Bergman vs. Deuel at BCAPL National Championships

[Keith Jawahir]

The equipment we play on is one thing that impacts how USA does on international stage 10 years from now (hereafter IS10), yes. But we have to put it in perspective with other factors that impact IS10.

Consider two hypothetical worlds designed to separate some of these factors

(world 1) We immediately switch all 7-foot tables with 9-foot tables in the USA. So bar leagues, weekly tournaments, regional tournaments, and national tournaments are all played on 9-foot tables. But we don't change who plays league, how many people practice and how much, who shows up for the weekly tournaments and so forth. So we change nothing about the people, only the equipment they play on.

How would world 1 affect IS10?

Oh I suspect it would improve it a little

(world 2) We stay on the equipment we play on now, but somehow we increase everything about participation and energy by 20%. Number of new league players increases 20%. Entries to weekly, regional, and national tournaments increases by 20%, number of hungry players putting in the hours increases by 20%. Number of league players taking the next step to enter a first tournament increases by 20%

How would world 2 affect IS10?

The impact would be huge. the pressure on the shortstops from below would step up their games. The pressure on the pros from the energized shortstops would be big. the pressure from below on the Mosconi Cup hopefuls from other energized pros would be big too. And more of this latter crowd would find a way to compete internationally as a result.

This is what Mark understands.

When participation increases, that rising tide raises all boats providing there are seamless connections between the levels of interest. If you have a large league system that is disconnected from higher-level pool this will not be the case. But if you have a large league system that is seamlessly connected, it will. CSI has been steadfastly doggedly building that ladder--so that players at every level of interest/skill/commitment feel that connection to the next level up should they have an inkling to do a little more. The fact the pros are all heading out to Vegas to play alongside many thousands of amateurs on the same equipment next week is a big deal. The fact the league players will walk past the pros in the hall, ride up the elevator with them, be next to them at the bar and at starbucks --and then you seem them play --on the same equipment you play on... That is huge.

I believe the impact of the size of the table on high-level pool in the USA is small compared to this bigger picture.

From this, can we hypothesize that the next generation of top American players will be raised from amateur leagues, tournaments and programs like the BEF?

 

[Rhea]

In my opinion, 9 ball and 10 ball are better suited to be played on a larger table, however due to the nature of the game of 8 ball, a bar table sized table for 8 ball really shows the stronger player especially since there is so much more cue ball control necessary to avoid or intentionally disrupt traffic.

 

[storke]

Mark I must first say a big thank you for all you do and have done for the sport of pool. I firmly believe your contributions over the years have had such a positive impact on pro and amateur billiards. I also believe you do what you believe to be right. I do however wonder the basis of your comment of most of the pool played is played on 7 ft. tables. This comment is 100% true, since most pool played is played by amateurs. However, the large majority of these amateurs also aren't your demographic for these streams since most could care less and usually couldn't even tell you who Corey Duel was. This forum, these people who rave, hurl insults, chase away pros, have potty mouths, and think they know everything are your watching public like it or not in most cases. Please don't take this as I'm arguing with you just stating my opinion. Again thanks for all you do; and I will be a consumer of your products no matter what size table, just wish it was on 9ft:smile:

 

[Island Drive]

Am I not allowed to voice my opinion, especially when we are talking about the future of American pool?

In life it' not What you say it's HOW you say it. Offering up constructive and helpful criticism is how we teach others. Raising children is a perfect example, you can either wipe em, degrade em, help em or explain what your trying to do. I learned by the whip, and I never used it on my 2 girls because I knew of the consequences on both sides of the whip.

Like Donald Sutherland said years ago, when running his tank unit, in a WWII movie with Don Rickeles.....''Quit with the negative waves''.