A different perspective on the Mosconi Cup

Pathetic Shark said:
I agree Asian teams are dominant, but I wonder how they would cope with the MC format? From the admittedly limit amount I've seen them play, many seem incredibly slow and methodical. It would be interesting to see how they cope with the stop clock.
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I would take out Busty from the selection he is not as good as the others, plus age factor.
 
NYC cue dude said:
Joey, I respect your long time contributions to the game of pool. I'd like it if you would please release the names of the people, publically, who lobbied for the CODE OF CONDUCT to be removed.

Of course, just because a non binding set of regulations is published doesn't mean that players are compelled to endorse them, let alone adhere to them. But in light of the recent events outlined by Mr Badi Nazhat, Mark Griffin and now the the Mosconi Cup, it would be instructive to learn, who specifically, is part of pools very serious problem, rather than the solution.

Thank you
RG
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The CODE OF CONDUCT was created and placed into the STICKY NOTE section so it could be seen on a daily basis and referred to by new members and old alike.

It wasn't written to be kept on the Main Forum but a couple of posters whined ad nauseum to have it moved to the Main Forum, knowing that it would soon disappear off of the AZB radar screen which all threads eventually do.

You can read about the CODE OF CONDUCT by clicking here. .

The whiners got their way and the CODE OF CONDUCT disappeared from radar. I'm hesitant to give the whiners any more press than what they have already earned.

JoeyA
 
JoeyA said:
The CODE OF CONDUCT was created and placed into the STICKY NOTE section so it could be seen on a daily basis and referred to by new members and old alike.

It wasn't written to be kept on the Main Forum but a couple of posters whined ad nauseum to have it moved to the Main Forum, knowing that it would soon disappear off of the AZB radar screen which all threads eventually do.

You can read about the CODE OF CONDUCT by clicking here. .

The whiners got their way and the CODE OF CONDUCT disappeared from radar. I'm hesitant to give the whiners any more press than what they have already earned.

JoeyA
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Your code of conduct was intended to be a written set of guidelines for professional pool players to adhere to.

The owners of AZB were kind enough to give your suggested Code of Conduct its day in the sun, however, it was long overdue to remove it as a Sticky. Considering that 99.9% of the membership on AZB are amateurs, this set of unsanctioned rules is not really relevant to them. For the 0.1% who are pros, your document has not been approved or sanctioned by any governing body in pool and is unenforceable.

So kudos to the owners of AZB for cleaning up the main forum of unnecessary clutter on the front page.
 
This Mosconi cup team was not chosen to give the American team the best chance to win. It was put together to give Barry the best name draw. Only reason that Earl and Dennis were on this team. Making Johnny playing captain was a joke. Someone like Mark Wilson would have been much better. The team I could see competing and working together would have been more like this. Shane, Justin Hall, Corey, Jeremy Sossei, Johnny Archer. I think it would mean more to some of these guys and they would work together to get the w. You would have some experience,creativity and an infusion of youth with this group. Add a good motivator as captain (Mark Wilson) and we just might compete for the w next year. American pool isn't dead.
 
Mosconi Cup - these factors must be set in stone before the ball are ever broken.

JoeyA said:
The CODE OF CONDUCT was created and placed into the STICKY NOTE section so it could be seen on a daily basis and referred to by new members and old alike.

It wasn't written to be kept on the Main Forum but a couple of posters whined ad nauseum to have it moved to the Main Forum, knowing that it would soon disappear off of the AZB radar screen which all threads eventually do.

You can read about the CODE OF CONDUCT by clicking here. .

The whiners got their way and the CODE OF CONDUCT disappeared from radar. I'm hesitant to give the whiners any more press than what they have already earned.

JoeyA
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When we started the PCA members had a written Code of Conduct that each player HAD to sign. This made it a binding contract and not just a verbal request.

It outlined the rules and regulations related to professional behavior AND outlined the consequences for violating our Code......the Mosconi Cup has no such Code, although when I was Captain last year we had a meeting focused on player behavior.

I believe there was a difference this year, and I'm not sure what it was. I'm a firm believer in management and without it you can't expect people to simply "act correctly".....under the stress and pressure of the Mosconi Cup these factors must be set in stone before the ball are ever broken.

'The Game is the Teacher'
 
CJ Wiley said:
When we started the PCA members had a written Code of Conduct that each player HAD to sign. This made it a binding contract and not just a verbal request.

It outlined the rules and regulations related to professional behavior AND outlined the consequences for violating our Code......the Mosconi Cup has no such Code, although when I was Captain last year we had a meeting focused on player behavior.

