A guy I worked with said his dad was good at pool

[Rack'em jay]

back 3 years ago when i worked at cooper tire in Texarkana Ar.


I had to go pick up sum parts that were being fixed at our in house machine shop. when i went over to check on the parts a guy named (Skip) told me it was break time and when he got off break it would only take about 5 minutes. man being union was nice, because it was about 1/4 mile back to were i worked he told me to stay in his office while he was on break. we made small talk he asked were i was from and was i related to any of the people he knew with my last name. and he knew my cousin that is the mayor of Texarkana Ar. he told me that growing up his parents owned a pool hall/bar called the Road map. I told him that i played a little and he said his dad was a good pool player. ok did not think to much about that. well me and this guy became friends and he was also selling insurance on the side to make extra money primerica. i went to meeting and classes and got lincened to sell insurance and was around him alot for about 5 months. he asked me one time if i wanted to come by his house some time to play pool. I turned him down i though i would be wasting my time playing him i just told him maybe when i have more time.

looking back i wish i had gone and played him so i could have herd some stories about his dad. I did not put it all together until about 3 months ago i was reading a post on here from Ironman and it all clicked in place. And I am glad i did not ask to play my friend "Skip" Bell for money.

Skip's dad

Terry Bell was just a little bit better than good at pool

 

[CAR22]

back 3 years ago when i worked at cooper tire in Texarkana Ar.


I had to go pick up sum parts that were being fixed at our in house machine shop. when i went over to check on the parts a guy named (Skip) told me it was break time and when he got off break it would only take about 5 minutes. man being union was nice, because it was about 1/4 mile back to were i worked he told me to stay in his office while he was on break. we made small talk he asked were i was from and was i related to any of the people he knew with my last name. and he knew my cousin that is the mayor of Texarkana Ar. he told me that growing up his parents owned a pool hall/bar called the Road map. I told him that i played a little and he said his dad was a good pool player. ok did not think to much about that. well me and this guy became friends and he was also selling insurance on the side to make extra money primerica. i went to meeting and classes and got lincened to sell insurance and was around him alot for about 5 months. he asked me one time if i wanted to come by his house some time to play pool. I turned him down i though i would be wasting my time playing him i just told him maybe when i have more time.

looking back i wish i had gone and played him so i could have heard some stories about his dad. I did not put it all together until about 3 months ago i was reading a post on here and it all clicked in place. And I am glad i did not ask to play my friend "Skip" Bell for money.

Skip's dad

Terry Bell was just a little bit better than good at pool

Who is this Terry Bell never heard of him maybe some more info would be nice

 

[manwon]

Who is this Terry Bell never heard of him maybe some more info would be nice

Terry Bell, Larry Hubert, St. Louis Louie Roberts, were three great players that were the front men for the first Pool League that was started in the United States, in the Mid to late 1970's called the Bush Pool League. This Pool League was started in St. Louis, Mo and sponsored by the Anheuser Bush Brewery. By the early 1980's the Brewery stopped funding the League so the three gentleman above took the operating rules and started the American Pool Players Association (APA).

Hope this helps!!!!

 

[Rack'em jay]

Who is this Terry Bell never heard of him maybe some more info would be nice

look at history of the APA on thier site

 

[jay helfert]

Terry Bell was a very good player in the 70's and 80's, who gave up pro pool to run the fledgeling APA pool leagues. He and Larry Hubbart are two more examples of good pool players who found a way to get rich without banging balls.

Terry's career hi-light was finishing second in the Caesars Palace Billiard Classic in 1985. He lost to Earl in the finals and it was taped for television by ESPN. This was the event that became the demise of the Caesars tournaments put on by Richie Florence. The players refused to sign the television releases and the shows never aired. There is a story about it in my book.

I sure would like to have a copy of those matches. I think Dallas West played Terry in the loser's bracket final. I shot the "balancing act" shot during an intermission, and it was part of the broadcast. :frown:

 

[dardusm]

Terry Bell was a very good player in the 70's and 80's, who gave up pro pool to run the fledgeling APA pool leagues. He and Larry Hubbart are two more examples of good pool players who found a way to get rich without banging balls.

