Barry's article helps to start a discussion about the direction of the professional billiards players and the direction professional billiard organizers.
If there is ever a conflict between players and organizers (a class struggle) it is resolved by the players looking the other way and waiting for the organizers to deliver what they advertised.
It is obvious that organizers put up money and know the machinery about getting spectators, how long promotions take and getting all the equipment into an arena. It is even more obvious that organizers have no real relationships to players whether Johnny Archer shows up or Efren Reyes plays in a tournament, all that matters is the field is full. I have heard rumors about special circumstances but what past is past.
Players have different concerns because they are free contractors. They have their own families, their own expenses and their own responsibilities (like practicing pool). How much do organizers rely on players? Some might say without organizers players would have no careers. How much do players rely on organizers? The argument is the same only in the reverse direction. The two need each other.
Are organizers going to spend time and look out for the needs of their players when they are not playing in their tournament? So far I haven't seen much interest other than telling players when an event is and what the rules they should follow are. Players have gone on without anyone helping them or their external pool tournament needs and external tournament responsibilities addressed, so far organizers haven't burdened themselves with that concern.
What has changed now that Barry is interested in talking about that problem? I won't speculate about his situation. Some of the players have a situation, they were clear about their concerns (http://www.youtube.com/user/InsidePOOLmag#p/search/0/GUs5PlM1inU). And now they want to do something about it. And they were specific what about can be done in the short term and long term.
Barry's letter had fewer details and more ideas that are worth thinking about adapting to billiards in America. All he had was a long winded promotion for his new organization.
If there is ever a conflict between players and organizers (a class struggle) it is resolved by the players looking the other way and waiting for the organizers to deliver what they advertised.
It is obvious that organizers put up money and know the machinery about getting spectators, how long promotions take and getting all the equipment into an arena. It is even more obvious that organizers have no real relationships to players whether Johnny Archer shows up or Efren Reyes plays in a tournament, all that matters is the field is full. I have heard rumors about special circumstances but what past is past.
Players have different concerns because they are free contractors. They have their own families, their own expenses and their own responsibilities (like practicing pool). How much do organizers rely on players? Some might say without organizers players would have no careers. How much do players rely on organizers? The argument is the same only in the reverse direction. The two need each other.
Are organizers going to spend time and look out for the needs of their players when they are not playing in their tournament? So far I haven't seen much interest other than telling players when an event is and what the rules they should follow are. Players have gone on without anyone helping them or their external pool tournament needs and external tournament responsibilities addressed, so far organizers haven't burdened themselves with that concern.
What has changed now that Barry is interested in talking about that problem? I won't speculate about his situation. Some of the players have a situation, they were clear about their concerns (http://www.youtube.com/user/InsidePOOLmag#p/search/0/GUs5PlM1inU). And now they want to do something about it. And they were specific what about can be done in the short term and long term.
Barry's letter had fewer details and more ideas that are worth thinking about adapting to billiards in America. All he had was a long winded promotion for his new organization.
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