A dollar for our pros

Begging for dollars really makes pool look like a bum's sport, which is what maybe the general populace thinks of pool already.

Pool is never going to go anywhere until it gets on TV and is accepted as a true sport, like tennis, golf, etc. Without TV recognition, nobody will get rich playing, promoting, or hosting tournaments.

What pool needs is another "shot in the arm", like that which occurred after "The Hustler" and "The Color Of Money" movies. Any new movie would have to "inspire" today's youth to get in the pool halls and away from the computers and video games.

I think the "pros", billiard industries, etc. should be out "actively" promoting the sport...i.e, setting up tables in shopping malls and putting on exhibitions, inviting Boy Scout troops out for a pool night and maybe coming up with a "billards" merit badge that they can earn and wear on their uniforms, etc., etc.

As long as everyone sits back and "passively" waits for something to happen to encourage pool, the deeper it falls into obscurity.
 
HawaiianEye said:
Begging for dollars really makes pool look like a bum's sport, which is what maybe the general populace thinks of pool already.

Pool is never going to go anywhere until it gets on TV and is accepted as a true sport, like tennis, golf, etc. Without TV recognition, nobody will get rich playing, promoting, or hosting tournaments.

What pool needs is another "shot in the arm", like that which occurred after "The Hustler" and "The Color Of Money" movies. Any new movie would have to "inspire" today's youth to get in the pool halls and away from the computers and video games.

I think the "pros", billiard industries, etc. should be out "actively" promoting the sport...i.e, setting up tables in shopping malls and putting on exhibitions, inviting Boy Scout troops out for a pool night and maybe coming up with a "billards" merit badge that they can earn and wear on their uniforms, etc., etc.

As long as everyone sits back and "passively" waits for something to happen to encourage pool, the deeper it falls into obscurity.
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Maybe a person could make a documentary series maybe a 3 part one on the history of billiards and pocket billiards and sell it to the History Channel , with old timers from the industry and players giving comments.Also a little perspective on just what it takes to be a top notch player.


Keep loud mouth celebrity types out so that they don't inject their politics or some cause.
 
Angel Levine has been working on a documentary film for the past few years. It may be something that might prod some industry support. AFAIK, there isn't a particular timeline for finishing the film yet.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Scott Lee said:
Angel Levine has been working on a documentary film for the past few years. It may be something that might prod some industry support. AFAIK, there isn't a particular timeline for finishing the film yet.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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Hey , hope it works out . I think that something that gives those who have never played a lot of pocket billiards a perspective of just what it takes to play at a high level might generate interest .
 
Let's say there is a movie or a documantation - sustainability doesn't creat itself by a film. It needs a system that works, a system that prospects are confident in, a system that provides something to their members. We don't get away with an "easy" solution. Many issues have to be solved and many solutions have to be worked out that actually also go hand in hand to provide a "chain" with strong links!
 
HawaiianEye said:
Begging for dollars really makes pool look like a bum's sport, which is what maybe the general populace thinks of pool already.

Pool is never going to go anywhere until it gets on TV and is accepted as a true sport, like tennis, golf, etc. Without TV recognition, nobody will get rich playing, promoting, or hosting tournaments.

What pool needs is another "shot in the arm", like that which occurred after "The Hustler" and "The Color Of Money" movies. Any new movie would have to "inspire" today's youth to get in the pool halls and away from the computers and video games.

I think the "pros", billiard industries, etc. should be out "actively" promoting the sport...i.e, setting up tables in shopping malls and putting on exhibitions, inviting Boy Scout troops out for a pool night and maybe coming up with a "billards" merit badge that they can earn and wear on their uniforms, etc., etc.

As long as everyone sits back and "passively" waits for something to happen to encourage pool, the deeper it falls into obscurity.
Click to expand...

I think you helped make his point even more clear. Everyone involved int his game for years and years can ID the problem. What it needs are some solutions. The BCA puts on the biggest show in the Pool World each May and it generates a lot, A LOT of money and for who? Sure they have a pro event and add a little $15,000. Whoopee! Now there is one that TV can't wait to cover? After al these years I wonder why the Riviera hasn't thrown the dog a bone?? Sure they throw in the convention Center, but wouldn't they like to have it taped? Well from the looks of the hallways and exhibits out front, i guess I wouldn't either!! Watching table 342 from the bleachers is a little tough too. That was a good match too, Waldo Arakansas vs Skidmore Texas!! Whooopeee!
All the BCA needs in Vegas is a Monkey riding a bike across a tight rope over the tables and it will be a great show. Well that would probably cost $500 to though!
The Trade show is nice though!!
 