Terry's career hi-light was finishing second in the Caesars Palace Billiard Classic in 1985. He lost to Earl in the finals and it was taped for television by ESPN. This was the event that became the demise of the Caesars tournaments put on by Richie Florence. The players refused to sign the television releases and the shows never aired. There is a story about it in my book.

I sure would like to have a copy of those matches. I think Dallas West played Terry in the loser's bracket final. I shot the "balancing act" shot during an intermission, and it was part of the broadcast. :frown:

I don't know the full story but it sounds like the pool players getting in the way of themselves again.

 

[jay helfert]

I don't know the full story but it sounds like the pool players getting in the way of themselves again.

They've shot themselves in the foot more than once. The Camel Pro Tour was their most recent major blunder. Of course Don Mackey had a lot to do with that.

 

[catpool9]

Terry Bell

back 3 years ago when i worked at cooper tire in Texarkana Ar.


I had to go pick up sum parts that were being fixed at our in house machine shop. when i went over to check on the parts a guy named (Skip) told me it was break time and when he got off break it would only take about 5 minutes. man being union was nice, because it was about 1/4 mile back to were i worked he told me to stay in his office while he was on break. we made small talk he asked were i was from and was i related to any of the people he knew with my last name. and he knew my cousin that is the mayor of Texarkana Ar. he told me that growing up his parents owned a pool hall/bar called the Road map. I told him that i played a little and he said his dad was a good pool player. ok did not think to much about that. well me and this guy became friends and he was also selling insurance on the side to make extra money primerica. i went to meeting and classes and got lincened to sell insurance and was around him alot for about 5 months. he asked me one time if i wanted to come by his house some time to play pool. I turned him down i though i would be wasting my time playing him i just told him maybe when i have more time.

looking back i wish i had gone and played him so i could have herd some stories about his dad. I did not put it all together until about 3 months ago i was reading a post on here from Ironman and it all clicked in place. And I am glad i did not ask to play my friend "Skip" Bell for money.

Skip's dad

Terry Bell was just a little bit better than good at pool

Your damn "Skippy" Terry Bell could shoot the hell outta some 9-Ball, he did start the first poolleague, and it started out in Texarkana,Ar.( Bush League)

He sorta married into the bussiness at the Road Map Lounge, he married David and Ronnie Bakers sister which owned the place. Both of the brothers are dead now and they could shoot some good pool too, David being the better of the two, I played David the first time when I was 17yrs., he sure could stir up action, Terry was his mentor!

I told a story about Terry Bell in a thread I started awhile back, don't remember what I called it though, may have been called "Shooting Pool Summer of 73", that Terry Bell played just a shake under Buddy Hall.IMO


David Harcrow

 

[alstl]

I sure would like to have a copy of those matches.

Have you tried contacting ESPN? Might get you pointed in the right direction.

For the quickest answer to your questions, please check out our ESPN.com FAQ's by clicking here. If our FAQ's do not answer your questions, please contact ESPN.com Customer Care at 1-888-549-ESPN or fill out the form below to send us an email.

 

[Scott Lee]

David...While there may have been a Busch League in Texarkana, the original Busch Pool League, started by "Texas Terry" Bell, and Larry "Iceman" Hubbart, was formed, and had the first teams, in the St. Louis, MO area.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com ~ used to be an APA L.O., and knows Texas Terry quite well!

Your damn "Skippy" Terry Bell could shoot the hell outta some 9-Ball, he did start the first poolleague, and it started out in Texarkana,Ar.( Bush League)

David Harcrow

 

[Fenwick]

Was the Bush League a handicapped or scratch league back then and how big was it? I never heard of it until a few weeks ago when a family member mentioned he played in it for many years in Utah.
Thanks

 

[manwon]

Was the Bush League a handicapped or scratch league back then and how big was it? I never heard of it until a few weeks ago when a family member mentioned he played in it for many years in Utah.
Thanks

The Busch League was Handicapped, in fact if you put the rules of the Bush League and the APA Side by Side there are little if any differences.

