A sense of equality
Hi everyone
I've always found the subject of comparing/contrasting women vs. men in our sport interesting and since I am nothing if not opinionated to a fault, here's my .25 worth (adjusted for inflation of course).
So, eons ago, I remember watching Johnny, Mike S., King James, Kim, Efren, Fransisco, Buddy, Miz, even Greg Fixx (ahhh.. blast from the past) play when the MPBA was still in existence. Unfortunately for the men, they always made less than stellar choices for their leadership, i.e. the succession of Commissioners during the MPBA's time. That's just one part of the equation though. Women seem to group together and organize more easily then men. That's not to say we're better at it, just that we fall into step more easily, thus getting things accomplished more expeditiously. (quick, someone hand me my .50 please!).
I've also always felt there is no reason why a woman can't play as well as a man, but I think inherently, men take more risks than most women, and women tend towards caution more than most men do. (yes, notice I qualify everything so as to avoid the "generalization moniker"). This translates into many of our players utilizing safeties more regularly then perhaps our male counterparts do, which is why in a winner break situation you won't see as many women putting on 6 packs like you would with many men.
However, that isn't to say that women cannot compete on the same level, as my old coach Steve Itule (rest is Ross Perot-like soul), there's more than one way to skin a cat. As another poster pointed out, size isn't a consideration- we have female players as tall as 6'4" and as small of size as 4'11" (although I think Nikki Bennish was 4'10" and may have held the all time record for shortest player on the WPBA). Yet all can break as well as the next person - it's about technique not size. Same with a player's stroke, position play etc, it's about knowledge and technique, so (and men should rejoice as I say this) in pool size really doesn't matter.
Now, mental toughness, there is a disparity in many respects. Most men have hunter instincts - they are single minded and ferocious in their focus. Most women are the organizers - we are multi-taskers to the nth degree (if you doubt me, come watch me work at a WPBA event some time!). This gives men the advantage in many respects since they are less likely to be distracted even by their inner child (are you a toys-r-us kid?). I know personally, my inner voices won't shut up, even when I'm asleep - When I was playing, for me to reach that quiet place where I could be completely still was a hard road for me and most likely a hard road for many of my sisters. The Fisher Queens, Vivian, Jeanette, Ga Young, Xiaoting, Jasmin, Gerda, Monica, etc etc, they've all experienced it, but they've also managed to learn to quell the chatter better then the rest of us who are stuck in mediocrity as mental players.
Does this mean that we'll never reach the same level as men? Of course not, but the numbers do stack up in such a way that more men have the ability to reach the zone than women do.
As for men & women competing with each other? I say go for it! I completely agree with the poster who said that women have theirs, men have theirs, then have a coed/open tour or series of events, that way everyone gets what they want Sounds so simple, doesn't it? LOL my idealistic mind at work.
During the Borderline Billiards Satellite event, a web chatter asked me about Scotch Doubles tournaments for the Pro's. What a fantastic idea! Could you imagine the pairings? Jeanette with Johnny Archer? Allison Fisher paired with SVB? Me paired with Tommy "he plays!" Kennedy... oh wait, I don't play anymore! The possibilities are endless.
The graceful soul and fierce heart of a determined competitor should never be stunted - let all comers have their chance for greatness.
Thanks for letting me ramble!
Anne
Hi everyone
I've always found the subject of comparing/contrasting women vs. men in our sport interesting and since I am nothing if not opinionated to a fault, here's my .25 worth (adjusted for inflation of course).
So, eons ago, I remember watching Johnny, Mike S., King James, Kim, Efren, Fransisco, Buddy, Miz, even Greg Fixx (ahhh.. blast from the past) play when the MPBA was still in existence. Unfortunately for the men, they always made less than stellar choices for their leadership, i.e. the succession of Commissioners during the MPBA's time. That's just one part of the equation though. Women seem to group together and organize more easily then men. That's not to say we're better at it, just that we fall into step more easily, thus getting things accomplished more expeditiously. (quick, someone hand me my .50 please!).
I've also always felt there is no reason why a woman can't play as well as a man, but I think inherently, men take more risks than most women, and women tend towards caution more than most men do. (yes, notice I qualify everything so as to avoid the "generalization moniker"). This translates into many of our players utilizing safeties more regularly then perhaps our male counterparts do, which is why in a winner break situation you won't see as many women putting on 6 packs like you would with many men.
However, that isn't to say that women cannot compete on the same level, as my old coach Steve Itule (rest is Ross Perot-like soul), there's more than one way to skin a cat. As another poster pointed out, size isn't a consideration- we have female players as tall as 6'4" and as small of size as 4'11" (although I think Nikki Bennish was 4'10" and may have held the all time record for shortest player on the WPBA). Yet all can break as well as the next person - it's about technique not size. Same with a player's stroke, position play etc, it's about knowledge and technique, so (and men should rejoice as I say this) in pool size really doesn't matter.
Now, mental toughness, there is a disparity in many respects. Most men have hunter instincts - they are single minded and ferocious in their focus. Most women are the organizers - we are multi-taskers to the nth degree (if you doubt me, come watch me work at a WPBA event some time!). This gives men the advantage in many respects since they are less likely to be distracted even by their inner child (are you a toys-r-us kid?). I know personally, my inner voices won't shut up, even when I'm asleep - When I was playing, for me to reach that quiet place where I could be completely still was a hard road for me and most likely a hard road for many of my sisters. The Fisher Queens, Vivian, Jeanette, Ga Young, Xiaoting, Jasmin, Gerda, Monica, etc etc, they've all experienced it, but they've also managed to learn to quell the chatter better then the rest of us who are stuck in mediocrity as mental players.
Does this mean that we'll never reach the same level as men? Of course not, but the numbers do stack up in such a way that more men have the ability to reach the zone than women do.
As for men & women competing with each other? I say go for it! I completely agree with the poster who said that women have theirs, men have theirs, then have a coed/open tour or series of events, that way everyone gets what they want
Sounds so simple, doesn't it? LOL my idealistic mind at work. During the Borderline Billiards Satellite event, a web chatter asked me about Scotch Doubles tournaments for the Pro's. What a fantastic idea! Could you imagine the pairings? Jeanette with Johnny Archer? Allison Fisher paired with SVB? Me paired with Tommy "he plays!" Kennedy... oh wait, I don't play anymore! The possibilities are endless.
The graceful soul and fierce heart of a determined competitor should never be stunted - let all comers have their chance for greatness.
Thanks for letting me ramble!
Anne
