Advice for Wheelchair player (after heart transplant)

preacherman

preacherman

CPPA Founder
Silver Member
Here's my question.

I have a friend who is a very good pool player, he's now in his early 60's - He was once our towns (and area) best player. About 5 years ago he had a heart transplant. He was in bad shape, even for awhile he was in a nursing home. As he recovered he slowly (over the last 4 years) got his game back and while he plays from a wheelchair he still beats most people and has even won some small tournaments. Since he's playing good again, some are trying to seriously enforce the one foot on the floor for him while in the wheelchair (I think it is ridiculous). People playing in wheelchairs, normally have both feet off the floor. But being that He can sometimes stand (but not all the time, as he is way too weak, it's a real effort for him to stand) to shoot. When he does stand then obviously at those times he should be required to have at last one foot on the floor, which he does. I think people were happier with him being ill and not dominating our local league. Now that he's getting better than most (even from a wheelchair) they want to stop him from being one of the best players thus this new debate. (BTW - We are not a sanctioned league). I would think people should be happy for him that he has come through a heart transplant and other obstacles to play as well as he does. But they're not!

They are considering taking a vote on it tomorrow or sometime this week.
To vote on him ALWAYS having one foot on the floor even when he is in the wheelchair.

Please voice your opinions, so it can be voiced to those causing this ridiculous situation.
 
I'm Never Too Busy To Help Someone

I was the TD for 5 years for the U.S.Open 9-Ball Wheelchair Tournament. There were players in the tournament that were capable of standing for some shots, but they were not allowed to, by the rules.

The rule for wheelchair players is that you must play every match and shot from your wheelchair. It is a Foul for your ass to lift up from the seat of the wheelchair, although I NEVER went to place my hand under their ass to see if they were lifting up a bit ( I did it 'visually' ). :)

There is a National Wheelchair Poolplayers Association for chair players http://www.nwpainc.org/

Many of you or your friends questions may be answered here and he may choose to participate in their tournaments. Players come from allover the world to play in these events and a great time is had by all.

In your local tournament, I think that if the rule is one foot on the floor, it should apply to your wheelchair player friend as well, if he chooses to stand for a shot. He should NOT be required to keep a foot on the floor if he is shooting from his chair.

Doug
(all imo of course)



.
 
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Smorgass Bored said:
In your local tournament, I think that if the rule is one foot on the floor, it should apply to your wheelchair player friend as well, if he chooses to stand for a shot. He should NOT be required to keep a foot on the floor if he is shooting from his chair.

Doug
(all imo of course)



.
Click to expand...

ditto --------

love of the game may be why the man is fighting to get back
 
Sounds like a bunch of whiney a holes to me, tell them they can sit in a wheelchair and play also if they think it is an advantage. That will teach em something about mechanics.=.--Leonard
 
Thanks for the responses, I will be giving them to my friend in the wheelchair to show others that they are treating him wrong and it is ridiculous. Your responses alone will be an encouragement to him.
BTW in our league of approx. 100 players he is currently ranked #1.
So still currently best shooter. He's currently has a winning percent
875% (49 W, 7L).
 
Those guys must really want to win badly to do something so mean-spirited.

I tend to suspect they are just a bunch of jerks, but maybe they only need some help with their logic...

Ask them why they think the "one foot on the floor" rule exists. The answer of course is to keep a player from climbing completely up on the table for a shot. So obviously the rule is completely irrelevant when the shooter plays from a chair.
 
Doug,
Thanks for the input. My friends latest update is they want him to give proof that he's right in his playing with foot off floor when in the wheelchair, and also wanting to be able to stand at other times. He can stand but not all game (maybe stands 1-2 times a game) as he is too weak to stand all game.

I told him I would check with some pro's, semi-pro's and league operators to see what guidelines they would give if someone came to them with a similiar situations. Thus I ask for your input, and please let other pro's (and semi-pro's, and league operators) know about this so they can voice in on it and then I'll print these out for my friend.

BTW - The big reason their doing this is to try to make him put his foot on the floor, so they can call a foul if he doesn't.

Thanks again,

Jim "preacherman"
http://www.christianpoolplayers.com
 
Cuebacca said:
Those guys must really want to win badly to do something so mean-spirited.