I believe there was a difference this year, and I'm not sure what it was. I'm a firm believer in management and without it you can't expect people to simply "act correctly".....under the stress and pressure of the Mosconi Cup these factors must be set in stone before the ball are ever broken.

'The Game is the Teacher'
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I'm sure you had player dress code for the Mosconi Cup as well.

Some of the NEGATIVE NELLIES on this forum think very little of a CODE OF CONDUCT. Hell, the NEGATIVE NELLIES don't even follow this FORUM'S RULES. :p:D:p:D

JoeyA
 
My First MC in Person

I've been playing since a small child and really love the game but man, can I pick the wrong year to go to my first Mosconi Cup! I've seen the World Cup in person and it was a totally different thing. I am also an avid golfer and follow Golf and, imo, the Pool world can learn a lot from that sport.

The highlight of the trip was meeting SVB's grandfather and mother. She is a former BCA champion player in her own right and he is an amazing 86 year old gentleman. He not only knows the game of pool, but is an accomplished jazz sax player!

I will say that the players, other than ES who would exhibit disdain and start waving his arms around when asked for an autograph or photo, were very eager to take photos and sign cues for the fans. The only golfer I have seen that won't sign an autograph is Tiger and who wants to be viewed like that prima donna?

In short, I will have to think long and hard before attending another Mosconi Cup.
 
pool_mantra said:
I've been playing since a small child and really love the game but man, can I pick the wrong year to go to my first Mosconi Cup! I've seen the World Cup in person and it was a totally different thing. I am also an avid golfer and follow Golf and, imo, the Pool world can learn a lot from that sport.

The highlight of the trip was meeting SVB's grandfather and mother. She is a former BCA champion player in her own right and he is an amazing 86 year old gentleman. He not only knows the game of pool, but is an accomplished jazz sax player!

I will say that the players, other than ES who would exhibit disdain and start waving his arms around when asked for an autograph or photo, were very eager to take photos and sign cues for the fans. The only golfer I have seen that won't sign an autograph is Tiger and who wants to be viewed like that prima donna?

In short, I will have to think long and hard before attending another Mosconi Cup.
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Great pic of Shane's grandpa! He was an excellent pool player himself. What a cool guy he is. I was fortunate to sit and chat with him for a bit on this trip. I'll tell you one thing, the man KNOWS pool!
 
I think I remember seeing that particular hat that Shane's grandfather is wearing, in a western movie....

JoeyA
 
JAM said:
I am positive every single member of Team USA has already read the thousands of posts on this forum about the events of this week. I'm also quite sure they feel pretty wounded. What good does it do to continue to rip them apart? Of course, constructive criticism is always a good thing if it helps improve a bad situation. Don't you think there's been enough of that already on this forum, or do you believe we should all pool our funds together and take out a full-page ad in The New York Times to express our disdain for Team USA and announce to the world that they are a "disgrace," the popular word to describe them on this forum?
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Jam, I realize your remark was steeped in sarcasm...But I for one, would be glad to contribute to a 'FULL PAGE AD, IN THE NY TIMES', if, and I say IF, it would wake up the player's who, by their own actions, are destroying any chance for US pool gaining ONE OUNCE of respect !

You might consider giving up trying to defend those classless, whining, poor sport's, and join the ranks of the many, who believe they are acting like complete, socially inept IDIOT'S !..I know you don't want to become known, as the uninformed 'Nancy Pelosi' of the internet forums ! (do you ?)
 
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What I have seen from the event was horrible.

Earl's conduct is horrible. It appeared to me that some of the American players were not really "on the same page" with what shot to shoot, how to shoot it, etc., and it makes me wonder if there wasn't some friction between the players off the table.

There are a lot of ideas in this thread, many of which are interesting and good, but if there is no dramatic change in the event from this year to next, I think it would be good to get some new blood into the even for the Americans, and I think it would be good to let the team and some alternates know ahead of time, that they are going to go, and maybe they can prepare some together and mend any hard feelings well in advance of the Cup.

I think we should consider scrapping the points deal and having the team picked by the captain or some other informed person.

I have a proposed list:

Team Captain: Nick Varner

Team Members

Shane Van Boening
Corey Deuel
Mike Dechaine

Here are some interesting possibilities for the last two spots with maybe one or two as an alternate

Chip Compton
John Schmidt
Brandon Shuff
Justin Bergman
Chris Bartram
Joey Gray

Just my 0.02, I would hate to see more Americans acting like morons on TV. A reasonable penalty would be that those who act like morons should not expect to represent their country soon after they embarass it.

kollegedave




NYC cue dude said:
We were all witness to the savage beating the Euros delivered upon team USA. That's not what this thread is about. It's not about who won or who lost.