Anheuser Bush sponsored this League like I said above, Larry Hubert, St. Louis Louie Roberts, Terry Bell, along with Fats were used to help promote the Bush League. For what ever reason the League failed and the same Gentleman above minus Fats used the Rules and the League organization to start the APA. When the APA started it was run by Larry Hubert, Terry Bell, and Louie Roberts, sometime during the 1980's when Louie was down on his Luck Terry and Larry bought Louie Roberts share for a small amount of money. I don't know the full story maybe one of the more knowledgeable posters could add more information.

Below is the first Bush league Poster which is part of my collection, with a very well known gentleman as the front man enjoy!!!!!!

 

[CAR22]

thanks for the info and wow he really played well

 

[catpool9]

The demo was in Texarkana,Ar.

David...While there may have been a Busch League in Texarkana, the original Busch Pool League, started by "Texas Terry" Bell, and Larry "Iceman" Hubbart, was formed, and had the first teams, in the St. Louis, MO area.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com ~ used to be an APA L.O., and knows Texas Terry quite well!

I knew Terry Bell quite well at the time, and he did the Demo version of the Bush Pool League in Texarkana to see how it would go!


P.S. As a matter of fact I've lined games up for Terry when I was just 14yrs. and also got him work recovering pool tables, I kinda know what I'm talking about.


He divorced the Bakers brothers sister after the Bush League went over well in Texarkana,Ar.& Tx, took the concept to St. Louis, married a rich woman, and the Nationally known Bush League was born.

David Harcrow

 

[Rack'em jay]

I knew Terry Bell


He divorced the Bakers brothers sister after the Bush League went over well in Texarkana,Ar.& Tx, took the concept to St. Louis, married a rich woman, and the Nationally known Bush League was born.

David Harcrow

Ok, that might be the reason that (Skip) only said his dad Terry Bell was good at pool. And never talked about him again to me in more detail:scratchhead:

 

[manwon]

I knew Terry Bell quite well at the time, and he did the Demo version of the Bush Pool League in Texarkana to see how it would go!


P.S. As a matter of fact I've lined games up for Terry when I was just 14yrs. and also got him work recovering pool tables, I kinda know what I'm talking about.


He divorced the Bakers brothers sister after the Bush League went over well in Texarkana,Ar.& Tx, took the concept to St. Louis, married a rich woman, and the Nationally known Bush League was born.

David Harcrow

Hello David, either you are mistaken or you are full of shit because the Bush League certainly did not start in Texarkana Arkansas or Texas. It was started in St. Louis, Missouri the Headquarters of the Anheuser Bush Brewery, and you can take that to the bank, my brother!!!!!

Oh and by the way, Burp!!!!!!!!!!!!:smile:

 

[catpool9]

Hello David, either you are mistaken or you are full of shit because the Bush League certainly did not start in Texarkana Arkansas or Texas. It was started in St. Louis, Missouri the Headquarters of the Anheuser Bush Brewery, and you can take that to the bank, my brother!!!!!

Oh and by the way, Burp!!!!!!!!!!!!:smile:

I guess "I'm Full of Shit", I did say the Demo Version of the bush pool league, because Texarkana IS where the pool league first originated in it's infancy form, and You can take that to the Bank!


David Harcrow

 

[catpool9]

Terry Bell n Memphis,Tn, Tournament

back 3 years ago when i worked at cooper tire in Texarkana Ar.