I tend to suspect they are just a bunch of jerks, but maybe they only need some help with their logic...

Ask them why they think the "one foot on the floor" rule exists. The answer of course is to keep a player from climbing completely up on the table for a shot. So obviously the rule is completely irrelevant when the shooter plays from a chair.
Click to expand...


People like that make me sick, this poor guy is fighting for his life an they are sweating him in a wheel chair??? I couldnt sleep at night or live with myself if I ever did anything like that towards someone in that spot, I would go out of my way to be accomodating. It would be almost impossible for me to beat someone in that spot, i'd play tough but find a way to lose, thats just my nature towards people in a tuff spot like that. God bless him.

Sincerly
eric
 
Neil said:
I seem to be missing something here. (As usual:embarrassed2: ) Why can't he just put a foot on the floor while he is in the chair? Don't his foot rests turn up out of the way???
Click to expand...

That's my thought as well.

If I were this guy, I'd find a way to manage the foot thing and continue to whip their butts, just to spite the haters :)
 
preacherman said:
BTW - The big reason their doing this is to try to make him put his foot on the floor, so they can call a foul if he doesn't.

Thanks again,

Jim "preacherman"
http://www.christianpoolplayers.com
Click to expand...


Shame he cant go somewhere else where they wont give him a hard time. I dont go where I'm not welcomed, or despised by 51% of the people(unless its here :p ;) ).

Hopefully he does get stronger and continues to play good and beats these guys EVERY time.
 
Chair player

I can't find words to describe my discuss with the attitude of the players you are describing. The man is in a chair....the chair acts as his legs therefore....his feet are on thew floor!
 
I have regular player in my room that plays in those wheelchair tournaments,
his name is Kenny "wheels" Nottle and plays real good from his wheelchair, I would never expect him to play by that rule, and no one else in my room would expect him to
either.
Now if he could stand up once in a while, he would have to have a foot on the floor.

highrun55
 
Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.

The International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF) is recognized by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), the world governing body of pocket billiards, as governing all international competitions concerning wheelchair pocket billiards. The ISMWSF has adopted the rules of play within these pages except for the amendments, exceptions and alterations stipulated below.

CUE SPORTS CLASSIFICATION
There are two (2) categories or classes for those competing in wheelchairs, i.e.


Those players who meet the minimal disability and who are unable to make and sustain a functional bridge with their non-cueing hand.
All other players who meet the minimal disability who can make and sustain a functional bridge with the non-cueing hand.

DEFINITION OF MINIMAL DISABILITY IS;

Amputation above the ankle.
Decrease of muscle strength in one lower limb of at least 30 points.
Severe mobility problems comparable with handicaps under a) and b) of this section.

GENERAL RULES

Players must remain seated on the cushion or seat of the wheelchair when playing a shot. Should a players buttocks be clear of the cushion or seat when striking the cue ball, it will be deemed a foul.
Feet must be kept clear of the floor, should feet or foot-plates touch the floor when striking the cue ball, it will be deemed a foul.
Players in class 1 may request the Referee for assistance with rests and equipment etc.
Below the Knee strapping is allowed to keep feet on foot-plates. Strapping above the waist is not allowed except for medical reasons
 
??????????

I've read all posts an hope I have this correct. A player playing from a wheel-chair is playing non wheel-chair players an they are complaining.
I've got news for them playing from a wheel-chair is not an advantage. I would think that the only rules that apply to the wheel-chair participant
would be table fouls only. I see his winning percentage is 49 wins an 7 losses thats quite impressive. Tell him from me quite a record an keep pouring it on. A individual has had many of the joys of life taken away now his fellow competitors want to take away his passion, quite a flock you have there Preacher. My congrats an thanks to you for standing up for the wheel-chair champ....................
Pinocchio
 
I'd bow down to the guy in a wheelchair.
Those non handicapped people who are trying to enforce a rule on him...have they got no shame?
 
poolcuemaster said:
Sounds like a bunch of whiney a holes to me, tell them they can sit in a wheelchair and play also if they think it is an advantage. That will teach em something about mechanics.=.--Leonard
Click to expand...
tap tap tap
 
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