I think we can all agree that the Mosconi Cup is the mostly widely viewed TV broadcast for our sport, each and every year. It is watched by fans, other pro players and industry members alike. If you are interested in pool, its appointment viewing.

It took me a few days to put my finger on it, but there was something bothering me during these matches, beyond the disparity of the score. I watched and didn't like what I saw. It's safe to say that most of our industry members felt the same way. Coming from the American side, we oozed complete unprofessionalism. The teams body language conveyed contempt, entitlement and disinterest. The vulgar language was even worse. That the commentators had to, on multiple occasions, apologize to the viewers for this behavior, is incomprehensible. Then of course, there was Earl. He personally attacked his opponents, verbally, during multiple matches. He cheated, by intentionally sharking the other players. As has been said before, he embarrassed himself, his team, the promoters, the sport and his country. What made all of this look worse, if its even possible, is the exemplary behavior of the European team. They did everything right.

The point I'm trying to make is that the impression team USA made in public, was devastating. Who in their right mind would consider investing in American pool? Who would ever consider sponsoring anything pool related, after watching our "elite representatives" behave the way they did? Badi Nazhat just very recently addressed the problems of American Pool. Mark Griffin has as well. Those that understood what they were saying is that the problems center around unprofessionalism and disrespect. As the American pool scene crumbles around them, the players still refuse to head the warnings.

It is indeed a very sad day for American pool. Not because team USA lost. But because they continue in failing to learn from their mistakes.
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kollegedave said:
What I have seen from the event was horrible.

Earl's conduct is horrible. It appeared to me that some of the American players were not really "on the same page" with what shot to shoot, how to shoot it, etc., and it makes me wonder if there wasn't some friction between the players off the table.

There are a lot of ideas in this thread, many of which are interesting and good, but if there is no dramatic change in the event from this year to next, I think it would be good to get some new blood into the even for the Americans, and I think it would be good to let the team and some alternates know ahead of time, that they are going to go, and maybe they can prepare some together and mend any hard feelings well in advance of the Cup.

I think we should consider scrapping the points deal and having the team picked by the captain or some other informed person.

I have a proposed list:

Team Captain: Nick Varner

Team Members

Shane Van Boening
Corey Deuel
Mike Dechaine

Here are some interesting possibilities for the last two spots with maybe one or two as an alternate

Chip Compton
John Schmidt
Brandon Shuff
Justin Bergman
Chris Bartram
Joey Gray

Just my 0.02, I would hate to see more Americans acting like morons on TV. A reasonable penalty would be that those who act like morons should not expect to represent their country soon after they embarass it.

kollegedave
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I dont believe your list is quite yet 100% moron free itself :smile:
 
Randy...I haven't read the thread, nor did I see any of the MC. That said, do you include Shane in the "less than complimentary" behavior group?

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

NYC cue dude said:
We were all witness to the savage beating the Euros delivered upon team USA. That's not what this thread is about. It's not about who won or who lost.

I think we can all agree that the Mosconi Cup is the mostly widely viewed TV broadcast for our sport, each and every year. It is watched by fans, other pro players and industry members alike. If you are interested in pool, its appointment viewing.

It took me a few days to put my finger on it, but there was something bothering me during these matches, beyond the disparity of the score. I watched and didn't like what I saw. It's safe to say that most of our industry members felt the same way. Coming from the American side, we oozed complete unprofessionalism. The teams body language conveyed contempt, entitlement and disinterest. The vulgar language was even worse. That the commentators had to, on multiple occasions, apologize to the viewers for this behavior, is incomprehensible. Then of course, there was Earl. He personally attacked his opponents, verbally, during multiple matches. He cheated, by intentionally sharking the other players. As has been said before, he embarrassed himself, his team, the promoters, the sport and his country. What made all of this look worse, if its even possible, is the exemplary behavior of the European team. They did everything right.

The point I'm trying to make is that the impression team USA made in public, was devastating. Who in their right mind would consider investing in American pool? Who would ever consider sponsoring anything pool related, after watching our "elite representatives" behave the way they did? Badi Nazhat just very recently addressed the problems of American Pool. Mark Griffin has as well. Those that understood what they were saying is that the problems center around unprofessionalism and disrespect. As the American pool scene crumbles around them, the players still refuse to head the warnings.

It is indeed a very sad day for American pool. Not because team USA lost. But because they continue in failing to learn from their mistakes.
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