Because I can!!
- Thread starter Grady
- Start date
Give it up Grady !!! You are ranting like a little child...you are not going to change the "Pool World." You get what you deserve; and if the invites do not come, well, it only means they don't wan't you. Comprende?
TATE said:
Who is "Ed Smith" of North America? Fran Crimi is still a cutie pie. She looks GREAT!
Having said that, I just did a search for the player roster of this event.
Here is the list of players: Group 1
1. Thorsten Hohmann GER
2. Tony Robles USA
3. Bo Ram Cha KOR
4. Mike Balasz HUN
5. Bobby Hunter USA
6. Chris Lynch USA
7. Joel Schapiro USA
8. David Nakano USA
Group 2
1. Corey Deuel USA
2. Dennis Orcullo PHI
3. Nick Van Den Berg NED
4. Craig Riley ENG
5. Dennis Hatch USA
6. Tony Rodriguez USA
7. Stuart Mattana USA
8. Peter Burrows USA
Group 3
1. Allen Hopkins USA
2. Konstantin Stepanov RUS
3. Jasmin Ouschan AUT
4. Yu Ram Cha KOR
5. Jonathan Smith USA
6. Randy Goldwater USA
7. Jesse Rice USA
8. Mark Snodgrass USA
Group 4
1. Ralf Souquet GER
2. Stevie Moore USA
3. Michael Felder AUT
4. Antonio Fazanes SPN
5. Huidji See NED
6. Matt Krah USA
7. Bob Maidhof USA
8. Ed Hodan USA
Group 5
1. Max Eberle USA
2. Warren Kiamco PHI
3. Nico Otterman GER
4. Radoslaw Babica POL
5. Mike Davis USA
6. Danny Kuykendall USA
7. Ed Deska USA
8. Joey Kang USA
Group 6
1. Oliver Ortmann GER
2. Danny Harriman USA
3. Stefan Cohen FRA
4. Fabio Petroni ITL
5. Michael Yednak USA
6. Tom Walter USA
7. Shawn Wilkie USA
8. Tom Karabotsos USA
Group 7
1. Mika Immonen FIN
2. John Schmidt USA
3. Niels Feijen NED
4. Tomoki Mekari JPN
5. Lenny Favata USA
6. Matt Tetrault USA
7. Billy Kirschner USA
8. Jimmy Fusco USA
Group 8
1. Thomas Engert GER
2. Danny Barouty USA
3. Martin Kempter AUT
4. Carlos Cabello SPN
5. Charlie Williams USA
6. Sebastian Staab GER
7. Steve Lillis USA
8. Marty Ciccia USA
I personally did not know that a promoter and/or sponsor is required to submit a list to the WPA for approval for an event.
Having said that though, if you look at No. 8 in Group 7, Jimmy Fusco, I cannot see where he is any more qualified than Grady to compete in this event. I happen to like Jimmy a whole bunch, and he's a veteran very worthy of recognition. However, I just wanted to point it out that there are other seasoned players who are not still in the Top 10 List of tournament play today whose name is on this list.
Examining the list a little more in detail, it looks a little Yankee-infested, if you ask me.
JAM
JAM said:Who is "Ed Smith" of North America? Fran Crimi is still a cutie pie. She looks GREAT!
Check out Fran Crimi (on the left) when she was on the tournament trail full time. Is she a doll face or what?
BTW, check out Jean Balukas' stroke (on the right). She holds her cue stick all the way back on the butt end with her chin touching the stick. Talk about a long stroke!
JAM
Attachments
![Crimi%20Balukas%20and%20Shampo[1].JPG](/data/attachments/33/33505-20f324a6e442961ab8e2e7508544600b.jpg?hash=IPMkpuRClh)
To Me, Anyway
It appears that we have a handful of players here at AZB just champing at the bit to do something worthwhile for pool. Too bad that some of them aren't champing at the SAME bit.....
Doug
CHAMPING: Champing at the bit
If someone is eager or anxious to do something, they are said to be champing at the bit, (not chomping at the bit. nor chomping on the bit).
CHAMPING: Repetitious, strong opening and closing action of the mouth which produces sounds when the teeth hit together.
champ
v. tr. - To bite or chew upon noisily.
v. intr. - To work the jaws and teeth vigorously.
Idiom: - champ at the bit
To show impatience at being held back or delayed.
It appears that we have a handful of players here at AZB just champing at the bit to do something worthwhile for pool. Too bad that some of them aren't champing at the SAME bit.....
Doug
CHAMPING: Champing at the bit
If someone is eager or anxious to do something, they are said to be champing at the bit, (not chomping at the bit. nor chomping on the bit).
CHAMPING: Repetitious, strong opening and closing action of the mouth which produces sounds when the teeth hit together.
champ
v. tr. - To bite or chew upon noisily.
v. intr. - To work the jaws and teeth vigorously.
Idiom: - champ at the bit
To show impatience at being held back or delayed.
Smorgass Bored said:It appears that we have a handful of players here at AZB just champing at the bit to do something worthwhile for pool. Too bad that some of them aren't champing at the SAME bit.....
Doug
CHAMPING: Champing at the bit
If someone is eager or anxious to do something, they are said to be champing at the bit, (not chomping at the bit. nor chomping on the bit).
CHAMPING: Repetitious, strong opening and closing action of the mouth which produces sounds when the teeth hit together.
champ
v. tr. - To bite or chew upon noisily.
v. intr. - To work the jaws and teeth vigorously.
Idiom: - champ at the bit
To show impatience at being held back or delayed.
For the inquiring minds, I'd like to listen to a link of an audio detailing what is a "champing at the bit."
JAM
Jerry Forsyth
Well-known member
Ed Smith
Ed Smith is one of the two reps form the BCA to the WPA. Fran Crimi is the other. Those of you who attended the IPT events or who have attended national events with referees know him as a quiet referee who does a very good job of being invisible until he is needed.
I do not know him well but spent some time chatting with him at the IPT events and he seems to be one of those guys who is willing to do whatever it takes to help promote the game and the players. I think he is a good one to have working for us. Both he and Fran are apolitical and straight-shooters.
Ed Smith is one of the two reps form the BCA to the WPA. Fran Crimi is the other. Those of you who attended the IPT events or who have attended national events with referees know him as a quiet referee who does a very good job of being invisible until he is needed.
I do not know him well but spent some time chatting with him at the IPT events and he seems to be one of those guys who is willing to do whatever it takes to help promote the game and the players. I think he is a good one to have working for us. Both he and Fran are apolitical and straight-shooters.
Was someone else left out also? There were qualifiers ya know one down in Baltimore.JAM said:Who is "Ed Smith" of North America? Fran Crimi is still a cutie pie. She looks GREAT!
Having said that, I just did a search for the player roster of this event.
Here is the list of players: Group 1
1. Thorsten Hohmann GER
2. Tony Robles USA
3. Bo Ram Cha KOR
4. Mike Balasz HUN
5. Bobby Hunter USA
6. Chris Lynch USA
7. Joel Schapiro USA
8. David Nakano USA
Group 2
1. Corey Deuel USA
2. Dennis Orcullo PHI
3. Nick Van Den Berg NED
4. Craig Riley ENG
5. Dennis Hatch USA
6. Tony Rodriguez USA
7. Stuart Mattana USA
8. Peter Burrows USA
Group 3
1. Allen Hopkins USA
2. Konstantin Stepanov RUS
3. Jasmin Ouschan AUT
4. Yu Ram Cha KOR
5. Jonathan Smith USA
6. Randy Goldwater USA
7. Jesse Rice USA
8. Mark Snodgrass USA
Group 4
1. Ralf Souquet GER
2. Stevie Moore USA
3. Michael Felder AUT
4. Antonio Fazanes SPN
5. Huidji See NED
6. Matt Krah USA
7. Bob Maidhof USA
8. Ed Hodan USA
Group 5
1. Max Eberle USA
2. Warren Kiamco PHI
3. Nico Otterman GER
4. Radoslaw Babica POL
5. Mike Davis USA
6. Danny Kuykendall USA
7. Ed Deska USA
8. Joey Kang USA
Group 6
1. Oliver Ortmann GER
2. Danny Harriman USA
3. Stefan Cohen FRA
4. Fabio Petroni ITL
5. Michael Yednak USA
6. Tom Walter USA
7. Shawn Wilkie USA
8. Tom Karabotsos USA
Group 7
1. Mika Immonen FIN
2. John Schmidt USA
3. Niels Feijen NED
4. Tomoki Mekari JPN
5. Lenny Favata USA
6. Matt Tetrault USA
7. Billy Kirschner USA
8. Jimmy Fusco USA
Group 8
1. Thomas Engert GER
2. Danny Barouty USA
3. Martin Kempter AUT
4. Carlos Cabello SPN
5. Charlie Williams USA
6. Sebastian Staab GER
7. Steve Lillis USA
8. Marty Ciccia USA
I personally did not know that a promoter and/or sponsor is required to submit a list to the WPA for approval for an event.
Having said that though, if you look at No. 8 in Group 7, Jimmy Fusco, I cannot see where he is any more qualified than Grady to compete in this event. I happen to like Jimmy a whole bunch, and he's a veteran very worthy of recognition. However, I just wanted to point it out that there are other seasoned players who are not still in the Top 10 List of tournament play today whose name is on this list.
Examining the list a little more in detail, it looks a little Yankee-infested, if you ask me.
JAM
Randy puts up money , to take pool out of the pool rooms and to the masses, and you who will benefit criticize him?
I liked the event, thanks all the players and all who worked their ass off for our enjoyment!
Got ya back ,Randy
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Well, whattiya know
I cant believe it! Yobagua, you finally showed me a side of your philosophy that I agree with. Well whattyaknow about that. And when I say I agree, I not only agree, I endorse and preach. One of my best friends was a Gung fu Master who brought me to a exhibition by an 83 yr old Grand Master from China. The respect given to the man was what impressed me the most. Plus, the old man still played pretty good anyway. I do have some disagree points, however, but they are minor. Considering my personality, I certainly dont teach with humility, and I dole out praise sparingly. That's how I learned, and why make it any easier for anybody else? But I do recognize the main point of your advice, that is, to proceed from a positive foundation and good things will come of it.
the Beard
yobagua said:
I cant believe it! Yobagua, you finally showed me a side of your philosophy that I agree with. Well whattyaknow about that. And when I say I agree, I not only agree, I endorse and preach. One of my best friends was a Gung fu Master who brought me to a exhibition by an 83 yr old Grand Master from China. The respect given to the man was what impressed me the most. Plus, the old man still played pretty good anyway. I do have some disagree points, however, but they are minor. Considering my personality, I certainly dont teach with humility, and I dole out praise sparingly. That's how I learned, and why make it any easier for anybody else? But I do recognize the main point of your advice, that is, to proceed from a positive foundation and good things will come of it.
the Beard
Thank you!
Oh dont get me wrong Freddy. I got a lot of knocks to the head and a lot of kicks to the butt. But when my teachers praised me, and that was maybe once every 6 months, that really made my day. And instead of humility I should have said humbleness.
Oh dont get me wrong Freddy. I got a lot of knocks to the head and a lot of kicks to the butt. But when my teachers praised me, and that was maybe once every 6 months, that really made my day. And instead of humility I should have said humbleness.
fish on said:
"Got ya back"? LOL!
A fish watching Randy's back. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!I, for one, am not criticizing Randy. I am, however, pointing out that the player selection, based on what I can read, does show some players of Grady's era, veteran 14.1 shooters, whose names are on the player roster. It was stated by some posters on this thread or another thread -- who knows what thread? -- that players that are Grady's age should step aside and let young meat duke it out in the pit, even though Grady holds championship titles in the discipline of 14.1 and is recognized as a straight pool player.
And FWIW, the list is Yankee-infested! Seems like the New York region was well represented.
JAM
Might as well throw my opinion, from what I gather the event had some no shows and last minute cancellations.
A round Robin format doesn't really work as well with less players in some groups than others so I'm sure some last minute replacements where drafted in.
