Any ideas how to make pool more popular and pay more?

Manly, I think someone pointed out that part of the contract a while back but this would be the first time that I know of that they are sticking to it. I thought there were three options: 1) someone living within 50 miles didn't have to pay; Others would pay $25 and touring pros would have to join for the year and pay $100.

But then, what distinguishes a regular Pro from a touring Pro?

Where would a person like Scotty Townsend fit in? Or is he a member of the UPA?

Reminds me of some of the summer jobs I had a long time ago where I was politely informed that I had to join the union. It was either that or a stay in the local hospital. LOL

Who is the touring Pro?

What will his choice be?

I guess that is a benefit of not being talented enough to play as a pro - I don't have to worry about unions.

But then I play in the APA and I have to pay a $20 yearly fee. But somehow I think I receive a bigger benefit from the APA then the pros receive from the UPA.

Maybe you should organize the non UPA pros and go out there and picket the place. Just kidding.

Jake
 
jjinfla said:
Manly, I think someone pointed out that part of the contract a while back but this would be the first time that I know of that they are sticking to it.
But then, what distinguishes a regular Pro from a touring Pro?
Who is the touring Pro?
Click to expand...

The UPA decides who is a "touring pro" and who is a "local" and who is a "non-touring pro."

The "touring pro" is BARRED from attending a UPA-sanctioned event unless he joins the UPA, pays $100, signs a legally binding contract without the benefit of counsel on site at the tournament venues, a contract that UPA lawyers created. This is how the UPA treats pool players in the United States of America.

Again, Earl Strickland is not the only one affected by the UPA.

Call the UPA number on their website and you get a recording. Leave a message and ask for assistance or inquire for more information. Call the Amsterdam Billiards in NYC and try to get some information. The manager of the pool room that is having a tournament there next week tells you, the inquiring caller, to call Charlie Williams or the tournament director, Scott Smith for assistance.

ManlyShot
 
Rick W.,

I agree, sanction, reprimand, fine, yes, yes, yes.

Ban? NO NO NO

Jake

PS: strange you should mention Buddy Hall because the other day it was Billy Incardona who was teasing Buddy as they were narrating the 2002 Open about Buddy's temper in the old days. I don't think any of them are angels.
 
Manlyshot,

Have you or anyone you know taken that UPA contract to an attorney for their legal opinion?

Maybe it is not as binding as it appears to be and if there are sections that a person objects to then that section could be crossed out.

That contract seems to be one of the biggest stumbling blocks for the pros.

Jake
 
jjinfla said:
Manlyshot,

Have you or anyone you know taken that UPA contract to an attorney for their legal opinion?

Maybe it is not as binding as it appears to be and if there are sections that a person objects to then that section could be crossed out.

That contract seems to be one of the biggest stumbling blocks for the pros.

Jake
Click to expand...

A very prominent lawyer, a pool player that is well known, refused to sign the contract in Las Vegas earlier this year because of the way it was worded.

The UPA told Corey Duel that he must sign the contract or give up his ranking points. Without a signed contract, Corey Duel was afforded a seed and a bye at the Capital City Classic. Corey showed me the contract in Philly with the blacked-out portions that he blackened out because he disagreed with them, and he then signed the contract and gave it to the UPA. The UPA rejected it. Corey Duel has been stripped of his UPA ranking points. He did enjoy a seed and a bye at Big Apple and Capital City Classic without the UPA having a signed contract in hand from him.

Jose Parica says he is going to follow the Joss Tour and others like it because he isn't going to sign the UPA contract because of the way it is worded.

Again, the UPA is only targeting pool players and tournament promoters, the very people in this cash-poor industry who are suffering the most.

ManlyShot
 
It doesn't take just money, it takes determination and hard work. Of course there are a lot of pool players that tend to shy away from work. There is a guy here in Sacramento, Bart Mahoney, who has been working real hard at getting pool accepted in high schools as a course in PE. The cost of doing this isn't so great but I'm sure Bart spends a lot of his time and energy on this. I tip my hat to him and feel that he's on the right track. He's got the schools buying into it. Think about it, what's the cost compared to other school sports? You don't need uniforms or even equipment. You just need a willing pool hall and a bus to get the kids there. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if he can get enough schools into this, they will eventually have interschool tournaments. Sounds mighty good to me!

I think this would be a much better way to develop good champions with character than having players forced to hustle a buck here and buck there trying to make enough to keep playing in order to improve their game.
 
A couple of years ago I was involved with the Australian Junior Pool Championships (those under 18yrs) (I have been involved for over 10 years). Held in Melbourne, Kids from all over Australia participated. The players qualified back in their own cities and won trips to compete in the Nationals!
There are over 600 "under 18's" who compete in Western Australia alone. A local pool room chain offers "free" pool on saturdays and school kids after school, pay a small fee to play.
They even have tournament playoffs in Malls where the public can observe and cheer on their kids!
Many of the local "great" snooker players are readily available to assist these kids. Lots of these "under 18's)" have a legitamate chance to get into the Snooker World because of their system.

In our good old USA there are very few places for "kids" to learn pool skills. Here, most people begin their playing in bars after they are 21. It is very hard for us to develope a legitamate tour when we have no young players coming up to fight against the "OLD TIMERS"!
 
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