AZ Open 10ball Tournamnet......

The Renfro

The Renfro

Outsville.com
Silver Member
Been thinking for awhile about this and intend to talk to Jerry in Tunica... Will also try and back Jay into a corner to come out of promoter retirement and commit if we can figure something out...

Is there any reason AZ could not sponsor an Open event thru donations from our members? I know times are hard and not every can give much but lets say Mike and Jerry setup a paypal account and every time you got some advice or a good chuckle off the sight you were to toss in a few bucks....

AZ gives me hours of entertainment and usually more than a few minutes of aggravation and several occurrences of me scratching my head thinking wtf moments every week.....

I could see my self tossing in maybe $5 or $10bucks to the tourney fund per month just for that.....

For a few of the tips I have taken and ran with I wouldn't have minded tossing a few bucks in the kitty either.... If it's worth a greenie to the poster maybe it's worth a buck or 2 to an AZ tournament fund.....

I mention 10ball in the thread title but we could even do a poll to what game and what rules were to be used........

If we were to organize and pull something like this off I think the industry would actually have to maybe listen to us a little more we get together on some things like we do instead of bashing each other like we also do....

Over the course of the year based on our numbers I think a decent added fund could develop and with the AZ name being behind it I think sponsors might be inclined to actually join us to help build the fund and cover the expenses....

Would kind of be nice to be sitting around on a weekend watching an open event on the stream knowing you helped make it possible.......
 
I would gladly chip in what I could to help make this work.

Perhaps in the future, we could come up with a way to get this event travelling across the country, so that people in all areas could a) contribute and b) get a chance to partake in some of their efforts. Entrants would be restricted to those contributed to an earlier event, so any locals to the area that aren't online, can't swing in and steal the pot.

Also, this might be a great to get some more support for local pool rooms too! Hrmm... lots of excellent potential with this idea. Of course, we'd probably need localized organizers, tournament directors, etc - all of whom need to come from the AZ community directly.
 
I think this is a FANTASTIC idea! Even as a poor student I could kick in more than a few bucks to the idea. I'm sure pool rooms around the country would also like the publicity for hosting an event or series of events like this. I would definitely be willing to travel to play or watch too! Lets keep this going... and keep the criticism constructive. The biggest threat to an idea like this is bickering and infighting.
 
I think its an excellent idea.

The devil is in the the details, of course.

I hope it gains traction, I'll chip in at least a little...
 
Black-Balled said:
Been discussed lots here already. Logistic difficulties are too tuff to overcome.
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Getting started would be the hardest part, that much I think we can all agree on. We need someone trustworthy to head up the event, and well respected.

There are enough people here who would know how to get started that I think the logistics could be worked out, if pride and/or favortism don't get in the way. But, I'm also an optimist, so... heh
 
stljohnny said:
Getting started would be the hardest part, that much I think we can all agree on. We need someone trustworthy to head up the event, and well respected.

There are enough people here who would know how to get started that I think the logistics could be worked out, if pride and/or favortism don't get in the way. But, I'm also an optimist, so... heh
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I will PM this thread to Ed the owner of Sandcastle aka SANDMAN !
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Done !
 
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Don't forget Pat Fleming has been working side by side with Jerry Forsyth of AZ at the Turning Stone for years now !!!
 
Well, that would be a great start, but I think we'd need someone direct from AZB to get in on this as well; to help manage the different areas around the country.

If there's one in the midwest, I'm in for sure. :)
 
Basically the devil is always in the details.....

1) We would need a venue for the actual event

2) We need a promoter that we all have faith in... I have Faith in Jay Helfert but he is a busy busy man and it may be hard to get him to commit...

3) I like the idea of an open event but I think I like the idea of local rooms being involved in qualifiers even better......

4) I haven't got a chance to speak to Jerry and likely won't until July....

I do like that I am not the only one willing to donate a few dollars at a time to build a fund for something like this.... I think we have the numbers to move the mountain if we wish to so to speak.....

Since the evils are in the details and this won' happen quickly lets turn the discussion somewhat to the game that we would all like to see played and the rule set put into use.....

I like DCC using a race to 7 because upsets can occur... I like 10ball simply because it's the current high fashion offering of the pool world.... I like rack your own and winner breaks because even when I can't I like to think I can put up packages.......

SO until we can get to the major players involved lets stick to the part we all would have a vote in..... What game would you want? What format, ie race length, Rack format would you like to see... IF we can get a consensus just on these issues I think I can Badger Jay and Jerry to death over it if we are all willing to toss a few bucks in now and then....