I had to go pick up sum parts that were being fixed at our in house machine shop. when i went over to check on the parts a guy named (Skip) told me it was break time and when he got off break it would only take about 5 minutes. man being union was nice, because it was about 1/4 mile back to were i worked he told me to stay in his office while he was on break. we made small talk he asked were i was from and was i related to any of the people he knew with my last name. and he knew my cousin that is the mayor of Texarkana Ar. he told me that growing up his parents owned a pool hall/bar called the Road map. I told him that i played a little and he said his dad was a good pool player. ok did not think to much about that. well me and this guy became friends and he was also selling insurance on the side to make extra money primerica. i went to meeting and classes and got lincened to sell insurance and was around him alot for about 5 months. he asked me one time if i wanted to come by his house some time to play pool. I turned him down i though i would be wasting my time playing him i just told him maybe when i have more time.

looking back i wish i had gone and played him so i could have herd some stories about his dad. I did not put it all together until about 3 months ago i was reading a post on here from Ironman and it all clicked in place. And I am glad i did not ask to play my friend "Skip" Bell for money.

Skip's dad

Terry Bell was just a little bit better than good at pool

Back many yrs ago, there was a World Class Tournament in Memphis,Tn.,( it just could have been Walls,Miss.) must have been in the late, late 70's, most all the great players of that time were there.

Well it was told that Terry got out 21 consecutive racks of 9-Ball while in the tournament, not sure if the rack count was correct, but it was all over the poolroom that he had , so he musta got out many racks anyway.

Terry went on of course to win that tournament.

I guess its safe to say that Terry Bell was a premiere player back in his day!

Meanwhile, sometime during the tournament my brother Calvin was racking the balls for two players that were gambling, (at there request).

Some law enforcement agency busted into the tournament and said "hands against the wall, everyone", well Calvin had been racking the balls and had the rack around his neck every game, he told them that he worked there and that he was just a rack boy, so they let him go...haha


Almost every one else that was in the building at the time got arrested for gambling , and or interstate gambling, the bigger of the offensives.

If you had any loose money in your front or back pocketts , you were concidered a gambler or gambling, and it was consficated, your money had tobe in your wallet for them not to have taken it.

Some guy's lost serious money! , it sure did put a dark cloud on the tournament, that kind of thing was going on in many states at the time, I'm glad thats not going on nowdays.

I'm sure that there are some guy's, players that may remember that here on AZB.


David Harcrow

 

[manwon]

I guess "I'm Full of Shit", I did say the Demo Version of the bush pool league, because Texarkana IS where the pool league first originated in it's infancy form, and You can take that to the Bank!


David Harcrow

Laxatives may help David, may I recommend Fleet!!!!!!!:smile: It will also do wonders for your memory, or should I say it will take a load off you mind!!!!!!!!!

Oh and by the way, you can take that to a bank!!!:smile:

 

[jay helfert]

Back many yrs ago, there was a World Class Tournament in Memphis,Tn.,( it just could have been Walls,Miss.) must have been in the late, late 70's, most all the great players of that time were there.

Well it was told that Terry got out 21 consecutive racks of 9-Ball while in the tournament, not sure if the rack count was correct, but it was all over the poolroom that he had , so he musta got out many racks anyway.

Terry went on of course to win that tournament.

I guess its safe to say that Terry Bell was a premiere player back in his day!

Meanwhile, sometime during the tournament my brother Calvin was racking the balls for two players that were gambling, (at there request).

Some law enforcement agency busted into the tournament and said "hands against the wall, everyone", well Calvin had been racking the balls and had the rack around his neck every game, he told them that he worked there and that he was just a rack boy, so they let him go...haha


Almost every one else that was in the building at the time got arrested for gambling , and or interstate gambling, the bigger of the offensives.

If you had any loose money in your front or back pocketts , you were concidered a gambler or gambling, and it was consficated, your money had tobe in your wallet for them not to have taken it.

Some guy's lost serious money! , it sure did put a dark cloud on the tournament, that kind of thing was going on in many states at the time, I'm glad thats not going on nowdays.

I'm sure that there are some guy's, players that may remember that here on AZB.


David Harcrow

David, I remember when that came down I think in 1978 or 79. It was before the Tropicana tourney in 1979, that much I'm sure. Terry told me that story when he was at the Trop and said he finally won a tournament and didn't get paid. :embarrassed2: