Before the BCA became a Trade Organization

[336Robin]

Complexity

Robin,

It's still much more complicated than collecting $450K from amateur player members and then just turning that $450K over to pro players in the form of added monies for tournaments. I don't think those player members would like that very much. Also, a "$10K tournament" costs much more than $10K to run. Where would that extra money come from? You would have to have large revenues from trade members to pay for that. And if the trade members went for the idea, how would they benefit in return? They couldn't, and they know it. They've been down that road before, and I don't think they want to go back.

I think you and I are seeing the problem two different ways. You seem to see the problem as us needing an organization that would revive pro pool. I see the problem as us needing an organization that would fairly represent ALL of its members.

Roger

Roger,
I don't disagree that we need an organization that would fairly represent all of its members. I quoted the numbers and threw it out there to make a point. My point was that we tend to think that its someone else's job to promote and pay for the development of Pro Pool. It isn't. If we get so much enjoyment from it then why not support it. Now that is simple. What is even simpler is that if we cant get some consensus from players through some kind of player based organization then there isn't much hope for revival of pro pool and less for growing the grass roots of the game.

Trust me I understand that Pool needs a fix and I also understand that with or without a player based initiative that would likely fail due to everyone waiting for the other guy to pay for it, pool is going to get a rebirth and its likely going to be a very long labor lasting decades.

Throwing this out there is food, food for thought and if there is someone out there that has a little give a damn left maybe they might have it left in them to organize this herd of cats into something that has some value for the sport. Truthfully its going to be a big job so I see it simple.

Either fund a Player Initiative through dues or Create a Pool Trust Fund. Let anyone contribute. As it grows spend interest money only on grass roots projects not on added money for tournaments. It would take a lot of money to grow it to a position of strength large enough that interest could do much.

I think throwing out ideas is a good thing to do. I do believe that Industry Members note the current demise of the Commercial Market and they are concerned and wondering if there is something they can do to stem the tide or turn it around.

Maybe just Maybe someone will give a damn that actually matters and if not we get older each day just the same. There are places where pool is doing well and perhaps we could emulate their success.

If you will check out the thread that Joey A started on why Pool isn't popular with the masses I made a comment about how a small amount of people 2982 contributing money to a fund can make a Grass Roots investment in the game that will grow true dividends for the game.

I think that Pool is being reborn if we just assist it to be available that is about all we have to do. A Pool Table in a place makes a statement. It says come play pool and if we make it both available and affordable that is all it really has to be. Grass Roots efforts are there, tables get sold, people learn to play and love the game and pool will have a chance to thrive once again. It may not dominate culture but it becomes a part of the memories of children and that is worth a lot. Its what we are shooting for and getting back to the basics of teaching kids to learn pool is what its all about.

 

[336Robin]

Grass Roots Effort Idea

Roger,
I don't disagree that we need an organization that would fairly represent all of its members. I quoted the numbers and threw it out there to make a point. My point was that we tend to think that its someone else's job to promote and pay for the development of Pro Pool. It isn't. If we get so much enjoyment from it then why not support it. Now that is simple. What is even simpler is that if we cant get some consensus from players through some kind of player based organization then there isn't much hope for revival of pro pool and less for growing the grass roots of the game.

Trust me I understand that Pool needs a fix and I also understand that with or without a player based initiative that would likely fail due to everyone waiting for the other guy to pay for it, pool is going to get a rebirth and its likely going to be a very long labor lasting decades.

Throwing this out there is food, food for thought and if there is someone out there that has a little give a damn left maybe they might have it left in them to organize this herd of cats into something that has some value for the sport. Truthfully its going to be a big job so I see it simple.

Either fund a Player Initiative through dues or Create a Pool Trust Fund. Let anyone contribute. As it grows spend interest money only on grass roots projects not on added money for tournaments. It would take a lot of money to grow it to a position of strength large enough that interest could do much.

I think throwing out ideas is a good thing to do. I do believe that Industry Members note the current demise of the Commercial Market and they are concerned and wondering if there is something they can do to stem the tide or turn it around.

Maybe just Maybe someone will give a damn that actually matters and if not we get older each day just the same. There are places where pool is doing well and perhaps we could emulate their success.

If you will check out the thread that Joey A started on why Pool isn't popular with the masses I made a comment about how a small amount of people 2982 contributing money to a fund can make a Grass Roots investment in the game that will grow true dividends for the game.

I think that Pool is being reborn if we just assist it to be available that is about all we have to do. A Pool Table in a place makes a statement. It says come play pool and if we make it both available and affordable that is all it really has to be. Grass Roots efforts are there, tables get sold, people learn to play and love the game and pool will have a chance to thrive once again. It may not dominate culture but it becomes a part of the memories of children and that is worth a lot. Its what we are shooting for and getting back to the basics of teaching kids to learn pool is what its all about.

Roger,
here is an idea I had in another post. Just throwing out ideas but I like it.

If I had those numbers as quoted in another post above I think it was 2982 and lets just say that those people wanted to do something to help pool. I think this use is the best thing they can do.

2982 x $10=29,820 dollars and that's not a paltry sum

How much does the cheapest bar box cost?
Brand New Im guessing 3k at most and I would be that you can get a used Bar Box for pretty cheap.

My idea is this: You go around with a truck full of Bar Boxes and you use this money to subsidize the cost for the places you are going to install them.

So if a Bar Box cost you $1200 you knock off 700 and when you put it into a local store you tell the guy this:

This Bar Box will create people standing around wanting to play. The money you will make off of it will be small, kind of like darts. So use it to get the kids in here and keep some adults entertained. They will buy sodas, drinks, cakes, snacks and pick up things they normally wouldn't because they are busy on the table. Don't charge over a quarter for the table and let the table work its magic for you will make enough to get it covered and then some but the activity will make your place the place a lot of people come to gather. Leave it at a quarter and people will come and play.

This way the table does all of the work for you. It says Pool to the masses. It is cheap to play and people need entertainment and they will. Especially the kids. When people tried to make a living off of Pool alone it started its down hill track. Paired with a business it created an atmosphere of togetherness that created a social situation where it was possible to make money at.....The Place.

That's they way I see Pool working out, you get Tables out in the Community, one table or two here and there where kids can find them. You get the Grass Roots efforts we all harp about. You spend some money but you can afford what you spend. When people see and hear that their money is doing some good then it wont be hard to get people to ante up some more.

A $10 donation isn't going to hurt anyone, especially if they are prone to enter pool tournaments for much more. If you have 2982 people who put in 50 or even more in a years time you can have very positive results for the game.

2982 x 50=$ 149,100 dollars / 700 of subsidize money= 213 Bar Boxes Subsidized

If you put 213 bar boxes out in 1 State that's a lot of Bar Boxes and it wouldn't take long for people to start thinking about Pool because when they go to the store they would see it. They would see people having fun, playing pool.

That's all of the message that you need to send.

Pool is fun and kids love to play. Then someone buys a home table, some cues, some supplies and Pool gets the facelift it needs with the General Public.