I guess the next step might be to start a few polls if there is enough interest... I'll keep my eye on the thread and we can start slowly like we need to and iron out what we want to see before we ever start browbeating Jerry, Jay and Mike....

But for now since we have no polls what would you like to see in an AZ tournament??... Currently we are at the conception stage so no ideas will be wrong so feel free to chime in.....

I do have one caveat to add.. The first person that mentions the magic rack is getting some red outta me and I think Justnum and Pocketpoint at this point have been the only 2 AZers to get to experience that...........
 
The Renfro said:
Basically the devil is always in the details.....

1) We would need a venue for the actual event

2) We need a promoter that we all have faith in... I have Faith in Jay Helfert but he is a busy busy man and it may be hard to get him to commit...

3) I like the idea of an open event but I think I like the idea of local rooms being involved in qualifiers even better......

4) I haven't got a chance to speak to Jerry and likely won't until July....

I do like that I am not the only one willing to donate a few dollars at a time to build a fund for something like this.... I think we have the numbers to move the mountain if we wish to so to speak.....

Since the evils are in the details and this won' happen quickly lets turn the discussion somewhat to the game that we would all like to see played and the rule set put into use.....

I like DCC using a race to 7 because upsets can occur... I like 10ball simply because it's the current high fashion offering of the pool world.... I like rack your own and winner breaks because even when I can't I like to think I can put up packages.......

SO until we can get to the major players involved lets stick to the part we all would have a vote in..... What game would you want? What format, ie race length, Rack format would you like to see... IF we can get a consensus just on these issues I think I can Badger Jay and Jerry to death over it if we are all willing to toss a few bucks in now and then....

I guess the next step might be to start a few polls if there is enough interest... I'll keep my eye on the thread and we can start slowly like we need to and iron out what we want to see before we ever start browbeating Jerry, Jay and Mike....

But for now since we have no polls what would you like to see in an AZ tournament??... Currently we are at the conception stage so no ideas will be wrong so feel free to chime in.....

I do have one caveat to add.. The first person that mentions the magic rack is getting some red outta me and I think Justnum and Pocketpoint at this point have been the only 2 AZers to get to experience that...........
Click to expand...

I think you've laid a good groundwork of where to start. Meaning 10-ball, rack your own, winner breaks...

I also like the idea of regional qualifiers. It will complicate things significantly, but if executed properly, it could actually be a model of how to do things on a bigger scale, for more than just little ole AZB. In the meantime, coming up with a format that is reasonably easily to duplicate in different area's of the country is the challenge. Or "a" challenge, after getting AZB and Jay, of course.
 
I'd be happy and honored to host!

First off, thank you for thinking of and suggesting Sandcastle Billiards. I’m sincerely flattered.

This very same idea came to me a few years ago when I took over the pool room that is now Sandcastle. The room was going out of business after only a year and a half in operation. As I was replacing the lighting, rebuilding and rearranging the tables, painting the 6,000 sq feet of wall space, I thought of not ONLY providing the proper conditions for a true "players' room" but going a step further someday and actually growing into a "Billiards Arena" to set the stage for professional events as well as amateur ones on a regular basis.

The only pool rooms in the metropolitan area are either "kiddie club" hangouts for teens where conditions are horrible with tables that are 4 feet apart with whatever cheap cloth is on sale, lampshade bulb lighting and blaring music at all times. They don't want to host any tours or even in-house tournaments. Hell, the owners don't even know who Effren or Strickland are!

The OTHER types of rooms around are mainly BARS that have pool tables in them just to make EXTRA cash on top of liquor sales and keep drinkers entertained to stay there longer and drink more.

The ONLY places where actual "POOL" events occur are hosted by just a few of us traditional pool rooms that cater to players. We can be counted on one hand.

Casinos, Hotels and Banquet Halls all host an annual or occasional event and get paid very well by doing so. When have casinos, hotels or banquet halls made a donation or sponsor an event FOR pool? The only one that comes to my mind is the Seminole Tribe that actually gives back to the sport. Please tell me of others that you know of so I may recognize them as well.

What is all this rambling getting at?......
I believe Billiards needs a Sport Arena/Complex just like all other sports have and that is what I am trying to grow Sandcastle into. We need to set the PROPER EXAMPLE of what pool & Billiards once was and NEEDS to be again! POSITVE and respectable honest and humble people working TOGETHER and NOT bashing each other or cut-throat competing AGAINST one another MUST come together to pull this beloved sport out of the trenches and up into a positive and respected light. The hustler/gangster/pimp/ dangerous degenerate hangout stigma can ONLY be erased by NUMEROUS events promoting the sport in a positive light. We have to encourage ALL types of people to join us in the love of the game. Don't discourage them all but bashing them. We ALL started out somewhere and THEN learned the game and got better. Promoting women, children, local members of the community, beginners AND professionals in a classy and PROFESSIONAL environment will open the eyes of large outside corporations to finally get involved and support the sport.

Using the power of the media in a facility dedicated to the positive promotion of the sport is essential in beginning a mission to make this very possible and TANGIBLE dream become a reality.

I currently DONATE my time and efforts at Sandcastle to make this possible for players in the local area. I would like to reach out to the entire nation as much as possible to bring everyone together on the same page to actually "make it happen". Unfortunately, I am not a rich man in the sense of monetary value. In fact, I was doing quite well for myself BEFORE I saved the pool room from closing down. LOL

Anyhow, IF many people on here are willing to chip in what is a measly monetary amount to one individual but VERY powerful in numbers; this can very easily be possible! I think $5 - $10 a month times just 1,000 members can provide for a MONTHLY Pro/Am event to be held. I'll speak with others that would have to be involved to figure out the details of behind the scene costs and what will be left for cash payouts to the players and so forth.

As a start, I propose a structure of some sort of "club event membership" which will include free admission to those that are "on-board" in the local area to come in and view the event in person, AND a free pass on the live stream for those members "on-board" that are far from the hosting venue. I would request that this would ONLY be held in POOL ROOMS and NOT in casinos or expo centers. If the room owner is not willing to dedicate his room to the event, he is not worthy to host the event and profit off the industry throughout the rest of the year in MY opinion and therefore should NOT call his place of business a Billiard Parlor or Pool Room. I'm just speaking straight from the heart. My heart lies in this game's survival and betterment in this country to catch up with other nations like China, Korea, European nations and the United Arab Emirates.

I can't be more pleased having Accu-Stats video productions housed in Sandcastle Billiards. Pat Fleming is working on many events for everyone to enjoy, I'm working on several events for many to enjoy, and we BOTH will be working on some projects together to bring you even greater events ALL of which COST $$$ to produce and present to the public. Having an entire professional HD studio permanently set up at Sandcastle provides for the proper environment and venue with ease. Sandcastle Billiards is 6,000 square feet large and can hold MANY viewers in person. NO casino OR ballroom required. A motel is right next door to Sandcastle as well as 4 other small hotels in the immediate area AND a Mariott Courtyard half a mile away as well. Shuttle bus service can be provided from the hotels to Sandcastle as I have ALREADY provided in the past from the World 14.1 Tournament in New Brunswick to Sandcastle in neighboring Edison Township.

The few costs are mainly in advertizing, promoting and prize funds. Any questions, comments or suggestions????? (Cringing now) LOL
 
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I don't believe that Jerry has seen this thread as I mentioned it to him today and he know nothing of it.

Before reading the messages today, my thoughts for venues were...

Sandcastle (Accu Stats)
Atlanta (Close to Jerry)
Phoenix (Close to Me)

I do think Sandcastle would be the absolute best venue for something like this.

I do think that if we can get the ball rolling here on the forums, it wouldn't be unthinkable that a handful of industry sponsors would get involved.

As for promotion, I think we have that pretty much covered between AzB and calling in favors.

I am curious as to what sort of money folks believe would have to be raised to make this a reality. What expenses are we looking at outside of added prize money?

Most of this early level conversation will have to take place here, as Jerry will not be going to Tunica. He will be at the BCA trade show. I might be going to Tunica. We havn''t worked that out yet.

Of course, Jerry and I are always available for phone calls if something requires that sort of thing.

Please keep in mind that Jerry and I are going to be tied up with a fairly large project until (hopefully) early May. We are not super tied up at the moment, but we will be getting more and more busy with it as we get closer to May.

I will email Jerry so he can check this out when he gets up (way too early) in the morning.

Mike
 
Great IDEA! I hope it gets going and becomes a reality. And thanks for Sandcastles & Mike (AZB) jumping on board w/nothing but positive suggestions that seem to indicate they will be willing and able to participate. :thumbup:

When I read the 1st two post I was skeptical because I thought I understood the OP was suggesting an Open Tournament sponsored by AZB, and the 2nd post was suggesting only AZB participants that donate. Big difference in concept. But I can see now that all that is up for discussion and pretty much back on track so I'm not that worried about the right details getting formulated and clarified.

In other words, if this idea get a life of its own, I'm in with some kind of donation. Let's please keep the "constructive" suggestions rolling to create something we and the industry can be proud of.

Dave
 
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