Interestingly though I asked several veteran and knowledgeable spectators if they thought the field could be improved. Interestingly everyone I asked was in agreement that they thought apart from 1 or 2 players it was a super strong STRAIGHT POOL tournament worthy of its status.
In fact I recall at last years world championships several people commented that it was the greatest 14.1 field ever assembled. Now I'm no 14.1 historian so don't shoot the messenger but I'm guessing this is entirely down to the fact that previous 14.1 events had very few robots, I mean Europeans and Asians
A round Robin format doesn't really work as well with less players in some groups than others so I'm sure some last minute replacements where drafted in.
Interestingly though I asked several veteran and knowledgeable spectators if they thought the field could be improved. Interestingly everyone I asked was in agreement that they thought apart from 1 or 2 players it was a super strong STRAIGHT POOL tournament worthy of its status.
In fact I recall at last years world championships several people commented that it was the greatest 14.1 field ever assembled. Now I'm no 14.1 historian so don't shoot the messenger but I'm guessing this is entirely down to the fact that previous 14.1 events had very few robots, I mean Europeans and Asians
A few closing thoughts
Look, I don't want an invitation to the 14.1. I just want it understood that invitationals are wrong. There are now a few hundred qualified straight pool players and some older gentlemen such as myself who could play. I tried to give an example at another sport to show how ludicrous it is to have an unqualified person having anything to do with selection of players.
Somebody said that I don't thank the people who stand up for me. Well, all I can say about that is that you haven't read many of my posts. Let's address the "whining". If at 64 years old, after devoting my life to a sport I love and then being snubbed by the Charlie Williams' and the Randys of the billiard community is whining , I'm glad that at least one person has the cojones to do that. You should see some of the e-mail I've received from very respectable people about those two, especially Charlie.
I am not going to try to defend myself further on this forum. It's useless.
Look, I don't want an invitation to the 14.1. I just want it understood that invitationals are wrong. There are now a few hundred qualified straight pool players and some older gentlemen such as myself who could play. I tried to give an example at another sport to show how ludicrous it is to have an unqualified person having anything to do with selection of players.
Somebody said that I don't thank the people who stand up for me. Well, all I can say about that is that you haven't read many of my posts. Let's address the "whining". If at 64 years old, after devoting my life to a sport I love and then being snubbed by the Charlie Williams' and the Randys of the billiard community is whining , I'm glad that at least one person has the cojones to do that. You should see some of the e-mail I've received from very respectable people about those two, especially Charlie.
I am not going to try to defend myself further on this forum. It's useless.
TheOne said:Might as well throw my opinion, from what I gather the event had some no shows and last minute cancellations.
A round Robin format doesn't really work as well with less players in some groups than others so I'm sure some last minute replacements where drafted in.
Interestingly though I asked several veteran and knowledgeable spectators if they thought the field could be improved. Interestingly everyone I asked was in agreement that they thought apart from 1 or 2 players it was a super strong STRAIGHT POOL tournament worthy of its status.
In fact I recall at last years world championships several people commented that it was the greatest 14.1 field ever assembled. Now I'm no 14.1 historian so don't shoot the messenger but I'm guessing this is entirely down to the fact that previous 14.1 events had very few robots, I mean Europeans and Asians
Straight pool was THE game here in the United States, long before the 9-ball luck game took its place and well before the emigration of the European and Asian "robots," as you interestingly describe them. Don't forget about those Buckingham Guard personalities on TV either, since you bring it up.
It was because of American players like Grady Mathews who showcased the discipline of 14.1 that straight pool was popular for decades.
Make no mistake about it, pool -- AMERICAN-STYLE -- is why European and Asian players flocked our shores then and continue to do so today.
Players like Grady Mathews are American legends and shouldn't be cast aside as if they're yesterday's stale bread. If it wasn't for Grady Mathews and players of his ilk, there'd be no straight pool popularity today. Their contributions to the sport should be heralded, and for the living straight pool champions today to be ignored and abandoned in a so-called "world" straight pool championship, it is shameful.
JAM
Do You Think Youre So Special?