ironman said:
I think you helped make his point even more clear. Everyone involved int his game for years and years can ID the problem. What it needs are some solutions. The BCA puts on the biggest show in the Pool World each May and it generates a lot, A LOT of money and for who? Sure they have a pro event and add a little $15,000. Whoopee! Now there is one that TV can't wait to cover? After al these years I wonder why the Riviera hasn't thrown the dog a bone?? Sure they throw in the convention Center, but wouldn't they like to have it taped? Well from the looks of the hallways and exhibits out front, i guess I wouldn't either!! Watching table 342 from the bleachers is a little tough too. That was a good match too, Waldo Arakansas vs Skidmore Texas!! Whooopeee!
All the BCA needs in Vegas is a Monkey riding a bike across a tight rope over the tables and it will be a great show. Well that would probably cost $500 to though!
The Trade show is nice though!!
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I agree with your overall point that everyone can identify the problem but few have real sustainable solutions. But I think you are confusing the BCAPL with the BCA. BCAPL is not the one creating this travel fun, the Billiard Congress of America is. BCAPL (well not actually BCAPL, but their related company, CSI) is supporting this effort as a sponsor.
 
Nycgrind

I know Jerry Tarantola and Alison Fischer of NYCGRIND are trying to get the younger generation involved through their website which includes pool and underground music and art as well. Check it out:

http://www.nycgrind.com/

Wedge
 
Very funny

Black-Balled said:
What is up with the webpage:
http://upatour.com/

Implies there is a tour? Is that in the plans?

And the ony events on the sched are last years events- US Open and Seminole Tour.

What gives?
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The only event on the upa points list calender is the event that they tried to sabotage last year the U S OPEN 9 Ball Championships. As of today 1/19 on their web site. Unfortunately the Seminole Tour is finished according to what I've heard.
 
They don't seem to do much!

The BCA doesn't seem to do much your right. I don't think that I ever went to their web site before, but having done so today it will probably be a long while before I go back. They the BCA on their home page still have up announcements about what happened in 2009 and 2010. One that is still there is about a change of date for some show. Bottom line is if they still have space for this stuff from back then then how much could they be doing? Is it that they are so busy that they don't have the strength to update their home page, or that they do so little there is nothing new to put there!!! Either way it's unfortunate way more unfortunate that it's the latter.
 
Just another observation

They (the BCA) seem to make a big deal about the little they do, which reminds me of another organization the government. Both have been around a long time and both seem to get little done. Just my observations if yours differ share yours. TY
 
CrisDeLaGarza said:
I agree with your overall point that everyone can identify the problem but few have real sustainable solutions. But I think you are confusing the BCAPL with the BCA. BCAPL is not the one creating this travel fun, the Billiard Congress of America is. BCAPL (well not actually BCAPL, but their related company, CSI) is supporting this effort as a sponsor.
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i know!
I happen to have a lot of respect for Mark Griffin and CSI. I think he is one person who could make a huge difference in the pool world and in the USA.
My point is What does the BCA do for pool? I just don't see it!
 
ironman said:
i know!
I happen to have a lot of respect for Mark Griffin and CSI. I think he is one person who could make a huge difference in the pool world and in the USA.
My point is What does the BCA do for pool? I just don't see it!
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The BCA was the organization that stepped in for the US Open confrontation between Barry and Pro Players. It is obvious that in a conflict between promoters and players, the BCA is a mediating party.

As for creating a formal institution supporting American players for the dedicated purpose of funding pro player travel to global pool tournaments, well the BCA acted on it first.
 
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justnum said:
The BCA was the organization that stepped in for the US Open confrontation between Barry and Pro Players. It is obvious that in a conflict between promoters and players, the BCA is a mediating party.

As for creating a formal institution supporting American players for the dedicated purpose of funding pro player travel to global pool tournaments, well the BCA acted on it first.
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They were paid for all that, right?
 
justnum said:
The BCA was the organization that stepped in for the US Open confrontation between Barry and Pro Players. It is obvious that in a conflict between promoters and players, the BCA is a mediating party.

As for creating a formal institution supporting American players for the dedicated purpose of funding pro player travel to global pool tournaments, well the BCA acted on it first.
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Not entirely sure what you mean, but the BCA was not started with the express purpose of funding pro player travel to international events, even though it did come to provide a stipend for that purpose. AZ billiards stepped up when the BCA first cancelled its international stipend - http://azbilliards.com/2000storya.php?storynum=5742

While I do think the BCA should play a role in helping US players on the international stage, I question the priorities of the BCA as they relate to its role promoting the sport domestically. I would be more inclined to donate a $1000 to a fund to launch a national ad campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of playing pool - "Got Milk" anyone??
 
ironman said:
i know!
I happen to have a lot of respect for Mark Griffin and CSI. I think he is one person who could make a huge difference in the pool world and in the USA.
My point is What does the BCA do for pool? I just don't see it!
Click to expand...


The BCA is an International Trade Organization. True they are not player oriented but they do a great job with Dealers, Manufactures, Wholesalers, Distributors, Room Owners and Trade Shows.
randyg
 
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