quarter from every coin op game goes into a pool prize fund. Instead of the dead money being in the tournaments, it's everywhere.

You make some good points, but Bowling and Poker are not really relational to Pool because they are easy to play, count your cards, throw the ball and have a fun. Pool has a good chance to grow if we all support APA, because APA is like Bowling amd Poker, you can win no matter how you play and you never have to become good to be competitive.

You can be a APA 3 for life and still win and that makes it fun and cornhole and pickle ball are fun for beginners and players at every level.

 

[hang-the-9]

I think there are a few things making pickleball popular. One, it's a fun word to say. Two, you can play it without much practice or physical conditioning. Three, it takes up less space to play in than tennis. Four, there is a bit of action that happens so you can play funky music and slow-motion plays to make it look cool for TV. Pool has a lot of built-in cachet but for none of those reasons, it's more for "the bad boys shoot pool and there is gambling involved". I bet a reality pool show showing the reality of the gambling side of pool with all the moves, side deals, auctions, dumping, splitting, etc.. would make for some compelling TV. But that is not going to be happening.

 

[trob]

I guess the sponsors think if someone believes pickleball is a sport, they will believe anything is worth buying.

Seriously though, most people with reasonable hand eye coordination can pick up a pickleball paddle and knock a ball back and forth and have a little fun. Not to say that the top pickleballers aren't skilled, but that entry level skill isn't that hard to obtain in pickleball, which makes it a good social game. You can get a pickleball set for less than $100 for your next barbecue, and people will play. I think pool is an entirely different class of game and the two shouldn't be compared. I don't think many of the lessons learned from pickleball becoming successful are transferrable to pool. I think bowling and poker are the closest analogues to pool, although neither is particularly hot right now. We might also look to chess. For some reason, there is a lot of money in chess. I'm not that familiar, but I think people paying into online chess platforms is a large source.

Here's a ridiculous idea: A buck an hour from every table rental and a quarter from every coin op game goes into a pool prize fund. Instead of the dead money being in the tournaments, it's everywhere.

That’s why they say it’s so popular. an indoor pickle ball court was just opened and the guy who owns said anyone can play it so a lot of people enjoy it of all ages for exercise . I think I’m more surprised thats it’s made it to tv with a pro league this quick.

 

[trob]

this is related to pool?

Yeah.. you didn’t have to click it. You could have kept scrolling . That’s all the internet works

 

[dendweller]

I saw this and stopped for a moment to watch. First I was stunned there is already a pro league. I tried watching it and it’s pretty terrible . Second the fact that nbc was showing it. lastly if it’s not bad enough that there is a professional pickle ball league already. That a national network is showing said league. the worst thing is when they went to a commercial one of the pro’s had a commercial with some car web site that had nothing to do with pickle ball!
Look I’m happy where pool has gone in the last few years with matchroom etc. definitely positive movement But the thing I’ve always said you need for pool to really start making f you money is getting deep pocket sponsors who have nothing to do with pool but want to be connected to it and it’s players. Pickle ball already has it but pool is still a nope. Until you get that we are going to be exactly as we are. Snooker seems to be the only game that made that jump years a go and hopefully Barry Hearn can do the same thing for American style pool.

Didn't know what it was. Watched it, looks fun, I can see why it's growing.

 

[sjm]

I watched a bit of the pickleball event and found it entertaining.

I don't get why it's standard fare on AZB to mock any second-tier sport that is more successful than pool in gaining exposure. It would be better to learn from second tier sports that are growing.

I'm resigned to the fact that a thread mocking cornhole can't be far away.

 

[Zerksies]

I watched a bit of the pickleball event and found it entertaining.

I don't get why it's standard fare on AZB to mock any second-tier sport that is more successful than pool in gaining exposure. It would be better to learn from second tier sports that are growing.

I'm resigned to the fact that a thread mocking cornhole can't be far away.

I always thought pool players wood be decent Cornhole players.

 

[Pool Hand Luke]

I play both. I can have a great game of pickleball, hit ernies or around the post winners and move on to the next point no biggie because it's not that hard compared to tennis or badminton which I also play.
However if I make a 3 rail kick in pool and run out a series of tough shots I go home feeling good all day and can't wait to get back and try to do it all over again next time out.

I don't mind watching so much as I like both games and try to learn from the better players.