Do you think youre the only one who has devoted his life to something. I spent 40 years in my business and get rejected for many who have a tenth of my experience and expertise. No one made the choice for me to get in the game I got into. Thats what my Dad taught me. You suck it up and go on. Having confidence in your abilities and what youve already accomplished. We the pool community recognize what youve done and what you deserve. So you get snubbed. Its Capitalism Grady. He who has the money makes the decision. Let it go.Continue teaching and playing and producing great events. Never mind the rest. You aint the Lone Ranger.
Do you think youre the only one who has devoted his life to something. I spent 40 years in my business and get rejected for many who have a tenth of my experience and expertise. No one made the choice for me to get in the game I got into. Thats what my Dad taught me. You suck it up and go on. Having confidence in your abilities and what youve already accomplished. We the pool community recognize what youve done and what you deserve. So you get snubbed. Its Capitalism Grady. He who has the money makes the decision. Let it go.Continue teaching and playing and producing great events. Never mind the rest. You aint the Lone Ranger.
There may be reasons!
I like both of you and respect all you do for pool, I know your lives are not as easy as mine with the state of today's game!
Hell, yes I am a banger and a paying customer
Jennie, if you ever fished for game fish ,when you have a big one on, you yell out fish on! IE. I have a fish on my line look out!! Get it! I am not the fish, I have the fish.
I hope Keith starts playing again, as both of you were missed at Drexeline,
Blase tournament. The last time I saw Keith play he played in the finals against Allen Hopkins ,the back and forth yapping was something to be preserved!
Remember things are not always the way you think they are! You will realize later why!
FYI I have the back of all who make a positive effort to expand our sport! Hey this guys putting up money, Duh!
You are criticizing the tournament ,Randy and the selections made.JAM said:"Got ya back"? LOL!
I, for one, am not criticizing Randy. I am, however, pointing out that the player selection, based on what I can read, does show some players of Grady's era, veteran 14.1 shooters, whose names are on the player roster. It was stated by some posters on this thread or another thread -- who knows what thread? -- that players that are Grady's age should step aside and let young meat duke it out in the pit, even though Grady holds championship titles in the discipline of 14.1 and is recognized as a straight pool player.
And FWIW, the list is Yankee-infested! Seems like the New York region was well represented.
JAM
I like both of you and respect all you do for pool, I know your lives are not as easy as mine with the state of today's game!
Hell, yes I am a banger and a paying customer
Jennie, if you ever fished for game fish ,when you have a big one on, you yell out fish on! IE. I have a fish on my line look out!! Get it! I am not the fish, I have the fish.
I hope Keith starts playing again, as both of you were missed at Drexeline,
Blase tournament. The last time I saw Keith play he played in the finals against Allen Hopkins ,the back and forth yapping was something to be preserved!
Remember things are not always the way you think they are! You will realize later why!
FYI I have the back of all who make a positive effort to expand our sport! Hey this guys putting up money, Duh!
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The tournament being held in New York would normally have a lot of players from that surrounding area. Just as in Riverside there was a lot of Great Mexican and Asian players. Ernesto won it by the way. And so it goes. 14.1 is alive in the Northeast. Crane, Sigel, Diliberto,Ervolino, J Lee, Nagy, are from NY. As well as many others.
I'm curious to know other 14.1 champs from the South. The only one I'm familiar with is Varner who I'm impartial to. I know Luther played it but he was not known for it. John Schmidt lives in the south but I dont think he is originally from there.
I'm curious to know other 14.1 champs from the South. The only one I'm familiar with is Varner who I'm impartial to. I know Luther played it but he was not known for it. John Schmidt lives in the south but I dont think he is originally from there.
Thanks, Jam and others
I really do appreciate sane voices like Jennie's.Let's change topics for a second. In the day, the best players in the world didn't want the eight ball from Keith.I was there and saw them turn it down. FWIW, I'da bet on him playing Lassiter, Cardone or Efren, if that could magically be arranged , on any size table.
I really do appreciate sane voices like Jennie's.Let's change topics for a second. In the day, the best players in the world didn't want the eight ball from Keith.I was there and saw them turn it down. FWIW, I'da bet on him playing Lassiter, Cardone or Efren, if that could magically be arranged , on any size table.