 

[KAP1976]

I watched a bit of the pickleball event and found it entertaining.

I don't get why it's standard fare on AZB to mock any second-tier sport that is more successful than pool in gaining exposure. It would be better to learn from second tier sports that are growing.

I'm resigned to the fact that a thread mocking cornhole can't be far away.

I think its petty jealousy. And you're right, Stu. Sitting down with the leaders of the pickleball and cornhole associations and simply asking, "How did you get to this point?" could be beneficial.

 

[jasonlaus]

I watched a bit of the pickleball event and found it entertaining.

I don't get why it's standard fare on AZB to mock any second-tier sport that is more successful than pool in gaining exposure. It would be better to learn from second tier sports that are growing.

I'm resigned to the fact that a thread mocking cornhole can't be far away.

I think there was a thread mocking cornhole already.

Fact is pool isn't fun because everybody has to sit completely still and silent - I'd go to the opera, church, or a funeral if I wanted that

 

[Rocket354]

I kind of get the pickleball thing. It's a good mixer for young corporate types. It's also a good game for us older people. Low impact, some feel good cardio. Played a lot of racquetball in the 80's/early 90's and have thought about trying it (pball) myself at some point. The game on espn that grinds my ass more is cornhole. Come on. One of the best can't shoot unless he's holding his big gulp nascar cup in hand. Saw a heavy-set girl throw 14 consecutive bean bags into the hole the one time I tuned in. Straight from the family reunion to the pro tour. Hard to believe that "sport" is more accepted than pro pool. I guess having the big sausage company as a sponsor speaks for itself.
p.s. Those long races suck. It's takes 3 days before a hint of excitement shows itself. The Mosconi cup is great because of the short races and the cost of a single mistake.

I think in both cases, Pickleball and Cornhole, part of the appeal is the ease of entry. They are both much more accessible games than is pool. Cornhole boards are easy to buy/make and can be stored out of the way in a garage while not in use. Pickleball takes a cheap set of paddles and then can be played on any of a number of existing courts. In both cases, it's both easy and essentially free for most people to play. And you can play with your kids at the same time, who then grow into the sport.

Pool takes a pool table. People can't store that out of the way in a garage, and pull it out for the family BBQ, like Cornhole. Or just walk down the street to the court in the neighborhood to play, like Pickleball. You'd have to drive somewhere, and pay money, and it's likely at a bar (and perhaps a smoky one at that!) and already in use, with degraded, warped equipment. And don't even think of bringing your kids--21+ in many cases.

Until pool is a readily accessible option for many people, it will not be hugely popular.

 

[JolietJames]

I think there was a thread mocking cornhole already.

Fact is pool isn't fun because everybody has to sit completely still and silent - I'd go to the opera, church, or a funeral if I wanted that

I had not thought about the quiet aspect of pool. Only the Mosconi Cup brings major excitement to the fans who are not already diehard pool fans. That aspect of the game is just one more strike against its gaining popularity. Golf is also played in silence but they found a way to get around that. Televised golf jumps around the course and basically shows highlights all day which keeps the viewers entertained. I saw a bit of the 60 minutes or whatever it was with Emily, and the host was looking down on pool and the gambling aspect of our sport. That guy is an uninformed dope. I can't remember playing a round of golf in the last 30 years that didn't have money on it in some way, shape, or form. Betting something on golf is incredibly common but golf is placed in a pedestal. The pros don't need to gamble to make a living at golf either. The 3rd place finisher of a major event probably makes more than a top pool pro makes in a good year.

I'm glad PB is getting a following because not every 70 year old can run down a ball on the tennis court. We had a few courts marked up for the game at our tennis club, so I saw the game being played as I walked to the tennis courts. A new player to PB can develop the fitness and skills to play it well enough to have fun in about an hour I imagine. It takes a long time for new tennis players to be able to do much more than jog to the fence to pick up the one or two balls they haven't yet hit over the fence. Badminton requires fitness but the shuttlecocks cannot fly far from the court, so you're back in action rather quickly. Anyone who understands ping pong, understands PB, and to say some can't watch it because they lack understanding is laughable. PB is a godsend for the US because it is something fun for the elderly to do that gives them much needed social interaction and physical movement. Whatever gets people outside and moving around can't be a bad thing. I fully expect to take up the game of PB when I am unable to play tennis at a reasonable level.